mr. boltons last and learned worke of the foure last things death, iudgement, hell, and heauen. with an assises-sermon, and notes on iustice nicolls his funerall. together with the life and death of the authour. published by e.b. bolton, robert, - . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a stc estc s this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) mr. boltons last and learned worke of the foure last things death, iudgement, hell, and heauen. with an assises-sermon, and notes on iustice nicolls his funerall. together with the life and death of the authour. published by e.b. bolton, robert, - . bagshaw, edward, d. . [ ], , p. : port. printed by george miller, dwelling in the black-friers, london : mdcxxxii. [ ] e.b. = edward bagshaw, who may also have written the biography. identified as stc a on umi microfilm. reproduction of the original in the british library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng nicolls, augustine, -- sir, - -- death and burial -- early works to . eschatology -- early works to . - tcp assigned for keying and markup - apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images - rina kor sampled and proofread - rina kor text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion aspicis effigiem tantúm : par nulla figura boltoni genio , qui super astra manet . doctior an melior fuit , haud scio . dicere ▪ fas est , secula vix referent , quem tulit una dies . e. b. mr. boltons last and learned worke of the foure last things , death , ivdgement , hell , and heaven . with an assise-sermon , and notes on iustice nicolls his funerall . together with the life and death of the authour . published by e. b. london , printed by george miller dwelling in the black friers . mdcxxxii . to the right worshipfvll , francis nicolls esquire , one of his majesties iustices of peace and quorum , for the county of northampton . sir , it was the desire of this reverend author , when that * furious messenger of death first seized upon his spirits , giving him no more intermission , than what would serve for some feeble preparations against a new encounter : that i would , in case he died , ( which afterwards lamentably fell out ) frame an epistle to this worke which he had then made ready for the presse ; and dedicate it ( in his name ) to your selfe , as a pledge of his avowed thankfulnesse for those many favours he received from that religious and renowned * iudge , his noble patron : and from your selfe , his immediate heire and successour . this request from him ( that would deny me nothing ) i knew not how to with-stand , though i wrong'd my selfe in the acceptance ; as to draw a line in that worke , from which so rare a work-man had taken off his learned and eloquent pen. but yet a necessity lay upon me ; for he desired in his sicknesse , that by this dedication it might appeare to the world how much he honoured your selfe and family , which first preferred him . it was no small joy to his heart to see that speech of god himselfe fulfilled upon your house , those that honour me i will honour . it is fit the world should know ( that it may blush and mend ) to what eminency of place the meere merits of iustice nicolls in that short race of his life rais'd him unto . called he was by the writt of queene elizabeth to be serjeant at law : he was by king iames made serjeant at law to prince henry his eldest sonne : iudge of the common pleas , and chancellour to our ( now ) gracious soveraigne , when he was prince of wales . but that which truly ennobles his memory , and makes me call to mind what our fleta reporteth was the honour of iudges about king edward the first 's dayes : he had and held all these places nec prece , nec * pretio , nec praemio . i am not afraid to english it , for i well know the truth of it : he neither begged them , nor bought them , nor gaue so much as a new-yeares-gift for them . the like i can truly speake of your selfe ; those dignities which have been cast upon you in your owne country ( since he was taken to glory ) which are neither few nor meane : they came to you , you sued not for them ; * you sought them not : nay , you degraded your selfe of one of them ( a thing not usuall ) by making earnest suit to be out of the commission of oyer and terminer , after you had a while endur'd it . from hence ( as i have good ground to conceive ) would this worthy author have mounted you up on eagles wings to the throne of the highest , who hath done these and greater things for you , and have prest upon you large and highe●… performances . if ever there were a time for righteous men that are in authority to shew themselues , the time is now come . meane christians , their very persons and actions are by the abounding of sinne become a very parable of reproach ; a company of block-heads , as a melancholy diuine cals them . if those therefore that are in place should now be silent , it is pitie but their breaths should be stopt for ever . i have observed it long , and not without wonder , ( looking upon former times ) that in these dayes such a spirit of feare and faintnesse hath possessed the hearts of holy men , that they dare not be couragious in the cause of god. it is no strange thing for a man to be fearfull in the darke : but when such a light shines upon us from heaven , as that our eyes are euen dazelled in the beholding of it ; now to be timerous , now to be faint-hearted in a good cause for feare of men , or any such ignoble respect ; is monstrous cowardize . what is there in the face of man , made of the same mould , tossed to and fro with the same vanity , resoluble into the same clay : that we should feare it ? what is outward preferment , to the losse , or certaine hazard of a good conscience ? for , they are rarely kept together : what are mockings , ●…revilings , reproches , imprisonment , &c. to godly men ? but deeper impressions of stricter holinesse , and the very markes of the lord iesus . the name of christian is a name both of honour and valour , and begets better spirits then either romane or grecian ; let machiauell and other atheists say what they will : which of their stories euer made mention of so valiant an army , as that noble army of martyrs , mentioned in the th . chapter to the hebrewes ? how can they want spirit that deriue their courage from no lesse author than the lion of the tribe of iuda . nay , it were no hard matter to proue , ( might i recede from an epistle , to pursue a common place ) that no man can be truly valorous ; but he that is truly religious . as this courage ought to be in all that feare god : so specially in those that are magistrates , and sit in the seats of iustice , the very tribunals of god himselfe : for them to be dastardly and fearefull , is to shame their master . give me therefore leave , by some warrant from the author , in your person ( whom i cannot but commend in this particular ) to presse this virtue upon all that beare rule in their country . it is part of the essence of a iustice of peace , to be a man of courage . the counsell of i●…thro to moses , was , to make onely such to be magistrates , as were men of * courage , fearing god , &c. wherein the spirit of god preferres the daughter before the mother , and fortitude before the feare of god , of which it is the effect , because it is more conspicuous in the eyes of men : for the feare of god is a thing hidden i●… the heart , but that which drawes it forth and makes it illustrious , is that valour and high resolution of spirit by which it worketh . almighty god makes this good by an example of his owne choice . for when he had appointed ioshua to succeed moses , and had mightily supported his mind with arguments of his owne assistance and presence with him , he requires nothing else of him , but to be strong and of a good courage , with many iterations of the same thing in such phrases as these , be strong and of a good courage , be very couragious , be not afraid , be not dismaid : and , as if there were no other virtue desireable in a magistrate , the people ( in accepting him for their captaine ) require of him no other condition but this , onely be strong , and of a good courage . and the law of this land , which in this , as in most other things , is parallell with the law of god , ( as i could shew ) would onely haue those iustices of peace , which are the most * valiant men of the county . i speake not this to exclude all those requisites of wisdome that ought to be in the holiest and most valiant men . i may say in these times as the apostle said of another virtue , there is great need of wisdome . the children of god ever haue beene , still are , and ever may be the wisest men upon earth . let an unwise world think what it list . i meane not that wisdome ( falsly so called ) whereby a generation of men to save their skinnes , handle a good cause like a venice-glasse , loath they are to do any thing that may offend great persons with whom they would comply : or expose themselves to any danger or losse . ( the very wisdome which caused francis spira to despaire . ) this is rather cunning or craft : or , to linke them together in the language of the apostle , b a cunning craftinesse , it is not wisdome . true wisdome in the morall schooles of philosophy , and in the purer schooles of divinity , is that queene of virtues , which like the soule in the body giveth life and c information to all the rest , commands all the affections , regulates all the actions of mans life , and adds an active quickning power to every virtue , to every faculty in man , directing them to a blessed issue . so that a wise man is a valiant man , a just man , a temperate man , an humble man , &c. but he that is addicted to any vice , a servant to any lust ; proud ; angry , ambitious , fearefull , covetous , &c. is in all sound morality and divinity a very foole , solus vir bonus ( saith that great d philosopher ) revera est prudens , onely a good man is a wise man. and king salomon makes this philosophy good divinity , pro. . vers. . wisdome is too high for a foole , by whom throughout the proverbes he meanes a wicked man. there is a connexion in the virtues , the way to be wise , is to be good , and the way to be couragious ▪ is to be wise . a wise man is strong , and a man of knowledge ( saith salomon ) increaseth strength . from all which it is easie to conclude , and hard to be gain-said , that a cowardly person , let him swell never so bigge , let him carie his crest never so high , is neither wise nor good . the wicked flee when no man pursiseth , but the righteous are bold as a lyon. the kindly venting of those two affections of anger and love hath made me long in this argument , and must now be my excuse . that of anger at the present degeneration of mens minds from that noblenesse of spirit that was wont to be in the servants of god : the other of love to you , in encouraging you to as high resolutions as ever ; though he be taken away that was to you as moses to ioshuah , your tutor in your youth , your singular instructor by his powerfull ministry in your after-yeares : and ever your friend till he went hence , and was seen●… no more . amongst those many speeches of his which in his ordinary conference passed from him by weight , and not by number ; i will resume one in your hearing most fitting my purpose , innocency and independency ( said he ) make the bravest spirits . and it cannot be otherwise : for , that mans heart which is upright with god , and depends upon him alone , is of invincible courage , and becomes like the spirit of martin luther , who , when newes was brought to him that both the emperour and the pope threatned his ruine , answered thus in short , but very stoutly , contemptus est à me romanus furor & servor , i scorne the worst the pope can doe : like that of david , the lord is on my side , i will not feare what man can doe unto me . what you heard him speake , you saw him practice . for , i may say of him as was said of gideon , such as the man is , so is his strength : he was one of a thousand for piety and courage , which were so excellently mixed with wisdome , that they who imagined mischiefe against his ministry ( for , no other occasion could they ever find against him then touching the law of his god ) were never able by all their plotting to doe him any more hurt , than onely to shew their teeth . and although he be now gathered to his fathers , yet he still speakes to you in this excellent treatise , of which he died in travell ; encouraging you thereby still to do worthily in ephratah , and to hold on in those good wayes of piety which you have ever loved . the very heathens could ●…ay that a good man was a publike good ; but a good magistrate is much more , for , he hath a price in his hand to do good , and is armed with power and authority to bring it to passe . these times have need of such : up therefore and be doing : put on righteousnesse , and let it cloath you , and let iustice be to you as a robe and a diademe to breake the jawes of the wicked , and to plucke the prey out of their teeth . and although these kind of men will for this very thing pursue you with envy , hatred , reproaches , &c. you need not care ; for , their teeth are broken , and they cannot hurt you . envy doth ever attend goodnesse ; though not as a companion , yet as a thing which doggs it at the heeles . i considered ( saith salomon ) every right worke , that for this a man is envyed of his neighbour . this is your comfort ( and it is a great one ) a god and the b king shall honour you for well-doing : he that loveth purenesse of heart , ( though for this he be scoffed and jeer'd at in the world ) yet ( saith salomon ) for the grace of his lips the king shall be his c friend . i will hinder you no longer from reading this excellent treatise which properly belongs to you , being the grand-worke of two sermons preached before you ; the one at the funeralls of that worthy iudge your unkle , my most deare father in law ( whom i honour in the dust ) the other in the time of your shireevalty ▪ i will therefore end all in the prayer of this authour , and the last words that ever he spake to you in this world , the blessings of abraham , isaac , and iacob be upon the heads of you , your wife and children for ever . your loving brother , and very friend , edvvard bagshavve . to the reader . behold here a post-humus : a child brought into the world after the own-father was taken out of the world . a foster-father is thereupon required for it : but certenly , more for custome , than need . such was the own father , as it is commendation enough for the child to say , this is the child of such a father . and such is the child , as for its owne sake it will find good entertainment , though the father of it were unknowne . adistinct narration of the life and death of the author you have truly and punctually ( as becommeth such a narration ) premised . all his workes do shew that he was full in what he undertooke : so full , as he leaves scarce any thing ( if any thing at all ) for another author to add , more than he hath done , to what he hath done . he had a very searching and diving gift : whereby he was able to anatomize and lay open the severall parts and nerves of the points which he handled , and to set out pertinent signes , rules , meanes , and motives thereabout . his expression of his mind by fit words and phrases was answerable to his invention . both very copious , full of variety . take for instance this ensuing treatise : the maine scope whereof is to furnish a christian against the evill day . therein you may observe , how , on the one side he discovers the false meanes which most use ; and how , on the other side he revealeth the true meanes that are of singular use to the end intended : yea , and how he enforceth the same with reason upon reason , the better to demonstrate the equity of the point : how also he infers all sorts of uses thereupon , as , reprehension , exhortation , direction , and consolation : and finally , how he takes occasion from thence of an exceeding large discourse upon the foure last things , which ( to use his owne words ) have beene ever holden very materiall and of speciall moment to make us ( by gods blessing ) more humble , un-worldly , provident and prepared for the evill day . those foure heads are , death , ivdgement , hell , heaven . to add more to what he hath set out thereabouts , were to powre water into the sea . first read , then judge : and the lord add his blessing . w. g. the life and death of mr. bolton . that one age may tell another , that the memoriall of the just shall be ever blessed , when the persons and names of those that are otherwise minded shall rot and vanish away : it hath beene the pious custome of ancient and later times , to commend to posterity the eminent graces of the saints departed . famous are those panegyricke orations made at the tombes of the martyrs in the primitive times ; when as their persecuting emperours , priding themselves in their lamentable deaths , have left no other noyse behind them , than the loud and long continued cries of spilling innocent bloud . memorable also are the funerall orations of the two gregories , nyssen and nazianzen on basill the great : and in later times , to give a few instances , ( for the number in this kinde is infinite ) melancthon and camerarius wrote the life of martyn luther ; iunius the life of vrsine ; beza the life of calvin ; antonius faius the life of beza ; iosias simler the life of peter martyr ; and dr. humphrey the life of our most renowned iewell . this manner of honouring the saints is warranted by gods owne example ; who ( for ought is revealed to us ) tooke order for moses buriall , digged his grave , covered him with molds , and made for him that excellent funerall sermon expressed in the first chapter of ioshuah . and that all-wise god who sweetly disposeth all things , thinkes it needfull thus to grace his owne people , that he may hereby uphold their spirits amid those many pressures , scornes , reproaches , cruell mockings , and innumerable other miseries which they endure of the world , meerely for his service ; be they otherwise never so wise , just , meeke , peaceable , and unrebukeable amongst men : witnesse those many terrible persecutions ( mentioned in ecclesiasticall stories ) against the christians , though harmlesse and innocent , though they prayed for their emperours , and god did miracles in their armies by their prayers ; yet for this onely cause , that they honoured christ , and called themselves christians , ( so odious was that precious name unto their adversaries ) they were put to the extremest tortures that the utmost inventions of cruelty and rage could devise against them , as iustine martyr and tertullian in their learned and eloquent apologies for them do amply demonstrate : this caused adrian the emperour to ordaine , that thenceforth none of them should be appeached barely for that name , unlesse they transgressed the lawes . according to these examples , and for the very same causes , i have adventured to publish to the world , the life and death of this man of god the authour of this work , now a saint in heaven . i confesse his worth and parts deserved rather an advancement by some such eloquent orators as i mentioned before , than a depression by my pen ; but yet a pearle may be shewed forth as well by a weake hand , as by the arme of a gyant , i shall do no more . and let his owne worth and workes praise him in the gates . i knew him from the beginning of my youth , being my first tutour in the vniversitie of oxford , and my selfe one of his first schollers , and from that time to the day of his death , being above seven and twenty yeares , none knew him better , or loved him more ; our familiarity was such , that ( alluding to that betweene paul and timothy ) i may say , i knew his doctrine , manner of life , faith , charity , patience ; and now will onely relate what i have heard and seene , wherein i will not exceed the bounds of modesty or truth . to begin with his birth ; i observe that throughout the sacred bible , and writings on the persons of holy men , their places of birth are ever remembred ; god loves the very ground his servants tread on : the lord shall count ( sayes david ) when he numbreth up the people , that this man was borne there ; whereas of other men there shall be no remembrance of them , they shall have none to lament or bury them , but shall be cast forth as dung on the face of the earth : so that i may say of them , as was said of pope boniface the eight , famous for nothing but his wickednesse ; intravit vulpes , regnavit leo , exivit canis ; the prophet david renders it thus in plaine english. they spend their daies in mirth , and suddenly go downe into hell . he was borne at blackborne a towne of good note in lancashire on whitsunday , anno dom. . his parents being not of any great meanes , yet finding in him a great towardlinesse for learning , destinated him to be a scholler , and strugled with their estate to furnish him with necessaries in that kind , apprehending the advantage of a singular schoole-master that was then in the towne . he plied his booke so well , that in short time he became the best scholler in the schoole : and no marvell ; for , he had those sixe properties of a scholler noted by isocrates and others , which concurring in one , thrust up learning to a very high elevation . . he was ( 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ) of excellent parts and abilities of mind , and of a sound constitution of body . . he was ( 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ) of a very strong memory ; i meane such a memory as was notably actuated by his ready and quicke understanding . for , ( as philosophers observe ) that memory which tends to admiration , being of a quite differing temperature from the understanding , inclines rather to folly , and becomes the ground of that proverbe , the greatest clerkes are not alwaies the wisest men . . he was ( 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ) a moover of doubts and questions ; this was ever an evident signe of learning ; by this our blessed saviour approoved his learning amongst the doctours in hearing them and asking them questions : so did the queene of shebah to king salomon . a dunce seldome makes doubts ; but ( as salomon saith of a foole ) alwayes boasteth and is confident . . he was ( 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ) a speciall lover of learning ; it was alwayes his delight to exercise himselfe in studies , and would not endure any aversions from them , as shall be hereafter shewed . . he was ( 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ) a very laborious painfull student , as shall be more largely shewed , for it is worthy imitation . . he was ( 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ) a great listner after the sayings and speeches of others , and hath beene often observed to be onely a hearer , and to sit silent himselfe , unlesse he was urged with some importunity , and the things he heard , he suffered them not to be lost , ( if they were of worth ) but alwayes put them downe in a booke which he particularly kept for that purpose . he continued long at schoole , and came not to the vniversity till about the twentieth yeare of his age . he was placed at oxford in lincolne colledge under the tuition of mr. randall , a man of no great note then , but afterward became a learned divine and godly preacher at london . in that colledge he fell close to the studies of logick and philosophie , and by reason of that ground-worke of learning he got at schoole , and maturity of yeares , he quickly got the start of those of his owne time , and grew into fame in that house . in the middest of these his studies his father died , and then his meanes failed , for all his fathers lands fell to his elder brother now living : but this crosse by gods providence prooved a great advantage to him for his growth in learning , though it put him to monstrous paines of body and mind : for now wanting meanes to buy him bookes , he borrowed of his tutour and others the best writers on naturall and morall philosophy , and the politicks , and read them all over , and abridged them all in his note-bookes , which are now to be seene , and then returned the bookes to their owners . nay such a desire he had to attaine a perfection in the things he studied , that though he was very well skilled in the greeke tongue , yet that he might attaine an exactnesse in it , he did with intolerable pains write out with his owne hand all homer , ( or hesiod i am sure ) for i have seene it in a faire greeke character ; for he wrote that language better than he did either english or latine ; and asking him the reason of his paines , he told me , it was onely that he might accent perfectly . this brought him to such a readinesse , that he could with as much facility course in the publike schooles ( for he was a famous disputant ) in the greeke tongue , as in the latine or english : and in them all he wrote and spake stilo imperatorio , as lipsius calls it , viz. a high and lofty stile , which was so familiar to him , as that he could not avoid it in ordinary conference . from lincolne colledge he remooved to brasen-nose : for , by the founders of that house most of the fellowships therein were ordained for lancashire and cheshire men , but comming to that colledge , having but few friends , he stayed long without a fellow-ship ▪ about which time ( that i may not bury in silence the charitable acts of such men whom their learning and piety have made eminent ) it pleased mr. dr. bret , knowing his deserts , and perceiving him to languish for want of meanes , most bountifully to contribute for his reliefe , and by his and others bounty , with some small stipends he had for his lectures in that house , he was upheld untill he had got a fellowship , which fell out about the thirtieth yeare of his age , at which time he commenced master of arts ; and then by the exercises he performed in the house and abroad , being regent-master he grew into fame , and was still successively chosen to be reader of the lectures of logick , and morall , and naturall philosophy , ( as by the statutes of the house they were appointed to be read ) which he performed so strictly , and with such exactnesse , as that he got credit and applause with the best , but some envy with his successours , that by his example were now provoked to a more frequent and painfull reading of them , which were seldome and sleightly performed before . and such was his esteeme in the vniversitie for his publike disputations , which he ever performed with such readinesse and acutenesse of speech and wit , and such profoundnesse of learning , that when he was a master of arts but of small standing , he was chosen by the now lord arch-bishop of canterburie , vice-chancellour at king iames his first comming to that vniversity , to be one of the disputants before the king , and to read in naturall philosophy in the publike schooles . besides his knowledge in logick and philosophy , wherein he excelled , he was also well studyed in the metaphysicks and mathematicks , and in all schoole-divinity , especially in thomas aquinas , which he had read over once or twice , and had exactly noted him throughout , as may appeare in his notes . but all this while though he was * very learned , yet he was not good , he was a very meane scholler in the schoole of christ , he drew no religious breath from the soyle he came , and his master like an ill seedsman sowed the tares of popery in most of his schollers : this manner of education made him more apt to tread in any path than that which was holy ; he loved stage-playes , cards and dice , he was a horrible swearer and sabbath-breaker , and boone-companion , and was ever glad ( as i have heard him say ) of christmas-holy dayes , and marvellous melancholie when they were ended , he loved not goodnesse nor good men , and of all sorts of people could not abide their company that were of a strict and holy conversation , such he would fetch within the compasse of puritans , thinking that by that lawlesse name he had deprived them ipso facto both of learning and good religion . such a generall scorne hath this degenerate age put upon the wayes of god , that the name of puritan which is truly and properly the name of the proud heresie of novatus , or els of the b vile sect of the anabaptists , is for want of seeking redresse by our ecclesiasticall laws ▪ become the honourable nickname of the best and holiest men this wretched humour mr. bolton further discovered at cambridge , for being there at a commencement , and meerely caried with the fame of mr. perkins , went to heare him preach , whose plaine but very sound and substantiall preaching meeting at once in him with a curious palate and unsanctified heart ; quite turned his stomacke against that good man that he thought him ( to speake in his owne phrase ) a barren empty fellow , and a passing meane scholler . i have heard many of late ( much of mr. boltons temper in goodnesse at that time , but inferiour in learning ) speak the like of mr. perkins ; but the eminent learning of that man ( famous c abroad as well as at home ) is so farre above their reach ; that to traduce his worth is to question their owne . and that late learned d bishop of salisbury in the defence of his booke against the cavils of dr. bishop , hath in many places amply commended his learning . so that the precious name of mr. perkins shall like an ointment powred forth , fill all the quarters of this land with a fresh and fragrant sweetnesse , when nothing shall survive of his detractors , but their unsavoury and unlearned spight against so holy a man. and mr. bolton himselfe when god changed his heart ( which i will next write of ) he changed his opinion of mr. perkins , and thought him as learned and godly a divine as our church hath for many yeares enjoyed in so young a man : but i proceed . when he was of brasen-nose colledge , he had familiar acquaintance with one mr. anderton his country-man , and sometime his schoole-fellow , a very good scholler , but a strong papist , and now a popish priest , and one of the * learnedest amongst them : this man well knowing the good parts that were in mr. bolton , and perceiving that he was in some outward wants , tooke this advantage , and used many arguments to perswade him to be reconciled to the church of rome , and to go over with him to the english seminary , telling him he should be furnished with all necessaries , and should have gold enough ( one of the best arguments to allure an unstable mind to popery ) . mr. bolton being at that time poore in minde and purse , accepted of the motion , and a day , & place was appointed in lancashire , where they should meet , and from thence take shipping and be gone . mr. bolton met at the day and place , but mr. anderton came not , and so he escaped that snare , and soone after returned to brasen-nose , where falling into the acquaintance of one mr. peacocke fellow of that house , a learned and godly man , it pleased god by his acquaintance to frame upon his soule that admirable workmanship of his repentance and conversion to eternall life , but by such a way of working as the lord seldome useth but upon such strong vessels which in his singular wisdome he intendeth afterward for strong incounters , and rare imployments . the first newes he heard of god was not by any soft and still voice , but in terrible tempests and thunder , the lord running upon him as a gyant , taking him by the necke and shaking him to peeces , as he did iob ; beating him to the very ground , as he did paul , by laying before him the ugly visage of his sins which lay so heavy upon him , as he roared for griefe of heart , and so affrighted him , as i have heard him say , he rose out of his bed in the night for very anguish of spirit . and to augment his spirituall misery , he was exercised with fowle temptations , horribilia de deo , terribilia de fide , which luther called colaphum satanae , for as he was parallell with luther in many things as i shall shew anon : so was he in these spirituall temptations which were so vehement upon luther , that the very venome of them dranke up his spirits , and his body seemed dead , * vt nec calor , nec sanguis , nec sensus , nec vox superesset , that neither speech , sense , bloud or heat appeared in him , as iustas ionas that was by and saw it , reporteth of him : but this sharpe fit of luthers lasted but for one day , but mr. boltons continued for many moneths , but yet god gave him at length a blessed issue , and these grievous pangs in his spirituall birth produced two admirable effects in him ( as well as in luther ) which many times ensue upon such hard labour , an invincible courage and resolution for the cause of god , in the which he feared no colours , not the face or force of any ; secondly , a singular dexterity in comforting afflicted and wounded spirits , as shall be likewise further shewed . vpon this he resolved to enter into the ministery , and about the thirty fift yeare of his age was ordained minister , after which he wholly applied him selfe to the worke of the ministry , and improoved all his learning and time to that excellent end : a little while after he was in the ministry , he was by meanes made knowne to mr. iustice nicolls , at that time serjeant at law , who observing the comlinesse of his person and the stuffe that was in him , had it alwayes in his thoughts to advance him , and about the thirty seventh yeare of mr. boltons age , the personage of broughton in northampton shire falling void , he did by my hand send for him from the vniversity to his chamber at serjeants inne , and presented him to that living , at which time dr. king late bishop of london being then by accident at the iudges chamber , thanked him for mr. bolton , but told him withall , that he had deprived the vniversity of a singular ornament ▪ then did he put out his first booke , containing a discourse of true happinesse , which he dedicated to serjeant nicolls his patron , which for the godlinesse of the matter , and cloquence of the stile therein contained , was universally bought up , and divers have confessed , that at first bought it out of curiosity , for some sweet relish in the phrase , tooke christ to boote and thereby tooke the first beginning of their heavenly tast . about the fortieth yeare of his age , for the better setting of himselfe in house-keeping vpon his personage , he resolued vpon marriage , and tooke to wife mrs . anne boyse a gentle woman of an ancient house and worshipfull family in kent , to whose care he committed the ordering of his outward estate , he himselfe onely minding the studies and weighty affaires of his heauenly calling , in the which for the space of twenty yeares and more , he was so diligent and laborious , that twice every lords day hee preached , and catechized in the afternoone , in which catechisme he expounded the creed and ten commandements in a very exact manner ; and vpon every holy-day , and on euery friday before the sacrament he expounded some chapter , by which meanes he went over the greater portion of the historicall part of the old and new testament . and in them all , as was well observed by a learned and graue * divine that preached at his funerall , he prepared nothing for his people but what might have served a learned auditory , and in all his preachings he still aimed next to the glory of god at the conversion of soules , the very crowne and glory of a good minister at the appearing of that great day : and herein god wonderfully honoured his ministery in making him an aged father in christ , and to beget many sonnes and daughters vnto righteousnesse ; for i may truely say , many hundreds were either absolutely converted , or mightily confirmed , or singularly comforted in their grievous agonies by his ministery : for he had such an art in this kinde of relieving afflicted consciences , which hee acquired , partly by great paines and industry in searching into that skill , but chiefly by that manifold experience he had in himselfe and others , that he was sought to farre and neare , and divers from beyond the seas desired his resolution in divers cases of conscience , which was the onely cause that made him put forth that last learned and godly treatise of his , which he stiled ; instructions for a right comforting afflicted consciences . and though in his manner of preaching he was a sonne of thunder , yet unto bruised reeds and those that mourned in spirit , hee was as sweete a sonne of consolation as ever i heard , and with a very tender and pitifull heart powred the oyle of mercy into their bleeding wounds . he ( as was said of luther ) was a mighty opposite to the divels kingdome , and had a singular skill to discerne his sleights and that cunning craftinesse whereby hee lies in wait to deceive . he ever thought that there was no such way to cast downe the strong holds of sathan and to batter his kingdome , then after the steps of iohn the baptist , to lay the axe close to the roote of sinne , and to set it on with such power , as that the divell and all his agents were not able to resist it . by this meanes he got ground of satan and wasted his kingdome , and there were daily added to his ministery such whose hearts were softned thereby . and in all his sermons he ever used to discover the filthinesse of sinne , and to presse very powerfully upon the conscience the duties of sanctification , in expression whereof three things were remarkeable in him . . such courage and resolution of spirit as is scarcely to be found in any . i am perswaded that in the cause of god he could have beene contented with martin luther , totius mundi odium & impetum sustinere ; to have undergone the rage and violence of the whole world , whereby he gave such vigour unto the truth he delivered , that it pierced betweene the very joynts and the marrow . . impartiality ; he would spare none in their sinnes either great or small , he knew he was to deliver his masters will , with whom was no respect of persons . . his wisedome ; as he was of high courage , so was it excellently tempered with wisdome , descryed in these foure things . . in all his denunciations against sinne , he never personated any man whereby to put him to shame , unlesse his owne inward guiltinesse caused him to apply it to himselfe . . hee would never presse upon the conscience the guiltinesse of sinne , but he would for●…ifie it by scripture , by the ancient fathers ( in which he was ripe and ready ) and the concurrence of the best orthodoxe writers , to stop the mouth of all slanderers that should accuse his doctrine , either of novelty or of too much precisenesse . . when he had searcht the conscience to the very quicke ( as he would doe ) he ever offred christ in all his beauty and sweetnesse , and powred it forth upon the conscience with such a torrent of eloquence as would haue melted the hearts of any , but those which obstinately refused the voice of that powerfull charmer . . he would alwaies protest unto his people , that it was a trouble and griefe to him to preach against their sinnes , hee delighted not to vexe any of their consciences , he should be glad the case was so with them , that hee might only preach the riches of the mercies in christ all his dayes ; but he knew no other way to pull them out of the snare of satan and state of darkenesse then the way he tooke , without drawing the horrible sin of bloud-guiltinesse upon his soule . but that which made his preaching more illustrious , was that burning and shining light which appeared in his life and conversation in these five particulars . . his piety , wherein i need not say much , for that second booke of his concerning directions for walking with god , were framed out of the pious meditations of his owne heart as a guide for himselfe for the ordering of his steps in the waies of righteousnes , which he so strictly observed throughout the course of his life that ( allowing to him his frailties and a infirmities , which the holiest men while their flesh is upon them shall not be freed from ) hee could not bee justly taxed by any , no not his very enemies ( if he had any such ) of any grosse and b scandalous sinnes since his first conversion from them . and no marveile if hee attained to such a height of holinesse when he was lifted up thither by the wings of prayer . his constant course was to pray sixe times a day , twice by himselfe in private , twice in publique with his family , and twice with his wife . besides , many daies of private humiliation and prayer ever before the receiving of the communion , and many daies besides , for the miseries of the churches in france and germany , &c ▪ which he performed with such ardencie of spirit , that as was said of martin luther , he used such humility as in the presence of almighty god , but such fer vencie and faith , as if he had beene talking with his friend . and god heard his prayers , for to the comfort of his soule a litle before his death , he heard of the mighty victories obtained by the king of sweden against the emperour to the astonishment of all the world , that those eyes which now behold it with joy , doe scarce beleeve themselves in the fruition of it . when the lord ( saith the psalmist ) turned againe the captivity of zion , wee were like them that dreame . so indefatigable were the paines of this godly man in his private devotions and publike preaching , that being advised by physitians for his healths sake , to breake off the strong intentions of his studies ; he rejected their counsell , accounting it greater riches to enjoy christ by those fervent intentions of his minde , then to remit them for the safeguard of his health : much like the speech of that famously learned d ● . reynolds to the doctors of oxford , comming to visit him in his last sickenesse ( contracted meerely by his exceeding paines in studie , by which he brought his body to a very 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ) who earnestly perswading him that he would not peraere substantiam propter accidentia , i. e. ●…o loose his life for learning , he with a sweete smile finely answered out of the poet. nec propter vitam vivendiperdere causas : nor yet for love of life loose that dare i , which is the cause i live , my industry . . for his gravity , he was of a very comely presence , he had a countenance so finely tempered with gravitie and austerity , that hee in a manner commanded respect from others ; insomuch that many forbare to speake or act unseemely things in his presence , that would not have beene so modest in other company : such a majestie doth grace imprint upon the countenances of holy men , that they draw respect from the greatest : this made those persecuting emperours to feare the verie faces of those poore christians that appeared before them : and this caused constantine the great so to honour the countenance of old paphnutius though disfigur'd by the losse of his eye , that he did often for his delight kisse the hollow of that eye which was lost for the cause of christ . so true is that of salomon , wisedome causeth the face to shine , and the rigour of the countenance to bee changed . . he was very zealous for god , not onely by the power of his ministery in converting many , wherein god had wonderfully blessed him , but in any publike or private good that tended to the honour of god , to whose glory he wholly sacrificed himselfe and all his studies , which i can the more safely affirme , in that i know he hath divers times refused preferment from some of the nobility and prelates of this kingdome , and for no other cause in the world , but that hee might not be divorced from that countrey where his ministery was so much embraced and wrought so good effects . . but zeale is oft of such violent motion , that as the antient philosophers supposed of the primum mobile , that if the motion thereof were not finely cooled and allayed by the coelum christallinum next to it , it would set all the orbes on fire ; and therefore the zeale of this reverend man was alwayes tempered with singular wisedome and discretion , for though in all his sermons he prest mightily upon the conscience of his hearers , who many times like babes childishly wrangled at the breasts which should nourish them , yet were they never able to resist the authority by which he spake , so that for the space of yeares being the whole time that his lamp of light shined in northampton shire , his doctrine was never drawne into question either for error or schisme : so studious was hee ever of the unity and peace of the church of england which hee dearely loved that none could justly quarrell with him , but papists and other sectaries , as also others that were corrupted with error or evill life . . lastly for his charity , hee was ever universally bountifull , but especially he exceeded in those publike distresses of germany , france , bohemia , &c. and to those that stood in true neede : for the enabling of himselfe hereunto , i have heard him often say ( & he made it evident to me ) that ever since he was minister of broughton , he spent every yeare all the revenewes of his parsonage ( which was of good valew ) in the maintenance of his family and acts of hospitality and charity ; and that the estate wherewith god hath blessed him otherwise , was meerely raised by that temporall estate hee had at first . let them therefore of his owne coate from henceforth cease to traduce him , whom they never did nor dare to imitate . i am sure the towne of broughton will ever blesse god for his charity : for when that lamentable fire was among them , september : anno dom. . besides the many pounds he spent out of his owne purse , he was a chiefe meanes that by the only supply of the country without any letters patents from above , their houses which were burnt down unto the ground were all new built , and their outward estates liberally sustained and upheld . nay such was his charity , that though some of his owne towne had not onely slandered his ministry , but wronged him in his tithes , yet he put it up , and never called them to question as he might , nor ever had any suite with them . so that i may for conclusion summe up this in that wittie commendation of nazianzen on basill the great , he thundered in his doctrine , and lightned in his conversation . this inestimable treasure it pleased god to put in an earthen vessell , and about the beginning of september last , began to breake it by visiting him with a quartan ague ; a disease which brought calvin to his end , and by the judgement of the best physitians , by reason of the long & grievous paroxysmes whereby it afflicts , is ever deemed mortall vnto old men : and so it appeared to him , for perceiving after two or three sits that it mastered his strength , he patiently submitted to indure , what by strugling hee could not overcome ; and called for his will which he had made long before , and perfecting some things in it , he caused it to be laid up , and afterwards wholly retired into himselfe , quitting the world and solacing his soule with the meditation of the joyes of heaven , which he had provided to preach to his people , for having compiled an elaborate discourse , de quatuor novissimis , of the foure last things , death , ivdgement , hell and heaven , an argument that some iesuites and friars have bungled in , and having finished the three former , told them that the next day he would treat of heaven : but the day before being saturday he was visited with sickenesse , and never preached after . god then preparing him for the fruition of those inexplicable joyes which hee had provided for his people in contemplation . his sickenesse though it was long and sharpe , yet he bare it with admirable patience , for he saw him that was invisible , and his whole delight was to bee with him , often breathing out such speeches as these whiles the violence and frequencie of his fits gave him any intermission , oh when will this good hou●… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 shall i bee dissolved , when shall i bee with christ ? being told that it was indeed better for him to be dissolved , but the church of god could not misse him nor the benefit of his ministery . to which he thus sweetely replyed with david : if i shall finde favour in the eyes of the lord hee will bring mee againe and shew me both it and his habitation , but if otherwise , loe heere i am , let him doe what seemeth good in his eyes . being asked by another , whether hee could not bee content to live if god would grant him life , he thus answered ; i grant that life is a great blessing of god , neither will i neglect any meanes that may preserve it , and doe heartily desire to submit to gods will : but of the two i infinitely desire to be dissolved and to bee with christ . in the time of his sickenesse there came many to visit him , but hee admitted none but his intimate friends , using a speech of * saint augustine , who desired ten daies before he died , none might come to him , that he in that time might the better fit himselfe for god. but to those that came to him he gave very godly and wise exhortations suting to their callings and conditions , for although his body was wasted with continuall fits towards the close of his life , yet his understanding and memory was as active and quicke as in the time of his health . he encouraged the ministers that came to him , to be diligent and couragious in the worke of the lord , and not to let their spirits faint or droope for any affliction that should arise thereupon . to all that came to him , he bad them make sure of christ , before they came to die , and to looke upon the world as a lump of vanity ; he thanked god for his wonderfull mercy to him in pulling him out of hell in sealing his ministry with the conversion of many soules , which he wholly ascribed to his glory . about a weeke before he died , when his silver cord began to loosen , and his golden boule to breake : he called for his wife , and desired her to beare his dissolution , which was now at hand , with a christian fortitude , a thing which he had prepared her for by the space of twenty yeares , telling her that his approaching death was decreed upon him from all eternity , and that the counsell of the lord must stand , and bad her make no doubt but shee should meete him againe in heaven : and turning toward his * children told them , that they should not expect hee should now say any thing to them , neither would his ability of body and breath give him leave , he had told them enough in the time of his sicknesse and before , and hoped they would remember it , and verily believed that none of them durst thinke to meete him at that great tribunall in an unregenerate state . about two daies after , divers of his parish comming to watch with him , he was mooved by a friend that as he had discover'd to them by his doctrine , the exceeding comforts that were in christ , he would now tell them what he felt in his soule . alas ( said he ) doe they looke for that of me now that want breath and power to speake ? i have told them enough in my ministry : but yet to give you satisfaction , i am by the wonderfull mercies of god as full of comfort as my heart can hold , and feele nothing in my soule but christ with whom i heartily desire to be ; and then looking upon some that were weeping , said , oh what a deale adoe there is ere one can die ! the night before hee died , when the doores without began to be shut , and the daughters of musicke to bee brought low , and hee lying very low with his head , expecting every moment when the wheele should be broken at the cisterne , yet being told that some of his deare friends were then about him to take their last farewell , he caused himselfe to be lifted up , and then like old iacob bowing himselfe on his beds-head , after a few gaspings for breath , hee spake in this manner . i am now drawing on apace to my dissolution , and am just in the case of * sir iohn pickering , hold out faith and patience , your work will speedily be at an end : and then shaking them all by the hands , prayed heartily , and particularly for them , and desired them to make sure of heaven , and to beare in minde what he had formerly told them in his ministery , protesting to them , that the doctrine which he had preached to them for the space of twenty yeares was the truth of god as he should answer it at that great tribunall of christ , before whom he should shortly appeare . this he spake when the very pangs of death were upon him . whereupon a very deare friend of his taking him by the hand , and asking him if he felt not much paine , truely no ( said he ) the greatest i feele is your cold hand . and then speaking to be laid downe againe , hee spake no more untill the next morning when he tooke his last leave of his wife and children , prayed for them and blessed them all , and that day in the afternoone about five of the clocke , being saturday the . day of december . anno dom. . in the lxth . yeare of his age yeelded up his spirit to god that gave it , and according to his owne speech celebrated the ensuing sabbath in the kingdome of heaven . thus in the space of fifteene weekes was the first and most glorious light put out in broughton , that ere that towne injoyed or that many ages wil render againe . and thus haue you ( good reader ) the life and death of this very learned and godly man truly set forth : if any man shall contradict any thing that i haue written of him ; i shall not be carefull to answer him : for if he be good , and well knew mr bolton , he will not have the face to object : if he be * bad , i hold him not worth answering : i shall onely say to him in the language of tacitus , didicit ille maledicere , & ego contemnere , he hath taught his tongue to speake ill , and i have learned to contemne it . there is onely one obiection which i will answer , and noe more , which beganne to bee muttered in his life time and is now likely to make a lowder noyse , if it bee not put to silence . this preaching twice a sabboth is more then needs , halfe of it is but prating . and ministers under the gospell may take more libertie , and are not tied to such precisenes and severity of life as hee used . i will not grace this objection so much as to beelong in answering it : the former part of this objection this learned author in his booke of walking with god , and in his epistle to his last booke dedicated to that religious noble knight , s● . robert carre , both by reasons and the constant practise and precepts of the ancient fathers , preaching twice a day , sometimes every day , hath a bundantly and unanswerably confuted . i will onely adde two examples of later times , the one of renowned caluin ( the glorie of his age ) who preached or lectured almost euery day , and some dayes twice ▪ which preachings were so excellent that they were the matter of those laborious and learned commentaries of his upon the bible , which occasioned d. reynolds aptly and truly to call him doctissimus & fidelissimus scripturae interpres , the most learned and faithfull expounder of scripture . the other of our most precious iewell , who was a very frequent and constant preacher , and hastned his own death this way : for , riding to preach at lacock in wilt-shire , a gentleman that met him perceiving the feeblenesse of his body , ( which he had wasted out in such spirituall labours ) advised him for his healths sake to returne home againe . to whom this godly bishop by way of allusion to that braue speech of * vespatian the emperor thus excellently replyed , oportet episcopum concionantem mori , which in the * storie of his life is thus englished , it becommeth best a bishop to die preaching in the pulpit . and so he did , for presently after the sermon hee was by the reason of sicknes forced to his bedd , from whence hee never came off , till his translation to glory . for the latter part of the objection touching that precisenes of life that was in him and which ought to bee in the ministers of god , let him that thus objecteth , but well read and minde those strict precepts of the apostle paul to timothy and titus , the examples of primitiue times and those precise injunctions for the clergy that are dispersed throughout the whole body of the canon law and to come neerer home in the provinciall constitutions of canterbury , but especially in those excellent reformed ecclesiasticall lawes compiled by the two and thirty commissioners ( whose names i haue under * king edvvard the sixths owne hand appointed by him for the purgation of that soule body of the canon lawe ) and i doubt not but hee that so obiecteth will either be ashamed of his ill tongue or his ill life . these last lawes were by royall authority printed in the moneth of aprill anno domini . and are at this day ( for ought i know ) authenticke rules and canons amongst the clergy : one of these laws touching ministers , i will recite in the proper words of the law. non sint compotores , non aleatores , non aucupes , non venatores , non sycophantae , non otiosi , aut supini , sed sacrarum literarum studijs , et praedicationi verbi et orationibus pro ecclesia ad dominvm diligenter incumbant . refor . legum eccles . tit : de eccles . et minist . cap. . fol. . nay that councell or rather conspiracy of trent , as bishop iewell cals it , of which i may say as was said of ithacius , that the hatred of the priscillian heresy was all the virtue hee had : so all the goodnes of this councell chiefely consisted in the reformation of the badnes of the clergy . heare how precisely it speakes in it owne language nihil est quod alios magis ad pietatem & dei cultum assiduè instruat , quàm eorum vi●…a et exemplum qui se divino ministerio dedicarunt &c. quapropter sic decet omninò clericos in sorcem domini vocatos vitam moresque suos omnes componere , ut habitu , gestu , incessu , sermone , alijsque omnibus rebus nil nisi grave , moderatum , etreligione plenum prae se ferant : le via etiam delicta , qua in ipsis maxima essent , effugiant , ut eorum actiones cunctis afferant venerationem ▪ &c. statuit sancta synodus , ut quae aliàs a summis pontificibus et à sacris concilijs de clericorum vita , honestate , cultu , doctrinaque retinendâ , a●… simul de luxu , commessationibus , choreis , aleis , ac quibuscunque criminibus , nec non * secularibus negotijs fugiendis copiose ac salubriter sancita fuerunt , eadem imposterum ijsdem poenis , velmaioribus , arbitrio ordinarij imponendis observentur : nec appellatio executionem hanc quae ad morum correctionem pertinet suspendat . concil . triden : sess . . cap : . if any man have any more objections against this reverend and gratious author i will giue him no other answer then our sauiour did to that curious question , goe thou and doe likewise . and i make no doubt but that all these cauills against him ( for they can bee no other ) will by a sweete and sacred exchange bee resolued into earnest contentions after that happines which hee now enioyes at his right hand where is , fulnes of ioy and pleasures for euermore . mr. boltons fovre last things : death , ivdgement , hell , heaven . isa. xxvi . in that day shall this song be sung in the land of iudah , &c. we have here in this chapter , first , a consolation for gods people in the time of their captivity . the summe whereof is this : though all things seeme to threaten ruine , and tend towards confusion ; yet the issue wil be , that god will most mercifully rescue and relieve his owne ; who afterwards , will not onely themselves acknowledge and magnifie his miraculous hand in their preservation and support , but also stirre up others to rely wholly upon that mighty lord , that never did , or ever will faile or forsake any that put their trust in him. in the seven first verses . secondly , an institution or instruction , how the godly should carie themselves in the time of crosses and chastisements ; and what difference there is betweene them and the gracelesse in such cases . from ver. ▪ to the end . in the first part we may take notice , and into our consideration these three points . . provision of a comfortable song for the people to carie with them , as it were into captivity , and the fiery triall ; that in the midst of their pressures they might be eased and refresht with a conceit , that the day would come , wherein they should joyfully sing the song of enlargement , and salvation , ver. . though when they sate downe by the rivers of babylon , their hearts would not serve them to sing any song of zion , but fell asunder in their brests like drops of water , yet assuredly , all gods faithfull ones , who believed his prophet and promises , would in the meane time secretly sweeten their sorrowes and sufferings , with a patient expectation of this happy day , and heavenly mirth . . the song it selfe , ver. , , . wherein we may consider , . the time , when the song shall be sung : in that day ] which we may vnderstand , . historically , literally , typically , of the israelites deliverance out of babylon , and the miserable slavery thereof . . anti-typically , of the blessed enlargement of gods elect out of the snares and bondage of the devill . . and mystically also , as some divines thinke , of the joyfull coming of christians out of spirituall babylon , rev. . . and from under the tyrannie of antichrist . . complementally , of gathering the saints out of this vale of teares , and from the eager pursuit of that great red dragon , and the powers of darknesse , into ierusalem which is above , where they shall joyfully sing triumphant halelujahs in the highest heaven for ever and ever , galat. . . . the matter of the song ; which is , salvation , ver. . peace ; ver. . holy company , ver. . pure pleasure , comfort , sound contentment , &c. . an exhortation , or exhortatory apostrophe , to trust in iehovah . and there is added , for ever ; lest upon gods delay , and respiting reliefe , we should despaire , or have recourse unto the arme of flesh . reasons to enforce this exhortation are three . . in him is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 rupes saeculorum , everlasting strength , ver. . a rocke of eternity , upon which we may for ever sweetly and safely rest and repose our selves , amidst the many furious storms and boisterous waves of this troublesome world . . he is able to tame , take downe , and trample in the mire , the insolency and pride of the most raging persecutors , ver. . and to raise his , though never so low and languishing , to set them upon a rocke of safety and salvation for ever , and to give them the neckes of their enemies to tread upon , verse . . hee weighes and watches over the waies of the just , verse . see ieremie . . now whereas the prophet in the first place doth furnish the people of god before hand with a strong counter ▪ comfort and cordiall against their faintings in the furnace of affliction , we may thence be instructed ; that , doct. it is an holy wisdome , and happy thing to treasure up comfortable provision against the day of calamity . it is good counsell , and a blessed course , to store up comfort against the evill day . he that gathereth in summer , ( saith salomon ) is a sonne of understanding : but he that sleepeth in harvest , is a sonne of confusion , prov. . . if not by an immediate sense , yet by a warrantable analogy and good consequent this place will beare this paraphrase . that man which now in this faire and seasonable sun-shine of his gracious visitation is lull'd asleepe with the syren-songs of these sensuall times upon the lap of pleasure ; swims downe the temporizing torrent of these last and lewdest daies with full saile of prosperity and ease , against the secret wasts and counter-blasts ( as it were ) of a reclaiming conscience , as thousands do , to their utter undoing for ever ; mis-spends his golden time , and many goodly opportunities of gathering spirituall manna , in grasping gold , gathering wealth , growing great , greatning his posterity , clasping about the arme of flesh , satisfying the appetite , and serving himselfe : in a word , he that while it is called to day , turnes not on gods side , and by forwardnesse and fruitfulnesse in his blessed waies , treasures up comfort and grace against his ending houre , shall most certainly upon his bed of death , and illumination of conscience , find nothing but horrible confusion and feare , extremest horrour , and insupportable heauinesse of heart : his soule must presently downe into the kingdome of darknesse , and bottome of the burning lake , there to lie everlastingly in tempestuous and fiery torments , the sting and strength whereof doth not onely surpasse the pens and tongues of men and angels , but the very conceipt of those that suffer them , which if a man knew , he would not endure one houre for all the pleasures of ten thousand worlds : his body ( the pleasing and pampering whereof hath plunged him into such a sea of calamity and woe ) must descend into the house of death , an habitation of blacknesse and cruelty : lie downe in a bed of dust and rottennesse covered with wormes , guarded and kept full sure by the prince and powers of darknesse unto the judgement of the great day : and then the whole man must become the woful object , of the extremity and everlastingnesse of that fiercest and unquenchable wrath , which , like infinite rivers of brimstone , will feed upon his soule and flesh , without remedie , ease , or end . but that happy man , which in the short summers day of his miserable and mortall life , gathers grace with an holy greedinesse , plies the noble trade of christianity with resolution and vndauntednesse of spirit , against the boisterous current and corruptions of the times ; growes in godlinesse , gods favour , and fruits of good life ; purchases and preserves ( though with the losse of all earthly delights ) peace of conscience , one of the richest treasures and rarest jewels that euer illightened and made lightsome the heart of man in this world : i say that man , though never so contemptible in the eyes of the worldly wise ; though never so scornfully trod upon and overslowne by the tyranny and swelling pride of those ambitious selfe-flattering giants , who , like mighty winds , when they have blustered a while , breathe out into naught , shall most certainly upon his dying-bed meet with a glorious troupe of blessed angels , ready and rejoycing to guard and conduct his departing soule into his masters joy . his body shal be preserved in the grave by the all-powerfull providence , as in a cabinet of rest and sweetest sleepe , perfumed by the buriall of our blessed saviovr , untill the glorious appearing of the great god. and then , after their joyfullest re-union , they shall both be filled , and shine thorow all eternity , with such glory and blisse , which in sweetnesse and excellency doth infinitely exceed the possibility of all humane or angelicall * conceipt . thus you see in short , what a deale of confusion that miserable man heapes up for his precious soule against the day of wrath , which spends the span of his transitory life after the waies of his owne heart : and how truly he is a sonne of understanding , who in the few and evill daies of short abode upon earth , treasures up grace and spirituall riches against the dreadfull winter night of death . for i would have you understand , that by comfortable provision ] i meane not , lands , livings , or large possessions ; i meane not wealth or riches : alas ! these will not profit in the day of wrath , prov. . . they certainly make themselves wings , and in our greatest need , will flie away as an eagle toward heaven , prov. . . i meane not silver or gold : they shall not be able to deliver in the day of the lords wrath , zeph. . . will he esteeme thy riches ? no not gold , nor all the forces of strength , iob . . i meane not top of honour , or height of place : this ( without religion ) serves onely to make the downfall more desperate and remarkable . they are rais'd on hie , saith the very poet , that their ruine may be more irrecoverable . but what do i meddle with the poet ? the prophet is plaine and peremptory against the pride of ambition : thy terriblenesse hath deceived thee , and the pride of thine heart : o thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rocke , that holdest the height of the hill : though thou shouldest make thy nest as high as the eagle , i will bring thee downe from thence , saith the lord , ier. . . i meane not the arme of flesh , or princely favours . assuredly , that man which gratifies great ones to the wounding of his conscience by the formall slavery of basenesse and insinuation , or any ill offices of ambitious servitude in feates of irreligious policy , in justice , cruelty , turning turk and traitour to those that trusted him , &c. shall at last receive no other recompence of such abhorred villany , when divine vengeance begins to take him in hand , than that which justly fell upon iudas ( in the extremity of his anguish and sorrow ) from the chiefe priests and elders , matth. . . if ever great men , or earthly potentates did take their slattering slaves out of the hands of god , at that highest tribunall , or were able to free a guilty soule from eternall flames ; it were something to grow rich , and rise by vile accommodations , and serving their turne in the meane time . but such a man s●…all certenly ( in the day of his last and greatest need ) be cast with horrible confusion of spirit , and 〈◊〉 griefe of heart , upon wolsies rufull complaint , and cry out when it is too late : had i beene as carefull 〈◊〉 serve the god of heaven , as my great master on earth ; he had neuer left me in my gray haires . favours of greatnesse may follow a man in faire weather , and shine upon his face with goodly hopes and expectation of great things , but in shipwracks even of worldly things , where all sinks , but the sorrow to save them ; or especially upon the very first tempest of spirituall distresse , they steere away before the sea and wind , leaving him to sink or swim ; without all possibility of helpe or rescue , even to the rage of a wounded conscience , and gulfe many times of that desperate madnesse , which the prophet describes isa. . , . he shall fret himselfe , and curse his king and his god , and looke upward . and he shall looke unto the earth : and behold trouble and darknesse , dimnesse of anguish , and he shal be driven to darknesse . by comfortable provision therefore , i meane treasures of a more high , lasting , and noble nature : the blessings of a better life , comforts of godlinesse , graces of salvation , favour and acceptation with the highest majesty , &c. they are the riches of heaven onely which we should so hoard up , and will ever hold out in the times of trouble , and day of the lords wrath . amongst which , a sound faith , and a cleare conscience are the most peerlesse and unvaluable jewels ; able by their native puissance , and infused vigour , to pull the very heart ( as it were ) out of hell , and with confidence and conquest to looke even death and the devill in the face . there is no darknesse so desolate , no crosse so cutting , but the splendor of these is able to illighten , their sweetnesse to mollifie . so that the blessed counsell of christ , mat. . , . doth concurre with , and confirme this point : lay not up for your selves treasures upon earth , where moth and rust doth corrupt ; and where theeves breake thorow and steale . but lay vp for your selves treasures in heaven , where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt , and where theeues do not breake thorow , nor steale . by moth and rust those two greedy and great devourers of gay clothes , and glistering treasures , two capitall vanities upon which worldlings dote , and two greatest inchanters of mortall men , are insinuated , and signified unto us all those iron teeth , and devouring instruments of mortality , by which corruption eats into the heart of all earthly glory , wasts insensibly the bowels of the greatest bravery , and ever at length consumes into dust the strongest sinewes of the most imperiall soveraignty under the sun. somtimes , a day , an houre , a moment , is enough to overturne the things , that seemed to have been founded and rooted in adamant . the lord of heaven hath put a fraile and mortall nature , a weake and dying disposition into all worldly things . they spring and flourish , and die . even the greatest and goodliest politique bodies that ever the earth bore , though animated with the searching spirit of profoundest policy ; strengthened with the resolution and valour of the most conquering commanders , sighted with eagle eyes of largest depths , fore-sights and comprehensions of state , crowned with never so many warlike prosperities , triumphs and victorious atchievements , yet like the naturall body of a man , they had , as it were , their infancy , youthfull strength , mans state , old age , and at last , their grave . we may see dan. . . the glory and power of the mightiest monarchies that ever the sun saw , shadowed by nebuchadnezzars great image , sink into the dust , and become like the chaffe of the summers threshing floores ; upon a windy day . heare a wise and noble writer speaking to this purpose , though for another purpose : who hath not observed , what labour , what practice , perill , bloud-shed , and cruelty , the kings and princes of the world have undergone , exercised , taken on them , and committed ; to make themselves and their issues masters of the world ? and yet hath babylon , persia , egypt , syria , macedon , carthage , rome , and the rest , no fruit , flower , grasse or leafe , springing upon the face of the earth , of those seeds : no , their very roots and ruines do hardly remaine . all that the hand of man can make , is either over-turned by the hand of man ; or at length by standing and continuing consumed . what trust then or true comfort in the arme of flesh , humane greatnesse , or earthly treasures ? what strength or stay in such broken staves of reed ? in the time of need , the worme of vanity will wast and wither them all , like ionahs gourd ; and leave our naked soules to the open rage of wind and weather ; to the scourges and scorpions of guiltinesse and feare . it transcends the sphere of their activity , as they say , and passeth their power to satisfie an immortall soule , to comfort thorow the length of eternity ; either to corrupt or conquer any spirituall adversaries . for couldest thou purchase unto thy selfe a monopoly of all the wealth in the world ; wert thou able to empty the westerne parts of gold ; and the east of all her spices , and precious things ; shouldest thou enclose the whole face of the earth from one end of heaven to another , and fill this wide worlds circumference with golden heapes and hoards of pearle : diddest thou in the meane time sit at the sterne , and hold the reines in thine hand of all earthly kingdomes , nay , exalt thy selfe as the eagle , and set thy nest among the starres ; nay , like the sun of the morning advance thy throne even above the starres of god ; yet all these , and whatsoever els thou canst imagine , to make thy worldly happinesse compleate and matchlesse , would not be worth a button unto thee upon thy bed of death , nor do thee a halfe-penny-worth of good in the horrour of that dreadfull time . where did that man dwell , or of what cloth was his coat made , that was ever comforted by his goods , greatnesse , or great men , in that last and sorest conflict ? in his wrastlings with the accusations of conscience , terrours of death , and oppositions of hell ? no , no : it is matter of a more heavenly metall , treasures of an higher temper , riches of a nobler nature , that must hold out , and helpe in the distresses of soule , in the anguish of conscience , in the houre of death , against the stings of sinne , wrath of god , and last tribunall . do you think that ever any glorified soule did gaze with delight upon the wedge of gold , that tramples under foot the sun , and lookes all-mighty god in the face ? no , no : it is the society of holy angels , and blessed saints , the sweet communion with its dearest spouse , that unapproachable light which crownes gods sacred throne , the beauty and brightnesse of that most glorious place , the shining body of the sonne of god , the beatificall fruition of the deity it selfe , the depth of eternity , and the like everlasting fountaines of spirituall ravishment and joy , which onely can feed and fill the restlesse and infinite appetite of that immortall thing with fulnesse of contentment , and fresh pleasures , world without end . thrice blessed and sweet then is the advice of our lord and master iesvs christ , who would have us to turne the eye of our delight , and eagernesse of affection from the fading glosse , and painted glory of earthly treasures ; wherein naturally the worme of corruption and vanity ever breeds , and many times the worme of an evill conscience attends ; the one of which eats out their heart when we expect an harvest ; the other seizes upon the soule in the time of sorrow , and sinks it into the lowest hell : and as men of god , and sonnes of wisdome , to mount our thoughts , and raise our spirits , and bend our affections to things above ; which are as farre from diminution and decay , as the soule from death ; and can be no more corrupted or shaken , than the seat and omnipotency of god surprised . for , besides that , they infinitely surpasse in eminency of worth and sweetnesse of pleasure , the comprehension of the largest heart , and expression of any angels tongue ; they also out-last the dayes of heaven , and run parallell with the life of god , and line of eternity . as we see the fountaine of all materiall light to powre out his beames , and shining abundantly every day upon the world without wearinesse , emptinesse , or end ; so , and incomparably more doth joy and peace , glory and blisse , spring and plentifully flow every moment with fresh streames from the face of the father of lights upon all his holy ones in heaven , and that everlastingly . o blessed then shall we be upon our beds of death , if ( following the counsell of our dearest lord , who shed the most precious and warmest bloud in his heart to bring our soules out of hell ) we treasure ap now in the meane time , heavenly hoards which will ever happily hold out , a stocke of grace , which never shrinks in the wetting , but abides the triall of the spirit , and touch-stone of the word in all times of danger , and day of the lord : even that accurate , circumspect , and precise walking , pressed upon us by the apostle , eph. . . though pestilently persecuted and plagued by the enemies of god in all ages : and that purity which saint iohn makes a property of every true-hearted professour , iohn . . so much opposed and bitterly opprest by the world ; and yet , without which none of us shall ever see the face of god with comfort . if while it is called to day , we make our peace with his heavenly highnesse , by an humble continued exercise of repentance ; by standing valiantly on his side ; by holding an holy acquaintance at his mercifull throne with a mighty importunity of prayer , and godly conversation above ; by ever offering up unto him in the armes of our faith ( when he is angry ) the bleeding body of his owne crucified sonne , never giving him over , or any rest , untill he bepleased to register and enroll the remission of our sinnes in the booke of life , with the bloudy lines of christs soule-saving sufferings , and golden characters of his owne eternall love . if now , before we appeare at the dreadfull tribunall of the euer-living god , ( and little know we whose turne is next ) we make our friends in the court of heaven : the blessed angels , in procuring their joy and love , by a visible constancy in the fruits , teares , and truth of a sound conversion . the spirit of comfort by a ready and reverent entertainment of his holy motions and inspirations of grace : the sonne and heire of the king of glory , the foundation and fountaine of all our blisse , in this world and the world to come : from whose meritorious bloud shed and blessed mediation arise all those flouds of mercy and favour , which refresh our soules in this vale of teares ; and also those unknown bottomlesse seas of pleasure , peace and all unspeakable delights , which will superabound , and overflow with new and fresh sweetnesse for ever and ever in the paradise of god. blessed are they , that ever they were borne , who have already got him their advocate at the right hand of his father . for , besides many other glorious priviledges thereby , in all their exigents and extremities , they may be ever welcome to the seat of mercy , and be sure to speed . if a man had a suit unto the king , it were a comfortable and happy thing to find a friend in court. but if the kings speciall and choisest favourite ; nay , his own only son were his intercessour ; how confident would he be to prevaile and prosper , to conquer his opposites , and crowne his desires ? why then should any poore christian be discomforted and cast downe : nay , why should he not be extraordinarily raised and ravished in spirit with much joyfull hope , and sweet assurance , when he throwes himselfe downe at the throne of grace ; sith the dearest sonne of the eternall god , the heire of heaven and earth , the mediator of the great covenant of endlesse salvation is his advocate at the hand of his all-mighty father in the most high and glorious court of heaven ? wherefore when an humbled soule , and trembling spirit is sore troubled , and almost turned backe from his purpose of prayer , and prostration at the foot of heavenly majesty , by entertaining before hand a feeling apprehension of his owne abhorred vilenesse , and the holy purity of gods all-seeing and searching eye , which cannot looke on iniquity ; let this consideration comfort and breed confidence , that iesvs christ the son of gods love doth sollicite and tender the suit , who out of his owne sense and sympathy of such like troubles and temptations , doth deale for us with a true , a naturall , and a sensible touch of compassionatenesse and mercy . shall that blessed saviour of ours call and cry for a pardon to his father , for those which put him to death ; who were so farre from seeking unto him , that they sought and suckt his bloud ; and shall he shut his eares against the groanes of thy grieved spirit , and heavy sighes of thy bleeding soule , who values one drop of his bloud at an higher price , than the worth of many worlds ? it cannot be . thus that saying of salomon , and this counsell of christ makes good the truth of the point , which may further appeare by these reasons . . taking this counsell betime , and hoarding up heavenly things in this harvest time of grace , mightily helps to asswage the smart , mollifie the bitternesse , and illighten the darknesse of the evill day . it is soveraigne , and serves to take the venime , sting and teeth , out of any crosse , calamity , or distresse : and so preserves the heart from that raging hopelesse sorrow , which , like a devouring harpie , dries up , dissolves , and destroyes the bloud , spirits , and life of all those who are destitute of such a divine antidote . what vast difference may we discerne betweene iob and iudas ; david and achitophel , in the daies of evill ? the two men of god being formerly enriched with his favour and familiarity , so behaved themselves , the one in the ship-wracke of his worldly happinesse , the other in the hazard of his kingdome , as though they had not beene troubled at all : the lord gave ; and the lord hath taken away , saith iob , when all was gone , blessed be the name of the lord . if i shall find favour in the eyes of the lord , saith david , he will bring me againe , and shew me both it , and his habitation . but if he thus say , i have no delight in thee : behold , here am i , let him do to me , as seemeth good unto him. but the spirits of the other two false and rotten-hearted fellowes in the time of trouble were so overtaken , nay , over whelmed with griefe , that they both hanged themselves . . this holy providence before hand may happily prevent a great deale of restlesse impatiency , reprobate feares , forlorne distractions of spirit , hying to the caves , crying to the mountaines , bootlesse relying upon the arme of flesh ; cursing their king and their god , and looking upward , roaring out with hideous groanes ; who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire ? who among us shall dwell with the everlasting burnings ? &c. all which desperate terrours and tumultuations of conscience are wont to surprize and seize upon unholy and unprepared hearts , especially when gods hand is finally and implacably upon them . . and we shall hereby excellently honour and advance the glory of profession ; when it shall appeare to the world , and even the contrary-minded are enforced to confesse ; that there is a secret heavenly vigour , undauntednesse of spirit , and noblenesse of courage which mightily upholds the hearts of holy men in those times of confusion and feare , when theirs melt away within them like water , and be as the heart of a woman in her pangs . worldlings wonder , and gnash the teeth hereat : when they see , as chrysostome truly tels us , the christian to differ from them in this ; that he beares all crosses couragiously ; and with the wings ( as it were ) of faith , out soares the height of all humane miseries . he is like a rocke , incorporated into iesvs christ , the rocke of eternity , still erect inexpugnable , unshaken , though most furiously assaulted with the tempestuous waves of any worldly woe , or concurrent rage of all infernall powers . but all the imaginary man-hood of gracelesse men doth ever in the day of distresse either vanish into nothing , or dissolve into despaire . . expression of spirituall strength in the time of trouble from former heavenly store , is a notable meanes to move others to enter into the same good way , and grow greedy after grace ; to draw and allure them , to the entertainment and exercise of those ordinances , and that one necessary thing , which onely can make them bold and unmooveable like mount zion in the day of adversity . i have knowne some , the first occasion of whose conversion , was , the observation of their stoutnesse and patience under oppressions and wrongs , whom they have purposely persecuted with extremest malice and hate . so blessed many times is the brave , resolute , and undaunted behaviour of gods people in the time of triall , and amidst their forest sufferings , that it breeds in the hearts of beholders , thoughts even of admiration and love , nay a desire of imitation , and turning on the other side . when they represent to the eye of the world their ability to passe thorow the raging flames of fiery tongues untouched , to possesse their soules in peace , amidst scorpions , thornes , and rebels , to passe by basest indignities from basest men without wound or passion , to hold up their heads above water in the most boisterous tempests , and deepest seas of danger , to triumph over all adversary power in the evill day ; i say , by gods blessing , this may make many come in and glorifie god , marvelling and enquiring , whence such invincible fortitude , and bravenesse of spirit should spring ; concluding with nabuchadnezzar : surely , the servants of the most high god. and so at length their affections may be so set on edge after the excellency and amiablenesse of iesvs christ , who being , the mighty god , and the lion of the tribe of iudah , doth alone inspire all his with such a lion-like courage ; that they may seriously and savingly seek his face and favour ; saying with those , cant. . . what is thy beloved more than another beloved , o thou fairest among women ? — that we may seeke him with thee . when they behold such a deale of majesty and mi●…th to shine in his face whom they make the marke of all their spitefull rage and revenge ; their teeth with which they could have torne him in peeces , may water ; and they industriously desire to know , what that is , which makes such a man so merry in all estates . vses ▪ . this may serve to awaken and reprove all those secure and carelesse companions , who , if they may enjoy present contentment , and partake in the meane time of the prosperity and pleasures of the times , wherein they tumble themselves with insolency , luxury , and ease ; take no thought , make no provision at all against a day of reckoning , provide no food against a foule day , treasure up no comfort against the lords coming , prepare no armour or aid for that last and dreadfull conflict upon their beds of death . alas poore soules ! did they know and feelingly apprehend what a deale of horrour , astonishment and anguish dogs them continually at the heeles , ready and eager after a few daies of filthy and fugitive pleasures , to seize upon them like travaile upon a woman with child , suddenly , unavoidably , and in greatest extremity , and that so intolerable , that they shall never be able either to decline or endure , the very weakest biting of the never-dying worme , or the least sparkle of those everlasting flames ; they would think all the daies of their life few enow to gather spirituall strength against that fearefull houre . nay , some are such cruell caitifs and cannibals to their owne soules , and so accursedly blinded by the prince of darknesse , that instead of comfortable provision , they heape up wrath against the day of wrath ; instead of grace , gods favour , and a good conscience , peace , joy , and refreshing from the presence of the lord , they lay up scourges , and scorpions for their naked soules and guilty consciences against the time and terrour of the lords visitation . for , let them be most assured ; all their lies , oathes , rotten and railing speeches ; all their covetous , lustfull , ambitious and malicious thoughts ; all their swaggering and furious combinations against gods people , sensuall revellings , joviall meetings , &c. will all , when their feare commeth as desolation , and their destruction commeth as a whirlewind , like so many envenimed stings , run into their sinfull soules , and pierce them thorow with everlasting sorrow . alas ! what will the sonnes and daughters of pleasure do then ? and all those spirituall beggers and bankerupts , who have greedily hunted , all their life long after these mortall things of this life , as if their soules had beene therein immortall ; and utterly neglected those things which are immortall , as if their selves after the world had been but mortall ? what do you think wil be their thoughts upon the very first approach of the port of death , to which in the meane time all winds drive them ? fullsad , and heavy thoughts ( lord thou knowest ) then at leisure enough to reflect severely upon their former folly , though formerly beaten from them by their health and outward happinesse , and will pay them to the uttermost for all the pleasing passages of their life past . o then they shall lie upon their last beds like wild buls in a net , full of the fury of the lord ; and in the morning they shall say , would god it were even : and at even they shall say , would god it were morning , for the feare of their heart wherewith they shall feare , and for the sight of their eyes , which they shall s●…e . then ( though too late ) will they lamentably cry out and complaine : what hath pride profited us ? or what good hath riches with our vaunting brought us ? all those things are passed away like a shadow , and as a poste that hast●…th by . and as a ship that passeth over the waves of the water , and when it is gone by , the trace thereof cannot be found : neither the path-way of the keele in the waves . or as when a bird hath flowne thorow the aire , there is no token of her way to be found , but the light aire being beaten with the stroke of her wings , and parted with the violent noise , and motion of them , is passed ●…horow , and therein afterwards no signe where she went is to be found . or like as when an arrow is shot at a marke , it parteth the aire , which immediately commeth together againe ; so that a man cannot know where it went thorow : even so we in like manner , assoone as we were borne , began to draw to our end , and had no signe of vertue to shew : but we consumed in our owne wickednesse . for the hope of the ungodly is like dust , that is blowne away with the wind , like a thin froth that is driven away with the storme . like as the smoke which is dispersed here and there with a tempest , and passeth away as the remembrance of a guest that tarieth but a day . if a minister who labours industriously all his life long , to worke upon such as sit under him every sabbath ; of which , some all the while preferre some base lust before the lord iesvs : others will not out of their formality to the forwardnesse of the saints , do what he can , or presse he them never so punctually and upon purpose ; i say , if it were possible , that he might talke with any of them , some two houres after they had been in hell : oh! how should he find the case altered with them ? how would they then roare , because they had dis-regarded his ministry ? what would they not give to have a grant from god , to trie them in hearing but one sermon more ? how would they teare their haire , gnash the teeth , and bite their nailes , that they had not listened more seriously , and taken more sensibly to heart those many heavenly instructions , spirituall discoveries , secret ( but well understood ) intimations , that their state to god-ward was starke naught , by which he sought with much earnestnesse and zeale , even to the wasting of his bloud and life , to save the bloud of their soules ? and yet for all this , you will not be warned in time , charme the charmers never so wisely : but some of you sit here before us from day to day , as senslesse of those things which most deeply and dearely concerne the eternall ruine , or welfare of your precious soules , as the sea●…es upon which you sit , the pillars you leane unto ; nay , the dead bodies you tread upon : others looking towards heaven afarre off , and professing a little , sit before us as though they were right and truly religious ; and they heare our words , but they will not do them : for with their mouth they shew much love , but their heart goeth after their covetousnesse . and loe , we are unto them , as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice , and can play well on an instrument : for they heare our words , but they do them not . they are friends to the better side , may go farre , and even suffer somtimes in good causes , &c. but let us once touch them in point of commodity , about their enclosures , immoderate plungings into worldly affaires , detaining church-dues , usury , and other dishonest gaine , and base niggardise ; if out of griefe of heart for their shaming religion , exposing the gospell of iesvs christ to blasphemy , and ●…dening others against profession , we meddle with their fashions , their pride , their worldly-mindednesse , and conforming to the world almost in every thing , save onely some religious formes ; if we presse them more particularly upon danger of damnation to more holy strictnesse , precisenesse and zeale , knowing too well , by long observation and acquaintance , that they never yet passed the perfections of formall professours , and foolish virgins : alas ! we then find by too much wofull experience ; if they politikely bite it not in , that this faithfull dealing doth marvellously discontent them ; and these precious balmes do break their heads with a witnesse , and make the bloud run about their eares ; whereupon they are wont to fall upon us more foule , ( such true pharisees are they ) than would either the drunkard or good-fellow , the publicans and harlots do in such cases : they presently swelling with much passionate heat , proud indignation , disdaine , and impatiency to be reform'd , have recourse to such weake and carnall cavils , contradictions , exceptions , excuses and raving ; that in nothing more do they discover to every judicious man of god , or any who doth not flatter them , or whom they do not blinde with their entertainments and bounty , or delude with painted pretences , and art of seeming , their formality , and false-heartednesse . and yet , as they are characteriz'd isa. . . they seeke the lord daily , and delight to know his waies , as a nation that did righteousnesse , and forsooke not the ordinance of their god : they aske of him the ordinances of justice : they take delight in approaching to god : they may have divine ordinances on foot in their families , entertaine gods people at their tables , fast and afflict their soules upon dayes of humiliation , as appeares in the fore-cited chapter , verse . heare the word gladly , with hero●… ; and with much respect and acceptation observe the messenger , &c. but they will not stirre an inch further from the world , or nearer to god , say what he will , let him preach out his heart , as they say . they will not abate one jot of their over-eager pursuit after the things of this life , or wagg one foot out of the un-zealous plodding course of formall christianity ; no , not for the sermons , perhaps of twenty yeares , and that from him who hath all the while laboured faithfully so farre to illighten them , as that they might not depart this life with hope of heaven ; and then with the foolish virgins , fall ( utterly against all expectation , both of themselves and others ) into the bottomlesse pit of hell . o quàm multi cum hac spead aeternos labores , & bella descendunt ! how many ( saith one ) go to hell with a vaine hope of heaven ; whose chiefest cause of damnation is their false perswasion , and groundlesse presumption of salvation ! well , be it either the one , or the other ; the besotted sensualist , or selfe-deluding formalist , could we speake with them upon their beds of death ( their consciences awaked ) or the day after they were damned in hell ; we should find them then , though in the meane time they suffer many sowre apprehensions to arise in their hearts against us , in a much altered tune and temper . then would they with much amazednesse and terrible feare , yell out those now too late hideous complaints : we fooles counted his life madnesse , &c. we wearied our selves in the way of wickednesse and destruction , &c. what hath pride profited us ? &c. then would they curse all dawbers , and justifie all downe-right dealers : contempt of whose counsell , would now cut in peeces their very heart-strings with restlesse anguish and horrour , and mightily strengthen the never-dying worme ; whereby the enraged soule will thrust its owne hands , as it were , into its owne bowels , and teare open the very fountaine of life and sense to feed upon it selfe . for , the worme of conscience ( say divines ) is onely a continuall remorse and furious reflexion of the so●…le upon its owne wilfull folly , and thereby the wofull misery it hath brought upon it selfe . . this may serve to stirre up all the sonnes and daughters of wisdome to hoard up with all holy greedinesse , instead of earthly pelfe , transitory toyes and shining clay , the rich and lasting treasures of divine wealth and immortall graces . for , these heavenly jewels purchased with christs bloud , and planted in the heart by the omnipotent hand of the holy ghost , will shine comfortably upon our soules with beames of blessednesse and peace , amid all the miseries and confusions , the darknesse and most desperate dangers of this present life : nay , in the very valley of the shadow of death , their splendour and spirituall glory will not onely dissolve , and dispell all mists of horrour which can possibly arise from the apprehension of hell , the grave , those last dreadfull pangs , or any other terrible thing ; but also illighten , conduct and carie us triumphantly thorow the abhorred confines of the king of feare upon the wings of joy , and in the armes of angels , to unapproachable light , unknowne pleasures , and endlesse blisse . it may be , as yet , thou standest upright without any changes , unstir'd in thy state by any adverse storme , supposing thy mountaine so strong , that thou shalt never be mooved . thus long perhaps the allmighty hath beene with thee : his candle hath shined upon thy head , and his patient providence rested with all favour and successe upon thy tabernacle ; so that hitherto thou hast seene no dayes of sorrow ; but even washed thy steps with butter , and the rocke hath powred thee out rivers of oyle , &c. yet for all this , the day may come , before thou die , that thou maist be stript of all , and become as poore as iob , as they say , by fire , robbery , suretiship , ship-wracke , the destroying sword , desolations of war , or by the hand of god in some other kind ; even , a day , an houre , a moment ( saith one ) is enough to over-turne the things that seemed to have beene founded and rooted in adamant : labour therefore industriously before-hand so to furnish and fortifie thine heart with patience , noblenesse of spirit , christian fortitude , the mightinesse of iobs faith , cap. . . and his manifold integrities , cap. . that if such an evill day should come upon thee ( and who can looke for exemption when he lookes upon iobs affliction ) thou maist with an unrepining submission to gods good providence and pleasure , take up his sweetest resolution and repose : naked came i out of my mothers wombe , and naked shall i returne thither : the lord gave , and the lord hath taken away , blessed be the name of the lord . though , as yet , by a miracle of rarest mercy , calmnesse and serenity rest upon the firmament of our state ; yet who knowes how soone , especially , sith many of gods dearest servants beyond the seas have lyen so long in teares and bloud , some dismall cloud and tempestuous storme may arise out of the hellish ●…ogs of our many hainous sinnes and crying abominations , and breake out upon us , and that with greater terrour , and farre more horribly , by reason of the unexpectednesse and our present desperate security : though the sun of the gospell , and glory of a matchlesse ministry shine yet full faire among us in the meridian of our peace and prosperous daies , yet little know we , how soone and suddenly it may decline and set in a sea of confusion , calamity and woe : and therefore hoard up greedily in the meane time , and while the sun shines , a rich treasury of saving knowledge , grace and good life ; that if need require , thou maist then resolutely reply with blessed paul against all contradictions and temptations to the contrary : i am ready not to be bound onely , but also to die for the name of the lord iesvs : though at this present thou doest perhaps with much sweet contentment enjoy thy god comfortably , and his pleased face ; many heavenly deawes of spirituall joy , glorious refreshings , and abundance of spirituall delights fall upon thy soule from the throne of mercy every time thou commest neare him ; thou canst say unto thy dearest out of thy present feeling , i am my beloveds , and my beloved is mine , and in some good measure keepe a part with the saints of old , in such victorious and triumphant songs as these ▪ oh that my words were now written , oh that they were printed in a booke ! that they were graven with an iron pen and lead , in the rocke for ever . for , i know that my redeemer liveth , &c. we will not feare , though the earth be remooved : and though the mountaines be carried into the middest of the sea : though the waters thereof roare , and be troubled , though the mountaines shake with the swelling thereof . selah . i am perswaded that neither death nor life , nor angels , nor principalities , nor powers , &c. yet for all this , that onely wise god of thine may hereafter for some cause seeming good to himselfe , and for thy good , with-draw from thee the light of his countenance , and sense of his love , and leave thee for a time to the darknesse of thine owne spirit , and satans ●…orest temptations , &c. ply therefore in this prosperity of thy soule all blessed meanes ; the ministry , sacraments , prayer , conference , meditations , humiliation-dayes , holinesse of life , clearenesse of conscience , watching over thy heart , walking with god , sanctified use of afflictions , experimentall observation of gods dealings with thee from time to time , workes of justice , mercy , and truth , &c. thereby so to quicken , fortifie and steele thy faith , that in the bitterest extremity of thy spirituall distresse , thou maist be able to say with iob , though he slay me , yet will i trust in him , iob . . a thousand crosses moe , calamities and troubles may over-take thee before thou takest thy leave of this vale of teares : it will be thy wisdome therefore , now in this calme to provide for a storme ; to treasure up out of gods booke many mollifying medicines and soveraigne antidotes against all slavish and vexing fore-thought of them in the meane time , and their bitternesse when they shall come upon thee . thou maist be assured , if thou be a sonne , thy heavenly father will ever correct thee ; . a never before there be need : and alwayes in . b wisdome . . c measure . . d love and tendernesse . . for e a moment onely . . to f trie thee ; what drosse of corruption , and what sound metall of grace is in thee . : to g purge out sinne . . to h refine thee , and make the vertues of christ in thee more shining and illustrious . . to i stirre up , quicken and increase all saving graces in thy soule . of which see my exposition upon the chapter of isa. amongst all the rest , faith ever becomes most famous by afflictions . witnesse that cloud of witnesses , heb. , . to k make thee blessed . . to l save thee . . and he m wil be ever with thee in trouble . . he n will deliver thee . . nay , and never was gold-smith more curious and precise to watch the very first season , when his gold is thorowly refined and fitted for use , that he may take it out of the fornace ; than our gracious god o waits in such cases with an holy longing , that he may have mercy upon thee and deliver thee . but how soever , or whatsoever befall thee in this life , thou must upon necessity ere it be long , lie gasping for breath upon thy dying bed , and there graple hand to hand with the utmost and concurrent rage of all the powers of darknesse , and that king of feare attended with his terrours : and therefore let the whole course of thy life be a conscionable preparative to die comfortably : suppose every day thy last , and thereupon so behave thy selfe both in thy generall and particular calling , as though thou shouldest be called to an exact account at night for all things done in the flesh , before that last and highest tribunall : in all thy thoughts , words , actions and undertakings in any kind , say thus unto thy selfe : would i do thus and thus , if i certenly knew the next houre to be my last : in a word , so live , that upon good ground thou maist bring davids undaunted boldnesse to thy bed of death : though i walke through the valley of the shadow of death , i will feare no evill . here , upon this seasonable occasion , give me leave to commend and tender unto you some speciall preparatives , rules , motives and meanes to furnish before hand , and fortifie your spirits against all future evils , and terrible things that are towards . . treasure up richly and abundantly before hand the precepts , practice and experimentall sweetnesse of patience , that most usefull and precious vertue , which may serve ( when time serves ) as a soveraigne antidote , to abate , and abolish the sting and venime of all crosses , afflictions , and mortall miseries ; and as a comfortable cordiall to support and hold up thy heart in the bitternesse and extremity of the sorest . mighty and miraculous was the worke of this glorious grace in blessed iob. by its heavenly and invincible influence upon his humble soule , it did not onely utterly extinguish ( which was a very admirable and extraordinary thing ) all that desperate anguish and slavish griefe , which such variety and extremity of greatest miseries , that ever befell any mortall man , would have naturally bred in the hopelesse hearts of impatient worldlings ; least of which is many times enough to drive them to despaire and selfe-destruction ; but also * enabled him with the sweetest calmnesse of a well-composed and unshaken spirit , even to blesse the lord his god for taking from him these transitory things , of which he was the true proprietary , and which in much undeserved mercy he had lent unto him so long . the lord gave , ( said he ) and the lord hath taken away , blessed be the name of the lord . with what infinite , implacable indignation , and bloudy rage would shemeis railing have rent in peeces the heart of many a gracelesse king ? and yet david by the helpe of this holy vertue , passed on along patiently without wound , or passion . that heavy newes which was so horrible , that it made both the eares of every one that heard it , tingle , brought by samuel to eli immediately from gods owne mouth , might have made many an earth-worme to have run mad with the very fore-thought of so much misery to come : but good old patient eli , when he had heard it all , sweetly ejaculates : it is the lord : let him doe what seemeth him good . the taking away of two sonnes at once by a sudden and violent death , with visible vengeance from heaven , and in the middest of a most horrible sinne , is naturally matter of sorrow which cannot be exprest , and extremest griefe : yet aaron in such a case having learned conformity of his owne will to the divine pleasure of the onely wise god ; when moses told him that the lord would be sanctified in them that come nigh him , and before all the people h●… would be glorified ; he held his peace : and aaron held his peace . so quieting his heart because god would have it so . see further for this purpose , sam. . . . isa. , . &c. by these few precedents you may easily perceive what singular and soveraigne power patience hath to pull the sting , and extract the poyson out of the most grievous calamities and greatest troubles . but now on the contrary : impatiency and unpleasednesse with gods providence in sending both good and a ill , yet ever in love , and for our good ; for b what sonne is he , whom the father chasteneth not ? doth more afflict us than all our afflictions . the storme of gods wrath breaks out sometimes upon the outward state of some greedy fretting mammonist , and he justly sinites him for his wicked covetousnesse and dishonest gaine , perhaps in the height and hot gleame of his prosperity and thriving , by some sudden visible consumption , or secret wasting curse : he ( as such covetous wretches are wont ) takes on extremely , farre beyond the rage of the maddest bedlam . he stamps and stares ( as they say ) roares and raves ; g●…asneth his teeth , teares his haire , bites his nailes , almost like a damned soule , that hath new lost heaven ; untill at length the devill lead him to lay violent hands upon himselfe . now , are not these selfe-vexing tortures farre more rerrible than the taking away of his transitories ? is not the cutting of his owne throat incomparably worse than the crosse ? a bird that is intangled amongst lime-twigs , the more she stirres and struggles , the more she is made sure , and doubles her danger : a c repining reluctation , and angry striving ( as it were ) to get out of gods hands , doth ever enveaime and exasperate the wound , and makes us ten times worse , and more miserable , than if we fairely and patiently submitted to his omnipotent and most mercifull will. neither doth want of patience onely mightily enrage a crosse , but it also embitters all our comforts . the bare omission of a meere complement in mordecai did not onely fill hamans proud heart with many raging distempers of hatred , malice , revenge , foolish indignation and much furious discontentment ; but also turned al the pleasure , and kindly relish in his courtly pleasures , riches , honours , offices , extraordinary advancements and royall favours , into gall and wormewood . and haman told them of the glory of his riches , and the multitude of his children , and all the things wherein the king had promoted him , and how he had advanced him above the princes and servants of the king. haman said moreover , yea esther the queene did let no man come in with the king unto the banquet that she had prepared , but my selfe , and tomorrow am i invited unto her also with the king. yet all this availeth me nothing , so long as i see mordecai the iew sitting at the kings gate . whereas now david , a king , as i told you before , by the benefit of this blessed grace , did not suffer his princely spirit to be un-calmed at all , no not by the traiterous and most intolerable reviling of a dead dog , and his baseft vassall . . keepe off thy heart from the world , in the greatest affluence of wealth and worldly prosperity . earthly-mindednesse ever sharpeneth and keenes the sting in all distresses . it gives teeth to the crosse to eat out the very heart of the afflicted . had not iob beene able to have professed , that in the height of his happinesse he was thus affected : if i have made gold my hope , or have said to the ●…ine gold , thou art my confidence : if i rejoyced because my wealth was great , and because my hand had gotten much : [ here a say divines , somthing is understood , as dispeream , then let me perish , or the like ] if b i beheld the sun when it shined , or the moone walking in brightnesse : and my heart hath beene secretly entised , or my mouth hath kissed my hand : — then should i have denied the god that is above . if i grew proud , puft up , or pleased my selfe with the glistering brightnesse of my earthly abundance , let it be so and so with me : i say , except iobs heart had beene thus c wained from the world , when as yet he wallowed in wealth ; he had never been able to hold out in the evill day , and to have borne so bravely the ruine of so rich a state without repining . but now churlish nabal , whose affections were notoriously nail'd to the earth ; though perhaps once or twice a yeare he made a joviall and frolicke feast , as other cunning worldlings are wont to their good-fellow-companions , upon purpose to procure and preserve a pharisaicall reputation of bounty with some flattering dependants , and for a cloke to colour their covetousnesse and cruelty ; yet he was of a ●…linty bosome in respect of doggednesse and extreme niggardise , especially towards gods people , and his heart by excessive rooting there , was turned wholly into earth : and therefore in the evill day , it died within him , and he became as a stone . to keepe off the world in a fit distance , that it do thee no deadly hurt , and undoe thee quite ; keepe still fresh and strong in thy thoughts a true estimate and right conceipt of the d mutability of all things here below , and thine owne mortality . in their best condition and highest confluence , they are but . vanity : we shall never ●…ind in them any solidity , or that good or comfort which we still with much eager pursuit and thirst expect and labour in vaine to extract from them : but upon triall and trust in them , they will ever proove empty clouds , broken staves of reed . e app●…s of sodom , wells without water . and when we graspe them most greedily , we embrace nothing but smoke , which wrings teares from our eyes , and vanisheth into nothing . : vexation of spirit . besides the emptinesse and absence of that imaginary felicity which we hunt after in them ; there is also the presence and plenty of much 〈◊〉 and hearts griese , which the slaves of pleasure , and lovers of the world little looke for , when they at first resolve to sell their soules for such transitory trash . divitias invenisti ? ( saith one ) requiem perdidisti . hast thou found riches ? thou hast lost thy rest . a man that will be rich , takes no more rest , than one upon a racke , or bed of thornes ▪ like f anacreon with his five talents , still distracted with worldly thoughts , and continually prickt with cares and feares . . they cannot satisfie the soule . gold can no more fill the spirit of a man , than grace his purse . betweene heaven and earth , spirits and bodies , soules and silver , there is no proportion . and therefore no earthly excellencies , no carnall pleasures , no worldly treasures are fit matter , or a full object , for such an immateriall , immortall and heavenly borne-being to feed upon with any proper delight , true comfort , or sound contentment . not all this great materiall world , or greatest masse of gold can possibly fill the mighty capacity and immeasurable appetite of this little sparke of heaven breath'd into us by the infinite power of an almighty hand . a man may as well fill a bag with wisedome , as the soule with the world ; a chest with vertues , as the mind with wealth . . they cannot helpe in the evill day . their bloud ( saith the prophet ) shal be powred out as dust , and their flesh as the dung : neither their silver nor their gold shal be able to deliver them in the day of the lords wrath . put a man into a pang of any painefull maladie , and bodily torture ; as into a fit of the stone , strangury , g deepe melancholy , gout , cholicke , or the like : let some incurable devouring ulcer , canker , elephantiasis , the wolfe , the h plica , &c. take hold upon any part of his body ; and let him tell me then , what account he would make of all the imperiall crownes upon earth , attended with the height and utmost of humane felicities ? or what comfort could he take in the riches , glory and pleasures of the whole world ? or what ease and refreshing can large possessions , sumptuous buildings , pleasant walks , princely favours , dainty fare , choisest delights , or any thing under the sun , afford in such a case ? the very pricke of a needle , or paine of a tooth for the time , will take away the taste of all carnall contentments , and pleasure of the worlds monarchy . if the lord should let loose the cord of thy conscience , and set his just and deserved wrath a worke to enkindle flames of horrour in thy heart , what helpe couldest thou have in heapes of gold , or hoards of wealth ? remember spira . they would be so ●…rre from healing the wound , or allaying the smart , that they would yet more horribly afflict thy already enraged spirit , and turne them even into fiery scorpions for thy further torment . let thy last sicknesse seize upon thee , and then say ( for the houre of death , as they say , is the houre of truth ) whether all the gold and goods in the world can any more deliver thee from the arrest of that inexorable serjeant , than can an handfull of dust ? nay , whether then the extremity of thy spirituall affliction , and anguish of soule , will not be answerable to the former excesse of thine inordinate affection to earthly things , and delights of sense ? or suppose thou shouldest be surprized by that last and great day , which the lord in mercy hasten ; how wilt thou then rescue thy free-hold , when the whole frame of the world is on fire ? . they cannot possibly lead us beyond this life , or extend to eternity . if we see a servant follow two gentlemen , we know not whose man he is ; but their parting will discover to whether he belongs ; when death shall sever the owner from the world , then will riches and revenewes , offices and honours , stately buildings , and all outward bravery cleave to the world , and leave him to the world to come as poore a worme and wretch , as when he first came into this world : and therefore they are all the worlds heireloomes , and none of his : even as absaloms mule went away , when his head was fast in the great oake , and so left him hanging betweene heaven and earth , as a wofull spectacle of misery and shame to all beholders : so will all their wealth and worldly felicities deale with their most greedy ingrossers , and dearest minions upon their dying-beds . they will then most certenly ( as salomon ●…aith ) make themselves wings , and flie away as an eagle toward heaven : and leave their now forlorne former favourites to the fury of a guilty conscience for their cursed forsaking the fountaine of living waters , all their life long , and hewing them out such cisternes , broken cisternes that could hold no water ; nor help in the evill day . we all stand at the doore of eternity ; if death but once open it naturally or violently , or by any of his thousand thousand waies , we are presently stript of all , and immediately enter upon it , either that of everlasting pleasures , or the other of everlasting pains . and therfore it wil be our wisdome in the mean time to value worldly vanities at no more than their own price ; and industriously to ply all meanes which may enrich us with heavenly treasures of that divine stampe and lasting temper , which may attend us thorow all eternity . and as all these things here below are thus mutable and fugitive , so thy selfe art mortall and fraile . a creature as it were but of one daies lasting , like that i flower and bird which as naturalists report , receive their being and birth in the morning ; but wither and die at night . thy abode upon earth is like a vanishing k vision of the night , a flying dreame , the very dreame of a shadow , &c. this swift tide of mans life , after it once turneth and declineth , ever runneth with a perpetuall ebbe and falling streame , but never floweth againe : our leafe once fallen , springeth no more ; neither doth the sun or the summer beautifie us againe with the garments of new leaves and flowers , or ever after revive or renew us with freshnesse of youth , and former strength . not onely salomon ( eccles. . ) makes us in this respect more miserable than the sun and other soule-lesse creatures ; but even the poet also by the light of naturall reason ( whom i urge onely to make christians , mindlesse of their owne mortality , athamed , who have thoughts of heaven and earth , as though eternity were upon earth , and time onely in heaven ) tels us that , soles occidere & redire possunt : thus in english ; the sun may set and rise : but we contrariwise , sleepe after one short light , an everlasting night . which we must onely understand of returning any more to life and light in this world . nay , in a word , lay thy selfe loaden with the utmost of all earthly excellencies and felicities in the one scale of the ballance , and vanity in the other , and vanity will weigh thee downe . take heed therefore of trusting to the world in the meane time , lest it torture thee extremely in the time of trouble . . take heed of weakening in the meane time , and unnecessarily over-wearying thy spirit : . by carking fore-thought of future evils , which forty to one may never fall out . many men i am perswaded , ( such is the naturall vanity of our minds ) do more vexe themselves with feare and fore-conceipt of imaginary evils , which never befall ; then they have just cause , to take on and trouble their hearts for all other true , reall , actuall troubles , which fall upon them . thus many times do men torture themselves vainly with immoderate feare of forreine invasion , home-bred confusion , change of religion , the fiery triall , burning at a stake , distraction of mind , surprize by the plague , small poxe , purples , spotted fever , distresse and going backward in their outward state , losse of some child they love best , destruction of their goods by fire , robbery , ship-wracke , the frownes of greatnesse , hurt and revenge from those that hate them , hardnesse of heart , failing of their faith , spirituall desertion , overthrow by temptation , despaire of gods mercies , sudden death , discomfortable cariage in their last sicknesse , the king of feare himselfe ; what shall become of their children , when they are gone , &c. by these and millions moe of such causelesse and carking fore ▪ imaginations , the very flower and vigour of mens spirits may be much emasculated , and wasted wofully . a godly care to prevent them by repentance and prayer ; and a carefull preparation by mortifying meditations , and christian magnanimity to beare them patiently , if we be put unto it , is commendable and comfortable : but in the meane time to unspirit and macerate our selves with much distrustfull misery and needlesse torture about them , to our hindrance , distraction and discomfort in any businesses of either of our callings , or any waies , unchearefull walking ; by slavish pre-conceipts to double and multiply their stings , and to suffer them so often before they seize upon us , is both un-noble and un-necessary : most unworthy the morall resolution of a meere naturall man , and the generous spirit of an honest heathen ; much more the invincible fortitude of any of christs favourites , and heires of heaven . or ▪ . selfe-created crosses , that i may so call them . for so it often is , that many maried couples , governours of families ( to instance there ) having the world at will ( as they say ) and wanting nothing that heart can wish from gods hand for outward things : and yet ( i know not how ) by reason of passion , covetousnesse , pride , waiwardnesse , frowardnesse , or something , they mutually embitter their lives one unto another with much uncomfortablenesse , discontentment and jarring . i would advise all such ( and there are many and many such abroad in the world ) punctually and impartially to examine their consciences ; whether such secret sinnes as these , of which they take no notice , may not be the causes of it . . matching , as being not mooved principally and predominantly with portion , parentage , personage , beauty , lust , riches , lands , slattery , friendship , greatnesse of family , forced perswasions , parents covetous importunity , or some base and irrellgious by-respect and gracelesse ground . this the apostle calleth marrying in the lord : that is , for no by respect , but in the feare of god , cor. . . without which all matches are miserable , though they should be made up with hoards of wealth and heapes of gold as high as heaven , crowned with honours transcendent to the starres . the basenesse , folly and iniquity of these times is not more visible and eminent in any thing , than in making , or rather marring of marriages . how often may we see by ordinary observation a little golden glue to joyne fast in the dearest bonds , pearles and clay ? and silken fooles to carie away sufficiencies above their worthlesse weight in richest jewels ? the world is stark mad in this point . but they are rightly served ; noble miseries and golden fetters are fit enough for such couples . for from this bitter root of a covetous , carnall , ambitious , or any wayes unconscionable choice , springs a world of misery and mischiefe ; overthrow and ruine of great houses , scandalous divorces , unlawfull separations , dishonour , disturbance , jealousies , adulteries , bastardies , brawlings , mutuall exprobration of each others infirmities , deformity , portion , parentage , or some other cutting and netling matter of discontent ; sinfull disorders in families , ill education of children , &c. and , without repentance , after a few and wretched dayes tediously worne out with much irksomnesse and hearts-breake , lying together everlastingly in the lake of fire , there banning each other with much desperate horrour , and many bitter despairefull gnashings of teeth , that ever they entered into that estate . . predominancy of carnall love . which may be justly punished with many fits of frowardnesse and falling out , from such small occasions and light grounds ; that the parties may well perceive , that the correcting hand of god is in it leading them thereby to the sight and notice , to remorse and reformation of the brutish sensuality and sinfulnesse of their matrimoniall affection ; which should ever be rectified by reason , and spiritualiz'd with grace . mariage is rather a fellowship of dearest amity , then disordered love . and love and amity are as different as the burning sicke heat of a fever from the naturall kindly heat of a healthfull body . . immodest or immoderate abuse of the mariage . which , though it lie without the walk of humane lawes , yet divine justice doth many times deservedly chastise it with variety of visitations upon themselves , families , outward state , good name : with miscariages , barrennesse , bad children , giving them over to unnecessary distempers and strangenesse in their cariage one unto another , and other such like discomforts and crosses . which ( though they may also befall gods children for other ends , yet ) let all guilty couples in such cases conceive , that they fall upon them for such secret sensuall exorbitancies and excesse . . want of a comfortable communion in prayer , godly conference , mutuall communication of their spirituall estate , and how they stand to god-ward , daies of humiliation , helping one another towards heaven , and that joyfull fore-thought of most certaine meeting together in the ever lasting mansions of glory , joy and blisse above . such divine fellowship would incredibly sweeten that dearest indissoluble knot , and make that state a very earthly paradise to those few black swannes , that love so sweetly and graciously together . . ignorance , or negligence in the right understanding and practising both of the common and severall duties pertinent and proper to that estate . in all other arts , professions , and trades of life , the practitioners desire and endeavour to be ready in , and ruled by the precepts and directions thereof : but as concerning this great mysterie of managing the mariage-state with wisdome , conscience and comfort , the most are as ignorant in those treatises which teach their duties ( of which there are many excellent ones extant ) as they are basely insolent in clownish frowardnesse or imperious tyranny , to create a great deale of needlesse discontent and misery , both to themselves and their yoke-fellowes . . helpe also we may have for the point in hand , even from the wiser heathen . who out of the very light of nature and grounds of reason , did learne and labour to mollifie and asswage the stinging fore-thoughts of ills to come ; and to l prepare for a more easie and patient passage thorow them , by entertaining a resolution before-hand to looke for as no uncouth thing , any calamity crosse or casualty , incident to mortality , and the condition of man ; and if they escap'd them , to hold it a gaine and advantage , and as it were , an exemption from ordinary frailtie , and common miserie of mankinde . if they fell upon them , the bitternesse would be much abated by their former preparednesse and expectation . but we who professe christianity , and to whom the booke of god belongs , have farre more soveraigne antidotes to allay the smart , more sacred and surer meanes to mitigate and take off the furyof feared future evils : even the sure word of god , many exceeding great and precious promises , confirmed with the oath of the all mighty , and sealed with the bloud of his son. every one of them is farre more worth ( though the worldling thinkes not so ) than all the wealth and sweetnesse of both the indies . god is faithfull , who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able : but will with the temptation also make away to escape , that ye may be able to beare it , cor. . . the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us , rom. . . all things worke together for good to them that love god , vers. . he that spared not his owne son , but delivered him up for us all : how shall he not with him also freely give us all things ? vers. . when thou passest through the waters , i will be with thee ; and through the rivers , they shall not overflow thee : when thou walkest through the fire , thou shalt not be burnt ; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee , isa. . , &c. if thou truly feare god , feare nothing that shall hereafter fall upon thee ; temptation , triall , disgrace , distresse in outward things , the face of man , fiery times , danger from men or devils , death it selfe , or whatsoever can be imagined most formidable to flesh and bloud . for assuredly , he that is afflicted with thee in all thy afflictions , will ever fortifie thee with sufficient strength before-hand , uphold thee with his all-powerfull presence in the middest of them , and at length most gloriously deliver thee in despite of all hell , and the whole world . . it is comfortable to consider ; that god never puts his servants to suffer , but he furnisheth them with spirituall sufficiency to go thorow . if he meane to bring thee to the stake , he will undoubtedly give thee a martyrs strength . it is his sweetest method and mercy , first to fit his children with divine ability and answerable endowments , and then sets them on work to do or suffer any thing for his sake . he suffers some to become extraordinary objects and the speciall aime of extremest malice , spiteful railings , and all the keenest arrowes of lewdest tongues ; when he hath fil'd him first with so much christian magnanimity and noblenesse of spirit , that he is able to passe by the most scurrill gybe of the impurest drunkard , or the disdainefull frowne of the proudest haman , without wound or passion ; and doth resolvedly and bravely contemne all contumelies and contempts for his conscience : taking them as crownes and confirmations of his conformity to the lord christ : others to be afflicted with variety of worldly crosses , whose heart he hath already happily crowned with contempt of the world ▪ some to be exercis'd with fiercest assaults , and satans sieriest darts , having been formerly brought up in the schoole of temptations : others to be exposed to the fury of popish flames , when he hath so inflamed their hearts with the love of the lord iesvs , that they dare undauntedly looke the bloudiest persecutor in the face . the prudent commander makes not choice of fresh-water or white-livered souldiers ( as they say ) for any hot service or high attempt ; but of veterans , and those of greatest experience and most approoved valour : a discreet schoole-master gives not the longest lessons and hardest taske to dullards and blocke-heads , but such as are of pregnantest wits , and best capacity : the understanding armourer tries not common armes with musket-shot , but that of proofe . the skilfull lapidary doth not trie the tender crystall or softer stones by the stiddy and hammer ; but the adamant , which is readier to bruise the hardest iron or steele : the carefull husbandman thresheth not the fitches with a threshing instrument ; neither turneth a cart-wheele upon the cummin : but beates out the fitches with a staffe , and the cummin with a rod. for his god ( saith the prophet ) doth instruct him to discretion , and doth teach him . now if the lord of hosts , who is wonderfull in counsell , and excellent in working , give this discretion and wisdome to fraile man ; himselfe is infinitely more mercifully wise , to proportion and sit his trials to the state and strength of his patients ; singling out his valiantest souldiers for the strongest encounters ; his best schollers , for the largest lessons ; his choisest armour , for the highest proofe ; his hardest adamants , for the most steely anvill : the most couragious christians , for the ●…orest conflicts : his ablest followers , for extraordinary service and sufferings . abraham the father of the faithfull , and friend of god ; iob , the justest man upon earth ; david , a man after gods owne heart ; paul , abounding in the riches of grace , and the rarest revelations : i say , these eminent champions thus highly favoured , and heroically ●…itted , were put to it indeed , as appeares in divine story . the lord in mercy did first infuse an invincible mightinesse of spirit and much flaming zeale into the brests of those three christian worthies , athanasius , chrysostome , and luther , before he imployed them in his so glorious service , and exposed them to the rage of so many implacable persecutions in their severall ages . the first stood at swords point ( i meane the sword of the spirit ) with the whole world : the whole world against athanasius , and athanasius against it , saith hooker , out of the ecclesiasticall story ; halfe an hundred yeares spent in doubtfull triall , which of the two in the end would prevaile , the side which had all , or els the part which had no friend , but god and death : the one , a defendour of his innocency ; the other , the finisher of all his troubles . after the church of god , ( hunted like a partridge on the mountaines by the arrian bishops ) wofully wasted and wearied , had laid downe her head in the bosome of this blessed man ready to breathe out her last , he had never quiet day . heare my author : by the space of sixe and forty yeares , from the time of his consecration , to succeed alexander arch-bishop of alexandria , till the last houre of his life in this world , they never suffer'd him to enjoy the comfort of a peaceable day . the second was a mighty thunderer against the corruptions of the times ; feared not the face of the greatest woman in the world , armed as well with might , as enraged with malice , ( i meane eudoxia the empresse . ) but told her undauntedly of her raging , n dancing , persecuting cruelty &c. besides a world of wicked oppositions , insidiations and envy ; ( for by downe-right dealing in his ministry , he had drawne upon him the hatred of o all sorts , court and clergy , &c. ) he was divers times silenced , deprived and banished . but he was so much honoured of gods people every where , that when he came into taurocilicia , as himselfe reports , there flocked about him abundance of christians , weeping and wailing most bitterly for his banishment , and said , p that it had beene better that the sun had been deprived of her light , and all her glory turned into darknesse , than that the mouth of chrysostome should be stopt from preaching . in the last banishment , by reason of the barbarous usage and immanities of the souldiers that led him along , q hired for that purpose , he sweetly and blessedly breath'd out his last . but how bravely he bore , and with what invincible divine resolution he passed thorow these indignities , oppressions , and cruell wrongs , we may well perceive by his owne words to another banished bishop : r when i was driven from the city , none of these things troubl'd me , but i said within my selfe : if the queene will , let her banish me : the earth is the lords , and the fulnesse thereof : if shee will , let her saw mee asunder : isaiah suffered the same . if she will , let her cast me into the sea , i will remember ionah . if she will , let her cast me into a burning fiery fornace ; or amongst wild beasts ; the three children and daniel were so dealt with . if she will , let her stone me or cut off mine head ; i have then st. stephen and the baptist my blessed companions . if she will , let her take away all my substance : naked came i out of my mothers wombe , and naked should i returne thither . the apostle tels me , if i yet pleased men , i should not be the servant of christ . and david encourageth me , saying : i will speake of thy testimonies also before kings , and will not be ashamed . the third is the third elijah of later times , i meane blessed luther : who by the invincible might of his heroicall spirit , and one of the greatest courages that ever dwelt in humane brest , did sustaine and subdue the hellish rage of that man of sinne , and all his bloudy emissaries and agents ; stood upright and unshaken , like an unmooveable rocke , against all the tempestuous stormes and swelling seas of the most furious persecutions that ever were rais'd by the powers of hell against mortall man : and did so shake the kingdome of antichrist , that since that time , the most glorious light of the gospell , and resurrection of saving truth hath broken out upon , and blessed the face of christendome , that did ever shine upon earth , or was seene amongst the sonnes of men . herein was he like unto athanasius : as he opposed the arrian , so luther the whole antichristian world ; and they both in despite of all adversary malice , both from man and devill , s gave up blessedly their happy soules in peace into the bosome of iesvs christ , whom they had formerly served so faithfully , and for whose sake they had gloriously suffered so much . thus you see , when god singles out and designes any of his for some speciall services , and extraordinary sufferings , he ever furnisheth them before-hand with singularity of gifts , and sufficiency of spirituall abilitie to go thorow , and stand to it to death . but now on the other side , he will never breake a bruised reed , nor quench smoking flaxe , isa. . . but will ever gather the lambs with his arme , and carie them in his bosome , and gently lead those that are with young , isa. . . i make no doubt , but that in queene maries daies he mercifully hid many a good soule from the implacable fury of those popish morning wolves : who , though they were in a saving state , and loved the lord iesvs in sincerity , ephes. . . yet they wanted strength to stand in the face of the fiery tempests of those times . . beware lest any earthly contentment encroach upon , empaire , and eat up thy delight in heavenly things . but let thy spirituall joy ever utterly over-weigh all humane miseries , and overtop incomparably all worldly pleasures . and there is good reason for it : in respect , of the . object . the matter , whereupon earthly joy doth feed , is base and vile , filth and fashions , gaming and good-fellowship , revelling , and in our daies , even roaring , lust and luxury , &c. and other such froth and fooleries , the very garbage of hell ; at the best corne , wine , oyle , gold , greatnesse , offices , honours , high roomes , princely favours , &c. as transitory as an hasty headlong torrent , a shadow , a ship , a bird , an arrow , a poste that hasteth by ; or if you can name any thing of swifter wing , and sooner gone . but the object about which spirituall joy is exercised , are t iemovah blessed for ever , u his free and everlasting love , x the light of his countenance , his y sweet name , z that our names are written in heaven ; the a son of his love , his person , whose glory , beauty , amiablenesse , sweetnesse and excellency is somthing shadowed ( but infinitely short ) by outward beauties , cant. . . b the preciousnesse of his meritorious bloud , c exceeding great and precious promises , d pardon of sinnes , e christs glorious image shining in our soules , f eternity of unconceiveable joyes . . of continuance . earthly joy is like the crackling of thornes under a pot , a sudden blaze with some noise , but soone extinct , and comes to nothing . g the triumphing of the wicked is short , and joy of the hypocrite but for a moment . but spirituall joy is like the fire upon the altar ; it hath ever fewell to feed upon , though we do not ever feele it . the kingdome of god is righteousnesse , and peace , and joy in the holy ghost . the ransomed of the lord shall returne and come to zion with songs , and everlasting joy upon their heads : they shall obtaine joy and gladnesse , and sorrow and sighing shall slie away . * be glad in the lord , and rejoyce ye righteous : and shout for joy all ye that are upright in heart . . sincerity . earthly joy is cruelly embittered with many slavish , stinging and envenimed mix●…ures and marre-mirths : but god gives joy to the upright heart , and no sorrow with it . . effects . carnall joy utterly unfits for all holy imployments ; but spirituall joy is to the faculties of the soule , as oyle to the joynts of the body ; it makes quicke , active , and excellent for the discharge of any divine duty . . calling to mind , carnall joy in the evill day torments extremely , and turnes it into gall and worme-wood : but remembrance of those sweetest glimpses , and heavenly deawes of spirituall joy which were wont to shine into , and refresh our humbled soules when we were conscionably busied in the waies and worke of the lord , will serve as a precious cordiall , to re-comfort our spirits in sadder times , and surest pledge of their most certaine returne in due time . . spirituall joy is many times much enlarged in times of tribulation : but the heart of the wicked is sorrowfull in laughter , and troubled with melancholy amidst their greatest mirth . . spirituall joy is ordinarily most free , full , and at the highest in solitarinesse , soliloquies , and the most retired exercises of the soule : but carnall joy and want of company are for the most part incompatible . and it is kept in that poore little dying life it hath , by good-fellowship , and sensuall imployments . . carnall joy ever ends in bitternesse , spirituall in blessednesse . as the rivers of fresh water run their course with an hasty current to fall into the salt sea ; so the posting sun of all worldly pleasures after a short gleame , and vaine glistering , sets in the ocean of endlesse sorrow . . make thy peace with god upon good ground in the meane time , and graciously walke with him by a rule and daily direction . watch over thine heart with extraordinary industry . mortifie thy members which are upon earth ; pride , choler , covetousnesse ; selfe-love , hankering after the fashions , &c. strangle thy lusts , stand at the swords point with thy most beloved sinne . beare the yoke from thy youth , and l exercise thy spirituall armes every day . get a habit of heavenly-mindednesse and holy familiarity with god aforehand ; and then shall we hold up our heads and our hearts with boldnesse and undauntednesse of spirit in the evill day . the strongest and stoutest creatures ( saith a godly divine , pressing this point ) are afraid of those things which are contrary to their natures , which other creatures never so weake , feare not , being of the same nature . no more fearefull creature than a ●…ish , flying at the shadow of a man ; yet it feares not the ocean sea , because of its owne nature and acquaintance : which lions , and the stoutest creatures feare . — a sheepe ●…eares not his shepheard , by reason of acquaintance , whom yet the beare and the wolfe feare : whatsoever is strange and unacquainted , is fearefull . if we acquaint our selves with god , and walke with him as his friends , we shall have the more boldnes with him , when we have most need of him. in a word , be very temperate , honest , holy . for , the more conscionable thou hast formerly beene , the lesse power will the crosse have when it comes . it was the saying of a reverend man , where sinne lies heavy , the crosse lies light : and contrarily , that heart is like to be most lightsome in a storme , which hath beene the holiest in a calme . . possesse thy mind betime of many mortifying motives and meditations , to master the immoderate feare of death the king of terrour , and then thou wilt be able with farre more patience and resolution to digest all petty troubles and miseries in the meane time . for which purpose ponder upon these points . . there is almost no man , but he hath suffer'd more paine in his life , than ordinarily he shall passe thorow in death . the pangs of death ( saith mr. ward ) are often lesse than of the tooth-ache . . the covenant of god is offorce with us , as we lie in the dust of the earth , mat. . , . . our union with christ holds still , col. . . as the hypostaticall did , when christ lay in the grave . . death is but a sleepe , thess. . . acts . . . m christs death hath taken away the sting , and sweetned it to all his , heb. . . . it is but a sturdy porter , opening the doore of eternity , and letting us into heaven●… a rougher passage to eternall pleasures . . it is but like the fall of a wheat corne into the ground , and dying , that it may spring up afterwards more gloriously , ioh. . . . it is but a departing out of this world unto the father , ioh. . . . it is called in the old testament , a gathering to their fathers . . iacob made nothing of it . and israel said unto ioseph : behold , i die . gen. . . and when iacob had made an end of commanding his sonnes , he gathered up his feet into the bed , and yeelded up the ghost , and was gathered unto his people . . let us trimme our lamps betime , i meane try our spirituall states : for there are many foolish virgins ; and many thousands , who for want of a true touch-stone and sound triall this way , find the pit of destruction to have shut her mouth upon them irrevocably and for ever , before they will acknowledge themselves to be wide of the right way to heaven . i have beene often upon this argument , at this time i desire onely to discover the d●…lusion of the greatest part by an imaginary faith ; and of understanding and worldly-wise men by a temporary faith , and that in short . for the first sort ; these foure demaunds may easily discover and destroy the vanity of their spirituall selfe-cousenage and soule-deceit . . aske them how they came by their faith , when they begun to believe , &c. and their ordinary answer wil be this , or the like : we cannot tell : we are not such atheists , or so prophane , but we have believed ever since we were borne : we have ever trusted in christ , and made account of him as our saviour : we never doubted , but that he which made us , n will have mercy on us , &c. but now these poore deluded ignorants are in the meane time meere strangers to any worke of the spirit of bondage , and pangs of the new-birth , which would have taught them with a witnesse to have taken notice what a mighty worke and admirable change the glorious sun of saving faith is wont to cause wheresoever it comes . they could never yet sensibly and heartily cry , we are uncleane , we are uncleane ; we are sicke , we are lost , we are heavy-laden , we are undone , we die , we are damn'd ; except we drinke of the water of life , wash in that fountaine opened for sinne and for uncleannesse , and have a blessed part in the passion and purity of iesvs christ , &c. whereas now the true believer can tell you readily and experimentally , that he was first enlightened , convinced and terrified with sight , sense , and sorrow for sinne ; and so on , as you shall find it instruct. for comfort ▪ afflict . consc. pag. . & seq . but especially faire fall one good token : ever when justifying faith is infused , there is a thorow-sale of all 〈◊〉 , the pearle of great price will never be had , except all be sold : which is a matter so remarkable , a●…d makes such a miraculous change in a man , that i●… cannot chuse but be strongly remembred , and with greatest astonishment , and th●… even for ever , both in this world and th●… world to come . sensuall pleasures and bosom●… si●…es are notoriously na●…l'd and glued to a ca●… 〈◊〉 : they are as neare and deare unto it , as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 dainty and delicious meat to the p●…te ; 〈◊〉 ( saith zophar ) is sweet in his m●…th , he hi●…es i●… under his tongue ; he spares it , and for sakes it not ; but keepes it still in his mouth : not onely as ordinary garments , but as the most costly jewels , and richest chaine : pride ( saith david ) compasseth them about as a chaine ; violence covereth them as a garment : as the very limbes of the body . mortifie therefore ( saith paul ) your members which are upon earth : fornication , uncleannesse , inordinate affection , evill concupiscence , covetousnesse : nay , and as the most necessary and noble parts , the right eye , and the right hand ; if thy right eye offend thee ( saith christ ) plucke it out , and cast it from thee : — and if thy right hand offend thee , cut it off , and cast it from thee : yea dearer then very life it selfe to flesh and bloud : for we may observe and see too often such sonnes of pleasure , and slaves of lust to have no joy in this life , after they have lost the joy of this life . hence it is , that many times the wretched worldling being robbed one way or other of the very life of his life , his wedge of gold and hoards of wealth , makes an end of himselfe : that the wanton missing of his lustfull aime and much desired choise , finds no pleasure in this life ; but cuts off himself by a violent and untimely death : that achitophel being disgraced and over-top'd in a point of policy , the crowne and pride of his worldly happinesse , put his houshold in order , and hang'd himselfe . well then , if it be thus , that parting from carnall pleasures be as painfull and vexing , as if a man should pull the meat from our mouth , the chaine from our necke , clothes from our backe , the limbes from our body , the right arme from our shoulder , the eyes out of our head , and as the losse of our life , that happy soule which bids adieu everlastingly to all earthly delights , must needs take extraordinary notice , and be able for ever to give a ready and most sensible account of such a mighty change and marvellous worke . . aske them , how they keepe their faith : and they will tell you , they thanke god , they are not troubled about it . they find no such scruples , doubts , distrusts , feares , jealousies , terrours , temptations , desertions , wants , weakenesses , &c. as some preciser fellowes , who stand so much upon their profession , strictnesse , conscience , and other singularities above ordinary , so much talke of , and take to heart . they see no such necessity of running after sermons , so much reading , prayer , poring upon precise bookes , recourse to puritan-ministers , humiliation-daies , &c. they can believe quietly , follow their businesse , and go to heaven without so much adoe . nay , they are so farre from being troubled in any of these kinds , that if any amongst them be troubled in mind , and extraordinarily visited with spirituall distresse , the portion many times of gods dearest children ; they presently please and applaud themselves , that they are free ; and conceive and peremptorily conclude that the afflicted is an hypocrite , hath beene a more hainous sinner then others , or medled too much with scripture-businesses and divine matters . but now the true believer holds the precious heavenly iewell of justifying faith with much adoe , difficulty and * doubtings . he is as carefull and covetous ( if it be possible ) to preserve and save this pearle , as the worldling his gold . for this purpose , he passeth thorow many fore and bitter conflicts with the fiercest assaults and fieriest darts of the devill ; ( for he knowes full well , that that is the arme and power of god unto us , for all sound comfort and spirituall well-being , and therefore he is most furious to weaken us there ) with infinite gaine-sayings and temptations of our inbred insidelity , native ignorance , diffidence , wisdome of the flesh , our owne sense and feeling , and a world of oppositions continually . he is driven many and many a time to the throne of grace with prayers , teares , and strongest wrastlings for auxiliary forces , and renewed strength . o how often doth he resort with extremest thirst , and dearest longings to all the blessed fountaines , that feed his faith ; the person of christ , his meritorious bloud , the promises , gods freest love , his sweetest name ; the covenant of grace , all the ordinances , those ones of a thousand , who are able to discover both the depths of the devill , and the mysteries of evangelicall mercy , &c. and for all this is glad many times to say unto his god : though thou slay me , yet will i trust in thee : lord , i believe , helpe thou mine unbeliefe , &c. the difference then stands thus : they hold it the easiest thing of a thousand ; but he finds it the hardest matter in the world , to believe . . aske them , what it hath wrought upon them : and they cannot give an account of any alteration to any purpose , or sanctification at all . imaginary faith is but an idle idea , a naked notion , a meere fancy , a groundlesse presumption and true dreame ; and therefore it is not active or productive of any reall effects , or true religiousnesse . but now saving ●…aith doth ever beget a blessed change in the whole man , body , soule , spirit , calling , company , conver●… , & ●… ▪ ●…f any man be in christ , he is a new creature : old things are passed away , behold all things are new . it is ever attended with those three great works of grace : . an universall repentance and returne from all sinnes : from grosse ones in practice and action ; and from the most unavoidable infirmities at least in allowance and affection . . an universall sanctification in all the parts and powers of body and soule ; though not in height of degree , yet without exception of parts . . an universall obedience to all gods commands ; though not to perfection , yet in sincerity and truth : and with an heavenly traine of glorious graces ▪ love , hope , vertue , knowledge , temperance , patience , godlinesse , brotherly kindnesse , charity , joy , peace , long-suffering , gentlenesse , goodnesse , meeknesse , &c. and even in the lowest ebbe and greatest weakenesse , it is ever wont to discover it selfe at least by poverty of spirit , hungring and thirsting after righteousnesse , striving against doubting , bitter complaints for want of former feelings , industrious seeking to be setled in believing , earnest and greedy longing after grace , highly prizing the lord iesvs , and preferring him infinitely before all the pleasures , profits and felicities of this life , resolving rather to die ten thousand deaths , than to returne any more to folly ; selfe-deniall , contempt of the world , care to search out the sin that may possibly hinder comfort , and be rid of it , continuall watchfulnesse and holy jealousie , lest we should be deceived , and faithfull labouring to subdue corruption . . fourthly , aske them , how they prize the object they apprehend imaginarily ; for it is no better : and it is but thus : if you were able to assure them of wallowing in all worldly pleasures with constant health , and immortality upon earth : they would with all their hearts , part with all their hope of heaven hereafter : for they are yet but carnall , though selfe-confident . but now the divinenesse and excellency of spirituall delights which justifying faith doth extract from the objects about which it is exercis'd , doth so affect and ravish the heart of the true believer ; that well advised , in cold bloud , and out of temptation , he holds all the corporall felicities of ten thousand worlds , even world without end , in comparison of them , but as drosse , and dung , and dust in the ballance . our part in the person of christ , with the purchases of his dearest bloud , and possession of the deity blessed for ever by his meanes , do more than infinitely transcend the utmost of all earthly contentments , rais'd above the highest possibility , by the most inventive and strongest imagination , and to be enjoyed thorow a thousand eternities . the second sort , which are a generation of more understanding men ; stand thus for their spirituall state , and thus fearefully couzen their own soules , and come short of salvation : they assay indeed to be religious , give up their names to profession , and would go to heaven with all their hearts , so farre as the way holds , with enjoyment of temporall happinesse : and therefore , they put on a forme of godlinesse , and faire out-side ; furnish themselves with an artificiall habit of talking well ; take part in all companies with the better side ; follow and frequent sermons with good forwardnesse ; set up prayer and other religious exercises in their families ; put themselves upon daies of humiliation ; leave many sinnes , do many things , hold an universall outward conformity to all the ordinances and divine duties at the instance of the ministry . and if they be of ability , countenance godly preachers , stand for them , and entertaine them into their houses with much affectionatenesse and bounty , especially such as ( perhaps ) by reason of too much charity , unacquaintednesse with their wayes , lothnesse to be accounted too pragmaticall and rough , or something comply with them in a false conceipt of their spirituall well-being , &c. but presse them further , over and besides all this , to the heart and life of religion , to the power and pith of godlinesse , crucifying of their corruptions , strangling their lusts , mastering their passions , parting with all sinne , unfashioning them to the times , abandoning for ever their darling pleasure , deniall of themselves , contempt of the world , daily walking with god , delight in the way of holinesse , an holy keeping of the lords day , fruitfulnesse in all good workes , living by faith , an uncowardly opposition to the iniquities of the present , &c. which ( they well know ) wil be necessarily accompanied with drunkards songs , railings of the basest , discountenance from ungodly greatnesse , the worlds deadliest enmity , speaking against every where , &c. o then , you strike them starke dead on the nest , as they say . these are hard speeches , very harsh , grating and ungratefull to their eares , and go to their very hearts : and therefore in such points as these pressing more precisenesse , you may as well remoove a mountaine of brasse with your little finger , as stirre them an inch . say what you will , and preach out your heart , ( as they say ) they will no further . thus farre as they go already , shall either serve their turne for salvation , or they will venture their soules with thousands that are worse than themselves . they pitch upon a safe , wise , moderate and discreet temper of religion , as they conceive and call it , and neither desire , or endeavour to go any further , or grow any better . a faire day mends them not ( as they say ) and a soule day paires them not . as they are peremptorily consident , the pearle wil be had at their price ; so they are constantly peremptory never to become more precise . and if it fall out sometimes , that they meet with some faithfull man of god , who hi●…s right upon their humour ; discovering the insufficiency of their present spirituall state , for future happinesse ; and perswading them upon a necessity of salvation , to an universall resignation of themselves with unreservednesse and zeale to all the world , and will and waies of god ; they are wont to put it off thus , or in the like manner : the man is a good man , and of good parts , one whom i love well ; but a little too hot , too boisterous and rough , and pinches too much upon precisenesse and particularizing mens spirituall states ; that is all his ●…ault : i must confesse , i am of such a nature and disposition , that i shall be more mooved with milder sermons , and calmer cariage in the pulpit : i do not see how this ministeriall severity and roughnesse , * sharpnesse of reproofe , and such searching into , and peremptory censuring mens state to god - ward , doth so much good , &c. my whole discourse of true happinesse is a touchstone and looking glasse for a triall and discovery of the unsoundnesse and spirituall selfe-deceit : and therefore thither i remit them . . a serious and fruitfull meditation upon the foure last things , hath been ever holden very materiall , and of speciall moment , to make us ( by gods blessing ) more humble , un-worldly , provident and prepared for the evill day . give me leave therefore , to select and propose some profitable considerations thereabouts , and conclusions thence , which may serve to mortifie our affections to the world , take off the edge and eagernesse in pursuit after earthly things ; mollifie , and make fit our hearts for a more easie entrance , and effectuall entertainment of all saving impressions , and motions of the word and spirit , for our spirituall good ; that in times of terrour , we may stand like mount zion , unmooveable and magnanimous . about death , consider : . that all the pleasures , treasures , and comforts of this life , wife , children , goods , gold , great friends , lands , livings , possessions , offices , honours , high roomes , brave situations , faire prospects , sumptuous buildings , pleasant walkes , and even the world it selfe , upon which thou hast lost so much labour , time , care , thought-fulnesse , and doted so long , holding a divorce , as death it selfe , must all , upon the stroke of death , * which not heaven and earth , or any created power , can any wayes possibly prevent , divert , or adjourne , be suddenly , utterly , and for ever left , never more to be minded , medl'd with , or enjoyed in this world or the world to come . when our breath goeth forth , and we returne to our earth , all our thoughts perish : even the thoughts of the greatest princes , and mightiest monarchs upon earth , who happily may have in their heads whole common-wealths , and the affaires of many kingdomes . put not your trust in princes ( saith king david ) nor in the sonne of man , in whom there is no helpe . his breath goeth forth , he returneth to his earth , in that very day his thoughts perish . and therefore let it be thy wisdome , to rent and weane thine affections from the world with an holy resolute violence in the meane time : * disdaine and scorne to set thine heart upon those things here , which thou canst not , thou must not have in the second life . and there is good reason for it . for they are all ( as i said before ) at the best , and in the height : . but vanity . and . vexation of spirit . . they cannot satisfie the soule . . they will not profit in the day of revenge . . they reach not to eternity . . there is no man so assured of his honour , wealth or any worldly thing , but he may be depriued of them , the very next moment . . thou needs to feare no want : there is no man ( saith christ ) that hath left house , or brethren , or sisters , or father , or mother , or wife , or children , or lands for my sake and the gospels ; but he shall receive an hundred fold now in this time , houses and brethren , and sisters , and mothers , and children , and lands , with persecutions ; and in the world to come eternall life . of eternall life , the point is cleare : but how shall they be so manifoldly remunerated in this life ? . in the same kind , sometimes , and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , as they say . abraham , at gods command , left his countrey , kindred , and fathers house : and he was afterwards ( as you know ) crowned with riches and honour abundantly , and became a great and mighty prince : iob for the glorifying of god , and confounding of satan , bore patiently , and blessed god for the losse of all : and how richly was he after repayed with a large and singular addition , and excellency of goods and children . * valentinian the emperour was put from his place of command in the army , by iulian , and banished for the profession of christ : but afterward was called backe from banishment , and with much honour and applause advanced to the height of the imperiall dignity . the apostles forsaking all for christs sake , had afterwards for one a poore cottage , the houses of all the faithfull christians in the world , to which they were farre more welcome , than ever any haman was to his proudest palace : and so all godly ministers in all ages ever find heartier entertainment , amongst the houshold of faith , ( truly so called ) than ever any naturall father , mother , sister or brother could possibly affoord ; because , as yet they can see no beauty in the image of christ in others , or in their feet who bring glad tidings , nor love spiritually . . or in equivalence , by b contentment , which doth incomparably both in sweetnesse and worth surpasse and over-weigh all worldly wealth . witnes that worthy reply of the most famous italian marquesse , galeacius caracciolus ( having left the rich and pleasant marquesdome of vico , all imperiall , popish , princely , courtly favours , and other proportionable felicities attending upon such humane greatnesse for the gospels sake ) to a wicked iesuite tempting him with a great summe of gold , to returne out of zion to sodom ; from geneva into italy ; c let their money perish with them , who esteeme all the gold in the world , worth one daies society with iesvs christ , and his holy spirit . i make no doubt but to any of our learned and holy men , exiles for christ in queene maries time , of whom many after returned , and received an hundred fold according to the letter of the text , browne bread and the gospell in germany , during that bloudy five yeares , were infinitely more sweet and deare , than all the bishopricks of england with subscription to the six articles . . even in d an overflowing and transcendent manner , in a pressed and heaped , and even over-inlarged measure by spirituall joy , peace of conscience , contentment of soule , more familiarity with god , nearer communion with iesvs christ , fuller assurance of his love , and our portion in him , more sensible experience of his all sufficiency , extraordinary exercise of faith , sweeter taste in the promises , closer cleaving to the word , clearer sight of divine excellencies , heartier longing for heavenly joyes , &c. one drop of which spirituall refreshing deawes distilling upon the soule even in greatest outward distresse ; one glimpse of such glorious inward joyes shining from the face of the sun of salvation into the saddest heart in the darkest dungeon , doth incredibly surpasse all the comfort which wife , children , wealth , or ( in a word ) any worldly good , or mortall greatnesse can possibly yeeld . . or in posterity ; by a very remarkable , if not miraculous providence and care for them . consider for this purpose , that god-fearing prophet , kings . who upon the matter , and in the true meaning , denied himselfe , and forsooke all for gods sake . ( e for he doth so also , who preferres the glory of god , the gospell , the cause of christ , and keeping of a good conscience , before any , or all earthly things ; holding fast unfainedly a resolution , if he be put to it , and times require really and actually to leave all for christ . ) this good man might have f applied himselfe to the present , served the times , sought the court , and sate at iezabels table with her other temporizing trencher-chaplaines . but it is said in the text , that he feared the lord , and so disdained , and abhor'd to gaine by humouring greatnesse , to grow rich and rise by basenesse and flattery . and therefore did chuse rather to die a begger , to leave his wife in debt , and expose his children to the bondage of cruell creditours , than any waies to make ship-wracke of a good conscience , or consent and concurre to the adulterating of gods sincere and purer worship . but mark what followes : rather than the wife and children of such a man , who preferred gods glory before his owne preferment , shall suffer want ; they must be relieved by a miraculous supply , as appeares in the story . . or in good g name ; which is rather to be chosen than great riches , saith salomon . for instance , compare together bradford and bonner . the name of that blessed man shall be of most deare and glorious memory to all that love our lord iesvs christ in sincerity , untill his second comming : and it is like we shall looke upon him , and the rest of that royall army of martyrs in queene maries time , with thoughts of extraordinary sweetnesse and love in the next world thorow all eternity . but now the remembrance of that other fellow , who ( like a bloud-thirsty tyger ) made such horrible havocke of the lambs of christ , shal be had in a most abhorred , execrable , and everlasting detestation . the name of the fore-named noble marquesse , h who left and and lost all with a witnesse for the gospels sake , shall be infinitely more honoured of all honest men , so long as any one heavenly beame of gods eternal truth shall shine upon earth , than his uncles paul the fourth , or all that rope of popes from the first rising to the finall ruine of that man of sinne . nay , theirs shall rot everlastingly ; but his shall re-flourish with sweetnesse , and fresh admiration to the worlds end . . that , to die , is but to be once done ; and if we erre in that one action , we are undone everlastingly . and therefore have thine end ever in thine eye . * let all our abilities , businesses , and whole being in this life ; let all our thoughts , words , actions , referre to this one thing , which ( as it shall be well or ill ended ) is attended either with endlesse plagues , or pleasures ; with eternity of flames or felicity . . that thou maist looke upon thy last bed , tobe full sorely terribly assaulted by the king of feare , accompanied with all his abhorred horrours , and stinging dread ; by the fearefull sight of all thy former sinnes , arrayed and armed in their grisliest formes , and with their fieriest stings ; with the utmost craft and cruelty of all the powers of darknesse , and the very powder-plot of the prince of hell , that roaring lion , who hath industriously laboured to devoure thy soule all thy life long ; with the terrour of that just and last tribunall 〈◊〉 which thou 〈◊〉 ready to passe to reckon precisely with almighty god for all things done in the flesh . what manner of man ought thou to be 〈◊〉 i●… the meane time ; in all holy care , fore-cast and cas●…g about to give up thine account 〈◊〉 comfort at that dreadfull houre ? be so farre from * deserring repentance in this day of visitation , and patting off till that time ; ( for how canst thou possibly attend so great a busines , when thou art beset with such a world of wofull worke , and hellish rage ? ) ▪ that ●…hou ●…hould est in this thy day , like a sonne of wisdome , constantly ply and improove all opportunities , occasions , offers , every moment , ministry , mercy , motions of the spirit , checks of conscience , corrections , temptations , &c. to store thy selfe richly with spirituall strength against that last encounter , and of highest consequence , either for eternall happinesse , or unconceiveable horrour . . that thy body , when the soule is gone , wil be an horrour to all that behold it ; a most loathsome and abhorred spectacle . those that loved it most , cannot now find in their hearts to looke on●… , by reason of the griesly d●…formednesse which death will put upon it . downe it must into a pit of carions and confusion , covered with wormes , not able to wagg so much as a little finger , to remoove the vermine that feed and gnaw upon its flesh ; and so moulder away into rottennesse and dust . and therefore let us never for the temporary , transitory ease , pleasure , and pampering of a r●…inous , and rotten carkasse , bring everlasting misery upon our immortall soules . let us never , for a little sensuall , short and vanishing delight flowing from the three filthy puddles of the lust of the flesh , the lust of the eye , and the pride of life , drowne both our bodies and soules in a dungeon , shall i say , nay in a boyling * sea of fire and brimstone , where we can see no banks , nor feele no bottome . . that when the soule departs this life , it carries nothing away with it , but grace , gods favour , and a good conscience . the sun of all worldly greatnesse , prosperity , and joy then sets for ever : even crownes , kingdomes , lands , livings , and all earthly possessions are everlastingly left . and * what will an immortall soule , destitute of divine grace , do then ? then will that now newly-separated soule , finding no spirituall store or provision laid up in this life against the evill day , with an irksome and furious reflexion , looke backe upon all its time spent in the flesh ; and beholding there , nothing but abominations , guiltinesse and sinne : presently awakes the never dying worme which having formerly had its mouth stopt with carnall delights , and mus●…'d up with outward mirth , will now feed upon it with horrour , anguish , and desperare rage , world without end . o then , let these precious , deare , everlasting things breath'd into our bodies for a short abode in this vale of teares , by the all-powerfull god , scorne with infinite disdaine , to feed upon earth , or any earthly things ; which are no proportionable object , either for divinenesse , or duration , for so noble a nature to nestle upon . but let them ply and fat themselves all the dayes of their appointed time , with their proper , native , and celestiall food : at that great supper made by a king at the mariage of a kings sonne , luke . . mat. . . and therefore must needs be most magnificent and admirable : at that feast of fat things , that feast of wines on the lees ; of fat things full of marrow , of wines on the lees well refined , isa. . . the founder and furnisher whereof is the lord of hosts . he that made heaven and earth , makes it ; and therefore it must needs be matchlesse and incomparable : at the well-head of wisdomes richest bounty ; who hath killed her beasts , mingled her wine , and furnished her table , prov. . . in and by these and the royallest ●…east that can be imagined , are shadowed , but infinitely short , and represented unto us , but nothing to the life , all those inexplicable divine dainties , delicates , sweetnesses ; those gracious quicknings , rejoycings and ravishments of spirit ; which god in mercy is wont to communicate and convey thorow all the ordinances and meanes of grace to truly humbled soules , for a mighty increase of spirituall strength and invincible comfort . o how deliciously may a heavenly hungry heart feed and fill it selfe ; . in the powerfull ministry unfolding all the sacred sense and rich mines of gods owne meaning in his blessed booke . . in the precious promises of life , by the applications and exercise of faith. . in the lords supper , by making the lord iesvs surer to our soules every time ; and every time by feasting afresh upon his body and bloud spiritually , with exultations of dearest joy , and sweetest glimpses ( as it were ) of eternall glory . . in fruitfull conferences and mutuall communications of gifts , graces , prayers , duties with gods people , which the lord doth usually and graciously water with the deawes of many sweet and glorious refreshings and quickning , much increase of christian courage , and an holy contentation in the good way . . in meditations upon the mystery of christ , the miracles of mercy upon us for our good all our life long , and the eternity of joyes and blisse above . . upon the lords day , when showers of spirituall blessings are accustomed to fall from the throne of grace all the day long , upon those who sincerely endeavour to consecrate it as glorious unto him. . upon those soule-fatting daies of humiliation ; which , who ever tried * either secretly , privately , or publikely ; either by himselfe alone , with his yoke-fellow , in his family or congregation , and found not god extraordinary , according to the extraordinarinesse of the exercise ? about the last ivdgement , consider , . how * cuttingly , and how cold the very first sight of the son of man comming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory , will strike unto thine heart , who hast refused to turne on his side , and take his part all the time of thy gracious visitation . then wilt thou begin with extremest griefe and bitternesse of spirit to sigh and say within thy selfe : oh! he that i now see sitting downe upon yonder flaming white and glorious throne , is that iesvs christ , the mighty god , the prince of peace , that sweetest lambe , whose precious bloud was powred out as water upon the earth , to save his people from their sinnes . and he it was , who so fairely invited and wooed me ( as it were ) by his faithfullest messengers , and intreated me with termes of dearest love , all my life long ; but even to leave my lusts , and bi●… the devill adieu ; and he , even he , would become my all-sufficient and everlasting husband ; and now as at this time have set an immortall crowne of blisse and glory upon my head with his owne all-mighty hand . but i alas ! like a wilfull desperate wretch , did not onely neglect so great salvation , forsake mine owne mercy , and so judge my selfe unworthy of everlasting life : but i also ( a bloudy butcher to mine owne soule ) all my few and evill dayes , basely and bitterly oppos'd his blessed kingdome ; the purity , power and holy precisenesse thereof , as quite contrary to my carnall heart , and that current of pleasures and worldly contentments into which i had desperately cast my selfe : i indeed wretchedly and cruelly against mine owne soule persecuted all the meanes which should have sanctified me , and all the men which should have sav'd me . happy therefore were i now , if i could intreat the greatest rocke to fall upon me , or be beholding to some mighty mountaine to cover me ; there to lie hid everlastingly from the face of him that s●…teth on the th●…one , and from the wrath of the lambe . o that i now might be turned into a beast , or bird , or stone , or tree , or aire , or any other thing ! blessed were i , that ever i was borne , if i could now be unborne : that i might become nothing , and in the state i was , before i had any being ! ah that my immortall soule were now mortall , that i might * die in hell , and not lie eternally in those fiery torments , which i shall never be able either to avoid , or abide ! let us then betime in the name and feare of god , kisse the son , lest he be angry at that day ; and so we perish everlastingly . let us now , while the day of our visitation lasts , before the sun be s●…t upon the prophets , addresse our selves unto him ▪ . with hearts burdened and broken with sight of si●…ne , and sense of divine wrath , mat. . . . prize him infinitely and above all the world , matth. ▪ . . sell all , part with all sinne , ibid. out of egypt quite , leave not an hoofe behind , exod . . . take him as our husband and lord , whereby we become the sonnes of god , iohn . . . take his yoke upon us , and learne to be meeke and lowly , matth. . . . enter into the way , which is called the way of holinesse , isa. . . . and there continue professours of the truth , and of the power of the truth , and of the power of the truth in truth : ( for otherwise , thou mayest be a professour , and perish eternally : ) that christ may owne thee , at that day . many professe the truth , and not the power of the truth : some professe both the truth and the power of it , but are false-hearted . where then shall the non-professour appeare ? nay , the persecuter of the sect , which is spoken against every where , acts . . . that thou must presently passe to an impartiall strict , the highest and last tribunall , which can never be appeal'd from , or repeal'd : there to give an exact account of all things done in the flesh : * for , every thought of thine heart , every word of thy mouth , every glance of thine eye , every moment of thy time , every omission of any holy duty , or good deed , every action thou hast undertaken , with all the circumstances thereof , every office thou hast borne , and the discharge of it in every point and particular , every company thou hast come into , and all thy behaviour there , every sermon thou hast heard , every sabbath thou hast spent , every motion of the spirit which hath been made unto thy soule , &c. let us then , while it is called to day , call our selves to account , examine , search and trie thorowly our hearts , lives , and callings , our thoughts , words , and deeds : let us arraigne , accuse , judge , cast and condemne our selves : and prostrated before gods mercy-seat , with broken and bleeding affections , lowlinesse of spirit , and humblest adoration of his free grace , upon the same ground with the aramites , kings . . ( we have heard that the kings of the house of israel are mercifull kings : let us i pray thee , put sack cloth on our loines , and ropes on our heads , and go out to the king of israel , peradventure he will save thy life . ) let us there give our mercifull god no rest , untill we have sued out our pardon by the intercession of the lord iesvs , &c. and then we shall find the reckoning made up to our hand , and a all matters fully answered before-hand . and ( which is a point of unconceiveable comfort ) he that was our b advocate upon earth , and purchased the pardon with his owne hearts bloud , shall then be our iudge . . that all the beastly and impure abominatitions of thine heart ; all thy secret sinnes and closet-villanies , that no eye ever looked upon , c but that which is ten thousand times brighter than the sun ; shall all then be d disclosed and laid open before angels , men , and devils , and thou shalt then and there be horribly , universally , and everlastingly ashamed . thou now acts perhaps securely some harefull and abhorred worke of darknesse , and wickednesse not to be nam'd , in thine owne heart , or one way or other in secret , which thou wouldst not for the whole world , were knowne to the world , or to any but thy selfe , or one or two of thy cursed companions curbed by their obnoxiousnesse : but be well assured in that day , at that great assize , thou shalt in the face of heaven and earth , be laid out in thy colours to thine eternall confusion . never therefore go about , or encourage thy selfe to commit any sinne , because it is mid-night , or that the doores are lockt upon thee ; because thou art alone , and no mortall eye seeth thee , neither is it possible to be reveal'd : ( and yet i must tell thee by the way , secret villanies have and may be discovered , . in sleepe . . out of horrour of conscience , or in time of distraction . ) for , suppose it be concealed , and lie hid in as great darknesse , as it was committed , untill that last and great day : yet then shall it out with a witnesse , and be as legible in thy fore-head , as if it were writ with the brightest starres , or the most glittering sun ▪ beame upon a wall of crystall . . in what a wofull case thy heavy heart will be , and with what strange terrour , trembling , and desperate rage , it must needs be possest , and rent in peeces , when thou shalt heare that dreadfull sentence of damnation to eternall torments and horrour , pronounced over thine head : depart from me * thou cursed wretch into everlasting fire , prepared for the devill and his angels : every word breathes out nothing but fire and brimstone , vengeance and woe , bites deeper , and terrifies more than ten thousand scorpion stings . to depart from that glorious presence were hell enough : but thou must also go with a curse : nor onely so , but into fire : and that must be everlasting , fed continually with infinite rivers of brimstone , and kept still in flame and fiercenesse , by the unquenchable wrath of the most just god , thorow all eternity . and in that horrible dungeon and fiery lake , thou shalt never have other company or comforters but wicked devils , and they insulting over thee everlastingly with much hellish spite , and stinging exprobrations , for neglecting so great salvation all thy life long ; and losing heaven , for some base lust , and believing their lies . if the drowning of the old world , swallowing up of korah and his complices , burning up of sodome with brimstone , were attended with such terrours , and hideous out ▪ cries : how infinitely transcendent to all possibility of conceipt , expression , or beliefe , will the confusions and tremblings of that day be ; when so many millions of men shall be drag'd downe with all the devils of hell , to torments without end , and past imagination . there was horrible scryking , when those five filthy cities first felt fire and brimstone drop downe upon their heads ; when those rebels saw the ground cleave asunder ; and themselves and all theirs go downe quicke into the pit ; when all the sonnes and daughters of adam found the floud rising and ready to over-flow them all at once ▪ but the most horrid cry that ever was heard , or ever shal be in heaven or earth , in this world , or the world to come , will be then , when all the forlorne condemned reprobates , upon sentence given , shal be violently and unresistably haled downe to hell , and pulled presently from the presence not onely of the most glorious god , the lord iesvs , angels , and all the blessed ones , but also of their fathers , mothers , wives , husbands , children , sisters , brothers , lovers , friends , acquaintance ; * who shall then justly and deservedly abandon them with all detestation and derision : and forgetting all nearenesse and dearest obligations of nature , neighbourhood , alliance , any thing , rejoyce in the execution of divine justice in their everlasting condemnation . so that no eye of god o●… man shall pitie them ; neither shall any teares , prayers , promises , suits , cries , yellings , calling upon rocks and mountains , wishes never to have been , or now to be made nothing , &c. be then heard or preva●…e i●… their behalfe ; or any one in heaven or earth be found to mediate or speake for them ; to reverse or stay that fearefull doome of eternall woe : but without mercy , without stay , without any farewell , they shall be immediately and irrecoverably cast downe into the bottomlesse pit , of easelesse , endlesse , and remedilesse torments , which then shall finally shut her mouth upon them . oh! what then will be the guawings of the never ▪ dying worme ; what rage of guilty consciences ; what furious despaire ; what horrour of mind ; what distractions and feares ; what bitter looking backe upon their mis-spent time in this world ; what * banning of their brethren in iniquity ; what cursing the day of their birth ; and even blaspheming of god himselfe blessed for ever ; what tearing their haire and gnashing of teeth ; what wailing and wringing of hands ; what desperate roaring ; what hideous yellings , filling heaven , and earth , and hell , &c. no tongue can tell , no heart can thinke ! be fore-warned then , in a word , to thirst , long and labour infinitely more to have iesvs christ in the meanetime , say in the ministry to thy truly humbled soule ; i am thy salvation ; than to be possessour ( i●… it were possible ) of all the riches , glory and pleasures of moe worlds , than there are starres in heaven . about hell , consider , . the paine of losse . privation of gods glorious presence , and eternall separation from those everlasting joyes , felicities and blisse above , is the more * horrible part of hell , as divines affirme . there are two parts ( say they ) of hellish torments ; . paine of losse ; and . paine of sense : but a sensible and serious contemplation of that inestimable and unrecoverable losse , doth incomparably more afflict an understanding soule indeed , than all those punishments , tortures , and extremest sufferings of sense . it is the constant and concurrent judgement of the ancient * fathers , that the torments and miseries of many hels , come farre short , are nothing , to the shutting out everlastingly from the kingdome heaven , and unhappy banishment from the beatificall vision of the most soveraigne , onely , and chiefest good , the thrice-glorious iehovah , blessed for ever . for , by how much the degrees of infinite good and happinesse in god , exceed the finite wickednesse and misery of men : by so much greater is the sorrow and griefe , ( being rightly conceived ) for the losse of that , than for the sense of this . assure then thy selfe before-hand , though thou little thinke so in the meane time , the losse but of the least raye of that sun-like resplendent body , we should have in heaven ; but of a taste of those over-flowing rivers of pleasure , and un-utterable blisse of that happy soule which should dwell in such a body ; but of one foot-breadth of the pavement of the empyrean heaven , to which the starry firmament is but a porch , or out-house ; but one houres company with all the crowned saints , and glorious inhabitants of that happy place ; but of one glaunce upon the glorified body of iesvs christ ; but of one glimpse of that unapproachable light , and iehovahs face in glory ; i say , the losse but of any one of these would be a far dearer and more unvaluable losse , than that of ten thousand worlds , were they all compos'd of purest gold , and brim-full with richest jewels . what will it be then ( think you ) to loose all these , nay , the full and absolute fruition of all heavenly excellencies , beauties , glories , pleasures and perfections , and that eternally : i know full well that carnall conceipts and worldly-wise men will wonder at this ; for having no sight but by sensuall eyes , they cannot possibly apprehend , or will by any meanes acknowledge any such thing . eagle-ey'd they are , and sharpe-sighted enough into things of earth ; yet blinder than a mole ( as they say ) in beholding any spirituall or celestiall beauty . but had we but the eyes of austin , basill , chrysostome , and some other holy fathers , ( and why should not ours be clearer and brighter , considering the greater splendour and illustriousnesse of divine knowledge in these times ? ) we should easily confesse that the farre greatest , and ( indeed ) most unconceiveable griefe would be , to be severed for ever from the highest and supreme good : and that a thousand thousand rentings of the soule from the body , were infinitely lesse than one of the soule from god. nicostratus in aelian , himselfe being a cunning artisan , finding a curious peece of worke , and being wondred at by one , and ask'd , what pleasure he could take , to stand as he did , still gazing on the picture , answered : hadst thou mine eyes , my friend , thou wouldest not wonder , but rather be ravished , as i am , at the inimitable art of this rare and admired peece . * it is proportionably so in the present point . or were we vouchsafed but one moment of pauls heavenly rapture , that we might s●…e but a glimpse of that insini●…e glory , and drinke but one drop of those ever-springing fountaines of joy ; then should we freely acknowledge and feele the truth of what i say ; and that all i say comes farre short of what we shall find . if it be so then , that the losse of the presence of god , and endlesse pleasures be so painefull , irrecoverable and inestimable ; and that it hath beene many times made manifest unto you by scriptures , fathers , reasons , convincing , familiar , easie resemblances ; and the same also appeares , and may be clearely concluded by the third exhortation before the sacrament in the common prayer booke ; to wit , that living and lying wittingly and willingly in any one sinne against conscience , robs us of all these infinite , ever-during , unutterable joyes , and beatificall vision , and fruition of god himselfe for ever : i say , sith it is both thus and thus : let every one of us in the name and feare of god , as we would not for a few 〈◊〉 pleasures , nay , sometimes one vile lust in this vale of teares for an inch of time , lose 〈◊〉 knowne delights thorow all eternity in another world , with an unshaken invincible resolution oppose all sorts and assaults of sinne , with all motions , enticements , and temptations thereunto : let us hold with holy chrysostome : a that it is worse and a more wofull thing to offend christ , than to be vexed with the miseries of hell . let us professe with anselme : b that if we should see the hatefulnesse of sinne on the one side , and the horrour of hell on the other , and must necessarily fall into the one , we would rather choose hell t●…an si●… . c it is reported also of edmund his successor ; that he was wont to say : i will rather leape into the siery lake , than knowingly commit any sinne against god. let us resolve with another of the ancients : rather to be torne in peeces with wild horses , than wittingly and willingly commit any sin . see for this purpose twenty curbing considerations to keepe from sin . instr. for comf . afflict . consc. pag. . . the paine of sense . the extremity , exquisitenesse and eternity whereof , no tongue can possibly expresse , or heart conceive . consider before ▪ hand , what an unspeakable misery it would be ( and yet it would not be so much as a slea ▪ biting to this ) to lie everlastingly in a red hot scorching fire , deprived of all possibility of dying ▪ or being ever consum'd ! i have some where read of the horrid execution of a traitour in this manner : being naked , he was chained fast to a chaire of brasse or some other such metall , that would burne most furiously , being fil'd with fiery heat ; about which was made a mighty fire , that by little and little caused the chaire to be red and raging hot , so that the miserable man d roared hideously many houres for extremest anguish , and so expired . e but what an horrible thing had it beene to havelien in that dreadfull torment eternally : and yet all this is nothing . for , if the blacke fire of hell be truly corporall and taken properly , as some of the fathers suppose ; yet it is such ( say they ) that as farre passeth our ordinary hottest fire , as ours exceeds the f fire painted upon the wall . and it must be so , i meane , as farre surpasse our most furious ordinary sire , immeasurably , unconceiveably in degrees of heat , and fiercenesse of burning . for , the one was created for comfort ; the other purposely to torment : the one is made by the hand of man ; the other tempered by the angry arme of almighty god , with all terrible and torturing ingredients , to make it most fierce and raging , and a sit instrument for so great and mighty a god to torment everlastingly such impenitent reprobate rebels . it is said to be prepared , matth. ●… . . isa. . . as if the all-powerfull wisdome did deliberate , and ( as it were ) sit downe and devise most tormenting temper for that most formidable fire : the one is blowne by an aiery breath ; the other by the angry breath of the great god , which burnes farre hotter than ten thousand rivers of brimstone : the pile thereof ( saith the prophet ) is fire and much wood , the breath of the lord , like a streame of brimstone , doth kindle it . what soule doth not quake and melt with thought of this fire , at which the very devils tremble ? there is no proportion betweene the heat of our breath , and the fire that it blowes . what a fearefull fire then is that which is blowne by a breath dissolved into brimstone ? which a great torrent of burning brimstone doth ever mightily blow ? if it be g metaphoricall , as austin seemes some where to intimate , and some moderne divines are of mind : and as the gold , pearles and precious stones of the wall streets and gates of the heavenly ierusalem ( rev. . ) were metaphoricall ; so likewise it should seeme that the fire of hell should also be figurative : and if it be so ; it is yet something els , that is much more terrible and intolerable . h for as the spirit of god , to shadow unto us the glory of heaven , doth name the most pretious , excellent and glorious things in this life , which notwithstanding come infinitely short ; so doth he intimate unto us the inexplicable pai●…es of hell , by things most terrible and tormenting in this world , fire , brimstone , &c. which yet are nothing to h●…llish tortures . whether therefore it be materiall or metaphoricall , i purpose not here i to dispute , or go about to determine : neither is it much materiall for my purpose . for , be it whether it will , it is infinitely horrible and ins●…fferable beyond all compasse of conceipt , and above the reach either of humane or angelicall thoughts . it doth not onely exceed with an incomparable disproportion ●…ll possibility of patience and resistance ; but also even ability to beare it ; and yet notwithstanding , it must upon necessity be borne so long as god is god. take in a word , all that i intend to tell you in the point at this time . k if the severall paines of all the diseases and maladies incident to our nature , as of the stone , gout , colicke , strangury , or what other you can name , most afflicting the body : nay , and add besides all the most exquisite and unheard of tortures , ( and if you will , even those of the spanish inquisition ) which ever were or shal be inflicted upon miserable men , by the l bloudiest executioners of the greatest tyrants , as that of him in the brazen chaire mentioned before , &c. and collect them all into one extremest anguish ; and yet it were nothing to the torment which shall for ever possesse and plague the m least part of a damned body ! and as for the soule : let all the griefes , horrours and despaires that ever rent in peeces any heavy heart , and vexed conscience ; as of iudas , spira , &c. and let them all be heaped together into one extremest horrour ; and yet it would come infinitely short of that desperate rage and restlesse anguish , which shall eternally torture the least and lowest faculty of the soule ! what then do you think wil be the torment of the whole body ? what wil be the terrour of the whole soule ? here both invention of words would faile the ablest oratour upon earth , or the highest angell in heaven . ah then , is it not a madnesse above admiration , and which may justly amaze both heaven and earth , and be a prodigious astonishment to all creatures , that being reasonable creatures , having understanding like the angels of god , eyes in your heads to fore-see the approaching wrath , hearts in your bodies that can tremble for trouble of mind , as the leaves of the forrest that are shaken with the wind , consciences capable of unspeakable horrour , bodies and soules that can burne for ever in hell ; and may ( by taking lesse paines in the right way , than a drunkard , worldling , or other wicked men in the wayes of death and going to hell ) escape everlasting paines : yet will sit here still in the face of the ministry with dead countenances , dull eares , and hard hearts , as senslesse and unmooved , as the seates you sit on , the pillars you leane to , and the dead bodies you tread on , and never be said , ( as they say ) never warn'd , untill the fire of that infernall lake flame about your eares ! o monstrous madnesse and mercilesse cruelty to your owne soules ! let the angels blush , heaven and earth be amaz'd , and all the creatures stand astonished at it . . when sentence is once irrevocably past by that high and everlasting iudge , and the mouth of the bottomlesse pit hath shut it selfe upon thee with that infinite anguish and enraged indignation , thou wilt take on , teare thy haire , bite thy nailes , gnash the teeth , dig furiously into the very fountaine of life , and ( if it were possible ) spit out thy bowels : because having by a miracle of mercy beene blessed all thy n life long in this gloriously illightened goshen with the fairest noone-tide of the gospell that ever the sun saw , and either diddest , or mightest have heard many and many a powerfull and searching sermon ; any one passage wherof ( if thou haddest not wickedly and wilfully forsaken thine own mercy , and suffered satan in a base and beastly maner to blindfold and ba●…le thee ) might have beene unto thee the beginning of the new-birth , and everlasting blisse : yet thou , in that respect a most accursed wretch , diddest passe over all that long day of thy gracious visitation , like a sonne or daughter of confusion , without any piercing or profit at all ; and passed by all those goodly o offers and opportunities , with an inexpiable neglect and horrible ingratitude ; and so now liest drown'd and damn'd in that dreadfull lake of brimstone and fire , which thou mightest have so easily and often escaped . p this irksome and furious reflexion of thy soule upon its owne wilfull folly , whereby it hath so unnecessarily and sottishly lost everlasting joy , and must now live in endlesse woe , will vexe and torture more than thou canst possibly imagine , continually gnaw upon thy heart with remedilesse and unconceivable griefe ; and in a word , even make an hell it selfe . o then , having yet a price in thine hand , to get wisdome to go to heaven , lay it out with all holy greedinesse , while it is called to day , for the spirituall and eternall good of thy soule ! improve to the utmost , for that purpose , the most powerfull ministry , holiest company , best bookes , all motions of gods spirit , all saving meanes , &c. spend every day , passe every sabbath , make every prayer , heare every s●…imon , thinke every thought , speake every word , do every action , &c. as though when that were done , thou wert presently after to passe to judgement , and to give up an exact account for it , and whatsoever els done in the flesh . . that the conceipt of the everlastingnesse of the torments , when they are now already seiz'd upon the soule , and hopelesnesse of ever coming out of hell , wil be yet another hell . if thou once come there , q and there most certainly must thou be this night , if thou diest this day in thy naturall state , and not new-borne ; i say then ( so terribly would the consideration of eternity torture thee ) that thou wouldest hold thy selfe a right r happy man , if thou mightest endure those horrible paines , and extremest horrours no moe millions of yeares , than there be sands on the sea-shore , haires upon thine head , starres in the firmament , grasse piles upon the ground , and creatures both in heaven and earth . for , thou wouldest still comfort thy selfe incredibly with this thought : my misery will once have an end . but alas ! this word s never will ever rent thine heart in peeces with much rage and hideous roaring ; and give still new life to those insufferable sorrowes , which infinitely exceed all expression or imagination . let us suppose this great body of the earth upon which we tread to be turned into sand , and mountaines of sand to be added still , untill they reach unto the empyrean heaven , so that this whole mighty creation were nothing but a sandy mountaine : let us then further imagine a little wren to come but every hundred thousandth yeare , and carie away but the tenth part of one graine of that immeasurable heape of sand ; what an innumerable number of yeares would be spent , before that world of sand were all so fetcht away ? and yet , woe and alas that ever thou wast borne ! when thou hast lien so many yeares in that fiery lake , as all they would amount to , t thou art no nearer coming out , than the very first houre thou enteredst in . now , suppose thou shouldest lie but one night grievously afflicted with a raging fit of the stone , collicke , strangury , tooth-ache , pangs of travaile , &c. though thou haddest to helpe and ease thee a soft bed to lie on , friends about thee to comfort thee , physitians to cure thee , all cordiall and comfortable things to asswage the paine ; yet how tedious and painfull , how terrible and intolerable would that one night seeme unto thee ? how wouldest thou tosse , and tumble and turne from one side to another , counting the clock , telling the houres , esteeming every minute a u moueth , and thy present misery matchlesse and unsupportable ? x what will it be then ( thinkest thou ) to lie in fire and brimstone , kept in highest flame , by the unquenchable wrath of god , world without end ? where thou shalt have nothing about thee but darknesse and horrour , wailing and wringing of hands , y desperate yellings and gnashing of teeth : thine old companions in vanity and sinne to ban and curse thee with much bitternesse and rage ; wicked devils to insult over thee with hellish cruelty and scorne ; the never-dying worme to feed upon thy soule and flesh for ever and for ever . z o eternity ! eternity ! eternity ! sith it is thus then , that upon the little ynch of time in this life , depends the length and bredth , the height and depth of immortality in the world to come : even two eternities ; the one infinitely accursed , the other infinitely comfortable ; losse of everlasting joyes , and lying in eternall flames ; sith never ending pleasures or paines do unavoidably follow the well or mis-spending of this short moment upon earth ; with what unwearied care and watchfulnesse ought we to attend that one nec●…ssary thing all the dayes of our appointed time , till our change shall come ? how ought we as strangers and pilgrims to abstaine from fleshly lusts ? what manner of persons ought we to be in all holy conversation and godlinesse ? how thriftily and industriously to husband the poore remainder of our few and evill dayes for the making our calling and election sure : in a word , with what resolution and zeale to do or suffer any thing for iesvs christ ? * with what industry and dearenesse to ply this moment , and prize that eternity ! concerning the joyes of heaven , let me tell you before hand , that the excellency , glory , and sweetnesse thereof , no mortall heart , finite braine , created understanding can possibly conceive and comprehend to the life . for , . paul t●…ls us , cor. . . that neither eye hath seene , nor eare heard , neither heart of man conceived the incomprehensible sublimity and glorious mysteries of that heavenly wisdome , and inexplicable divine sweetnesse revealed in the gospell : ( for i take that to be his naturall immediate meaning : ) how transcendently ( then ) unutterable and unconceiveable is the complement , perfection , the reall , actuall and full fruition of all those evangelicall mysterious revelations , accomplished to the height in the highest heavens thorow all eternity ? where we shall enjoy the face and beatificall presence of the most glorious and all susticient god , as an object wherein all the powers of our soules wil be satisfied with everlasting delight . the eye of man hath seene admirable things : coasts of pearle , crystall mountaines , rocks of diamond , golden mines , spicy ilands , &c. ( so travailers talke , and geographers write . ) a mausolus tombe , dianaes temple , the egyptian b paramides , and all the wonders of the world . the eare hath heard the most delicious , exquisite , and ravishing melody . such as made even alexander the great transported with an irresistable pang of a pleasing rage as it were , and delightfull c dancing of his spirits , that i may so speake , d exilire è convivio , &c. mans heart can imagine miraculous admirabilities , rarest peeces , worlds of comforts and strange felicities . in conceipt it can convert all the stones upon earth into pearles , every grasse pile into an unvaluable jewell , the dust into silver , the sea into liquid gold , the aire into crystall . it can clothe the earth with farre more beauty and sweetnesse , than ever the sun saw it . it can make every starre a sun , and all those suns ten thousand times bigger and brighter than it is , &c. and yet the height and happinesse of evangelicall wisdome doth farre surpasse the utmost which the eare , eye , or heart of man hath heard , seene , or can possibly apprehend . and this so excellent light upon earth discovering the inestimable treasures of hidden wisdome in christ , is but as a graine , to the richest golden mine , a drop to the ocean , a little glimpse to the glory of the sun ; in respect of that fulnesse of joy hereafter , and everlasting pleasures above : with what a vast disproportion then doth the inimaginable excellency of heavenly blisse surpasse and transcend the most enlarged created capacity ? infinitely , infinitely . . our gracious god in his holy unsearchable wisdome doth reserve and detaine from the eye of our understandings a full comprehension of that most glorious state above ; to exercise in the meane time our faith , love , obedience , patience , &c. as a father shewes sometimes , and represents to the eye of his child , a glimpse and sparkle ( as it were ) of some rich orient jewell , to make him love , long , pray and cry for a full sight of it , and grasping of it in his owne hand : so our heavenly father in this case . if celestiall excellencies , and those surpassing joyes , arising principally from the visible apprehension of the purity , glory and beauty of god , were clearely seene and fully knowne , even by speculation , it would be no strange thing , or thanksworthy for the most horrible beliall , * to become presently the holiest saint , the worlds greatest minion , the most mortified man. but in this vale of teares we must live by faith. . it is a fruit of our fall with adam , and the condition of this unglorified mortall state here upon earth , to know but in part : from which our knowledge above shall differ , as the knowledge of a child from that of a perfect man : as knowledge by a glasse , from apprehension of the reall object : as knowledge of a plaine speech , from that which is a riddle . it is not for us ( saith * one ) in these earthly bodies , to mount into the clouds , to pierce this fulnesse of light , to breake into this bottomlesse depth of glory , or to dwell in that unapproachable brightnesse : this is reserved to the last day ; when christ iesvs shall present us glorious and pure to his father without spot or wrinkle . . our understandings upon necessity must be supernaturally irradiated and illightened with extraordinary enlargement and divinenesse , before we can possibly comprehend the glorious brightnesse of heavenly joyes and full sweetnesse of eternall blisse . it is as impossible in this life for any mortall braine to conceive them to the life , as to compasse the heaven with a span , or containe the mighty ocean in a nut-shell . the philosopher could say ; that as the eyes of an owle are to the light of the sun , so is the sharpest eye of the most pregnant wit to the mysteries of nature . how strangely then would it be dazeled and struck starke blind with the excessive incomprehensible glory and greatnesse of celestiall secrets , and immortall light ? but although we cannot comprehend the whole , yet we may consider part . though we cannot take a full draught of that over-flowing fountaine of endlesse blisse above , yet we may taste ; though we cannot yet enjoy the whole harvest , yet we take a survey of the first fruits . for , the scriptures to this end shadow unto us a glimpse , by the most excellent , precious and desireable things of this life . thus much premis'd ; let us ( for my present purpose ) about the joyes of heaven , consider ; . the place , where god and all his blessed ones inhabite eternally . but how can an infinite god be said to dwell in a created heaven ? god from all eternity when there was nothing , to which he might manifest and make knowne himselfe , is not said to dwell * any where , either to have been out of himselfe , or in any thing , but onely in himselfe . he was therefore an heaven to himselfe . but when he pleased he created the world ; that in so large and goodly a theater he might declare and conveigh his power , goodnesse and bounty , some way or other , to all creatures . especially , he prepared this glorious heaven we speake of , not that it might enclose or enlarge his happinesse : but that he might unspeakably beautifie and irradiate it with unconceiveable splendour of his majesty and glory ; and so communicate himselfe beatifically to all the elect , saints and angels , even for ever and ever . i said , not that it might enclose , conclude and confine him : for , he is as truly without the heavens , as he is in them : and he is where nothing is with him. he was when nothing was , and then he was , where nothing was beside himselfe . before the creation there was properly , neither when nor where , but onely an incomprehensible perfection of indivisible immensity and eternity ; which would still be the same , though neither heaven nor earth , nor any thing in them should any more be . * but we may not so place him without the heavens , as to cloath him with any imaginary space , or give the checke to his immensity by any parallell distance locall . he is said to be without the heavens , in as much as his infinite essence cannot be * contained in them , but necessarily containes them . he is so without them , or ( if you will ) beyond them , that albeit a thousand moe worlds were heaped up by his all-powerfull hand each above other , and all above this ; he should by vertue of his infinite essence , not by free choyce of will or mutation of place , be as intimately coexistent to every part of them , as he now is to any part of this heaven and earth we enjoy . in a sober sense , * bernard saith true ; nusquam est & ubique est : he is no where ; because no place , whether reall or imaginary can comprehend or containe him : he is every where ; because no body , no space or spirituall substance can exclude his presence , or avoid the penetration ( if i may so speake ) of his essence . this glorious empyrean heaven ( where nothing but light and blessed immortality , no shadow of matter for teares , discontentments , griefes , and uncomfortable passions to worke upon , but all joy , tranquillity and peace , even for ever and ever doth dwell ) is seated * above all the visible orbs , and starry firmament . see deut. . . & . . iosh. . . pro. . . king. . . . . . . luke . . acts . . & . . eph. . . cor. . . where it is called the third heaven . . the first is that whole space from the earth to the sphere of the moone ; where the birds fly ; whence raine , snow , haile , and other meteors descend . see gen. . . psal. . . mat. . . deut. . . mat. . . where they are called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . . the second consists of all the visible orbs. see gen. . , . where he cals the whole 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , expansion , firmament , heaven . and in this he placeth the sun , moone , and other starres , deut. . . within this second extension we comprehend three other orbs , represented to our knowledge by their motion . of which see * eustachius table , at pag. . . the third is that where god is said specially to dwell ; whither christ ascended , and where all the blessed ones shall be for ever . no * naturall knowledge can possibly be had of this heaven : neither any helpe by humane arts , geometry , arithmetike , opticks , hypotheses , philosophy . &c. to illighten us thereunto . for , it is neither aspectable nor moveable . hence it is that aristotle , the most eagle-eyed into the mysteries of nature of all philosophers , and whom they call natures secretary ; yet said , that beyond the moveable heavens , there was neither body , nor * time , nor place , nor vacuum . but gods booke assures us of this heaven of happinesse , and house of god , above all the aspectable mooving orbs. cor. . . eph. . . kin. . . . . . . and , it is the biggest and most beautifull body of the whole creation , incorruptible , unmooveable , unalterable : wholly shining with the most exquisite glory and brightnesse of purest light : wherein , as in a confluence of all possible felicities , iehovah , god blessed for ever , doth familiarly and freely communicate himselfe to be beatifically seene , and fully enjoyed face to face of all the elect , humane and angelicall spirits for ever . where the glorified body of iesvs christ shines with unconceiveable splendour above the brightnesse of the sun , &c. this place most excellent replenished with those unknowne pleasures which attend everlasting happinesse , where god , blessed for ever , is seene face to face , is made admirable and illustrious by its bignesse and beauty . guesse the immeasurable magnitude and beautifull signes of it , . by its * description , rev. . it is called ver. . by an excellency , that great city , &c. which if it be immediately meant ( as many learned and holy divines would have it ) of the glory of the church here on earth , when both iewes and gentiles shal be happily united into one christian body and brother-hood , before christs second comming , it is no lesse pregnant to proove , that the heaven of heavens is a place most glorious above all comparison and conceipt . for , if there be such goodlinesse , amplitude , beauty and majesty in this militant church ; how infinitely will this beauty be yet more beautified , and all this glory glorified with incredible additions in the church triumphant . if there be such excellency upon earth , what may we expect in the heaven of heavens . . by those many * mansions prepared for many thousand thousands of glorified bodies after the last day , ioh. . . besides the numberlesse numbers of blessed angels ; the present inhabitants of those heavenly palaces . . by the incredible distance from the earth to the starry firmament . if i should here tell you the severall * computations of astronomers in this kind , the summes would seeme to exceed all possibility of beliefe . and yet besides , the late learnedst of them place above the eight sphere , wherein all those glorious lamps shine so bright , * three mooving orbs more . now the empyrean heaven comprehends all these ; how incomprehensible then must its compasse and greatnesse necessarily be ? . by considering , what a large expansion and immensity the mighty lord of heaven and earth is like to chuse for revealing his glory in the highest and most transcendent manner to all his noblest creatures ; infinitely endear'd unto him by the bloudy death of his dearest son , even the son of his love , thorow all eternity . who doth all things like himselfe : if he love , it is with a fr●…e , infinite , and eternall love : if he worke , he makes a world : if he go out with our hosts , the sun shall stand still if need be , and the starres must fight : if he come against a people , he will make his sword devoure flesh , and his arrowes drinke bloud : if he be angry with the world , he brings a sloud over the whole face of the earth . if he set his affection upon a mortall worme , that trembles at his word , and is weary of sinne ; he will make him a king , give him a paradise , crowne him with eternity : if he builds a house for all his holy ones ; it must needs be a none-such ; most magnificent , stately and glorious , farre above the reach of the thoughts of men . . what a spacious and specious inheritance ; what a rich , super-eminent and sumptuous purchase and palace do you thinke was the precious bloud of the son of god by its inestimable price and merit , able to procure at the hands of his father , for his redeemed ? let us here also lay hold upon some considerations , whereby we may behold ( at least ) some little glimpses of the admirable glory of its light . . to say nothing of that glorious projection and transfusion of aethereall light , both of the sun and of the starres , of the six magnitudes , which by astrologicall computation , constitute * three hundred suns at the least , ( whence ariseth a masse of shining beauty ) upward into the empyrean heaven ; which patricius endeavours industriously to proove ; i say , to passe it by as a groundlesse a conceipt ; let us take a scantling , as it were , and estimate of the incomparable brightnesse and splendour of the highest heaven ; by that which orthodoxe divines soberly tell from rev. . and other places ; to wit , that it is verus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , wholly light , not like the starry firmament , bespangl'd here and there with glittering spots : but all as it were , one b great sun. from every point powring out abundantly whole rivers , as it were , of purest heavenly light , &c. hence with allusion to brightest things below ; it is said to have a wall of iasper , building of gold , a foundation of precious stones , and gates of pearles . being cleare as cristall ; shining like unto glasse ; transparent in brightnesse as a molten looking glasse . it may be , those places may also in latitude of sense intimate and include this glorious visible light i speake of . coloss. . . psal. . . tim. . . ancient divines also apprehended this glorious beauty and brightnesse in the blessed heaven . the eternall city ( saith * austin ) is incomparably bright and beautifull ; where there is victory , verity , dignity , sanctity , life , eternity . if those which be condemned ( saith basill ) be cast into utter darknesse ; it is evident that those which walked worthy of god , have their rest in supercelestiall light . . besides the superexcellency of its native lustre , that i may so speak , this blessed heaven wil yet be made infinitely more illustrious and resplendent by all the most admirable and amiable shining glory of that dearest ravishing object , to a glorified eye , the glorified body of iesvs christ . in respect of the beauty and brightnesse whereof , all sydereall light is but a darksome mote , and blackest mid-night . see mat. . . . adde hereunto the incredible and unspeakble splendour of many millions of glorified saints , whose bodies also will out-shine the sun. see mat. . . phil. . . dan. . . who are said to shine as the brightnesse of the firmament , as the stars , dan. . . as the sun , mat. . . to be like christ himselfe , iohn . . and to appeare with him in glory , col. . . now , what a mighty and immeasurable masse of most glorious light will result and arise from that most admirable illustrious concurrence , and mutuall shining reflexions of the empyrean heaven more bright and beautifull than the sun in his strength , the sun of that sacred pallace , and all the blessed inhabitants ? all which every glorified eye shal be supernaturally inlarged , enabled , and ennobl'd to behold and enjoy in a kindly and comfortable manner with ineffable delight and everlastingnesse ! . if the porch and first entry be so stately and glorious , garnished and bespangl'd with so many bright shining lights and beautifull starres : what workmanship and rare peeces , what majesty and incomprehensible excellencies may we expect in the palace of the great king , and the heavenly habitations of the saints and angels ? * how full of beauty and glory are the chiefe roomes and presence-chamber of the great and royall monarch of heaven and earth ? o with what infinite sweetest delight may every truly gracious soule , bathe it selfe before-hand , even in this vale of teares , in the delicious and ravishing contemplation of this most glorious place , wherein he hath an eternall blisfull mansion most certainly purchased and prepared for him already , by the bloud of iesvs christ ! let us therefore ( as an holy divine would have us ) spend many thoughts upon it ; let us enter into deepe meditations of the inestimable glory of it : let us long untill we come to the fingering and possession of it : even as the heire longeth for his inheritance . — let us strive and straine to get into this golden citie ; where streets , walls and gates , and all is gold , all is pearle : nay , where pearle is but as mire and dirt , and nothing worth . o what fooles are they , who deprive themselves willingly of this endlesse glory for a few stinking lusts ! o what mad men are they , who bereave themselves of a roome in this citie of pearle , for a few carnall pleasures ! o what bedlams and humane beasts are they ; who shut themselves out of these everlasting habitations , for a little transitory pelfe ! o what intolerable sots and senselesse wretches are all such , who wilfully barre themselves out of this palace of infinite pleasure , for the short fruition of worldly trash and trifles ? . in a second place , let us take notice of some names , titles and epithetes attributed to heavenly joyes , eternall glory , which may yet further represent to our relish their incomparable sweetnesse and excellency . they are called , . a kingdome , mat. . . luke . . now a kingly throne is holden the top and crowne of all earthly happinesses : the highest aime of the most eager and restlesse aspirations and ambitions of men . a confluence it is of riches , pleasures , glory , all royall bravery , or what mans heart can wish for outward welfare and felicity . * what stirres and stratagems , what murders and mischiefes , what mining and counter-mining , what mysterious plots and machivillian depths , what strange adventures and effusions sometimes even of bloudy seas , to catch a crowne ? witnesse lancaster and yorke , nay all habitable parts of the earth , which from time to time have become bloudy cock-pits in this kind . . an heavenly kingdome , mat. . . and . . to intimate , that it surpasseth in glory and excellency all earthly kingdomes , as farre as heaven transcendeth earth , and unconceiveably more . . the kingdome of god , acts . . a kingdome of gods owne making , beautifying and blessing ; who doth all things like himselfe , as i said before : replenished and shining with majesty , pleasures and ineffable felicities , beseeming the glorious residence of the king of kings . . an inheritance , acts . . not a tenement at will , to be possessed or left at the landlords pleasure : but an inheritance setled upon us , and sealed unto us by the dearest and highest price that ever was payed , which wil be as orient , precious and acceptable , after as many millions of yeares , as you can think , as it was the very first day it was powred out and payed . . a rich and glorious inheritance , eph. . . fit for the majesty and mercy of almighty god to bestow ; the un-valuable bloud of his son to purchase , and the dearely beloved of his soule to enjoy . . an inheritance of the saints in light , coloss. . . every word sounds a world of sweetnesse . . an inheritance incorruptible , and undefiled , and that fadeth not away , pet. . . there can never possibly be the least diminution , much lesse any abolishment of the least glimpse of heavenly glory . but all blisse above wil be as fresh and full innumerable yeares hence , as at our first entrance , and so thorow all eternity . . a crowne of righteousnesse , tim. . . fairly come by , and full dearely bought . a crowne of life , ia●… . . . a crowne of glory , pet. . . glory it selfe , rom. . . nay , an exceeding exceeding eternall waight of glory , corinth . . . which crownes , kingdomes , pearles , iewels , feasts , &c. do but weakely shadow out unto us . a superlative transcendent phrase ( saith one ) such as is not to be found in all the rhetoricke of the heathens , because they never wrote of such a theme , nor with such a spirit . . fulnesse of joy , everlasting pleasures , psal. . . a swift flowing river and torrent of pleasures , psal. . . the very joy of our lord and master , mat. . . . in a third place , let us consider the beauty and blessednesse of glorified bodies . i do not here curiously enquire with the schoole-men ; whether the glory of the body doth spring originally out of the blessednesse and beautifull excellency of the soule , and so redounds upon the body , by a continued constant influence , as aquinas thinks . or , ( which i rather follow ) that those excellent endowments and heavenly splendours are originally and dispositively implanted by gods hand in the reformed body , onely perfected and actuated ( as it were ) by the glorious soule , as bonaventure supposeth . sure i am in generall , they shal be made like the glorious body of christ , philip. . . and that is happinesse and honour enough , inexplicable , supereminent . besides their freedome from all defects and imperfections , diseases and distempers , infirmities and deformities , * maimednesse and monstrous shapes , infancy , or decrepitnesse of stature , &c. from want of meate , drinke , mariage : for we shal be like the angels of god in heaven , matth. . . we shall hunger no more , neither thirst any more , rev. . . of sleepe ; for , there shal be no wearying of the body , or tyring the spirits ; for , we shall live by the all-sufficient spirit of god , which never needs refreshing : of physicke ; for , we shall enjoy * perpetuall impregnable health : a glorified body cannot possibly be distempered ; either by inward contrariety of elementary qualities ; or any outward contagion , or hurtfull impression : of aire ; to coole our heat , or keepe us from stifling : of clothes ; for , we shal be clothed with long white robes of immortality , rev. . . which can never be worne out ; but shall be so beautifull and glorious ; that like the sun , we shall be best adorned , when we have no other covering , but our owne resplendent majesticall brightnesse : of sun ; for the glory of god shall illighten that heavenly city ; and the lambe shal be the light thereof , rev. . . of any thing ; for , god shal be unto us all in all , cor. . . i say , besides an everlasting exemption , and priviledge from all ils , paines , miseries ; our bodies shal be gloriously crowned with many positive prerogatives , marvellous excellencies , high and heavenly endowments . . immortality , cor. . . glorified bodies can never possibly die . they shall last as long as god himselfe , and run parallell with the longest line of eternity . in which respect also , our condition is a thousand times more happy and glorious , than if we had stood still with adam in his innocency and felicity . if so , he could but have conveighed unto us bodies immortall * potentiâ non moriendi ex hypothesi , as they say ; that is , endowed onely with power of not dying , if so and so : but now they shall be immortall impotentiâ moriendi , that is , shine for ever in the highest heavens with impossibility of ever perishing . . incorruptiblenesse , corinth . . . . for , every glorified body shall for ever be utterly impassible , and un-impressionable with any corruptive quality , action , or alteration . whether , . by the power of some peculiar glorifying endowment implanted in the body , or redounding from the soule upon the body for that purpose : or , . from an exquisite temper and harmony of the elementary qualities freed everlastingly from all possibility of any angry contrariety and combate : or , . which seemeth most probable and approoved by the learned'st schoole-men , from an exact subjection of the body to the soule , as of the soule to god : i say , whether so or so , i doe not here enquire or contend ; but leave all alterations in this kinde to the curious disquisitions of such idle and ill-exercis'd divines . the testimony of gods never-erring spirit ( in the cited place ) is more than infinitely sufficient to assure every christian heart , that our raised bodies , reformed by the all-mighty glorious hand of god , shall never more be exposed to violence or hurt from any externall agent : or obnoxious to the least disposition towards any inward decay , putrefaction or dissolution . . potency , corinth . . . our soules are in nature , substance , and immateriality like the angels of god : one of which killed in one night an hundred fourescore and five thousand , kings . . and therefore little know we , though the edges , excellency and executions may be dul'd and drown'd in our heavy , fraile , sinfull bodies , of what might and power they may be originally . but then , when to the soules native strength , there is an addition of glorifying vigour , and gods mighty spirits more plentifull inhabitation ; and it shall also put on a body , which brings with it , besides its owne peculiar inherent power , an exact serviceablenesse and sufficiency apted and apportion'd to the soules highest abilities and executions ; * how incredibly powerfull and mighty may we suppose a saint in heaven shal be ? . spiritualnesse , cor. . . not that our bodies shall be turned into spirits , but imployed spiritually . or more fully thus : . because they shal be fully possessed with the * spirit , which dwelling primarily and above measure in christ our head , is communicated from him to us his members ; so that then we shall no more live by our animall faculty , nor need for preservation of life meat , drinke , sleepe , clothing , physicke , or the former naturall helpes . in which respect they cease to be naturall bodies , being freed from those animall faculties of nourishing , increasing , and multiplying by generation . they shall no more live by vertue of food and nourishment thrice concocted : first , in the stomach , &c. but shal be spirituall and heavenly , living without all these helpes , as the angels in heaven do . . because they shall in all things become subject to the spirit of god ; and be wholly , perfectly , and willingly guided by him , with a spirituall , angelicall , most absolute , and free obedience . as the spirit serving the flesh may not unfitly be called carnall ; so the body obedient to the soule ( saith * austin ) is rightly termed spirituall . . by reason of their * activenesse , nimblenesse , agility : whereby they shal be able to moove from place to place with * incredible swiftnesse and speed ; not being at all hindered by their weight . an heavy lumpe of lead , that sinkes now to the bottome , being wire-drawne as it were by the workman into the forme of a boat , will swimme , ( saith austin : ) and shall not god give that ability to our bodies , which the artificer doth to the lead ? &c. here some of the schoolemen moove an idle unnecessary question : to wit ; whether glorified bodies moove from place to place in an instant ? for they may well know out of the principles in philosophy , and rules of sound reason , that it is utterly impossible , and implies contradiction : that a body should in an instant be in many places at once . but if a glorified body moove from place to place in an instant : it will necessarily follow that the same body is in an instant , in termino à quo , locis intermedijs & termino ad quem simul ; in the beginning , middle , and end of the space , thorow which it passeth at once ; which is more than utterly impossible , and quite destroyes the nature of a true body . i would rather interpret those words of austin ; [ certè ubi volet spiritus , ibi protinus ●…rit corpus ; the body will presently be there where the soule would have it ] of extraordinary speed , and incredibly short time ; aquinas cals it * imperceptible . so that i doubt not , but that a glorified saint desiring to be in such or such a place a thousand miles off , after the very first bent of his will that way , would be there in an * incredibly lesse time , than thou wouldest imagine . . glory , corinth . . . the bodies of the saints in heaven shal be passingly beautifull , shining , and amiable . two things ( according to * austin ) concurre to the constitution of beauty : . a due and comely proportion ; an apt and congruent symmetry and mutuall correspondency of all the parts of the body : or in a word , well-favourednesse . . amiablenesse of colour ; a pleasing mixture of those two lively colours , of white and red . i add a third : . a cheerfull , lively , light some aspect . when the two former materials ( as it were ) are pleasantly enliv'd and actuated by a lively quicknesse and modest merrinesse of countenance . whereupon , ( saith the moralist ) it is not the red and white , which giveth the life and perfection of beauty : but certaine sparkling notes , and touches of amiable cheerefulnesse accompanying the same . in beauty ( saith another ) that of favour is more than that of colour ; and that of decent & pleasing motion , more than that of favour . that is the best part of beauty , which a picture cannot expresse , &c. all these concurre in eminency and excellency in glorified bodies . . an exquisite feature and stature , beautified by gods owne blessed all-mighty hand , with the utmost of created comlinesse , and matchlesse proportion . . not onely sweetest mixture of liveliest colours ; but also a bright shining splendour of celestiall glory . . and both these actuated to the life , preserved in perpetuall freshnesse and oriency , and quickened still with new supply of heavenly activenesse and amiablenesse by a more glorious soule ; ( for , if the brightnesse of the body shall match the light of the sun ; what , do you thinke , will be the glory of the soule ? ) and by an infinitely more glorious spirit , which shall plentifully * dwell in them both for ever . amplifie the glory of our bodies in heaven from such places as these : dan. . . mat. . . phil. . , . col. . . from which the ancient fathers also thus collect and affirme : if we should compare ( saith * chrysostome ) our future bodies even with the most glistering beames of the sun ; we shall yet say nothing , to the expression of the excellency of their shining glory . the beauty of the just in the other life ( saith * anselme ) shal be equall to the glory of the sun , though sevenfold brighter than now it is . the * brightnesse of a glorified body doth as farre excell the sun , as the sun our mortall body . then shall the righteous shine forth as the sunne , in the kingdome of their father ] not ( saith * chrysostome ) because they shall not surpasse the brightnesse of the sun ; but , because that being the most glittering thing in the world , he takes a resemblance thence towards the expressing of their incomparable glory . but how can there be so much beauty and delightfull amiable aspect in such intensive and extraordinary brightnesse ? or what pleasure can we take in beholding such extremely bright and shining bodies ! sith we find by experience , that there is farre more content and delight in looking upon a well-proportioned object , beautified with a pleasant mixture of colours , than in seeing the sun , though it should not so dazle , and offend the eyes . for satisfaction herein , we must know , that the * glorified eye shall become impassible , elevated farre above all mortall possibility , and fortified by an heavenly vigour , to apprehend and enjoy all celestiall light and glory with much ravishing contentment and inexplicable delight . secondly : that omnipotent mercifull hand of god , which will raise our bodies out of the dust , and reforme them anew , can cause light and colour to concurre and consist in excellency , in glorified bodies . those things which according to nature can consist together ; the one or both being in gradu remisso , ( as they say ) abated of their height , can by divine power consist together in gradu intensissimo suae speciei , in their excellency : but it is so with light and colour according to nature : ergo , &c. as * durandus one of the acutest schoolemen makes good by arguments . whether shall colour or light be seene ? * why not both in a most delicious admirable mixture ? here the schoolemen according to their wont do curiously inquire , discusse and determine the manner of the acts , exercise and objects of all the senses . they say not only ; . that the eye shall delightfully contemplate christs glorious body , the shining bodies of the saints , the beauty of the empyrean heaven , &c. . the eare drinke up with infinite delight , the vocall harmony of hailelu-jahs , &c. but also audaciously undertake to define without any good ground or found warrant , many particulars about the other senses , not without much absurdity , and unspiritualnesse . but let it be sufficient for us , without searching beyond the bonds of sobriety , to know for a certaine that every sense shal be filled with its severall singularity and excellency of all possible * pleasure , and perfection . . in a fourth place ; let us take a glance of the unutterable happinesse of the soule . i should be infinite and endlesse , if i did undertake to pursue the severall glories , felicities , and excellencies of every faculty of the soule : and when i had done , ended with the utmost of all both angelicall and humane understanding and eloquence , come infinitely short of expressing them to the life ; i will at this time but give you a taste onely , in the understanding part : and that shal be extraordinarily and supernaturally enlarged and irradiated with the highest illuminations , largest comprehensions , and utmost extent of all possible comfortable knowledge , of which such a creature is capable . . humane knowledge of arts , nature , created things , is delicious and much desired : witnesse , . the wisest heathens , and best philosophers , who were so ravished but even with a dimme glimpse of this knowledge , that in comparison thereof they have contemned all the riches , pleasures , and preferments of the world . . that wise saying : a learned man doth as farre excell an illiterate , as a reasonable creature a brute . . the extraordinarily exulting and triumphant cry of the famous mathematician , hitting after long and laborious disquisition upon some abstruse excellency of his art : * i have found it , i have found it . . that passage in an epistle of aeneas silvius to sigism . d. of austria : * if the face of humane learning could be seene , it is fairer and more beautifull than the morning and evening starre . . for the pleasure and delight of knowledge and learning ( saith * another ) it farre surpasseth all other in nature : for shall the pleasures of the affections so exceed the senses , as much as the obtaining of desire and victory exceedeth a song or dinner ? and must not ( of consequence ) the pleasures of the intellect or understanding exceed the pleasures of the affections ? we see in all other pleasures , there is a saetiety ; and after they be used , their verdour departeth ; which sheweth well , they be but deceipts of pleasure , and not pleasures ; and that it was the novelty which pleased , and not the quality . and therefore we see , that voluptuous men turne friers ; and ambitious princes turne melancholy . but of knowledge there is no satiety : but satisfaction and appetite are perpetually interchangeable ; and therefore appeareth to be good in it selfe simply , without fallacy or accident . now this learning shall then be fully perfected , and raised to the highest pitch : so that the least and lowest of the saints in heaven shall farre surpasse : in cleare contemplation of the causes of all naturall things , and conclusions of art , the deepest philosophers , greatest artists , and learnedst linguists that ever lived upon earth . there are many difficulties and doubts in all kinds of humane learning , which have from time to time exercised the bravest wits : but by reason of the native dimnesse of our understanding , never received cleare resolution and infallible assent . as , whether the elementary formes be in mixt bodies ; . corrupted . . remitted only . . or , entire ? whether the celestiall orbs be moved by angels , or internall formes ? whether there be three distinct soules in a man ; . vegetative . . sensitive . . rationall : or one onely in substance , containing vertually the other two ? how all the * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , appearances in the aethereall heaven , may be truliest , and with least exception maintained : whether by excentricks and epicycles : or onely by concentricks : or the earths motion : or the motion of the starres in the heavens ; as fish move in the sea , and birds in the aire ? &c. so the best wits are inextricably pusl'd also , about the sympathy and antipathy of things , alchymie , cause . of criticall daies . the mysts about these and many things moe , shal be dispel'd out of our minds , by a cleare sunne of a new and excellent knowledge : so that we shal be exactly acquainted with the causes , natures , beginnings , of-springs , and ends of all creatures , and created things . . we shall clearely see and comprehend the vanity and rottennesse of all hereticall cavils , antichristian depths , popish imposture , the very bottome of that most wicked and abhorred mysterie : the true , full , and sweet meaning of all gods blessed booke ; whether iobs wife bid her husband blesse or curse god : whether iphtah sacrific'd his daughter , or onely consecrated her to virginity : whether naaman was a true , or unfound convert : what is the meaning of that place , corinth . . . and that , cor. . , &c. . we shall with wonderfull ravishment of spirit , and spirituall joy , be admitted to the sight of those sacred secrets and glorious mysteries : . of the holy trinity ; into which some divines may audaciously dive , but shall never be able to explicate : . of the vnion of christs humanity to the divine nature ; and of the faithfull to christ : . of the causes of gods eternall counsell in election and reprobation : . of the angels fall : . of the manner of the creation of the world , &c. . we shall know one another : for , . all comfortable knowledge shall be so farre from being abolished , that it wil be inlarged , increased , and perfected : but , &c. therefore our knowledge shal be perfected : for , we shall know as we are knowne , cor. . . which is set out by comparison of the lesse : that our knowledge then , shall differ from that now , as the knowledge of a child from that of a perfect man : by a glasse , from seeing the thing it selfe : that of a plaine speech , from a riddle : why then should we doubt of knowing one another ? especially , sith our saviour christ setteth forth the state of the blessed by the knowledge one of another , mat. . and as the knowledge is perfect , so the memory . in nothing must our knowledge be empair'd but better'd . . we shall then enjoy every good thing , and comfortable gift , which may any way increase and inlarge our joy and felicity : but meeting there , knowing then , and conversing for ever with our old deare christian friends , and all the glorious inhabitants of those sacred palaces , will mightily please and refresh us with sweetest delight . therefore , &c. society is not comfortable , without familiar acquaintance : be assured then , it shall not be wanting in the height and perfection of all glory , blisse , and joy . nay , our minds being abundantly and beatifically illuminated with all wisdome and knowledge , we shal be enabled to know , not onely those of former holy acquaintance ; but also strangers , and such as we never knew before ; even all the faithfull , which ever were , are , or shall be . we shall be able to say : this was father abraham , this king david , this saint paul : this was luther , calvin , bradford , &c. this my father , this my sonne , this my wife , this my pastour , this the occasioner of my conversion , &c. as may be gathered by proportion out of gods booke . . if * adam before the fall had that measure of illumination , that he knew eve , and from whence she came , at the first sight : much more shall our knowledge in heaven , and highest happinesse be enlarged in this kind . . if the apostles accompanying christ in his transfiguration , and vouchsafed but a taste and glimpse ( as it were ) of glorification , were * able thereby to know moses and elias , whom they had never seene : how much more shall we , being fully illuminated , and perfectly glorified in heaven , know exactly all the blessed ones , though never acquainted with them upon earth ? . christ tels the iewes , luke ▪ . that they shall see abraham , and isaac , and iacob , and all the prophets in the kingdome of god , and therefore know them : * and dives is said to know abraham and lazarus in so great a distance , luke . whence i argue thus : if the damned know those who are saved , though they have never seene them ; much more shall the glorified saints , now plentifully endued with all knowledge , and supernaturally illightened by the holy ghost . many of the ancient fathers are of the same mind : ( whose authority i never urge for necessity of proofe ; gods blessed word is ever more than infinitely all-sufficient and super-abundant for any such purpose : but onely ; either , . somtimes in some singular points to shew consent : or . in our controversies against the antichristians , antinomists , neopelagians , &c. or , . when somehonest passage of sanctification , or seasonable opposition to the corruption of the times , is falsely charged with novelty , singularity , and too much precisenesse . ) . there was a widow in austins time , who craved very importunately both by word and writing , some consolations from him , to support her under that incomparable crosse of her husbands losse , and widow-hood ; and as it may seeme , she desired to know whether she should know him in the second life . for the first , he hits upon the sweetest , mightiest , and most soveraigne comfort which could possibly be imagined . * you can by no meanes ( saith he ) thinke your selfe desolate ; who enjoyes the presence and possession of iesvs christ , in the inmost closet of your heart by faith . about the other , he answers peremptorily : * this thy husband , by whose decease thou art called a widow , shal be most knowne unto thee . and tels her further , that there shall be no stranger in heaven , &c. . in * the elect ( saith another ) there is somthing more admirable ; because they do not onely acknowledge those whom they knew in this world ; but also , as men seene and knowne , they know the good , whom they never saw . . there ( saith * anselm ) all men shal be knowne of every severall man , and every severall man shal be knowne of all . againe , * conceive if thou canst , how comfortable that knowledge wil be , by which , as thou of all others , so all others shal be knowne of thee in that life . yet let me tell you before i passe out of the point ; that this for the most part is the curious quaere of carnall people ; who feeding falsly their presumptuous conceipts with golden dreames , and vaine hopes of many future imaginary felicities in the world to come , whereas in the meane time they have no care at all , use no meanes , take no paines , to enter into the holy path , which leades unto that blessed place . it is even , as if one should busie himselfe much , and boast what he will do in new-england when he comes thither ; and yet ( poore man ) he hath neither ship , nor money , nor meanes , nor knowledge of the way , nor provision before hand for his comfortable planting there . to coole and confront such lazie , idle , and vaine curiosities ; take notice : that we shall not know our old acquaintance by former stature , feature , favour : so vast a distance and difference will there be betweene a mortall and glorified body : neither in a worldly manner . in which respect saith paul , cor. . . henceforth know we no man after the flesh : yea though we have knowne christ after the flesh , yet now henceforth know we him no more . our mutuall knowledge one of another in heaven shall not be in outward and worldly respects , but divine and spirituall , as we know them in christ , by the illumination of the spirit . . we shall know the spirituall substances , offices , orders , excellencies of the angels : the nature , immortality , operations and originall of our owne soules , &c. in a word , all things * knowable . . we shall be beatifically illightened with a cleare and glorious sight of god himselfe : which divines call beatificall vision . about which the schoolemen audaciously discoursing , fall upon differing conceipts . . some say , god shall then be knowne by a species representing the divine essence : and by a light of glory elevating the understanding by a supernaturall strength . . others , that the divine essence shall be represented to the glorified understanding , not by any species , but immediately by it selfe : yet they also require light of glory to elevate and fortifie the understanding by reason of its weakenesse , and infinite disproportion and distance from the incomprehensible deity . . others hold , that to the cleare vision of god , there is not required a species representing the divine essence , as the first sort suppose ; nor any created light elevating the understanding , as the second sort think : but onely a change of the naturall order of knowing . it is sufficient ( say they ) that the divine essence be immediately represented to a created understanding . which , though it cannot be done according to the order of nature , as experience tels us : ( for , we so conceive things ; first having passed the sense and imagination . ) yet it may be done according to the order of divine grace , &c. but it is sufficient for a sober man to know , that in heaven we shall see him face to face . upon my patron . and here by your good leaves , i will be bold to make benefit of the instant occasion , because it is very seasonably coincident with the point . and presse from that the practice of this last mortifying motive . these artificiall formes of sadnesse , and complementall representations of sorrow in blacks and mourning weeds , are nothing for my purpose : neither do i desire to stirre up or renew in any man thoughts of heavinesse , or griefe of heart , which he might conceive and nourish by reason of some particular interest in the bounty , love , person , and worthy parts of the departed : many times men are too forward and overflowing in those tender offices , and last demonstrations of natural affection . and therfore my counsel in such cases is ; that we would shew our selves christians : and by the sacred rules of religion ever prevent that unseasonablenesse and excesse , which many times with a fruitlesse torture doth tyrannise over the hopelesse hearts of meere naturall men . the point that i would principally presse , and perswade unto , is a christian , and compassionate taking to heart , the publike losse , that every one of us may upon that occasion be truly humbled in himselfe , and bettered in his owne soule . and i tell you true , especially in these times , this losse is great . he was a revexend and learned iudge , a prince , and a great man in israel : nay a god upon earth , for so are iudges stiled by the spirit of god , psal. . . though he be departed this life like a man , and fallen as one of the princes . but these are nothing ; they are but bare titles , in respect of any true worth . he was really remarkable , and renowned for very speciall judiciary endowments , and sufficiencies ; and those aided and attended with many worthy additions of morality , and subordinate abilities . as first , . such calmnesse in his affections , and moderation of his passions ( as i never saw ) even in his ordinary cariage . he might have been a mirrour ( me thinks ) in this point even amongst the exactest moralists . and they say , that appeared most eminently in his publike passages and executions of justice . and how needfull a vertue this is to a iudiciall place , those may best conceive , who either feele , or but consider what a cruell and intolerable thing it is for an ingenuous man to stand before a iudge , who is prejudicately and passionately transported with anger , malice , or hatred against the party to be sentenced . . patience to heare the basest , both parties , all they could say . and unwillingnesse to lend his eare to the one , without the others presence . . a great and happy memory . . singular sagacity in searching and diving into the secretest and utmost circumstances ( so farre as was possible ) of the causes that came before him , that he might give the more righteous judgement . . a marvellous tendernesse , and pitifull exacttnesse in his inquisitions after bloud . holding , on the one side , the life of a man very precious : and yet , on the other side , perswaded of the truth and terrour of that place , numb . . . for bloud , that defileth the land , and the land cannot be cleansed of the bloud that is shed therein , but by the bloud of him that shed it . but yet all these , whatsoever you apprehend , in my conceipt had not beene much worth , though good in their owne nature ; neither ( to tell you true ) should i have so much as nam'd them , had they not been aided , ( as it were ) and managed with three other most noble and necessary vertues , especially in these times , which actuated them ( as it were ) and gave them their life and lustre . . a love to integrity , the right and truth in all his judiciall courses , which ( for any thing i know , or could ever heare ) no man living upon just ground can or will contradict . . with a constant and resolute heart-rising against bribery and corruption ; the cursed bane of all goodnesse , honesty , and good conscience , wheresoe'er it comes . and to this , that high place he worthily held about the prince , can give royall attestation : where he qualified fees to his owne losse ; and protested his resolution , and all possible opposition to all offers for offices , with this reason : he would have them come in clearehanded , that they might deale honestly in their places . and his owne followers , to whom he gave a charge at his first entrance to a judiciall place , that they should not meddle , nor make any motions to him , that he might be secur'd from all appearance of corruption . and , as i am credibly inform'd , his ordinary reading of great letters , and rejection of gratuities after judgement given . . with a noble and unshaken resolution , and mighty opposition of popery : and that without respect or feare of any greatnesse , as we have evident demonstration . now of this we need no further testimony ( though there be very pregnant and plentifull besides ) than the present triumph of the papists ; and barbarous insultations of that bloudy and murdrous generation . and especially in yonder country of lancashire , and those northerne parts ; where he shooke the pillars of popery more valiantly and succesfully , than any these many yeares . officers in those parts observ'd , that in his two or three yeares , he convicted , confin'd , and conform'd moe papists than were in twenty yeares before . and that last charge he gave at lancaster in his last circuit but one , for i meddle not with the last of all , for lawlearning , earnestnesse and excellency against popery , prophanenesse , non-residency , and other corruptions of the times , and for the extraordinary heartning and encouraging all good men and godly ministers was such , that i am perswaded , it wil be remembred with dearenesse and love , while any honest man that heard it or heard of it , is alive in those parts . to go no further then : and this i now say , i speake of him as he was growne in his latter time ; and out of hope he would have continued : and i speake it also in compassion of mine owne countrey ; which i know by too good experience how pitifully it lies bleeding under the insolency of papists , and multitude of priests : and then i say , the redemption of the life of such a iudge , in such times as we live , for the good of such a country , if we go no further , if that had consisted with gods pleasure , had beene worth a kings ransome . i lay these things thus together upon purpose to aggravate the losse , that a compassionate consideration of the greatnesse thereof in those respects i have told you , may be as powerfull in begetting a godly and profitable sorrow and taking it to heart in all truly religious and loyall hearts : as i know rejoycing in his fall will create in the insolent spirits of the enemies to god and the king , ( i meane the papists ) barbarous insultations and triumph . i am perswaded , if we get as much humiliation out of the sense of a true losse , as the papists hardning and obduration by apprehension of their imaginary gaine , we shall make a good use of his death . i am a little more earnest , because i perceive the papists begin already to calumniate and slander . here is yet another point of profitable consideration from the present occasion . when any worthy man in a state , especially who takes a faithfull discharge of his place , and the publike good to heart , is cut off by the hand of god ; it is in a christian jealousie , and out of spirituall wisdome to be holden as a presage of some more fearefull generall judgement to succeed . i have my ground , isa. . , , , &c. and therefore my counsell is , and in the present case for one : when any good patriote which in some high place like a strong pillar opposes the corruptions and popery of the times : or any faithfull pastor , which by his prayers ( like a moses ) stands in the gap against the indignation of god , is taken away ; that we take it to heart , as a m●…mento , to make our selves ready against an evill day . and to tell you my mind , i am much afraid some heavy thing is preparing for us , our sinnes are growne unto such a height . i am no prophet , nor the sonne of a prophet ; yet out of a comparative contemplation of gods proceeding with his owne people in all former ages , i cannot but concurre with the judgement of a great doctor delivered in an high place : the sinnes of this land are come to that elevation , that there is scarce left any roome for the mercy of god to helpe us . they are even full ripe for his revenging hand . to his foure reasons i add two more : his are taken , . from the greatnesse and crying of the sinnes , which are very horrible ; atheisme , whoredome , sodomy , bloud-shed , oppression , sayes he ; i add pride , drunkennesse , usury , &c. . from the generality of them . all sorts are wrapt in them . . from their impudency : with brazen browes , and whorish foreheads they out-face the sun. . from their impatiency of admonition and reformation : they grow so upon us , that all the pulpits in england cannot beat them downe . adda t. from chron. . . and a t. from isa. . , , . & seq . i meane the dropping away of many worthy men ; and few take it to heart , or consider that they are taken away from the evill to come . we have lost many a godly man within this few yeares . the princes court was not many yeares since disrob'd and bereft of one of the noblest men that ever trod upon english mould , besides other noble ornaments , his eminency of grace made him so . for , christian nobility is best and truest , where god himselfe is top of the kin , and religion the root ; in regard whereof all the rest ( i meane that of riches , birth , learning or morality ) are but shadowes and shapes of noblenesse . and the other yeare , a very worthy doctor , and triumphant champion against the giants of rome . against whom they have since sent out an illiterate libell , cal'd , white dy'd black ; fit for the foule and black mouthes of such railing rabshekaes . and now of late , to say no more , of a chancellour of rare and remarkable integrity in his place . i have not yet done , and yet the time is done : onely a word or two therefore , and so i 'le make an end . and yet let no man thinke , that i am come hither ; . either to smooth and mollifie any faults or frailties ; any falls or infirmities ; any personall sinnes or imperfections that might be in this great man. i dare not go about to cover them ; that 's not my office ; i leave that to the precious bloud of the son of god , and tender-hearted mercies of our gracious father . i would rather in this point advise great men to walke warily . for , their greatnesse makes their sinnes greater , and their mightinesse will make them mightily tormented , except they stand constantly on gods side . height of place ever adds two wings unto sinne : example and scandall ; whereby it soares higher , and flies much further . if the sun be ecclips'd and obscur'd ; a thousand eyes gaze upon it : a lesser starre may be darkned , and no man take notice . . or to fasten upon him any false praises in a flattering funerall panegyrick . i dare not dawbe for a world of gold . himselfe abhor'd that . and not long before his last sicknesse complain'd much against slattery , as a grievous iniquity of the times . . or to make a solemne and formall narration of all his noble commendable parts . when i undertooke this businesse first , i studied onely , and bethought my selfe , how i might speake most profitably , and make the best use of the present occasion to my living auditors . and had i not found pregnant matter for that purpose , i had not beene here this day . and therefore for conclusion , and as the last and best service i can now do unto him , to whom i owed as much as any man alive : i will labour from the occasion to work some heavenly good ( if god so please ) upon the hearts , presented here this day as a selected and choice number of his worthiest and dearest friends . and to this end give me leave to single out , and propose for imitation , some worthy and noble parts of his , and onely those which i conceive may be most seasonable and suitable to the exigency of my auditory . and i must also crave the aid of your loves unto him , and those softned thoughts of mortality which are wont to attend these times ; that i may conveigh and commend them to your liking , and practise with more successe and stronger impression . and the first i shall commend unto you , is , . his singular integrity and honorable purpose in disposing those ecclesiasticall livings he had in his power . and in this point i my selfe can say more than any , who tasted deepliest of his worthy dealing this way . when i never sought after , as it is famously knowne , nor thought upon any such thing , he sent for me , and bestowed that which i presently enjoy most freely . which , though every patron ought proportionably to do , yet the horrible corruptions abroad in the world in such cases do ( as it were ) by a kind of antiperistasis make a duty a transcendent vertue . and this was not all . though incrochments upon the church be like the breaches of the sea ; a thousand to one never returne : yet did he restore to a farthing all that which had a long time beene detain'd from the church ; and parted with it most freely ; though he had as much wit and power as any other to have continued it so , if he had pleas'd . and i said ecclesiasticall livings , though i instance but in one ; because i partly knew his purpose for the rest . for , he gave me himselfe this message to as worthy and reverend a man , as i know unprefer'd in this land ; that if he would come unto him , he would give him the first that fell ; and for no other reason in the world , but because he heard he was a reverend and worthy man. now lay these things to the practice of the times , wherein there is such sinfull and simoniacall packing together , compacting , secret covenanting with the party or friends for present money , or after-gratifications : some part of the tithes , or his owne must be reserv'd to the patron ; or he must be the farmer at his owne price ; or pin a wife upon the sleeve of the parson , as they contemptuously speake , ( a base also and unworthy respect ) or the like such wretched combinations to helpe one another towards hell : my disacquaintance must excuse my ignorance in the termes : and then tell me if this was not a noble part in him worthy the imitation of the best . i am perswaded in this point , he might be a patterne not only to all here present whom it might concerne , ( though i looke upon the faces of some who have dealt also very nobly this way ) but to all the patrons in england . be pleas'd then , you that lov'd him to tread in his steps herein ; and the rather because your unconscionablenesse in so high and important a point for the glory of god , and the good of the church , may not only bring upon your owne heads , your houses and posterity , the curse of god in the meane time : but also a company of poore soules cast away by reason of your corruption , against you at that last and great day : who will then cry out upon you before the face of god , angels , and men ; that you were the men who for a little bloudy gaine put upon them an ignorant , idle , dissolute , non ▪ resident , or some way unfaithfull minister ; ( for , it is too common , that those who enter corruptly , deale unconscionably in their places ) whereby they must now perish everlastingly ; whereas if you had been honest and uncorrupt , there had beene hope they might have liv'd in the endlesse joyes of heaven . and what a vexing cry in the eares of all sacrilegious church-robbers will that be of a damned wretch in hell ; when he shall complaine everlastingly , that his soule had been sav'd , if such a man had not been symoniacall . . his forbearing travell upon the sabbath in his circuit . whereby he wan a great deale of honour to his name over all this kingdome ; prevailed in the same with others of his owne reverend ranke ; and by his example ( as hath been observ'd ) wan much encouragement , increase and regard to religion in those countries thorow which he past . i would i might so much prevaile with you , as that upon this occasion you would be content to take nearer to heart a more holy and heavenly spending of the lords day . not onely in forbearing sin , the workes of your calling , idlenesse , vaine sports ; this is but onely flying evill , and privative good : but also to ply with conscience and reverence all gods holy ordinances ; prayer , reading , singing of psalmes publikely and privately ; the word preached specially , conference , meditation , and the like : and to feed and satisfie your prepared and hungry soules with all that sweetnesse , comfort , and spirituall strength ; which they are wont to conveigh into humble hearts upon gods holy day ; this also is doing of good and positive piety . for , a thousand to one , a constant keeper of the sabbath is sound-hearted towards god : and as great odds , a common sabbath breaker ( howsoever he may deceive his owne heart ) is in truth and triall a stranger to the power of grace , and life of godlinesse . . his patient yeelding , and submission to private admonition . a vertue , ordinarily as farre out with great men , as flattery is familiar . yet in him so as i tell you . something there was , to which his private affection was very much endear'd ; and his reputation thereabout in the respect of the world was also entangled in some more publike engagement . and yet when i in zeale and love to his soule and salvation , prest upon him in private as a minister of god , and in the humblest manner i could , tendering my reasons against his resolution ; after he had well thought upon 't , it never went further , all was dasht for ever . yet let me tell you , he had formerly given me encouragement hereunto ; intreating me once in private , to deale plainly with him . and now i am griev'd at heart , i did not more in this kind . now i would to god , you would imitate him in this also ; especially you that are great ones . alas ! you 'le give the physitian leave to tell you the diseases of your body : the lawyer to shew you any flaw that is in your state : your horse-keeper to tell you the surfets of your horse : nay , your huntsman the surrances of your dogs : and shall onely the minister of god not tell you your soules are bleeding to everlasting death ? now god forbid . . his taking his high place to heart . i meane his extraordinary industry and indefatigablenesse in his judiciary imployments . his painefulnesse this way was wonderfull even after his last sicknesse had seaz'd upon him . if i should report unto you the particulars from eye-witnesses , you would marvell . and i rather name and commend this unto you , because the contrary is cause of great misery in a common-wealth . oh it is lamentable , when men mount into high roomes only in a bravery , and vanity , and desire to be ador'd above others ; or follow the execution of their places , and administration of justice , onely as a trade , with an unquenchable and unconscionable thirst of gaine ; which justifies the common resemblance of the courts of iustice to the bush ; whereunto , while the sheepe flies for defence in weather , he is sure to lose part of his fleece : when cunning heads hunt after greatnesse and promotion , purposely to execute the lusts of their owne hearts , and attaine their owne ends . oh! this is the curse and cut-throat of worthy states ; the bane and breake-necke of all honest government . formalities of justice without a reall care and conscience to search the truth , and deale uprightly , do but serve to smother innocency and right : and that which was necessarily ordain'd for the common good , is through shamefull abuse made the cause of common misery . i would all the magistrates in the country were my hearers in this point ; i would hence intreat them with all earnestnesse and contention of spirit , as they love either god or their country ; that they would with all noblenesse of a free spirit , and clearenesse of a good conscience , take their places of iustice to heart ; be active , conscionable , resolute ; not onely formall and cyphers ; hunters after praise and plausiblenesse ; that they would abominate even all appearance of bribery and partiality to the pit of hell : that they would not be angry with us when we presse and perswade them to round courses against the papists , and dejection of ale-houses ; upon which point his royall majesty , and the worthy iudges so much beat ; and when all 's said , are the sinkes and sources of all villany , &c. otherwise , howsoever they may please themselves with the common applause : it were better the common-wealth had never knowne them . . his resolutenesse against rising by corruption and bribery . whereupon ( as i have heard ) when he was first presented to that place of honour about the prince , it pleased our gracious soveraigne to stile him the iudge which would give no money . a blessed thing it were , were this heart in all . then should we not have vines , olive trees , and figge trees wither away in obscurity , and brambles brave it abroad in the world . we should not have servants by insinuation and bribery clime on horse-backe , when princes like servants walke upon the ground . and this worthy part in him , was a very convenient companion , and necessary consequent as that was of the former . for i●…e never beleeve , that a man which purposes from his heart to be faithfull in a publick charge , will ever be very forward in an ambitious pursuit of it . the illumination of nature taught the heathens so , and therefore they condemne it by a law de ambitu . hunting after one hie roome even morally is most unworthy a man of honour and worth , and he cannot better expresse his insufficiency , and weakenesse of spirit , who is transported with an impotent and impatient humour this way . but now if to this ambitious basenesse there be an addition of bribery , it makes the matter a great deale more vile , and dishonourable . of this hatefull merchandizing , besides other infamies and iniquities , which mingle with it , it is commonly said , that he which liueth in grosse , selleth by retaile . and therefore if a man would continue truly noble , and worthy , comfortable in his conscience , and faithfull in his place , if he be advanc't , let him either rise fairely , or els thanke god , and be content with his present station . . an easinesse of accesse , affablenesse of cariage : a faire , loving , kind deportment towards all . i never saw a man of such worth and greatnesse looke more mildly upon a meane man in my life . and yet with so grave a presence , that neither the authority of his person , nor due attributions to his place receiu'd any disparagement or diminution . i omit not even this , because even in this also he might have beene a notable precedent to take downe the haughty imperious carriage of many abroad in the world of farre more inferiour worth and ignoble birth . for amongst all the degenerations of our gentility ; ( i speake not of all , wee have many truly so called and worthy gentlemen ) from that true noblenesse and ancient worth which dwelt formerly in the gentle brests of english nobles , this is not the least : that they thinke to beare downe all before them with an artificiall affected impetuousnesse , as it were , of countenance ; a disdainfull neglect and contemptuousnesse in their cariage , with a kind of outbraving & brow-beating of their brethren . as though brave apparell and a big looke were demonstrations of a noble spirit , whereas very often they only guild over a worthlesse , weake and gracelesse inside . as amongst professors of religion , hee 's the best christian , which is most humble : so in the schoole of morality he hath been holden the truest gentleman , which is most courteous . . his happinesse in having religious followers . follow him also in this . he tasted the fruit of it in his last extremities . for being cast by gods providence upon that place in the country where he had not such meanes , and opportunities for those last comfortable spirituall assistances , which a dying man would desire ; they were both able , and did pray with him to the occasion , and present necessities , where with he seemed to be much affected , and spoke seasonably unto him out of the booke of god. whereupon i must tell you ; ( let as many prophane scornefull spirits iy be or gnash the teeth at it , as will ) those followers of his whosoever they were , call them puritanes , or what you will ; howsoever they might misse in some complementall circumstances , by reason of those amazments and griefe which sate fresh upon their hearts for the losse of their so noble a lord , yet they did him in those last agonies more true service and honour then all the swaggering good-fellow serving men will doe their masters unto the worlds end : let them follow you , as long as you will. . a right conceit and commendation of profitable and conscionable sermons . he hath beene often heard of late times reply thus or in this sence to contradictions : i cannot tell , saies he , what you call puritanicall sermons ; they come neerest to my conscience , and doe mee the most good . this of all the rest , i had purpos'd to have prest most upon you . if you were but thus affected , to say the least ; you would begin to looke towards heaven . but i have already trespast too much upon your patitience . and therefore i conclude this point with that of paul , philip. . . finally , brethren , &c. a sermon preached at lent assises , anno domini , mdcxxx . at northhampton before sir richard hvtton and sir george crooke , his majesties iustices of assise , &c. text . . cor. chap. . ver . . for brethren , yee see your calling , how that not many wise men after the flesh , not many mighty , not many noble are called . the blessed apostle saint paul perceiving , that his preaching , and plantation of the gospell of christ received strong and mighty opposition in the city of corinth , a famous mart towne , seated betweene two seas , the aegaan and iönian , and so fit for commerce with other nations , full of wealth , knowledge , glory , and the rest of earthly excellencies , labours in this chapter to abase , and dishonour the pride , and vanity of all humane greatnesse , and to advance the neglected mystery of his heavenly doctrine , and the glorious power of downe-right preaching , which the great men amongst them esteemed foolishnesse , yet indeed such as by which the lord of heaven and earth saveth those that beleeve . and he so farre acquaints them with the counsell of god in the point : that he gives them to understand that upon the matter , whereas the noble , the mighty , and wise after the flesh , with all the bravery and selfe-confidence vanish and perish : meaner men of lower ranke , and more contemptible are converted . in the words i read unto you he appeales to their owne experience in the point , and bids them look about , and view well , the worke of the ministery amongst them , survey , and search throughly that goodly flourishing body of the church , which he had there created , and collected by his eighteene months presence , and paines : and they shall find , that not many wise after the flesh , nor mighty , nor noble , gave their names unto christ , or became professors of the gospell . but the foolish , and weake things of the world carrie all away in matter of salvation , and entertainement of christ . he renders two reasons in the verses following : . that the wise men of the world may be confounded : . and that god himselfe blessed for ever may have all the glory . the words then being plaine : not many wise men after the flesh , not many mighty , not many noble are called , i build directly , and naturally this point upon them : few great men goe to heaven : or thus , great men are seldome good . i here understand greatnesse according to the world : in respect . of excellent learning . . worldly wealth and height of place . both make mighty , nay many times gold is the more powerfull commander . . worldly honour and nobility . . worldly wisedome . greatnesse in any of these kinds is rarely accompanied with goodnesse , few such great men as these are called , converted or ever come to heaven . i say few : for i finde divines , both ancient , and moderne upon this text , to make not many , and few equipollent : a primasius , and anselme , calvin , and piscator . for proofe of the point : first by scripture : looke upon such places as these . . matth. . , . at that time iesvs answered , and said , i thanke thee , o father , lord of heaven and earth , because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent , and hast revealed them unto babes . even so , father , for so it seemed good in thy sight . christ who knew full well the bosome of his father casting his eye seriously upon the condition of his followers , and fruit of his ministry : and seeing the scribes , pharisees , and great ones of the world , not onely not entertaine and countenance , but out of their proud and prophane malice disdaine , and contemne the glorious gospell , and divine messages hee brought from heaven ; and a company of poore fishermen , and some few other neglected underlings with an holy violence lay hold upon his kingdome : he brake out into this thankefull acknowledgement and admiration . i thanke thee , o father , lord of heaven and earth , because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent , and revealed them to babes : and then ascends to the well-head , and first moover of all his dealings with , and differences amongst the sons of men ; the sacred and unsearchable depth of this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , beneplacitum , the good pleasure of his will : even so father , for so it seemed good in thy sight . in an humble adoration of the inscrutable , and immutable courses whereof we must finally and fully rest with infinite satisfaction , silenced from any further search , and carnall curiosities , by that awefull checke , and countermaund of paul : nay but o man , who art thou that repliest against god ? flesh and bloud hath it old ages grumbled and repin'd , kickt and cavil'd about this point ; but ever at length by measuring this deepest mysterie by the line of humane reason , and labouring to fathome this bottomelesse sea by the pride of their owne wits , they have become wretched opposers of the grace of god. we behold the sun , and enjoy the light , as long as we looke towards it , but tenderly , and circumspectly : we warme our selves safely , while we stand neere the fire . but if we seeke to outface the one , or enter into the other , we forthwith become blinde , or burnt . it is proportionably in the present point . heere by the way from our sauiours words wee may extract a soveraigne antidote against those temptations , and discontented reasonings which are wont to arise in our hearts sometimes , when we see those great ones of the world , who looke so big , and carrie their heads so high , not onely to carrie all before them , to wallow , and tumble themselves with all bravery and applause in the glory , wealth , and pleasure of the world , to swimme downe the current of the times with full saile , and prosperous winde , though many times against the secret murmure , and counterblasts even of their own consciences . in a word , in these worst times to have what they list , and do what they will : but also lay about them with the fist of wickednesse , and scourge of tongues , to trample if it were possible the lambes of christ even into the dust , with the feete of malice and pride , by a plausible tyranny , and aide of the times iniquity to keepe them downe still , and still in disgrace : hunting them continually with cruelty and hate like a partridge in the mountaines , as the pharisees did christ : i say when we see this , let us never be troubled and take offence : let us never be grieved or grow discontent or out of heart . but pitty them , pray for them , and possesse our owne soules in patience , and peace . and after the precedencie of our blessed saviour , goe in private , and say : i thanke thee , o father , lord of heaven and earth , because thou hast revealed the mysteries of christ , and secrets of the saving way to me a poore wretch , and worme , troden under foot as an obiect of scorne , and a contemptible outcast , and hast hid them from the wise , and the noble , and the mighty : from the boysterous nimrods , and proud giants of the world , even so father , for so it seemed good in thy sight . and there staying a while , ever magnifie , admire , and adore with lowliest , humblest , and most thankefull thoughts that dearest and dreadfull depth of gods free and incomprehensible love which made thee to differ . which is as it were the first ring of that golden chaine , rom. . . . which reacheth from everlasting to everlasting , and gives being , life , and motion to all the meanes that make us eternally blessed . out of the rich , and boundlesse treasurie whereof , came that inestimable iewell , iesvs christ blessed for ever , and by consequent , all those heavenly happinesses which crowne the glorified saints through alleternity . for so god loved the world , that he gave his onely begotten son , that whosoever beleeveth in him should not perish but have everlasting life , iohn . . . iohn . , . are yee also deceived ? have any of the rulers , or pharisees beleeved on him ? heere the chiefe priests and pharisees boyling with much envie and indignation against christs preaching , ( for he preached with power , and not as the scribes ) and because the people so flocked after him , ( for there followed him great multitudes of people ) had sent officers to apprehend him , and bring him before them . who when they came to him , and heard him preach , they were so strucke and astonished with the most piercing majesty of his ministry , that they had no power to lay hands or hold upon him at all . upon their returne , these great men gathered together in counsell against him ; like so many morning wolves thirsting eagerly for his bloud , calls hastily , and impatiently unto them , before their officers could say any thing : why have yee not brought him ? they doe not examine them about his doctrine , or inquire whether he be guilty or no : but like unjust , and tyrannicall wretches they labour to lay hold upon him , though most innocent , to stop his mouth , and make him sure . but the officers answered : never man spake like this man. whereupon the spirit of prophane malice being yet further enraged in them , they reply : are yee also deceived ? what ? are you turned gospellers too ? will yee also gad with the giddie multitude after this new master , &c. and then being frighted least they should fall from them , goes about to take them off with a very foolish argument , saith theophylact , ( though the minor would be true , and is the sinew of my proofe ) have any of the rulers or of the pharisees beleeved on him ? alas ! no. they are so blinded with an opinion of their devout , and deeper learning : so puft up with the pride of their high places , so swolne with selfe-conceitednesse of their owne formes and false glosses , and so possest with prejudice against the spirituall and heavenly doctrine of christ : that the very publicans and harlots goe into the kingdome of god before them : that is , when they goe not . and thus it is in all ages of the church : there is a lecture i will suppose ; to which many of the meaner sort especially , resort for spirituall foode , as to the market for corporall . some of which happily wrought upon by the saving influence of that ministery , begins to blesse god for the benefit , and magnifie his mercy for such meanes : but some by-standers , like pestilent opposites interpose : yea but which of the great men of the countrey come to it , when doe you see any of the nobles , knights , or gentlemen there ? no , alas ! they are afraid of hearing of their sins , being made melancholicke , and to be tormented before their time : and therfore they most wretchedly neglect so great salvation , forsake their owne mercies , and judge themselves unworthy of everlasting life ▪ bowling-greenes , gaming-houses , horse-races , hunting-matches : their curs , and their kites : their cock-pits , and their covetousnesse , or something doe too often eate up and devoure that blessed fat , and marrow of time , those golden , and goodly opportunities , which god in great mercy affords them in the ministry , to make their peace with him before they goe into the pit , and bee seene no more . for one houre whereof , to heare but one sermon after the irrecoverable day of visitation is past and expired , they would be content to live as precisely and mortifiedly as ever man did upon earth so long as the world lasts , but it shall not be granted . a thousand worlds will not purchase it againe . and besides , when your soules shall then furiously reflect upon their owne wilfull folly in this respect , and the wofull misery they have brought upon themselves thereby : it will sharpen infinitely the bitings of the never-dying worme , and torment moreterribly than ten thousand scorpions stings . remember this ( i pray you ) all ye that forget god : before that wrath be kindled in his bosome against you , which will burne unto the very bottome of hell , and set on fire the foundations of the mountaines : before he gird about him those arrowes which will drinke bloud , and that sword which will eat flesh ; and come against you ( as the prophet speakes ) like a beare robbed of her whelpes , and rent the very caule of your hearts , and teare you in peeces , when there is none to helpe . . nehem. . . but their nobles put not their necks to the worke of the lord . others ( as you may see in that place ) were industriously busie in building up the wals , and repairing the holy city , for the wonted worship and service of their god , but the nobles would do just nothing . and thus it hath beene in all times , and is just so in our dayes . meane men many times contribute very liberally , and farre above their ability to the procurement and maintenance of a profitable and powerfull ministery : but the rich , worldly-wise , and gentlemen thereabouts , will not part with a penny for any such holy purpose . such great men as these will by no meanes put their neckes , their power , and their purses to any such blessed worke of the lord : though it be for the erecting of the kingdome of iesvs christ amongst them : for the illumination and refreshing of a darke and barren place with the light of the gospell , and waters of life , where both their owne soules , and many more about them are starving and bleeding to eternall death for want of heavenly food and ministeriall helpe . nay , too many of them detaining the churches patrimony , will neither restore it to the proper native use and end : nor ( which is very lamentable ) part with a little portion of a large revenew in that kind towards a competency . before you receive encouragement to go on in this course with comfort , i pray you procure us ( from your partakers , if there be any such ) answers to those many learned treatises extant upon this argument , and ( for any thing i know ) utterly unanswered : especially , mr. bernards , dr. sclaters , and dr. fields . i know well some excellent spirits of late meerely out of the gracious freenesse of their truly noble dispositions , to their great honour , and adorning profession , have given backe to the church for ever ( i meane nothing about buying in impropriations , one of the most glorious works in that kinde ( for any thing i know ) that ever was undertaken in this kingdome ) diverse church-livings , some an hundred pound per annum , some sixe or seven score , some threescore , some one ; so many as amount to the value of above seven hundred pounds yearely . but i must tell you also , they are onely such as you mis-call puritan-gentlemen ( for i neither heare nor know of any other that stirs this way ) and how few such are to be found in a countrey , every eye spiritually illightened may clearely see , and heartily bewaile . for , i meane none but such as are ( in true search and censure ) gods best servants , and the kings best subjects . i come in a second place to make the point appeare yet further by reasons . and first , such as are peculiar to the severall sorts of greatnesse ▪ all which ( once for all ) i understand such secundum mundum , secundum bominem , secundum carnem , according to the world , according to man , according to the flesh . and first for excellency of learning understood still after the flesh , implyed also by the apostle in this place : as appeares by the former words : where is the scribe ? where is the disputer of this world ? where are the learned rabbins of the iewes ? where are the profound philosophers of the gentiles ? let us take notice that learning of it selfe is a very lovely and illustrious thing , which made aeneas silvius in his epistle to sigismund duke of austria , say , if the face even of humane learning could be seene , it is fairer and more beautifull than the morning or the evening-starre . but notwithstanding bent the wrong way , and spent upon private and pernicious ends , it becomes the fowlest fiend the devill hath upon earth , and his mightiest agent to do a world of mischiefe . no corruption is worse than of that which is best mis-imployed : it is of wofull consequence , proportionable to its native worth . and the longer and more prosperously it is imployed as an instrument of all , and in the service of satan ever the more pestilently , which is for my purpose , doth it harden and enrage the heart against all means of grace , the power of godlinesse , and possibility of conversion . secondly , men of this world for the most part in the attainement and exercise of learning and knowledge propose to themselves , and finally rest upon many bastard , base , and degenerate ends : as , pleasure of curiosity , quiet of resolution , refining and raising the spirit , ability of discourse , victory of wit , gaine of profession , ornament , and reputation , inablement for imployment and businesse . thus whereas variety and depth of knowledge should properly and principally serve to prepare , fit , and furnish the soule wherein it is seated : first , for a higher degree , and agreater measure of sanctification in it selfe : secondly , to do god more excellent and glorious service : thirdly , to do more nobly in ephratha , and be more famous in bethlehem : i meane , by an edifying and charitable influence to illuminate and better all about them : the most learned men have these worthy ends , and comply exactly with the world : hunting onely after by their knowledge , and aspiring towards ( as their utmost aimes ) certaine second prizes : as though they laboured onely by their learning to find ( as one sayes well : ) a cowch whereupon to rest , a searching and a restlesse spirit : or a tarrasse for a wandring and variable mind , to walke up and downe with a faire prospect : or a tower of state , for a proud mind to raise it selfe upon : or a fort or commanding ground for strife and contention : or a shop for profit or sale : and not a rich store-house for the glory of the creator , and the reliefe of mans estate . and so by the abuse and misapplying of it , they put their great engine , very powerfull either for excellency of good , or excesse of ill , as it takes , into the devils hands for the enlarging and advancement of his kingdome : and turne the edge of it to the dangerous hurt of others : and so by consequent and by accident , it prooves a mighty barre to keepe christ and his kingdome out of their hearts . let me in a word by an instance intimate unto you the traines and temptations to which they expose themselves , the snares and curses which they incurre , who bend their abilities of learning , closing with the corruptions of the time , to raise and enrich themselves ; the two maine ends of the most in these covetous and ambitious dayes . first , there is a plant in the nurceries of literature of great expectation and hope : which being watered , and warmed at the well-heads of academicall learning , and with the fruitfull heat of polemicall exercises and agitations in the schooles , wherein the true worth and excellency of a scholler consists , growes ripe and becomes remarkable ; so that he heares after him in the streets a secret murmuring : this is the man : dignum est monstrarier & dicier hic est : now by this time he begins to reflect with the eye of selfe-love , and many vaine-glorious glaunces upon his personall worth and publike applause : and then casts about what course to take . gods principle and path is : it is better to be good , than great ; religious , than rich : and therefore he would have him imploy and improove all his naturall and acquired endowments , all the powers and possibilities of body and soule upon his glory and service that gave them , and where they are more than infinitely due . and that when the good hand of divine providence shall bring him to any place for the exercise of his gifts and ministeriall imployment , he would there spend himselfe ( like a shining and burning lampe ) in the illumination and salvation of gods people : and so hereafter shine as the brightnesse of the firmament in the highest heavens , and as the starres forever and ever . nay , ( saies the devill ) that 's a sowre , strict , precise way : it is not meet , that such admired eminency of learned parts should be confined to such obscurity , that such rare gifts and depth of knowledge should be lost upon high shoes , and amongst a number of rude , ignorant , and uncapable clownes : and therefore he labours to raise his spirit to higher hopes : and would have him plunge presently into the current of the times , and become somebody in the world . hereupon ( his heart already ravisht with the pleasing apprehension of worldly glory and humane greatnesse , represented by satan in the most alluring formes to his ambitious imagination ) he resolves fearfully against his owne soule , to follow the streame , to ply the present , and plot all meanes and wayes of preferment : after which ordinarily every step towards an high roome , or to be hastily rich , is a snare and curse unto him : and therefore at the height , he must needs be holden fast in the clutches of satan . he now begins upon all occasions to disclaime all things that tend to precisenesse , and in his deportment drawes nearer to good fellowship : he remits and interrupts his care and constancy in study , and studies how to understand the world , negotiate for advancement , and humour the times : he merrily derides doctrine and vse , as they scoffingly call it : all edifying plainnesse and foolishnesse of preaching : and now he digs with much adoe perhaps a whole quarter of a yeare into the rotten dunghils of popish postillers , and phantasticall friers , and from thence patches together many gayish and gaudy shreds of painted bables , and frothy conceipts and tricks of wit ; and at length comes out with a selfe-seeking sermon : just like that discourse which king iames compares to a corne-field in harvest , pestered with red and blew flowers ; which choake and eat up all the good graine . for , he well knowes this is the way to ingratiate himselfe into the times , and gratifie those great ones who desire farre more to have their eares tickled , than their consciences toucht ; and would rather have pillowes sowed under their arme-holes by such deceiving dawbers , that they may lie more softly upon the bed of security ; than the keene arrowes of righteousnesse and truth fastned in their sides by gods faithfull messengers to drive them to si●…cerity : and yet after this , he must serve his time in serving the times : and through many miseries of secular martyrdome , as peter blesensis cals it , and many shipwracks of a good conscience , by basenesse , flattering , attending , depending , and undoing his soule . at last ( if he die not in the pursuit , as many have done ) besides all these precedent miserable meanes , by present simony , or some other vile services : he comes into some high place , or at least becomes a negligent , non-resident , or insatiable pluralist . which wicked entrance being accompanied with gods curse , his heart already so hardened , his ministeriall strength and veine of learning so wasted and dried up by discontinuance , desuetude , and worldly dealings : having now attained his ends , he drownes himselfe over head and eares either in secular businesses , or sensuall pleasures to muffle up the mouth of his horribly guilty conscience : cries downe preaching , opposeth the power of godlinesse : and so becomes rather a wolfe than a shepheard . in a second place . the rich worldling also is in a wofull case this way , as appeares by christs owne words , matth. . , . which is further confirmed by casting our eyes upon luk. . . and tim. . . luke . . and the pharises which were covetous heard all these things , and derided him . and what heard they from christ ? that it was impossible to serve god and mammon . so that there are some passages ever in a faithfull and searching ministry , which covetous worldlings deride , and will not downe with by any meanes , but resolutely reject in their carnall wisdome as very foolish , unnecessary , precise , and no waies to be given way unto . especially such as these . . that they must restore whatsoever they have any waies gotten , or detaine wrongfully and wickedly . . that they must rather themselves starve , and leave their children in beggery , than put their hands to any unlawfull waies or meanes of getting : so much as to tell a lie , &c. . that godlinesse is great gaine , and that it is incomparably better to be religious than rich , good than great . . that there is a life of faith which will keepe a man in sweet contentment in any estate , should he be never so poore . . that iob was truly richer with christ alone , than when before he was loaden with abundance of thicke clay . . that riches are nothing , proverbes . . wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not ? . that they must leave all for christ . . that if they part with all for him , they shal be recompenced an hundred fold in this life . . that if they had no recompence at all in this world , yet the reward that they shall have in the world to come , wil be a super-abundant recompence . notwithstanding these satisfactory and uncontrollable principles , they will be rich in the apostles sense ; after they have gotten a golden heape , will be more rich still : and therefore are easily tempted unto , and taken in the snare of that execrable and most abhorred trade of usury . in the exercise whereof they still negotiate with the devill , and receive all their increase at the devils hands : and therefore how is it possible they should turne on gods side ? and that usurers trade with the devill , and have their usurious money from him . heare the judgement of the church of england , to which ordinarily all ministers subscribe ; verily so many as increase themselves by usury , &c. they have their goods of the devils gift . heare also the judgement of the state even of the king , the nobility , and the whole body of the kingdome in parliament ; and in that statute whence usurers take very falsly some encouragement , as though it were allow'd ; which is most untrue . these are the words in the beginning of the statute : forasmuch as all usury being forbidden by the law of god , is a sinne , and detestable , &c. thirdly , though an high place be holden in the false opinion of vaine men , the onely heaven upon earth : yet in truth , and upon triall , by accident it prooves satans surest hold to hamper them in his strongest and most inextricable snares , untill he tumble them hence with a more desperate and headlong downefall into the pit of hell . for , as those of truest worth are ever timerous , and most retiring in such cases ; so the worst men ordinarily are most ambitious and aspiring . consider for the purpose the unambitious modesty and magnanimity of the olive-tree , fig-tree , and the vine : but the base and worthlesse bramble , a dry , empty , saplesse kex and weed , apt and able only to scratch , teare , and vexe , must needs be up and be hoised into an high room , and domineere over others ▪ men of most prostituted consciences are for the most part the most pragmatical prowlers after undeserved preferments : and the only men to serve themselves vijs & modis , ( as they say ) into offices , honours , and places of advancement . for , they want honest wit to conceive and fore-see the waight of the charge , & conscience to discharge it faithfully . now then , where there is a concurrence of corrupt times , a wicked wit , a wide conscience , and a vast gluttonous desire to domineere . what will not be done to attaine their ends ? they will not sticke to lie , dissemble , breake their words , forsweare , machiavellize , practise any policy or counterpolicy to honesty , reason , religion , to flatter , raise a faction , humour the times , supplant competitours , gratifie the devill , do any thing . we may proportionably conceive the malignity of inferiour ambitions by the monstrousnesse of higher aspirations . now who hath not observed ( saith that learned knight in his preface to the history of the world ) what labour , practice , perill , bloud-shed , and cruelty the kings and princes of the world have undergone , exercised , and taken on them to make themselves and their issues masters of the world ? oh by what plots , by what forswearings , betrayings , oppressions , imprisonments , tortures , poysonings , and under what reasons of state , and politicke subtilty have these fore-named kings , &c. by this time these men by these meanes are mounted ( i will suppose ) on horsebacke , and have left many princes walking as servants upon the earth : and folly is set in great dignity . and what then ? then do they begin so to swell with pride , untill they are ready to burst againe with over-weening of their owne worth , selfe-opinion and selfe-estimation : and to toyle extremely with revengefull inward indignation against all good men : whose hearts ( as they conceive ) and their consciences tell them ( there was just cause ) did rise against their growing great and rising . being thus empoysoned at the first entrance with pride , selfe-conceiptednesse , prejudice , revengefull jealousies , and other exorbitant and base distempers they begin to consider and resolve how to behave themselves in their new purchased place . and we must know there is too much truth in that principle of policy in tacitus : never any came to an high roome wrongfully , and unworthily : but he exercis'd his power and authority wickedly and unjustly . they therefore pitch presently upon such conclusions as these : we will pleasure our friends , though we prey upon the publike , or pinch some peevish precise fellowes , which can well beare it : we will plague our enemies ; we must above all , manage matters with a fit correspondency to accomplish our owne ends ; especially to enrich our selves , raise our kindred , make way to rise higher , and greaten our posterity ; we must looke big , and sometimes amaze the multitude with some acts of awfulnesse and terrour , to procure and preserve respect , feare , and all attributions proper to our place : and let me tell you by the way ; he that suspecteth his owne worth , or other mens opinions , thinking that lesse regard is had of his person , than he believes is due to his place , holds it good policy to spend all the force of his authority in purchasing the name of a severe man. for , the affected sowrenesse of a vaine fellow doth many times resemble the gravity of one that is wise : and the feare wherein they live which are subject to oppression , caries a shew of reverence to him that does the wrong , at least it serves to dazle the eyes of underlings , keeping them from prying into the weakenesse of such as have jurisdiction over them , &c. beside all this , men in great place are liable , and expos'd daily to moe and stronger temptations , than men of lower ranks . honour , wealth , worldly reputation , earthly favours , &c. are satans snares to entangle and tie them faster to their fooles paradise and admired folly ; and as golden fetters , to chaine them unmooveably to their noble slavery . secondly , great men are for the most part ( and it is one of their greatest miseries ) so enclosed and beleager'd with flatterers , the basest of slaves , with sycophants , false-hearted followers , selfe-seekers , &c. that very hardly ( if at all ) can any honest man or faithfull micaiah have accesse , come neare them , or at any time be heard with patience , especially either to tell them the truth , or wisely and humbly reprove them for their faults . thirdly , those that are verst in story , shall find many and many a time this property put upon men in high place ; to be throwne into the grave , or from their greatnesse , is both one to them . for first , they so delight in domineering , and dote upon their high roome as their dearest idoll : and withall they know full well , that as in naturall privation there is no returne to habit , so it is very rarely seene in the privation politique , and point of preferment ; that they would even rather die , than be dejected . lay now these two points together : and count all the snares from which poorer and private men by reason of their meaner condition are happily exempted : and no marvell though not many mighty , either in heapes of wealth , or height of places , be converted , or go to heaven . in the fourth place : what a strong hold for the powers of hell , and mighty barre to keepe out grace , worldly wisdome is ; may appeare by taking notice of the nature of it , and so of its notoriously pestilent properties . this wisdome of the flesh springing from the principles of carnall reason , and precepts of humane policie , and receiving continuall influence and instigation from that old wily serpent to go on still in his and the worlds waies , doth with a proud disdainfulnesse and imperious contempt scorne the great mysteries of godlinesse , foolishnesse of preaching , simplicity of the saints , and society of the brotherhood : crosseth directly , and contradicts the counsell and commands of gods spirit , in all motions to good , and matters of salvation : accounts in good earnest holinesse hypocrisie , sanctification singularity , profession and practice of sincerity precisenesse , the great things of gods law as a strange thing : in all its consultations concludes ever things pleasing to flesh and bloud ; and ends at last with extremest folly and utter confusion . witnesse achitophel , who was wise enough to set his house in order , and yet wanted wit to rescue his owne life out of his owne hands : he was curious to provide for his family after his death , and had no care at all to preserve himselfe from eternall death : was not this a madnesse even to miracle , as divines speake ? he got him home to his house , put his houshold in order , and hanged himselfe ; and is hanged up in chaines as a dreadfull spectacle to all posterity , for all worldly-wise men to take warning by to the worlds end . the spirit of god intimates unto us the pestilency of its properties , iames . . it is , first , earthly . secondly , sensuall . thirdly , devillish . devillish : for , it imitateth the devill in plotting and contriving mischiefe and ruine against the glory of gods majesty , and ministry of his word . it tasts of his hellish wilinesse in close conveyances and secret infidiations , for the undermining , supplanting , and confounding of the passage of the gospell , and plantation of grace in the hearts of men . satan ( you know ) is ever fierce and furious , when he spies but the least glimpse of gods truth , or sparke of grace to peepe our and breake forth at any time , or in any place . when the glorious sun-shine of the gospell did in these latter times of the world ( according to the prophecie in the revelations ) arise out of the darksome ▪ night , and dangerou fogs of popery , and begun graciously to inlighten many thousand soules which lay in darknesse , and under the shadow of death , with what strange and prodigious rage did the great dragon presently ascend out of his bottomlesse pit . since that time what furious martyring of the saints , what horrible murthering of kings , what bloudy massacres , what invincible armadoes , what hellish powder-plots , what devouring of martyrs , by that bloud-thirsty monster the spanish inquisition , what hatefull imprisonings , what desperate conspiracies , what a deale of hell hath vext and rent the face of europe , and shaken the pillars of this part of the world : as though all the fiends in hell , and whole armies of those damned spirits were broke loose , to cast the christian world into a new chaos of darknesse , combustion and confusion . and all this hath beene the devils doings of pure spite and malice against the light of the gospell , and power of the word . the pope , iesuites , and their wicked adherents have beene indeed the instruments and executioners of all these bloudy miseries , but satan himselfe was the principall agent . the cursed influence of all this wrath and rage was inspir'd from him , and every particular and circumstance of all these mischiefes was first plotted in hell , before they were acted upon earth . . in our owne kingdome also his spite and malice against the light of the gospell hath beene notorious and transcendent since the word of truth hath growne powerfull amongst us . with what strange fury and malice hath satan bestirred himselfe ? what a deale of deare and innocent bloud did that red dragon drinke up in queene maries time ? for five yeares space the fire of persecution did flame in this land , and the sacred bodies of our glorious blessed martyrs were sacrificed amids the mercilesse fury thereof : afterward what a blacke and bloudy catalogue of most hatefull and prodigious conspiracies did run parallell with that golden time of queene elizabeths life , that ( now ) glorious saint of dearest memory ? but in all this hellish rage the devill never played the devill indeed , untill he came to the gun-powder-plot ; that was such a piece of service against the light of the gospell , as the sun never saw before ; the sons of men never heard of , hel it self never hatcht . since satan fel from heaven , and a church was first planted upon y● earth , there was never any thing in that kind which made the devils malice more famous , gods mercies more glorious , that priest of rome and his bloudy superstition more odious ; or that cast such a shame and obloquy upon the innocency of christian religion . and all this was the devils doing of pure spite and malice against the glory of the gospell , the power of the word , and the saints of god. i say he was the arch-plotter and first moover of all these mischiefes . the pope , and iesuites , and their cursed confederates were indeed his instruments , executioners and agents , as we well know , and some of the priests themselves confesse . see quodl . . act. . pag. . scarce was that blessed queene and incomparable lady warme in her princely throne ; but satan sets on the pope pius quintus , he sends from rome two popish priests , morton and webbe with a bull of excommunication ; whereby the subjects and people of the kingdome were in a popish sense discharg'd and assoil'd from their allegiance , loyaltie and obedience to her majestie . they sollicit the two traiterous earles of the north , northumberland and westmerland , to be the executioners of this bloudy bull , which indeed was the fountaine and foundation of all the succeeding horrible plots and barbarous treacheries . see bells anatomy of popish tyrannie , in his epist. dedic . a little booke called the executioner of justice in england , &c. i pray god now at length turne these popish murderous hearts from whetting any moe swords to shed the bloud of the lords annointed : or returne the sharpe swords from the point with a cutting edge on both sides , even up to the very hilts into their owne hearts bloud . o lord , let the king flourish with a crowne of glory upon his head , and a scepter of triumph in his hand , and still wash his princely feet in the bloud of his enemies . . this spitefull rage and furious oposition of satan against the power of the word , appears also by daily experience in those towns & parishes ; where by the mercies of god , a conscionable ministry is planted ; before , while satan ruled and raigned amongst them , by his wicked deputies , ignorance , prophanenes , popish superstitions , sinful vanities , lewd sports , prophanation of the saboth , filthines , drunkennes , and such other accursed pursevants for hell : why then all was well , all was in quiet and in peace . o then that was a merry world , and as good a towne for good-fellowship , as was in all the country . and no marvaile : when a strong armed man keepeth his pallace , the things that he possesseth are in peace . luke . . while sathan sits in their hearts , and rules in their consciences ; he suffers them to have their swings in their furious vanities and wicked pleasures , without any great disturbance or contradiction . and commonly he never sets prophane people together by the eares and at odds , but when his owne kingdome may be more strengthened , and their soules more endanger'd by dissention , than by their partaking in prophanenesse , and brotherhood in iniquity . let it not seeme strange then , when townes and parishes where conscionable meanes are wanting , live merrily and pleasantly ; for , they walke together in the knot of good-fellowship , through the broad way , they follow the course of their owne corruptions , and swing of their corrupt affection , and swim downe the current of the times , and are at satans beck to do him any desperate and notorious service at all assaies , in all passages of prophanenesse , and offices of impiety and rebellion : but bring amongst such a powerfull ministerie , which takes a right course for the plantation of grace , and salvation of their soules : and then marke how spitefully and furiously satan begins to bestirre himselfe ; besides his owne malice and machinations , he presently sets on foot and on fire too all that belong unto him in his instigation . they band and combine themselves with great rage and indignation against the power of the word , and the faithfull messengers of god. they fret , and fume , picke unnecessary quarrels , raile , slander , and indeed foame out filthily their owne shame , in disgracing the truth of god without all truth or conscience : and il satan spies any poore soule amongst them to be pulled out of his clutches and kingdome of darknesse by the preaching of the word , he presently sets all the rest upon him as so many dogged curres , or rather furious wolves ( for so our blessed saviour makes the comparison ) upon a harmelesse lambe ; he whets ( like sharpe razors ) all the lying and lewd tongues in the towne , and tips them with the very fire of hell ; so that they plead for prophanenesse , prophaning the sabbath , and many sinfull fooleries and vanities in all places where they come . he makes those who have a little more wit , his close factors and under-hand-dealers : for that stands not with satans policy , and the reputation of the worldly-wise , that themselves should be open actors in childish vanities , and profes'd enemies to the law of god : they do him sufficient service by being secret patrons and protectors of impiety , counsellers and countenancers of the works of darknesse : he fils the mouthes of the ignorant with slanderous complaints and cries , that there was neuer good world since there was so much knowledge : that there was never more preaching , but never lesse working : whereas ( poore soules ) they never yet knew what grace or good work meant , or scarce good word : but their naughty tongues , and hatred to be reformed , are true causes why both the world and places where they live , are farre worse . those that are desperately and notoriously naught , he inforces and inrages like mad dogs ; so that they impudently and openly barke at , and with their impoysoned fangs furiously snatch at that hurtlesse hand which would heale and bind up their bleeding soules : they are like dogs barking at the moone ; for , gods ministers are starres in the right hand of christ , revel . . . if they would do them any deadly harme , they must plucke them thence ; but let them take heed how they be bold and busie that way , lest at last they take a beare by the tooth , and awake a sleeping lion . thus you see what a stirre the devill keepes when he is like to be driven from his hold by the power of the word : and how he playes the devill indeed , when the light of the gospell begins to shine in a place which himselfe hath long kept in darknesse and errour by those twofold fiends , ignorance and prophanenesse . perhaps at the very first rising of that glorious sun of the word of life unto a people that hath sit in darknesse and under the shadow of death , it breeds onely astonishment and amazement , they are for a while onely dazelled with the glory and beauty of so rare and extraordinary a light , but when after some little space they be thorowly heated , and it begin to burne up their noy some lusts , to gall their guilty consciences , to sting their carnall hearts , to vexe and disquiet their covetous affections , then begins all the stirre , and satan to play his part : the sudden infliction of a wound is not so very painefull , and while it is greene it is not so grievous , but after , when it comes to be searched in cold bloud , to have tents put into it , and corrasives applied , then it goeth to the heart : when the sword of the spirit first strikes the carnall heart , it may perhaps beare away the blow reasonable well ; but if the chirurgion of the soule , i meane the minister of the word follow his cure faithfully , and open the wound wider , as he sees need , apply spirituall cor●…osives to eat away the ranknesse of the flesh , and the poyson of sinne , then begins the prophane man ( if the lord give him not grace to suffer his soule to be saved ) to rage and rave with the smart of it , and perhaps with malice and fury to fly into the face of his soules physitian . see the humour of prophane men against the power of a conscionable ministery , ier. . , &c. acts . . and cap. . , &c. and ver. . and cap. . . and cap. . . and ver. . and cap. . ●… . and . . this spite and malice of satan against sincerity and grace is to be seene also in private families : if the governours of the house , the children and servants be all prophane ( as it is very true of very many in most places ) then they are passing well met for matter of religion , and were there nothing amongst them to breed difference and dissention , but gods service , they would never fall out : for they are all content to heare no more , or more often of the affaires of heaven , judgements for sin , the wayes of god , and reformation of their life , than they must needs : they are all willing and forward to prophane the sabbath , in one kind or other ; some by absenting themselves from the house of god , some by worldly talke all the day long , some by idlenesse , some by sinfull sports , &c. they are well content to lie downe at night , like wild beasts in their dens , without lifting up their hearts together unto that mercifull god which hath preserved and prospered them all the day : to rise up also in the morning , prayerlesse , or onely with formall prayers . they all joyne in malice against the ministry of the word , in slanderous lies against the messengers of god , in base and reviling speeches against the professours of christianity . the reason is , they are all possessed with the same spirit of prophanenesse , love of pleasures , hatred to be reformed , and carnality of heart . but if it once please the lord to plant grace in the heart of the master of the family ; so that he begin to plant in his house reformation , houshold instruction , prayer , sanctification of the sabbath , and other holy orders , and godly exercises ; then presently begins the devill to stir in the hearts and tongues of their prophane servants : they begin to be furiously impatient of such precisenesse , strictnesse , and restraints ( for so they wickedly and wrongfully call the pleasures of grace and way to heaven ) they can by no meanes digest such new fashions : they 'l not be troubled with giving account of sermons they heare : they 'l have their recreation on the sabbath , that they will : they 'l not be mew'd up at home , when other mens servants are at their sports abroad , &c. nay perhaps even their owne children ( except the lord season them with the same grace ) may grow stubborne and refractory , and very rebellious and disobedient to the best things : so that in a holy sense , christs words may be there truly verified , matth. . , . thus was zealous david troubled with the vanity of a scornefull , proud , and prophane wife , sam. . . abel with a bloudy brother , gen. . . iacob with a prophane esau , gen. . . isaac with a mocking ishmael : and many a gracious heart in families where grace beares not sway , with the lewdnesse , malice , and ungodly oppositions of those among whom they live . or if it so fall out that the power of grace seaze on the heart of a servant or sonne , so that he begin to be sensible of the ignorance , disorders , prophanenesse , and sinfull confusions of the house where he dwels : desires to spend the sabbath as christians use to do : then presently begins satan to put rage into the heart , and frownings into the face of the father or master of the family : he then takes on , tels him , that such precisenesse is not for his profit , hee 'l have no such inferiour fellow to be a reformer of his family : hee 'l not be controlled and contradicted in his owne house , hee 'l governe his people in the old fashion as his father did before him , &c. so that there is no longer biding for that new convert under such a crabbed master , without a very great deale of patience . all this , and a thousand more mischiefes are the blacke broods and bloudy effects of satans malice against the power of the word , and the plantation of grace . god himselfe is the god of peace , christ iesvs the prince of peace , and the blessed spirit is the fountaine of peace , that passeth all understanding , the holy word is the gospell of peace , the faithfull ministers are the messengers of reconciliation and peace , the saints of god are the children of peace : the divell and the rebellious corruptions of prophane men are indeed and truth the true causes of all these stirs and strong oppositions , which are raised any where , at any time , any waies in the case and cause of religion . the fault i confesse , and imputation of troublesomenesse is lai'd upon gods children by the lewd tongues of gracelesse men . see ier. . . utterly without cause . . kings . . act. . &c. but these and the like are lies hatch't in hell , and managed by the malice of carnall men . and that was most true , which the blessed prophet of god elijah , and the holy apostle saint paul answered in such cases , . kings . . act. . , . and so proportionably may all christians answer all prophane wretches amongst whom they liue : it is you and your prophane families , your proud ignorance , hatred to be reformed , malice against the ministery , &c. which trouble israel , are the true causes of all dissentions and disquietnesse , and bring upon us all these plagues and judgements which any way afflict us . a godly minister stands at staves end with all the world , and hath the most enemies of any man. he must warre not onely with desperate swaggerers and notorious sinners , but also with civill honest men , formall professors , counterfeit christians , unsound converts , relapsed creatures , &c. . lastly , that particular person , whom it pleases the lord to sanctifie and set apart for his service , hath good experience of satans fury and rage against sincerity and grace : there is not a man that passeth out of the powers of darkenesse and satans bondage , by the power of the word , but he presently pursues him farre more furiously , then ever pharaoh did the israelites , to recover and regaine him into his kingdome . see my discourse of happinesse , pag. . thus i have given you a taste of the divells malice and machinations against the light of the gospell , the power of gods truth , and the ministery of the word : now you must understand that worldly wisdome is his very righthand , nearest counsellor and chiefest champion in all these mischievous plots and furious outrages against god and goodnesse . this hath beene more then manifest in all ages of the church : in those great politicians , the scribes and pharisees ; in the states-men of rome ; in our times , and amongst us daily : worldly-wise men , that are only guided by carnall reason , they imploy their wit , their power , their malice , their friends , their under-hand dealings , their policy and their purses too , unlesse they be too covetous ; to hinder , stop , disgrace , and slander the passage of a conscionable ministery and the messengers of almighty god , of whom the lord hath said , touch not mine annointed , and doe my prophets no harme , psal. . . they ever imitate and follow to a haires bredth their father the divell in malice and practise against grace and good men ; except sometimes they forbeare for a time for advantage , for reputation ; or such other by-respects and private ends : except naturally they be extraordinarily ingenuous , and of very loving and kinde naturall dispositions ; or bee restrained by feare of some remarkable judgement , from persecution of the ministers . . as worldly wisdome is divelish , as saint iames calls it , and ever mixed with a spice of hellish malice and virulency against the kingdome of christ : so it is also earthly , for it mindes onely earthly things , and though that casts beyond the moone for matters of the world , yet it hath not an inch of forecast for the world to come : but though a man be to passe , perhaps the next day , nay the next houre , nay the next moment , to that dreadfull tribunall of god , and to an unavoideable everlasting estate in another world , either in the joyes of heaven , or in the paines of hell , yet it so glues and nailes his hopes , desires , projects , and resolutions to transitory pelfe , and things of this life , as though both body and soule at their dissolution , should be wholly and everlastingly resolved , and turned into earth , dust , or nothing . to give you a taste of this earthlinesse of worldly wisdome , give me a worldly-wise man , and , . put him into discourse of the affaires of the world , and the businesse of his calling , and you shall find him profound and deepe in this argument , able to speake well and to the purpose , if it were a whole day , and that with dexterity and cheerfulnesse : but divert his discourse a little , and turne him into talke of matters of heaven , of the great mystery of godlinesse , the secrets of sanctification , cases of conscience , and such like holy conference ; and you shall find him to be a very infant , an ideot : it may be , he may say something of the generall points of religion , of matters in controversie , of the meaning of some places in scripture : but come to conferre of practicall dignity , experimentall knowledge , passages of christianity , and practices of grace , and you shall find him , and he shall shew himselfe to be able to say just nothing with feeling and comfort : many a poore neglected christian , which in the spirit of disdainfulnesse , and out of the pride of his carnall wisdome , he tramples upon with contempt , and would scorne to be matcht with in other matters : yet would infinitely surpasse him in this case ; quite put him downe , that he would have nothing to say . . let him come to some great personage with a suit , to intreat his favour and countenance , or to give him thanks for some former good turn : and he will be able to speake well , plausibly , pleasingly , persuasively , and seasonably : but put him to pray in his family unto almighty god for the pardon of his sins , and a crowne of life , for the remoovall of damnation and an everlasting curse ; to powre out his soule in thankfulnesse for every good thing he enjoyeth ( for he holds all from him ) and such a wise man ( which is strange and fearefull ) in a businesse of so great weight , will not be able to speake scarce one wise word without a booke . . come into his family , examine the estate of his house , you shall find all things in good order , every affaire marshalled and disposed for the best advantage , a provident fore-cast , and present provision of things necessary for their bodies : every one busie in their severall imployments , and carefull in the workes of their calling : but search also into the estate of their soules , what heavenly food is ministred for their spirituall life , how the sabbath is sanctified among them , how it stands with them for houshold-instructions and family-exercises , &c. and ( god knowes ) in that regard , that way there is no providence at all , no care , no conscience about any such matters . walke also amongst his husbandry : you shall find his arable carefully dunged , tilled and sowne : his pastures well mounded , bankt and trencht ; his trees pruned , his gardens weeded , his cattell watchfully tended : but inquire into the spirituall husbandry at home in his owne conscience , and you shall find his heart over-growne with sinne , as the wildest wast with thistles and briars : no fence to keepe the devill out of his soule , many noysome lusts growing thick and ranke , like so many nettles and brambles to be cut downe and cast into the fire ; so that his silliest lambe and poorest pig is in a thousand times more happie ease , then himselfe the owner , and well were he if his last end might be like theirs , that is , that his immortall soule might dye with his body : but that cannot be ; except in the meane time he repent , and renounce his carnall reason , hee must be destroyed with an everlasting perdition , from the presence of god , and from the glory of his power . . consider his care and affection towards his children ; you shall finde that to be all earth : for whereas perhaps with farrelesse toyle and travaile , by the mercies of god , by teaching them the feare of god , instructing them in the wayes of godlinesse , restraining them from prophanenesse , and prophaning the sabbath , by his owne example of piety and godly conversation , he might plant grace in their hearts , and provide a crowne of glory for their heads hereafter : yet ( wretched man ) he doth not onely wickedly neglect these meanes of everlasting comfort : but with too much worldlinesse , variety of vexations ( and perhaps for his very wickednesse that way , if there were nothing else ) with the great danger of his owne soule ; he heapes up for them those hoards , that will hereafter heape coales of vengeance on their heads ; and purchases and provides for them those greene pastures of a prosperous state in this world wherein they are fatted for the same slaughter , and thorow which they prophanely passe into the pit of the same endlesse destruction with himselfe . . aske his judgement about the sabbath , and ordinarily you shall find his resolution to be this ; that he sees no reason but mens servants and children may enjoy some houres of recreation and sport even upon the sabbath , especially with exception of times of divine service : what would they have us to do , ( will he say ) or what would they make of us ? i hope they doe not looke we should be angels upon earth : they know , we are but flesh and bloud . it is too true indeed , this cavilling against the keeping of the sabbath savours full rankly of flesh and bloud . god out of the abundance of his owne goodnesse , and compassionate consideration of our weakenesse hath allotted and allowed unto us six dayes for our owne businesse , and reserved but one to be consecrated in speciall manner , as glorious unto him ; and yet wretched men , they must needs clip the lords coyne , encroach upon his sanctified time , and unthankfully and accursedly spend those holy houres in which they should treasure up knowledge and comfort against that fearefull day , in idlenesse , worldinesse , and prophane pastimes , whereby besides the particular curse upon their owne soules , they many times draw many miseries and plagues upon the place where they live . this reason is carnall indeed , this wisdome is earthly with a witnesse . . add another out of luke . , . thus you see worldly wisdome in all that consultation and cariages inclines unto the earth , provides ever with greatest care for the world , and savours rankly of flesh and bloud . . it is also sensuall : for , it doth senslesly preferre the pleasures of sense and pleasing the appetite , before the peace of conscience and sense of gods favour . it provides a thousand times better for a body of earth , which must shortly upon an unavoidable necessity , feed the wormes , and turne to dust ; than for a precious immortall foule , the immediate issue of gods almightinesse , and which can never possibly die : it doth with greater sweetnesse and hold-fast , relish , apprehend and enjoy the furious delights of some bosome-sinne , which it hath in present pursuit , taste and possession , than spirituall graces , gods favour , joy in that blessed spirit , and a crowne of life hereafter ; for which it hath gods word and promise , if it would be wise to salvation . in a word : it doth so highly preferre a few bitter-sweet pleasures for an inch of time in this vale of teares , before unmixed and immeasurable joyes thorow all eternity in the glorious mansions of heaven : is not this wisdome strangely nailed and glued unto sense , and stupidly senslesse in spirituall things , that though many times fore-told and fore-warned by the ministry of the word , yet will needs for the temporary satisfaction of its carnall , covetous , or ambitious humour , with filthy vexing , transitory pelfe , with vanity , dung , nothing , run wilfully and headlong upon easelesse , endlesse , and remedilesse torments in the world to come ? and that which is the just curse and plague of worldly wisdome , ( this spirituall madnesse commonly called ) it is confident that it doth wisely , and takes the best way , and thereupon becomes incorrigible and obstinate : for there is more hope of a foole , than of him that is wise in his owne conceipt , prov. . . and , though thou shouldest bray a foole in a morter , yet will not his foolishnesse depart from him , prov. . . how fearefull then is his case , that to his worldly wisdome joynes confidence in his wayes ? but the day will come that hee 'l see and bewaile the vanity of his wisdome , and the truth of his folly , and that with bitter griefe and horrible anguish even in hell fire , as it is notably set downe in the booke of wisdome , cap. . but the word which here in iames is rendred sensuall , is the same which is used , corinth . . . the naturall man receiveth not the things , &c. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . so that worldly wisdome is in that sense naturall : that it can neither relish nor receive the things of the spirit : it cannot possibly conceive and comprehend the immediate meanes and mysteries of salvation : let a man otherwise be never so faire and comely in body , never so proportionable , personable , or goodly to look upon , and in the eye of others , yet if himselfe want eyes ( the instruments of light , he cannot possibly behold and gaze upon with delight the goodlinesse and glory of this great frame of the world about him : he cannot see the brightnesse of the sun , the beauty of the earth , and the delightsome variety of the creatures : so a worldly-wise man , though he be never so gracefull for his other parts , never so admirable to carnall eyes , or mightily magnifi dby his flatterers or favourites : yet wanting the saving sight of gods sanctifying spirit , and the eye of spirituall understanding , is starke blind in spirituall matters , and cannot possibly behold the rich paradise of the kingdome of grace , the secrets of sanctification , and the incomparable glory and excellency of christianity . this wisdome of the flesh serves the worldling ( like the ostrich wings ) to make him to out ▪ run others upon the earth and in earthly things ; but can helpe him never a whit towards heaven : nay , is rather like a heavy mill-stone about his necke , to make him sinke deeper into the bottomlesse pit of hell . the reason why these great politicians and jolly wise men of the world ( as they are called ) for all their depths and devices , with all their wit and windings , cannot understand one tittle of the things of god , is , because this spirituall knowledge is hid from them , for so saith our saviour christ , mat. . . i give thee thankes o father , lord of heaven and earth , because thou hast hid these things from the wise and men of understanding , and hast revealed them unto babes . and this reason our saviour rendreth why he spake to worldlings in parables , and to his disciples plainely , because to these it was given to know the secrets of the kingdome of heaven , but to them it was not given . and indeed it is just with god , that , . sith they ( when the glorious sun of the word of life shines surely upon their faces , do wilfully shut their eyes against it , that he should strike them starke blind , so that for matters of salvation they should grope even at noone-day , as the blind gropeth in darknesse , and stumbleth in the darkest night . . sith they depend on their owne policy , depths , and turning devices , god justly turnes them loose to follow the swing of their carnall reason ; and suffers them to lie and delight themselves in the sensualmists , and self-conceipted fooleries and vanities of their own naturall wisdome : while the moone lookes directly upon the sun , from whom she borrowes her light , she is bright and beautifull , but if she once turne aside , and be left to her selfe , she loses all her glory , and enjoyes but onely a shadow of light which is her owne : so while men with humility and teachablenesse turne their faces toward the sun of righteousnesse , christ iesvs , and those starres which he holds in his right hand , the faithfull ministers , to receive from them illumination in heavenly things , and instruction in the wayes of god , god doth graciously vouchsafe unto them the glorious light of saving knowledge : but when they turne their backs upon him , betake themselves to their owne plots and projects , devices and policies , and seeke deepe to hide their counsell from the lord : then they are justly left to the darksome giddinesse of their carnall reason , and walke towards fearefulnesse and horrour , thorough the windings and turnings of their worldly wisdome . . because they are proud of their earthly policy , the lord will not give them prudence in heavenly matters : because they are wise in their own conceipts , they are justly given over to follow the deceitfulnesse of their owne hearts : with an imperious disdainfulnesse , they scorne the simplicity of the saints , and therefore they are justly blinded , to thinke the wayes of their salvation foolishnesse . . worldly men make an idoll of their wisdome : both in respect that they wholly repose themselves upon it , for their provision and protection , and because they secretly desire to be admired and adored for it , as men of extraordinary endowments , and oracles of discretion and policy : and it may be , that they are so by their favourites and flatterers : but they must give god his word , and good men leave to censure them truly and justly to be the notoriousest fooles upon earth , because they are infants and ideots in the matters and mysteries of salvation . now i say , because they make an idoll of their wisdome , god and this earthly dagon cannot possibly dwell together in one soule , but in his just judgement suffers them with such doting devotion , self-conceipt to sacrifice unto it , that they want both understanding and hearts to do him any acceptable service . this naturall and sensuall wisdome being thus hoodwinked from al heavenly light by gods just judgement , and by the pride , prejudice , wilfulnesse , selfenesse of the owner doth proportion and measure all its conceipts and considerations of religion and religious men by the unsound and sensuall principles of our corrupt nature , and by the false scantling of carnall reason . we may see this carnality of worldly wisdome in censuring spirituall things in nicodemus , ioh. . see also a carnall conceipt of worldly wisdome in my discourse of true happinesse , pag. , . hence it is also that we find it to be a constant property of a worldly-wise man to conceive or censure a zealous profession of gods truth , and sound practice of sincerity , to be nothing but hypocrisie and humour : an affectation of singularitie , precisenesse , and a kind of odnesse from other men . the reason is , when he lookes upon himselfe in the flattering glasse of selfe-conceipt , he judges himselfe to be a very jolly fellow : thinkes he within his owne heart ; i go for a sufficient man in the world : the best make good account of me : i am well beloved of my neighbours : my sufficiency for wisdome , moderation in religion , civility for cariage , justnesse in dealings with men , are both knowne , and well spoke of by the most : and what would you have more in a man ? hereupon , out of this practicall survey of his owne counterfeit worth , and because he is starke blind in spirituall matters , and the affaires of heaven , he presently concludes , whatsoever zeale , singularities of grace and spirituall excellencies are supposed by some kind of men to be in others , especially , if they be of lower rank and lesse account for worldly wisdome than himselfe , to be nothing but onely outward shewes , pretences and hypocrisies : he is furnished in his owne conceipt with a competency , if not an extraordinary sufficiency of naturall and morall endowments ▪ and he never felt either the power of grace , neither can possibly see or acknowledge those holy operations in others : and therefore he cannot be perswaded , but he is fully as good as the precisest of them ( for that 's the language of prophanenesse against grace ) and that there is no worth worth naming , or any true reall goodnesse in those they now call christians , over and besides that which he findeth in himselfe . . concerning greatnesse of nobility , understand that by nobles i meane both the greater and lesse nobility , according to dr. smiths distinction in his common-weale of england : and this double nobility is of diverse sorts . . personall . . by descent . . there is yet another nobility , which is divine and super-naturall ; in regard whereof all other kinds whatsoever are but shadowes and shapes of noblenesse . here god is top of the kin , and religion is the root . these are truly and the onely noble indeed , and so accounted by king david , though of no account in the world at all . how rarely is the glorious image of the lord iesvs ( which onely creates this excellency ) seene shine in their soules , or show forth it selfe in their holy conversation , who glister in outward glory , and are lifted up above others by eminency of noble birth , or indulgence of highest favours . such noblemen and gentlemen are blacke swans , and thinly scatter'd in the firmament of a state , even like starres of the first magnitude . for , saith my text , not many noble , &c. and that no marvell , for many reasons . and yet i will not here trouble you , in telling how miserably and extremely ill those who be better borne are ordinarily educated . alas , they are too often brought up in ignorance , idlenesse , excessive pursuit of sports and vaine things : in drinking , carnall loosenesse , riotous excesse , in sensuality , pride , prophanation of the lords day : in strange fashions , healthing , gaming , good-fellowship : in frequenting playes , those grand impoysoners of many hopefull plants , with universall , prophane , unnaturall dissolutenesse , melting unhappily the vigour of their spirits into effeminatenesse , lightnesse and lust . and almost ever in a constant opposition to the good way , the power of godlinesse , and strictnesse of the saints , who are the ordinary objects of their greatest distast , jesting and scorne : and whereas they ( of all others ) have best meanes , largest maintenance , most time , capacity , and pregnancy of wit , and other encouraging advantages whereby they might become excellent schollers , of eminent abilities , proportionable to their precedency in birth : yet for want of a conscionable care in their education , of choice for godly and worthy schoole-masters , tutors , teachers , consorts , ministers , and restraint from the corruptions of the times : and by reason of their perverting and empoysoning by the forenamed youthfull aberrations , or rather exorbitancies . they passe through those famous nurceries of learning and law , without any materiall impressions of academicall worth , or wisdome of state. at length returning many times unto rich inheritances , and faire estates , and then reflecting upon their lost time with late repentance , and finding in themselves neither any competent sufficiencies to serve their countrey , or to little purpose , and very poorely ; norany solid stocke of sound learning for their working spirits to be exercis'd in , and feed upon with contentment : they resolvedly languish and dissolve into idlenesse and pleasures , as though they were put into the world , as leviathan into the sea , to take their pastime therein . and so at last in respect either of personall worth , or the publike good , they become but unprofitable burdens of the earth : and by their exemplary ill expence of time , if not farre baser trickes ; the very bane of the countreys that bred them , and great dishonour to the families that owne them . for assure your selves , to be well borne , and live like an humane beast , is a notorious blemish to a noble house : and let never any be so vaine , as to brag of their birth , except they be new-borne : this honour of birth ( saith charron ) may light upon a vicious man , &c. neither will i here take up a complaint of the much lamented degeneration of our moderne nobility and gentry ( i ever except the truly worthy and noble ) from even the civill worthines , military valour , and noble deportment of former times . now adaies , if a man looke big , be first in the fashions , shake his shag-haire in aboisterous and ruffian-like manner , carie himselfe with a disdainfull neglect and proud bravery , and with an affected , and artificiall haughtinesse of countenance , out-brave others , and brow-beat his brethren , better than himselfe , he is the man. but alas ! how farre distant is this , and degenerating from true generousnes , and that sweet amiable courtesie and affability which is wont to dwell in the gentle breasts of the ancient english nobles ? i am afraid if we go on , our posterity will find in the next age the basest generation of english that ever breathed in this famous kingdome . sir walter rawleigh , i confesse in his excellent work having discoursed and discussed of this question , whether the romans could have rectified the great alexander , makes good in a second place to the matchlesse honour of this nation , that neither the macedonian nor the roman souldier was of equall valour to the english. but when were those times ? when his father sent to the blacke prince , fighting ( as it were ) in bloud to the knees , and in great distresse this message : let him either vanquish or die . when warwicke , bedsord , and that famous talbot , and such other victorious english commanders with their valiant armies walked up and downe france , like so many invincible lions . but oh the mighty , and unconquerable manhood and magnanimity of the ancient english ! whether art thou gone , and where art thou buried , that we might visit thy tombe ? but i say , to let these passe , i onely lay hold upon that which is most pregnant and punctuall to my purpose . these nobles in my text , and ordinarily in all times swallow downe so many bai●…s from the devils hands , are so surrounded with variety and strength of temptations : so ill brought up , and so vainely puft up with insolency and selfe-estimation because they are lifted up above others : they are so lined with inextricable ensnarements , by pleasures , riches , honours , ease , liberty , earthly splendour , bravery , applause of the world , and pride of life ; that commonly , by such time as they come to the strength of body and mind , corrupt affection obtaines its full strength and height , and hardnesse in their hearts : and then , and by that time , in what danger they are for salvation , you may perceive by well weighing the condition of this devillish engine , and its cursed companion , which i am wont to describe thus : it is the ripened and actuated strength and rage of originall corruption that furiously executes the rebellious dictates of the devill , and desperate projects of mens sensuall hearts : stands at defiance , professes open hostility against grace , goodnesse , good men , good causes , and all courses of sanctification : seeds upon so long , and fils it selfe so full with worldly vanities and pleasures , that growing by little and little incorrigible , and hating to be reform'd , it breeds , and brings forth ( as its naturall issue ) despaire , horrour , and the worme which never dies . and this corrupt affection is of it selfe , and naturally , first , untameable ; secondly , insatiable ; thirdly , desperate . . untameable . the heart of man is naturally of the hardest flint , hew'd immediatly out of the sturdy and stubborne rock of the race of adam . it owne corruption , the just curse of god upon it , and the accursed influence of hellish malice , fill it so full of iron sinewes , and of such adamant and prodigious hardnesse , that no crosse or created power , not the softest eloquence or severest course ; nay , not the weight of the whole world , or the heavinesse of hell , if they were all pressed upon it , could possibly bend and breake it , make it yeeld or relent one jot from it obstinate and outragious fury in it owne waies : this is onely the worke of the holy ghost , with the hammer of the word . the stubborne israelites were heavily laden , with an extraordinary variety of most grievous crosses and afflictions : there was nothing wanting to make them outwardly miserable ; and no misery inflicted upon them , but upon purpose to humble and take downe their rebellious hearts . see isa. . , , . how the prophet paints out to the life the rufull and distresfull state of their fresh-bleeding desolations : the whole head ( saith he ) is sicke , and the whole heart is heavy , &c. for the place is meant , not ( as some take it ) of their sins , but of their sorrowes . but all the blowes and pressures were so farre from softning their hearts , that they hardned and emmarbled more and more . wherefore ( saith the prophet ) should ye be smitten any more , for ye fall away more and more ? what created power can possibly have more power upon the soules of men , than the sacred sermons of the son of god , who spake as never man spake ? and yet these deare intreaties and melting invitations which sweetly & tenderly flow'd from that heart , which was resolved to spill that warmest and inmost blood for their sakes moved those stiffe-necked iewes never a jot : ierusalem , ierusalem , saith he , which killest the prophets , &c. mat. . . isaiah that noble prophet , whose matchelesse eloquence surpasseth the capacity of the largest created understanding ; and to which the powerfull elegancies of prophane writers is purebarbarisme , shed many and many a gracious and golden shower of softest and sweetest eloquence upon a sinfull nation and rebellious people , which was fruitlesly and vainly spilt as water upon the ground , or lost upon the hardest slint : many a piercing and powerfull sermon had he spent amongst them , to the wasting of his strength and spirits ; which yet was to them as an idle and empty breath , vanishing into nothing , and scatter'd in the aire . the lord ( as he saies himselfe ) made his mouth as a sharpe sword , and himselfe as a chosen shaft ; and yet that two-edged sword was full often blunted upon their hardest hearts ; and his keene arrowes discharged by a skilfull hand , rebounded from their flinty bosomes , as shafts shot against a stone wall . and that made that seraphicall oratour , the unmatched paragon of sacred eloquence , thus to complaine , isa. . . i have laboured in vaine , i have spent my strength in vaine , and for nothing : a course of extraordinary severity and terrour was taken with pharaoh ; he was not onely chastised with rods , but even scourged with scorpions : and yet all the plagues of egypt were so farre from piercing and softening his hard heart , as that every particular plague added a severall iron sinew , and more slintinesse to his already stony heart . and as the heart is naturally thus hardened towards godlinesse , so also hollow towards the godly : see sauls cariage towards david . no materiall waight can more crush the heart of man , than braying in a morter ; and yet saith salomon , prov. . . though thou shouldest bray a foole , a desperate sinner , a rebellious wretch in a morter amongst wheat brayed with a pestill ; yet will not his foolishnesse , his sinfulnesse , which is the greatest , depart from him , no more than the skin from the blacke-moore , or the spots from the leopard by washing him . shame an old obstinate beaten sinner with his horrible ingratitude ; show him the ugly face of his hainous sinnes , tell him of the losse of the happinesse of heaven ; affright him with the feare of hell and damnation : in all this he is like a smiths anvill , that growes harder and harder for all his hammering . lastly , a damned spirit , though he lie in the lowest dungeon of utter darknesse , laden with that burden of sinne , which prest downe a glorious angell of light and all his followers from the top of heaven into that lowest pit , with the full weight of the unquenchable and everlasting wrath of god ; with all the heavy chaines of that infernall lake ; and with that which ( me thinkes ) is farre worse and more cutting than many hels , than ten thousand damnations , even with despaire of ever having ease , end , or remedy of those most bitter , everlasting , intolerable hellish torments : i say , though a damned soule be thus laden , and thus heavily prest downe with all this cursed waight , and hainousnesse of hell ; yet he is still as hard as a stone . so certaine it is , that no curse , or created power , not the softest eloquence or severest course , not the waight of the whole world or the heavines of hell ; if all were prest and laid upon the heart of a man ; could possibly breake that stubbornesse , or tame that rebellion . this is onely the worke of the blessed spirit with the hammer of the word . this hardnesse of heart had attained a strange height even in the worlds infancy : into what a prodigious rocke is that growne now then by length of time , in so many ages , sith every generation since , by invention of new sinnes , and addition of hainousnesse unto the old , have every one added thereunto a severall iron sinew , and a further degree of flintinesse . what a heart was got into cains breast , who was first cut out of the stony rocke of corrupt man-kind ; remorse of shedding the guiltlesse bloud of his murthered brother , which was able to have melted an adarnant into bloudy teares , moved him never a whit . nay , the presence of almighty god , at which the earth trembles , the hills melt like waxe , which turneth the rocke into water-pooles , and the stint into a fountaine of water , ( as david speakes ) yet made his stony heart relent never a whit . nay , yet further , gods mighty voice immediately from his owne mouth , which breakes the cedars , and shakes the wildernesse , which was able with one word even in a moment to turne the whole world into nothing , and the sonnes of men as though they had never beene ; yet ( i say ) this powerfull and mighty voice did not at all amaze or mollifie the un-relenting stubbornenesse of this bloudy wretch : but in a strange dogged fashion he answers god almighty even to his face . for , when god mildly and fairely asked him what was become of his brother abel , he answered , i cannot tell : nay , further , as though he had bid god go looke , he faith , am i my brothers keeper ? where take this note by the way ; let not christians thinke much to receive dogged answers and disdainfull speeches from prophane men : you see how doggedly this fellow answers even god almighty : the disciple is not above his master , nor the servant above his lord : it is enough for the disciple to be as the master , and the servant as his lord : if they have called the master of the house beelzebub , how much more them of his houshold ? mat. . , . what a strange stony heart lodged in the breast of the tyrant pharaoh ? when the prophet ( kin. . ) cried to the altar of ieroboam , o altar , altar , the altar clave presently asunder at the word of god in the mouth of the prophet ; but this mighty hammer of the word , ( ier. . . ) with ten miracles gave ten mighty strokes at pharaohs heart ; and yet could find no entrance , could not pierce it ; but rebounded backe as an arrow shot against a stone wall . let no man then thinke it strange to see many stubborne and rebellious wretches run on in their courses , and rage against the waies of god , though they have both the ministry of the word of god to reclaime them , and be many times singled out particularly by the hand of god with some speciall judgement , for the abatement of their fury . for , the rebelliousnesse of mans nature can never possibly be tamed , corrupt affection can never be conquered , untill the heart wherein it sits inthron'd , be crusht and broke in peeces : and this hardnesse of heart can never be mortified , no created power can possibly pierce it , untill the almighty spirit take the hammer of the word into his owne hand ; that by his speciall , unresistable power he may first breake and bruise it , and after by sprinkling it with the bloud of christ , dissolve it into teares of true repentance , that so it may be softened , sanctified , and sav'd . and let no man marvell , that the powerfullest ministry doth produce by accident the most pestilent scorners , cruellest persecutors , and men of most raging cariage against the meanes of their salvation ; for these reasons . . from the nature of the glorious gospell of iesvs christ , the sunn of righteousnesse , which shining upon one that hath spirituall life , will more reuiue and quicken him : but in one dead in sinnes and trespasses , causes him to stinke more hatefully before the face of god and man. . from the cruelty of satan : who laies more burdens and heavier chaines upon him ; that the ministers labour to pull out of h●…s snares . . vnsatiable . corrupt affection is unsatiable in all it sensuall pursuits for the empoysoned , . fountaine of originall pollution is bottomlesse , restlesse , and ever working ; it sends out uncessantly fresh desires , new longings , and more greedinesse , for the grasping , engrossing , and devouring of earthly delights and carnall pleasures . . when the heart of man forsakes the blessed and boundlesse fountaine of living waters ; of which if it should drinke heartily and sincerely , and every drop should be in it a well of water springing up to everlasting life ; and digs unto it earthly pits ; wherout to suck the muddy ▪ and troubled streams of vanity and sensuall delights ; then god in his just iudgement makes those pits bottomlesse , that they 'le hold no water ; so that it shall seeke and never bee satisfied : it shall toile and tire out it selfe in waies of wickednes and destruction , and shall never find end and rest ; but in endlesse woe and restlesse torments . . never was jaylor so jealous over his prisoners , as satan is watchfull over every wicked man. and therefore least he should waxe weary of his way to hell , he failes not by a secret accursed influence to fill his sinfull heart , with an unquenchable thirst after pleasures of the earth . and he doth not onely put this insatiable thirst into the soule of a carnall man ; but also by his jugling and art of imposture , he gilds over sensuall objects , with lying glory , and a deceitfull lustre , and puts a violent , strong inticing power into wordly vanities , that they may continually feed his greedy appetite with fresh succession , and an endlesse variety of sensuall sweetnesses . satan himselfe is infinite in malice against the majesty of god. hee drinkes up sinne , and devoures iniquity with as insatiable greedinesse , as behemoth the river iordan . of all those huge mountaines , the numberlesse number , and purple seas of sinnes and transgressions , which have at any time , any where , by any creature been committed since himself first fell from heaven unto this hou●…e , or shall be from thence untill the day of doome , or from thence everlastingly in hell , by bannings , cursings and despaires amongst those damned fiends : i say , of all these sinnes satan is guilty one way or other : and if he might have his will , he hath malice enough to make an infinite addition both in number and hainousnesse . where one sinne is committed , he wisheth there were ten thousand . hee would have every sinfull thought be a sin of sodomy : every idle word a desperate blasphemy : every angry looke , a bloody murther : every frailty , a crying sinne : every default , a damnable rebellion . now as satan himselfe is thus infinite and insatiable in the waies of darknesse ; so doth hee inspire every limbe of his with a spice of this sinfull greedinesse , and restlesse pursuit of their owne wicked waies . to give an instance of trembling and terrour in this kind , and of satans mercilesse malice that way . i knew a man which in his life time was given to that fearefull blasphemous sinne of swearing , who comming to his death-bed , satan so fild his heart with a madded and enraged greedinesse after that , most gainelesse and pleasurelesse sinne ) that though himselfe swore as fast and furiously as he could ; yet ( as though hee had beene already amongst the bannings and blasphemies of hell ) he desperatly desir'd the standers-by to helpe him with oathes , and to sweare for him . incredible rage , prodigious fury ! now if satan be able to beget such insatiablenesse after sin wherein there is no profit or delight at all ; how fiercely & fearefully will he enrage carnall men in the pursuit of gainfull , pleasure full and advancing sinnes ? you see then how the insatiablenesse of corrupt affection springs out of the fountaine of originall naughtinesse , from the just curse of god and malice of satan . it is cleare and evident by ordinary experience , and observation in the world , with what insatisfiable desire and greedinesse , corrupt affection doth feed upō that sensuall object , and earthly pleasure , upon which with speciall apprehension , and delightfull taste , it seazes and sets it selfe . . if it fall in love with honour and high roomes ; it begets ambition , which is an unsatiable thirst after glory , and a gluttonous excessive desire after greatnesse . of all other vicious passions which doe possesse the heart of man , it is the most powerfull and unconquerable . as it is superlative and transcendent in it object and aspirations ; and seated in the highest , and haughtiest spirits ; so is it resolute and desperate in it undertakings furious and head-strong in it pursuits and persecutions . it is ventrous to remove any let , and hardned for all meanes ; many times without remorse or teares , it takes out of the way by some cruell contriuance , their dearest friends , and tramples the neerest blood , as we see ordinarily in the turkish emperours , to get up into an high place , and grasp an imperiall crowne . it is victorious over all other affections , and maisters even the sensuality of lustfull pleasures , as we may see in many great men of the heathens , alexander , scipio , pompey , and many others ; who being tempted with the exquisitenes and varieties of choisest beauties , yet forbare that villanie , not for conscience sake , or for feare of god , whome they knew not ; but least thereby they should stop the current of their uictorious atchieuements , and obscure the glory of their remarkable valour . it preferres a high roome in the world before a temporall life ; yea , and eternall life too . how many great mens hearts have burst , at the displeased and frouning countenance of a king ? how many either by desperate practices or their own violent hands have brought themselves to untimely ends , because they were impatient of the lower places they had formerly enjoyed . achitophel , when hee was like to loose the reputation and ranke of a privy councellour , sadled his asse , went home , put his house in order , and hanged himselfe . how many daily runne great hazards , to domineere for a while in their undeserved dignities ? and prepare against the day of wrath , by an unconscionable purchasing of highest roomes amongst the sonnes of men ? lastly , it is uncapable of society , and sharpned by the enjoyment of that it desireth . give roome to caesar , and hee le ambitiously pursue the soveraignty of the whole world : let alexander conquer the whole world , hee le aske for moe ; let those be subdued ; he would climbe towards the starres , if he could aspire thither , he would peep beyond the heavens . for the proud and ambitious man enlargeth his desire like hell , and is as death , and cannot be satisfied , &c. hab. . . who can fill the bottomlesse gulfe of hell , or stop the insatiable jawes of death ? neither can the greedy humour of a haughty spirit be satisfied . let a consideration of that crowne of endlesse joy and glory , which the christian hath in pursuit ; be unto him a counterpoyson to uphold his heart in comfort and contentment against the vanity and venome of such endlesse ambitions ; and if men be so infinitly ventrous for an earthly crowne , which ( as one sayes ) if wee well weighed with what feares , jealousies , cares , insidiations , &c. it is thick set , if we found it before us in the way , we would not take it up . i say then , how eager should wee bee after the glory of heaven ? . if corrupt affection fall in love with riches , and the wedge of gold , it begets covetousnesse , the vilest and basest of all the infection of the soule : as ambition haunteth the haughtiest spirits , so covetousnesse lodgeth in the most dunghill disposition , it turnes the soule of man , that noble and immortall spirit into earth and mud : whereas it might live in heaven upon earth , and by holy meditation , by a sweet familiarity and acquaintance ( as it were ) with god , and conversing above , and in that everlasting heaven of endlesse happinesse hereafter : it lies in hell upon earth , and by restlesse torture of unsatiable greedinesse , makes way by it rooting to descend into the hell of wicked devils in the world to come . this devouring gangrene of greedinesse to get riches , doth not onely by a most incompatible antipathy , keepe out grace and gods feare ; but also by it venomous heat wast and consume all honest and naturall affection , both to man , and beasts , to parents , kindred , friends and acquaintance . nay , it makes a man contemne himselfe body and soule , wilfully to abandon both the comfortable enjoyment of this short time of this present mortality , and all hope of th●… length of that blessed eternity to come , for a lit●…le transitory pelfe , which he doth neither enjoy or use ; except it be for use which enlargeth his covetous thirst as mightily , as it brings forth money monstrously . besides , covetousnesse pierceth thorow the soule with a thousand torments , and the riches of iniquity ingender in the heart of man many tortures , envies and molestations , as their proper thunderbolt and blasting . and of all other vile affections it is most sottishly and senslesly unsatiable , eccles. . . for , how is it possible that earth should feed or fill the immateriall and heaven-borne spirit of a man ? it cannot be : and the spirit of god hath said it shall not be ; eccles. . . he that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver , &c. hence it is , that the deeplier the drowsie heart of this covetous man doth drinke of this golden streame , the more furiously it is inflam'd with spirituall thirst . nay , it is most certaine , that if the covetous man could purchase a monopoly of all the wealth in the world ; were he able to empty the westerne parts of gold and silver ; and the east of pearles and jewels ; should he enclose the whole face of the earth from one end of heaven to the other ; and heape his hoards unto the starres : yet his heart would be as hungry after more riches , as if he had never a penny , and much more : such is gods curse upon that man which makes his gold his god . and this insatiablenesse in the covetous man begets cruelty and oppression of others , and perpetual want of contentment and comfort in that he hath already . sweetnes of gaine makes him many times drinke the bloud & eat the flesh of the oppressed . he begins first ( if he be of power and place ) to grind the faces of the poore ; then to pluck of their skins , then to tear their flesh , then to break their bones , and chop them in peeces as flesh for the pot , and at last even to eat the flesh of gods people . that is ; first to weary them out with petty wrongs and extraordinary occasions , to vexe them with new conditions , and unconscionable encroachments : and at last to wring their pensive soules from their wasted and hunger-starv'd bodies , with extremity of oppression , and cruelty of covetousnesse . and that which is a just curse upon the covetous man ; he is ever infinitely more tormented with the want of that which he doth immoderately and unnecessarily desire , than contented and comforted with the enjoyment of those things he doth presently possesse . the ambitious man , if he be disgrac'd and over-top'd by any grand opposite and counterfactionist , or derided and revil'd with baser and inferiour contempt , or neglected by omission of some due observance and ceremony of state : he ( i say ) is more griev'd , if he want grace , for some such little default in the attributions of his place , and want of complementall respect in that measure , and of such men as he desires ; than he hath glory and pompe in his highest place . this is cleare in haman ; though he was compassed and crown'd with such undeserved and extraordinary precedency and pompe ; yet this one little thing , because mordecai would not bow the knee and do reverence to him at the kings gate , did utterly marre and dissweeten all the other excellencies of his new advancement , and extraordinarinesse of the kings favour : see hester . , , , . and haman told his wife and friends of all his glory , &c. but all this ( saith he ) doth nothing availe me as long as i see mordecai the iew sitting at the kings gate . as it is thus in ambition , and in great men that are gracelesse ; they many times take more to heart ( out of the pride of their hearts ) the want of some one circumstantiall observance , and of reverence from some one man ; than they heartily enjoy all the other glory of their place : so it is also with the covetous man ; though already he hath more than enough ; yet some greedy wish of a new addition doth more torture his heart , than the rowing amongst al his other wealth can rejoyce it . ahab , though he had already in his hand the riches , glory , pleasures , & soveraignty of a kingdome , yet after he had cast his covetous eye upon poor naboths vinyard which was near his palace , his heart did more afflict and vex it self with greedy longing for that bit of earth ; than the vast and spacious compasse of a kingdome could counter-comfort . he could take no joy in the beauty of a crowne , and largenesse of his royall command , because his poore neighbour would not deprive himselfe and all his posterity of the inheritance of his fathers , which his ancestors had enjoyed time out of mind . for a counterpoyson against the greedy gangrene of hoarding up riches ; consider in what stead thy riches will stand thee upon thy bed of death ; consider that speech of a poore distressed woman afflicted in conscience , whom i heard thus say in the agony of her grieved spirit , i have husband , goods , and children , and other comforts ; i would give them all the treasures of the earth if i had them , and all the good i shall have in this world or in the world to come , to feele but the least taste of the favour of god in the pardon of my sinne : she would in this case with all her heart haue giuen the warmest and dearest bloud of her heart for one drop of christs bloud to do away her sinnes . if corrupt affections fall in love with worldly pleasure , such as are surfeiting and drunkennesse , chambering and wantonnesse , lust and uncleannesse , unlawfull sports and recreations , it begets a strange furious thirst and heat in the carnall appetite , which cannot be satisfied , but like the two daughters of the horsleech , which cry still , give , give ; which is set on fire by hell : and therefore it is as unsatiable as that bottomlesse infernall pit ; every taste of sensuality serves as fewell to increase the flame and fury of concupiscence : we see it in drunkards , who by drinking do not quench their thirst , and satisfie their appetite , but by their immoderate swilling both increase the burning thirst of their bodies and inraged intemperance of their minds . we heare it of wantons , wisd. . come let us enjoy the pleasures that are present , &c. let us crowne our selves with roses before they wither , let there be no pleasant meadow which our luxuriousnesse doth not passe over ; let us leave some token of our pleasure in every place , for that is our portion , and this is our lot . every carnalist feeles it in himselfe after once he hath given the reins to his concupiscence : he is like a strong man running headlong downe a steepe hill , though he would never so faine , he cannot stay himselfe , but run still faster and faster , till he breake his neck at the bottome : if once he suffers the fountaine of originall pollution which naturally flowes out of his rocky heart , to have that free and full course : it will shortly gather in its passage many strong and heady streames of stub bornenesse and rebellion , untill by growing by little and little in strength and swiftnesse , it swell into a mighty and furious torrent , so at last fall with fearefull noyse and horrour into the gulfe of irrecoverable misery . in a word , after the heart of a man be set upon any sensuall delight , it feeds upon it as greedily as the horsleech upon corrupt bloud , it will burst before it give over . it will by no meanes part with its hold untill it either be broken with the hammer of the word , or burst with the horrour of despaire . it drinkes so deepe and long of the empoysoned cup of carnall pleasures , untill the lord fill it unto its brim , full of the cup of wine of his indignation , and bid it drinke , be drunken , and spue , and fall , and rise no more , ier. . . a counterpoyson against this greedy wolfe of devouring earthly delights ; consider that at our conversion mutantur gaudia , non tolluntur , heavenly succeed carnall joyes : see iackson of iust. faith , pag. , . . if it fall in love with revenge , it begets a base , a cruell and wolvish disposition , and an unnaturall thirst of bloud : of all the sinfull passions of the soule , desire of revenge is the most base and cowardly : it ever breeds in the most hatefull and weakest minds . and of all kind of revenge , that is most execrable and deadly , which ( like a serpent in the greene grasse ) lies lurking in the flatteries and fawnings of a s●…iring face ; which kisses with iudas , and kils with ioab ; entertaines a man with outward formes , and complement , and curtesie , but would ( if it durst or might ) strike about the third rib , that he should never rise againe : when a mans words are to his neighbour as soft as oyle and butter , but his thoughts towards him composed all of bloud and bitternesse , of gall and gun-powder : for we commonly see , that the basest and most worthlesse men are most malicious and revengefull : seldome doth it find harbour in a well-bred and generous spirit : but as thunder , and tempests , and other fearefull motions in the aire do trouble onely and disquiet those weaker fraile bodies below , but never disturbe or dismay those glorious heavenly ones above : so wrongs , disgraces , and wrongfull usages doe vexe and distemper men of baser temper and conditions : but the causelesse spite and prophane indiscretions and childish brawles of fooles , wound not great and high minds . above all others , the true christian which is onely of a true noble spirit , contemnes , scornes , and disdaines to be revenged upon any , though his undeservedly basest and greatest enemy : for , . he is completely fortified with the armour of proofe of his owne innocency against the malice and mischiefe of wicked men , and comforted continually with that inward spirituall feast of a good conscience , against all the lies and slanders of lewd and spitefull tongues . . he leaves them to be scourged of their owne consciences for their causlesse ill-wils against him , and wrongfull dealings : then which , ( except they repent and be reconciled ) there is no more certaine and severe revenger and executioner : no scourges , no scorpions can so lash and torture a man , as his owne foule and guilty conscience . . he is kept in awe by an holy feare from presuming to take vengeance out of gods hands : it is one of gods royall prerogatives , we must not meddle with that , or incroach upon it , vengeance is mine , i will repay it , saith the lord , rom. . . . he will not pollute so farre , and defile the glory and noblenesse of his christian resolution , as to be mov'd and disquieted with the rage of any dogged doeg or railing shimei , by procuring temporall punishments to the spirituall afflictions : and outward vexations to the inward wofull misery of the soule of his prophane malicious opposite : except he see it probable , that by suffering justice to have its course , the party may be humbled , and others terrified . . he knowes out of his christian policy , that a couragious and undaunted insensibility in suffering injuries , is the way to tame and stop the rage and fury of the wrongers , and to make them to returne and rebound wholly like heavy blowes upon their owne pates . for , a prophane malicious man cannot be possibly more vext , than to see himselfe direct particularly his hate and contempt against his supposed adversary a good christian , and yet he is able to beare it away without wound or passion ; nay with reputation and comfort . as revenge is base , so it is bloudy and unquenchable , and prodigiously thirsty that way : i will give instance in the most revengefull wretch ( i am perswaded ) that ever lived : it is reported of a man , or rather a * monster of millaine in italy ; when he had surprised upon the sudden one whom he deadlily hated , he presently overthrew him , and setting his dagger on his breast , told him , he would presently have his bloud , except he would renounce , abjure , forsweare , and blaspheme the god of heaven ; which , when that fearefull man ( too sinfully greedy of a miserable life ) had done ; in a most horrible manner he immediately dispatch'd him , as soone as those prodigious blasphemies were out of his mouth : and with a bloudy triumph insulting over his murdered adversarie , as though his heart had beene possest of all the malice of hell , he added this horrible speech : oh ( saith he ) this is a right noble and heroicall revenge , which doth not onely deprive the body of temporall life , but bring also the immortall soule to endlesse flames everlastingly . . desperate : corrupt affection is strangely desperate to run headlong upon the damnation of hell , for a little earthly delight : if we should see a naked man in some furious moode , as prodigall of his temporall life , runne upon his owne sword , or throw himselfe from some steep rocke , or cast himselfe into some deep river , and teare out his owne bowels , we should censure it presently to be a very desperate part and ruefull spectacle : what shall we say of him then , who thorough the fury of his rebellious nature , to the endlesse destruction of the life of his immortall soule , doth desperatly throw himselfe upon the devouring edge of gods fiercest indignation : upon the sharpest points of all the plagues and curses in his booke , and into the very flames of everlasting fire : it is a very fearefull thing , to see a man bath and embrue his hands in the blood and butchery of his owne body , and with his murderous blade to take away the life thereof : but of how much more horrour and wofulnesse is that spectacle , when a desperate wretch with the empoysoned edge of his owne enraged corruption , doth cut the throat of his owne deare immortall soule , so that a man may teach him all his life long , by the blood thereof in the sinfull passages of his life , untill at length it bee stark dead in sinnes and trespasses , for how can a soule all purple red with willfull sheading its own blood , looke for any part in that pretious blood of that spotles lambe ? nay , assuredly such bloody stubbornnes and selfe-murthering cruelty will be paid home at last , by the severe revenger of such cursed desperatnesse . hee will judge such a man after the manner of them that shed their owne blood , and give him the blood of wrath and of jealousie . lord it is prodigiously strange and lamentably fearefull , that so noble and excellent a creature as man , prince of all other earthly creatures , by the priviledge of reason and enlightned with the glorious beame of understanding , nature should be so furiously madded with its owne malice , and bewitchedly blindfolded by the prince which rules in the aire ; as , for the momentany enjoyment of some fewglorious miseries , bitter-sweet pleasures , heart-vexing riches , or some other worldly vanity at the best , desperatly and wilfully to abandon and cast himselfe from the unconceivable pleasures of its joyfull place where god dwels , into an infinite world of everlasting woefulnesse . for let a carnall man consider in a word his prodigious madnesse in this point . he might not onely in this vale of teares bee possest with a peacefull heart , which is an incomparable pretiousnesse surpassing all created understandings : for i dare say this , i know it to bee true : one little glimpse of heaven shed sometimes into the heart of a sanctified man , by the saving illumination of the comforting spirit , whereby he sees and feeles , that in despight of the rage of divels , & malice of men ; let sin and death , the grave and hell doe their worst , his soule is most certainely bound by the hand of god in the bundle of the living , and that hee shall hereafter everlastingly inhabite the joyes of eternity : i say this one conceit being the immediate certificate of the spirit of truth doth infinitely more refresh his affections , and affect his heart with more true sweetnesse and tastfull pleasure , then all carnall delights , and sensuall delicacies can possibly produce , though they were as exquisite and numberlesse , as nature , art , and pleasure it selfe could devise , and to be enjoyed securely as long as the world lasts . besides this heaven upon earth , and glorious happinesse even in this world , he might hereafter go in arme with angels , sit downe by the side of the blessed trinity amongst saints and angels , and all the truly worthy men that ever lived , with the highest perfection of blisse , endlesse peace , and blessed immortality : all the joyes , all the glory , all the blisse , which lies within the compasse of heaven , should be powred upon him everlastingly : and yet for all this he doth not onely in a spirituall phrensie desperately deprive himselfe , and trample under foot this heaven upon earth , and that joyfull rest in heaven , world without end : but also throwes himselfe into a hell of ill conscience here , and hereafter into that hell of devils , which is a place of flames , and perpetuall darknesse , where there is torment without end , and past imagination . the day will come , and the lord knowes how soone , when he will clearely see and acknowledge with horrible anguish of heart , his strange and desperate madnesse . see wisd. . , &c. for , after the moment of a few miserable pleasures in this life be ended , he is presently plunged into the fiery lake ; and ere he be aware , the pit of destruction shutteth upon him everlastingly : and if once he find himselfe in hell , he knowes there is no redemption out of that infernall pit : then would he think ▪ himselfe happy , if he were to suffer those bitter and intolerable torments no mo thousands of yeares , than there are sands on the sea shore , haires on his head , starres in heaven , grasse piles on the ground , and creatures both in heaven and earth : for , he would still comfort himselfe at least with this thought , that once his misery would have an end : but alas , this word , never , doth ever burst his heart with unexpressible sorrow , when he thinks upon it : for , after an hundred thousand of millions of yeares there suffered , he hath as farre to suffer , as he had at the first day of his entrance into those endlesse torments : now let a man consider , if he should lie in an extreme fit of the stone ; or a woman , if she should be afflicted with the grievous torture of child-bed but one night ; though they lie upon the softest beds , have their friends about them to comfort them , physitians to cure them , all needfull things ministred unto them to asswage their paine ; yet how tedious , painfull , and wearisome would even one night seeme unto them ? how would they turne and tosse themselves from side to side , telling the clocke , counting every houre as it passeth , which would seeme unto them a whole day ? what is it then ( think you ) to lie in fire and brimstone , inflamed with the unquenchable wrath of god world without end ? where they shall have nothing about them but darknesse and discomforts , yellings and gnashings of teeth : their companions in prophanenesse and vanity to ban and curse them : the damned fiends of hell to scourge them and torment them : despaire and the worme that never dies , to feed upon them with everlasting horrour . if carnall wretches be so desperate , as wilfully to spill the bloud of their owne soules : let us set light by the life of our bodies , if the cruelty of the times call for it , for the honour of the saviour of our soules . let me give one instance of dangerous snares , wherein such as these are ordinarily entangled and holden fast , from which inferiours are for the most part free . let us come into a towne or countrey ▪ village , and we shall find all the rest not so exorbitant but enter into the noblemans , gentlemans , or knights house , ( if there be any there ) there shall we find a nest of new-fangl'd fashionists ; naked breasts , and naked armes , like bedlams , saith that excellent and learned gentleman , in his oyle of scorpions . bushes of vanity in the one sexe , which they will not part with ( said marbury ) untill the devill put a candle into the bush : and cut haire in the other , stirs against the ordinance of god , and nature in both : and many other such deformed lothsome , and prodigious fashions , censured by that stinging and flaming place against fashion-mongers , zeph. . . and these are the more pernicious , because it were many times more easie for us of the ministerie . i speake out of some experience : to undertake by gods blessing ( caeteris paribus , as they say ) the driving of an impure wretched drunkard , from his beastly and swinish sin , which would be a very hard taske , than to draw such as delight in , and dote upon these miserable fooleries , from the abhorred vanity of strange fashions : nay , and though somtimes they would be thought to looke towards religion . and thus i have done with the reasons peculiar to every severall sort of greatnesse : i now come to those which are common to them all . . all the great ones according to the flesh in any of these kinds : i say , ye are all as yet deadly enemies from the very heart-root to the profession and practice of the holy men , without which holinesse we cannot see god : you cannot endure to be called puritans ; much lesse to become such : and yet without purity , none shall ever see the face of god with comfort . mistake me not . i meane christs 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , christs puritans , and no other , a matth. . . b ioh. . . & c . . secondly , i meane onely such as bellarmine intimates , when he cals king iames puritan : for , he so cals him , saith d. harkwit against carrier , because in the first booke of his basilicon doron , he affirmes , that the religion professed in scotland was grounded upon the plaine words of the scripture : and againe in his second booke , that the reformation of religion in scotland was extraordinarily wrought by god. gracious and holy speeches ( as you see ) with men of the world are puritanicall . and if a man speake but holily , and name but reformation , scripture , conscience , and such other words which sting their carnall hearts , it is enough to make a man a puritan . thirdly , i meane the very same , of whom bishop downam one of the greatest schollers of either kingdome , speakes thus in his sermon at spittle , called abrahams triall : and even in these times ( saith he ) the godly live amongst such a generation of men , as that if a man do but labour to keepe a good conscience in any measure , although he meddle not with matters of state , or discipline , or ceremonies , ( as for example , if a minister diligently preach , or in his preaching seeke to profit rather than to please , remembring the saying of the apostle ▪ if i seeke to please men , i am not the servant of christ , gal. . . or if a private christian make conscience of swearing , sanctifying the sabbath , frequenting sermons , or absteining from the common corruptions of the time ) he shall straightway be condemned for a puritan , and consequently be lesse favoured than either a carnall gospeller , or a close papist , &c. fourthly , i meane none but those whom the communion-booke intends in that passage of the prayer after confession : that the rest of our life hereafter may be pure and holy . now these come by their purity by preaching the word . now saith christ , ye are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , cleane by the word which i have spoken unto you , ioh. . . the word must first illighten , convince , and cast them downe : so that out of sight of sinne , and sense of divine wrath , being weary , sicke , lost , wounded , bruised , broken-hearted , ( these are scripture-phrases ) and thereupon casting their eyes upon the amiablenesse , excellency , and sweetnesse of the lord iesvs , and the all-sufficiency of his bloud to cure them , resolve to sell all , to confesse and forsake all their sinnes , not to leave an hoofe behind : and then taking him offered by the hand of gods free grace , as well for an husband , lord , and king , to love , serve , and obey him , as for a saviour to free them from hell . they put on with the hand of faith the perfect purity of his imputed righteousnesse , attended ever with some measure of inherent purity , infused by the sanctifying spirit , and after entring the good way , their lives are ever after pure and holy . these are christs 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , and the puritans i meane . and these men of purity some never meane to be : nay , they heartily hate the very image of iesvs christ in them , they speake spitefully against them , david was not onely the drunkards song , but those also that sate in the gate spoke against him : they are your musicke , and matter of your mirth ; i am your musicke , saith the church in the person of ieremie , lam. . they will many times call upon a roguish vagabond at your feasts to sing a song against them , whom they should rather set in the stockes ; they are transported , and inwardly boyle with farre more indignation and heart-rising against their holinesse , purity , precise walking , and all meanes that lead thereunto , though enjoyned upon paine of never seeing the face of god in glory : than more simple , poorer , and meaner men ; and that 's a reason they sticke faster in the devils clutches than they , and that few of them are called , converted , and saved , according to my text. secondly , ye that are thus the worlds favourites , are very loth to become fooles ; and therefore in the meane time he lockt full fast in the devils bands , and cannot escape except ye be such . i speake a very displeasing thing to worldly-wise men , but they are the very words and wisdome of the spirit of god , cor. . . let no man deceive himselfe : if any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world , let him become a foole , that he may be wise . let no man deceive himselfe ; such caveats as this are wont to be premised when men out of their carnall conceipts are peremptory to the contrary , and would venture their salvation ( as they say ) that it is not so . see ephes. . . cor. . . mat. . . and did not most of your hearts rise against these words of mine ( you must become fooles , or never be saved ) untill i brought scripture ? give me here leave ( i pray you ) to intimate in a few instances the meaning of the place , and the truth of your false and selfe-couzening hearts in obnoxiousnesse to the point . suppose a messenger of god should deale faithfully with you , and tell you , that upon the lords day you must not serve yourselves , and your owne turnes , in idlenesse , travailing , sports , gaming : in any earthly businesse , or mis-imployment whatsoever : but spend that whole blessed day wholly and onely in spirituall refreshing , heavenly businesses , divine worship , and holy duties : in meditation upon the creatures spiritually , upon the great worke of redemption and resurrection of christ : and upon that everlasting rest above : of all which the christian sabbath is a remembrancer unto us , in both publike and private prayer , reading , singing of psalmes , hearing sermons , conference , &c. and in ruminating , and ( as it were ) chewing the cud upon scripture points . i say , ruminate ( as it were ) and chew the cud : for , it is the very phrase of the church of england in the homily for reading scriptures . and those reverend and godly men which composed them , expresse the benefit thereof emphatically : thus run the words ; let us ruminate of the scriptures sc. ) that we may have the sweet juyce , spirituall effect , marrow , honey , kernell , taste , comfort , and consolation of them . i say , suppose ye were thus prest , would ye not presently out of your worldly wisdome and impatiency to be so snaff●…d at , to be tied all the day to spirituall exercises , and restrain'd from ordinary recreations , conceive of it , and cry out against it as a puritanicall novelty , and foolish precisenesse ? because you mention precisenesse and novelty ; i could ( as i am wont , and to make you without excuse ) appeale unto , and implore the aid of antiquity , which will utterly take off such aspersions . and here ( were it incident and seasonable ) i were able to procure councels , and fathers , and other authorities concurrently to testifie and take my part , that upon the lords day , we are to recreate our selves onely with spirituall delights : onely then to ply divine businesses , and to do those things alone which belong to our soules salvation . heare their owne words . we ought upon that day , solummodò spiritualibus gaudijs repleri . concilium parisiense . anno . tantùm divinis cultibus serviamus . august . de temp. serm. . soli divino cultui vacemus . idem ibid. eaque tantum faciat quae ad animae salutem pertinent . hierom. in cap. . isa. nay the whole church of england hath this threescore yeares and above complyed exactly with antiquity in this point in the hom. of the place and time of prayer : these are the words , gods people should use the sunday holily , and rest from their common and daily businesse : and also give themselves wholly to heavenly exercises of gods true religion and service . and yet for all this , you are so wise in your owne conceipts ; ye will none of this saving folly , you are no such fooles , as after so long liberty to fall ●…o any such strictnesse . secondly , suppose a minister should counsell you when you come home from the house of god , to take your bibles , and call both your wives and children to the comparing together , and conferring upon those things which were taught : that the husband should exact of the wife , and the wife aske of the husband those things that were there spoken and read , or at least some of them : that you should set this law to your selves to be kept inviolably , and not onely to your selves , but also to your wives and children : that you would spend that one whole day of the whole weeke , whereon you meet to heare the word , in meditation of those things which are delivered : i say now in this case your carnall wisedome would resolutely condemne such counsells , as contrary to the counsell of great houses , as a way to become a by-word to the whole country , and as savoring too rankly of a foolish strictnesse , and needlesse singularity . and yet this was totidem verbis , wise , holy advise above twelve hundred yeares agoe : for it giving the counsell , i have but rendred chrysostome word for word in diverse places . hom. . in matth. in eph. serm. . hom. . in ioan. hom. . ad popul . antioch . thirdly , if preachers should presse you to plant , and preserve family duties in your house , prayer , and reading scriptures , evening , and morning , singing of psalmes , &c. and you of greatest meanes may best spare time for such blessed businesses . would not your wisedomes thinke this more then need : and that it would bee a foolish thing , and much against your profit , to rob your selves , and servants of so much time from your worldly affaires ? and yet here i could produce foure or five fathers above a thousand yeares ago , pressing this point , and punctuall for my purpose . besides ambrose quoted in my book of walking with god , pag. . here other fathers , basil , origen , chrysostome , august . fourthly , if you were moved by the ministery , to restore every halfe penny that you have any waies , at any time got wrongfully , or by any wicked meanes , or that you detaine unjustly from any man : and then casting your eye backe , and considering , how you are growne hastily rich , and by what waies you are come to a great deale of wealth , should finde very foule workes : would you not force your selves by a strong counter-plea of carnall reason , not to beleeve the point , and thinke it extreame madnesse at the instance , and prating of a precise companion , which understands not the world ( for so or in the like manner would you speake ) to part perhaps with a good part of your estate ? and yet austins rule of above twelve hundreth yeares standing , and confirmed concurrently by all divines to this day , is , that non tollitur peccatum nisirestituatur ablatum ; no restitution , no remission . and our owne church tels us in the second exhortation before the communion : that without readinesse to make restitution , and satisfaction for wrongs done , the sacrament as often as you come , doth nothing else but increase your damnation . thus might i passe through all the points of sanctification , and passages of holy life : and all the great men of the world , either in learning , wealth , nobility , or wisedome according to the flesh , would passe these censures upon them , and entertaine conceits of them proportionable to that of nicodemus about the new-birth . they will not become fooles in the apostles sense : and therefore they are soakt , and fast fettered in the gall of bitternesse , and bond of iniquity ; and that above ordinary . thirdly , all ye great ones of the world in the sense i have said , as yee are very wise in your own conceits , and it may be truly so according to the flesh , so you are selfe-conceited , and soule-couseners about your spirituall state . for you thinke all better then you , too precise , and all worse then you too prophane ; and your selves onely to have happily hit upon the golden meane ; and pitch upon that well-tempered moderation in religion , wherby you may enjoy temporall happinesse here , and eternall hereafter . sleepe in a whole skin ( as they say ) and with a good conscience : live the life of pleasures , and die the death of the righteous . whereas to be so conceited , is the very complement and perfection of folly : and the very same attempt as to make two parallel lines to meet . you thinke yee have a reach beyond the moone : to lie in some sweete sinne , and yet to nourish in your selves some hope of salvation . to have two heavens , one in this world , and another in the world to come , which was never heard of : to weare two crownes of joyes : whereas iesvs christ himselfe had the first of thornes . but alas ! beloved , if you be saved in this condition , you must have a new scripture , and there must bee found out another way to heaven , then any of the saints ever went since the creation or shall doe to the end of the world . and therefore we may say of you as quintilian some where , of some deluded with an overweening conceit of themselves . that they might have prooved excellent schollers if they had not beene so perswaded already : so if you did not thinke falsly , your selves safe already , you might be saved . but while you thus hugge the golden dreame of your mistaken states to god-ward like the pharisees , the very publicans and harlots shall goe into the kingdome of heaven before you , matth. . . fourthly , you that are great in the world in the foure forenamed respects , and meant in the text ; cannot possibly downe with , and digest downe-right dealing and the foolishnesse of preaching as it is called , vers . . and that vtterly undoes you . you like well enough , nay and much approve , and applaud such sermons as king iames censures , in the reasons of his directions for preaching , &c. which he there cals a light , affected , and unprofitable kind of preaching , which hath beene of late years ( saith he ) taken up in court , university , city , and countrey , — whereby the people are filled onely with ayrie nourishment , &c. and i warrant you , not especially hating to be reformed or disquieted , for these are not wont to discover your consciences , nor disturbe you in your present courses , they never terrifie you with any fore-thought of the evill day , neither torment you before the time : but now let a man come with the foolishnesse of preaching , by which it pleaseth god ( saith the apostle ) to save them that believe , with demonstration of the spirit , and of power , and come home to the conscience : if he suffer not satan to revell in the bloud of your soules without resistance , nor see you post furiously towards eternall fire , but will tell you that the pit of hell is a little before you : in a word , if he take the right course to convert you , and shew you therefore onely your spirituall misery , that you may be fitted for mercy , &c. o such a fellow is a dangerous man , a terrible and intolerable teacher , able to drive men to distraction , despaire , selfe-destruction ; he breaths out nothing but damnation , and his searching sermons are as scorching as the very flames of hel ! fit phrases for the devil himself , railing in a drunkard , or scoffing ishmael against faithfulnesse in preaching ; and if you know where or when such men preach , ( and it may be you entertaine some intelligence for that purpose to prevent the torture ) you will not , you dare not heare them for your hearts , except you cannot decline it for starke shame ; or for a time or two to satisfie your curiosities , but as s. paul saith , you become their enemies , because they tell you the truth : to which truth not to have listened in this day of your visitation , will herafter ( when it is too late ) torment you more than ten thousand fiery scorpions stings , and gnaw upon your consciences with unknowne and everlasting horrour . alas ! beloved , what meane you ? you will give your physitian leave to tell you the distempers of your body : the lawyer to discover unto you any flaw in your deeds : your horse-keeper to tell you the surfets of your horses : nay , your hun●…sman the surrances of your dogs : and shall onely the minister of god not tell you that your soules are bleeding to eternall death ? preposterous and prodigious incongruity ! if it be thus then , that of all the severall sorts of great men mentioned before ( by reason that they are beset with such variety of snares , entangled in so many temptations , so much taken up by the world , and for other reasons rendred already ) very few are called , converted and saved , my counsell in a word unto all such , is christs owne word , luke . . strive to enter in at the strait gate , lay violent hands upon flesh and blond , strangle your lusts , contend and * wrastle as for the garland in the olympian games , to which the word seemes to allude , become fooles in the worlds censure , that you may be wise in the mystery of christ ; be little and vile in your own esteeme , that you may be great and gracious in the eyes of god. in a word , submit your soules to the sword of the spirit , and foolishnesse of preaching , ( as the apostle cals it ) that you may be wrought upon savingly , and brought into the good way , and that by such works , and waies as these . upon which before i enter , give me leave to give you an account , why at this time i labour rather to work upon your consciences for your personall conversion , than as heretofore to tender unto you counsels and considerations , for a more conscionable deportment in your severall publike places . when i well weighed with my selfe , the truth of that principle and position in hooker , that it is no peculiar conceipt , but a matter of sound consequence , that all duties are by so much the better performed , by how much the men are more religious , from whose abilities the same proceed . and finding by experience of all ages , and most of all in these worst and wofull times , that men of publike imployment and in high places , untill there be infused into their soules by the spirit of grace an internall supernaturall principle and divine habit to worke by , untill aliquid christi ( as they say ) be planted in them by the power of the ministry , they cannot possibly be universally thorow , and unshaken . some strong affection , feare , favour , or some thing , will make them flie out and faile in some particular very fowly . upon extraordinary temptation they will serve the times , and their owne turnes : for ▪ alas ! as yet their spirits are not steeled with that heavenly edge , and mighty vigour , as to set to their shoulders against the torrent of the times , and not to be overflowen with it . i say , upon this ground i have advisedly chosen to assay and follow this way at this time : for , if once you turne on the lords side in truth , you are won for ever to an invincible constancy , and conscionablenesse in an uniforme , regular and religious discharge of your publike duties : and will ever hold fast without partiality , cowardlinesse , or feare of mans face , that brave and noble resolution , vt fiat justitia , ruat coelum , let heaven and earth be blundred together with horrible confusision , before i make shipwracke of a good conscience , or be any waies drawne to do basely . being incorporated into the rock of eternity iesvs christ blessed for ever , you will stand ( like unmooveable rocks ) against the corruptions of the times , and all ungodly oppositions ; and never before . for , in the meane time ( say ministers what they will ) you will not be moved ; but you heare our discourses of a faithfull discharge of your places , as ye would heare a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice ; they leave no more impression upon your consciences , than a sweet lesson upon the lute in the eare , when it is ended ; for , then both the vocall and instrumentall sweetnesse dissolve into the aire , and vanish into nothing : it is too truly so with our sermons upon your soules . heare your character in gods own words unto the prophet ; they come unto thee , as the people commeth , and they sit before me as my people , and they heare thy words , but they will not do them : for with their mouth they shew much love , but their heart goeth after their covetousnesse : and loe , thou art unto them , as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice , and can play well on an instrument : for , they heare thy words , but they do them not . let us lift up our voices never so high , or cry never so lowd : and ●…ll iudges , that they ought not to be afraid of the face of man , for the judgement is gods : that in judgement , they must neither respect the person of the poore , nor honour the person of the mighty : that they should not onely hold their hands from grosse bribes with epaminondas , who ( as the story tels us ) refused great presents sent unto him , although he was poore , saying , if the thing were good , he would do it without any bribe , because good : if not honest , he would not do it for all the goods in the world . but they must also be of austins judgement , that not onely money , gold and silver , or presents ( as they call them ) are bribes ; but the guilt of bribery also may be justly imputed , even to any exorbitant affection , which sways a man aside from an impartiall execution of justice : as love , feare , hatred , anger , pusillanimity , worldlinesse , desire of praise and applause , which is austins instance , &c. that they beware of bringing more bloud upon the law by sparing the spiller of bloud . for ble●…d ( saith god ) it desileth the land : and the land cannot be clea●…sed of the bloud that is shed therein , but by the bloud of him that shed it : that they must not looke upon the ca●…ses which come before them only through the spectacles of a favourite , &c , and tell iustices of peace , that they must be true-hearted patriots , and not servers of themselves , and their owne turnes : that they must be serious , reall , and grave ; not onely formall , not cyphers , not unnobly light in their behaviour on the bench : that they must ever aime at the publike good , and never at their owne particular and private ends : that they should disdaine and scorne at any time to combine factiously , or for a petty bribe to uphold a rotten cause , apestilent alehouse , or lewd companion ; and ever joyne with an unanimous magnanimity to honour god , and do their country good . and tell the lawyers , that they should not make hast to be rich , for so saith salomon , they shall not be innocent , nor swallow downe gold too greedily , least it turne to grauell , and the gall of asps within them ; and they be enforced to vomite up the riches ( as iob speaketh ) they have heaped together so hastily , either by remorse and restitution in the meane time , or with despaire , and impenitent horrour here after : that to oppose and wrangle against a good cause , or undertake the defence of a bad ; are both equally most unworthy the very morall vertue of an honest heathen ; that they must not learn to spin out the causes of their clients from terme to terme , and wire-draw their suits untill they be utterly undone ; that they should not now be taking instructions from their clients , when they should themselves here in the house of god be instructed to the kingdome of heaven : had they this morning received a message from the almighty , that at night they should appeare before that high and everlasting iudge to give an account for all things done in the flesh ; if they be not atheists , or papists , o with what eagernesse and violence would they have attended , addrest , and applied themselves to the present opportunity ! and little do we know what the evening may bring forth . for , assure your selves , there is no man so assured of his riches , or life , but that he may be deprived of one or both the very next day or houre to come . and tell the jurors and sworn-men , that they should rather die than draw the bloud of any mans life , livelihood , or good name upon their owne consciences , either by acqui●…ting the guilty , or betraying the innocent . here ( had i time ) i would intimate unto you a mysticall , but mischievous packing sometimes in choice of j●…ry-men . i have seene ( i speake of that which was long since , and at a sessions ) some of the choicest drunkards in a country chosen for that service . now is it not a pitifull thing , that country businesses should be put into the hands of such as labour industriously , and with equall cunning , to plague an honest man , and deliver a drunkard ? i say now , all this while , we thus discourse unto you , earnestly endeavouring , and with a thirsty desire to do you good , and direct you aright , and by a divine rule in the severall duties proper to your places : we do but plow in the sea , and sow in the aire ( as they say ) except the immortall seed of the word hath first moulded you anew , and ye be brought by the foolishnesse of preaching out of the warme sun into gods blessing , and from the fooles paradise of worldly wisdome , into the holy path of sincere professours ; and thereupon prize and preferre the peace of a good conscience before all the gold in the west , and preferments in the world ; which blessed change from nature to grace , is wrought by such stirrings of the soule , and footsteps of the spirit as these : lend me , i beseech you , ( while i passe along them ) something more than ordinary attention : for , i know they will seeme strange things to all such great ones as are intended in my text , and those who live at rest in their possessions , and have nothing to vex them . the naturall stoutnesse of their spirits will disdaine and scorne to stoupe to such uncouth humiliations , and this mighty change . and the more they are men of the world , and wise according to the flesh , the greater repugnancy and reluctation shall they find in their affections against these spirituall workings , which makes the point good which was proved before . but yet without them in truth and effect ( i define not the measure and degree , god is a most free agent ) they can never become either gracious men , or good magistrates . they must upon necessity become such fooles , or they can never be wise unto salvation . . if any of you then would come out of satans clutches into the armes of christ , he must be illightened , convinced , and cast downe with sight , sense , and trouble for sinne , as in my art of comforting afflicted consciences i have shewed . . secondly , the point may teach us not to be greedy of greatnesse , nor hunt ambitiously after high roomes . . the point may serve as a soveraigne antidote against all discontent or fretting , when we see men of the world carrie all before them , &c. we may entertain an holy indignation to see folly set in great excellency , so many servants on horse-backe , and princes walking as servants upon the ground . but i am prevented by the time from prosecuting these two latter uses . let me briefly say two things more , and i have done . . the first concerning what i have said : i have spoken much ( as you have heard , my text naturally and directly leading me thereunto ) of the true misery , and spirituall madnesse of all great men in learning , wealth , nobility , wisdome according to the flesh . least any be unjustly angry , and mistake , or caussesly grumble and gainsay , let me take up the words of that ancient holy father salvianus about a thousand yeares ago in the like case . he having impartially discovered the horrible impieties of the noble and rich men in those corrupt times , tels them by the way , and it is my just apologie at this time . i do not ( saith he ) speake thus of any , but onely such as know these things to be in themselves . if their consciences be free , nothing that i say tends to their disparagement and disgrace : but if they know themselves to be guilty , let them know also , that they are not my words , but their owne consciences which vexe them . and in another place thus . sith i speake not these things of all , but those who are such , none of you ought to be angry at all , which findeth not himselfe to be obnoxious ; least thereby he make himselfe seeme , and be suspected to be of the number of those that are naught . rather let so many as being guiltlesse and truly noble , abhorre such unworthy courses , be angry with them who disgrace the name of nobility by their base and wicked behaviour : because although others be much worse , and scandaliz'd by them , yet especially they bring a great deale of shame and dishonour upon those who are of the same noble ranke . take notice by the way , that by the fathers words , those men are much too blame , who go about to dawbe over the disorders , and smother up the scandalous exorbitancies of delinquents in their owne profession , or to be concurrents for their deliverance from deserved shame and punishment . to give instance in the highest calling : a minister which fals to drunkennesse , and ale-house-haunting , should rather be publikely sham'd and censured , than a fellow of an inferiour calling . we do not honour the ministry by having our hands in helping out such , but by disclaiming , and not owning them ; well may we by so medling incurre suspicion of obnoxiousnesse : but never bring credit to our so holy a calling . i knew a knight did penance at pauls-crosse , but at the same time i heard that many of his ranke in the city labour'd to have him dis-knighted first , before he so publikely disgraced their order . me thinks all well-minded should be so minded . . the other is to my lords the iudges . my reverend and noble lords , give me leave to cloth the thoughts of the countrey in a word or two . we much rejoyce in you , and blesse god for you , as men of singular and knowne integrity , speciall friends to the gospell of iesvs christ , and a great honour , and happinesse to these parts , and heartily pray that we may hold you still : and therefore my intreaty unto your lordships is , that you would couragiously advance forward , and do like your selves , and nobly still . draw our your dreadfull swords against the torrents of belial , as david cals them , which even threaten a deluge ; and be your selves as mighty torrents , armed both with j●…st and holy lawes , and the godly resolutions of your owne noble spirits , to beare backe , and beat downe the common crying , and raigning sins of our countrey . in a word , be unto the oppressed and innocent as a refuge from the storme , but as a terrible tempest upon the face of every humane beast , and sonne of belial . and o that you could helpe us , that gods people might not perish for want of bread : is it not a pitifull thing , that in such a deare yeare specially , it should be almost as hard a worke to get downe a wicked ale-house , as to win dunkerke ? that maultsters should snatch ( as it were ) the graine from the mouthes of the poore in the market place , to uphold these hell-houses , these nurceries of the devill : that magistrates should be so unmercifull , as neither for gods sake , nor the kings sake , nor the poores sake , nor their owne soules sake to take the utmost penalties for blasphemies , ale house-hauntings , drunkennesse , and prophanations of the lords day ? and were it not an honourable course , and worthy to have an universall contribution over the countrey to pull downe something the excessive prizes in market-townes for the poore thereabouts , during this extremity ? but i leave it to your lordships charitable wisdome to do the best you can possibly ; that the bloud of the poore this yeare be not added to the already crying sinnes of the kingdome , to hasten gods judgements upon us , and our long since deserved ruine . and in the meane time you need not feare the face of the proudest devill , whether incarnate , or in his owne shape . for , while you thus advance gods glory , and truly honour the king , assure your selves , the hearts , and teares , and prayers of all good men shal be for you , and yours shal be the crowne and comfort ; when all prophanenesse and prophane opposites to the good way , all the enemies of god , and pestilent packings and complotments of the devils agents against gods people , shal be buried in hell . finis . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e io payne fe●… . notes for div a -e * a quarian ague . * iustice nicolls , as grave and learned a iudge a●… this kingdome c●…joyed in the age it held him . sam. . . * qui pecunia & largitionibus honores sacerdotia & magistratus ambiunt , his poena deportationis est praestituta . lex iul. de ambitu . iustice of peace — and quorum , iustice of oyer oyer and terminer , knight of the shire , high sheriff of the county . * honor fugientem sequitur , sequentem fugit . i●…y . . 〈◊〉 . degeneres animos timor arguit . psal. . , . nec christiani ultrà durare aut esse possumus , si ad hoc ventum est ut perditorum minas atque insidias pertimesca●…us . ●… cypr. lib. ●… . ●…pist . . ad corn. oportuit in divinis castris milites christi : ut non minae terreant nec cruciatus & tormenta devincant . cyp. lib. . cap. . exod. . * or , able men , in the last ●…slation . iosh. . , , , ●… . * stat. ●… . e. . cap. . i●… the old stat. at large . h●…b . . . b ephes. . . c anima est tota in toto , & tota in qualibet parte . d aristotle●… ●…o. ethic. et solus prudens revera est v●…r bonus ▪ contrà , stolidi & im●…ntes sunt mali . k●…ck . syst. ethic lib . cap. . p. . prov. . . in vitâ lutheri . psal. . ●… . iudges . . da●… . . . psal. . . ruth . . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 iob . , &c. regium est cùm benè feceris malè audire . sen. eccles . . a psal. . , , &c. i will set him on high , because he hath knowne my name , &c. i will deliver him and honour him , &c. b prov. . . c i hold a good iustice of peace in his country to doe me as good service , as he that waites upon me in my privy chamber , and as ready will i be to reward him : for , i account him a●… capable of any honour , offi●…e , or preferment about my pers●…n , as well as any courtier that is neere about me. king iamess speech in starre ▪ chamber , . iune . . notes for div a -e euseb hist. lib. . & . euseb. lib. ●… ▪ cap. . tim. , . psal. . . camb. brit. pag. . mr. yates . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . luk . . his studies in lincolne colledge . in brasen-nose colledge . a man of sirgular 〈◊〉 for learning and 〈◊〉 . * i may truly say of him , a●… tertullian of irenaeus , that he was curiosissimus omnium doctrinarum explorator . euseb. hist. l. cap. . & lib. cap. . b preface of k. iames to his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c willlelmus perkinsus doctissimus theologus . keck . syst. pol. lib. . p. . d dr. abbot in his reply to bishop . he was but little aboue yeares old when he died his connersion * he was for his eloquence called golden mouthed anderton when he was but a schollar . iob . ver . ●… , , . * in his epistle to melancthon . * mr. estwick in his sermon at his funerall . piety . a et certè ea est semperque suit hominum omnium etiam piorum & chistianorum vita , vt semper etiam in optimis & castissimis moribus tamen aliquid possis desiderare . iewel . apol. aug. p. . b sanctorum vitam inveniri posse dicimus sine crimine : sine peccato autem qui se vivere existimat non id agit vt peccatum non habeat , sed ut veniam non accipiat . aug. enchir. tria faciunt theologum ; oratio , meditatio , tentatio . luther ▪ t●…s . author was exe●…cised in them all . psal. . ver . . iuuenal . grauity . s●…crates 〈◊〉 . . c. . zeale . a true argument that he sought not great things to himselfe . wisdome . charity . oratio funebrin laudem basilj . . his sickenesse . . . sam. . , . . * antè dies firme decem quàm exitet è corpore à nobis postulavit praesentibus , ne quis adeum ingredetetur , nisi ijs tantum horis quibus medici ad inspiciendum intrarent , velcum ei inferretur refectio , & ità observatum ac factum est , & omni illo tempore orationi vacabat . possid . de vit . august . . isay . * he had five children , one sonne , and foure daughters . * a iustice of peace in northhampton s●…re , whose vertuous memorie i can never th●…nke of but in the phrase of the apostle , the world was not worthy of him , heb. . * contra syco phantae morsum non est remedium ▪ sen. . ob. ans. invita calui . per theodor. pez . & melch. adam . * oportet imperatorem stantem mori . xiphil . in vita vespat . * dr. humphrey in the life of ●… . iewell . . tim . 〈◊〉 . ●… . a ●…rapula & ●…brietate quae honestatem corum deformant omnes omnino clerici abstineant & vigilanter . steph. in concil . oxon. * m. s. sr. rob. cotton . consistit haec deformitas in vanitate habitus . item in mala societate . item deformatur haec honcstas , cum clericus seimmiscet in negotijs socularibus . itē intendendo mimis & joculatoribus . item tabernas ingrediendo , nisi tempore itineris . item ad aleas & taxillos ludendo , vel eisdem interessendo . item quocunque ornatu superstuo utendo . lindwood lib. . de vi . & honest . cleric . fol. . b. iewell apol. * veteres canones apo stolorum illum episcopum , qui simul & civilem ma gistratum & ecclesiasticam functionem obite velit , ju bent ab officio sununoveri . can. . iew. pol. pag. . luke . . notes for div a -e * quae lingua , vel quis intellectus cape●…e sufficit illa superna civitatis quanta sint gaudia ; angelorum choris interesse , cum beatissimis spiritibus gloriae conditoris assistere , praesentem de●… vultum cernere , incircumscriptum lumen videre , nullo mortis metu affi●… , incorruptionis perpetuae munere laetari , &c. gregor . hom. ●… ▪ in evang. dies , hora , momentum , evertendisdominationibus su●…icit , quae adamantinis credebantur radicibus esse fundatae . casaub. repentè quidem alta seculi co●…unt , pulchra transe●…nt . nam cum stare in his floribus suis mundus cernitur , repentinâ fortunâ turbat●… : aut festinâ , & omnia deturbante morte cōcluditur . vana ergò sunt gaudia seculi , quae quasi manentia blandiuntur : sed amatores suos , citò transeundo decipiunt . greg. in reg. cap. . vnto all dominions god hath set their periods : who , though he hath giuen to man the knowledge of those waies , by which kingdomes rise and fall ; yet hath le●…t him subiect vnto the affections which draw on these fatall changes in their times appointed . sr walter rawleigh p. . lib. . cap. . sect. ▪ the ruine of the goodliest peeces of the world , f●…re ▪ shewes the dissolution os the whole . heb. . ●… . luke . . iob . sam. . . . se●… basil. tom. . pag. . dies , 〈◊〉 , momentum , evertendis dominationibus sufficit , quae adamantinis credebantur radicibus esse funda●…ae . casaub. iob . . acts . . cant. . . iob . ▪ , . psal. . , . rom. ●… . . a pet. . . b ●…eb . . , . isa. ●… . ●… , &c. c isa. . , . and . , . ●…em . . cor. . . d prov. . ●… . hebr. . , . rev ●… isa. . psal . , hos. . , . isa. . . and ●… . , , . and . . psal. . . e psal. . . & . & ▪ . isa. . . and . , ●… and . . ier. . . mic ▪ . . f deut. . . p●…alme . . proverb . . . pet. . , . ●…am . . . g isa . and . . and . . prov. . . psal. . . h dan. . ●… ▪ & . , zech. . . pet. . , . i ioh. . rom. . , ●… , . isa. . . iam. . , . k iob . . iam. . ●… . and. . ●… . psal. . . l cor. . . cor . . m isa. . , , . and . psal. . n iob , . psal. . , , . and. ●… ▪ ●… . and . . o isa. . . * quanta adversus eum jacula missa ▪ quanta admota tormenta ? jactura rei familiaris infligitur : numcrosae sobolis orbitas irrogatur : dives in censu dominus ; & in liberis pater di●…ior : nec dominus repentè , nec pater est . accedit vulnerum vastitas , & tabescentes , ac dcfluentes artus vermium quoque edax poena consumit , &c. nec tamen iob gravibus & densis conflictationibus frangitur , quo minus inter illas angustias & pressuras suas dei benedictio victrice patientiâ praedicetur . cyprian . de'bono patientiae . nihil in domo remanserat , omnia in uno ictu perierunt , quibus opulentus paulò antè videbatur . subitò mendicus in stercore sedet , a capite usque ad pedes vermibus scatens . quid istâ miseriâ miserius ? quid interiore foelicitate foelicius ? perdiderat omnia illa quae dederat devs , sed habebat ipsum qui omnia dederat devm . — certè pauper est , certè nihil habet . si nihil remansit , d●… quo thesauro istae gemmae laudi●… dei proferuntur ? — o virum putrem , & integrum ; o foedum & pulchrum ; o vulneratum & sanum ; o in stercore sedentem , & in coelo regna●…tem ! august . de temp. serm. . levit. . ▪ a in the equity of an holy and jus●… proportion , wee must expect as well ill as good , at th●… hands of god. what ? ( saith iob ) shall wee receive good at the hand of god , and shall wee not receive evill ? cap. . . b magis timere debemus ▪ si aut nullas , aut parvas tribulationes in hoc saeculo patimur : quia si devs flagellat omnem filium quem recipit , sine dubio quē non flagellat , non recipit : aus●… de temp. se. m. . c quid indigna●… querclae & indignatio nil aliud , quam accessio mali sunt ; nihil enim tam exasperat fe●…vorem vulneris , quàm serendi impatientia . omnis indignatio in tormentum suum proficit . sic laqueos fera dum jactat , astringit ; sic aves viscum , dum trepidantes excutiunt , plumis omnibus illinunt : nullum tam arctum est jugum , quod non minus laedat ducentem , quàm repugnantem vnum est levamentum malorum ingentium etiam pati , & necessitatibus suis obsequi . quid igitur mor●…o corporis , animi morbum addere juvat , teque miseriorem facere murmurando , &c. ester ●… . , , . a hic subaudienda imprecatio , dispeream , &c. mer●…in loc. b quidam hoc ita exposuerūt , quasi iobus profiteretur , se solem & lunam non adorasse : quià antiquis ea superstitio valdè usitata erat , praesertim in oriente : — is verò sensus verus quidem est , sed tamen loco praesenti non convenit : iobus hic voluit aliâ similitudine uti , & equidem juxta sermonem , quem jam habu●…mus de eo quod professus est se nullâ superbiâ & arrogantiâ laborasse , &c. calv. in loc . c si laetatus sum , inquit , multis mihi affluentibus undique divitijs , si recondidi aurum in pulverem , si spem in pretiosis lapidibus habui . haecille . proptereà nec quum erepta quidem omnia subitò essent , turbatus est , quippe qui praesentibus non delectantur , &c. — quas omnes ob res mecum ipse plerumque admitari s●…leo , quare in mentem diabolo venit , exercitationes istius non ignoranti , tot tantosque adversus ipsum cogitasse labores . cur igitur illi venit in mentem ? truculentissima certè bestia nunquam solet despera●…e victoriam , quod ad condemnationem nostram spectat : nam ille nunquam , ut dixi , nostram desperat perditionem : nos de salute nostrâ saepius desperamus . chrysost. hom. . in m●… . d quid sunt ●…os humanae ? cinis ▪ pulvis , sumus , umbra , solia ●…dentia , ●…los , somnium , fabula , ventus , aër , penna mobilis , ●…da decu●…ens , & si quid istis inserius chrysost in epist. ad heb. h●…m . . inquiramus , si placet , quae sunt illa prae sentis vit●… p●… 〈◊〉 divitiae , glo●…ia , potenti●… , magnum ex●… ab hominibus ? sed videbis nihil illis esse i●…certius , — 〈◊〉 vid●…ti 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , aliqua pars ejus , eò quod 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 siunt ima , & ima summa : ita & nostra●…um re●…um imp●…tus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ve●…untur summa facit in●…ma : ut videre 〈◊〉 indivitijs , potenti●… , 〈◊〉 . nunquam enim in e●…dem ●…atu manent , sed semper inflabiles , fluminum fluxus imitantur . idem . hom. de nomine abram . e poma gomorrhaea pulchra quidem sunt , sed cum frangu●…ur in vagum pulve●…em fatiscunt . f anacreo●… quinque talentis poly●…rate donatus , cum per duas noctes pro ipsis solicitus fuisset , reddidit ●…a , inquiens ; no●… tanti esse quatâ ipsorum nomine curâ laboraret . st●…b . cap. . zeph. . , ▪ g no torture of body like unto it , no strappado's , hot-irons ▪ phalaris buls , all feares , griefes , suspicions , discontents are swallowed up and drowned in this euripus , this ●…sh sea , this ocean of misery , as so many small b●…ooks . this is th●… quintessence of humane adversity ; all other diseases whatsoever are but flea-bi●…ings to melancholy in extent . 't is the pith of them all and a melancholy man is that true prometheus which is bound to caucasus the true titius , whose bowels are still by a vul●…r d●…voured , is poe●…s seigne , and so do●…h litius gi●…aldus interpret it , of anxieties , and those gripi●…g ●…ares . in all other maladies whatsoeuer we seeke for help●… : if a leg or an orme ake through any d●…stemperature ●…r wound : or that we have any ordinary disease , above all things whatsoever , we desire helpe and health , a present recovery , if by any means possi●…ly it may be procured we will ●…ly part with all our other substance , endure any miserie , drink ▪ bitter pot●…ons , swallow those 〈◊〉 pills , suff●…r our joints to be seared ▪ to be cut off , any thing for future health ; so sw●…et , so dea●… , so precious above all other things in the world is life : but to ●… melancholicke m●…n , nothing so ted●…ous , nothing so odious ; that which they so carefully secke to p●…eserve , ●…e a●…res ; he alone , so intolerable are his paines . bur●…on of melanch . pag. . h a most lothsom●… and horrible disease in the haire , unheard of in former times , as morbus galli●…us , and sudor anglicus ; bred by moderne luxurie and excesse . it seizeth specially upon women ; and by reason of a viseous v●…imous humour , glues together ( as it were ) the haire of their head with a proaigious ugly implication and en●…anglement : sometimes taking the for me of a great snaks , sometimes of many little serpents : full of ●…astinesse , v●…rmine and noiso●…e smell : and that which is most to be admired , and never eye saw before , pricked with a needle , they yeeld bloudy drop●… ; and at the first spreading of this dreadfull dis●…se in poland , all that cut off this ●…orrible and snakie haire , lost their eyes , or the humour fall●…g dow●…e upon other parts of the body ▪ tortur'd them extremely . heare my author , that learned and famous professour of physicks in padua , hercules saxonia , in his ●…wue word : plica , est agglutinatio , vel invis●…atio quaedam pilorum ex humido viseido , lento ac glutinoso . nunc primum peruniversam ferè poloniam grassatur ; i●…ò verò per quasdam germaniae partes divagatur — maximam partem ●…oeminas in ▪ vadit : eos etiam qui ●…orriginem capitis , quam vulgus tineam vocat , medicamentis ●…epercutientibus represserunt : praetereà f●…minas , quae menstruis temporibus nonsatis purgantur . — quis non novum , mirabile , & horridum putet capillos ex prop●…ia naturâ planos , denussos a●… simplices , momento temporis sponte suâ sub coelo admodum ●…gido incrispari , paulo post e●…igi , involvi , atque indissolubili●…er conjungi , va●…ias recipere sigmas , quandoque maximi cujusdam anguis , aliquandò plurium & minotum se pentum , undique vermes , 〈◊〉 ●…oetoremque redolere : quodque omnium maximum est , & a saeculo inauditum , a●…u perpunctos , vel transfixos sanguinem essundere . — expertum est , qui tales sas●…iculos implicatorum peractè interse c●…nium deraserint , eos oculis cap●… . aut detluxibus ad alias partes corporis gravissi●…e to●…queri . it begun first not many yeares ago in poland . it is now entred into many parts of germany . and me thinks , our monstrous fashionists , both male and female ; the one for nour●…shine their horrid bush●…s of vanity ; the other for their most unnaturall and cursed cutting their haire should every houre feare and tremble , lest they should bring it upon their owne heads , and awor●… us in this kingdom●… ▪ prov. . i●…i . . . i flos est , hemerocallis , cujus vita & pulchritudodiaria est . sed & volucris ad hippanim fluvium est , hemerovio●… dicta , quae non ultra di●…m vivit ; sed ●…adem omnino luce , qu●… lucem inchoat , si●…it , mo●…ientique soli commoritur : eodemdie , pueri , ●…uvenis , ●…enis aetatem experta manè nascitur , miridie & viget , vesperi consenescit & moritur . animal●…lo huic ●…millima est humana vita . ad fluvium illa est perpetuò fluen●…is temporis , sed & 〈◊〉 est , magis quam avisulla , v●…l 〈◊〉 , & saepè o●…nissuae pompae di●…m uni ▪ cum , terminum habet , saepè horam , saepè pa●…iò pr●…ductius momentum . quid ergò annos meditamur & saecula , saepè brevior is aevi quam flor●… aut storum umb●…a , aut si quid umb●…ā vanius , brevius . ae●…ernit . pro●…ho . pag. . k optimè io●…us : et qui cum , inquit , viderant ▪ dicent ubi est ? velut somnium a●…olans non invenietur , ( somniare ina●…issimum , v●…lare celerrimum ) trans●…et sicut visio noctu●…na . vita quid est ' flos est , sumus est , umbra est , & umbrae umbra ; bulla , pulvis , spuma , ros , stilla , glacies est ▪ ●…idis arcus deficiens cereus , surculus pertusus , ru●…nosa domus , einis dolosus , dies 〈◊〉 , april●…s constantissimus , unicus testudinis tinnitus est ▪ hydria frac●…a ▪ 〈◊〉 rota , aranea●…m tela , maris guttula , vilis s●…ipula , sols●…itialis herba , brevis fabula , voluc●…is , seintilla , tristis nebula , vesica ven●…o plena , rut●…lans ad solem columbula ▪ vita , vit●…um tenerrimum , follum levissimum , filum subtilissimum , p●…mum aureum est , sed intus putridum , &c. si nihil est umbra , di●… quid umbrae somnium ? sexcenta mill●… talia de vitâ ●…umanâ rectè pronunciantur . mihi omnium rectissimè videntur dixisse , qui vitam vocant somnium umbrae brevissimum ▪ compendio●…em dicamus ▪ vita est somnus , bulla , vitrum , glacies , flos , fabula , foenum , vmbra , cinis , punctum , vox , sonus , au●…a , nihil . ibid. vita praesens figura est & deceptio , & a somnijs nihil dissert●… ergo mens ea est pu●…rilis , quae ad umbras spectat , de somnijs superbi●… , & rebus fhixis alligatur . chrysost ▪ in gen. hom. ▪ l videntur omnia repentina graviora . — praemeditatio futuro●…um malorum lenit corum adventū . tusc 〈◊〉 . lib . quoniam mul●…um po●…est provisio animi , & praeparatio ad minuendum do sorem , 〈◊〉 s●…mper omnia ●…omim 〈◊〉 meditata . haec est illa praestans & divina sapientia : — nihil 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 acciderit : nihil , antequam 〈◊〉 , non ●… ▪ venire posse a. bit●…ari 〈◊〉 ib●…d . mani qui 〈◊〉 aud●…ta a docto me●…inissem viro , futaras 〈◊〉 comment ●…bar miserias : aut mo●…tem acerbam , aut ex●…lij moestam 〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉 aliquam molem meduabar mah ; vt 〈◊〉 invecta ●…as casu sor●… , ne me imparatam 〈◊〉 laceraret repens . ●…uripid . quamobrem omnes , cum secundae sunt maximè , tum maximè meditari secum opo●…tet , quo pacto adversam aerumnam serant : pe●…ida , damna , exilia peregie reatens semper cogitet : aut silij 〈◊〉 , aut uxo●…is mortem , aut mo●…bum sili●… : 〈◊〉 esse hec , fieri posse : ut ne quid animo sit novum : q●…quid ●…aeter spem evenia●… omme id deputare esse in luc●…o . terent. drumes a 〈◊〉 th●…s 〈◊〉 and preparation , but upon better grounds , and by the rules 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 very powerfull to s●…able us to passe more patiently thorow crosses when they coma . 〈◊〉 ita praemedita●… 〈◊〉 ; sucrat , ut ad omnia ingenti animo 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to●…ius substanti●… , & tam multarum terum ●…acturam , ad filiorum amarissimum obitum , ad uxoris affectum , ad acerba cornoris ulcera , ad injusta amicorum opprobrla , ad ancillarum contemptum atque servorum . chrys●… . in mat. hom. . nullus sit casus , quem non meditatio tu●… perveniat : nullus s●…t casus , quite impatatum inven●…t : propone 〈◊〉 esse quod tubi accidere non possit . bern. de interiori dom cap ●… . mens solicita antequam agere quod libet incipiat , omnes sibi , quas pati potest 〈◊〉 propo●…at : quatenus redemptoris sui probra cogitans , ad adversa se 〈◊〉 que nimirum venientia tantò fortius excipit , quantò se cautius ex praesci●… 〈◊〉 qui enim improvidu●… ab adversitate deprehenditur , quasi ab hoste 〈◊〉 ●…nvenitur : e●…nique 〈◊〉 inimiens necat , quia non repugnantem perforat . nim qu●… mala 〈◊〉 per solicitudinem pernotat , hostiles incu●…sus quasi in in●… vigilans expectans : & indead victoriam valentèr accingitur , unde nesciens deprehendi putaba●…ur . solerter ergo an●…us ante actionis siae primordia , cuncta de●… adversa meditari ut semper haee cogitans , semper contra haec thorace patientrae manitus , & 〈◊〉 acciderit , providus superet : & quicquid non accesserit , lu●…rum 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 . lib. . cap . isa. . ●… . athanasius per sex annos va●…iè afflictus , in 〈◊〉 tandem , dum pet totum orientis imperium magna sedulitate exerci●…ibus quoque ad investigandum eum conductis ▪ quae●…retur , delituit . tantae molis erat christi consodere servum ; ut omnis imperij vis adversus unum hominem , qui devm habebat desensorem ▪ commoveretur proditus tandem per ancillam , quae ei ministrabat , ex dominorum suorum jussu , qui latebras athanasio praeparaverant , divino admoni●…us spiritu , ea nocte quà eum comprehendere veniebant ministri , aufugit . func●…ius ▪ ao. christi . cur verear chrysostomum appellare marty●…em , qui tot injurijs , tot contumelijs , tot afflictionibus , nec ad impatientiam perpelli , nec a propagandâ christianâ pietate depelli potuit . non percussus est securi , sed calu●…nijs omni securi acutioribus non ●…emel ictus est . hoc praemij vir optimus pro tam praeclaris in ecclesiam meritis retulit per episcopos orthodoxos , & sub imperatore christiano . in vita chrysost. per erasm . rhoterod . quis non putasset lutherum in tanto cunctorum odio , & invidiâ , cui totus penè mundus insidiabatur , etiam ille cujus pedibus imperatores olìm cogebantur cervices 〈◊〉 non ●…lle mo●…tes occubiturum ? &c. ●…rightm ▪ in cap. . apo●…aly . n ioannes per celebrem illam concionem in ecclesiam recitavit , cujus exordium est : herodias denuò insa●…re , denuò commoveri , denuò saltare pergit : denuò caput iohannis in disco accipere quarit . socrat. hist. eccles. lib. . cap. . o peccata tanta severitate arguebat , ac si ipse etiam per injuriam ●…aesus esset : & omnium ordinum delicta magnâ dicendi libertate taxabat : ita quidem , ut etiam ducum ( evtropij & gain●… ) imò ipsius imperatoris errata reprehenderet . — omnes propemodum ordines in se concitavit . — clerici & aulici occultè suas & ipsi operas adjungebant . osiand . hist eccl●…s . cent. . lib. . cap. . p vbi autem in cappadoci●… provinciam vcnimu●… , multi sanctorum patrum chori — juges lachrymarum fontes effundentium , & flentium , eò quod in exilium nos prosi●…isci videbant ; dicebantque tolerabilius fuisse , si sol radi os suos retraxisset obscuratus , qua quod os i●…hannis tacuit . epi●… . q milites praefecti praetorij , qui illum deducebant , non dissimulabant sibi promissa praemia magnifica , si 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in itinere moreretur . itaque mensibus ●…bus per imbres , per aestus , sine ulla refrigeratione corpusculi durissimum iter pert●…ht , erasm in vitâ chrysost. r etenim ego cum a civitate fugarer , nihil horum cuzabam , sed dicebam intra memet ipsum : si quidem vult regina me exulem , agat in exilium . domini & terra & plenitudo ejus . et si vult s●…care , secet . idem passus est & esaias . si vult in pelagus mittere ; im●… recordabor : si vult in caminum in ●…cere , idem passi sunt 〈◊〉 ●…lli pueri . si 〈◊〉 feris vult objicere , objiciat : daniclis in lacum leombus object●… 〈◊〉 . si me lapidare vult , lapidet me : stephanum habeo primum 〈◊〉 socium si & caput tollere vult , tollat : habeo socium iohannem baptistam . si & substantiam aufe●…e , auferat . nudus exivi de utero matris , nudus etiam abibo . me adm●…net apostolus , etsi adhuc hominibus placerem , servus christi utique non essem . armat me & david , d●…cens : loquebar coram regibus , & non confundebar . multa quidem adversus me consinxerunt , & dixerunt , quod ad communionem non jejunos receperim . et si quidem hoc feci , expungatu●… nomen meum ex albo episcoporum , & non scribatur in lib●…o orthodoxae fidei : quoniam ecce si tale quid admisi , 〈◊〉 me etiam christvs e regno suo . si autem pergunt hoc mihi objicere & contendere ; deponant & paulum , qui postquam coenavit , totam domum baptizavit . deponant & christvm ipsum , qui postquam coenatum ●…st , apostolis communionem dedit . dicunt quod cum muliere dormiverim : exuite me , & inveni●…tis membrorum meorum mortificationem . sed haec omnia per invi●…iam excogita●…unt . iohannes exul , cyriaco episcopo exuli . tom. ▪ epist. ●… . psal. . . gal. ▪ . psal. . . s invitis , diabolo , persecutoribus , papis●…s , athanasius & ●…utherus , nobile heroum par , placidissimâ morte ex hâc vitâ excesserunt . heare the story : athanasius post multiplicia certamina ▪ ( qualia vix ullum e●…clesiae doctorem sustinuisse legimus ) placidissimá morte ex hac vitâ excessit : cum ab initio usque ad finem sui episcopatus alexandrinae ecclesiae praefuisset quadraginta sex an●…is : adversus quem ●…otus penè orbis conspiravit . neque tamen ( ut d. d. lutherum ) eum violent●… morte ex hoc mundo exturbare potuit . osiand . hi●… . eccles. cent. . lib. . cap. . t nehem. cap. . . be not sorie , for the joy of the lord is your strength . psalme . . whom have i in heaven but thee ? and there is none upon earth , that i desire besides thee . u hos. . . i will love them s●…eely ier. . . i have loved thee with an everlasting love . x psal. . . in his favour is life . y exo . . the lord , the lord god mercifu●… and gracious , &c. z luke . — butrather rejoyce because your names are written in he●…ven . a col . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 b zech. . . in that day there shall be a fountaine opened , &c. c pet. . . d isa. . , . comfortye , comfortye , &c. — her iniquity is pardoned . e eph . . the new man after god is created in righteousnesse and true hol●…nesse . f psal. . . in thy presence is fulnesse of joy , at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore . g iob . . rom. . . isa. . . * psal. . ●… l quum nem●… in arenâ seipsum exerceat , quomodò aliquis in certamine insignis erit & conspicu●…s ? quis unquam athleta non ab incunte adolescentia in palaestrâ corrobora●…s , potuit in olympicis , excelso , ac magno animo adversarium aggredi ▪ an non oportet quotidiè luctari atque currere ? nonne videtis ●…os quos quinque certaminum athletas appellan●… , quum nullum fortè reluctatorem repererint , ad saccum arenâ plenum , vires suas excitare . — ●…os imitari stude — sunt enim multa quae ad irae no●… rabi●…m incitant , multa quae concupiscentiae flammam incendunt . insurge igitur contra passiones , vinca●… animi labores , ut corporis quoque labores possis perferre . chrys. in mat. h●…m . . t it ●… . life of ●…aith in death . pag. 〈◊〉 . m in christ●… morte mors obijt . gregor . in reg. cap. . n nay , but beare the prophet : it is a people of no understanding : therefore he that made them , will not have mercy on them ; and he that formed them , wil shew them no savour . isa. ●… . ●… . iob. . . psal. ●… . . col. . . mat. . , . * that sa●… may worke our finall over throw , it is his usuall custome to tell the true believing christian that he is destitute of saith ; and contrariwise the 〈◊〉 worldling , that he hath a strong saith ; whereas in truth , there is nothing in him , but secure pre●… down ▪ christ. warf . cap. . iob . ma●…k ▪ . . ●… cor. . . pet . , . gal. . ●… , . isa. . ●… . acts . . * and yet the apostle saith , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ●… . . . reprove them sharply , severely , cu●…gly ; of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quemadmodū m●…us , qui b●…li vult mede●…i , amaris utitur pharmacis , ita obdurati , prae●…racti , atque contumaces homines duris & severis verbis arguendi sunt : malo enim nodo malus quaerendus est ●…unens . mega●…der in 〈◊〉 . vt caro quae callo obdu●…uit non sacilè accipit vib●…ces plaga●…um , nisi improbis & crebris ictibus ▪ ita animus assuetus peccatis , non commovetu●… correctione nisi seve●…ā & ac●…i . idem ibid. haec ●…hementia & severitas , quam hic paulus in pastore requirit , non vacat omni i●…á : quam & christvm invasisse evangelista testis est . ma●… . . . haec autem justa est , & pia●…ra , quam scripturae vocant zelum dei , cum sit iracundia amore dei & pietatis excitata : qualis christvm invasit cum negotiatores expulite domo patris sui . ioh. . . hoc loco non alienos dicit , sed domesticos esse coarguendos . theophylactin l●…c neque alienos solùm hic taxat paulus , sed cos nominat●…m qui christo nomen dederant . calvin . in cap . ad tit. for of all others , those which give their names to religion , and are unsound at the heart-root : who mony times also most fearefully and scandalous●…y shame their p●…osession , and cause the good way to be evill spoken of , by their worldlinesse , pride , fashions , 〈◊〉 tonguednesse , passions ●…y , detaining church dues , cowardlinesse in good causes , impatiency of ministeriall reproofe , i●… it crosse them in their commodit●… , strangenesse of apparell , intimate correspondence with the prophan●… , &c irreligiousnesse of their servants and f●…llowers , &c. are to be scarched thorowly , and most severely censured , that they may be saved at the length , truly humbled , christians indeed , and not onely in their owne conceipt , and such as god would have them . * orbis medicos ad te convoca ; podaly●…ios , machao●…as ▪ aesculapios , hippocrates & galenos omnes reviviscere ●…ube , non hi omnes vel horulam annis tuis apponent , ultra quam velit devs . pharmacopolia exhau●…as , aurum & uniones glutias ut vitam extendas , tamen terminos , qui praeteriri non poterunt , non promovebis . cautus sis , quantum velis , vitae pericula omnia declines , morborum principijs obstes , numerum mensium non augebis . op●…es , vovea●… , roges , nihil agis ; vitae tuae termini jam constituti sunt , nec unquam , ( quicquid resistas ) praeteriri poterunt . — ciborum tibi praestantissimorum copia sit & selectus ; vini slorem bibas ; nunquam labores nisi ad sanitatem ; ●…artum somni capias , quantum & i ex archiatrorum , & ratio valetudinis poscit ; ad numerum caleas & algeas , nihilo-minùs mortalis eris , & ubi vitae tuae metam contigeris , age , valedie rebus humanis , & ad rationem reddendam te para : tribunal te vocat . psal. . , . * contemne vivens , quae post mortem habere non potes ▪ dissicile est , imò impossibile ut praesentibus quis ●…rnatur bonis , & futuris ; ut hic ventrem , & illic mentem impleat , ut de delicijs tra●…seat ad delicias , ut in terra & in coelo gloriosus appareat . bern de interiori domo . cap. . mar. . , . * ●…ertur idianum cum summam 〈◊〉 romani administ●…et , istum valentinianum , qui praefectus 〈◊〉 erat , ex albo militum qui in exercitu ioviniani vocabantur , ex emisse , & 〈◊〉 addixisse exssio : simulatione quidem quòd milites sibi subjectos , cum contra hostes pugnandum esset , parum commodè instruxerat , sed revera hinc inductus est . cum iulianus ad●…ue in gallia , que ad occidentem solem vergit , aetatem ageret , ad quoddam delubrum ivit sacrificatum : simulque cum eo fuit valentinianus . nam romanis vetu erat mos , ut praefecti militum , qui ioviani & herculiani vocabantur imperatorem proxime a tergo praesidij causâ sequerentur . valentinianus autem ●…um esset lime delub●…i transgressurus , & sacerdos ritu gentilitio virides olivae ramusculo madefactos manu tenens , introtuntes illos aspergeret guttâ in suam vestem dela●…â , aegre admodum & graviter tulit . christianus enim erat , & propterea sacerdotem , qui ipsum aquâ asperserat , & convicijs adoritur . aiunt preterea cum etiam imperatore iuliano inspectante tantum vestis suae cum ipsa guttâ excidisse , abjecisseq , quantum gutta madefecerat . vnde iulianus ei admodum incensus , iratusque non multo post condemnavit exilio , ut nimirum melitinam , utbem armeniae perpetuo incoleret , causa quidem simulatâ , quod milites sibi subjectos negligenter admodum gubernasset . noluit enim videri propter religionem ullo cum afficere incommodo , ne inde aut martyris , aut consessoris honos illi tribueretur : siquidem hac de causa alij●… etiam christianis pepercerat , quia videret eos ex periculotum susceptione ( uti supra demonstratum est ) tum gloriam sibi consequi , tum religionem ac fidem christi vehementer confirmare . ac simul ut imperium romanum ioviano delatum est , iste valentinianus ab exilio nicaeam revocatus , mortuo jam fortè iuliano , & consilio ab exercitu & his qui tum primos magistratus ge●…ebant , inito , omnium sussragijs imperator deligitur . sozom. histor. ecclesiast . lib. . cap. . a apostolis , postquam domi reliquissent omnia , omnium fidelium domus erant apertae , ut loco unius aediculae centum haberent dominos : omnesque fidelium agri apostolis quoque suum fructū &c necessaria ferebant , ut rectè paulus scripserit , cor . apostolos esse tanquam nihil habentes , & tamen omnia possidentes . sic ubi unum patrem , unam matrem , pauculos fratres , & sorores reliquerunt , alibi centum fideles invenerunt , qui paterno , materno & fraterno animo eos prosecuti sunt . harmon . evang. cap. . b centuplaigitur ista , hoc est multò plura animus recipit , non centuplo modosed infinito , majore tum volup●…ate utens mod●…eis illis , quaecunque ad vitam praesen , tem in persecutione dominvs dederit , quantilibet tribulationibus circundatus . quam ante cognitum evangelium , usus suerat ijs , quae reliquit bucer . in cap. . matth. interim suos exh●…rat devs , ut illis pluris sit , longèque suat vius tantillum boni quo fruentur , 〈◊〉 si extra christvm illis asslueres immensa honorum copia . 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . i. e. quae centie tanti sint , nempè quod ad verum usum , & commoda hujus etiam vitae attinet : si modo ●…lla non ex copijs & cu●…tate nostra , sed ex dei nostri voluntate , ( quae una est certissima bonorum regula ) metiamur : adeò ot fideles in media etiam egestate hujus promissionis eventum sentiant : itaque perridiculus erat iulianus ille apostata , quum hunc locum exagitans , quaerere nicentum etiam uxores habituri essent christiani . beza in cap. . marti . c the life of galeacius caracciolus , the noble marquesse of v●…o in the kingdome of naples . cap. . ●… fore dicit , ut in medijs etiam persecutionibus centuplo sint foelicrores , quàm unquam artea , qui christvm omnibus hujus vitae ●…ommedis antepesuerint . i. d in i●…d . e●…e qui reliquerit pauem , & elegerit sibi patrem div●… , uno ei plus , 〈◊〉 centuplum constat recepisse , &c — qui reliquerit fratrem , ut habeat christvm fratrem , nonne meli●…n erit ei quam centum fratres ? — si dimittit substantiam , ab omnibus diligitur , ab omnibus honoratur , a quibusdam autem & timetur . nam ipse devs cui se tradidit , dat ei gratiam coram omnibus : nonne melius est ei hoc , quam universa terra ? incertus author in mat. hom. . ne quis suspicetur quod dictum est solis congruere discipulis : dilatat promissionem ad omnes qui similia faciunt : habebunt enim pro carnalibus cognatis , familiaritatem & fraternitatem cum deo ; pro agris paradisum ; & pro lapideis aedibus supernam hierusalem , &c. theophylact. in cap. . mat. quamvis pios semper in hoc mundo persecutiones maneant , & quasi eorum tergo crux adhaereat , tam dulce tamen est condimentum gratiae dei , quae ipsos exhilarat , ut illorum conditio regum delicijs optabilior sit . calv. ibid. e relinquere aliquid propter nomen christi , sive propter christvm , est christvm praeronere omnibus , & super omnia amare : ita eum esse cha●…um pectori nostro , ut illius gratiâ parati s●…nus omnia relinquere quantum is chara , quae nos alliciunt , aut inducunt , aut etiam cogunt , ut aliquid faciamus , quod fit contra ejus gloriam . musc. f colligemus ex hâc paupertate virum illum fuisse constantem in verâ & sanâ religione : quia si deficere voluisset , ad cultum iezabelis , & impij regis , victus & justae facultates ei non defuissent . pet. mart. in loc . g i will give them an ever lasting name that shall not bee sut off . isa. . prov. . . h heare calvin in his epistle to him , before his commentary upon the first to the corinth . etsi neque tu plausum theatri app●…tis , uno teste deo contentus neque mihi propositum est laudes tuas ena●…are : quod tamen cognitu ●…le est a●… fructuosum , non prorsus celandi sunt lectores : hominem primariâ familiâ natum , honore & opibus florentem ; nobilis●…imâ & castissima ●…xore , numerosâ sobole , domesti●… quiete & concordia , totoque vitae statu beatum , ultro , u●… in christi castra mig●…aret , pat●…iâ cessisse : ditionem fertilem & amoenar●… , lautum patrimonium , commodam non minùs , quàm voluptuosam habitationem neglexisse : exuiss●… splendo●…em domesticum ; patie , conjuge , liberis , cognatis , a●…sinibus sese pri●…asse , &c. * in cunctis quidèm rebus necessari●… est providentia ; in ijs tamen maximè , quae amplius quam semel fieri n●…queunt : ubicunq ▪ pes lapsus fuerit , actum est : unu●… error multa trahit errorum millia . haec ratio mortis est ; unicus in eâ error , infinitos trahet errores : hic semel errasse , aeternum est peri●…sse . lamachus centurio , admissi erroris increpabat militem , qui ut culpam dilueret , de●…nceps nil tale admissurum se promisit . cui centurio : in bello , inquit , bone vir non licet bis peccare plutarch . in lacon . in morte , eheu , nec vel semel quidem peccare licet . nam hoc tale peccatum est i●…evocabile . semel mortuuses , semper mortuus es : semel malè mortuus es , semper damnatus es . hanc mortem corrigere , han●… damnationem excutere , per omnem aeternitatem non poteris . * caveamus 〈◊〉 op●…lum 〈◊〉 . quot hominum nu●…lia v●…l han●…●…nam ob cau●…am male 〈◊〉 , quia distulerant minime disserenda . q●…d crastinum , quid perendinum saluti tuae destinas ? crast●…us dies t●…s non est : hodiernus est . hodiè queso , ha●… ho●… , jam age quod agendum est . cras , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ub●… tu 〈◊〉 ? * modò jam discamus pericula vicina nosse , quae facilè cavet , qui praevidet . non parùm interest ●… terrâ spectes naufragium passi sunt , & irreparabile , quot quot ad orcum praecipitati sunt ; nec in portum unquam pervenient . aeternitatis igneum mare , carcer aeternus hos naufragos jam sepelivit . * si conscientia sit inquinata , nihil ●…spiam nec in r●…bus conditis , ne●… in conditore solatij est reperire : omnia a cerba , fellea omnia : et quò profugias ? ad devm ? hostis est . ad conscientia●… ? 〈◊〉 est . ad coelites ? offensi sunt . a●… socios ? augebunt cruciatus . ad delitias & voluptates ? conscientiam magis inquinabunt . &c. * for secret and private , many thousands of christians can speak very admirable , glorious , and extraordinary things : of publike thus speakes a learned doctor . to god●… glory , and to the ●…opping of our adversaries mouthes , the papists , ( who kn●…w not what the true exercise of fasting meaneth ) it is to be acknowledged , that howsoever we have not beene so frequent in this exercise , as were to be wished ▪ yet notwithstanding , upon diverse publike occasions ▪ there have beene publike fasts observed and sol●…nized among us with good and happy successe : as for example ; in the time of the great plague ▪ anno . after the great earth-quake , anno . after intelligence had of the spanish invasion , anno . in the time of the great famine , anno & . and ●…ow of late in this time of the pestilence , anno . besides the private and secret fasting of the ●…aithfull , as it hath pleased god ●…o moove them , either by private , or publike occasions . d ● . downam , now bishop in ireland . the christians sanctuary . sect. pag . nay , heare king charles himselfe ▪ graciously acknowledging gods extraordinary goodnesse in hea●…ing our prayers in publike fasts blessedly appointed by his owne royall command : and whereas the greatest confidence men have in god ▪ ariseth , not onely from his promi●…s , but from their experience likewise of his goodnesse , you must not ●…aile often to re-call to the memory of the people with thankefulnes , the late great experience we have had of his goodnes towards us : for , the three great and usuall judgments which he darts dow●…e upon disobedient and unthankefull people , are pestilence , famine and the sword. the pestilence did never rage more in this kingdome than of late ; and god was graciously pleased in mercy to heare the prayers , which were made unto him ; and the ceasing of the judgement was little l●…sse than a miracle . the famine threatned us this present yeare , and it must have followed , had god rained downe his anger a little longer upon the fruits of the earth . but upon our prayers he stoyed that judgement , and sent us a blessed season , and a most plentifull harvest , &c. instructions directed from the kings most excellent majestie , &c. pag. penul●… . * nota quo demùm tempore conspiciant improbi ac obstinati christi gloriam , nempè non priùs quàm ipsum persequ●…i suerint , ac tum quidèm cogentur ●…um videre cum admiratione maximā & stup●…e ; & cum dolore conscientiae ineffabili , cum videbunt judicem sibi constitui cum , quē tàm indignis modis tractârunt in vitâ istâ . nemo est ▪ qui non id serat aeg●… , si quem interfecit , ●…um habeat sibi judicem . ro●…oc . in iohan. cap. . mihi pag. . * flammas infernales sustinebit , ubi est fletus & st●…idor dentium , ubi ●…lutarus , lamentatio & poeniten●…a sine ull●… reme dio , ubi est vermis ille , qui non moritur , & ignis qui nunquam extinguitur ; ubi mors quaeritur , & non invenitur . quare in inferno mors quaeritur & non invenitur ? quà quibus in hoc saeculo rita offertur , & nolunt accipere ▪ in inferno quae●…uat mortem , & non poterunt invenite vbi e●…it nox sine di●… ▪ amaritudo sine 〈◊〉 , obscuritas sine lumine , &c. aug. de ●…emp . serm. . * thy conscience shall then be suddenly , clearely , and universally irradiated and enlarged with extraordinary light , to lookt upon all thy life at once , as it were : causae cognitio sita est in revelatione omnium , quae quisque per vitam universam fecerit , dixerit , cogitârit . voss de iud. extr. p. . thes. . atq●…id est quo●… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 de aperiendis libris de apoc. . . nempe per apertionem librorum ●…gnificatur , ut uni●…uique conscientia sua ( nec enim opus erit testibus externis ) sugge●…ura si●… omnem suam vitam idem . ibid. iuditium sedit , & 〈◊〉 &c ] conscientiae & opera singulorum in utramque partem , vel bona vel mala omnibus ●…cvelantur ▪ hieron . in ●…an . . quaedam igitur vis est intelligenda divina ; quâ fiet , ut cuique opera sua , vel bona , vel mala cuncta in memoriam revocentur , & mentis intuitu m●…â celeritate cernantur : ut accuset , vel excuset scientia conscientiam ▪ atque it a simul & omnes & singuli judicentur . aug. de civit dei lib. . cap. . necesse igitur non e●…it , ut manifestatio fiat voce sensibili ac humanâ ; sed satis erit , si menti representetur , & ma●…festetur . hugo victorin . lib. de animâ . cap . in hoc judicio fiet ape●…tio librorum , sc. conscientiarum , quibus merita & demerita universorum sibi ipsis & cae●…eris innotescent , faciente hoc virtute illius libri ▪ vitae ; verbise . incarnati . bon. brevilo cap. . a hine sidelium peccata non prodibunt in judicium : quum enim in ist hac vita per sententiam justificationis 〈◊〉 ▪ te●…ta sunt & ablata ; & ultimum illud judicium confirmatio erit , & manifestatio ejusdem sententiae ; non esset consentaneum , ut in lucem denuò tum temporis proferantur . ames medul theol lib. cap ●… ▪ ●…ect . . b qui modo est advocatus noster , ipse tune erit iudex noster . — si haberes causam apud aliquem judicem agendan , & instrue●…es advocatum esse , susceptusab advocato , ageret causam tuam sicut posset ▪ & si non illam ●…inisset , & audires illum in judicio venturum , quantum gaude●…es , quià ipse potuit esse iudex tuus , qui fuit paulò antè advocatus tuus ? — quià advocatum praemisimus , securi iudicem venturum speremus . august , de tem. serm. . c sed tu quem times major est omnibus . ipse timendus est in publico , ipse in secreto . procedis , videris : intras , videris . lucerna a●…det , videt te : lucerna e●…tincta est , videt te . in cubile intras , videt te . in corde versaris , videt te . ipsum time , illum cui cura est , ut videat te , & vel timendo castus esto aut si peccare vis , quaere ubi te non videat , & fac quod vis . idem de verb. dom. serm . d in●…quitates tuae omnibus populis nudabuntur , & cunctis agminibus patebunt universa scelera tua , non solum actuum , verum cogitationum , & locutionum ▪ multa verò tune venient ex improviso , quasi ex insidijs , quae modò non vides , & forsitan plura & terribiliora his quae vides . vndique erunt tibi argustiae , hinc erunt accusantia peccata , tremenda justitia , subtus patens horridum chaos , desuper iratus iudex , intùs ve●…mis conscientiae , foris ardens mundus . bern. de corsc . ad fin. scio quod anima tamamaram , non aequè sert memoriam , sed cogamus cam , & constringamus . melius est nanc eam ipsa morderi memoria , quàm per illud tempus , supplicio ▪ si nunc peccatorum sis memor , & ea continuò proferas , & pro ipsis depreceris , ea citò delebis : si nunc verò fueris oblitus , tunc & invitus●…oram omni mundo ●…orum commonefies : ipsis in medium seferentibus , & coramostentantibus , & amicis & inimicis & angelis . chrysost ad pop. antioch . hom. . cum hosrelinquat , & captos angeli quidam invitostrahant , & lachrymis perfusos , & deorsum tacentes in gehennae flammas , priùs coram toto terrarum orbe ad dedecus productos ▪ quantum dolorem esse putas ? idem . hom. . detremendâ iudicij die . pensant sancti viri quanta sit illa verecundia in conspectu tunc humani generis , angelorum omnium archangelorumque confundi . mat. . . * though the sentence be pronounced generally , yet every reprobate wi●… take it to himselfe with infinite anguish of spirit by particular application . quaeritis a scholasticis , utrum unâ general●… sententiā , & electi recipiendi sint in coelum , & reprobi con●…iciendi in gehennam . sanè sic videtur , quià non nisi generalis a mattheo sententia adfertur . tamen dixerit aliquis , opus esse , ut sua singulis sententia dicatur , quià & praemiorum & poena●…um ce●…i erunt gradus . ad hoc plerique respondent , sensibili quidem voce pronunciatum i●…i sententiam generalem ▪ 〈◊〉 eam , quià particulatim omnes sciant , quantum praemium , quant●…e poena maneat ipsos , id cujusque menti esse representandum , ita ut ejus●…e manifestationis non minùs aperta alijs futura sunt judicia , quàm si singulis sua diceretur sententia . vossius de iud. extr . the. ●… . * beati coelites non tantum non cognatorum , sed nec pare●…tum sempiternis suppliei●…s ad ullam miserationem ●…entur . imo verò ●…tabuntur ●…usti cum viderint vindictam ; manus s●…as 〈◊〉 in sanguine pecc●…to rum . malum autem quem●… ▪ 〈◊〉 devs om nes●… ▪ bo●…i habebunt odio , ut 〈◊〉 ●…ilius quidem pietatem habe●… de 〈◊〉 in poenis conspecto . 〈◊〉 . de similitud . cat. . * damnati devm , sanctos , seips●…s , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ash●…uis execrationibus dev●…vebunt : pa●…entem ●…ilius , ●…ilium parens , matrem 〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉 ma●…er execrab●… omnes vi●… dies , annosque , & ipsam qua quisque●…tus est ho●…am maledictis onerabit . * poena damni , 〈◊〉 divinae visionis privatio , omnium omninò supp●…orum summum est , quo devs hominem punire potest . nam 〈◊〉 videre devm , ipsissima beatitudo est : ità , devm videre non posse , maxima damnatorum poena est , equâ inexplicabilis in eorum voluntate na●…itur tristitia . inter supplicia omnia hoc futurum est summum , maximumquè , a conditoris aspect●… vel brevi morulâ detineri . si jam ab eodem exclusus sis aeternùm , hoc tibi tormentum ●…rit infandum prorsus & inexplicabile . * a deo ●…balienari ac separati , poenis etiam gehennae gravius est : sicut oculo , luce , etiamsi dolor absit , & animanti vitâ privari molestum est . basil. ascet. cap. . mihi pag. . intolerabilis est gehenna & illa poena : tamen licet quis innumeras ponat gehennas , tale nil dicet , quale illâ foelici excidere glo ▪ riâ , a christo odio habeti : audire , nesciovoi . chrysost . ad pop. antioch . hom. . mihi col. . omnia verò gehennae supplicia superabit ▪ devm non videre , & bonis carere , quae in potestate habuisti obtinere . bern. de inter . domo . cap. . videtur una tantum modò poena esse , comburi . siverò aliquis diligentèr expendat , duplex hoc invenit esse supplicium . qui enim in gehennâ uritur , & coelorum regnum prorsus amittit : quae cettè poena major est , quàm cruciatus ille flammarum . ●… chrysost. in mat. hom. . intolerabilis quidèm res est etiam gehenna : quis nesciat , & supplicium illud horribile ? tamen si mille aliquis ponat gehennas , nihil tale dicturus est , quale est a beatae illius gloriae honore repelli , exosumque esse christo , & audire ab allo : non novivos . ibid. * ▪ a etsi multi gehennamomnium malorum supremum atque ultimum putant●… ego tamen s●… censeo , sic assid●…è p●…dicobo , mul●…ò acerbius esse christvm ossendere , qu●… gehennae malis vexari . idem in mat hem . ad sin . b si hin●… , inquit a●…peccatt pudorem , & illine cernerem inferni horrorem , & necessatiò uni illorum haberem immergi , priùs me in insernum me●…gerem , quàm peccatum in me immitterem . mallem enim purus a peccato & innocens gehennam intrare , quàm peccati sorde pollutus coelorum regna tenere . anselm . de similitud . cap. . c potius , aiebat , in ardentem rogum insiluero , quâm ullum peccatum in devm commisero . in marg . d tyrannis prisca vix acerbio . es cruciatus ullos reperit , quam vivu●… slammis tradere , lentè exu●…ere , ass●…re . ●…gnia suppliciorum ultimum , gravissimum . sed ô mitem gehen●…am , ò temperatas ●…lammas , v●…l millies vivum comburi ! feralis haec sententia : mille h●…ras tole●…are stammas , c●…ptiv sinferor●…m longè 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , quàm si reo 〈◊〉 plecte●…do vi●…u fiat gratia e tormentum horribile prorsus , ●…e ▪ verb 〈◊〉 , homm in i●…ne emi●…us ac lent●… admoto tribus h●…is torreri vivum . quodnam igitu●… 〈◊〉 o devs , quàm ●…fandum , quàm incomprehe●…sum ▪ non duas , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , non unum al. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , non annum , a●…squè mille , ●…d aere nitate to●… ( qu●… 〈◊〉 ●…n ●…unquam tota 〈◊〉 ) & corpus & animam u●…i , necunquam comburi ! hi●… 〈◊〉 & 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . f ignis 〈◊〉 & nost●… nimium quantum diss ru●…t , & primò quidèm urendi 〈◊〉 . noster ig●…is augu●…tino pict●…s ▪ 〈◊〉 , sed ille alter , verus discrimen ingens , imò v●… ulla simili●…do verae , ae pictae flam●…ae quicquid hic 〈◊〉 , fabula est , 〈◊〉 est : quicquid hìc pateris , me●…issimus ludus 〈◊〉 ig●…ium umbia sunt ignes nostri ad illa inserorum incendia ; poenae quas hîc dependimus delic●…ae suut , ad illa nunquam desitt●…ra tormenta . g dicerem quidèm sic arsuros sine ullo corpore spiritus , &c. nisi coavenientèr ●…sponderi cernerem , talem fuisse illam slammam , quales oculi quos ●…evavit , & laz●…n vidit , qualis lingua cui humorem exiguum desideravit infundi , qualis digitus lazari , de quo id sibi fieri postulavit , ubi tamen erant sine corporibus animae . aug. de civit. dei. lib. . . metaphoricè loquitur de exitio reproborum , quod satis alioqui complecti non possumus , quemadmodum nec beatam , & immortalem vitam percipimus , nisi sub siguris quibusdam ingenio nostro accommodatis adumbretur : unde apparet quàm inepti & ridiculi sint sophistae , quide illius ignis naturâ & qualita●…e subtilius disscrunt ▪ atque in eo explicando variè se torquent . explodendae sunt crassae hujusmodi imaginatione●… , cum figuratè prophetam loqui intelligamus ▪ &c. cal. in isa. c v. ●…lt quod igni cruciandos dicit , nuper met aphoricam esse locutionem admonui : idque ex membro adjuncto apertè liquet . neque enim fingendi sunt è terrâ vermes , qui infidelium corda arrodant . idem in cap. . v. ●…lt . qui aeternum illum ignem , materialem & elementarem fingunt ; nature inferioris , & superioris ; temporis & aeternitatis modum consundunt . cum enim nihil materiatum & physicum capax sit proprietatum hyperphy sicarum , fieri non potest , ut corporeus ignis , quem pontificij scholasticorum auctoritate fre●… , ( nam patres hic dubitantèr loquuntur ) in tartaro statuunt , aeternitatis sit capax . — ad haec ▪ cum idom ignis sit paratus diabolo & hominibus impijs , mat. . . ignis autem corporeus non possit agere in spiritum ; planum fit , ignis imagine spirituale supplicium adumbrari . — porrò nulla omninò causa est , cur ibi statuatur ignis corporeus , cùm vermis morsus , quo mentis aestum figurari docent scholastici , ignis ustionem longè exuperet , exipsorum sententiâ . til. adhuc orthodox . syntog . p. . cap. . h scie●…dum scripturam ●…es futuri saec●…li rerum 〈◊〉 symbolis & imagin●…bus adumb●… so litam ; quemadmodum ●… l●…a p●…dia , rerum 〈◊〉 & 〈◊〉 typ●…s ; ●…à d●…a o●…um cruciatus ●…erum 〈◊〉 & acerbissima●…um 〈◊〉 ▪ ●…me , 〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉 dentium , ca●…e 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , ●…agno sulphu●…eo , &c. nobis depinge●…e . idem . ibidem . thesi. . i curio●…orum imo suri●… 〈◊〉 ignem hunc contentionis gladio , ul●…rà quam ●…as est , f●…dere . n●…s , aculeati 〈◊〉 quaest●…onum ●…icis , apinisque tanquam aegyp●…s 〈◊〉 ●…n sophista●…m 〈◊〉 ●…elictis , in hanc potius curam , toto pectore incumbere dece●… , ●…t igne●… i●…ium s●…ei 〈◊〉 extingua●…as ; ne qualis sit , tandem experiamur . idem ibid ▪ thesi . k potest quis sibi representare , quicquid unquam illaetabile , luctuosum , crudele , miserandum , horribile vidit & audijt , quicquid ab orbe condito ●…aeva tyrannorum crudelitas excogitavit , quicquid ad usquè mundi occasum saevissimorum hominum immanitas invenire poterit , hoc autem omne si velut in fasce colligatum cum aeternitate damnatorum componere — cum chrysostom●… proclamabit ▪ haec omnia quae hic patimur , merus ludus acrisus sunt , si cum illis supplicijs in contentionem veniant . ●…one , si libet , ignem , ferrum , & bestias , & si quid his difficilius : atramen , nec umbra quidèm sunt haec ad illa tormenta — nonne videmus terrenos milites principibus serv●…entes , quomodo ligant , quomodò ●…gellant , quomodò per●…odiunt costas , quomodò faces tormentis adhibent : sed haec omnia 〈◊〉 , & risus ad supplicia . chrysost. ad pop. 〈◊〉 hom. ●… . l consider here all the horrible tortures in●…cted upon christians in the primitive times : that man in the brazen chaire : ravillacs torments ; french story , pag. ●… all the monstrous cruelties thorow the turkish story : the ●…iery and bloudy miseries executed upon our blessed martyrs in qucene maries time : the barbarous and prodigious butcher●…es of the spanish inquisition , which the poet brings in as the fourth fury . m because all the members of the body and powers of the soule have beene weapons of unrighteousnesse , man shall be plagued in all the parts of the body , and faculties of the soule by that horrid instrument of hellish torment ; called by christ , fire prepared for the devill and his angels , mat. . n occasio tibi nunquam defuit , tu semper occasioni . potuisti , & noluisti : lue , jam lue nequitias . en tua tot tamque gravia flagitia ; cum tamen longè suavius virtu●…i licuisset operari quàm vitijs . en perditissime , inter jocos & ●…udos perdidisti regnum : potuisses esse f●…lix aeternum ▪ modò voluisses : brevi ●…c leni labore beatam immortalitatem tibi parasses , modò voluisses . en 〈◊〉 , pro carnis voluptatul●… , pro spurcâ , & momentaneâ oblectatiunculâ immensas vendidisti voluptates . nimi●…m tua tibicaro , quàm coelum carior erat . sentis jam , quas delicias sectatus fueris ? praedixi , monui , vellicavi . sed actum egi , nihil profeei , oleum & operam perdidi . nunc vindico , nunc ●…pes & res abs te segregant , sed ●…uâ solius culp●… . en impurissime ut delectatiunculas pauxillo tempo●…is retineres , perdidisti omnia . procul nunc a te honores , thefauri , voluptates beatorum ; ad quas om●…is tibi via intercepta est . haec tibi tormenta ●…ibidines tu●… para●…unt , in ho●… ignes tua te ptaecipitavit incontinentia : tuam illam hilarem , sed brevem insaniam , nunc lui●… ae●…erno luctu . desperatè ploras paradisi gaudijs privatum ? tu ipse te privasti . ac acerbissimè doles perenne coeleste epulum neglectum ? tu neglexisti . — differendo & neglige●…do huc sponte irruisti coecus & a●…ens , hic nunquàm exiturus amplius . nulla hic libertas , nulla salus . despera centies , sexcenties , despera millies , aeternùm desperaturus , aeternum moriturus , & ad mortem nullis saeculis proventurus . o hoc laccrabit cordamnatorum , quòd gratiam millies oblatam recusarunt millies indè in sei●…sos fur entèr exardescent miseri , & assiduò sibiipsis lugubrem hanc cantilenam occinent : ó tempus rerum omnium pretiosissimum ! ●… di●… ô horae plusquàm aureae , quò evanuistis aeternum nonrediturae ! nos coeci & excord●…s , obstructis oculis & auribus libidine furebamus , & mutuis nosmet exempli●… trah●… ▪ bamus ad interitum . p non min●…s tuncquàm 〈◊〉 ●…os exag●…abit , qui●… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 spatio 〈◊〉 non 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉 inessabil●…us bonis 〈◊〉 n●…s in●… 〈◊〉 in mat. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ●…st qui de●… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 assequi 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 adeund●… hereditate , sed ille ●…gnavissimus causae suae indo●… , itaque haeredita●…em tam opulen tam neglexit ; ●…amque●…alibus serae ●…oenitentiae ●…ijs a●…tatur , u●… ipse sibi immineat , ve●…t ipsum discerp●…urus . et nonnunquàm mo●…s indè violenta sequitur . haud alitèr damnatorum quilibet scipsum sic allatrat : potuissem ; auxilia non deerant , vocabar : potuissem , eheu ! potuissem ; sed nolui . a summo b●…no exclusissimus sum in omne aevum ; & usque in aeternum non videb●… lumen , quia nolui videre . sentire tanto se bono privatum esse , & quidèm su●… culpâ inexplicabilis , in●…andus erit dolor 〈◊〉 . q ite furiosi , ●…e & d●…litiis af●…luere supremam foelicitatem credite ; hodiè vino & plumis vos mergite , cras forsitan me●…gendi flammis . r si nobis faltem 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ut arenosus quispiam mo●…s extolle●…etur amplitudine terras coaequans , fastigiocoelum attingens , ex quo , post centum millia annorum advolans avicula rostro non plus au●…erret , quàm est decima unius a●…enulae pars , & ●…sus post alterum centum ann●…rum ●…lle , aliam arenul●… unius ▪ decimam partem , & pari modo aliam atque aliam , ita ut ●…atio decies cen●…um millium annorum , tantum unicum arenulae unius 〈◊〉 de monte illo a●…enoso minue●…etur : quàm laeti , quàm alacres essemus , quòd post ultimam sal●…em montis to●…ius ablat●…onem , damnationis nostrae fi●…em aliquem haberemus s ah , vel mus●…ae , vel culicis ●…unctiuncula , si tamen sit ●…terna , quam inexplicabil●…s cruciatus pronunciabitur ? quis igitur horror exercebit damnatos , vel ob unam hanc , sed assiduam cogitationem ? hi●… ignis aeternùm serendus , hic ululatus aeternùm audiendus ; hic 〈◊〉 sempiternus . t damnati sic calculum ponunt : elapsis decem millibus anno rum , adjicientur centum millia , post haec centum millia , tot jungentur myriades , & milliones quot in firmamento sunt stellae , & in littore maris arenae . post quae longissima annorum spatia , quasi nihil de poenis nostris accisum esset , sic iterum ab initio pati tormenta incipiemus : atque ita sine interruptione , sine fine , sine modo , volvetur assiduè nostrorum tormentorum rota . ex quo poli sunt perfecti , a●…de numero complecti stellas coeli , stillas roris , vnd as aquei fluoris , guttas imbris pluvialis , floccos velleris nivalis quot sunt vere novo flores , quot odores , quot colores , quot vinaceos autumnus , poma legit & vertumnus : quot jam grana tulit aestus , frondes hiemis tempestas . totus orbis animantes aer atomos volantes , pilos ferae , pecus villos , vertex hominum capillos : adde littoris arenas , adde graminis verbe●…as , tot myriades annorum quot momenta saeculorum : heus adhuc aeternitatis portus fugit à damnatis . metire semel , ite●…ùm saepiùs : post decem annorum milliones , post centum mille myriadum annotum , post decies centies millena millia milliorum annorum ; necdum finem , necdum medium , imò nondum aeternitatis principium designasti : junge ad illa omnes hominum & angelorum cogitationes , omnes motus & mutationes quarumvis rerum creatarum : adde his a●…enulas , quot non possent millenarum terrarum vastissimo sin●… contineri : collige denique in unum omnes numeros arithmetic●… quadratos , cubicos quosvis : nunc imple his numeris volumina chartarum hinc ad supremos coelos usqu●… , nondum aeternitatis durationem mensuses , tantum abest , ut ●…isemensus . quamdiu igitur durabit aeternitas ? semper . quandò finietur ? nunquam . quamdiu coelum erit coel●…m ; quamdiu inferi erunt inferi ; quamdiu devs erit devs , tamdiu durabit aeternitas : tamdiu coelum beabit sanctos ; tamdiu improbos torquebunt inferi . ne quaeso , molestior sis quaerendo : apprehende saltem , si comprehendere non potes . u sumamus noctem unicam quam à curis , alijsvè sodicantibus cogitationibus insomnem aut quam infestante calculo , urente podagrâ , torminibus aut dentium doloribus in nos saevientibus , turbata exigimus . quàm haec talis nox longa , & instar hebdomadis , aut mensis est ! quid si anno toto sic inter dolores jacendum , quid si annis centum , quid si mille annis , si sex aut decem millibus annorum ? quid si aeternum & sine fine ? x it w●…ld proove an extreme misery , as it seem●…s , to lie eternally upri●… , and never stirre , even upon a bed of roses ; what would it be then , to sit for ever in that fiery chaire mentioned before ? but then above all degrees of comparison , what will it be roare everlastingly in bellish slames ! heare my a●…our . memini melegere , nec ●…ne admiratione , ●…uisse hominem , qui aeterni●…atem animo sic perspexerit : quis ●… ortalium est , aicbat ipse secum , qui quidem san●… mentis sit & ratione 〈◊〉 , qui regnum galliae , hispaniae , poloniae , reg●…a sanè 〈◊〉 sibi vendicet eâ p●…ctione , ut quadraginta continuos annos in l●…ctulo 〈◊〉 strato , eoque mollissimo ●…supinus jaceat ? e●… licet forsan non def●…us sit , qui ad hanc condi●…ionem descendat ; is tamen non totum triennium ( res certa ) sic decumbet , quin abrumpat & dicat : sin●…e , 〈◊〉 ; malo carere regnis , non 〈◊〉 bus , sed omnibus quàm sic continue , 〈◊〉 m●…lissimè jacere , vel decem tantùm annis ; ne●…dum vigia●…i , aut●…iginta , veluti pactio fiebat , annis quadraginta . itńe res se habent , ut nemo sanus reperiatur , qui ut t●…iplici regno donetur , triginta vel quad aginta annis 〈◊〉 lege decumbere velit ? quàm ergò coeca , quàm suriosa est insan●… , 〈◊〉 lacerum 〈◊〉 , ●…btres aviculas , ob crepundia vilissima , illud petulantèr 〈◊〉 periculum , & tale designate facinus . ob quod in candente crate , in fereti●… stammeo , non solis quadragi●…ta , non quad●…gentis , nec quatuor millibus , sed nec quater centenis millibus , sed aeternum torquearis furijs ; ●… mortales , intemperantissimis agimur , nisi jam maturè , & in rem nostram sapimus . in mollissimo jacere sed semper jacere & aeternum jacere supplicium soret inexplicabile quid jam omnium apud inferos suppliciorum erit cumulus ac conge●…ies sormidabilissima ? y apud inseros singula●…ssimum erit tormentum 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c●…ntenorum millium horribilissim●…s mugitus , planctus , 〈◊〉 ; perinde 〈◊〉 meri boves assent●…r vivi , aut si rapidi ca●…es cate●…as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉 ●…ssint . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ; aur●…m 〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉 hominum , 〈◊〉 ●…num , l●…porum ululatus , mug●…tus 〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉 l●…onum , aliarum 〈◊〉 ●…emitus , fragores nubium , dejectus aquarum , & quicquid 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 singi potest : ah qu●…m id omne nihil est ad orcinia●…ae 〈◊〉 desperatiss●…m sletum , cujus auctarium est stridor dentium . z o coe●…itas ●…umane gentis nullis sa●… lachtymis deploran la ! ex omnibus templorum 〈◊〉 clamatur , aeternitas , eternitas , aeternitas . nos nihilominus praesenti ducim●… volup●…ate . adeò perire s●…ve est . quis exprimat quid sit aeternitas ? quis concipiat quid sit aeternitas ? est unum perpetuum sum , quod praeteri●… 〈◊〉 & 〈◊〉 . est circulus , cujus centrum femper , circumferentia nunquam . cogito mille annos , cogito tot annorum millia quot sunt momenta , 〈◊〉 puncta in toto 〈◊〉 à condito mundo usque ad ejus consuminationem , & de 〈◊〉 ate nihil habeo . o aeternitas ! quis poterit par esse aeternitati in tormentis ? et ●…mus tormenti ipsorum ascendet in saecula saeculerum , apoc. 〈◊〉 . quid est in sae●…ula saeculor●…m ? volo dicere , & nescio dicere . illud tantùm scio id ipsum esse , quod devs solus suâ infinitate a●… b●… & complectitur ▪ * quid agis miser , perire vis ? facillimo istud impe●…dio fiet : ho●…ulâ u●…a , imò vel unicâ parte ●…rulae ; imò momento vel unico per iram vel libidinem patras , quod aeternùm doleas . hic seriò cogitandum : itáne homines etuditi , & humano sensu sancti accusantur , judicantur , damnantur ? quid mihi fi●…t misero ? ergò animum quantis possum industrijs cu●…abo . alij se , suamque cuticulam cu●…ent aeternitatis obliti ; vigeant , floreant , cras fo●…sancinis & favilla hos ego mo●…es nihil mo●…or , hanc ego viam non ingredior , nam & alium viae terminum quaero . a ma●…soleum . mauso●… regis cariae sepulchrum , ab ar●…emisiâ uxore extructum , tantâ operis magnificentiâ , ut inter septem orbis miracula suerit numeratum . b maximae hujus genetis in aegypto fuisse memorantur circa memphim , structurae ex quadratis lapidibus admirand●… , fastigiatae ultra omnem excelsitatem , quae manu fieri posset . &c. c spiritus qui in corde agitant , tremulum , & subsulfantem recipiunt aerem in pectus & inde excitantur : a spiritu musculi moventur , &c. scalig. exercit. . d carda●… . subtil . lib. . * tan●…a est autem pulchtitudo justitie , tanta jucunditas lucis aeter nae , hoc est , incommutabilis veritatis , atque sapientiae , ut etiamsi non lice●…et ampliùs in ea manere , quàm unius diei mo●…a propter ho●… solum innumerabiles anni hujus vitae pleni deliciss & circumslu●…ntiâ temporalium bono●…um rectò , meritóque conte●…neretur . august . de lib. arb. lib. . cap. ul●… . cor ●… . * induci in nubes ▪ penetrare in plenitudi nem lumin●… , ●…umpere ●…la ritatis al ys●…s , & lucem hab●…tare maccessibilem , nec temporis est ●…us ne●… 〈◊〉 ribi in novissimis●… eservatur , cum ●… mihi exhibuero gloriosum non habentem maculam aut rugam , aut aliquid 〈◊〉 be●…n . sup●…r ca●…l . serm. . * as for the place of god before the world created , the sinite wisdome of mortall men hath no percep●…i ●…n of it : neither can it limit the s●…at of infinite power ; no more than infinite power it selfe can be limited ; for , his place is in himselfe , whom no magnitude else ca●… containe . sr. w. rawleigh . lib. . cap. . non est quod quaeras ultia , ubi ●…rat ante quam mundus tieret ? p●…eter ipsum nihil erat , ergo in seipso 〈◊〉 . be●… . de consid . lib. . cap. . antequam faceret devs coelum & terram , ubi habitabat ? in se habitabat apud se habitabat , & apud se est devs . aug●…in psal. . ante omnia devs erat solus , ipse sibi & mundus , & locus , & omnia . solus autem : quia nihil extrinsecus praeter illum . t●…rtull . adversu●… praxean . non procul ab initio * f●…st devs it a ubique , ut non tantum omnes hujus universi partes permeet , sed etiam immensa illa spatia quae sunt supra coelos , ( qua est naturae infinitate ) penetret ▪ non tamen existimes devm ibi ess●… , tanquam in loco posi●…ivo repletivè , sed tantum per immensitatem essentiae . eustachius de deo . ●… . ●… . * behold , the heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot containe thee . king. . . * vbi est ? quid diximiser ? sed ubi non est ▪ altior est coelo , inferno profundior , latio●… terrâ , mari diffusior . nusquam est , & ubiquè est : quià nec abest ulli , nec ullo capitur loco . bern. mihi col. . * there is a place beyond that slaming hill , from whence the starres their thin appearance shed , a place beyond all place , where never ill nor impure thought was ever harboured : but saintly her●…es are for ever said to keepe an everlasting sabbath●…rest , still wishing that , of what they are still possest , enjoying but one joy , but one of all joyes best . fletcher , christs victory , pag. . st. . * communis quidem opinio est decem tantùm esse coelos mobiles : nempè coelos planetarum , coelum stellatum , coelum cristallinum , & primum mobile . verùm mihi valdè probabilis visa est recentiorum mathematicorum sententia , undecim esse coelos mobiles : ita ut inter firmamentum , & primum mobile , pro unico coelo cristallino , duplex coelum constituatur . namque pro unico motu trepidationis , qui coelo cristallino tribuebatur , quem admitti non posse demoastrant , ponunt duplicem motum librationis : alterum ab ortu ad occasum , & è contrà , quem tribuunt nonae spherae . alterum à septentrione ad austrum , & è contrà , quem decimae spherae assignant . his additur undecima sphaeraseu primum mobile denique theologi praeter coelos mobiles , admittunt supremum coelum immobile , quod empy●…um appellant , quod sit sedes beatorum . d●… coelo . . . * neque ex sensu , neque ex motu , neque ex effectu , aut adjuncto aliquo , sed ex solâ de●… per scripturas revelatione nobis innotuit . tilen . * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . de coelo . text. . * statum ecclesiae conti●…uum a suo tempore in omnem usque aeter ●…itatem de●…cripsit iohannes , sicut prophetae iesaias & ezechiei●… quae causa est , cur non omnia ista vaticinia , vel de solâ ecclesiâ , vel de solo coelo , sed de utroque simul intelligi possint , out debeant ; verùm servatâ moderatione . nequè enim omnia quae de ecclesiâ sunt , ●…a etiam de coelo intelligi possunt . nequè vicissim omnia , quaede coelo , ea ad ecclesiam accommodari queunt . but ye are to observe , that it is not the purpose of the holy ghost to set forth the just and full composse of the hea●… enly ierusalem : ( for it is immeasurable to our capacity ) but by this great measure . he giveth us , as it were , some t●…ste of the largenesse thereof . gyffard upon rev. cap. . * habitationes sunt in coelis , quae sufficiant infinitis mundis capiendis : imò virtus est in as●…ēsione christi , ad praeparandum locum infinitis etlam mundis , nedum omnibus hominibus qui in hoc uno mundo sunt . sed causa est in hominibus ipsis qui desunt sibi , nequè ●…edunt in illum sanguinem quo praeparantur nobis illa in coelis loca . rolloc . in io●…n . cap. . * mathematici alij distantiam coeli stelliferi , seu firmamenti metientes , numerant . milliaria germanica : alij , ut bernardinus & rosetus numerāt . age igitur ●… quantam dicis astrologe à centroterrae , ad coelum octavum seu firmamentum vulgò appellatum dista●…iam . vulgò intervallum dicitur continere diametros terrae / . terrae verò diametro tribuuntur partes . vni●…uique parti milliaria a . quae ducta in totum diametrum conficiunt summam milliariorum . qui numerus multiplicatus per / . ostendit distantiam terrae ab orbe octavo , nempè . milliariorum see casman . ouranogra . be it so , that the adventure of mathematicians in this point be too audacious and peremptory : and that the sublimily , and how many miles it is distant , cannot be certainly knowne : yet you must n●…eds be of ●…y authors mind : dubitari non potest magnam esse expanss coelestis intercapedinem & altitudinem : siquidem , id testatur cùm visus ipse , tùm passim sacra scriptura : ioh . . dicuntur coeli altissimi ; ideóque quantitas corum est impervestigabilis , & al●…itudo homini inscrutabilis . idem . ibid. * maginus was the man , who by his admirable ar●… of latter times added a tenth mooveable heaven ▪ so that now there are three mooveable heavens above the firmament , as our masters in that profession teach us . s●…c maginus his theoriques . eustachius followe●… him . de mundo & coelo . pag. . . * see casman . astrol. p. . cap. ●… ▪ vt in nullum numerum ponamus , aut veneris , aut mercurij sydera , nec computemus stellas novem , quas obscuras , aut quinque , quas rubeas appellant , vel nebulosas : nullo etiam numero habeamus infinitas alias , quae sexto ordine sunt minores . a nihil temerè hic vel asseverare , vel inficiari debeo . novi interim , beatorum domicilium illud , supremum coelū d●…pingi lucidissimum sub imagine novae hierosolymae . apoc. . . dicitur : non eget sole & lunâ , ut luc●…ant in eâ . nam gloria dei illustrateam : & lucerna ejus est agnus . quid hinc mi patrici ? desententiâ iohannis : aliam esse lucem coelestis gloriae ; aliam solis & luna : non opus esse sole ( ait ) & lunâ : negatio est sydereae lucis . opponitur ci affirmatio divinae lucis & gloriosae , quae proficiscitur à dei gloriâ & agno filio dei. ibid. neque vrbi ista eget sole , &c. ) non negat , quin sol & luna in firmamento suum retentura sunt lumen : sed ait supremum illud coelum , longè praestantio●…i luce splendere , nec opus habere tali sole & lunâ . gloria inquit dei 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . discrimen facit inter 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 gloriam dei , & inter 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quo ipsa urbs illustratur . gloria dei majestas est dei , luxque illa , deitasipsius , quam inhabitare devs dicitur . ea omnibus est inaccessa , & corporeis oculis invisibilis . ab hac majesta te verò pro bene placito voluntatis dei , lumen creatum proficiscitur , quo tota urbs splendet : & quo electis etiam communicato , efficit devs , ut ipsum plenè , & quas facie ad faciem cognoscant . zanch. de coelo beato . cap . b coelum beatorum est imprimis lucidis●…imum , eóque verus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 : hoc est totum & omni ex parte luminosum ac splendidum . non enim est sicut firmamentum varijs ornatum ●…ellis , eóque alibi lucidum : alibi verò non it a lucidum , sed totum est pellucidum . est enim perindè atque si totum sit quidem sol maximus , & omnia suo ambitu complectens . neque lux illa est similis luci stellarum , neque etiam ejusdem generis . sed est lux verè divina , licèt creata : idcircò quià lux est alterius generis , & lux est gloriae , non penetrat huc ad nos usque : oculis tamen corporeis futuro saeculo à nobis videbitur . ide●… ibid. * incomparabilitèr clara est civitas eterna : ubi victoria , ubi veritas , ubi dignitas , ubi sanctitas , ubi vita , ubi aeternitas . de vitâ aeternd . oh how brave , how beautifull , how glorious , how glittering , how gorgeous , how admirable a city is this ! for , if the gates be of pearle , and the streets of g●…ld ; then what are the inner roomes ? what are the dining chambers ? and what are the lodging roomes ? o how unspeakable is the glory of this city ; that kings shall throw downe their crownes and scepters before it , counting all their pompe and glory but as dust in respect of it ? and the magnificence and pompe of all the potentates of the earth shall here be laid downe . and albeit none of the kings and nobles of the gentiles might be admitted into the old ierusalem , yet all the gentiles that believe shal be admitted into this new ierusalem , and made free denisons thereof for ever . dent upon the rev. i might tell you here of many other probable singularities about this celestiall palace , and that from the hand of some godly and learned divines : to wit , [ that this third heaven is not penetrable by any creature ; whereas the other two are passable by the grossest bodies ; so that it is said to open to the very angels . ioh. . . who , though they be able to penetrate all things under it , yet are they no more able to enter that body ▪ than they are to passe into one anothers natures ▪ hence it comes to passe , that the third heaven gives way to angels , soules and bodies of men to enter in by miracle : god making way by his power , where nature yeelds no passage . for , it is without pores , and cannot possibly extend or contract it selfe into a large or straiter compasse . that , tertium hoc & summum coelum , in medio non est corpus solidum : sed inest aura aliquis coelestis quae supplet defectum aeris corporibus glorificatis : in qua etsi pori non sunt , in nobis tamen porierunt , in quibus erit haec natura coelestior ; qu●… etiam aeris vicem supplebit ad sermonem . in coelo enim usuri sumus hebr●…â linguâ : . nam natura ibi redibit , quae primitùs hanc linguam tenuit . . confusio linguarum maledictior fuit . and this aura coelestis ( say they ) shall maintaine life eternally ; and be answerable to our constitution , even as this atre is , &c. ] but as i would my selfe by no means confidently entertaine , so will i never ebtrude upon others any thing in this or any other divine point ; but that onely which i●… grounded ( either directly and immediately , or by good and sound consequence ) upon gods sure word . * who hath not observed what labour ▪ practice , perill , bloud shed , cruelty , the kings and princes of the world have undergone , exercised , taken on them and committed ; to make themselves and their issues masters of the world . s. w rawleigh . * restat ergò , ut suam recipiat quisque mensuram , quam vel habuit in juventute , ●…msi senex est mortuus●… vel fuerat habiturus , si antè est defunctus . aug. de civit. dei. lib. cap . circa triginta annos desinierunt esse , etiam saeculi hujus doctissimi homines , juventutem . idem ibid. resurgent omnes tàm magni corpore , quàm vel erant , vel futuri erant in juvenili aetate . idem . ibid. cap. . quibus omnibus pro nostro modulo consideratis & tractatis , haec summa conficitur , ut in resurrectione carnis in aeternum eas mensuras habeat corporum magnitudo , quas habebat , perficiendae sive perfectae , cujuscunque indita corpori ratio juventutis , in membrorum quoque omnium modulis congruo decore servatur . ibid cap . all the bodie●… of the elect shall arise in that perfection of nature , whereunto they should have attained by their naturall temper and constitution , if no impediment had hindered : and in that vigour of age , that a perfect man is at about three and thirty yeares old , each in their proper sexe . so saith some worthy divine , whose name i forgot to note when i tooke his saying . * a ssruere licet , sanitatem vitae futurae ità vigere , & immutabilem , ac inviolabilem fore ▪ ut inessabili quadam dulcedine suavitatis totum hominem repleat , & omne quod alicujus in se vicissitudinis , mutabilitatis , aut laesionis suspicionem praetendere queat , procul ar●…at , atque repellat . anselm . de simililitud . cap. . * immortalitas sumitur quadrifariam : pro . impotentia moriendi absoluta , & natura . sic solus devs immortalitatem habet , tim. . . . impotentia moriendi ex gratia creationis : sic angeli & animae humanae sunt immortales . . impotentia moriendi ex gratia doni : sic coelum novum , terra nova , corpora beatorum immortalitatem habebunt . . potentia non moriendi ex aliqua hypothesi , licet in se sit mortale . sic homo ante peccatum erat immortalis corpore , ex hypothesi unionis cum anima originaliter perfecta , immortali . * in futuro igitur , ut jam praelibavimus , & sie justus ortus erit , ut etiam si velit , terram commovere possit . anselm . de similitud . cap. . verùm praestabunt viribus , quicunque supernis viribus associantur civibus , in tantum , ut nullatenus illis quisquam obs●…stere valeat , vel si movendo quid , aut evertendo voluerit , a suo statu quin illicò cedat . nec in eo quod dicimus majori laborabunt conatu , quàm nos modò in oculorum nostrorum motu . ne quaeso similitudo illa angelorum nostro excidat ab animo quam adepturi sumus in futuro ; quatenus si in hac forticudine , aut in his quae dictu●…i sumus ad exemplum non occurrit , vel ipsa per quam angelis adaequabimur , ad ea comprobanda prosit . si igitur in quibus angelos valere constat , nostra nihilominus fortitudo valeat : neminem autem qui dubitet puto existere , angelos ea quae volunt fungi fortitudine . cum igitur similes eis fuerimus , nunquam imbecilliores illis crimus . sed fortassis quaereret aliquis , quid nobis tune illa fortitudo praestabit , ●…um singulis tam convenientèr , ut convenientins nequeant ubique dispositis nihil immutandum , nihil evertendum , nihil statuendum sit , in quo vires suas exercere possit ? qui hoc dicit , paucis nobiscum quid in hujusmodi habeat usus humanus attendat , & videbit quia non semper omnibus quae habemus , & quae nos habere non parum gaudemus actu utimur . sicut verbi gratia , ipso visu potestate aliqua nonnulla●…um scientia rerum , & multis in hunc modum : sic & tune de qua agitur fortitudine erit . sola namque possessio nobis grata erit , & exultatio grandis : licet in actu nequaquam sit necessaria nobis cunctis , ut dictum est , in suo statu convenientèr locatis . haec eadem quaestio , si aut de velocitate , aut de aliquâ beatitudinis partium movetur , hac solutione , si non aptiorem lector invenerit , solvatur . ibid. * corpus gloriosum perfectè movebitur spiritu dei : sicut movetur ab animâ : non quod animâ tune sit cessatura movere aut a gere : sed quod ipsa quoque plena spirituali luce , & perfectione corpus spiritualiter tune movebit , ut cibo , potu , vestitu . aere , calore nullo in ligeat amplius . par. excitatur corpus spirituale ] hoc est vitam & esse suum non tam habens ab animâ istâ ejusque facultatibus naturalibus : ( quanquam etiam tum eadem haec anima nostra conjungetur cum eodem ipso corpore nostro , & peream etiam tum vivemus ) tamen corpus quod excitabitur , non tam habebit vitam & esse suum ab eâ quam â spiritu illo christi , quià ità ut sic loquar , animabit & animam istam & corpus istud , ut totus homo gloriosus instar ipsius christi conspiciendus sit . rollocin iohan. cap. . * sicut spiritus carn●… serviens non incongruè carnalis , ita caro spiritui serviens rectè appellatur spiritualis : non quia in spiritum convertetur , sicut nonnulli putant ; eò quod scriptum est : seminatur corpus animale , rejurgit corpus spirituale : sed quià spiritui summâ & mirabili obtemperandi facilitate subdetur , usque ad implendam immortalitatis indissolubilis securissimam voluntatem omni molestiae sensu , omni corruptibilitate & tarditate detracta . non solum enim non erit tale , quale nunc est in optimâ valetudine , sed nec tale quidem quale suit in primis hominibus ante peccatum . qui licet morituri non essent , nisi peccassent , alimentis tamen ut homines utebantur , non spiritualia , sed adhue animalia corpora gestantes . de civit ▪ dei lib . cap . non potestas , sed egestas edendi ac bibendi talibus corporibus auferetur . vnde & spiritalia erunt , non quià corpora esse desistent , sed quià spiritu vivisicante subsistent . idem . ibid. cap. . * corpus sanctorum resurget spiritale , quià velocitate , levitate , perspicuitate spiritibus erit aequale . idem . tom. . p. . mihi pag. . * erunt illa corpora , ut animus agilia , ut sol , perspicua . quam citò enim nunc animus ab oriente in occidentem cogitatione pervenit ; tam citò , tune illud corpus illuc pervenire poterit . ibid. sed velocitas quae pulchritudine non minus amatur tanta nos comitabitur , ut ipsis angelis dey aequè celeres simus , qui à coelo ad terias & è converso dicto citiùs dilabuntur . — hujus quoque velocitatis exemplum in radio solis licet intueri , qui statim orto sole in plagâ orientali pertingit usque ad ultima plagae occidentalis , ut in eo perpendamus non esse impossibile , quod de nostrâ dicimus futurâ velocitate : praesertìm cum rebus animatis soleat inesse major velocitas , quàm inanimatis . huic etiam radio solis simile exemplum velocitatis habemus in nobis . radius quippè oculorum nostrorum in sublevatione palpebrarum usque ad coelum pertingit , & ictus earum totus in semet ac integer redit . anselm de similitud . cap. . * corpus gloriosum movetur in tempore , sed imperceptibili propter brevitatem supplem . . pag. . ar●… . . * but not in an●…●…stant , as a quinas his argument demonstrates unanswerably thus : in motu locali spatium & motus & tempus simul dividuntur , ut demonstrativè probatur in physic. sed spatium quod transit corpus gloriosum pe●… suum motum , est divisibile : ergo & motus divisibilis est , & tempus divisibile , instans autem non dividitur . ergo & motus ille non crit in instanti . ibid. sed contra ] bellarmine then errs in his art of we●…-dying translated into english by o. e. pag . saying : the saints having the gift of agility ca●… in a moment passe from place to place — from east to west , &c. ( ●…f he speake prop●…rly . ) * omnis corporis pulchritudo est partium congruen●… , cum quadam coloris suavitate . — proindè nulla erit deformitas , quam facit incongruentia partium : ubi & quae parva sunt corrigentur : & quod minus est quàm decet , undè creator novit , inde supplebitur : & quod plus est quàm decet , materiae servatâ integritate , detrahetur . coloris po●…ò suavitas quanta ●…rit , ubi justi ●…ulge bunt sicut sol in regno patris sui ? de civit. dei. cap. . * vt anima ista dum exercet functiones suas in corpore impertit eicolorem & totam hanc externam corporis gloriam : ita tum cum devs erit omnia in omnibus , spiritus christi in nobis habitans , indu●…t corpora nostra gloriosissima , quibusque qualitatibus . rolloc . in iohan. cap. . * si vel cum micantibus solis radijs futura nobis corpora contul●…imus , nihil tamen pro illius splendoris dignitate explicabimus . serm de misericordi●… . * in illâ siquidem vitâ pulchritudo justorum solis pulchritudini , qui septemplicitèr , quàm modò sit , splendidior erit , ▪ adaequabitur . vnde scriptum ●…st , fulgebunt justi , sicut sol incouspectu dei. de similitud . cap. . * hujus quoque corporis claritas tantum solem excellit , quantum sol in claritate nostrum corpus praecellit . apud august . tom. . p. . mihi pag. . * tunc fulgebunt just●… , sicut sol in regno patris corum ] non quià solis etiam splendorem non superabunt ; sed quando nihil fulgentius sole videmus , proptereà re apertissimâ nobis ad exprimendum usus est . in mat. hom. . * neque in eo loco claudendi erunt oculi , nè fortè à nimio splendore laedantur : nam & ipsi oculi beati erunt , ac per hoc impassibiles & immortales ; qui enim lumine gloriae confortabit oculos mentis , ne videntes devm facie ad faciem , opprimantur à gloriâ ; idem etiam dote impassibilitatis confortabit oculos corporis , ut sine ●…aesione cernant non solem unum , sed innumerabiles . * lib. . dist. . q. . * corporis gloria naturam non tollet , sed persiciet : unde color qui debetur corporiex naturâ suarum partium , remanebit in eo , sed superaddetur claritas ex gloriâ animae . sicut etiam videmus corpora colorata ex naturâ sui , solis splendore relucere , vel ex aliquâ aliâ causâ , extrinsecâ , seu intrinsecâ . aquin. supplem . . p. q. . art. . ad ● . in noctilucis simul stant color & lux , ut apparet ad sensum , & sic videtur quod virtute divina corpora gloriosa possunt simul esse colorata & lucentia . dur. lib. . dist. . q. . * in illa futura vita delectatio quaedam ineffabilis bonos inebriabit , & inestimabili dulcedine sui totos eos inenarrabili abundantia satiabit . quid dixi totos ? oculi , aures , nares , os , manus , guttur , cor , jecur , pulmo , ossa , medullae , exta etiam ipsa , & cuncta sigillatim singulaque membra eorum , in communi ram mirabili delectationis & dulcedinis sensu replebuntur , ut verè totus homo torrente voluptatis dei potetur , & ab ubertate domus ejus inebrietut . anselmede similitud . cap. . * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . * cujus facies , si videri possit , pulchrior est quàm luciser , & vesperus . * advancement of learn . lib. . pag. . * peculiaritèr apud astrologos 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 dicuntur , quae apparent in coelo . arat. * rectèhinc colligitur nos in vita a ●…erna , deposi●…s omnibus 〈◊〉 antia ▪ & ●…tis ▪ ch●…lis ●…iam no●… invic●…m , & 〈◊〉 sanctos , quos nunquam vidimus agnituros . si enim adamus virtute 〈◊〉 divinae concreate ●…van . de corpore suo sump●…am , cum è somno evigilasset , illi●…o agnovit . quomodo no ●…tiam , secundum ea●…dem imaginem t●…ansmutati de gloria 〈◊〉 gloriam , a domini spiritu , sanctos & beatos ejusdem corporis memb●… agnosceremus ? kem●…it harm . evang. cap. . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 invitá 〈◊〉 se mut●…ò agnituri ? vtique qui plem su●…mi sunt spiritv sancto & sapientiâ , sicut adam ante l●…psum ad huc ●…tmeri integritatem imaginis dei , evam , quam nunquam viderat , & undenam esset , nemine dicente , agnovit . gen. . . bucan . loc. . * petrus & qu●… cum ipso e rant , videntes mosen & eli am in gloriâ , cos noverunt , licèt priùs illos nunquam viderint . vndè verò hoc ? non certè ex imagimbus & statuis , quibus uti iudaeis non fuit concessum : nec ex notitijs naturalibus , quae in rebus c●…lestibus penitus sunt coe●…ae : sed ex sola gratia dei , quae incredibilem hanc sapientiae & cognitionis lucem animis apostolorum infudit . vt ergò samuel ex dei inspiratione saulem agnovit , nunquam anteà visum , sam . et quemad modum ioha●…nes in utero intra alvum b. virginis , christvn doninvm suum agnovit : ita spiritvs sancti ●…adijs horum etiam mentes fuerunt illustratae . kem●…it . loc suprà cit . petrus in monte in mortali corpore mosem , & e●…iam , quos nunquam viderat , revelatione interna cogno●…it , mat. . . bucan . loc . suprà cit . * boni bonos in regno , & mali malos in supplicio agnoscunt . si enim abraham lazirum minimè recognovisset , nequaquam ad divitem in tormentis positum de transacta ejus contritione loqueretur , diccus , quòd mala receperit in vita sua . et si mali malos non ecognoscerent , nequaquam dives in torrnentis positus , fratrum suorum etiam absentium meminisset . quomodò enim praesentes non posset agnoscere , qui etiam pro absentium memoria curavit exorare ? qua in re illud quoque ostenditur quod nequaquà●… ipse requisisti : quià & boni malos , & mali cognoscunt bonos . nam dives ab abraham cognoscitur , est diviti cognitus , quem mitti precatur ex nominedicens : mitte lazirum , ●…t intingat extremum digiti sui in aquam , & refrigeret linguam meam . in qua videlicet cognitione utriusque partis cumulus retributionis excrescit : ut & boni amplius gaudeant , qui secum cos laetari conspiciunt quos amaverunt ; & mali dum cum eis torquentur , quos in hoc mundo , despecto deo , dilexerunt , eos non solùm sua , sed etiam eorum poena consumat . greg. dial. lib. ●… . cap. . * non te desolatam putare debes , cum in inte●…ore homine habeas praesentem christvm pe●… fidem in corde tuo . e pist . . ad italicam . * hic autem & conjuxtuus , cujus abscessu vidua diceris , tibi ●…otissimus erit . — cùm vene it dominvs , & illuminaverit a●… ondita tenebrarum , & manifestaverit cogitationes cordis , tunc nihil latebit prox●…mum in proximo ; nec e●…it , quod suis quisque aperiat , abscondat alienis , ubi nullus erit alic●…us . ibid. * fit autem in electisquiddam mirabilius , quia ●…n solùm ●…os agnos●…unt , quos in hac vitâ novera●…t ; ●…d velut v●…os viso●… ac cognitos , recognoscunt bonos quos nunquam viderunt . greg. loc . suprà cit . * ibi a singulis omnes , ibi ab omnibus singuli cognoscentur : nec quemquam omninò latebit , quâ patriâ , quâ gente , quâ stirpe quis ed●…us fuerit , vel quid etiam in vitâ suâ fecerit . anselm . de similitud . cap. . * perpende , si vales , quàm grata ●…it sapientia ista , quâ tu sicut ab omnibus , sic omnes à te cognoscentur in vitâ illâ . ibid. cap. . * sapientia quam omnes in hac vitā non utiliter amant , tanta in futurà vitā bonis erit , ut eorum quae s●…ire voluerint , nihil sit quod ignorent . bonus enim perfecta quae devs est sapienti●… replebitur , ●…amq , facie ad faciem intuebitur , quam dum it à perspexerit , creaturae totius naturam videbit , quae in deo melius quàm in seipsâ constitit . tunc ●…enim just●… cuncta scient quae devs fecit scien la , tàm ea quae praeterita , quàm ea quae postmodùm sunt futura . ans●…lm de similitud cip . cum electi antiquos patres in illa aeterna haereditate viderint , eis incogniti per visionem non erunt , quos in opere semper noverunt . quià enim illic omnes commu●… claritate devm conspiciunt ; quid est , quod ibi nesciant , ubi scientem omnia sciunt ? greg. dialog . ●…ib . cap. . neque sola visio dei sanctis hominibus in coelo promi●…itur , sed etiam omnium rerum , quas secit devs . hic quidem in terris cernimu●… per sensum videndi , solem , & lunam , & stellas , & terras , & maria , & slumina , & animantia , & arbores , & metalla . sed mens nostra nihil omninò cernit ; i. e. nullam substantiam creatam perfectè nos it , non differentias essentiales , non proprietates , non vires ▪ ac nè animam q●…i ▪ sem suam homo videt , sed mo●…e coecorum palpando effecta , & discurrendo per rationem aliquid cognitionis acquirit . quale ergò gaudium erit , cum intelligen●…a nostra revelata fa ie manifestè videbit naturas omnium rerum differentias , proprietates , vires ? et cum quanta exultatione obstupescet , cùm videbit exerci●…um angelorum innumerabilem , quorum nullus cum al●…o in specie convenit , & differentias omnium & singulorum perspicu●… intuebitur ? de ae●…ern . foelicit . lib. ●… . cap. . when we shall know god in heaven , we shall in him know the manner of the worke of creation , the mysteries of the worke of our redemption : yea , so much knowledge as a creature can possibly conceive and comprehend of the creatour and h●… workes . p. p. see durand . lib. . dist. . q. . all i say , is cuber from my owne certaine knowledge ; or concurrent testimony above exception . i would not speake a word , which i think not in my conscience to be true , to be heire of his possessions . it may be affection may make me deliver things something passionately , and more unto the life . white , pag. . at spittle . see ●…asill . ad fincm ▪ doctrine . a in loc. sicut non omnes sapientes damnantur : ita nec omnes , qui è vulgo sunt , salvantur . sed qui agnitione suae indignitatis humiliantur , reverenter se subi●…ciunt verbo , & christum in evangelio amplectuntur : hi salvantur , sive sint ex primoribus , sive ex vulgi fece . sed illud fieri in pluribus ex vulgo , in paucioribus verò ex sapientibus , christus affirmat . . rom. . . matth. . . luk. . . matth . . argument●… stul●…o . theoph. matth. . . degeneratio optimi pessima . hom. vol. . hom. . pag. ●… . . eliz. cap. . iudg. . nemo unquam imperium flagitio quaesitum bonis artibus exercuit . hist. lib. . pag. . mallent cadere quàm loco cedere . amentia usquè ad prodigium . sam. . . quisque in alio supersluum esse censet , ipse quod non h●…bet , nec cu●…at : that which he hath not himselfe , or doth not esteeme , he accounts superfluity , an idle quality , a meere foppery or hypocrisie in another . cap. , ●… . pag. ●… . lib. . pag. ●… . & seq . histor. of frame pag. . corrupt affection defined . no workes , signes or miracles are able to change the hardnesse of mans heart , but grace from god onely . ioh. . , . cap. . . psal. . . psal . . psal. . . gen. . . king. . . * bodin . de rep. lib. . cap. . pag. . psal . . mat. . . heb. ●… . ▪ a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 b 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . c 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . cap. ●… . pag. . pag. ●… ▪ heb . . psal. . . mat . . ioh. . . eph. . . quid beatius esse poterit , quàm in tetrâ tripudium angelorum i●… mitari , mox orto die ad precationes properantem , hymnis & odis venerari creatorem . &c basil. epist. . docens & admonens , atque formam ostendens , & tunc filijs suis ; & tunc omnibus nobis in perpetuum ; ut confestim diluculo ex noctis requie exsurgentes ; ante omne opus ▪ vel verbum , ante omne colloquium , vel conventionem , primitias resurrectionis nostrae deo exhibeamus in sinceris orationibus , atque precibus ▪ in matutinis deprecationibus , atque gratiarum actionibus . origen lib. . in iob sol . . a mensa non ad lectum , sed ad deprecationem vertamur , ne brutis animantibus simus magis bruti ▪ novi fore multos , qui damnent ea , quae nunc dicuntur , veluti qui novam quandam & miram consuetudinem inveham concionandi ; at ego magis damnabo pravam consuetudinem , quae nunc obtinuit . e●…enim quòd post cibum , & mensam non ad somnum oporteat ire , nec ad cubile ▪ sed oporteat cibo preces , ac divinarum scripturarum lectionem succedere , manifestiùs declaravit ipse christus , qui quum immensam multitudinem accepisset convivio in deserto , non remisit illos ad lectum , aut somnum , sed ad audiendos sermones divinos invitavit . chrysost. conc . . de lazaro . nec solum vobis sufficiat quòd in ecclesiâ divinas lectiones auditis ; sed etiam in domibus vestris , aut ipsi legite , aut alios legentes requirite , & libentèr audite . august . de tem. serm. . pag. ●… . vsex . * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . deut . 〈◊〉 it . . . 〈◊〉 . chron . sol . ●… . psalm . . pag. . instructions for a right comforting afflicted consciences with speciall antidotes against some grievous temptations: delivered for the most part in the lecture at kettering in north-hampton-shire: by robert bolton ... bolton, robert, - . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a stc estc s this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) instructions for a right comforting afflicted consciences with speciall antidotes against some grievous temptations: delivered for the most part in the lecture at kettering in north-hampton-shire: by robert bolton ... bolton, robert, - . [ ], p. imprinted by felix kyngston for thomas weaver, and are to be sold at his shop at the great north-dore of saint pauls church, london : . the first leaf is blank. leaf [par.] is a cancel, with dedication to sir robert carre, "gentleman of the kings bed-chamber, &c. ..". variant: with cancellandum [par.] , dedication to sir robert carre, "gentleman of the kings bed-chamber, and keeper of his maiesties privy purse ..". reproduction of the original in cambridge university library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng theology, practical -- early works to . - tcp assigned for keying and markup - spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images - emma (leeson) huber sampled and proofread - emma (leeson) huber text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion instrvctions for a right comforting afflicted consciences , with speciall antidotes against some grievous temptations : delivered for the most part in the lectvre at kettering in north-hamptonshire . by robert bolton batchelor in divinity and preacher of gods word at broughton in the same countie . london , imprinted by felix kyngston for thomas weaver , and are to be sold at his shop at the great north-dore of saint pauls church . . to the honovrable and worthy knight , sir robert carre , gentleman of the kings bed-chamber , &c. all holy wisedome to walke in the way to eternall blisse . sir , your extraordinary approbation , and acceptance of my directions for walking with god , falling into your hands , by gods good providence , i know not how ; accompanied with such noble circumstances , and expressions of much undeserved respect to the authour ; but especially of your affectionate love to the * glorious gospell of the blessed god ( farre dearer to every gracious heart , which truely tastes the mysterie , and mercies of christ in it ; then it 's dearest blood , or whatsoever is most de●●re-able under the sunne , or admired most amongst the sonnes of men ) , hath encouraged me at this time , to take the boldnesse , to present this present treatise more immediately , and by speciall interest into your owne hand . and i am the farre better pleased with my choise ; because i hold it a matter of singular comfort , and speciall consequence , to have an hand in diverting the eie of any , that attends upon earthly majesty , from too much gazing upon the outward illustrious splendour , which is woont to glister in the courts of great princes ; to the admiration , and embracement of the glorious , and ever-lasting beauty of the lord iesus : in respect whereof , all the fairest beames of felicity and joy , which shine from the most orient imperiall diadems , that crowne the face of the earth , are but a moate of darkenesse , and lumpe of vanity . and that for divers reasons ; . first , such as stand in the presence of mighty kings , are , or ever should be , men of greatest parts , deepest understandings , and most eminent abilities every way : which being happily sanctifyed by a fruitfull influence from heaven ; and by the helpe of the holy ghost , bent to the right end , and spent upon the objects , they ought ; become gloriously serviceable to the king of kings ; proportionably to their native excellency above ordinary gifts , and the vulgar sort of sufficiencies . great endowments , in what kinde soever , gvided by a divine hand , in their exercise and agitations , doe ever , a great deale of good . to give instance , and not stirre from the court : the lord of heaven vouchsafed to king iames , of famous memory , and one of the learnedest princes , that ever wore a crowne upon earth , such a strong and enlarged understanding , that wee should have magnified it , as admirable , even in a private man. the same good hand of providence in great mercy , directed it upon the right object ; even the defense of the b holy truth of our blessedly reformed religion , and destruction of antichristianisme , that accursed hydra of all heresies ; and notoriously infamous , both to this , and the other world , for horrible massacres , and c murthering of kings . whereupon , besides that , hee hath by his princely pen , given such a deadly wound to that beast of rome , that hee is never like to stand upon his foure legs againe : hee hath also left in his learned labours , such an immortall monument of demonstrative light , & invincible remonstrance against that bloody superstition , that i am perswaded , it will proove a most soveraigne d preservative , and a mighty motive , far stronger then a mountaine of brasse , to keepe all his royall posterity , which shall hereafter successively sit upon his regall throne , to the worlds end , in a thorow universall , and everlasting detestation of popery . chamier , that great glory of france , and the whole christian world , was bountifully enriched from heaven with singularity of learning , and polemicall parts ; which being turned the right way , have happily produced a panstratia , such victorious volumes , and so unanswerably triumphant over all popish sophistry ; that not all the iesuites in christendom , tho they should rake hell afresh , for some new , rotten distinctions , to uphold their tottering babell , shall ever bee able to reply to any purpose . gnash the teeth they may with griefe and shame enough ; raile like the vassals of the e great whore , impressioned with the impudency of her forehead , and lie against him voluminously ; but for any possibility of a sound answer , they must all let that alone for ever . as on the contrary , great parts empoisoned , and mis-imploied , plague extraordinarily . the greater sufficiency without grace , is but a sharper sword in a madder hand . hatred to goodnesse , and height of place , attended with capacity and cunning , worke a world of mischiefe . iulian , the apostate , being an emperour of admirable eloquence , and exact learning ; what horrible worke ? what hurt and havocke did he make in the primitive times , amongst the people of god! the iesuites at this day , brought up in variety of literature , and f machivellian mysteries , become the grand impostours , and impoisoners of innumerable soules ; the most notorious incendiaries , and assasins , that ever the g earth bore : such h murtherers of princes , i butcherers of people , firers of states , and blowers-up of parliaments , as former histories never heard of . thus , when men of place , and imploiment , mighty and remarkeable in the world , improove the utmost possibilites of their wit and art ; of all their naturall , and acquired parts , to serve their own turnes , and attaine their private ends ; to rise , revenge , grow rich ; or more immediately by some speciall service , to advance the kingdome of darknesse , and dominion of antichrist ; o the luciferian pride , the injustice , the cruelty , the machiavellisme ; the putting of faire pretences upon pestilent plots ; the drowning of innocency in the depths of state ; the crafty and mercilesse pressures of gods people , and those , over whom they domineere ! it is then a work of great waight and worthinesse , to winne a great man to the waies of god. hereby the common state of goodnesse is mightily strengthned ; and which is an equall happinesse , the divels side goes downe , and belials hang the head . for according to the eminency of his gifts , and greatnesse of place , is the excellency of good , or excesse of ill , that hee doth . it were to bee wished therefore , if god so pleased , that all the incurable , and implacable enemies to the grace of god , good men , and power of godlinesse , were dunces and fooles ; that they might not bee able to manage their malice and power , with such depths and dexterity , to the more dangerous under-mining of the kingdome of christ ; and their owne more desperate ruine , and greater damnation . . secondly , great men are subject to great temptations ; and therefore , it is the harder taske , and more honorable triumph , to turne them on gods side . had not an all-mighty hand mastered the temptation , steeled his faith , and represented to his eie , the matchlesse glory of an immortall crowne ; moses had never been able to have parted with the magnificent state , and pompe of pharaohs court : where hee might have wallowed in varietie of all worldly delights ; and to take part , with his afflicted brethren , of a world of miseries , in a vast and roaring wildernesse . there was never carnall man since the creation , but in such a case would have followed the court , and forsaken gods people . hester , a weake woman , could never possibly have holden out , against the fury of so mighty a favourite , the hazarding of her high place , the favour of so great a king , and even life it selfe ; had she not been upholden by an extraordinary strength from heaven . no great woman in the world , wanting grace , would ever have runne such an hazard : but have suffered the servants of god to sinke , or swimme ; so that she might swimme downe the current of the times without crossing , and enjoy the present without perill . it was a 〈◊〉 temptation ▪ 〈◊〉 ●●nathan , and a very 〈…〉 dilemma : either , leave to adhere to david , or resolve to lose a kingdome . but the hope of an earthly crowne , could not hire him to hold his peace , and betray the innocency of his heavenly friend : and ionathan answered saul his father , and said unto him ; wherefore shall hee bee slaine ? what hath hee done ? the dread of dis-countenance from two angry kings , whose indignation is as the roaring of a lyon , was a terrible motive , to have made michajah temporize : ( not a server of the times , and his owne turne in the world , but would in this case have tuned his pipe to ahabs pleasure , especially encouraged by the flattering concurrence of so many false prophets ) . but the sight of the mighty lord of heaven and earth sitting upon his throne , and all the host of heaven standing by him , infused such an holy fortitude into the spirit of this man of god ; that no greatnesse , terrour , or majesty of any crowned potentate , could possibly daunt his courage , or dash him out of countenance : and therefore hee answeres with a resolution , as high as heaven , and out of a sacred pang of seraphicall zeale : as the lord liveth , whatsoever the lord saith unto mee , that will i speake . so that hee may discharge a good conscience , and doe as god would have him , hee is at a point . that message , which th●●lmighty had put into his mouth , must 〈…〉 him to a centur● 〈…〉 from so 〈…〉 owne coate ; to a suspicion of dis-loyalty , for crossing so peremptorily the kings plot ; to smiting , both with the fist of wickednesse , and taunts of the tongue , from his fellow seers : nay , tho his faithfull dealing throw him into a dungeon , there to bee fed with the bread of affliction , and water of affliction ; untill the full wrath of an enraged prophane king fall upon him to the uttermost . thus , let the world say what it will , whatever flesh and blood suggest to the contrary ; howsoever unsanctified great ones storme and disdaine ; yet assuredly , every true friend to iesus christ , must bee content farre rather to bee dis-courted , then desert a good cause ; or not to defend the innocency of a gracious man , tho in disgrace ; and to speake for gods people , tho haman rage to roote them out quite , as a company of singular exorbitant fellowes , who serve god as they list , and keepe not the kings lawes : as is unanswerably evident , by the precedency of these newly named , noble , and holy saints . i confesse , this may seeme precise doctrine , and a divine paradox to all the great masters of pleasure , and minions of luxury and pride ; whose blood runnes fresh in their veines , and marrow is yet strong in their bones ; nay , who having attained the height of their ambitious aimes , sit now aloft in the very top of their un-blessed bravery and greatnesse , drunke with the pleasant wine of worldly prosperitie , and holding in scorne , the holy preaching of the good way , the syncerity of the servants of christ , and society of the c brotherhood . yet i can assure them in the word of life and truth , the now embracement , and practise of d precise walking , will incomparably more comfort them upon their dying-beds , in that great and last encounter with all infernall powers , about the immortality , blisse and glory ; or the endlesse , and unsupportable paines , and misery of their soules ; then if they had been the sole , and soveraigne commanders of all the kingdoms of the earth , all their life long . but no marvell in the meane time , that , as the spirit of truth tells us , and punctually to my purpose ; not many wise men after the flesh , nor many mighty , not many noble are called : not for any impossibility ; for the irresistable might of the spirit , worketh upon whom it will ; and some great men are good : but by reason of the difficulty . being beset with such variety , and strength of temptations , they are rarelier , and hardlier wrought upon by the word , and woone out of satans en-snarements . high roomes , temporary happines , & abilities above ordinary , so puffe them up , and transport them beyond themselves , with such a deale of selfe-love , selfe-opinion , self-prizing ; that their proud and obstinated spirits , will by no meanes stoope to the simplicity of the gospell , ●●gularitie of the saints , and the foolishnesse of preaching . but if at any time , they heare of a nathan , ieremy , amos , chrysostome , latimer , &c. they are very loth to lend their attention , lest thereby , they should bee made melancholike , put in mind of the evill day , & tormented before their time . but if they have the patience , they are ready to startle in their seates , and whisper one to an other : you see now these preciser fellowes would damne us all to hell : let us breake their bonds asunder , and cast away their cordes from us . such adoe there is , and a world of worke , to bring such noble bedlams into their right minds ; and to fright such idolizers of their owne sufficiencies ; and wilfull graspers of their gilded fetters , from their admired follies , and honorable servitude . . thirdly , a gracious man about a royall person , is a goodly sight ; & full well worth even a kings ransome . g for never any , except himself truly feare the great god of heaven , can possibly bee cordially , and conscionably serviceable to any of our earthly gods. a principle so cleare , and unquestionable , that no man of understanding , and master of his owne wits , except himselfe be notoriously obnoxious , can have the face to deny it . please they may , bee politically plausible , flatter extremely , and represent themselves to ordinary observation , as the onely men for loyalty and love : but if wee could search , and see their hearts , wee should find them then most laborious to serue themselves ; and advance their owne ends , when they seeme most zealous for their soveraignes service . ahitophel , in the sunne-shine of peace , and calmenesse of the kingdomes time , did accommodate himselfe to the present , both in consultations of state , and religious conformitie : but no sooner had this hollow-hearted man espied a dangerous tempest , raysed by absoloms un-naturall treachery , but hee turned traytor to his naturall lord : when hee observed the winde to blow another way , he followed the blast , and set his sailes according to the weather : which made david after complaine ; but it was thou , o man , even my companion , my guide and familiar : we tooke sweet counsell together , and walked unto the house of god in company . wherefore let great men , without grace , professe , and pretend what they will ; and protest the impossibility of any such thing , as hazael did in an other case ; yet ordinarily , ( i know not what some one morall puritan amongst a million might doe ) in such tumultuous times , and of universall confusion , for the securing of their temporall happinesse ; which , without timely turning on gods side , is all the heaven they are like to have in this world , or the world to come : i say , upon a point of great advantage , and advancement with safety , they would flie from the declining state , and downe-fall of their old master ; tho formerly the mightiest monarch upon earth , as from the ruines of a falling house . and it can bee no otherwise ; for they have no internall principle , or super-naturall power , to illighten and enable them , to set their shoulders against the torrent of the times , and to bee overflowne with it . but now , hee that truly feares god , would rather lose his high place ; nay , his posterity ; as much hearts-blood , if he had it , as would animate a whole kingdome ; then leave his lawfull soveraigne lord , in such a case , upon any termes , tho hee might have even the imperiall crowne set upon his owne head. for conscience , that poore neglected thing ; nay , in these last , and looser times , even laughed at by men of the world ; yet a stronger tie of subjects hearts unto their soveraignes , then man or divell is able to dissolve ; ever holds up his royall heart erect and unshaken , when all shebnaes , hamans , and ahitophels , would hide their heads , and shrink in the wetting . which conscience of his , if upon such occasion hee should unhappily wound ; hee knowes full well , it would follow him with guilty cries , for his so base temporizing , and traiterous slinking , all the daies of his life . whereas gracelesse and selfe-seeking greatnesse , can well enough , in the meane time , conquer such clamorous accusations of an ill conscience , with the boisterous excesse of carnall contentments , even as the sacrificers of their sonnes to m●loch in the fire , drowned their lamentable cries , with the louder sound of tabrets and drummes . ambitious nimrods , are able by the inordinate heate after humane greatnesse , to digest , and drive away the after-stings of bribery , basenesse , if not close bloodshed ( their ordinary meanes of mounting ) with their delight in domineering , and beeing adored above others . it is a fit passage therefore in our common prayer-booke : that it may please thee to endue the lords of the counsell , and all the nobility , with grace , wisedome , and understanding . grace is fitly put in the first place : for , understanding and wisdome , without this heavenly iewell , doe but prepare their owners , to doe the greater mischiefe ; to oppresse innocency with finer tricks , and more unobservedly ; to plague opposites more plausibly ; to compasse their owne ends more exactly ; and at last , for the abuse , and mis-imploiment of their great parts and places , in serving themselves , and not seeking gods glory , to be damned more horribly . without sanctification by speciall grace ; the rarest endowments l degenerate : wisedome into craft ; m power into private reuenge ; valour into violence ; prudence into plotting their owne ends ; courage into foole-hardinesse , to uphold a faction ; policy , into plastering over soule-businesses with faire colours : all of them are basely , and unworthily made subordinate , and serviceable , onely to the setting forward , and safe-garding their owne outward felicity . without this celestiall load-starre , to steere aright in all affaires , there will ever be some warping . a great man , a friend , an enemy , feare , cowardlinesse , affection , faction , partiality , covetousnesse , malice , or something , will certainly sway , and transport away . but now , a godly man , besides his presence , n exemplary precedency in piety , and prayers , which are ever pleasing and prevailing with god ; the discharge of his place with integrity and truth , improving industriously all opportunities , high favours , interest in great ones , and utmost possibility every way to advance gods glory , promote good causes , protect good men ; hee may also , by observing the calmnesse of a royall countenance , and openesse of a princely eare unto him , wisely and humbly suggest some things , and speake those words for the publike good , and good of religion , wherby not only a kingdome , but the whole christian world may fare the better . vpon these , and the like grounds , i hold it an high happinesse , and great honor , to have an hand in working spirituall good upon those excellent spirits , which hold high roomes , or stand in neare attendance unto mighty princes . and by this time , you easily discerne my drift , and rightly apprehend the top of my ambition in this dedication : even to doe your soule good , which is much more worth then the whole world , and must never die . to which i conceived a doore opened ; when it pleased you , in more then ordinary manner , to manifest your liking , and allowance of my last booke . and therefore , sir , i beseech you , out of the generousnesse of your noble disposition , to doe me that f●vour ; nay , that right ; nay , that honour , for so i shall account it : as not to conceive the least thought , that hereby i goe about to seeke great things to my selfe ; or ever to come nearer the court , then by the continuance of my daylie heartiest praiers for the salvation , and life of king charles , my dread and dearest soveraigne . i am drawing apace towards my long home , and must shortly appeare before that high and everlasting iudge ; and therefore i desire to lose no time , but to ply , all i can , the businesse god hath set me about , for the short remainder of these few and evill daies ; that by the mercies of god , i may finish my course with joy ; and give up that last , and great account , with favour and comfort , in the name of iesus christ. mee thinkes , besides many other , and mighty divine motives , that one o speech of chrysostome , who himselfe many times preached p every day , and gave a q precept for it ; and yet professeth , that the dreadfulnesse of those words , heb. . . for they watch for your soules , as they that must give account , did strike a great terrour into his heart ; should make all gods ministers resolve , to doe nothing else almost , but reade , meditate , preach and pray . wherefore , noble sir , i shall have my full desire , and utmost end , if you be but pleased , to make me the happy instrument of helping you towards heaven ; and give me leave to gaine this advantage , for your spirituall good , by your love unto my ministeriall labours ; that they my thereby leave a more kindly , and deeper impression in your apprehensions of heavenly things ; and worke with more life and power , for a sound erection , and sure settling of the kingdome of iesus christ in your owne soule . you stand in a r slippery place , tho you stand in the presence of the mightiest defender of the true religion , of any monarch under heaven . for altho satan bee most solicitous , and stirring in all places , and now more then ever ( the long day of mankind drawing fast towards an evening ; and the worlds troubles , and time neere at an end ) to doe all the mischiefe , hee can possibly ; yet you may bee assured , hee reserves his most desperate services , ambushments , surprises , practises , and powder-plots , for kings courts : because hee findes there , an extraordinary confi●ence of greatnesse , power , wit , policy , noblest parts , and other mighty engines ; the edge and excellency whereof , if hee shall bee any waies able , by improovement of the utmost skill , in his old trade of tempting , to turne the wrong way ; hee gaines farre more , then if he should win to his side some millions of private men. if hee prevailes there , hee knowes himselfe in a faire way , to make foule worke ; and is often woont thereupon , to empoison , and plagve even a whole kingdome . for your support therefore , and surer standing in such a case ; and that you may trample upon , with an holy contempt , and noble disdaine , the false , s durelesse , pestilent sweetnesse of worldly pleasures , and vanishing glister of all earthly glory ; there is no way in the world , but to embrace the lord iesus , in the armes of your ●umbled soule , fallen out for ever t with every sinne , and fallen in love unfainedly with all gods blessed waies . for by faith , and faith alone , ( which how it is brought into the heart by the holy ghost , you have in the body of the booke ) wee overcome the world . and that in all respects ; not onely in regard of the furious enticements , and keene baites of carnall delights , riches , and rising ; but also , of comminations of cruelty and torture ; nay , of the stinging provocations of contumelies , and cruell mockings . may you please to take notice of the power , and property of it this way ; and in what manner this glorious princesse conquers , and sets her triumphant foote upon the necke of the world , as upon her vanquished vassall , in two or three passages . . first , while as yet the soule , tho never so admirably , and universally endowed with rarest illuminations of humane wisedome , naturall , morall , metaphysicall learning , & mysteries of state , is wholly gvided by the eies of sense , and carnall reason ; it lookes upon the world , and worldly things , as upon the onely paradise of sweetest contentments , choicest pleasures , and chiefest good ; of the favour and fruition whereof , it would rather bee damned , then dispossest : but upon the kingdome of christ , and it 's spirituall glory , as upon a thing not worthy searching into , and seeking after ; a sower , strict , and uncomfortable condition ; fit onely for some few precise fooles , and those , scorned , contemptible underlings ; who understand not the world , but want wit , and art , to grow rich , and rise ; to render themselves remarkeable to the eies of men , and greaten their posterity . but let that glorious eie of faith be once planted in the soule , and the case is quite altered . those former fading lights of sense and reason , are obscured by the presence of this heavenly sunne , and vanish , with all their vanities . for now this new , beautifull lampe , shining in the face of the soule , doth represent to it's apprehension , the world , set out in greatest brauery , and to the utmost worth , as worth u nothing ; as a dead rotten carion , a very dunghill , full of all loathsomenesse , deformity and filth . which heated by the fire of mens furious lusts , sends up continually such fumes of vanity , and he lish mists ; which unhappily hide their sight from any glimpse at all , of all that incomparable beauty , which shineth in the countenance of christ ; or glory of the joyes above , which last eternally . but it now lookes upon the kingdome of grace , as upon a rock of diamonds , or crystall mountaine thicke beset , and glistering full faire with variety of richest pearles , and truly orient ; i meane , as upon the most amiable , and admirable object under the sunne ; as the best , and blessedest thing to bee loved , and looked after in this life . . secondly , every man is naturally , and notoriously greedy of hearts-ease , and joy in one kinde or other : of which , rather then they will misse , they doe not sticke , many times , to light a candle at the divell himselfe , for some joviall lightsom-nesse and mirth , such as it is ; a madnesse above admiration , and followed with infinite miseries . and therefore , untill they lay certainely hold upon , and really possesse somthing more pretious , surer comforts , sounder ioyes , which may out-balance the weight of all wordly treasures , and over-top the height of all humane happinesses , both in excellency and sweetnesse ; they will by no meanes , upon no termes , suffer their hearts to bee drawne , and divorced from possession of the present , and the bird in hand , as they say ; i meane , from that poore , little , leane , imaginary nothing of contentment ; which they seeme to extract , with much adoe , and most certaine losse of eternall blisse , from earthly things . they will , in the meane time , sticke to the world as fast , as pherecides the athenian , to the ship ; who held it on the shore with his hands ; and one of them cut off , hee held it with the other ; and both beeing cut off , hee held it with his teeth . but let once the weary soules of these former worldings , truly wounded , and broken in peeces with weight of sinne , and sense of wrath ; leane upon , and lay downe themselves in the bosome of the lord iesus , bleeding upon the crosse , prizing his purity as well , as his passion ; and so taking him upon s gods termes : and then reflecting with a sensible and serious contemplation , upon that pearle of great price , of which they now stand possest ; by the worth whereof , they have sealed , and made sure unto them , a full discharge from the endlesnesse of hellish torments , and a most undoubted right to eternitie of heavenly ioyes ; nay , possession given them of the thrice glorious , and ever-blessed deitie , and all his perfections , excellencies , felicities , so farre as an infinite god-head is conceiveable , and a creature capable : i say , then , and never before , will they easily , and willingly leave their hold-fast of the world , and bee content for ever after to settle their dearest love , seeke their truest t comfort , and have their heartiest conversation u above . . thirdly , faith hath many pretious effects : it justifies , pacifies , purifies , mortifies , rectifies in all troublesome turnings of our life , and also satisfies the heart . as the soule of man is immortall by nature ; so it is immeasurable in it's appetite and aspirations , edged with an infinite desire . the boundlesse capacity whereof , can never bee filled , untill it apprehend , and enjoy as it 's owne , an object infinite , as well in eminency of good , as durability of time . and therefore except faith , by bringing the lord christ into the soule , give us the infinite god himself , and make him our portion , the x heart of man never will , or can possibly bee satisfied in this world , or the world to come . but here bee tossed continually , and torne in peeces , like the raging sea , with restlesse distractions , carking , discontent : and hereafter roare everlastingly in hell with unknowne horrours ; and for the irrevocable exclusion , from the supreme and soveraign good , the ever-springing fountaine of all peace and pleasure , and his glorious presence even for ever & ever . if the soule of man , saith * hooker , did serve onely to give him beeing in this life , then things appertaining unto this life would content him , as wee see they doe other creatures : which creatures inioying what they live by , seeke no further ; but in this contentation doe shew a kinde of acknowledgement , that there is no higher good , which doe any way belong unto them . with us it is otherwise . for altho the beauties , riches , honours , sciences , vertues , and perfections of all men living , were in the present possession of one : yet somewhat beyond , and above all this , would still bee sought , and earnestly thirsted for . it is no marvell , saith y green●ham , if riches fill not the soule , for they were all made for man , his soule for god. whatsoever is capable of god , that can never bee satisfied with any thing else : all riches , all preferments can not satisfie one soule : but when god is come , it is full & whatsoever is added more , it runneth over . these , and the like , are the mighty works of faith. and even so let this princely , and victorious grace , attended with all her heavenly traine , tread down triumphantly before you still , the painted bables and babels of al transitory glory , and ungodly greatnesse ; hold still fresh and flourishing in your ●ie , the immortality and blisse of a never-fading crowne ; and shine faire and fruitfully in your soule ; untill it set you downe safe , in the midst of the most glorious and ever-during kingdome of heaven ; and having there finished her blessed task , resigne you up , and leave you for ever , to the beatificall vision , and full fruition of iehovah , everlastingly blessed ; and to the endlesse enioyment of fulnesse of ioy and pleasures , at his right hand , even thorow all eternity . your servant for the salvation of your soule , robert bolton . some instrvctions for a right comforting afflicted consciences , with antidotes against some speciall temptations . prov . . . the spirit of a man will sustaine his infirmitie : but a wounded spirit who can beare ? my text lies as you see , in a sacred cabinet of richest iewels ; i meane the most selected , and wisest aphorismes , or proverbs , that ever issued out of mortall braine : every one of them , for the most part , especially from the tenth chapter , independant , entire , and absolute in themselues ; cleare and manifest by their owne native brightnesse ; not needing such reciprocall light , and lustre for each others mutuall discouery , and interpretation . and therefore they are naturally not capable of any coherent logicall analysis , and other circumstantiall expositions , ordinarily incident to other parts of scripture . whence it is , that this booke of proverbs is compared to a great heape of gold rings , rich , and orient , severally ; and every one shining with a distinct sense by it selfe : but other contexts of holy writ , to gould ▪ chaines so interwoven and enlinked together , that they must upon necessity , for the rendring unto us aright , and fully their severall senses , be illightened and receive mutuall illustration , one from another . this present proverbe doth represent unto us the extremest hell upon earth , the greatest misery , and most un-supportable that can possibly befall a man in this life ; i meane the horror of a guilty and enraged conscience . which is set out ; first , by the excellency of it's opposite ; the invincible ability and mighty strength of that truly stoute and heroicall heart , which is happily upholden with the heavenly refreshing influence of grace , gods favour and a good conscience : the spirit of a man will sustaine his ●firmity : whence take this first note . doctr. the spirit of a man furnished with grace , and fortified with the sense of gods favour , is able to passe thorow the pikes , and conquer all commers . reas. . for what and why should that man feare or faint , on whose side the mighty lord of heaven and earth doth stand ? if a god be for us who can be against us ? whose mercy to his , is without all stint and limit , like b himselfe , infinite ; so immeasurable , that it reacheth from c everlasting to everlasting ; so tender that it su●passeth incomprehensibly the compassionate meltings of the lovingest d mother ; and spared not the dearest blood of his onely e sonne . who hath ever in a readinesse for the recovery of his children out of the most desperate danger , and to rescue them out of the hands of the deadliest enemy ; besides his owne omnipotent arme , the least finger whereof can beate the greatest mountaine to powder , and ●end the hardest rocke in peeces ; innumerable hosts of angels , one of which killed f an hundred foure score and five thousand in one night ; charets of fire , even a thousand charets in the whirlewind ; that faire glorious giant , which with incredible s●iftnesse runs post , as it were , thorow the skye , to stand still or r●tore ; the impetuous current of the raging sea to recoyle ; the merciles slames of the hungry fire , to become a soft and refreshing aire ; the ●●placable fury of the most enraged lions , to couch at first word for his servants sake and safety . nay if need bee , hee hath caterpillers and frogges , wormes and lice , even the most impotent and vilest vermi●e , to fetch blood , and take downe the heart of the proudest tyrant upon earth , carry he his head neve● so high ; to eate out the bowels of the bloodiest nim●od or mightiest monarch , that weares a crowne upon his head , if hee oppose his people . he hath the very g hands , and consciences of all that rise up against them , to bring their owne blood upon the●r owne heads , and even hell and extreamest horror upon their hearts in this life . what then so dreadfull a face of present confusions , or fore-imagined formes of future troubles a●e able or ought , slavishly to de●ect , and terrifie , that holy heart , which with a sweet and safe repose is happily , and everlastingly hid under the h wings of that mighty god ? who for the deliverance of his , can worke : . by weake meanes , see iud. . . sam. . genes . . . sam. . iud. . . and . . . without meanes , see . chron. . exod. . iosu. . . kings . . chron. . . contrary to meanes , see dan. . . ios. . . dan. . . . ionah . . iosu. . , , . . when the heavenly beames of gods pleased countenance begin to breake out upon a man , thorow the darke and hellish mist of his manifold and hainous sinnes , the unquenchable heate of his everlasting love thorow christ dissolving them into nothing ; and fairely shine with a comfortable aspect upon his humbled soule ; ipso facto , as they say , heaven and earth ▪ and all the hosts of both are everlastingly reconciled unto him , and become his friends ; the stormes and tempests raised by all the powers of hell are presently calmed for ever doing him any deadly hurt . all the creatures then , pull in their hornes , retire their stings , bite in their poyson , s●ib'd , and awed by those divine impressions of their creators blessed image stamped upon them by the spirit of grace ; and dare no more offer any violence or vexation to him , ( except upon particular dispensation for his spirituall good and quickening ) then to the apple of gods owne eye . heare the promise from gods owne mouth : and in that day i will make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field , and with the fowles of heaven , and with th● creeping things of the ground : and i will breake the bow , and the sword , and the battell out of the earth , and will make them to lye downe safely , hos. . . nay , they are so farre from charging their seuerall stings upon the saints , that they will change their very natures , to doe them service . they will rather become an astonishment and horror to the whole creation , then they be hurt . how often have they suspended and put off their native power , and properties , for the protection and good of gods people ? the very sea , that most raging and roaring creature , must stay his course and current , to give passage and preservation to a true israelite : the starres must fight , and the sunne stand still for the ayde and advantage of gods armies . the lions must leave their savage rage and trade of blood , and become lambes and loving unto a daniel . the crowes will feed an elijah : the flames of fire must hold in their heate , from burning a shadrach , meshach or abednego : the devouring belly of a dreadfull fish must be turned into a sanctuary of safty to a ionah : a popish furnace heated with the very malice of hell shall become a bed of doune and roses to a i martyr of iesus : the very dead lines of an ordinary k letter , must represent to a royall conceite , a meaning quite contrary to the naturall sense and all grammaticall construction , before a blessed parliament be blowne up with popish gun-powder : a brittle l glasse must rebound unbroken from the hardest stone , to helpe to bind up a broken heart , bleeding with griefe , for absence of her spouse , and wan● of the assurance of his love , &c. nay the divell himselfe , though hee walkes about like a roaring lion seeking with restlesse rage , and desiring infinitely to devoure the lords inheritance , yet cannot possibly adde one linke to the chaine , in which by the mercifull and mighty hand of god , he is hampered ; nor goe an haires bredth beyond his commission : though it bee utterly impossible , that that damned angell should so farre change his divellish nature , as to doe any of gods chosen , directly , any true good ; yet he is everlastingly musled by an almighty arme , from ever doing them any deadly hurt . he may be suffered sometimes to shake his chaine at them , and roare upon them hideously , to drive them nearer unto god , and fright them from sinne ; but he shall never either in this world , or the world to come have his full swinge at them , or fasten his hellish fangs upon their redeemed soules . . besides all that other excellent , compleate , impenetrable armour of proofe mentioned , ephes. . which is able to beate backe victoriously all earthly oppositions , and the very ordnance of hell , every one of gods favourites is also blessedly furnished with a mighty spirituall m engine , which is able to batter downe all the bulwarkes of the divell , to shake the whole kingdome of darkenesse , and all hellish powers ; nay , to offer an holy violence to the very throne of n god himselfe : witnesse , his most mercifull intreating moses * to let him alone , exod. . . as though the mediation of a man , could binde as it were , i speake it with lowliest reverence to that highest maiestie , the hands of his omnipotency , from doing his people any hurt ; and were able to extingvish that unquenchable wrath in the conception , which once on foote would burne unto the lowest hell , and set on fire the foundations of the mountain●s : i meane that o most pretious , and almost , if not altogether omnipotent grace of prayer . this great master of miracles hath wrought from time to time many and very remarkeable wonders both in heaven and earth . it made the sun , that mighty creature , the prince of all the lights in heaven , to stay and stand still upon the suddaine , in the heat of his swiftest course : it landed ionah safely upon the shore , out of the bellie of the whale , and bowels of the sea : it drew refreshing streames out of a dry bone for the saving of samsons life : it turned the heaven into brasse for three yeeres and a halfe ; and afterward turned the selfe-same brasse into fruitefull clouds , and fountaines of raine : it killed an hundred fourescore and five thousand of the enemies of gods people in one night : for the freeing of elisha from a straite and dangerous siege , it filled a mountaine in a moment , as it were , full of hors●s and charets of ●ire : it turned the swords of a mighty army into the bowells of one another ; when iehoshaphat knew not which way to turne himselfe ; but was so helpelesse and hopelesse , that he cryed unto the lord , wee know not what to doe ; only our eyes are upon thee ! it loosed peter out of prison , shoke his chaines off from his hands , and made an iron gate to open of its owne accord : * it e●raged and inlarged the english seas to swallow up the spanish invincible armado : and which is none of the least wonders , it brought prince charles out of spaine . but you instance , may some say , in extraordinary examples of extraordinary men , endowed with an extraordinary spirit . yet sure i am , they are registred by the holy ghost , to represent unto us , and to all generations of the church to the worlds end , the almighty and wonder-working power of prayer . and i am as sure , that the petitioners were men * subiect to like passions as we are . perhaps , if thou be a true-hearted nathanael , since thy new birth , thou wast never so extraordinarily passionate , as ionah was , when out of a pang of strange distemper , hee thus answered the mighty lord of heaven and earth : i doe well to bee angry even unto death . fourthly , gods favourite is further furnished with an other spirituall weapon of impregnable temper , and incredible might . i meane faith , p the very power , and arme of god for all true ioy , sound comfort , and light somnesse at the heart-roote in this life . this crowned emperesse of all those heavenly graces , that dwell in the soule of a sanctified man ; and which in a right sense may be said vertually to comprehend all the beautie , strength , excellency and power of christ himselfe ; is truely q victorious , and triumphant , r over all the world ; s over the very gates of hell , and all the powers of darkenesse ; t over the divels fieriest darts ; u over the devouring flames of the raging fire ; x over the roaring furie of the most hungry lions ; y over the varietie and extremitie of exquisitest tortures , temptations , persecutions , all outward miseries ; euen z over cruell mockings . it * unresistably beares downe , or blowes up the strongest bulwarkes , and thickest walles ; a puts to flight the mightiest armies , and b conquers the most invincible kingdomes . and when all is done , oh blessed faith ! at the very last , and deadliest lift , c she triumphantly sets her foote upon the necke of the prince of terrors , i meane death , the last and worst , the end and summe of all feared evills : and even in the middest of those dying and dreadfull pangs , beares a glorious part with iesus christ the conquerour in that sweetest song of victory , o death , where is thy sting ? in a word , it can doe all things . d all things are possible to him that beleeveth . fifthly , and lastly ; and in a word grace in its owne nature , being the most glorious creature of the d father of li●hts , and flowing as it were more immediately and sweetly from his blessed face , is of such a divine invincible , and lightsome temper , and hath such an anti-patheticall vigour and ability , against all spirituall darkenesse and dampes ; whether of affliction , temptation , troublesome confusions of the times , the valley of the shadow of death , the grave , hell it selfe ; that it is ever able , either to dispell it , or dissolve it , or support it selfe strongly and triumphantly even in the midst of it . suppose a soule beautified with grace , to be seated , if it were possible , in the very center of that hellish kingdome , yet would it , by its heavenly strength , and glory , in despite of all infernall powers keepe off at some distance all the darkenesse , torments and horrour of that damned place . whence it is , that it is so often in the holy scriptures compared to light . now what power and prevalent antipathy our ordinary light doth exercise against his most abhorred opposite , darkenesse , you well know , and it is elegantly and punctually for my purpose expressed by one in this manner : we see , and prove , saith he , by dayly experience how powerfull and dreadfull a thing the darkenesse of the night is . for when it falleth , it covereth , and muffleth up the face of the whole world . it obscureth , and hideth , the hue , and the fashion of all creatures : it bindeth up all hands , and breaketh off all imployments : the night commeth , saith our sauiour , wherein we cannot worke . it arresteth , and keepeth captive all living wights , men and beasts , that they must be still , and rest there where it arresteth them : yea it maketh them fearefull , and faint-hearted , full of fancies , and much subiect to frights . it is of all others such a powerfull , and unconquerable tyrant , as no man is able to withstand . and yet neverthelesse , it is not of that might , that it is able to overwhelme , or to quench the least light in the world. for we see the darken the night is , the clearer the starres shine : yea the least candles light , that is lighted , withstandeth the whole night , and not onely suffereth not the darkenesse to cover , or to smoother , and oppresse it , but it giveth light also even in the middest of the darkenesse , and beateth it backe for some space and distance on every side of it : so that which way soever it is borne , or wheresoever it commeth , there must darkenesse depart and give place unto the light ; all the power , and the dreadfulnesse of it , cannot helpe or prevaile ought against it . and tho the light be so weake , that it cannot cast light farre about , or drive the darkenesse farre from it , as in the sparke of an hot coale , yet cannot the darknesse cover or conceale , and much lesse quench it ; but it giveth light to it selfe alone at least ; so that it may be seene a farre off in the darke ; and it remaineth unconquered of the darke , tho it cannot helpe other things nor give light unto them . yea ( that which is yet more wonderfull ) a rotten shining peece of wood , which h●th the faintest light that can be found , yet remaineth invincible of all the power of darkenesse ; and the more it is compassed about with darken●sse , the clearer light it giveth . so little is darkenesse able to overcome , or k●epe downe an● light ; but that it ruleth and vanquisheth , and expelleth the dark●n●ss● , which else overwhelmeth , and ●●areth , and fettereth ▪ and putteth all things in feare . now if this naturall light be so pow●●full , and so able to prevaile against the darkenesse of the night : why should not that spirituall light , that gods spirit doth kindle , and set up in the hearts of gods children , be able to afford them light in darkenesse , and to minister sound ioy and sweete comfort unto them , in the very midst of their heaviest , and most hideous afflictions . assuredly , it must needes be unconquerably able , with farre greater power , and in an higher proportion . for our visible light doth spring but from a finite and materiall fountaine , the sunne , it selfe a creature : but the spirituall light , i speake of , flowes immediately from the glorious face of the onely true , incomprehensible and eternall * light , the sunnes creatour , who dwelleth in the light that no man can approach unto , and is an everlasting well-spring of all life and light ; which it doth so farre represent and resemble in divine excellencie , and mightinesse , that it thence receives by a secret and sacred influence , fresh successions still of an infinite triumphant power , and prevailing against all spirituall darkenesses for ever . suppose all the men that dwell within the compasse of our hemisphere should addresse themselues with all their wit and weapons , with all their power and policie to keepe backe that universall darkenesse , which is woont to seize upon the face of the earth at the setting of the sunne ; yet by all this strong and combined opposition , they should but beate the ayre : but now , upon the very first approach of that princely light , but peeping up in the east , it would all ●ly away in a e moment , and vanish into nothing . semblablely , if all the understandings upon earth , and all the angels in heaven should contribute all their abilities , and excellencies to illighten with cheerefulnesse and ioy , a guilty conscience surprised sometimes with hellish darkenesse and cloudes of horrour upon sight of sinne , and sense of divine wrath ; yet all would not doe , they should all the while , but wash a blackamoore , as they say : but now , let but the least glimpse of the light of grace shine into that sad and heavy soule , and it would farre more easily and irresistably chase away the very darkest midnight of any spirituall misery , then the strongest summers sunne , the ●hinnest mornings mist. give me , if you will , iudas his heart , or spiraes horrour ; or a vexed spirit torne and rent in peeces with the raging guilt of both those wofull men ; and let that supposed rufull soule , weary of its hellish burden , and thirsting sincerely for the water of life , but cast it selfe upon the mercy , truth , and power of the lord iesus , so sweetly offering himselfe in that pretious promise , matth. . . resoluing to take him for an everlasting husband ; and ipso facto , as they say , it might be put into a very heaven upon earth . for this glorious grace of faith , the prince of all spirituall light and lightsomnesse in the truely humbled soule , thus shed into such a darke and grieved spirit , doth enkindle and set on shining all those f gracious heavenly starres , that are woont to beautifie the hearts of holy men ; hope , love , zeale , son-like feare , humility , patience , selfe-deniall , vniversall obedience , fruitfulnesse in all good workes , &c. which make them g light it selfe , to h walke in the light , towards the infinite and i unapproachable light : and therefore they never neede to want lightsomnesse ; but have perpetuall pregnant matter of spirituall mirth , and mightinesse of spirit . the point appeares , and is further prooved by manifest , and manifold experience : david having bin formerly , wofully wasted with great varietie and extremitie of dangers and distresses , was at last plunged into a most desperate perplexity . . sam. . which had bin able to have swallowed up into despaire , the manliest vigour of the greatest spirit upon earth , not supported with grace . ( the like or a lesse , caused king saul to fall upon his owne sword ; ) yet he blessed man , by the power of his spirituall peace , and the beames of gods pleased face-shining upon his soule , did patiently , and sweetly comfort himselfe in the lord his god ; and stood like an impregnable rocke unshaken with the raging assaults of any tempestuous sourges . he was at this time hunted by saul like a par●ridge in the mountaines ; cashierd by the princes of the philistines as a f●llow of suspected fidelity ; robd by the amalekites of his wiues ; his sonnes , and his daughters ; the towne , to which he returned for safety , was burnt with fire ; and to make his calamity compleate , and most cutting , even his owne men were ready to stone him : now in this great distresse upon the first apprehension whereof he wept , as the story saith , untill he had no more power to weepe ; yet comming to himselfe , and recollecting his spirituall forces , his heavy heart ready to sinke and fall asunder in his bosome , did fetch by the hand of faith , comfortably fortified by sense and experience of former fauours , such heavenly strength from iehova , whom he had made his portion ; that thereupon his courage was revived and raised to that height , that he presently pursued his enemies with extraordinary valour and resolution , cut them off quite and recovered all . and david saith the text , was greatly distressed : for the people spake of stoning him , because the soule of all the people was grieued , every man for his sonnes , and for his daughters : but david encouraged himselfe in the lord his god , &c. what a bitter sea of unmatched miseries , did breake out upon blessed iob , which with a sudden unexpected violence , bearing downe that hedge of protection , which god had set about him , ( the raines purposely let loose by divine dispensation to sathans malice in the meane time ) did fearefully overflow him to that height and horrour ; that he stands registred in gods booke as an unparalled instance of extraordinary sufferings and sorrowes ; calamities and conflicts ; to all succeeding ages , no k story being able to afford the like : the naturall death of one deare childe , strikes sometimes so heavy to a mans heart , that for griefe he growes into a consumption ; but all iobs children , were suddenly taken away at once by a violent stroke : some petty crosse upon his outward state , and cutting off but part of his goods , causes sometimes a couetous worldling to cut l his ōwne throate : but iob was robd of all ; so that it is a prove be to this day ; as poore as iob : many wives are passionate , and peevish in time of prosperity , whose h●arts notwithstanding will melt in compassion , and kindenesse , over their husbands , in any kinde of misery ; but m iobs wife , tho dearely intreated , by her most distressed husband , even for their childrens sake , the mutuall common pledges of sweetest loue ; yet would not come neare him. my breath , saith he , is strange to my wife though i entreated for the childrens sake of mine owne body , chap. . . satan . i confesse , is woont to roare and rage fiercely enough about gods blessed o●es , to doe them all the mischiefe , hee can possibly ; but rarely hath hee so large a reach , and his chaine so lengthned as he had against iob. the painefull anguish of some one part ▪ would not onely deprive a man , of the pleasure of the worlds monarchy , if he had it in possession ; but also make him weary of his life . in what a taking then was iob ▪ who from the sole of his foote , unto his crowne had no part free from ●ore b●les and n horribly i●fl●med ulcers , exasperated and enraged with the sti●ging smart of satans extremest malice ▪ who had power given him to inflict them god himself frownes many times , and withdrawes beames of his pleased face from the soules of his seruants , to their great griefe , tho for their spirituall good ; but seldome doth he set them up for his marke ; hunt them as a fierce lion ; set his terrours in array against them ; and command the poyson of his arrowes to drinke up their spirit ; as iob complaines : it is no strange thing , neither should it much moove , but only make us walke more watchfully , to heare men of the world , and drunken belialls to belch out from their rotten hearts upon the ale-bench such base slanders as these . these professors for all their faire shewes , are certainely all of them notorious hypocrites . tho they looke never so demurely , they are not the men they are taken for , &c. but to have a mans nearest , familiar , understanding christian friends to charge him with hypocrisie , is a most cruell cut to a troubled conscience : and this was o iob. case . so thus as ●ob was singular in the universality of his afflictions , so there was a singularity of bitternesse above ordinary in e●very particular a●fliction . and what of all this ? and yet for all this , this holy man , by the helpe of that pretious p hoard of grace , which his heavenly heart had treasured up in the time of prosperitie ; out of that spirituall strength , which he had gotten into his soule by his former humble acquaintance , and conversation with his god , and knowing full well , that tho all was gone , yet he still possessed iesus christ as fully , if not more feeli●gly as ever before ; he becomes hereupon as rare and admir●ble a patterne of patience to all posterity ; as he was an extraordinary astonishing spe●●acle of adversitie and woe . consciousnesse of his fore-spent righteous life , which he peruseth chap. . the clearenesse of a good conscience chap. behold my witnesse 〈◊〉 in heaven , and my record is on high : and his invincible faith , chap. . , , oh that m● words were now written , oh that they were pri●ted in a hunke ! that they were graven with an iron pen and lead ▪ in the rocke for ever . for i know that my redeemer liveth &c. chap. . though he slay me , yet will i trust in him ; did so strengthen and stay his spirit with a divine might , that he bore valiantly , and stood upright under the heaviest weight , and greatest variety of extreame afflictions , that ever were laid upon any meere man. but now on the other side , the tyth nay the tenne hundreth part of iobs troubles , caused gra●elesse achitophell , to saddle his asse , get himselfe home , put his houshold in order , and hang himselfe . so true is that which the blessed prophet tels us ier. . . &c. cursed be the man , that trusteth in man , and maketh flesh his arme , and whose heart departeth from the lord. for hee shall be like the heath in the desert , and shall not see when good commeth ; but shall inhabite the parched places in the wildernesse , in a saltland and not inhabited . blessed is the man that trusteth in the lord , and whose hope the lord is . for hee shall be as a tree planted by the waters , and that spreadeth out her rootes by the river , and shall not see when heate commeth , but her lease shall be greene , and shall not be carefull in the yeere of drought , neither shall cease from yeelding fruite . this impregnable comfort springing from grace , and a good conscience , even in evill times , did steele the spirit of blessed luther with such spirituall stoutnesse , and so hardened his fore head against a world , nay an horrible hell of most reproachfull and raging oppositions , that he became a spectacle , a miracle of rarest christian fortitude , and invincible courage to the whole world , and to all posterity . i am perswaded , that holy truth of god , which hee so gloriously pro●est , and that power of godlinesse , which hee so faithfully practised , did infuse into the heart of that man as much unconquerablenesse of resolution , and fearelesnesse of the face of man , as ever dwelt in any mortal brest , since the apostles time . witnesse amongst the rest , that one extraordinary expression of his imcomparable magnanimity : when his friends were earnest , and eager upon him , not to venture himselfe , amongst a number of perfidious papists , and bloud-thirsty tigers ; he replied thus : as touching mee , saith he , since i am sent for , i am resolved , and certainly determined to enter wormes in the name of the lord iesus christ ; yea tho i knew , there were as many divells to resist me , as there are tiles to cover the houses in wormes . this man of god did upon the two pillars of his heroicall heart , courage and patience , most nobly sustaine the malice and hatred , almost of the whole world . the divell , and the pope did concurrently countermine with all their cruelty , and cunning against this victorious champion of heaven , and mighty underminer of their darke and damned kingdomes . almost all the princes , priests , and people of christendome , did breed & breathe out nothing but thoughts of indignation and threats of death against him. millions of lasie , and lustfull monkes , having like so many pestilent locusts of the infernall pit , seizd upon the face of europe , with their envenomed swarmes , and lying at ease encloistered in sodomy and bloud , gnashed their teeth at him with hellish fury , and like true frends spet fire in his face . and yet for all this , this holy saint , ( which , i more admire , and prize higher , then the victories of a thousand caesars , or the most renowned valour of the greatest alexander ) having so many incarnate divels continually roaring about him , with open mouth , ready every houre , and enraged with implacable thirst to drinke up his bloud , and swallow him up quicke ; yet i say , enioyed such a triumphant tranquillity of minde , and unshaken presence of spirit , that like a mightie son of thunder by his constant and powerfull preaching , for the space of nine and twenty yeares , so shooke the pillars of popery , that i am perswaded the beast will never stand upon his foure legs any more : and writ eloquently and excellently , almost , if not as many volumes , as austin did , that great glory of the christian world in former times . a petty crosse many times will so emasculate , and weaken , the elevations of the greatest wit , that his conceite , invention & stile will fall to a farre lower streine , then ordinary ; which contentment , & calmnesse , would raise to their highest pitch & possibility . but the terrible earthquake , as it were , of all europe ▪ and contrary commotions of * christendome some , did never a whit dis-animate , or shake the heart of this heavenly man ; fitly honoured by the name of a third elias . but now francis spira on the other side , having out of his a inordinate love to the things of this life , wofully wounded his conscience by that infamous 〈◊〉 of the blessed truth , which he formerly professed , became a spectacle of such spirituall misery and woe to the whole world , that there is not any thing left unto the memory of man more remarkeable . vpon the very first revise of his recantation , and ser●ou● consideration in cold bloud what he had done , he acknowledged himselfe utterly undone and for ever . his spirit suddenly smitten with the dreadfull sense of divine wrath for his apostasie , and split in pieces , as it were , with so grievous a bruise , fainted fearefully , faild him quite , and fell a sunder in his brest like drops of water . heare some rufull expressions of his desperate state , from his owne mouth : oh , that i were gone from hence , that some body would let out this weary soule ! i tell you there was never such a monster as i am ; never was man alive a spectacle of such exceeding misery . — i now feele gods heavy wrath that burnes like the torments of hell within me , and afflicts my soule with pangs un-utterable . verily desperation is hell it selfe . — the gnawing worme of unquenchable fire , horrour , confusion , and which is worst of all , desperation it selfe , continually tortures me . and now i count my present estate worse , then if my soule separated from my body were with iudas , and therefore i desire rather to be there , then thus to live in my body . — the truth is , never had mortall man such experience of gods anger and hatred against him as i have . — if i could conceive but the ●east sparke o● hope in my heart of a better state hereafter , i would not refuse to endure the most heavy wrath of the great god , yea for . yeeres , so that at length . i might attaine out of misery . — he professed that his pangs were such , as that the damned wights in hell indure not the like misery : that his state was worse then that of cain and iudas , and therefore desired to die . — o that god would let loose his hand from me , and that it were with me now , as in times past , i would scorne the threats of the most cruell tyrants , beare torments with invincible resolution , and glory in the outward profession of christ , till i were choaked in the flame , and my body turned into ashes . vses . . if it be so then , that an heavenly hoard of grace , good conscience , gods favour &c. happily treasured up while it is called today , hath the sole , and sacred property , and priviledge , to hold up our hearts , in times of horrour : inabling us in the meane time patiently , and profitably to master all miseries , passe thorow all persecutions , conquer all commers ; and at length by the helpe of god , to pull the very heart , as it were , out of hell ; with confidence , and triumph to looke even death , and the divell in the face , and to stand with boldnesse , before the terrour of the last day , like an unmooveable rock , when the sonnes and daughters of confusion , who have slept in harvest , and mispent the gratious day of their visitation , shall intreate the mountaines , and rockes to fall upon them : i say , it being thus , let every one of us like sonnes and daughters of wisedome , in this short sommers day of our abode upon earth , and in this glorious sun-shine of the gospell , and pretious seasons of grace , imploy all meanes , improove all oportunities , to gather in , with all holy greedinesse , and treasure up abundantly much spirituall strength , and lasting comfort against the evill day . to which , let us be quickned , by such considerations as these : . this wise , and happy treasuring up , of heavenly hoards , and comforts of holinesse afore hand , will sweetely mollisie , and allay the bitternesse , and smart , of that heavinesse and sorrow ; of those fearefull amazements , and oppressions of spirit , naturally incident to times of trouble , and feare , which ordinarily doe very grievously sting , and strike thorow the hearts of carnall and secure worldlings , with full rage , and the very slashes , and fore-tastes of hell. of all other passions of the soule , sadnesse , and griefe grates most upon the vitall spirits ; dries up soonest the freshest marrow in the bones ; and most sensibly suckes out the purest , and refinedst bloud in the heart . all the obiects of lightsomnesse , and ioy , are drowned in an heauy heart , even as the beauty of a pearle is dissolved in vineger . now the onely cordiall , and counter-poyson against this dampe of light-heartednesse , and cut-throate of life , is the secret sweetenesse , and shining pleasure of that one pearls of great price ; three orient raies whereof , are righteousnesse and peace , and ioy in the holy ghost treasur'd up in the cabinet of a good conscience . the glory , pretiousnesse , and power of which hidden treasure , purchased with the sale of all sinne , doth many times shine faireliest upon the soule , in the saddest times ; inspires for the most part into the hearts of the owners , the greatest courage , and constancy of spirit even in the dayes of adversity , and vexation ; inables them to digest , and beare without any great wound ▪ or passion those crosses , and cruelties , which would breake the backe , and crush the heart of the stoutest temporizer . was there not a great deale of difference thinke you , betwixt the heart of hezekiah , who had walked before god in truth , and with a perfect heart , when he heard the newes of death from the mouth of the prophet ; and the heart of belshazzar , when he saw the hand-writing upon the wall . giue me a great man , who carries a way , the credit and current of the times ; with all bravery , and triumph wallowes , and tumbles himselfe in the glory and pleasures of the present : throw him from the transitory top of his heaven upon earth , upon his last bed : present unto his eye at once the terrible pāgs of approaching death ; the ragefull malice of the powers of hell ; the crying wounds of his bleding conscience ; the griesely fourmes of his innumerable sinnes ; his finall farewell with all worldly delights ; the pit of fire and brimstone , into which he is ready to fall : and i tell you true , i would not endure an houres horrour of his wofull heart , for his present paradise to the worlds end . but on the other side , let me be the man , whom the corruptions of the time confine to obscuritie , who mournes in secret for the horrible abominations , and crying sinnes , that raigne amongst us , who thinkes that day best spent , wherein hee hath gathered most spirituall strength , against that last , and sorest combate ; and by the mercies of god , and humble dependance upon his omnipotent arme , i will looke in the face , the cruellest concurrence of all those former terrors , with ●●●fidence and peace . . secondly , by this spirituall hoarding of comfortable provision against the evill day , we may prevent a great deale of impatiency , dependance upon the arme of flesh , base feares , sinkings of heart ; un-manly deiections of spirit , desperate resolutions , and many passionate distempers of such raging and distracted nature , which are woont to seize upon , and surprise , unholy and unprepared hearts , when the hand of god is heavy upon them . how bravely and heroically did patient iob beare and breake thorow , a matchlesse variety and extremity of calamities and conflicts ? the softest of whose sufferings would have strucke full cold to the heart of many a carnalist , and made it to dye within him like a stone as nabals did . one of the least , the losse of his goods , i am perswaded , would have caused many covetous worldlings to have laid violent and bloudy hands upon themselues . for instance : ahitophel , onely because the glory of his state-wisedome was obscur'd , and overtopt at the counsell-bord , sadled his asse , gate him home , put his houshold in order , and hanged himselfe . the onely cause of his fainting in the day of disgrace , and dis-acceptation was his false , and rotten heart in matters of religion . while the crowne sate with security , and safety upon davids head ; he walked with him as a companion unto the house of god. but when the winde begun to blow a little another way and upon absoloms side , like a true temporizer . he followes the blast , and turnes his sailes according to the weather . and therefore his hollow heart , having made the arme of flesh his anchor , and a vanishing blase of honour his chiefest blessednesse , shrinkes at the very first sight , and suspition of a tempest , and sinkes this miserable man into a sea of horrour . but now on the contrary : what was the cause , that iobs heart was not crusht into pieces , under the bitter concurrence of such a world of crosses , of which any one severally was sufficient to have made a man extreamely miserable ? the true reason of his patient resolution , amid so many pressures , was the spirituall riches ▪ he had hoarded up in the time of his happines . amongst which the divinest , and dearest iewel lay nearest unto his heart , as a counterpoyson , to the venome and sting of the divels deadliest malice . i meane a sound and strong faith in iesus christ , the lambe slaine from the beginning of the world : which now began to shine the fairest in the darkest midnight of his miseries ; and sweetly to dart out many heavenly sparkles of comfort , and such glorious eiaculations as these : though he slay me , yet will i trust in him. cap. . . and that cap. ▪ , &c. oh that my words were now written , oh that they were printed in a booke ! that they were graven with an iron pen , and leade , in the rocke for ever . for i know that my redeemer liveth , &c. there were two cutting , and cruell circumstances largely insinuated cap. . and . which did keenely sharpen the edge , and mightily aggravate the weight of iobs miseries : the one was this : he had bin * happy . now as that mans happines is holden the greatest , who hath bin in miserable condition ; for he tasteth the double sweete ; of remembring his forpassed misery ; and enioying his present felicity : so on the contrary ; it is the greatest misery , they say , to haue bin happy . the other was that , which most nettles a generous nature . he being a man of so great honour and worth ; whose rare , and incomparable wisedome , even the princes and nobles adored as it were with a secret , and silent admiration , as appeares cap. . . . was now contemned of the most contemptible . the children of fooles , and the children of base men ; that were viler then the earth , make him their song , and their by-word , cap. . . . for when true noblenes , and worth is downe , and any one of the lords champions dejected , it is ordinary with all those dunghill dispositions , to whom his sincerity was an eie-sore ; his power and authority , a restraint to their lewdnesse ; the glory of his vertues , fewell to their envy ; to run as a raven to the fallen sheepe , to picke out his eyes ; i meane , which yet ●asts of a truly cowardly , and mercilesse constitution , to wound his very wounds , and to vexe his vexations . this was iobs case . but what now ministers comfort to iobs heart , against these corrosiues ? euen consciousnesse of his graces , and integrities treasur'd up , and exercisde in the dayes of his peace . he reckens up fourteene of them , chap. . from consideration hereof , hee gathers towards the end , this triumphant resolution against the ●orest of his sufferings : i would even crowne mine head with the bitterest invective of my greatest adversary : whence it is cleare , that the two potent pillars of iobs●●rong ●●rong , and strange patience , which all generations will admire to the worlds end , were a sound faith , and the sanctified fruits thereof , prepared and practised in the time of his prosperity . . thirdly , by fore-provision of gods favour , grace , good conscience , and such spirituall store , wee shall be able worthily to grace , and honour our profession ; truly to enoble , and winne a great deale of glory , and reputation to the state of christianity : when the ambitious rufflers , and boisterous nimrods of the world shall see and observe , that there is a gratious invisible vigour , and strength of heaven , which mightily supports the heart of the true christian in those times of confusion & ●eare , when theirs shall be like the heart of a woman in her pangs , & fall asunder in their breasts , even like drops of water . that he is as bold as a lyon , and unmooveable like mount zion in the day of distresse , and visitations of god ; when they shall tremble at the shaking of a leafe , & call upon the mountaines to cover them . that he shall be able then to say with david , psal. . . . the lord is my refuge , and my strength , &c. therefore will i not feare , th● the earth be remooved , and tho the mountaines be carried into the middest of the sea : but they shall cry , out of the bitternes of their spirits , with the hypocrites , isai. . . who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire ! who amongst us shall dwell with everlasting burnings ? god is much honoured , and his truth glorified , when it appeares in the face of men , that a poore neglected christian , or in the worlds language , a precise foole , is able by the power of grace , and influence of his favour , to affront and out-face all the frownings , and malignant aspects of the proud giants of the world . and he is the lords noblest champion , and a professour of the truest , and heavenliest dye , that holds out in the wetting , and shrinkes not in the day of adversitie . chrysostome speakes to the people of antioch like himselfe , a man of an invincible spirit , against the tyrannies of his times : in this , saith he , should a gracious differ from a gracelesse man , that hee should beare his crosses couragiously ; and as it were , with the wings of faith , outsoare the height of all humane miseries . he should be like a rocke , being incorporated into iesus christ , inexpugnable , and unshaken with the most furious incursions of the waves and stormes of worldly troubles , pressures and persecutions . and blessed bee god , that even here upon earth , in this vale of teares , there is such a visible and vast difference , betwixt a wicked and godly man. the one is like the raging sea that cannot rest : the other stands fast like a rocke , which shall never bee remooved . an unregenerate heart is ever restlesse , commonly in these three regards at the least : first , by reason of an endlesse , and unsatisfiable appetite after pleasures , riches , honours , revenge , or what other darling delight it hath singled out , and made speciall choice of to follow , and feede upon with greatest contentment , and sensuall sweetnesse , god hath iustly put that property , or rather poison into all earthly things doted upon , and desired immoderately , that they shall plague the heart , which so pursues them ; by filling it still with a furious and fresh supply of more greedinesse , iealousies , and many miserable discontentments : so that they become unto it , as drinke unto a man in a dropsie , or burning fever , serve onely to inflame it with new heate , and fiery additions of insatiable thirst , and i●ordinate longings . secondly , because of the many secret grumblings , and stinging reclamations of a gauled conscience against its present guilty courses , and forbidden pleasures . thirdly , in respect of a continuall ebullition , as it were , of confused and contrary lusts , out of the empoysoned fountaine of originall corruption , which fill it with many damnable distractions , and tumultuations of hell. but now if besides this inward boyling , it bee also tossed with outward troubles , what a miserable creature is a carnall man ? euen as the sea , if besides its internall agitations ; by the restlesse motions of estuation , descention , revolution , and reflection ; it be also outwardly turmoyl'd with stormes , and tempestuous winds , how ragefull & roaing wil it be ? but the other is like a strong unmoveable mountaine , that stands impregnable against the rage of winde and weather . and all the cruell incursions , and ungodly oppositions made against it , either by men , or divels , are but like so many proud , and swelling waves , which dash themselves against a mighty rocke . the more boysterously they beate against it , the more are they broken , and turned into a vaine foame and froath . come , what come will , his heart is still in his breast , and his resolution as high as heaven . pestilent then is that principle of machiavel , a fellow not to bee named , but by way of detestation , and savours rankely of cursed atheisme . whereby he teaches in sense and summe ; that heathenish religion did inspire her worthies of old , with invincible , & victorious spirits : but christian religion begets effeminat●nesse , deiections and seare . he speakes to this purpose , which to me seemes strange : that such a profound professour of the depths , or rather diuelishnesse of policy should dote so sottishly . and yet it is no such strange thing : for many times we may observe ; that deepest policy , by the curse of god upon it , for opposition to goodnesse , turnes into extremest folly . and all counsels , and politicke constitutions against christ , are but the brainelesse infatuations of ahitophel . for that which this fellow holds there , holds strong contradiction , both to common sense , and a thousand experiences to the contrary . for the first , and in a word , let the great master of mischiefe , and of most abhorred atheisticall * principles of state , tell me ; whether a reall assurance of a crowne of life , and endlesse ioyes in another world , be not more powerfull to raise a mans spirit , to the highest pitch of undaunted noblenesse of spirit , and unconquerable resolution , then a vaine breath of immortall fame amongst miserable men after this life ? and in this lies the sinew of his proofe . for the second ; let the acts of the ancient iews be indifferētly wayed , from whose magnanimity , in causes of most extreme hazard , those strange and unwonted resolutions have growne , which for all circumstances , saith a great divine , no people under the roofe of heaven did ever hitherto match . and that which did alwaies animate them , was their meere religion . and let the chronicles also , say i , of later times be searched , and wee shall find from time to time , many renowned worthies to have for ever ennobled the matchlesse and incomparable courage of christianity with in imitable impressions of valour , and visible transcendency above all humane boldnesse , and affected audacities of the most valiant pagans . to begin with great constantine , the first mighty commander of a christian army : with what victorious glory did he confound , & cut off many potent a heads of paganisme ? thrice was the whole world most famously fought for : betweene alexander and zerxes , caesar and pompey , constantine & licinius . this last was most b illustrious , wherein constantine the great did mightily conquer , and triumphantly carry all before him ; the heroicall and royall spirit of christianity , trampling victoriously upon the desperate rage of the most furious , foole-hardy pagan tyrants . i might here passe on to theodosius , and his miraculous conquests , and so along , but the disgression would bee too unseasonable . therefore i leave you for the prosecution of this point , to anti-machiavel . even in later times , wofully plagued under the reigne of antichrist , with a vast degeneration from primitive purity and power , christian religion , tho empoysoned with popish superstition , yet did so farre inspire it 's warlike professors with extraordinary spirits , that in point of manhood they did wonders , to the astonishment of the whole world , and all succeeding ages . * godfrey of bulloigne , that famous warriour , with his followers , conquered in lesse then foure yeeres , all the goodliest provinces of asia , and drave out the turkes . in that dreadfull and cruell conflict in solomons temple , as himselfe reports in a letter to boh●mund , king of antioch , their men , by the great b slaughter of the enemy stood in blood above the ancles . at that terrible , and bloody battell at ascalon , as most report , they slew an hundred thousand infidels , &c. the valour and victories of hunniades , whose mighty spirit , and incredible courage , for any thing i know , have no parallell in any precedent story , were so great , and did like a violent tempest , and impetuous torrent so batter and beate downe the enemies of christ , that hee was rightly reputed the c bulwarke of europe ▪ and thundring terrour of the turkes ; amongst whom his name became so dreadfull , that as the story d reports , they used the same to feare their crying children withall . hee fought e five times with the turkes upon one day , and five times foyled and put them to flight : f with the losse of three thousand , he killed that valiant vice●oy of asia , mesites bassa , with his sonne , and twenty thousand turkes moe : g at that famous battell of vascape , wherein he got the greatest victory that ever any christian prince before that time obtained against the turkish kings , with fifteene thousand souldiers , he overthrew abedin bassa , sent against him most ragingly , by reason of a late shamefull losse , according to amuraths instructions , by the slaughter of the hungarians , to sacrifice unto the ghosts of their dead friends and companions , with an army of fourescore thousand fighting men . scanderbeg also , was such a mirrour of manhood , & so terrible to the turkes , that nine yeares after his death , passing thorow lyssa where his body lay buried , they digged up his bones with great devotion ; reckoning it in some part of their happines , if they might but see or touch the same : and such as could get any part thereof , were it never so little , caused the same to be set , some in silver , some in gold , to hang about their necks , or weare upon their bodies , thinking the very dead bones of that late invincible champion would animate their spirits with strange , and extraordinary elevation , and vigour : h besides an admirable variety of other rare exploits , at one time , with the losse of sixty christians , i he slew amesa with thirty as some say , but at least twenty thousand turks : c he kild with his owne hand above two thousand enimies : when he entered into sight ▪ the spirit of valour did so work within him , and the fiercenes of his courage so boyled in his brest , that it was woont to make bloud burst out at d his lips ▪ and did so steele his arme , that he cut off many overthwart by the middle . but take notice by the way , a● profession of christian religion inspired these renowned worthies , with a marchles height of courage , and might of spirit : so the e mixture with popish idolatry did then , and doth to this day unhappily hinder all thorow successe , and constant prevailing against that most mighty , bloud-thirsty turkish tyrant , the terrour of christendome , who drunke with the wine of perpetuall felicity holds all the rest of the world in scorne , and is the greatest , and cruellest scourge of it , that ever the earth bore . and besides , that the f idolatry of the romish church most principally and with speciall curse , blasts , and brings to naught all undertakings of the christian world against that wicked empire ; the practise also of some pestilent principles proper to that man of sin hath plagued the most hopefull enterprises in this kinde . for instance : the king of hungary , by the helpe of hunmades , was in a faire course , and forwardnes , to have tamed , and taken downe , nay to have for ever crusht , and confounded the insolency and usurpations of that raging nimrod ; but then comes in the pope with a beastly tricke and utterly dashes and undoes all . for he , out of his luciferian pride , by the power or rather poison of that antichristian cut-throate position ; of keeping no oath , nor faith , with infidells , and hereticks , unhappily undertooke to b absolve vladis●aus the king , & the rest whom it did concerne ▪ from that solemne oath for confirmation of a concluded peace , taken of him , upon the holy c evangelists ; and of amurath , by his ambassadors , upon their turkish alcaron . whereupon , they resolutely breake the league ; raise a great army presently , and against their oath , and promise set upon the turke with periury , and perfidiousnes accompanied with gods curse , exposed the christian party to a most horrible overthrow in that d bloudy battaile of varna , and cast upon the profession of christ , such an aspersion , and shame , that not all the bloud of that rope of popes , which constitute antichrist , could ever be able to expiate . looke upon the story , and consider what a reproch and inexpiable staine doth rest upon the face of christian religion , by this wicked stratagemme of popish treachery , and that even upon record to all posterity : for amurath the turkish emperour in the heate of the sight , pluckt the writing out of his bosome , wherein the late league was compris'de , and holding it up in his hand , with his eyes cast up to heaven , said thus : a behold thou crucified christ this is the league thy christians in thy name made with me : which they have without cause violated . now if thou be a god , as they say thou art , and as wee dreame reuenge the wrong now done unto thy name and mee , and shew thy power upon thy periurious people , who in their deeds deny thee their god. . secondly . sith a stocke of grace , and the comforts of a sound conscience , be onely able to crush all crosses , out-face all aduersaries , take the sting out of all sorrowes and sufferings ; and serve in the evill day as a soveraigne antidote to save the soule from sinking into the mouth of despaire , and extremest horrour ; then three sorts of people here offer themselves to be censured , and are to bee frighted , and fir'd out of their damned security , and cruell case . . those fooles , sonnes and daughters of confusion and sloth , who having a price in their hands to get wisedome , yet want hearts to lay it out for spirituall provision before hand . they enioy by gods rare , and extraordinary indulgence , and favour , life , strength , wit , health , and many other outward happinesses ; nay the most glorious day of a gracious visitation , that did ever shine upon earth ; many golden and goodly oportunities , many blessed seasons and sermons to enrich their foules abundantly with all heavenly treasures : and yet they are so farre from spending their abilities , entertaining those mercifull offers , and apprehending such happy aduantages for their true and eternall good , that they most unworthily , and unthankfully , abuse , mispend , and dis-imploy all their meanes , time and manifold mercies , to serve their own turnes , attaine their sensuall ends , and possesse the present , with all the carnall contentment they can possibly devise . these vassals of selfe-love , and slaves of lust , are so lull'd upon the lap of pleasure by the syren songs of satans solicitors ; and so drunke with worldly prosperity , by swimming down the current of these corruptest times with full saile of sensuality and ease , that they fall asleepe , for all the while of the happy harvest in this life for inning grace into the soule under the sun-shine of the gospell ; wasting their pretious time of gathering spiritual manna , in grasping gold , clasping about the arme of flesh , s●ruing themselves by all wajes and meanes into high roomes , crowning themselves with rose-buds , & tumbling voluptuously in the pleasures and glory of this false and flattering world . but alas poore soules , what will they doe in the evill day ! when after the hot gleame of earthly glory , and a short calme & cut ouer the sea of this world , they are come into the port of death , to which all windes drive them , and having there let fall that last anchor , which can never be weighed againe , shall be set in the land of darkenes ; the dust whereof is brimstone , and the riuers burning pitch ; where they shall meete with whole armies of tempestuous and fiery plagues , and the envenomed arrowes of gods unquenchable anger , shall sticke fast for ever in their soule & flesh ; where they shall never more see the light , nor the land of the living , but be drowned in everlasting perdition , in the lake , even a boyling sea of fire and brimstone , where they can see no banke , nor feele no bottome . what will these sleepers in harvest say , when they shall be awaked at that dreadfull houre out of their golden dreames , and in their hands shall finde nothing ; but the iudgement of god growing upon their thoughts as an impetuous storme , death standing before them unresistable , like an armed man ; sin lying at the doore like a bloud-hound , and a guilty conscience knawing at the heart like a vulture ? when they shall lie upon their last beds , like wild bulls in a net , as the prophet speakes , full of the wrath of god ; saying , in the morning , would god it were even : and at even , would god it were morning , for the feare of their heart , wherewith they shal feare , and for the sight of their eyes , which they shall see . i say in what case will they be then ? then , but my words doe faile mee here , and so doth my conceit . for as none knowes the sweetnesse of the spouses kisse , but the soule that receives it ; so neither can any one conceive this damned horrour , but he that suffers it . the lord of heaven in mercy awake thē in the meane time , with the peircing thunder of his sacred and saving word , that they may be happily frighted , & fired out of their amased soule-murdring sloth , before they feele in hell , those fearefull things , wee so faithfully forewarne them of . to rouse them out of this cruell carnall security , let them entertaine into their most serious thoughts such considerations as these : consider , . why thou camest into this world . there is not so much as one age past , since thou layest hid in the loathed state of being nothing . above fiue thousand yeeres were gone , after the creation , before there was any newes of thee at all . and thou mightst never have bin ; god had no neede of thee : he gave thee a beeing onely out of his owne meere bounty . u infinite millions shall never bee , which might have bin , as well as thou● gods omnipotency is equally able and active to have prod●ced them as thee : and no parts of that vast abysse of nothing , can possibly make any resistance to almightinesse . and besides being so , that thou must needs have a being , there is not any creature , that ever issued out of the hands of god , but thou mightest haue bin that , either for the kinde , or for the particular . all is one to him , to make an angell , or an ant : to create the brightest cherub , or the most contemptible flie : for in every creation , no lesse then omnipotency must needes bee the efficient , and no more then nothing is ever the obiect . now what a miraculous mercy was this , that passing by such an a un-numbred variety of incomparably inferiour creatures , he should make thee an everlasting soule like an angell of god , capable of grace , and immortality ; of incorporation into christ , and fruition of iehova himselfe blessed for ever ? nay and yet further , tho thou wast to haue the being of a reasonable creature ; yet there was not an houre from the first moment of time unto the worlds end , but god might have allotted that to thee for thy comming into this world . and therefore thy time might have bin , within the compasse of all those foure thousand yeares , or there abouts , from the creation untill the comming of christ in the flesh ; when as all without the pale , and partition-wall , were without the oracles and ordinances of god , and all ordinary meanes of salvation : or since the gospell revealed , under the raigne of anti-christ ; and then a thousand to one , thou hadst beene choakt , and for ever perisht in the damned mists of his devillish doctrines . what an high honour was this , to have thy birth and abode here upon earth appointed from all eternity in the very best and blesseddest time ; upon the fairest day of peace , and which is infinitely more , in the most glorious light of grace , that ever shone from heaven upon the children of men ? and so of the place ; bee it so , that thou must needes bee in this golden age of the gospell , and gracious day ; yet thy lot of living in the world at this time might have lited ( for any part of the earth , might have received thee , where thou couldest have set but thy two feete ) amongst turkes , pagans , infidels , a whole world to b christendome : or if thine appearing upon earth , must necessarily bee within the confines of christendome ; yet thou mightest have sprung up in the popish parts of it ; or in the scismaticall , or persecuted places of the true church in it . it was a very singular favour ; that thou shouldest be borne , and bred , and brought up in this little neglected nooke of the world , yet very illustrious by the presence of christ in a mighty ministry ; where thou hast , or mightest have enioyed in many parts thereof the glorious gospell of our blessed god , and all saving truth with much purity and power . now put all these together ; and tell me in cold bloud , and after a sensible and serious ponderation thereupon ▪ doest thou thinke , that all this adoe was about thee , all this honour done unto thee , and when all is done , thou art to doe nothing , but seeke thy selfe , serve thine owne turne , and live sensually ? camest thou out of nothing into this world to doe iust nothing , but c eate and drinke and sleepe ▪ to game ; goe in the fashion ; and play the good fellow ▪ to laugh and be merry , to grow rich and leave tokens of thy pleasure in every place ? &c. if any after so much illightning , bee so prodigiously mad , as to continue in such a conceite , i have nothing to say to him , but leave him as an everlasting bedlam , abandon'd to that folly , which wants a name to expresse it . turne then thy course for shame , nay , as thou hast any care to be saved , and to see the glory of the new ierusalem ; as thou desirest to looke the lord iesus in the face with comfort at that great day ; as thou fearest to receive thy portion in hell-fire with the devill , and his angells , even most intolerable and bitter torments for ever and ever ; at least in this thy day , in this heate and height of thy spirituall harvest , awake out of thy sensuall sleepe , come to thy selfe with the prodigall ; strik● upon thy thigh ; and for the poore remainder of a few , and evill dayes , addresse thy selfe with resolution , and constancy to pursue the one necessary thing , and to treasure up much heavenly strength and store against thine ending houre . get thee under conscionable meanes , and quickning ministery , and there gather grace as greedily as the most gryping vsurer graspeth gould ; contend with an holy ambition , as earnestly for the keeping of gods favour , and an humble familiarity with his heavenly highnesse by keeping faith and a good conscience , as the proudest haman for an high place , and pleased face of an earthly prince . and why not infinitely more ? this was the end , for which thou wast sent into this world ; this onely is the way to endlesse blisse , and this alone will helpe us and hold out in the euill day . . that , upon the little ynch of time in this life , depends the length and breadth of all eternity in the world to come . as we behave our selves here , we shall fare everlastingly hereafter . and therefore how ought we to ply this moment , and prize that eternity ? to decline all entanglement in those inordinate affections to the possessions , and pleasures of the present , which hinder a fruitfull improovement of it , to the best advantage for the spirituall good of our soules ; let us be mooved with such reasons as these , which may be collected from the words of a worthy writer , which run thus with very little variation : . if we could afford our selues but so much leasure as to consider , that he which hath most in the world , hath , in respect of the world , nothing in it : and that he which hath the longest time lent him to live in it , hath yet no proportion at all therein , setting it either by that which is past , when we were not ; or by that time in which we shall abide for ever : i say , if both , to wit , our proportion in the world , and our time in the world differ not much from that which is nothing ; it is not out of any excellency of understanding , saith hee , but out of depth of folly , say i , that we so much prize the one , which hath ( in effect ) no being : and so much neglect the other , which hath no ending : coveting the mortall things of the world , as if our soules were therein immortall , and neglecting those things which are immortall , as if our selues after the world were but mortall . . let adversity seeme what it will ; to happy men , ridiculous , who make themselves merry with other mens miseries ; and to those under the crosse , grievous ; yet this is true , that for all that is past , to the very instant . the portions remaining are equall to either . for be it , that we have lived many yeeres and ( according to salomon ) in thē all , we have reioyced ; or be it , that we have measured the same length of time , and therein have ever-more sorrowed : yet looking backe from our present being , we finde both the one and the other , to wit , the joy and the woe sayled out of sight ; and death , which doth pursue us , and hold us in chace , from our infancy ▪ hath gathered it . * whatsoever of our age is past , death holds it . so as whosoever he be , to whom prosperitie hath bin a servant and the time a friend : let him but take the accompt of his memory ▪ ( for we haue no other keeper of our pleasures past , ) and truely examine , what it hath reserved , either of beauty and youth , or fore-gone delights ; what it hath saved , that it might last , of his dearest affections , or of whatever else ▪ the joviall spring-time gave his thoughts contentment , then unvaluable ; and he shall finde , that all the art , which his elder yeeres have , can draw no other vapour out of these dissolutions , then heavy , secret , and sad sighs . he shall finde nothing remaining , but those sorrowes , which grow up after our fast-springing youth ; ●vertake it , when it is at a stand ; and overtop it utterly , when it begins to wither : in so much as looking backe from the very instant time , and from our now being ; the poore , diseased , and captive creature , hath as little sense of all his former miseries , and paines ; as he , that is most blest in common opinion , hath of his forepassed pleasures , and delights . for whatsoever is cast behind us , is just * nothing . to ponder also profitably upon eternity , that we may apply our hearts unto wisedome , and so improove this short moment upon earth , that it may goe well with us for ever ; let us take notice of , and sensibly to heart , this one quickning passage , confidently averred by a great writer . a if god , saith he , should speake thus to a damned soule : let the whole world be filled with sand from the earth to the empyrean heauen , and then let an angell come euery thousandth yeere , and fetch only one graine from that mighty sandy mountaine ; when that immeasurable heape is so spent , and so many thousand yeeres expired , i will deliver thee out of hell , and those extreamest horrours ; that most miserable forlorne wretch , notwithstanding , that he were to lie thorow that unconceiveable length of time in those intollerable hellish torments , yet upon such a promise would infinitely rejoyce , and deeme himselfe not to be damned . but alas ! when all those yeeres are gone , there are thousands upon thousands moe to be endured , euen thorow all eternitie and beyond . how heavy and horrible is the waight of everlastingnesse in that burning lake , and those tormenting flames , when a damned man would thinke himselfe in heaven in the meane time , if he might have but hope of comming out of them , after so many infinite millions of yeeres in them ? . that it would not profit a man , tho he should gaine the whole world , if he lose his owne soule , and that a man can give nothing in exchange for his soule : christ himselfe said so . suppose thy selfe crowned with the confluence of all worldly felicities , to have purchased a monopoly of all pleasures , honours and riches upon the whole earth , to be attended with all the pompe and state , thy heart could desire . yet what were this momentany golden dreame to a reall glorious eternitie ? how stinging would the most exquisite delight be , curiously extracted out of them all , accompanied with this one conceite ; the soule is lost everlastingly . all these painted vanities , might seeme perhaps a gaudy paradise to a spirituall foole , who hath his portion in this life ; but what true pleasure can a man , in his right wits , but morally and illightned no further then with philosophy , take in them ; sith , setting other respects aside , they are so fading , and he so fraile . for the first : god hath purposely put a transitory and mortall nature into all things here below . they spring , and flourish , and die . even the greatest kingdomes , and strongest monarchies , that ever were , haue had , as it were , their infancy , youthfull strength , mans state , old age , and at last their grave . see the end of the mightiest states that ever the sun saw , shadowed by nebuchadn●zzars great image . dan. . . there was never empire upon earth , were it never so flourishing or great , was ever yet so assured , but that in revolution of time , after the manner of other worldly things , it hath , as a sicke body , bin subject to many innovations and changes , and at length come to nothing . much more then , the pride and pompe of all other inferiour earthly glory hath fallen at last into the dust , and lies now buried in the grave of endlesse forgetfulnesse . for the second ; imagine , there were constancy and eternity in the forenamed earthly bables , yet what man of braine , would prize them worth a button , sith his life is but a bubble ; and the very next houre or day to come , he may utterly be cut off from them all , for ever . to day hee is set up , and to morrow he shall not be found : for he is turned into dust , and his purpose perisheth . take them both together thus : set upon the head of the worthiest man , that the earth beares , yet wanting grace in his soule , all the most orient imperiall crownes , that ever highest ambition aimed at , or attain'd unto ; put upon him the royallest roabes , that ever enclosed the body of the proudest lucifer ; fill him with all the wisedome , and largest comprehensions , which fall within the wide compasse , and capacitie of any depths of policy , or mysteries of state ; furnish him to the full with the exactnesse , and excellency of all naturall , morall and metaphysicall learning ; put him into the sole possession and command of this and the other golden world : in a word crowne him with the concurrence of all created earthly excellencies , to the utmost and highest straine : and lay this man thus qualifyed and endowed upon the one scale of the ballance , and vanity upon the other , and vanity will overweigh him quite . men of high degree are a lye : to be laid in the ballance , they are altogether lighter then vanitie , psal. . . the rich foole in the gospell teacheth us , that there is no man so assured of his honour , of his riches , health or life ; but that he may be deprived of either or all the very next night . besides , by a thousand other causes , meanes , and wayes , he may also be suddainely snatched away from the face of the earth in anger , for setting his heart and rest , upon such rotten staves of reede , transitory shadowes , and indeed that which is nothing . wilt thou cast thine eyes upon it which is nothing ? for riches , ( conceive the same of all other worldly comforts ) taketh her to her wings as an eagle , and flieth into the heaven , prov. . . how truely then is that mad and miserable man a sonne of confusion , who spends the short span of his mortall life in wooing the world , who was never true to those that trusted in her , ever false-hearted to all her favorites , and at length most certainely undoes spiritually and everlastingly every wretch that is wedded unto her ; who passeth thorow a few and evill daies in this vale of teares , in following feathers , pursuing shadowes , raising bubbles and balls , like those which boies out of spittle and sope in their pastimes , blowing up with their quills , ere they be tossed three times , burst of themselues , i meane worldly vanities , but in the meane time suffers his immortall soule , more worth then many mate●●all worlds , and for which , he can give nothing in exchange , to abide all naked , destitute and empty , utterly unfurnished of that comfortable provision , and gracious strength , which should support it in the day of sorrow ; and leaves it at last to the tempestuous winter-night of death , and all those desperate terrours that attend it , like a scorched heath-ground without so much as any drop of comfort , either from heaven or earth . . a second sort , worse then the former , are such , as are so farre , from treasuring up in this time of light , and mercifull visitation , soundnesse of knowledge , strength of saith , purity of heart , clearnesse of cōscience , holinesse of life , assurance of gods favour , contempt of the world ; many sanctified sabbaths , fervent prayers , holy conferences , heavenly meditations , dayes of humiliation , righteous dealings with their brethren , compassionate contributions to the necessities of the saints , workes of iustice , mercy and truth , a sincere respect to all gods commandements , a carefull performance of all spirituall duties , a conscionable partaking of all gods ordinances , a seasonable exercise of every grace , hatred of all false wayes , an hearty and invincible loue unto god and all things that he loues , or any wayes belong unto him , his word , sacraments , sabbaths , ministers , services , children , presence , corrections , comming , &c. which are the ordinary provision of gods people against the evill day , i say , they are so farre from prizing , and preparing such spirituall store , that they hoard up stings , scourges , and scorpions for their naked soules , and guilty consciences , against the day of the lords visitation ; i meane lies , oathes , blasphemies ; adulteries , whoredomes , selfe-pollutions ; variety of strange fashions , gaming 's , revellings ; drunken matches , good-fellow meetings , wanton dancings ; usuries , falshoods , hypocrisies ; plurality of ill gotten goods , benefices , offices , honours ; filthy iests , much idle talke , flanderous ●●les ; scoffs , raylings , oppositions to the holy way &c. and that with a cursed greedinesse and delight . for they cry one unto another out of a boysterous combination of good fellowship , with much eagernesse and roaring : come on therefore — let us fill our selves with costly wine , and ointments , and let no flower of the spring passe by us . let us crowne our selves with rose buds , before they be withered : let none of us goe without his part of our voluptuousnesse : let us leave tokens of our pleasure in every place : for this is our portion , and our lot is this . let us lie in waite for the righteous : because hee is not for our turne , and be is cleane contrary to our * doings , &c. but alas ! what will bee the conclusion of all this , or rather the horrible confusion ? even all their ioviall revellings , roaring outrages , and sinfull pleasures , which are so sweete in their mouthes , and they swallow downe so insatiably , shall turne to gravell and the d gall of aspes in their bowels , and to fiery enraged scorpions in their consciences . where lurking in the meane time , in the mudde of sensuality , and lust , breede such a never dying worme , which if god thinke fit to awake upon their last bed , is able to put them into hell upon earth , to damne them above ground , to knaw upon their soule and flesh , with that unheard-of horrour , which seizde upon spir'as woefull heart . a who protested being fully in his right minde , that hee would rather be in cain's or iudas his place in hell , then endure the present unspeakeable torment of his afflicted spirit . to beate them from this bedlam desperate course of greedy hoarding up such horrible things unto themselves , against their ending houre ; let them consider ; . besides the eternity of ioyes for the one , and of torments to the other hereafter , the vast and unvaluable difference in the meane time , in respect of true sweetenesse and sound contentment , betweene the life of a saint and a sensualist ; a puritan , as the world calls him , and a goodfellow , as hee termes himselfe . let us for the purpose peruse the different passages of one day ; as b chrysostome excellently delineats them , and represents to the life . let us produce two men , saith he ; the one drown'd in carnall loosenesse , sensualities , and riotous excesse ; the other crucified and starke dead to such sinfull courses and worldly delights : let us goe to their houses and behold their behaviour . we shall find the one , reading scriptures , and other good bookes , taking times for holy duties and the service of god ; sober , temperate , abstemious ; diligent also in the necessary duties of his calling , having holy conference with god , discoursing of heavenly things , bearing himselfe liker an angell , then a man : the other , joviall , a vassall of luxury and ease , swaggering up and downe ale-houses , tavernes , or other such conventicles of good fellowship , hunting after all the wayes , meanes and men to passe the time merrily , plying his pleasures with what variety , hee can possibly all the day long , rayling and roaring as tho he were enraged with a devill , tho he be starke dead , while he is alive . &c. which is accompanied , with murmuring of the family , discontent of the wife , chiding of friends , laughing to scorne , of enemies , &c. whether of these courses now doe you thinke were the more comfortable ? i know full well the former would bee cried downe by the greatest part , as too precise : and the latter would carry it , by a world of men : but heare the puritane fathers impartiall holy censure , quite crosse to the common conceite , and humour of flesh and blood . it is excellent and emphaticall , arguing his resolute abomination of the wayes of goodfellowship ; and infinite love and admiration of the holy path. having given to the goodfellow his hearts desire all the day long in all kindes of voluptuousnesse , and delight : yet for all this , * who is he saith he , that is in his right minde , and hath his braines in his head , that would not chuse rather to die a thousand deaths , then spend but one day so ? this peremptory passage would bee holden a strange paradoxe from the mouth of any moderne minister , and so appeares to the carnall apprehension of all those miserable men , who are blindfolded and baffled by the devill to the eternal losse of their soules . but besides that , it might bee made good many other wayes , it is more then manifest by comparing that threefold sting , that dogs every sinfull delight at the heeles , &c. see my booke of walking with god ▪ pag. ● . with the comfortable contentment , and secret sweetenesse , which might and should attend all well-doing , and every holy duty done with uprightnesse of heart . the very philosophers doe tell us of a congratulation , a pleasing contentednesse and satisfaction in doing vertuously according to their morall rules . what true , solid , and singular comfort then , doe you thinke may bee found , in those godly actions , which spring from faith , are guided by gods word , directed to his glory , and whose bewailed defects and failings are most certainely pardoned by the bloud of his son ? now what an extreme madnesse is this , for a man to sell his salvation for a life of pleasures ; abhorring the wayes of gods childe , as too precise , and painefull ; whereas besides hell for the one , and heaven for the other hereafter ; in the meane time every day spent so sensually , is a true purgatory : and every day passed in the contrary christian course , is an earthly paradise . . secondly , let them marke well the different ends of these men . tho the one now carries away the credite and current of the times , and with all bravery and triumph tumbles himselfe in the pleasures , riches , and glory of the world ; and the other is kept , as they say , under batches , neglected and contemptible to carnall eyes , trampled upon with the feete of pride and malice by the prouder pharisees , and hunted with much cruelty and hate by men of this world : yet watch but a while ; and you shall see the end of this upright man ▪ whatsoever his sorrowes and sufferings , troubles and temptations have beene in this life , to be most certainly peace at the last . marke the perfect man , and behold the upright , for the end of that man is peace . psal. . . he either passeth fairely , and calmely thorow the port of death , to the land of everlasting rest , and reioycing ; or else , if a tempest of extraordinary temptation seize upon him in the haven , when he is ready , to set foote into heaven , which is the lot of many of gods dearest ones , for ends seeming best to the ever-blessed majesty ; as , perhaps to harden those aboue him , that hate to be reformed , &c. yet all the hurt he hath thereby , is upon the matter , besides serving gods secret holy pleasure , an addition to his happinesse ; for an immediate translation from the depth of temporary horrour , as in maister peacocke , and mistris bretlergh , to the height of endlesse joy , makes even the joyes of heaven something more joyfull . hee feeles those never-ending pleasures , at the first entrance more delicious and ravishing , by reason of the suddaine change , from that bitternesse of spirit in the last combate , to the excellency , and eternity of heavenly blisse . his soule in this case after a short eclipse of spirituall darkenesse upon his bed of death enters more lightsomly into the full sunne of immortall glory . but what doe you thinke shall bee the end of the other man ? he is in the meane time , it may be , in great power , and spreading himselfe like a greene bay tree , revelling in the ruffe and top of all worldly jollity and wealth , wallowing dissolutely in choisest delights and vamest pleasures ; yet waite but a while , and you shall see him quickely cut downe like grasse , and wither as the greene herb● . for god shall suddenly shoote at him with a swift arrow . it is already in the bow ; even a bow of steele shall send forth an arrow , that shall strike him thorow , and shall shine on his gall . his power , and his pride shall bee overthrowne in the turne of an hand . all his imperious boisterousnes●e shall melt away as a vaine foame . the eye which saw him , shall ●●e him no more ; neither shall hi● place any more behold him . he must downe into the grave naked and stript of all power and pompe ; all beauty and strength : a weaker and poorer worme , then when he f●●st came out of the wombe . here further for this purpose and fuller expr●ssion of my meaning in this point , how a worthy friend of mine , instancing in the exemplary and dreadfull downe-falls of haman , shebnah and others , labours to fright gracelesse great ones , out of their luxury and pride ; security and sinfull pleasures ; by consideration of their ends. oh then saith he , ye rich and great , ye proud , and cruell , ambitious and honourable , take from their wofull examples , the true estimate of your riches , and your power , your pleasure and your honour , wherein ye trust , and whereof yee boast , but as israell in aegypt , of a broken reede . consider that like sinnes , will have like ends : that god is to day and yesterday , and the same for ever : that the pride and cruelty ; oppression and luxury of these times have no greater priviledge , then those of the former : but when for a while , you have domineered farre and neare , had what you would , and done what you li●t , dispeopled parishes and plaines for your orchards and walkes ; pulld downe many houses , to set one up ; from betweene whose battlements , and turrets at the top , you can see no end of your meadowes , your fields , and your lands ; the measuring whereof as the poet speakes , would weary the very wings of the kite : when your clientary traine hath bin too long for the streete ; and your bare respect hath shooke the hat from the head , and bent the knee afarre off : when you have clapt whole manours on your backs ; or turnd them downe your throates : when you have scoured the plaine● with your horses , the fields and woods with your bounds and the heaven with your hawkes : when with pheasant● tongues you have furnisht whole feasts ; and with the queene of aegypt drunke dissolved pearle , even fifty thousand pounds at a draught , and then laide your head● in dalila●s lappe : when , if it were possible , yo● have spent your whole lives , in all that royall pompe , and pleasure , which that most magnificent king and quee●● did hist. . for an hundred and fourescore dayes : 〈◊〉 word , when you have wallowed in all delights , and stood in pleasures up to the chin : then even then , the pit is digged , and death , of whom you dreame not , stands at the doore . where are you now ? or what is to bee done ? come downe , saith death , from your pleasant prospects ; alight from your iades ; hood your kites ; cupple up your curres ; bid adew to pleasure ; out of your beds of lust ; come naked forth , and downe with mee to the chambers of death : make your beds in the dust ; and lay downe your cold carkasses among the stones of the pit at the roots of the rockes . and you great and delicate dames , who are so wearied with pleasure , that you cannot rise time enough to dresse your heads , and doe all your trickes against dinner : to wash your bodies with muske , and dawbe your faces with vermilion and chalke ; to make ready your pleasant baites , to poyson mens eyes , and their soules . you whorish lezabels thinke you now , you are meate for men ? nay come head-long downe to the dogs . if not suddenly so , yet dispatch and put off your caules , eare-rings , and round tyres ; your chaines , bracelets and mufflers ; your rings , wimples and crisping pinns ; your ▪ hoods , vailes and changeable sutes : your glasses , sine linnen , with all your mundus muliebris . isa. . and put on stinke , in stead of sweete smell ; baldnesse in stead of well-set haire ; burning in stead of beauty : wormes shall make their nests in your brests ; and shall eate out those wanton windowes , and messengers of lust . yea rottennesse , and stinch ; slime and filth shall ascend , and sit downe in the very throne of beauty ; and shall dwell betweene your eie-browes . all this is very wofull , and yet there is a thousand times worse . besides all this , thou , that now laies about the for thee world and wealth ; for transitory pelfe and rotten pleasures ; that lies soaking in luxury and pride , vanity , and all kinde of voluptuousnesse ; shalt most certainely , very shortly , lie upon thy bed of death , like a wilde bull in a net full of the fury of the lord ; either sealing thee up finally in the desperate senselessenesse of thine owne dead heart , with the spirit of slumber , for everlasting vengeance , even at the doore ; or else exemplarily enraging thy guilty conscience upon that thy last bed , with hellish horrour , even before hand . for * ordinarily , the more notorious servants of satan , and slaves of lust , depart this life , either like nabal , or iudas : tho more by many thousands die like hard-hearted sots in security , then in despaire of conscience . if it bee so with thee then , that thine heart , when thou shalt have received the sentence of death against thy selfe , die within thee as naballs . ( and most commonly , saith a worthy devine , conscience in many , is secure at the time of death : god in his iustice so plaguing an affected security in life , with an inflicted security at death . ) i say then thou wilt become , as a stone : most prodigiously blockish ; as tho there were no immortalitie of the soule , no losse of eternall blisse ; no tribunall in heaven , no account to bee made after this life , no burning in hell for ever . which will make the never-dying fire more scorching , and the ever-living worme more stinging ; by how much thou wast more senselesse , and fearelesse of that fiery lake into which thou wast ready to fall . death it selfe , saith the same man , cannot awaken some consciences , but no sooner come they into hell , but conscience is awakened to the full , never to sleepe more , and then she teareth with implacable fury , and teacheth forlorne wretches to know , that forbearance was no payment . but if it please god to take the other course with thee , and to let loose the cord of thy conscience upon thy dying bed ; thou wilt be strangled even with hellish horrour upon earth and damned above ground . that worme of hell , which is a continuall remorse , and furious reflexion of the soule upon its owne willfull folly ; whereby it hath lost everlasting ioyes , and must now lie in endlesse , easelesse and remedilesse torments , is set on worke , whilest thou art yet alive , and with desperate rage , and unspeakeable anguish will feede upon thy soule and flesh . the least twitch whereof , not all the pleasures of ten thousand worlds , would ever bee able to countervaile : for as the peace of a good , so the pangs of a guilty conscience are unspeakable . so that at that time , thou maist iustly take unto thy selfe pashur's terrible name ; magor-missabib ; feare round about : thou wilt be a terrour to thy selfe , and to all thy friends . and that which in this wofull case will sting extremely ; no friends , nor physicke ; no gould , nor silver ; no height of place , nor favour of prince ; not the glory and pleasures of the whole world ; not the crownes and command of all earthly kingdomes , &c. can possibly give any comfort , deliverance or ease ! for when that time and terrour hath overtaken thee , which is threatned prou. . . et seq . because i have called , and yee refused , i have stretched out my hand , and no man regarded : but yee have set a● naught all my counsell , and would none of my reproofe : i also will laugh at your calamity , and will mocke when your feare commeth . when your feare commeth as desolation , and your destruction commeth as a whirlewinde ; when distresse , and anguish commeth upon you . then shall they call upon me , but i will not answere ; they shall seeke mee earely , but they shall not finde mee : for that they hated knowledge , and did not chuse the feare of the lord. they would none of my counsell : they despised all my reproofe . therefore shall they eate the fruit● of their owne way , and be filled with their owne devises . i say , when this terrible time is come upon thee ; then will the mighty lord of heaven and earth come against thee , as a beare that is bereaved of her whelpes , and will rent the caule of thy heart , and will devoure thee like a lion : he will come with fire , and with his charets like a whirle-winde , to render his anger with fury , and his rebuke with flames of fire : all his terrours at that houre will fight against thee , and that un●quenchable anger , that burnes to the very bottome of hell , and sets on fire the foundations of the mountaines : the empoysoned arrowes of his fiercest indignation shall be drunke with the bloud of thy soule , and sticke fast in it for ever . in a word , the fearefull armies of all the plagues and curses , sorrowes and un-sufferable paines denounc'd in gods booke against finall impenitents , shall with un-resistable violence take hold upon thee at once , and pursue thee with that fury , which thou shalt never bee able either to avoide , or abide . and who is able to stand before this holy lord god ? who can abide in his sight when he is angry ? who can deliver out of his hand ? what man or angell ; what arme of flesh or force of armes , what creature , or created power ; what cherub or which of the seraphins is able to free a guilty conscience from the ever-knawing worme , and an impenitent wretch from eternal flames ? oh , me thinkes a sensible fore-thought of these horrible things even at hand , should make the hardest heart of the most abominable behall to tremble at the roote , and fall asunder in his brest like drops of water ! to haue his end in his eye ; and seriously to remember the tribulation , and anguish that shall shortly come upon his soule , the affliction , the worme wood and the gall , should fright and fire him out of all his filthy gracelesse , good-fellow courses ! . thirdly , let them consider , what horrour it will bee in evill times , i meane , not onely at death and the last day , which are the most terrible of all ; but also , in times of disgrace and contempt ; of common feare , and confusions of the state ; of sickenesse , crosses , restraint , banishment , temptations , or any other dayes of sorrow ▪ i say at such times , to finde in stead of peace , fiery scorpions in their consciences , innumerable sins graven there , with an iron pen , un-repented of ! heare how excellently * austin foretels & forewarnes them , into what a forlorne and fearefull state , they shall most certainely fall , when after a short gleame of worldly glory , they fall into tempestuous , and troublesome times . of all afflictions incident to the soule of man , there is none more grievous , and transcendent ; then to have the conscience enraged with the guilt of sinne . if there bee no wound there , if all bee safe and sound within , if that bird of the bosome sing sweetely in a m●●s brest ; it is no matter , what miseries be abroad in the world , what stormes , or 〈◊〉 be raised against him what arme of flesh ▪ or rage of foes beset him rou●d : for hee in this are , hath presently recourse unto his conscience ▪ the safest sanctuary , and paradise of sweetest repose , and finding that sprinkled with the bloud of the lambe , filled with abundance of peace , and god himselfe there , reconcil'd unto him in the face of christ , he is couragiously fearelesse of all , both mortall and immortall , adversaries and oppositions : tho the earth be remooved ; and the mountaines carried into the middest of the sea , tho all the creatures in the world should bee turned into beares or devils about him , yet his conscience being comfortable , hee is undaunted and confide●t , and more then conquerour over the whole world , and ten thousand hells . but on the other side , if by reason of the raigne of sinne , there be no rest there ; if god be not there because of the abounding of iniquity , what shall a man doe then ? whither shall hee flye , when the hand of god hath found him out , and the swift arrow of the almighty stickes fast in his side ? hee will flie , saith that auncient father , out of the countrey into the citie ; out of the streets into his house ; out of his house into his chamber ; horrour still dogging him at the heeles . and from his chamber , whither will hee goe , but into the inmost cabinet in his bosome , where his conscience dwelleth ? and if hee finde there nothing but tumult and terrour ▪ but guiltinesse , confusion and cries of despaire ; which way will hee then turne himselfe ; or whither will hee fly then ? he must then , either flie from himselfe , which is utterly impossible ; or else abide that torment , which is beyond all compasse of conceite or expression of tongue . for all the racks , saith another , wheeles , wilde horses , hot pincers , scalding lead poured into the most tender , and sensible parts of the body ; yea , all the mercilesse , barbarous , and inhumane cruelties of the holy house , are but flea-bitings , meere toyes , and may-games , compared with the torment , that an evill conscience will put a man to , when it is awakened . . a third sort , the worst of all and most pestilent , are those , who doe not onely not labour in the time of harvest to treasure up comfortable provision against dayes of dread , and mispend the day of their visitation wickedly ; but also out of a transcendent straine of impiety , labour might and maine , to put out and utterly extinguish the heavenly sunne , that creates this blessed day , and makes the season of our spirituall harvest most glorious , and incomparable : i meane to suppresse and quench the saving light of a powerfull ministry , wheresoever planted , and prevailing ; under the sacred influence , and soveraigne heate whereof , all gods hidden ones are woont to gather that heavenly stocke of grace , comforts of godlinesse , and good conscience , which is able to hold up their heads invincibly in heavy times . these are the vilest of men , and of the most * forlorne hope : for they are unhappily transported with extremest malice , and storme against the very meanes , which should sanctifie them , and men , which should save them . they doe not onely make their owne soules sure for damnation : but also hinder the power of the word all they can , ** lest others should bee saved . whatsoever thou doest , doe not become one of this damned crue : who heartily desire , that the sun of sincere preaching were quencht , and put out , tho it were with the bloud of god● faithfullest messengers ; as did the m●n of anathoth in ieremies time . ier. . . . a herodias in iohn baptist time , and that b other herodias improperly called eudoxia in iohn chrysostomes time , and many thousands , even within the pale of the church at all times . above all , i say , beware of that crying sinne of c persecuting the power of godlinesse , without which never any heart knew what true comfort meant ; profession of the truth , without which christ will not owne us at the last day ; conscionable ministers , under whose painefull labours , we gather our spirituall and heavenly store , against evill times in this harvest of grace : and that either with thine heart , by hatred , malice , heart-burning ; with thy tongue , by slanders , scoffs , rash censures ; with thine hand , by supplanting , oppression , wrong ; with thy purse , policy , power , mis-informing , or any other way of vexing , or violence . if thou wilt needes bee wicked , bee so more moderately ; if there be no helpe , but thou wilt to hell , post not so furiously ; if nothing will-worke , but thou art wilfully bent to bee damned , bee damned more tolerably . for persecutours are transcendents in sinne , and shall hereafter bee paid home proportionably . be none of them for such reasons as these . . all their malice , and rancour ; all their bitter words and scornefull iests ; all their bloudy , mercilesse mischiefes , and machinations against the power of preaching , and gods people , strike immediately at the face of iesus christ. acts. . . saul , saul , why persecutest thou me ? and at the pretious ball , and apple of gods owne eye ; zech. . for he that toucheth you , toucheth the apple of his eye . god is our shield , psal. . . now the shield takes all the blowes . . they are hunted many times with furies of conscience and extreame horrour even in this life . pashur put blessed ieremie in the stockes ; but thereupon , he had a new name given him magor-missabib ; feare round about ; hee became a terrour to himselfe , and to all his friends . zedechiah smote faithfull micaiah upon the face ; but afterward according to that propheticall commination , hee was faine to run from chamber to chamber , to hide himselfe . iohn baptists head , which herod cut off , sate in the eye of the tyrants conscience , with such griesly formes of guiltinesse , and bloud ; that when hee heard of the great things done by christ , hee was perplexed , and no doubt afraid , that iohn baptist was risen from the dead to bee revenged upon him. i have heard of a man , who for a time did furiously , and desperately set himselfe against a minister of god ; labour'd might , and maine , by all meanes to disgrace , and vexe him ; both by power , and policy ; by slanders , oppressions , malice , contempt . but at length , the word so got within him , and hamperd him ; and the terrours of the almighty tooke hold upon him with such un-resistable rage ; that he came trembling and quaking unto that man of god , whom he had so wickedly wrong'd ; and durst not steere a foote from him , for feare the devill should take him away alive ; or the earth open her mouth , and swallow him up quicke ; or some other strange remarkeable iudgement seize upon him suddenly , and brand him for a notorious beast , & cursed cast-away . so or to such sense hee spoke . . many of them come to very horrible , exempla●y , and wofull ends . pharaoh long since , by a dreadfull confusion at the red sea was as it were hangd up in chaines , a spectacle of terrour for persecutors , to all posterity . antiochus swelling with anger , and breathing out fire in his rage against the people of god , did proudly protest , that he would come to ierusalem , and make it a common burying place of the iewes : but the lord almighty , the god of israel smot● him with an incurable , and invisible plague : for as soone as hee had spoken these words , a paine of the bowels that was remedilesse came upon him , and ●ore torments of the inner parts . — so that the wormes rose up out of the body of this wicked man , and whiles hee lived in sorrow and paine , his flesh fell away , and the filthinesse of his smell was noysome to all his army . herod in the height of his hatred against the gospell , and pride in imprisoning and persecuting the apostles , was eaten up of wormes in a most fearefull prodigious manner . gardiner gaping for newes of the dispatch of those two blessed martyrs of iesus , latimer and ridley , at oxford deferred his dinner untill three or foure of the clocke at afternoone , delighting more in drinking the bloud of the saints , then in his ordinary foode : but upon the returne of his post , hee fell merrily to his meate : and marke what followed : the bloudy tyrant saith the story , had not eaten a few bittes , but the sudden strok● of god , his terrible hand fell upon him in such sort , as immediatly he was taken from the table , and so brought to his bed , where he continued the space of fifteene dayes , in such intolerable anguish & tormēts , that all that ●eane while , during those fifteene dayes , he could not avoyde by order of urine or otherwise , any thing that hee received : wh●●eby his body being miserably inflamed within ( who had inflamed so many good martyrs before ) was brought to ● wretched end . for further inlargement of this point , looke into the stories of the primitive church , acts and monument● , theater of gods iudgements . . a cry farre louder , then the noise of many waters , or voice of greatest thunder knocks continually , with strong importunity , at gods iust tribunall for a showre of fire & brimstone , and an horrible tempest to be rained downe upon their heads ▪ i meane , a cry of bloud , wrongs , disgraces , and slanders , wherewith they have loaden the saints of god. rev. . . and they cryed with a loud voyce , saying , how long , o lord , holy , and true , doest thou not iudge , and avenge our blood on them that dwell upon the earth ! . they are the principall provokers of gods wrath against a nation . their hatefull heate , overflowing gall , and scornefull carriage against gods people , doth ripen apace his fiercest indignation ; fill up full the vialls of his vengeance , and draw downe upon a kingdome a desperate , and finall ruine without all remedy . but they mocked the messengers of god , and despised his words , and mis-used hi● prophets , untill the wrath of the lord arose against his people , till there was no remedy . . chron. . . . their spitefull spirits being once thorowly set on heate with this fire of hell and infernall rage against the grace of god and his people , commonly continue in fl●me and fury untill their fearefull and finall confusion . and they being once flesht , as it were , with the bloud of the saints , at lest by scoffes & slanders ( for even lewd and lying tongues are keene razours , and sharpe swords , scourges and scorpions that fetch bloud ) they feede insatiably upon the damned sweetnesse of such supposed cursed revenge , untill they be seizd upon with irrecoverable ruine ; and fall amongst the firers of their malice , and arch-persecutors of all professours , the fiends of hell. this is my meaning : this pestilent and crying sinne of persecution is like the gulfe of drunkennesse , which austin compares to the pitt of hell , into which , when a man is once fallen , there is no redemption , or returne . a persecutour is rarely or never ●eclaimde : either by miracle or ministry ; mercy or misery . fire from heaven falling upon the first captaine and his f●●y , did not fright the second captaine and his fifty from pressing upon elijah to apprehend him . . kings , . . . the souldiers who came to take iesus , as soone as hee had said , i am hee , were strangely upon the suddaine , stroke downe to the ground . ioh , . . and yet this miracle did never a whit mollifie and abate the malice of the priests and pharisees against him. not even the mini●●ry of christ himselfe , though he spoke as never man spake ; not that of stephen , whose face appeared to his hearers , as it had beene the face of an angell ; not that of the apostles freshly filled with the holy ghost from heaven , did at all dis-enrage or ●ame those fellowes , which were possest with this f●ule spirit of scornefull contradiction . see luc. . . . and . . act. . and . . not all those horrible miraculous plagues of aegypt , were able to quench pharaohs fury against the people of god ▪ untill he was choakt in the red sea. no kindnesse from david , though extraordinary , and matchlesse . . sam. ● . and ● . could turne sa●ls heart from hunting him , as when one doth hunt a partridge in the mountaines . and no marvaile , tho they be not mooved by all or any of these meanes ; for they scorne , persecute and contemne the very meanes , which should amend them , and the onely men , who should convert them . whether of the two , thinke you , is likelier to recover ? that man , who being dangerously sicke ; yet entertaines the physition kindely , and takes patiently what is prescrib'd : or hee , who having a potion presented unto him very soveraigne for his recovery , throwes the glasse against the wall , spils that pretious receipt , and drives the physition out at doores ? conceive proportionably ; betweene the persecutour , and the lesse pestilent sinner , who meddles nor maliciously against the ministry . . they are already in the pestilent path , and very hie-way , that leads to sinne against the holy ghost . the horriblenesse , and height of which dreadfull villany may bring upon them even in this life , impossibility of pardon . matth. . . . and liablenesse to that flaming iudgement & ●iery indignation threatned , heb. . . &c. and that they are d growing towards this sinne , if they be not quite gone that way , appeares , because they despitefully traduce ; with much malice and mischiefe persecute the very workes of grace , and graces of gods spirit shed into the hearts , and shining in the lives of the children of light . . ioh. . . psal. . . . pet. . . if a man would drinke , sweare , swagger , revell , and roare with them : if he durst bee an ignorant , an vsurer , a sabbath-breaker , a worldling , a doter upon , and defender of heathnish superstitious customes ; a practiser , or patrone of old anniversarie fooleries , and rotten vanities ; an incloser , gamester , good-fellow , &c. oh! then hee should bee the onely man with them ; entertain'd into their hearts and houses with all affectionate embracements of kindnesse and acceptation : but if the same man , by the mercies of god , once begin to breake from them , and out of the snares of the devill ; to dis-rellish , and detest his former wayes of nature and naughtinesse ; to love and reverence the most searching ministry ; to reade the scriptures , and best bookes ; to sanctifie the lords day , to pray in his family ; to renounce resolutely , his running with them to the same excesse of riot , to abandon and abominate their lewd and licentious courses ; in a word to turne christian ; oh! then hee is an arrant puritane , a precision , an humorist , an hypocrite , and all that naught is ; even as e bad , as the false tongues of the devils limbes can make a blessed man. he was a good-fellow , will they say , but hee is now quite gone : a proper man , and of good parts , but his puritanisme hath f mar'd all . while paul humour'd the pharises , in persecuting and plaguing the disciples of the lord , hee was a principall and much honoured man amongst them : but when hee turned on christ's side , he was holden a pestilent-fellow , the very g plague . so that it is plaine and palpable , whatsoever may bee pretended to the contrary , that those cursed cains , dogged doegs , and scoffing ●●maels , that set themselues and spend their malice against the ministers and people of god , hare , slander , and persecute the very workes of grace , and graces of gods spirit in them . even their z●ale , holinesse , hatred of sinne ▪ reformation , &c. are an eye-sore , and heart-sore to such hatefull wretches , and owles of hell , ●ho cannot endure any heavenly light . . as stigmaticall rogues burnt in the hand , curtal'd of their eares , branded in the fore-head , are in the common wealth ; so are persecutors in the church . by mutuall intelligence , and information of gods people , or some more publike lasting record and monunument of the church , they have many times such a marke set upon them ; that they carry it to their graves , yea to the iudgement seate of god ; that it may bee knowne a sore-hand to that glorious tribunall and all the triumphant church , what h beastly men , stinging scorpions , and pricking thorn's they have beene among●t gods children , and in the sides of the saints . such a brand had alexander the copper smith set upon him by paul. . tim. . . and such a brand was set upon diotrephes that m●litious prating companion , by saint iohn . . ioh . so are those bloud thirsty tygers , gardiner , bonner , and the rest of that cruell litter , and persecuting packe , branded , that their names shall rot ▪ and their memories be hatefull to the worlds end . so too many in these times , though they be very iolly fellowes in their owne conceits , ador'd as idols , by their flattering dependants , applauded generally as the principall patrones of revelling & good-fellowship ; ●et in the censure of the saints , and by the doome of divine wisedome , they are clearely knowne , and iustly reputed enemies of all righteousnesse , and satans speciall agents to doe mischiefe against the ministery . . and it is to be feared ; they will finde no mercy upon their beds of death , and in their last extremity , cry they never so loude , or promise they never so faire . god in iust indignation is woont to deale so with those , who drinke up iniquity like water , with●ut all sense or feare of a glorious dread●ull majesty above . see ezek . . with those , who refuse to stoupe to gods ordinance , and submit to the scepter of christ , when they are fairely invited by the ministery . see prov. . . . ier. . . . and . . with great ones , who grinde the faces of the poore . see micah . . with abusers of the riches of his goodnesse , and long suffering ▪ see rom. . . how much more doe you thinke , shall impenitent persecutors bee paide home in this kinde ? see . macchab. . . . there that great and cruell persecutor , antiochus , being seizd upon by an horrible sickenesse , promiseth very gloriously upon that his last bed ; besides many other strange reformations , even that he also , would become a iew himselfe , and goe thorough all the world that was inhabited , and declare the power of god. but for all this , heare what the i writer of that story saith of his spirituall state , and of gods resolution towards him vers . . this wicked person prayed also unto the lord , who would now have no mercy on him . all their spitefull speeches , scurrill sco●fes , pestilent lyes , insolent insultations , &c. are as so many crownes of glory and ioy unto the heads , and hearts of all persecuted patient professours . . pet. . . act. . . iob. . . ( so that they infinitely misse the malicious marke , their revengefull humours would gladly hit , the hurt and heart-breaking of those , they so cruelly and cunningly hunt with much rancour and hate . ) and not onely so , but most certainely hereafter , if they die not like drunken nabal , and their hearts become as stones in their brests , upon their beds of death they will all , tho now passing from them , with much bitternesse of spirit , and without all remorse , turne into so many envenomed stings , and byting scorpions , unto their owne consciences , and knaw upon their hearts , with extreamest horrour . . the whole body of the militant church , ioyne all as one man with a strong concurrent importunitie at the throne of grace ; and with one heart and spirit constantly continue there , such piercing prayers against all stubborne impenitent scorners ; all incurable , implacable persecutours , as the people of god have bin wont to poure out in such cases , as lament . . . &c. o lord ! thou hast seen my wrong , judge thou my cause . thou hast seene all their vengeance , and all their imaginations against me . thou hast heard their reproach , o lord , and all their imaginations against me : the lips of those that rose up against me , & their devise against me all the day . behold their sitting downe , and their rising up , i am their musicke . render unto them a recompence , o lord , according to the worke of their hands . give them sorrow of heart , thy curse unto them . persecute and destroy them , in anger , from under the heavens of the lord. now i would not be in that mans case , against whom , gods people complaine upon good ground at that iust and highest tribunal , one halfe houre ; for the imperiall crowne , and command of all the kingdomes of the earth : for who knowes , whether iust at that time , the righteous lord for his children's sake , and safety may raine upon such a mans head , snares , fire and brimstone , and an horrible tempest . . and the prayers of the saints poured out in the bitternesse of their soules vexed continually with their malicious cruelties , and cruell mockes , are meanes many times to bring persecutours to an untimely end , to knocke them downe before their time . doe not you thinke , that the faithfull iewes at ierusalem , hearing of antiochus marching towards them , like an evening wolfe , to drinke up their bloud , had presently recourse unto gods righteous throne with strong cries , to stay his rage ? and doe you not thinke , that those very praiers drew downe upon him that horrible , and incurable plague , whereupon hee died a miserable death in a strange countrey in the mountaines ? herod , for any thing wee know , might have lived many a faire day longer , if hee had dealt fairely with the apostles of christ. but putting one to the sword . act. . . and another in prison . vers . . hee put the church to their prayers . vers . . which prayers , for there is a certaine omnipotency of prayer , as luther was wo●t to say , did create full soone those vermine , that eate him up horribly in the height of his pride . vers . . the k ecclesiasticall story reports , that the loathsome , and dreadfull end of arrius , that execrable enemie to iesus christ , was hastned by the prayers of the good and orthodoxe bishop alexander , who wrastled with god in earnest deprecations against him all the night before . doe you not thinke , that gardiner went sooner into his grave for his cruelty towards professours of the truth , by their groanes against him , and by the cry of the bloud of that glorious paire of martyrs at oxford , which hee so insatiably thirsted after ? let all those then , that tread in these mens paths , tremble at their ends . and if no better motive will mollifie their doggednesse , yet at least , let their love unto the world , themselves , and sensuall waies , take them off and restraine them from this persecuting rage ; least it set on worke the prayers of gods people , and so they bee taken away before their time , and cut off from a temporary supposed heaven of earthly pleasures , to a true everlasting hell of unspeakeable torments , sooner then otherwise they should . . the hearts , and tongues of all good men , and friends to the gospell , are fill'd with much glorious l joy , and heartiest songs of thankesgiving , at the downefall of every raging incurable opposite ; when the revenging hand of god hath at length to the singular advancement of the glory of his justice , singled out , and paide home remarkeably , any impenitent persecutour , and implacable enemie . see for this purpose , the song of ●oses , exod. . of deborah , iudges . the iewes feasting after the hanging of haman ; esther . . psa. . . and . . and . . . macca . . . ( onely , let the heart of gods childe be watchfull over it selfe with a godly jealousie in this point . that his reioycing bee , because gods justice is glorified , his church delivered , satans kingdome weakened , &c. not onely for his owne ease and end , for any personall or particular by-respect . ) now it is an heavy case : a man , in his short abode upon earth to behave himselfe , so like a dogged curre , and incarnate divell , that all good men are and ought to bee passingly glad , when hee is gone . in this point i comprise and conclude , all sorts of persecutours : of which some are profest and open , as bonner and gardiner , and many such morning wolues : some politicke and reserved , who many times are the more pernicious . for of all manner of malice , and ill will , that is most execrable , deadly , and doth the most hurt , which like a serpent in the faire greene grasse , lies lurking in the flatterings and fawnings of a sleering countenance . which kisses with iudas , and kills with ioab : entertaines a man with outward formes of complement , and curtesie , but would , if it durst or might , stabbe him in at the fifth rib , that hee should never rise againe . when a mans words to thy face , are as soft as oyle or butter ; but his thoughts towards thee , composed all of bloud and bitternesse ; of gall and gunpowder . some are notorious villaines , as many times in many places , the most desperate blasphemers , stigmaticall drunkards , rotten whore mongers , cruell usurers , and fellowes of such infamous ranke , are as so many bloudy goades in the sides of gods servants ; and the onely men to pursue all advantages against the faithfullest ministers : some are of more sober carriage , faire conditions and seeming devotion ; act ▪ . . some are the basest fellowes , the most abiect and contemptible vagabonds , and the very refuse of all the rascalls in a countrey . this we may see by iobs complaint . cap . but now , saith hee , they that are younger then i , have mee in derision , whose fathers i would have disdained to have set with the dogs of my flocke . — they were children of fooles , yea , children of base men : they were viler then the earth . and now am i their song , yea , i am their by word . and in davids : psa. . yea , the abiects gathered themselves against mee , &c. and i was the song of the drunkards , psal. . . and in the persecutours of paul , act. . but the iewes which bel●eved not , mooved with envie , tooke unto them certaine lewde fellowes of the baser sort , &c. some againe are men of place and parts . as the same david complaines in the same place . they that sit in the gate , speake against mee . m that is , men in high roomes and of great authoritie . and as all sorts of persecutours , so i comprehend all kindes of persecution . . by hand ; as did herod . act. . iulian , bonner , &c. . with tongue ; by mocking , galat. . . compared with gen. . . see also psal. . . hebr. . . by slandering , even in reporting true things maliciously to the prejudice of gods children . psalm . . by reproaching and reviling . zeph. . . by insulting with insolent speeches . ezech. . . and . . . in heart ; by hatred , ezech. . . by rejoycing in the downefall or disgrace of the saints . ezech. . . . in gesture ; ezech. . . because thou hast clapped thy hands , and stamped with the feete , &c. behold therefore , i will stretch out mine hand upon thee , &c. take heede of so much , as looking sowre upon , or brow-beating a servant of christ , lest thou smart for it . looke upon the quoted places , and you shall see offenders in any of these kindes , plagued and paide home as persecutours of gods people . and thus let such extremely wicked men be frighted from persecuting any way , those men or meanes , which are appointed and sanctified , to furnish us with spirituall store and strength against the dayes of evill . ob. but against that , which hath beene said in this point for the singularity , and soveraignty of grace and good conscience to support the spirit of a man in evill times , to keepe it calme in the most tempestuous assaults , and conquering over all commers , it may bee objected , and some may thus cavill . men , who never were , or ever did desire to bee acquainted with gods grace or good men , expresse sometimes , and represent to by-standers an invincible stoutnesse , much boldnesse and bravenesse of minde in times of greatest extremitie , and under most exquisite tortures ; and therefore it seemes not to be peculiar to the saints , and the priviledge of gods favourites alone , to stand unshaken in stormy times , undaunted in distresse , and comfortable amidst the most desperate confusions ? answ. i answere ; such confidence is onely in the face , not in the heart ; enforced , not kindly ; affected , not effectuall ; not springing from the sole fountaine of all sound and lasting comfort in humane soules ; sense of our reconciliation to god in christ ; but from some other odde accidentall motives ; from weake and unworthy grounds . . in some , from an ambitious affectation of admiration and applause , for extraordinary undauntednesse of spirit , and high resolution . it is reported of an irish traitour , that lying in horrible anguish upon the wheele , an engine of cruellest torture , with his body bruis'd , and his bones broken , asked his friend standing by , whether he changed countenance at all , or no. affecting more as it seemes , an opinion of prodigious manlinesse , and unconquerablenesse in torment ; then affected with the raging paines of a most terrible execution . . in others , from a strong , stirring perswasion , and consciousnesse of the honesty , and honour of some civill cause , for which they suffer . but fortitude in this case , doth not arise , from any inspired religious vigour or heavenly infusions ; but from the severer instigations of naturall conscience , and acquired manhood of a meere morall puritane . many such morall martyrs have beene found amongst the more generous , and well-bred heathen . it is storied of a brave and valiant captaine , who had long , manfully , and with incredible courage with-stood dionysius the elder in defence of a citie ; that hee sustained with strange patience , and height of spirit the mercilesse fury of the tyrant , and all his barbarous cruelties : most unworthy of him , that suffered them , but most worthy him that inflicted the same . first the tyrant told him ; how the day before , hee had caused his son , and all his kinsfolkes to be drown'd . to whom the captaine stoutly out staring him , answered nothing , but that they were more happy then himselfe , by the space of one day . afterward hee caused him to be stripped , and by his executioners , to be taken , and dragged through the citty most ignominiously ; cruelly whipping him , and charging him besides , with outragious and contumelious speeches : all which notwithstanding , as one no whit dismaide hee ever shewed a constant , and resolute heart . and wit●● cheerefull , and bold countenance went on still , lowdly recounting the honourable ▪ and glorious cause of his death ; which was , that hee would never consent to yeeld his countrey into the hands of a cruell tyrant . with such stoutnesse did even meere morall vertue steele the antient romane spirits , that in worthy defense of their liberty ; for preservation of their countrey , or other such noble ends ; they indifferently contemned gold , silver , death , torture ; and whatsoever else miserable worldlings hold deare , or dismall . . in some , from an extreme hardnesse of heart , which makes them senselesse and fearelesse of shame , misery , or any terrible thing . this wee may sometimes obserue in notorious malefactours . a long rebellious , and remorselesse continuance , and custome in sinne ▪ raging infections from their roaring companions ▪ a furious pursuite of outrages , and blood ; satans ho● iron searing their consciences , and gods iust curse upon their fearefull , and forlorne courses , so fill them with foole-hardinesse , and with such a ferall disposition , that they are desperately hardned against all affronts , and dis-asters . so that tho such savage-minded , and marble-hearted men be to passe thorow the streetes , as spectacles of abhorrednesse and scorne , as hatefull monsters , and the reproach of mankind ; to be throwne into a dungeon of darknesse , and discomfort , and there to be loaden with cold irons , coldnes , and want ; from thence to bee hurried to that loathed place of execution , and there to die a dogs death , as they say ; and finally to fall immediately and irrecoverably into a lake of fire : yet i say for all this , out of a desperate hard-heartednesse , they seeme still to bee in heart ; and to represent to the beholders , a great deale of undauntednesse , and neglect of danger in their carriage , and countenances . o the prodigious rocke , into which the stone in a gracelesse heart may grow ; both in respect of desperatenesse in sinning , and sense-lesnesse in suffering ! . in others , from an enraged thirst after humane praise , and immortall fame , as they call it . which may be so prevalent in them , and transport them with such a vaine-glorious ambition this way ; that it may carry them with much seeming insensibility , affected patience , and artificiall courage thorow the terrors , and tortures , of a very violent , and martyr like death . heare what austin saith to this point , thinke yee there never were any catholikes , or that now there may not bee some , that would suffer onely for the prayse of men ? if there were not such kind of men , the apostle would not haue said , though i give my body to be burned , and have not charity , i am nothing . hee did know right well , that there might bee some , which would doe it out of vaine-glory and selfe-love , not for divine love , and the glory of god. o the bottomlesse depth of hellish hypocrisie , which lyes hid in our corrupt hearts ! o the blind and perverse thoughts of foolish men ! o the murderous malice of that old red dragon , which exerciseth such horrible crueltie both upon our bodies and soules ! . in some , from false grounds of a supposed good estate to godward ; from an unsound perswasion of their present spirituall well-beeing , and future wellfare . such pharisies , foolish virgines , and formall professours , are to bee found in all ages of the church , especially , in the fairest , and most flourishing daies thereof , and when the gospell hath the freest passage , who thus many times , in the greate it of all earthly extremities , even upon their beds of death represent to all about them from a groundlesse presumption of being reconciled unto god , a great deale of confidence , resolution , and many glorious expectations . vpon a partiall survay , and perusall of their time past , not stain'd perhaps with any great enormities , notoriousnesse , or infamous sinne ; out of a vaine-glorious consciousnesse unto themselues , of their many good parts , generall graces , good deedes , and plausiblenesse with the most ; by reason of a former obstinated distaste and prejudice against sincerity , and the power of godlinesse , as tho it were unnecessary singularity and peevishnesse ; and it may bee , confirmed also unhappily in their spirituall selfe-cousenage , by the unskilfull , and unseasonable palliations , i meane mis-applications of some abused promises unto their un-humbled soules , from some dawbing ministers , a generation of vilest men , excellent ideots in the mystery of christ , and mercifull cut-throates of many miserable deluded soules , to whom they promise life and peace , when there is no peace towards , but terrible things even at hand , tumbling of garments in blood , noise of damned soules , and tormenting in hell for ever ; i say from such false and failing grounds as these , they many times in that last extremity , ( the lord not revealing unto them the unsoundnesse of their spirituall estate , and rottennesse of their hopes ) demeane themselues chearefully , and comfortably , as tho they were presently to set foote into heaven , and to lay hold upon eternall life ; but god hee knowes , without any iust cause or true ground . for immediately upon the departure of the soule from the body , shall they heare that wofull doome from christs owne mouth , as himselfe hath told us before-hand , depart from mee ; i never knew you . such men as these , having been formerly acquainted with , and exercisde in the outward formes and complements of religion , are woont at such times to entertaine their visitants and by-standers , with many goodly speeches , and scripture-phrases , representing their contempt of the world , willingnesse to dye , readinesse to forgive all the world , hope to bee saved , desire to bee dissolved , and bee in heaven , &c. they may cry aloude with much formall confidence , lord , lord , open to us ; mercy , mercy , in the name of christ , lord iesus receive our spirits , &c. which last eiaculations , did they spring from a truly broken , penitent , and heavenly heart , and were they the periods , and conclusions of a well-spent life , might blessedly breake open with unresistable power the gates of heaven ; unlocke the rich treasures of immortality , and fill the departing soule , with the shining beames of gods glorious presence : but unto them such goodly and glorious speeches are but as so many catchings and scrablings of a man over head in water : hee struggles , and strives for hold to save himselfe ; but hee graspes nothing but water ; it is still water , which hee catches ; and therefore sinkes and drownes . . in others , from a mis-guided head-strong zeale in will-worship ; an impotent , peremptory conceit , that they suffer in the cause of god , and for the glory of religion . this unhallowed fury possessed many hereretikes of old . vpon this false ground , the a donatists in the fourth century after christ offered themselues willingly , and suffered death most couragiously . and so did the b euphemites , who for the multitude of their supposed martyrs , would needs be called martyrians . stories also tell us , that turkes , tartars and mores both fight and dye most bravely and resolutely for the blasphemous opinions of mahomet . and that the assasins , a company of bloody villaines , and desperate cut-throates , who would without all scruple or feare undertake to dispatch any man , whom their generall commanded them to murther , dyed oftentimes with great constancy and un-dismaiednesse : and this they accounted a speciall point of religion . but especially at this day , the popish pseudo-martyrs , indeed true traytors , are starke mad with this superstitious rage . first , they drinke full deepe of the golden cup of abominable fornication in the hand of the great whore. immediately whereupon they grow into an unsatiable and outragious thirst after the blood of soules , empoysoning them with the doctrine of divels : and also after the blood of whomsoever withstands their accursed superstitions , even tho they weare imperiall crownes upon their heads ; by plotting , and practising treasons , parricides , assasinates , empoysonings , ruines of whole nations , barbarous massacres , blowing up of parliaments ▪ and a world of bloody mischiefes , which cast an inexpiable staine , and obloquy upon the innocency of christian religion . at last , they come to tyburne , or some other place of iust execution ; and then they will needes beare the world in hand , that they are going towards heaven , to receive a crowne of martyrdome . they seeme there already to triumph extraordinarily , and to contemne tortures : with an affected bravery , they trample upon the tribunals of iustice , kisse the instruments of death , in signe of happinesse at hand ; and throw many resolute , and reioycing speeches , amongst the people as tho they had one foote in heaven already . when alas ! poore , blind , mis-guided soules , while they thus wilfully and desperately abandon their lives upon a groundlesse , and gracelesse conceite , that they shall become crowned martyrs ; they are like a man , who lying asleepe upon an high and steepe rock , dreames that hee is created a king , guarded with a goodly traine of ancient nobles , furnished with many princely houses , and stately palaces , enriched with the revenewes , majesty , and magnificence of a mighty kingdome , attended with all the pleasures , his heart could desire , &c. but starting up upon the sudden , and leaping for ioy ; falls headlong , and irrecoverably into the raging sea ; and so in liew of that imaginary happinesse , hee vainely grasped in a dreame , hee destroies himselfe , and looseth that little reall comfort , hee had in this miserable life . that damned paire of incarnate divels , the english fawkes and french ravillac ; the one , after that in the popes cause , hee had embrued his hands in the royall blood of a mighty king , and the greatest warriour upon earth ; the other having done his utmost to blow up at once , the glory , power , wisedome ; the religion , peace , and posterity of the most renowned state under the heavens ; were both prodigiously bold , confident , peremptory . but was this courage thinke you inspired into them , by the lyon of the tribe of iudah , already triumphant in the heavens , or by that roaring dragon of the bottomlesse pit ? a man of an understanding , impartiall , discerning spirit , would scarcely wish a clearer demonstration of the truth , and orthodoxnes of our religion , then to marke the different ends of our blessed martyrs in q. maries time , & those popish traytors , which are sometimes executed amongst us . they both ordinarily at their ends expresse a great deale of confidence : but in the pseudo-catholicks antichristian martyrs , it is so enforced , artificiall , ambitious , affected ; their speeches so cunning , and composed upon purpose to seduce the simple ; their last behaviour ●o plotted before-hand , and formally acted ; their prayers so unhearty , plodding and perfunctory ; their whole carriage so unspirituall , and unlike the saints of god , discovering , neither former acquaintances with the mysteries of true sanctification , nor those present feeling elevations of spirit , which are woont to fill the soules , which are ready to enter into the ioyes of heaven ; that to a spirituall eye , to a man verst in the purity , and power of godlinesse , it is most cleare , that their comfort in such cases , is of no higher straine , nor stronger temper , then the morall resolution of an heathen , and head-strong conceit of heresie can represent , or reach unto . it is otherwise with the true martyrs of iesus , slaine most cruelly by that great whore , the mother of harlots , drunken with a world of innocent blood , as with sweet wine : as we may see and feele in that glorious martyriology of our saints , in the mercilesse times of queene mary . the constant profession , and power of our most true , and ever-blessed religion did create such an holy , and humble maiesty in their carriages ; such a deale of heaven , and sober undantednesse in their countenances ; such ioyfull springings , and spirituall ravishments in their hearts ; such grace , and powerfull peircings in their speeches ; such zeale , and hearty meltings in their prayers ; such triumphant , and heavenly exultations amid the flames ; that it was more then manifest , both to heaven and earth ; to men and angels , that their cause , was the cause of god ; their murtherer , that man of sinne ; their blood , the seede of the church ; their soules , the iewels of heaven ; and their present passage , the right and ready way , to that unfading and most glorious crowne of martyrdome . that which in fiction , was fathered upon father campion , was most true of every one of our true martyrs : that every one might say , with heavy heart that stood : here speakes a saint , here dies a lambe , here flowes the guiltlesse blood . thus you haue heard , upon what weake props and sandy foundations that confidence stands , and is built , which carnall men seeme to lay hold upon with great bravery in times of trouble , and distresse but the comfort which sweetely springs from that spirit , i speake of , supported , out of speciall favour , and interest , by the hand of god , all-sufficient , and the unconquerable calmnesse of a good conscience is grounded upon a rocke ; upon which , tho the raine descends , the floods come , the windes blow , the tempests beate ; yet it stands like mount zion , sure , sober , strong , lasting , impregnable . nay , a it is of that heavenly metall , and divine temper , that it ordinarily gathers vigour and puissance from the worlds rage ; and growes in strength and resolution together with the encrease of all iniust oppositions : persecutions , and resistance serue as a provocation , and seasoning to it's sweetnesse . it is not enforced , formall , artificiall , affected , furious , desperate , misgrounded , ambitious , upon an humour , in the face onely , onely in hot blood , out of a vaine-glorious pang , &c. such may bee found in aliens , and resolute reprobates . it were nothing worthy , if strangers might meddle with it : if men or divels , or the whole world could take it from us ; if it were sustained onely by any created power , or arme of flesh . this pearle that i praise , and perswade unto , is of an higher price , and more transcendent power , then any unregenerate man can possibly compasse , or comprehend . it hath for it's seate , a sanctified soule ; for the fountaine of it's refreshing , the spirit of all comfort ; for it's foundation , the favour of god ; for it's warrant , the promises of amen , the faithfull , and true witnesse ; for it's object , an immortall crowne ; for it's continuance , the prayers of all the saints ; for it's companions , inward peace , invincible courage , an holy security of minde ; for it's end and perfection , fulnesse of ioy , and pleasures at gods right hand for evermore . in a word , this couragious comfort , and true noblenesse of spirit , which dwells in the heart of the true-hearted christian doth differ as much from , and as farre surpasses all the groundlesse confidences of what carnall men , or religious counterfeits soever ; as the reall possession of gold , an imaginary dreame of gold ; as the true naturall , lively grape , which glads the heart , a painted juycelesse grape , which onely feedes the eye ▪ as a strong , and mighty oake , rooted deepely in the earth , which no storme or tempest can displant or overthrow , a stake in a dead hedge , or staffe stucke lightly into the ground , which every hand may snatch away , or blast of winde supplant , and overthrow . secondly , the trouble of a wounded conscience , is further amplified by it's attribute , intolerablenesse . but a wounded spirit who can beare ? whence , note ; doctr. that the torture of a troubled conscience is intolerable . reas. . in all other afflictions , onely the arme of flesh is our adversary ; wee contend but with creatures at most ; wee have to doe but with man , or at worst , with divels : but in this transcendent misery , wee conflict immediately with god himselfe : fraile man with almighty god ; sinfull man with that most holy god , whose eyes are purer then to behold evill , and who cannot looke upon iniquity . who then can stand before his indignation ? who can abide in the fiercenesse of his anger ? when his fury is powred out like fire , and the rocks are throwne downe by him : when hee comes against a man as a beare that is bereaved of her whelpes , torent the very caule of his heart , and to devoure him like a lion. no more then the driest stubble can resist the fierest flame ; the ripe corne , the mowers sharpest sythe ; or a garment , the moath : no more , nay infinitely lesse can any power of man or angell withstand the mighty lord of heaven and earth , when hee is angry for sinne. when thou , saith david , with rebukes correctest man for iniquity , thou as a * moath makest his beauty to consume . alas ! when a poore polluted wretch , upon some speciall illumination by the word , or extraordinary stroke from the rod , doth once begin to behold gods frowning face against him , in the pure glasse of his most holy law ; and to feele divine iustice by an invisible hand , taking secret vengeance upon his conscience ; his heavy heart immediately melts away in his brest , and becomes as water . hee faints and failes , both in the strength of his body , and stoutnesse of his minde . his bones , the pillars , and master-timber of his earthly tabernacle , are presently broken in pieces , and turn'd into rottennesse : his spirit the eye and excellency of his soule , which should illighten , and make lightsome the whole man , is quite put out , and utterly overwhelm'd , with excesse of horrour , and flashes of despaire . o this is it , which would not onely crush the courage of the stoutest sonne of adam , that ever breath'd upon earth ; but even breake the backe of the most glorious angell , that did ever shine in heaven , should hee lift up but one rebellious thought against his creatour ! this alone is able to make the tallest cedar in l●banon , the strongest oake in basan ; i meane the highest looke , and the proudest heart ; the most boisterous nimrod , or swaggering belshazzar , to bow and bend , to stoope and tremble , as the leaves of the forrest , that are sh●ken with the winde . . in all other adversities , a man is still a friend unto himselfe , favours himselfe , and reaches out his best considerations to bring in comfort to his heavy heart . but in this , hee is a scourge to himselfe , at warre with himselfe , an enemy to himselfe . hee doth greedily and industriously fetch in as much matter , as hee can possibly , both imaginary and true , to enlarge the rent , and aggravate his horrour . hee gazes willingly in that false glasse , which satan is woont in such cases , to set before him ; wherein by his hellish malice hee makes an infinite addition both to the already un-numbred multitude , and to the too true hainousnesse of his sinnes ; and would faine , if hee will be lead by his lying cruelty , mis-represent to his affrighted imagination , every gnat as a camell ; every moate as a mole-hill ; every mole-hill as a mountaine ; every lustfull thought as a sodomiticall villany ; every idle word as a desperate blasphemy ; every angry looke as an actuall bloody murder ; every intemperate passion , as an inexpiable provocation ; every distraction in holy duties as a damnable rebellion ; every transgression against light of conscience , as a sinne against the holy ghost , &c. nay , in this amazednesse of spirit , and disposition to despaire , hee is apt even of his owne accord , and with great eagernesse , to arme every severall sinne , as it comes into his minde with a particular bloody sting , that it may strike deepe enough , and sticke fast enough in his already grieved soule . hee imployes and improoves , the excellency , and utmost of his learning , understanding , wit , memory , a to argue with all subtilty , with much sophistry against the pardonablenes of his sins , and possibilitie of salvation . hee wounds even his wounds , with a conceit , they are incurable , and vexes his very vexations , with refusing to bee comforted . not onely crosses , afflictions , temptations , and all matter of discontentment ; but even the most desirable things also in this life , and those which minister most outward comfort ; wife , b children , friends ; gold , goods , great mens favours ; preferments , honours , offices , even c pleasures themselves every thing ; whatsoever is within him , or without him , or d about him ; whatsoever he thinkes upon , remembers , heares , sees , turne all to his torment . no marvaile then , tho the terrour of a wounded conscience bee so intolerable . . as the exultations of the soule ; and spirituall refreshments doe incomparably surpasse , both in excellency of object , and sweetnesse of apprehension all pleasures of se●se , and bodily delights : so afflictions of the soule , and spirituall pangs doe infinitely exceede , both in bitternesse of sense , and intension of sorrow the most exquisite tortures , can possibly bee inflicted upon the * body for the soule is a spirit , very subtile , quicke , active , stirring , all life , motion , sense , feeling ; and therefore farre more capable and apprehensive , of all kinds of impressions , whether passions of pleasure , or inflictions of pa●●e . . this extremest of miseries , a wounded spirit , is tempered with such strong , and strange ingredients of extraordinary feares ; that it makes a man a terrour to himselfe , and to all his friends : to flee when none pursues , at the sound of a shaken leafe : to tremble at his owne shadow ; to bee in great feare , where no feare is : besides the insupportable burthen of too many true and causefull terrours , it fills his darke and dreadfull fancy with a world of fained horrours , gastly apparitions , and imaginary hells , which notwithstanding , have reall stings , and impresse true tortures upon his trembling and wofull heart . it is empoysoned with such restlesse anguish , and desperate paine , that tho life bee most sweete , and hell most horrible ; yet it makes a man wilfully to abandon the one , and willingly to embrace the other , that hee may bee rid of it's rage . hence it was , that iudas preferred an halter and hell , before his present horrour . that spira said often , ( what heart quakes not to heare it ? ) that hee envied e cain , saul and iudas : wishing rather any of their roomes , in the dungeon of the damned , then to have his poore heart so rent in pieces with such raging terrors , & fiery desperations upon his bed of death . whereupon at another time beeing f asked , whether hee feared more fearefull torments after this life : yes , said hee : but i desire nothing more , then to bee in that place , where i shall expect no more . expectation , as it seemes of future , did infinitely aggravate and enrage his already intolerable torture . . the heathens , who had no fuller sight of the foulenesse of sinne , or more smarting sense of divine vengeance for it , then the light of naturall conscience was able to afford and represent unto them ; yet were woont in fiction to shadow out in some sort , and intimate unto us , the insufferable extremities of a minde troubled in this kinde ; by hellish furies , following malefactors with burning fire-brands , and flames of torture : what understanding then is able to conceive , or tongue to report , in what case that sinfull conscience must needs bee , when it is once awakened ; which besides , the notions of naturall light , hath also , the full sun of gods sacred word , and that pure eye , which is ten thousand times brighter then the sunne , and cannot looke upon iniquity , to irradiate and enrage it to the height of guiltinesse , and depth of horrour ? both heart and tongue ; man and angell must let that alone for ever . for none can take the true estimate of this immesurable spirituall misery , but hee that can comprehend the length , and breadth of that infinite unresistable wrath , which once implacably enkindled in the bosome of god , burnes to the very bottome of hell , and there creates the extremity and endlesnesse of all those un-expressable torments , and fiery plagues , which afflict the diuels and damned soules in that horrible pit. . not onely the desperate cries of cain , iudas , g latomus , and many other such miserable men of forlorne hope , but also the wofull complaints even of gods owne deare children discover the truth of this point , to wit , the terrours and intolerablenesse of a wounded conscience . heare how rufully three ancient worthies in their times wrastled with the wrath of god in this kinde . i reckoned till morning , saith hezekiah , that as a h lion , so will hee breake all my bones : even as the weake and trembling limbes of some lesser neglected beast are crusht and torne in pieces by the unresistable paw of an unconquerable lion ; so was his troubled soule terrified and broken with the anger of the almighty . hee could not speake for bitternesse of griefe , and anguish of heart ; but chattered like a crane or a swallow , and mourned like a dove . thou i writest bitter things against mee , saith iob , and makest mee to possesse the iniquities of my youth . the k arrowes of the almighty are within mee , the poyson thereof drinketh up my spirit : the terrours of god doe set themselves in aray against mee . o that i might have my request ! and that god would grant mee the thing that i long for ! even that it would please god to destroy mee , that hee would let loose his hand , and cut mee off . nay yet worse : l thou scarest mee with dreames , and terrifiest mee through visious . so that my soule chuseth m strangling , and death rather then my life . tho god in mercy preserves his servants from the monstrous and most abhorred act of selfe-murder ; yet in some melancholike moode , horrour of minde , and bitternesse of spirit , they are not quite freed from all impatient wishes that way , and sudden suggestions thereunto . n my bones waxed old , saith david , through my roaring all the day long . day and night thy hand was heavy upon mee : my moysture is turned into the drought of summer . thine arrowes sticke fast in mee , and thy hand presseth mee sore . there is no soundnesse in my flesh , because of thine anger : neither is there any rest in my bones , because of my sinne . for mine iniquities are gone over my head : as an heavy burden , they are too heavy for mee . — i am troubled , i am bowed downe greatly ; i goe mourning all the day long . — i am feeble , and sore broken . i have roared by reason of the disquj●tnesse of my heart . heare also , into what a depth of spirituall distresse three worthy servants of god in these later times , were plung'd and pressed downe under the sense of gods anger for sinne : blessed mistris o brettergh upon her last bed was horribly hemmed in with the sorrowes of death ; the very griefe of hell laid hold upon her soule ; a roaring wildernesse of woe was within her , as she confessed of her selfe . she said , her sinnes had made her a prey to satan ; and wished that she had never been borne , or that shee had been made any other creature , rather then a woman . shee cryed out many times , woe , woe , woe , &c. a weake , a wofull , a wretched , a forsaken woman ; with teares continually trickling from her eyes . master p peacock that man of god , in that his dreadfull visitation and desertion , recounting some smaller sinnes , burst out into these words . and for these , saith hee , i feele now an hell in my conscience . vpon other occasions , hee cryed out , groaning most pitifully : oh mee wretch ! oh mine heart is miserable ! oh , oh , miserable and wofull ! the burthen of my sinne lyeth so heavy upon mee , i doubt it will breake my heart . oh how wofull and miserable is my state , that thus must converse with hell-hounds ! when by-standers asked , if hee would pray : hee answered ; i cannot . suffer us , say they to pray for you . take not , replyed hee , the name of god in vaine , by praying for a reprobate . what grievous pangs , what sorrowfull torments , what boyling heates of the fire of hell that blessed saint of god , r iohn glover , felt inwardly in his spirit , saith fox , no speech outwardly is able to expresse . being young , saith hee , i remember i was once or twice with him , whom partly by his talke i perceived , and partly by mine owne eyes saw to bee so worne , and consumed by the space of five yeeres , that neither almost any brooking of meat , quietnes of sleep , pleasure of life , yea , and almost no kind of senses was left in him. vpon apprehension of some back-sliding , hee was so perplexed , that if hee had been in the deepest pit of hell , hee could almost have despaired no more of his salvation : saith the same author : in which intolerable griefes of minde , saith hee , although hee neither had , nor could have any ioy of his meate , yet was hee compelled to eate against his appetite , to the end to differre the time of his damnation , so long , as hee might , thinking with himselfe no lesse , but that hee must needs bee throwne into hell , the breath beeing once out of his body . i dare not passe out of this point , lest some childe of god should bee here discouraged , before i tell you , that every one of these three last named , was at length blessedly recovered , and did rise most gloriously out of their severall depths of extremest spirituall misery , before their end . heare therefore also mistris bretterghs s triumphant songs , and ravishments of spirit after the returne of her welbeloved : o lord iesu doest thou pray for mee ? o blessed and sweete saviour , how wonderfull ! how wonderfull ! how wonderfull are thy mercies ! oh thy love is unspeakeable , that hast dealt so graciously with mee ! o my lord and my god , blessed bee thy name for evermore , which hast s●●wed mee the path of life . thou didst , o lord , hide thy face from mee for a little season , but with everlasting mercy thou hast had compassion on mee : and now blessed lord thy comfortable presence is come ; yea lord , thou hast had respect unto thine hand-maide , and art come with fulnesse of ioy , and abundance of consolations : o blessed bee thy name my lord and my god : o the ioyes ! the ioyes ! the ioyes , that i feele in my soule ! oh they bee wonderfull ! they bee wonderfull ! they bee wonderfull ! o father , how mercifull , and marveilous gracious art thou unto mee ! yea lord , i feele thy mercy , and i am assured of thy love , and so certaine am i thereof , as thou art the god of truth , even so sure doe i know my selfe to bee thine , o lord my god ; and this my soule knoweth right well , and this my soule knoweth right well . o blessed bee the lord ; o blessed bee the lord , that hath thus comforted mee , and hath brought mee now to a place more sweet unto mee , then the garden of eden . oh the ioy , the ioy , the delightsome ioy that i feele ! — o praise the lord for his mercies , and for this ioy which my soule feeleth full well , prayse his name for evermore . heare with what heavenly calmenesse , and sweete comforts , master peacocks heart was t refresht and ravisht when the storme was over : truly , my heart and soule , saith hee ( when the tempest was something alayed ) have been farre led , and deepely troubled with temptations , and stings of conscience , but i thanke god they are eased in good measure . wherefore i desire that i bee not branded with the note of a cast-away , or reprobate . such questions , oppositions , and all tending thereto , i renounce . concerning mine inconsiderate speeches in my temptation , i humbly , and heartily aske mercy of god for them all . afterward by little , and little , more light did arise in his heart , and hee brake out into such speeches as these : i doe , god bee praised , feele such comfort , from that , what shall i call it ? agony , said one that stood by ; nay , quoth hee , that is too little ; that had i five hundred worlds , i could not make satisfaction for such an issue . oh the sea is not more full of water , nor the sunne of light , then the lord of mercy ! yea his mercies are ten thousand times more . what great cause have i , to magnifie the great goodnesse of god , that hath humbled , ●ay rather exalted , such a wretched miscreant , and of so base condition , to an estate so glorious and stately ! the lord hath honoured me with his goodnesse ? i am sure , hee hath provided a glorious kingdome for me . the ioy that i feele in mine heart , is incredible . for the third , heare u m. fox : tho this good servant of god suffered many yeares so sharp temptations , and strong buffetings of satan : yet the lord , who graciously preserved him all the while , not onely at last did rid him out of all discomfort , but also framed him thereby to such mortification of life , as the like lightly hath not been seene ; in such sort , as hee b●eing like one placed in heaven already , and d●ad in this world , both in word and meditation , led a life altogether celestiall , abhorring in his mind all prophane do●ngs . . no arme of flesh , or art of man ; no earthly comfort , or created power can possibly heale or helpe in this heaviest case , and extreamest horrour ; heaven and earth , men and angels , friends and physicke ; gold and silver , pleasures and preferments , fauour of princes ; nay the utmost possibility of the whole creation must let this alone for ever . an almighty hand , and infinite skill must take this in hand ; or else never any cure or recovery in this world or the world to come . bodily diseases may be eased , and mollified by medicines : surgery , as they say , hath a salve for every sore : poverty may be repaired and releived by friends : there is no imprisonment without some hope of enlargement . sute and favour may helpe home out of banishment . innocency and neglect may weare-out disgrace : griefe for losse of a wife , a child , or other dearest friend , if not by reasons from reason , that death is un-avoidable , necessary , an end of all earthly miseries , the common way of all mankinde , &c. yet at last is lessened and utterly lost by length of time . cordialls of pearle , saphyres , and rubies , with such like , may recomfort the heart possest with melancholy , and drown'd in the darkenesse of that sad , and irkesome humour , &c. but now not the most exquisite concurrence of all these , nor all the united abilities , which lie within the strength and sinewes of the arme of flesh , can helpe any whit at all in this case . not the exactest quintessence extracted from all the joyes , glory and pleasures , that ever the world enjoyed , can procure , or minister one jote of ease to a soule afflicted in this kinde , and thus trembling under the terrours of god. in such an agony , and extremity haddest thou the utmost aide , and an universall attendance from angels and men ; couldest thou reach the top of the most aspiring humane ambition , after the excellency and variety of all worldly felicities : were thy possessions as large as east and west ; were thy meate continually manna from heaven ; every day , like the day of christs resurrection : were thy apparell as costly and orient as aarons ephod ; nay , thy body cloth'd with the beauty of the sunne , and crownde with starres ; yet for all this , and a thousand more , thy heart within thee would bee as cold as a stone , and tremble , infinitely above the heart of a woman , entring into travell of her first childe . for alas , who can stand before the mighty lord god ? who dare pleade with him , when hee is angry ? what spirit of man hath might , to wrastle with his maker ? who is able to make an agreement with the hells of conscience ? or to put to silence the voyce of desperation ? oh! in this conflict alone , and wofull wound of conscience , s no electuary of pearle or pretious baulme , no bezoars stone ; or vnicornes horne ; paracelsian quintessence , or potable gold ; no new devise of the knights of the rosie-crosse , nor the most exquisite extraction , which alchymy , or art it selfe can create , is able any whit , or at all to revive ease , or asswage . it is onely the hand of the holy ghost , by the blood of that blessed lambe , iesus christ the holy , and the righteous , which can binde up such a bruise . vses . . counsell to the unconverted : that they would take the stings out of their sinnes , and prevent the desperatenesse , and incurablenesse of this horrible wound , by an humble , sincere , universall turning unto the lord , while it is called t to day . for assuredly in the meane time , all the sinnes they have heretofore committed in thought , word or deede ; at any time , in any place , with any company , or to which they have bin any wayes accessary , are already upon record before the pure eye of that high and everlasting iudge , written exactly by the hand of divine iustice in the book of their consciences , with a pen of iron , with the claw of an adamant , with the point of a diamond , or if you can name any thing , which makes a stronger , deeper and more lasting impression : & there they lye , like so many lions asleepe , and giants refreshing with wine , gathering much desperate poyson , and s●inging points ; that whensoever hereafter , they shall bee effectually and finally awaked by gods angry hand , they may torment most ragingly , and teare their wofull soules in pieces everlastingly , when there is none to helpe . now wee may see and observe many times , one little sin , at least in the worlds account , and conceite of carnall men , to plunge a guilty conscience into the depth of extremest horrour , and a very hell upon earth : as i have heard of , and knowne in many : one for a sudden , unadvised imprecation against her owne soule , in case she did so or so : another , for a thought conceived of god , unworthy so great a majesty : another , for covetously keeping a thing found , and not restoring it , or not inquiring after the owner : another for an adulterous project , without any actuall pollution : another , by concurring with a company of scoffing ishmaels onely once , and ere hee was aware , by lifting up the hands , and casting up the eyes , in scorne of gods people , &c. yet afterwards they sadly revising these miscarriages in cold blood , some of them some five or sixe yeeres after , god beeing then pleased to represent them with terrour , and their native stings , were cast into that affliction of conscience , and confusion of spirit , that their very bones were broken ; their faces fill'd with ghastlinesse and feare ; their bodies possessed with strange tremblings and languishing distempers ; their very vitall moysture turned into the drought of summer : in which dreadfull perplexity they were in great danger of destroying themselves , and of being swallowed up of despaire . if the guilty sense then of one sin , when god sets it on , and sayes unto it , torment , drawes so many fiery points of stinging scorpions after it ; charges upon the excellency of the understanding with such hideous darkenesse ; rents the heart in pieces with such desperate rage ; grindes into powder , the arme and sinewes of all earthly succour ; melts , like dew before the sunne , all those delights , and pleasures which the whole world offers , or affords to comfort in such a case ; in a word , makes a man so extreamely miserable , that hee would make himselfe away ; wishes with unspeakeable griefe , that hee had never been ; that hee might returne into the abhorred state of annihilation ; that hee were any other creature ; that hee might lye hid world without end under some everlasting rocke , from the face of god ; nay , that hee were rather in hell , then in his present horrour : i say it being thus , what unquenchable wrath ; what streames of brimstone ; what restlesse anguish ; what gnashing of teeth ; what knawing of conscience ; what despairefull roarings ; what horrible torments ; what fiery hells feeding upon his soule and flesh for ever , may every impenitent wretch expect , when the whole blacke and bloudy catalogue of all his sinnes shall bee marshold and mustered up together at once against him ? every one beeing keened with as much torturing fury , as the infinite anger of almighty god can put into it ▪ after that hee hath accursedly with much incorrigible stubbornnesse out-stood the day of his gracious visitation , under this glorious sun-shine of the gospell , wherein hee either hath , or if hee had been as u provident for his immortall soule , as carking for his rotten carkasse , might have enioyed very powerfull meanes all his life long : and yet all the while neglected so great salvation ; forsooke his owne mercy ; and so iudged himselfe unworthy of everlasting life . if a lighter sinne many times lite so heavy , when the conscience is illightened ; how will thy poore soule tremble under the terrible , and untolerable weight of all thy sinnes together ? when all thy lyes , all thy oathes , all thy rotten speeches , and railings ; all thy bedlam passions , and filthy thoughts ; all thy good-fellow-meetings , ale-house-hauntings , and scoffings of gods people ; all the wrongs thou hast done , all the goods thou hast got ill , all the time thou hast mispent ; thy prophanation of every sabbath , thy killing of christ at every sacrament , thy non-proficiency at every sermon ; thy ignorance , thy unbeliefe , thy worldlinesse , thy covetousnesse , thy pride , thy malice , thy lust , thy luke-warmenesse , impatiency , discontentment , vaine-glory , selfe-love ; the innumerable swarmes of vaine , idle , wandring , and wicked imaginations ; in a word all the pollutions , distempers , and estrangednesse from god in thine heart : all the villanies , vanities , and rebellions of thy whole life ; i say , when all these shall bee charged upon thy gracelesse soule by the implacable indignation of that highest majesty , whose mercy , ministry , and long suffering , thou hast shamefully abused ; whose anger , patience , and pure eye thou hast villanously provoked all thy life long ; alas what wilt thou doe then ! what wings of the morning will then carry thee out of the reach of gods revenging hand ? what cave shall receive thee ? what mountaine canst thou get by entreaty to fall upon thee ? what darkest mid-night , or hellish dungeon shall hide thee from that wrath , which thou shall bee neither able to abide , or to avoide ? in this case , i would not have thy heart in my brest one houre , for the riches , glory and pleasures often thousand worlds . neither blesse thy selfe in the meane time , because thou hast neither feare , fore-tast , or feeling of the wrath which is to come , the vengeance which hangs over thine head , and the horrour which dog's thee at the heeles ▪ u for that is the very complement of thy misery , and perfection of thy madnesse . to bee sicke , and senselesse of it , is the sorest sicknesse . to have satan slash thy soule with so many sinnes , one after another , and to feele no smart , is a most desperate securitie ; to have all this misery towards , and to bee confident , and fearelesse , is the misery of miseries . the reasons , why thou art at rest from their guilty rage in the meane time ; and that so many sleeping lions , i meane all thine unpardoned sinnes , doe not yet awake and stirre ; terrific and teare in pieces , are such as these . . satan is suttle , that hee will not meddle much , or molest thee extreamely , untill hee bee able to doe thee an irrecoverable mischiefe . hee is woont not to appeare in his true likenesse , and so terribly ; not so much to disquiet and trouble any of his owne , before hee have them at some dead lift , and desperate advantage ; as under some extraordinary crosse , great disgrace , grievous sicknesse ; in time of some deepe melancholy , un-avoidable danger , universall confusion ; when hee conceives in all probabilitie , that they have out-stood the day of their visitation , hardned their hearts , that they cannot repent , received the sentence of death against themselves ; and at such other like times , when hee hopes , hee shall bee able to crush , and confound them suddenly , utterly and for ever . and then hee playes the divell indeed , and shewes himselfe in his colours . for hee then infinitely endeauours with all cunning and cruell industry , after hee hath wafted them a while downe the current of the times , with as much carnall peace and pleasure , as hee could possibly , to cast them upon the rocke of a most dreadfull ruine , and swallow them up quicke in the gulphe of calamity and woe ; of despaire , selfe-destruction , everlasting perdition of body , and soule . but you must know , that in the meane time , untill hee can spie such an opportunity , hee labours might and maine to keepe them in as merry a moode as may bee . hee laies about him , by all wayes and meanes , hee can devise , to plot and provide for them , and that with great variety and curiosity , fresh successions and supplies continually , of pleasures , contentments , the countenance and favours of the times , sensuall satisfactions , all earthly prosperities . if hee can helpe it , and have his will , they shall wallow still in all worldly felicity , and bee attended upon with all the delights their hearts can desire . and all this , to continue them with more easinesse and irresistance in the damned way : and lest otherwise , they should grow weary of his slavery , sensible of their guilded fetters , and so labour after liberty , and enlargement from his hellish bondage . for hee knowes full well , that if thy endured much hardship in his service , they might perhaps thinke of seeking after a new master ; that want of comfort in the world , might draw their hearts to delight in the word ; not finding happinesse upon earth , might make them enquire after that which is in heaven . that crosses and crossing their courses , being sanctified for that purpose , may happily helpe to breake their hearts , and bring them to remorse for sin ; which hee mainely feares , and opposeth with all the craft and power , hee can possibly ; lest thereupon , they breake out of his fooles-paradise , into the garden of grace ; out of the warme sunne , into gods blessing . in managing this maine policy , for the more secure detainement of his vassals in the invisible chaines of darkenesse and damnation , and in an everlasting distast and dis-affection to the good way ; by holding up their hearts in his sinfull service , and wooing them , to go on quietly towards hell without any grumbling ; hee workes many wayes . . hee plots all hee can to procure them successe in their wicked enterprises ; and unlawfull attempts , especially , against the faithfull ministers , and people of god ; for that doth infinitely confirme , harden , and encourage them in their prophane courses , and opposition to grace . herein hee doth many times mightily prevaile , by improving the oportunities , & pressing the advantages , which hee gaines , by the executions of gods iustice , and rebellions of his children . the sinnes even of his owne people doe many times provoke gods just indignation against them ; and enforces him , to raise up their adversaries , as scourges , and to give them successe , for the humiliation , and chastisement of his chosen . see psal. . . . isai. . . &c. ezech. . . . whereupon satan fills the hearts of the wicked so prevailing , and conquering , with a great deale of pride , selfe-applause , insolency , contempt of godlinesse , selfe-conceitednesse of their owne righteousnesse and worth ; and so hardens them extraordinarily , and holds them with much obstinated resolution in the wayes of death , and prejudice against the holy path. . hee helpes all hee can , to have them thrive and prosper by oppression , usury , simony , sacriledge , bribery , covetousnesse , cousoning , machiavellian tricks , &c. that so his service may seeme more sweete and gainefull unto them . to the effecting whereof hee receives notable assistance , and speciall advantage from the corruptions of the times , and conscionable simplicity of the saints . for the first , these worst and ulcerous times , wherein so many vines , olive-trees , and figge-trees wither away in obscurity ; and so many brambles brave it abroad in the world , tumbling themselves in the pleasures , splendour and glory of the present ; wherein so many brave princes are walking as servants upon the earth ; and too many servants of luxurie and pride are mounted on horse-backe ; i say they are the onely season , for satan to gratifie all ▪ his gracelesse ones ; and to hoist them up by the common , but accursed staires and stirrops of bribing , basenesse , temporising , ill offices to humour greatnesse , and other such vile meanes , and accommodations , into eminency in the world , and high roomes ; where hee keepes them in a golden captivity with great contentment , and lockes them full fast in the scorners chaire , with much securitie to their owne sensuall hearts ; and notorious service to himselfe . whereas indeed and truth to men that have eyes in their heads the ascent is slippery , the top shaking , the downefall desperate . for the second ; it is incredible to consider , what a deale of advantage in worldly dealings , the covetous dwell in a cruell and crafty worldling , doth sucke out of the single-heartednesse , plaine dealing & un-suspiciousnesse , of conscionable men , for their rising & enriching , if god crosse it not . . hee drawes them by all the baites , hee can devise , to all the incentives , and preservatives of carnal contentment : as to tavernes , ale-houses , play-houses , whore-houses , gaming-houses ; to may-games , morrice-dances , church ales ; to cardes , to dice , to dancing ; to feasts , wakes , mis-rules , drinking-matches , revelliu●s , and a world of such sinfull haunts , bedlam-fooleries , and good-fellow-meetings . wherein he is mightily furthered , by wicked mens impatiency of solitarinesse ; and their enraged eagernesse of carrying with them to hell , as many as may bee . for the first , tho a good man , as salomon sayes , bee satisfied from himselfe ; dare full well , and desires full often to bee alone ; because the bird of the bosome sings sweetely to his soule in solitarinesse : yet all the sonnes , and daughters of pleasure , have no pleasure at all , nay ordinarily are most loth to bee by a themselves . solitarinesse puts them into their dumps , makes them extremely melancholike , and weary of themselves . they would rather bee any where , in any company , any wayes imploide , then alone . mistake mee not , they can walke by themselves , to feede upon contemplative filth , speculative wantonnesse , & adulteries of the heart ; to plot revenge , preferment , enlargement of their estate ; to renew upon their sensuall hearts their youthfull pleasures , &c. but to bee alone , purposely , to deale with god , and their owne 〈…〉 about their spirituall b stare ; they abhorre , 〈…〉 endure , it is to them a tor●ure , a racke , the very beginning of hell. and that is the reason , to decline the tings of guiltnesse , and torment before their time ; why they have so often recourse unto the arme of flesh , for refreshing ; to the mirth and madnesse of wine , pleasures , and many other fugitive follies ; that they cast themselves into such knots of good-fellowship ; appoint so many set-matches of joviall meetings , and hunt after such variety of the times entertainment , as they call it : which they account the very life of their life and without which they would rather bee under ground , then aboue it . for the second , heare , how swagge●ingly they cry unto their companions in iniquity , to make haste with them towards hell. come with us , let us lay waite for blood , let us lurke pr●vily for the innocent without caus● : let us swallow them up alive , as the grave , and whole , as those that goe downe into the pit : wee shall finde all pretious substance , wee shall fill our houses with spoile . cast in thy lot among us , let us all have one purse , prov. . . &c. come on therefore , let us enjoy the good things that are present : and let us speedily use the creatures as in youth . let us fill our selves with costly wine , and ointments : and let no flower of the spring passe by us . let us crowne our selves with rose buds , before they bee withered . let none of us goe without his part of our voluptuousnesse : let us leave tokens of our ioyfulnesse in every place : for this is our portion , and our lot is this , &c. . and in all these cursed conventicles of good-fellowship , and furious combinations for prophanenesse , and against piety , the divell himselfe is ever present amongst them in his pontificalibus , as they say : and there disposeth , enclines , manageth and accommodates all opportunities , circumsta●● 〈…〉 , mens severall corruptions , and 〈…〉 wicked wits to make their meetings , as merry , as may bee ; and to put all possible sensuall sweetnesse into their carnall delights . . lastly , that which is principally for my purpose ; besides , that like a crafty iugler , hee casts a mist before the eyes of his slaves ; and like a false merchant , puts a counterfeite glosse upon the face of sinne ; hee also hides away the sting from them , and withholds the horrour untill afterward . every sin in it's own nature , ever lookes fouler then the divell himselfe ; o that the ougly , fearefull , and filthy shape of it could bee seene with bodily eyes , that thereby it might provoke all men to a mortall and immortall hate and detestation of it ! the sting is pointed with the keene unquenchable wrath of god ; the horror is heated with the very fire of hell : and yet ordinarily satan takes an order by his craft and industry , that these never appeare , untill it appeare unto him , that in all probability , the sight of them will sinke their soules into irrecoverable woe . the not feeling then of their spirituall misery is so farre from making them not miserable , that it ministers occasion to the divels malice , mightily to aggravate their misery , both present and future . . an other reason , why many are not troubled in the meane time , tho there bee infinite cause , and a world of woe to come , is , because their consciences by reason of surfet in sinne , and beeing drunke with worldly delights as with sweet wine , are cast into a dead sleep : and there lulled still , and lockt full fast in an imaginary paradise of golden dreames and transitory fancies , by the charmes and enchantments of earthly pleasures . and if at any time , any noyse of terrour sound in their eares from the lords trumpeters in the ministry of the word , so that they begin to stirre , then the divell begins to be stirre himselfe , and to rocke them fast againe with his syren-songs in the cradle of security . here therefore wee may take notice of a fourefold conscience : . that which is both c good and quiet ; when it hath peace with god , and with it selfe ; so that the happy soule may sweetly sing in it's owne bosome ; my belov●d is mine , and i am his. . that which is neither good , nor quiet ; when it lyes forlorne under the sense of gods wrath , and full of horrour in it selfe . as that of iudas , latomus , &c. . that which is d good but not qui●t ; when the pleased face of god doth shine upon it thorow the blood of christ ; and yet it feeles not the comfort of that blessed reconciliation : as in many new converts , who beeing truly humbled for all sinne , cast themselves upon the lord iesus and his sure promises , for spirituall and eternall life ; and yet are not as yet sensible of any assurance . . that which is quiet but not good ; when it is as full of sinne as a toade of venome , as hell of darkenesse ; and all those innumerable sinnes unrepented of , unpardoned , like so many mad ban-dogs , and fell mastives , tho asleepe for the present , will in the evill day , especially of sicknesse , death , iudgement , e flye in the face of the proudest nimrod , ready to plucke out his very throate and heart , and to torment with unspeakeable horrour ; and yet for all this , it is untroubled , senselesse and secure . this kind of conscience , is to bee found , i feare mee , in the most that heare mee this day , and so generally over the kingdome . it doth not in the meane time , trouble and terrifie . . a great number , by reason of their ignorance in the booke of god ; and by consequent un-acquaintednesse with the sinfulnesse and cursednesse of their spirituall state , revealed thereby . this is the very case of a world of poore ignorant besotted soules amongst us ; more is the pitty , especially now , when the glorious sunne of christs gospell shines so faire , and fully in many places ! for want of light in gods law , they looke upon their sinnes , as wee doe upon the starres in a cloudy night ; see onely the great ones of the first magnitude ; and here one , and there one : but if they were further illightned , and informed aright they might behold hem , as those infinite ones in the fairest , frosty winters mid-night . a worthy divine , sets out excellently the quietnesse of this ignorant conscience by a very fit res●mblance , thus : men iudge of their ignorant consciences , saith hee , as they doe of their blinde , dumbe and ignorant ministers . such neither doe , nor can preach ; can neither tell men of their sinnes , nor of their duties . aske such a blind-guides people , what their conceite is of him , and what a kind of man their minister is , and you shall have him magnified for a passing , honest , harmelesse man , wondrous quiet amongst his neighbours . they may doe what they will for him ; hee is none of these troublesome fellowes , that will bee reproving their faults , or complaining of their disorders in the pulpit ; oh such an one is a quiet good man indeed . thus iudge many of their consciences . if their consciences bee quiet , and lye not grating upon them , and telling them , that their courses are sinfull and damnable , and that th●ir persons are in a dangerous condition : but rather by their sil●nce , ignorance , and vaine pretences doe justifie them , and tell them , all will bee well enough . oh then what excellent consciences have these men ! they make no conscience of family-duties ; once in the yeere to come to the sacrament serues the turne ; they are common swearers in their ordinary communication ; make no conscience of sanctifying sabbaths , &c. and their consciences let them alone in all these : doe not give them one syllable of ill language : oh what gentle , and good-natured consciences thinke these men they have ? but alas ! what evill consciences have they ? . nor others , by reason of a covenant with death , and an agreement with hell. such as those , isai. ▪ . who negotiate by their plausible agents , ease , pleasures , prosperity ; and conclude some kind of concord and composition for a time with satan , sinne , and their owne consciences . but to tell you the truth , it is no true peace , but a politicke truce . for these implacable , desperate spirituall enemies of theirs , are ever in the meane time preparing armes , ord'nance and many fiery darts , still levying of fresh forces , whole armies of fiery scorpions , and flaming terrours , with which as soone as the truce is ended , they will set upon them with more violence , fury and fiercenesse then ever before . . nor others , by reason of an insensible brawnednesse growne over , and a desperate searednesse imprest upon their consciences by extraordinary villany , and variety in sinne . such as those , isai. . by drawing iniquity a long time with cords of vanity , and sinne , as it were with a cart-rope , by waving the glorious light of the word under which they sit , and which shines on their faces as a foolish thing ; by villanously trampling under foote the power of it with despite , and scorne , many times against that light , which stands in their consciences like an armed man ; nay , and by treading out with custome in sinne , the very notions that nature hath engraven in their hearts , as men doe the ingravings of tombe-stones which they walke upon , with foule shoes ; i say thus , at length their consciences become , so utterly remorselesse , and past all feeling ; so brawned , so seared , so sealed up with a reprobate sense ; that with an audacious , and giant like insolency , they challenge even god almighty himselfe to draw his sword of vengeance against them . woe unto them that draw iniquity with cords of vanity , and sinnes , as it were with a cart-rope : that say , let him make speede , and hasten his worke , that wee may see it : and let the counsell of the holy one of israel draw nigh and come , that wee may know it . these roarers , and swaggering belials , in this respect have consciences , worse then the divell himselfe . for hee beleeves and trembles . even those already , desperate and damned spirits , tremble at the fore-thought of that fuller wrath which is to come ; and yet further-deserved damnation . . nor others , who , when it begins ever and anon to grumble , mutter , and make a noise lull it asleepe ag●ine with songs of pleasures ; and still the cries of it with outward mirth , as saul was wont to lay the evill spirit with musicke . these mens consciences are qujet , not because they are savingly appeasde ; but because they are sensu●lly pleas●e : not because they want matter to trouble , and terrifie ; but because they will give them no leasure , to set their sinnes in order before them . for this purpose , and to keepe these furious mastives musl'd in the meane time , they have recourse unto and improove , both variety of delights , and multiplicity of imployments . for the first : this is the reason , as one saith wittily , that many are so eager in the pursuits of their pleasures , because they would make gods sergeant , their owne conscience that pursues them , drunken with these pleasures : just as many men use to doe , getting the sergeant that comes to arrest them into the taverne , and there making him drunke , that so they may escape . for the second : how was it possible that ahitophel should hold out so long from hanging himselfe ▪ and horrible confusion of spirit ; especially sith hee harbour'd in his bosome such a false rotten abominable heart , as appeared by that villanous counsell hee gave absalom , to lye with his fathers concubines , in the sight of all israel ; except hee had been a counseller of state , and so necessarily taken up continually with extraordinary variety , vicissitude , and succession of most waighty and important affaires ; which would wholly possesse his minde with an un-interrupted attention , agitation and exercise ; and not give it any leave to reflect upon it selfe , with those severer cogitations in cold blood , which are woont to correct and condemne the enormity of exorbitant courses . and thus in all ages , many great men , of great wisedome , beeing great offenders , purposely put and plunge themselves into multitude of businesses ; that they may have no leasure , to listen unto that , which their consciences would secretly tell them in their eare , of their machivellian plots , prodigious lusts , and plausible cruelties . the noise of attendants , visitants , dependants , and great imployments drowne the voyce of conscience in such cases , as the drummes in the sacrifices to moloch , the cry of the infants . but while the men of the world are thus wholly detain'd , and doe so greedily upon purpose entertaine the time with cares of this life , and dealings in the world ; their consciences deale with them , as creditors with their debitors : while they have any doings , as they say , and are in trading , in policy let them alone and say nothing ; but if once downe the winde , in sicknesse , poverty , disgrace , &c. then comes sergeant after sergeant ; arrest upon arrest ; action upon action : all their sinnes are set in order before them , and fall full foule upon the now distressed soule , as ravens upon the fallen sheepe , to picke out the very eyes and heart of it , and to keepe it downe in the dungeon of despaire for ever . . nor others , because they cousen themselves with a formall false conceite of a comfortable spirituall state ; as did the phari●ie , luk. . . with a groundlesse presumption , that they are in gods favour ; as did those , matth. . . and the five foolish virgins , matth. . when as god knowes , they are meere strangers to the mysterie of christ , and farre enough from any sound humiliation . thus the blindnesse , security , searednesse , slumber , selfe-deceite , or some other such distemper of the conscience conceales , and keepes in , the stings of those sins in sensuall men ; which without turning unto the lord , in truth , while it is called to day , will hereafter torment with intolerable and restlesse terrour thorow all eternity . . a third reason , why thy unlamented , and unpardoned sinnes , tho every one of them bee armed with a severall bloody and fiery sting , and of their owne nature so heavy with horrour , that they are able to sinke thee into the bottome of hell ; doe not as yet stirre , nor presse upon thy soule , with the insupportable weight of divine vengeance , is this : they are in their native soyle ; where they were borne , bred and brought up ; in their owne element , as they say : i meane in a carnall heart , soaking in sensualitie , and not resolved to bee reformed . wee say in philosophy , an element is not heavy in it's owne place . one bucket full of water upon the earth would bee burdensome to the backe of that man ; who , were hee in the bottome of the sea , would feele no weight at all from all the water there , tho it were three miles high over his head . a sensuall heart , settled upon it's lees can beare without sense , or complaint , a world of wickednesse , which out of it's element and humour , would bee crusht into powder , and tremble with horrour upon the sad apprehension of the least sinne , especially set out by gods just indignation . while belshazzar was in his element , revelling and rioting amongst his lords , his wives , and his concubines , drinking wine swaggeringly and contemptuously in the golden and silver vessels of the temple , hee felt no touch in point of conscience , or terrour at all . but put out of his humour , by the hand-writing upon the plaister of the wall , his countenance was presently changed , and his thoughts troubled him , so that the joynts of his loynes were loosed , and his knees smote one against another . . fourthly , the never-dying worme , that naturally breeds , and d growes bigge in every unregenerate conscience , which beates backe still the searching power of the word , and secret warnings of the spirit , is like a wolfe in the foot : feede it continually with fresh supply of raw flesh , and it will let the body alone ; but with-draw that , and it devoures upward . while the sonnes and daughters of pleasure , and all those who have their portion and paradise in this life , stoppe the mouth of this hellish worme , with variety of carnall delights , they doe well enough , and finde pretty ease , and exemption for a time from the rage and bitings thereof : but they may assure themselves in evill times , when the dayes are come upon them , wherein there is no pleasure ; when the play is done ; when all worldly comforts and comforters like run-away servants , and drunken serving-men , are to seeke , when they have most use and need of them ; i say , that then the time , and turne is come ; that the worme of conscience , destitute now ●or ever of any further satisfaction from sensuall sweetnes , will ragingly turne upon the soule , devoure like a lion , knaw like a vulture , vex eternally . . fifthly , if the weight of the whole world were now laid upon any of these bodies here lately buried , it would not stirre or groane : and why ? because it is naturally dead . proportionably , tho the burthen of sinne , farre heavier then a mountaine of e lead , then this mighty and massie earth under our feete , lyes upon every impenitent soule , ready every houre to presse , and plunge it into the lowest pit yet wretched , and bewitched thing , it neither feeles any smart , nor feares any hurt ; it is neither sensible of the present weight , nor troubled for the future wrath ; and what is the reason ? it is spiritually f dead . it is starke dead in trespasses and sinnes . the strong man is gone away with all . and there is no stirring , nor sense of this cursed burden , untill , either a stronger then hee lay hands upon this hellish tyrant , disarme him , and throw downe his holds ; and a g mightier voyce of the sonne of god , then that which made lazarus come out of the grave , put life into it : or else that the dreadfull thunder of gods fierce and finall wrath , the day of visitation beeing expired , awake it to everlasting woe . . tho in the meane time , thou bee extreamely miserable , and if thou dyest in thine impenitent state this day , thou must most certainely lodge this night in the lake of fire and brimstone amongst the damned ; yet thy sinnes for the present doe not represent to the eye of thy conscience those formes of foulenesse , and terrour , of which they are naturally full ; and which without timely repentance , thou wilt hereafter find and feele in them , to thine endlesse griefe : because thou lookest upon them in the false glasse of vaine-glory , ignorance , selfe-love , selfe-conceitednesse ; painted over by the divels dawbing , with whorish intising colours of pleasure , profit , preferment , worldly applause , and other such goodly and golden out-sides . whereas a true and effectuall beholding them in the cleare christall of gods pure law , hunted continually at the heeles with divine vengeance ; all the curses in this booke , and plagues innumerable , internall , externall , eternall ; and in the bitter passion of iesus christ , without whose hearts-blood , not the least sinne that ever was committed , could ever have been remitted , were able to ●right and fire a very blackamore out of his blacke skinne and a leopard from his spots . and thou something easest thine heart also against the terrour of the lord for thy sinnes , by looking upon gods mercy with false spectacles , and so enlarging it beyond the limits of his truth . but heare , what that excellent discoverer of the depths of our selfe-cousoning hearts tells thee in such a case : as a man passing over a bridge , saith hee , which his false spectacles make to seeme broader , then in deed it is , being thereby deceived goes besides the bridge , and so is drowned : so is it with those whose deceitfull hearts make the bridge of gods mercy larger then it is , they are in danger of falling beside it , into the waters of eternall destruction . for the gods mercy bee of the largest extent , yet it is bounded with his truth . and therefore usually in the scriptures wee find these two coupled together , gods mercy and his truth . now his truth tells us ; that the good tydings of the gospell belong only to the poore , to the broken-hearted , to the captives , to the blinde , to the bruised . luk. . . that hee onely who confesseth , and forsaketh his sinnes , shalt have mercy . prou. . . that except wee repent , wee shall all perish . luk. . . that except wee bee borne againe , wee cannot see the kingdome of god. ioh. . . that god will wound the head of his enemies , and the hairy scalpe of such an one , as goeth on still in his trespasses . psal. . . that if wee regard iniquity in our hearts , the lord will not heare us . psal. . . that no fornicator , nor idolater , nor adulterer , nor eff●minate , nor abuser of himselfe with man-kind , nor theefe , nor covetous man , nor drunkard , nor reviler , nor extortioner shall inherit the kingdome of god. . cor. . . . that without holinesse no man shall see the lord. heb. . . that every one that calleth on the name of christ savingly , must depart from iniquitie . . tim. . . &c. compare now these and the like places with thine heart , life , and present impenitent state , and tell mee in cold blood and impartially , whether any mercy at all as yet belongs unto thee upon good ground , yet lying in thy sinnes . . in a second place , the point may serve for warning to those , who are already washed from their sins ; that they defile their soules no more : who having been cured by casti●g their eyes upon the brazen serpent , from those many fiery stings ; that they rebell no more ; who wounded formerly at the heart-roote with grievous horrour , and now healed with the blood of christ , that in the name of christ , they turne not againe to folly . let them call to minde , and lay to heart the ensuing considerations , when they are first tamper'd with , and tempted againe to any sinne : which , me thinkes , should be of power , not only to keep gods blessed ones from putting their hands to iniquity ; but also to restraine , or at least to coole the courage even of the divels slaves , in the very heate of the most furious entisement to their best-beloved sinne . . sinne is most hatefull . it is the onely object of all gods infinite hatred . his loue is cut , as it were , into divers streames , and carried upon variety of h objects . he loves in the first place , infinitely , ad-equately his owne blessed selfe , his owne sonne , who is called the * sonne of his love , his angels , his saints , his servants , his creatures , all things hee made : thou lovest all things that are , and abhorrest nothing which thou hast made . for never wouldest thou have made any thing , if thou had'st hated it . but hee hates i nothing at all , properly and formally , but sinne . the whole infinitenesse of all his hatred , is spent wholly upon sinne alone ; which makes it infinitely and extremely hatefull . now what a thing is this , that an infinite divine hatred , like a mighty undivided torrent should withall it's united forces , and detestations run headlong , and rest upon every sinne ; bee it but an officious lye , * foolish talking , jesting , revelling , a wanton glance , a vaine thought , an idle word , and such like lighter sinnes in the worlds account ; which to reprove in some companies , nay almost every where , would bee holden to bee a sowre and unsufferable precisenesse : so desperately impudent are the times , both in disgracing of sincerity , and dawbing of sinne ! and what a wofull wretch is every impenitent sinner , who hath such a world of unpardoned sinnes lying upon his soule , and such an immeasurable weight of hatred lying upon every severall sinne ! and what a prodigious bedlam is hee , who will wittingly , and willingly put his hand to any sinne ; which once committed , is inseparably , and individually attended with the infinite hatred of so great a god. for which the paines of hell must upon necessity bee suffered ; either by the party himselfe or his surety : either it must bee taken off by the blood of iesus christ ; or else the delinquent , must burne in hell for euer ! . it is most foule . even fouler then the foulest feind in hell , then the divell himselfe . and let none stumble at this truth : it appeares unanswerably thus : sinne made him a divell , and sunke him into hell and therefore sinne is more rancke divell and horrible hell it selfe . for it is a principle in philosophy of unquestionable truth ; k whatsoever maketh such , is it selfe much more such . the sunne that lightens all other bodies , is much more light ; the fire which heates all other things , is much more hote : so that which defiles another thing ▪ is much more fulsome : sinne alone brought all hellish misery upon satan , and made him so foule , therefore is it farre fouler . if any could strip him of his sins , hee should re-invest him into the shining roabes of all his former angelicall excellency and perfection ; and restore him into height of favour againe with the most high. l for god hates the divell for nothing else in the world but for sinne . ob. but if sinne bee so ougly , may some say ▪ as you have set it out ; how comes it to passe , that it is so amiable in the eyes of the most ? why doe all sorts of people pursue and practise it with such eagernesse and delight ? why doth the whole world runne a madding after it ? answ. herein observe an universall soule-swallowing depth of satans damned policy . hee knowes full well , that should sin appeare it it 's owne likenes , every eye would abhorre it , every mothers sonne would detest , and defie it . and therefore , hee takes a course , by the exquisitnesse of his colours , and excellency of painting , to put a seeming fairenesse upon an hellish face ; whereby the greatest part dote upon this deformed hag to their endlesse damnation . for wee must know that satan , in this mystery of cousoning by colours , incomparably surpasseth the most famous baudes , and noble strumpets , that ever were . so that it seemes to bee the conceite of the ancient m fathers , that the divell did immediately reveale unto whorish women this art of painting ; at least , hee was most certainely an extraordinary assistant to the first inventors of it . now for painting sinne , to make it more plausible and passable , wee may see variety of colours , and cousoning tricks ministred unto satan by our false hearts , his agents for that purpose , n in that excellent discovery of their deceitfulnesse . but as an old , deformed , wrinckled , whorish hag setting out her selfe with false haire , a painted face , and other meritricious affected dressings , entangles and ensnares the hearts of o fooles , and eyes of vanity ; whereas understanding men , and those that have eyes in their heads , discover in her so doing and daubing , an addition of a great deale of artificiall loathsomnesse to her naturall foulnesse : so it is in this case . the greisly face of sinne beeing dawbed over with the divels painting , and false luster , carries away captive all carnall men , and detaines in a fooles-paradise , indeed an hellish prison , a world of deluded ones . yet those few illightened soules , whose eyes have been happily opened , by spiritu●ll eye-salve , to turne from darkenesse to light , and from the power of satan unto god , behold a double deformity and ouglines , in so foule a monster deceitfully dress●d in the divels counterfeite colours , and guilded over garishly in his personated angelical glory . . it is most filthy . farre filthier then the most stinking confluence of all the most filthy , fulsome , nasty , loathsome things in the world : and it must needs bee so ; for whatsoever a man can conceive to bee most contrary , distant and opposite to the infinite clearenes , purity , sweetnesse , beauty , and goodnesse of god ; all that , and much more is sinne in the highest degree . hence it is , that in the scriptures , it is compared to the filthiest p myre , in which a sow will lie downe to coole , and cover her selfe : to the loathsome vomite , not of a man , but of a dog : q to the unsavoury poysonfull dampe , which rotten carkases exhale out of opened graves : r to menstruous filth : s to the dirt under the nailes ; or the stinking sweat of the body ; or the putrified matter of some pestilent ulcer : t to the very excrements , which nature having severed frō the purer part of the meate , thrusts out of the stomack , & casts into the draught : u to the filthinesse , pollutions , and impurities of the world , so called by a singularity , for sin is the transcendent filth of the world : to all the uncleannesses , for which the purifications , cleansings , washings , and sprinklings were appointed in the leviticall law : x to abomination it selfe , &c. nay , and yet further , which makes for the further detestation of sinne : whereas all outward filth defiles onely the body ; this of sinne by the strength and contagion , of it's insinuating poyson soakes thorow the flesh and the bone , and enters and eates into the very minde and conscience , tit. . . defiles the pure , and immortall soule of man. how long might wee cast dirt into the aire , before wee were able to infect the bright shining beames of the sunne ? yet so filthy is sinne , that at once with a touch it infects the soule , a clearer and purer essence then it ; and that with such a crimsin and double-●●ed staine , that the flood of noah , when all the world was water , could not wash it off : neither at that last and dreadfull day , when this great vniversall shall bee turned into a ball of fire , for the purifying and renewing of the heaven and the earth , yet shall it have no power to purge or cleanse the least sinne out of the impenitent soule : nay , the fire of hell which burnes night and day , even thorow all eternity , shall never bee able to raze it out . it is most infectious : spits venome on all sides , farre and wide : corrupts every thing it comes neare . by reason whereof , it is fitly resembled to y leaven ; to a z gangreene ; to the a leprosie ; which filthy disease quickly over spreads the whole body : numb . . . infects the b clothes , the very walles of the house : levit. . &c. posterity . king . . the first sinne that eve● the sunne saw , was so pregnant with soule-killing poyson , that it hath already damnably polluted all the sonnes and daughters of adam , that were ever since ; and will still by the un-resistable strength of the same contagion , empoys●n all their natures , to the worlds end . nay , at the very first breaking out , it suddenly blasted , as it were , both heaven and earth : and so stained the beauty of the one , the brightnesse of the other , and the originall , orient , newly burnisht glory of the c whole creation ; that from that houre , it hath groaned under the burden of that vanity and deformity , to which this first sinne hath made it subject ; and will d travaile in paine under the bondage of the same corruption , untill it bee purged by fire , in the great day of the lord. it but one sinne , bee doted upon , delightfully , and impenitently , like a lumpe of leaven , it soures all the soule , defiles the whole man , and every thing , that proceeds from him : his thoughts , desires , affections , words , actions , and that of all sorts ; naturall , civill , recreative , religious . it doth not onely unhallow his meate , drinke , carriage ; his buying , selling , giving , lending , and all his other e dealings in the world , even his plowing ; the plowing of the wicked is sinne . prov. . . but also turnes all his f spirituall services , and divinest duties ; his prayer , hearing , reading , receiving the sacrament , &c. into abomination . if but one raging corruption , in a minister , magistrate , master of a family ; as lying , swearing , filthy-talking , scoffing at religion , opposition to godlinesse , sabbath-breaking , an humour of good-fellowship , or the like , represent it selfe to the eye of the world , in his ordinary carriage ; and hang out as a rotten fruite in the sight of the sunne ; it is woont fearefully to infect or offend by a contagious insinuation , and ill example , all about him ; to diffuse it's venome to his family , amongst his sonnes , and servants , over the parish where hee lives , all companies where hee comes , the whole country round about , especially , if hee bee a man of eminency and place . . g it is extremely ill . a farre greater ill , then the eternall damnation of a man. for when hee hath ilen many millions of yeeres in the lake of fire , and under the dominion of the second death ; he is never the nearer to satisfaction for sinne . not all those hellish ●lames thorow all eternitie , can possibly expiate the staine , or extingvish the sting of the least sinne . nay , the very destruction of all the creatures in the world ; of men and angels , heaven and earth , is a great deale lesse ill , then to offend god with the least transgression of his lawes . for all the creatures of ten thousand worlds , were they all extant , come infinitely short in excellency of worth , of the hearts-blood of iesus christ. and yet without the effusion of it , no sinne could ever have been pardoned , nor any soule saved . a man would thinke it a lesser ill to tell a lie , then to lie in hell : but heare chrysostome ; altho many thinke hell to bee the supreame and sorest of all evils ; yet i thinke thus , and thus wil i daily preach : that it is farre bitterer and more grievous to offend christ , then to bee tormented with the paines of hell. . it is full of most fearefull effects . . it deprives every impenitent . . of the fauour and love of god , the onely fountaine of all comfort , peace and happinesse : which is incomparably the most invalue-able losse , that can be imagined . . of his portion in christs blood ; of which , tho the drops , waight and quantity bee numbred , finite , and measurable , yet the person that shed it , hath stampt upon it , such height of price , excellency of merit , un-value-ablenes of worth ; that hee had infinitely better have his portion in that sweetest well-spring of life and immortality ; then enjoy the riches , pleasures and glory of the whole world everlastingly . for a bitter-sweet taste of which , for an ynch of time , hee villanously trampleth under-foote , as it were , that blessed blood , by wilfully cleaving to his owne wayes , and furious following the swinge of his owne sensuall heart ( even against the check and contradiction of his grumbling conscience ) . . of the most blissefull presence , freedome , and communication of the holy ghost ; and all those divine illuminations , spirituall feastings , sudden and secret glimpses and glances of heavenly light , sweeter then sweetnesse it selfe , wherewith that good spirit is woont to visit and refresh the humbled hearts of holy men . . of the fatherly providence and protection of the blessed trinity , the glorious guard of angels , the comfortable communion with the people of god , and all the happy consequents of safety , deliverance and delight that floweth thence . . of the unknowne pleasures of an appeased conscience , a iewell of dearest price , to which all humane glory is but dust in the balance . not the most exquisite extraction of all manner of musicke , sets , or consorts , vocall or instrumentall , can possibly conveigh so delicious a touch , and taste to the outward eare of a man ; as the sound , and sense of a certificate brought from the throne of mercy by the blessed spirit , seal'd with christs blood , to the eare of the soule , even amidst the most desperate confusions , in the evill day ; when comfort will bee worth a world ; and a good conscience , ten thousand earthly crownes . . of all true contentment in this life ; of all christian right , and religious interest to any of the creatures . for never was any sound ioy , or sanctified enjoyment of any thing in the world , found in that mans heart , which gives allowance to any lust , or lyes delightfully in any sinne . . of an immortall crowne , the un-speakeable ioyes of heaven ; that immeasurable , and endlesse comfort , which there shall be fully and for ever enioyed , with all the children of god , patriarkes , prophets , apostles , martyrs , christian friends ; yea , with the lord himselfe , and all his angels , with christ our saviour , that lambe slaine for us , the prince of glory , the glory of heaven and earth ; the brightnesse of the everlasting light , &c. in a word , of all those inexplicable , nay , unconceiveable excellencies , pleasures , perfections ; felicities , sweetnesses , beauties , glories , eternities above . . it doth every houre expose him to all those evils , which a man destitute of grace divine may commit ; and unprotected from above , endure . it brings all plagues . . internall ; blindnesse of minde , hardnesse of heart , deadnesse of affection , searednesse of conscience , a reprobate sense , strong delusions , the spirit of slumber , slavery to lust , estrangednesse from god , bondage under the divell , desperate thoughts , horrour of heart , confusion of spirit , &c. and spirituall mischiefes in this kind , moe , and more dreadfull , then either tongue can tell , or heart can thinke . least of which , is farre worse then all the plagues of egypt . . externall . see deut. . . &c. . eternall . see my sermon of the foure last things . . by it 's pestilent damning property and poyson , it turnes heaven into hell , angels into divels , life into death , light into darknesse , sight into blindnesse , faith into distrust , hope into despaire , loue into hate , humility into pride , mercy into cruelty , security into feare , liberty into bondage , health into sicknesse , plenty into scarcenesse , a garden of eden into a desolate wildernesse , a fruitfull land into barrennesse , peace into war , quietnesse into contention , obedience into rebellion , order into confusion , vertues into vices , blessings into curses , &c. in a word , all kind of temporall , and eternall felicities , and blisse , into all kinds of miseries , and woe . . what heart , except it bee all adamant , and turn'd into a rocke of flint , but possessing it selfe with feeling thoughts , and a sensible apprehension of the incomprehensible greatnesse , excellency and dreadfulnesse of the mighty lord of heaven and earth , would not tremble and bee strangely confounded to transgresse and breake any one branch of his blessed lawes , especially , purposely , and with pleasure ; or to sinne against him willingly , but in the least ungodly thought ? for alas ! who art thou , that liftest up thy proud heart , or whettest thy prophane tongue , or bendest thy rebellious course against such a majesty ? thou art the vilest wretch that ever god made , next unto the divell , and his damned angels ; a base , and an unworthy worme of the earth , not worthy to licke the dust , that lyeth under his feete ; a most weake and fraile creature , earth , ashes , or any thing that is naught ; the dreame of a shadow , the very picture of change , worse then vanity , lesse then nothing ; who , when thy breath is gone , which may fall out many times in a moment , thou turnest into dust , nay , rottennesse and filth , much more loathsome , then the dung of the earth ; and all thy thoughts perish . but now on the other side , if thou cast thine eyes seriously , and with intention upon that thrice glorious and highest majesty , the eyes of whose glory thou so provokest with thy filth and folly , thou mayest most justly upon the commission of every sinne cry out with the prophet : o heavens bee astonished at this : bee afraid and utterly confounded ! nay , thou mightest marvaile , and it is gods unspeakeable mercy , that the whole frame of heauen and earth is not for one sinne fearefully , & finally dissolued , and brought to nought ! for he against whom thou sinnest , inhabiteth eternity , and unapprochable light : the heauen is his throne , and the earth his footstoole : hee is the euerlasting god , mighty , and terrible , the creatour of the ends of the earth , ●c . the infinite splendour of his glory and maiesty , so dazles the eyes of the most glorious seraphims , that they are glad to adore him with couered faces g . the diuell , and all the damned spirits , those stubborne feinds tremble at the terrour of his countenance . h all the nations before him , are but as the drop of a bucket , but as the small dust of the balance , nay , they are nothing to him , saith the prophet , yea lesse then nothing . i hee fitteth upon the circle of the earth , and the inhabitants thereof are as grashoppers : the iudges , and princes , when hee blowes upon them , are but as stubble before the whirle-winde : and k hee taketh vp the iles , as a very litle thing . l at his rebuke the pillars of heauen doe shake ; the earth trembleth and the foundations of the hills are mooued : m his presence melts the mountaines , his voice teares the rocks in pieces , n the blast of the breath of his nostrils discouers the chanells of waters , and foundations of the world : when hee is angry , his arrowes drinke bloud , his sword deuoures flesh , and the fire of his wrath burnes unto the lowest hell. the heauen is but his span , the sea his handfull , the wings of the wind his walke : his garments are light , his pauilion darknes , his way in the whirlewind , and in the storme ; and the clouds are the dust of his feete , &c. the lord of hostes is his name , whose power and punishments are so infinitely vnresistable ; that hee is able with one word to turne all the creatures in the world into hell ; nay , even with the breath of his mouth to turne heaven and hell , and earth , and all things into nothing . how darest thou then so base and vile a wretch , prouoke so great a god ? . let the consideration , and compassion upon the immortality , and dearenesse of that pretious soule that lies in thy bosome , curbe thy corruptions at the very first sight of sinne , and make thee step backe as though thou wert ready to treade upon a serpent . not all the bloudy men upon earth , or desperate devils in hell , can possibly kill , and extingvish the soule of any man ; it must needs live , as long , as god himself , and run parallell , with the longest line of eternity . onely sinne wounds o mortally that immortal spirit , & brings it into that cursed case , that it had infinitely better never have bin , then be for ever . for by this meanes , going on impenitently to that last tribunall , it becomes immortally mortall , and mortally immortall p as one of the ancients speakes . it lives to death , and dies to life : never in state of life or death yet ever in the paines of death , & the perpetuity of life ; it 's death is ever-living , & it's end is ever in beginning : death without death ; end without end : ever in the pangs of death , & never dead : not able to dye , nor endure the paine : paine exceeding not only , all patience , but all resistance : no strength , to sustaine nor ability to beare , that which heareafter , whilst god is god , for ever must bee borne . what a prodigious bedlam cruelty is it then for a mā , by listning to the syren-songs of this false world , the lewd motions of his own treacherous heart , or the divels desperate counsel , to embrew his hands in the bloud of his own everlasting soule , & to make it die eternally ? for a little paltry pleasure of some base & rotten lust , & sleeting vanity , which passeth away in the act , as the tast of pleasant drink dieth in the draught , to bring upon it in the other world , torments whithout end , and beyond all compasse of conceit ? and his madnesse is the more , because besides it's immortality , his soule is incōparably more worth , then the whole world . the very sensitive soule of a little slie , saith q austin truly , is more excellent then the sun : how ought wee then to prize , and preserve from sinne , our vnderstanding , reasonable soules , which make us in that respect , like unto the angels of god ? . ninthly , what an horrible thing is sinne , whose waight an omnipotent strength , which doth sustaine the whole frame of the world , is not able to beare ? almighty god complaines isa. . . even of the sacrifices , and other services of his owne people , when they were performed with polluted hearts ; and professes , that he was weary to beare them . and how vile is it , that stirs up in the dearest and most compassionate bowells of the all-mercifull god , such implacable anger , that threw downe so many glorious angelicall spirits , who might have done him so high honour for ever in the highest heauens , into the bottome of hell , there most iustly to continue devils , and in extremest torment everlastingly ? cast all mankinde out of his fauour , and from all felicity for adams sin ? caused him , who delighteth in mercy , to create all the afflicting miseries in hell ; eternal flames , streames of brimstone , chaines of darknesse , gnashing of teeth , a lake of fire , the bottomlesse pit , and all those horrible torments there ? and that which doth argue , and yet further amplifie , the implacablenes and depth of divine indignation ; the infinitenesse of sinnes prouocation , and desert : tophet is said to bee ordeined of old : everlasting fire to be prepared for the devill and his angells : as if the all-powerfull wisedome did deliberate , and as it were sit downe , and devise all st●●ging terrible ingredients , a temper of greatest torture to make that dreadfull fi●e , hellish paines , most fierce and raging , and a fit instrument for the iustice of so great and mighty a god to torment eternally all impenitent reprobate rebels . god is the father of spirits ; our soules are the immediate creation of his almighty hand ; and yet to every one that goeth on impenitently in his trespasses , hee hath appointed , as it were a threefold hell. there are three things considerable in sinne : . r aversion from an infinite , soveraigne , unchangeable good : . conversion to a finite mutable , momentany good : . continuance in the same . to these three severall things in sinne , there are answering three singular stings of extremest punishment . to aversion from the chiefest good , which is objectively infinite , there answereth paine of losse as they call it , privation of gods glorious presence , and separation from those endlesse joyes above ; which is an infinite losse . to the inordinate conversion to transitory things , there answereth paine of sense , which is intensively finite , as is the pleasure of sinne ; and yet so extreme , that none can conceive the bitternesse thereof , but the soule that suffers it , nor that neither ; except it could comprehend the almighty wisedome of him that did create it . to the eternity of sinne , remaining for ever in staine and guilt , answereth the eternity of punishment . for wee must know s that every impenitent sinner would sinne ever if he might live ever ; and casteth himselfe by sinning into an impossibility of ever ceasing to sinne of himselfe : as a man that casteth himselfe into a deepe pit , can never of himsel●e rise out of it againe : and therefore naturally eternity of punishment is due to sinne . how prodigious a thing then is sinne , and how infinitely to bee abhorred , and avoided , that by a malignant meritorious poyson and provocation , doth violently wrest out of the hands of the father of mercies , and god of all comfort , the full vials of that unquenchable wrath , which brings caselesse , endlesse , and remedilesse torments upon his owne creatures , and those originally most excellent . . tenthly , the height and inestimablenesse of the price , that was paid for the expiation of it , doth clearely manifest , nay , infinitely aggravate the execrable misery of sinne , and extreame madnesse of all that meddle with it . i meane the hearts-blood of iesus christ , blessed for ever : which was of such pretiousnesse and power , that beeing let out by a speare , it amazed the whole frame of nature ; darkened the sunne miraculously , ( for at that time it stood in direct s opposition to the moone ) shooke the earth , which shrunke and trembled under it , opened the graves , clave the stones , rent the vaile of the temple , from the bottome to the top , &c. now it was this alone , and nothing but this could possibly cleanse the filth of sinne . had all the dust of the earth been turned into silver , and the stones into pearles ; should the maine and boundlesse ocean have streamed nothing but purest gold ; would the whole world , and all the creatures in heaven and earth have offered themselves to bee annihilated before his angry face ; had all the blessed angels prostrated themselves at the foote of their creator : yet in the point of redemption of mankind , and purgation of sin , not any , nor all of these , could have done any good at all . nay , if the sonne of god himselfe , which lay in his bosome , should have supplicated and solicited , ( i meane without t suffering and shedding his blood ) the father of all mercies ; hee could not have been heard in this case . either the sonne of god must die , or all mankind be eternally damned . even then , when thou art provoked to sinne , thinke seriously , and sensibly of the price that upon necessity must bee paied for it , before it bee pardoned . . sinfull pleasures are attended with a threefold bitter sting . whereof see my directions for walking with god , pa. . which though the divell hides from them in the heate of temptation ; yet in his seasons , to serve his owne turne , hee sets them on with a vengeance . . compare the vast , and unvalu-able difference , betweene yeelding to the entisement , and conquering the temptation to sinne . for which purpose , looke upon ioseph and david , two of gods dearest servants . and consider the consequents : what a deale of honour and comfort did afterward crowne the head , and the heart of the one : and what horrible mischiefes and miseries fell upon the family , and u grisly horrours upon the conscience of the other . survay also the distinct x stories of galeacius caracciolus , and franciscus spira , then which in their severall kinds , there is nothing left to the memory of the latter times more remarkeable . and you shall find in them as great a difference , as betweene an heaven and hell upon earth . the one withstanding unconquerably variety of mighty entisements to renounce the gospell of iesus christ , and returne to popery , besides the sweet peace of his soule , attained that honour in the church of god , that hee is in some measure y paralleld even with moses , and recommended to the admiration of posterity by the pen of that great and incomparable glory of the christian world , blessed z calvin . the other conquered by an unhappy temptation , to turne from the truth of god and our true religion , to the synagogue of satan , and abominations of the scarlet whore , besides the raging and desperate confusion hee brought upon his owne spirit , became such a spectacle to the eye of christendome , as hath been hardly heard of . . compare the poore , short , a vanishing delight of the choisest , sensuall , worldly contentment , if thou wilt , of thy sweetest sinne , with the exquisitnesse and eternity of hellish torments . out of which , might an impenitent reprobate wretch , bee assured of enlargement , after hee had endured them so many thousand , thousand yeeres , as there are sands on the sea-shore , haires upon his head , starres in the firmament , grasse piles upon the ground , creatures both in heaven and earth ; hee would thinke himselfe happy , and as it were in heaven already . see before pag. . but when all that time is past , and infinite millions of yeeres besides , they are no neerer end , then when they begun ; nor hee neerer out , then when hee came in . the torments of hell are most horrible ; yet i know not whether this incessant desperate cry in the conscience of a damned soule , i must never come out , doth not outgoe them all in horrour . what an height of madnesse is it then , to purchase a moment of fugitive follies , and fading pleasures , with extremity of never ending paines ? . b when thou art stepping ouer the threshold towards any vile act , lewd house , dissolute company , or to do the divel service in any kinde , which god forbid ; suppose thou seest iesus christ comming towards thee , as hee lay in the armes of ioseph of arimathea , newly taken downe from the crosse , wofully wounded , wanne and pale ; his body all gore-blood ; the beauty of his blessed and heavenly face , darkned and disfigured by the stroke of death ; speaking thus unto thee : oh! goe not forward upon any termes , commit not this sinne by any meanes . it was this and the like , that drew mee downe out of the c armes of my father , from the fulnesse of joy , and fountaine of all blisse ; to put on this corruptible , and miserable flesh ; to hunger and thirst ; to watch and pray ; to groane and sigh ; to offer up strong cries and teares to the father in the dayes of my flesh : to drinke off the dregs of the bitter cup of his feirce wrath ; to wrastle with all the forces of infernall powers ; to lay downe my life in the gates of hell , with intolerable , and , saue by my selfe , vnconquerable paine ; and thus now to lie in the armes of this mortall man , all torne and rent in peices with cruelty and spite , as thou seest . what an heart hast thou , that darest goe on , against this deare entreaty of iesus christ ? . when thou art unhappily mooued , to breake any branch of gods blessed law , let the excellency and variety of his incomparable mercies come presently into thy minde : a most ingenuous sweet and mighty motive , to hinder and hold off all gracious hearts from sin ▪ how is it possible , but a serious survay of the riches of gods goodnes , forbearance & long-suffering leading thee to repentance , to more forwardnes and fruitfulnes in the good way ; the publike miracles of mercy , which god hath done in our daies , for the preservatiō of the gospel , this kingdome , ourselves , and our posterity ; especially , drowning the spanish invincible armado , discouering , and defeating the powder-plot , sheilding q. elizabeth , the most glorious princesse of the world , from a world of anti-christian cruelties ; saving us from the papists bloudy expectations at her death ; &c. the particular , and private catalogve of thine owne personall favours from gods bountifull hand , which thine owne conscience , can easily leade thee unto ; and readily run over from thine infancy to the present ; wonderfull protections in thine unregenerate time ▪ that miracle of mercies , thy conversion , ( if thou be already in that happy state ) ; all the motions of gods holy spirit in thine heart , many checks of conscience , fatherly corrections , excellent meanes of sanctification , as worthy a ministry in many places , as ever the world enjoyde ; sermon upon sermon ; sabbath after sabbath ; bearing with thee after so many times breaking thy covenants ; oportunities to at●aine the highest degree of godlinesse , that ever was ; &c. i say how can it bee , but that the reuise of these and innumerable mercies moe , should so mollify thy heart , that thou shouldest haue no heart at all , nay infinitely abhorre , to displease or any way dishonour , that high and dreadfull majesty , whose free grace was the well-head and first fountaine of them all ? let this meditation of gods mercies to keepe from sinne , bee quickned by considering : . that thou art farre worthier , to bee now burning with the most abominable sodomite in the bottome of hell ; then to bee crowned with any of these loving kindnesses : that if thou wert able to doe him all the honour , service and worship , which all the saints both militant and triumphant doe ; it would come infinitely short of the merit of the least of all his mercies unto thee in iesus christ. . how unkindelylie god takes the neglect of his extraordinary kindenesses unto vs. . sam. . , &c. . sam. . . . ezech. . . marke well , and be amaz'd of thine owne fearefull and desperate folly ; when thou fallest deliberately into any sinne : thou lajest , as it were , in the one scale of the balance , the glory of almighty god , the endles ioies of heaven , the losse of thine immortall soule , the pretious blood of christ , &c. and in the other , some rotten pleasure , earthly pelf , worldly preferment , fleshly lust , sensuall vanity : and suffers this , prodigious madnes ! bee astonished , o yee heavens at this , and bee horribly afraid ! to out-weigh all those . . vpon the first assault of every sinne , say thus unto thy self : if i now yeeld , and commit this sin ; i shall either repent , or not repent : if i doe not repent , i am vndone ; if i doe repent , it will cost mee incomparably , more hearts-greife , then the pleasure of the sinne is worth . . consider , that for that very sinne , to which thou art now tempted , suppose lying , lust , ouer-reaching thy brother , &c. many millions are already damned , and even now burning in hell. and when thy foote is upon the brinke , stay , and thinke upon the wages . and know for a truth , that if thou falelst into that sinne , thou art fallen into hell , if god helpe not out . . never bee the bolder to giue way unto any wickednes ; to exercise thine heart with covetousnesse , cruelty , ambition , revenge , adulterjes , speculative wantonnesse , selfe-uncleannesse , or any other solitary sinfulnesse ; because thou art alone , and no mortall eie lookes upon thee . for if thine heart condemne thee , god is greater then thine heart , and knoweth all things ; and will condemne thee much more . if thy conscience , bee as a thousand witnesses ; god , who is the lord of thy conscience will be more then a million of witnesses . and thou mayst bee assured , howsoever thou blessest thy selfe in thy secrecy , that what sin soever , is now acted , in the very retyredst corner of thine heart , or any waies most solitarily by thy selfe ; tho in the meane time it bee concealed , and lie hid in as great darknesse , as it was committed , untill that last and great day , yet then it must most certainly d out with a witnesse ; and bee as a legible on thy forehead , as if it were writ with the brightest sun-beame upon a wall of christall . thou shalt then in the face of heaven and earth , bee laide out in thy colours , and * without confessing and forsaking ▪ while it is called to day , bee before e angels , men , and diuels , vtterly , universally , and everlastingly shamed and confounded . . consider the resolute resistance , and mortifyed resolutions against sinne , and all entisements thereunto of many , upon whom , the sun of the gospell did not shine with such beauty and fullnesse , as it doth upon vs ▪ neither were so many heavenly discoveries in the kingdome of christ , made knowne unto them , as our daies have seene . ( for vpon our times , which makes our sins a great deale more sinfull , hath happily fallen , an admirable confluence of the saving light and learning , experience , and excellency of all former ages , besides the extraordinary additions of the present ; which with a glorious noonetide of united illuminations doth abundantly serve our turne , for a continued further and fuller illustration of the great mystery of godlinesse , and secrets of sanctification ) . heare f chrysostome , but i thinke thus , and this will i ever preach ; that it is much bitterer to offend christ , then to bee tormented in the paines of hell. hee that writes the life of anselme , g saith thus of him ; hee feared nothing in the world more , then to sinne . my conscience bearing mee witnesse , i lie not ; for we haue often heard him professe : that if on the on● hand ▪ he should see corporally , the horrour of sinne ; on the other the paines of hell ; and might necessarily bee plunged into the one , hee would chuse hell rather then sinne . and an other thing also no lesse perhaps wonderfull to some , hee was woont to say : to wit ; that hee would rather haue hell , beeing innocent , and free from sinne ; then polluted with the filth thereof , possesse the kingdome of heaven . it is reported of an other ancient holy man , that he was woont to say : hee would rather bee torne in peeces with wilde horses , then wittingly and willingly commit any sin . ierome also in one of his epistles , tells a h story of a young man , of most invincible courage , and constancy in the profession of christ , under some of the bloody persecuting emperours , to this sense : they had little hope as it seemes , to conqver him by torture ; and therfore they take this course with him : they brought him into most fragrant gardens , flowing with all pleasure and delight ; there they laid him upon a bed of downe softly enwrapped in a net of silke ; amongst the lillies , and the roses , the delicious murmure of the streames , and the sweet whistling of the leaves ; they all depart , and in comes a beautifull strumpet , and vseth all the abominable tricks of her impure art , and who●sh villanies to draw him to her desire : whereupon the yong man , fearing that hee should now bee conqvered by folly , who was conqverer over fury , out of an infinite detestation of sinne , bites off a peece of his tong with his owne teeth , and spits it in the face of the whore : and so hinders the hurt of sinne , by the smart of his wound . i might haue begun with ioseph , who did so bravely and blessedly beate backe , and trample under his feete the sensuall solicitations of his wanton and wicked mistris . hee had pleasure and preferment in his eye , which were strongly offered in the temptation ; but hee well knew , that not all the offices and honours in egypt , could take off the guilt of that filth ; and therefore hee resolved rather to lie in the dust , then rise by sinne : how can i doe this great wickednesse , and sinne against god ? i might passe along to the moth●● and seven brethren . . mac. . who chose rather to passe thorow horrible tortures , and a most cruell death , then to eate swines ●lesh against the law : and so come downe along to that noble army of martyrs in q. maries time ; who were contented with much patience , and resolution to part with all , wife , children , liberty , livelihood , life it selfe ; even to lay it downe in the flames , rather then to submit to that man of sinne ; or to subscribe to any one point of his devillish doctrine . thus as you haue heard , i haue tendred many reasons to restraine from sinne ; which by the helpe of god may serve to take off the edge of the most eager temptation ; to coole the heat of the most furious entisement ; to embitter the sweetest baite , that drawes to any sensuall delight . now my most thirsty desire & earnest entreaty is , that every one into whose hands , by gods providence this book of mine shall fall , after the perusall of them , would pause a while upon purpose , that hee may more solemnly vow , and resolve that ever hereafter , when he shal bee set upon , and assaulted by allurement to any sinne , hee wil first have recourse unto these twenty considerations , i have here recommended unto him , to helpe in such cases ; and with a punctuall seriousnesse , let them sinke into his heart , before hee proceede and pollute himselfe . i could bee content , if it were pleasing unto god , that these lines which thou now readest , were writ with the warmest blood in mine heart , to represent unto thine eie , the deare affectionatenesse of my soule , for thy spirituall and eternall good ; so that thou wouldest be throwly perswaded , and now before thou passe any further , sincerely promise so to doe ! . thirdly , the point may serve to set out the excellency of that high and heavenly art , of cōforting afflicted consciences . the more dangerous and desperate the wound is , the more doth it magnifie , and make admirable the mysterie and method of the cure and recovery . which were it wel knowne , and wisely practised ; what a world of vnnecessary slavish torture in troubled minds would it prevent ? so many thousands of poore abused , deluded soules should not perish , by the damning flatteries , and cruel mercies of unskillfull dawbers : what an heaven of spirituall light-somnesse , and ioy might shine in the hearts , and shew it selfe in the faces of gods people ? vntill it please the lord to mooue the hearts of my learned and holy brethren in populous cities and great congregations , who must needs have much imploiment , and variety of experiments this way ; or some speciall men extraordinarily endowed and exercised herein , put to their h●lping hands , and furnish the church with more large and exact discourses in this kinde , take in good part this essay of mine . wherein i first desire to discover and rectify some ordinary aberrations about spirituall cures . which fall out , when the physition of the soule , . applies unseasonably the cordials of the gospell , and cōforts of mercy ; when the corrosives of the law and comminations of iudgement are convenient and sutable . were it not absurd in surgery , to poure a most soveraigne bal●am of exqvisite composition , and inestimable price upon a sound part ? it is farre more unseemely and senselesse , of & an infinitely more pestilent consequence in any ministeriall passages , to profer the blood of christ , and promises of life to an unwounded conscience , as belonging unto it , as yet . it is the onely right everlasting method to turne men from darknes to light , from the power of satan unto god ; and all the men of god and master-builders , who have ever set themselves sincerely to serve god in their ministery , and to save soules ▪ have followed the same course ; to wit , first to wound by the law , and then to heale by the gosp●ll . wee must bee humbled in the sight of the lord ; before hee lift us vp . iam. . . wee must bee sensible of our spirituall blindnesse , captivity , poverty ; before wee can heartily seeke to bee savingly illightned enlarged from the devils slavery , and enriched with grace . there must bee sense of misery , before shewing of mercy ; crying , i am uncleane , i am uncleane , before opening the fountaine for vncleannesse ; stinging , before curing by the brasen serpent ; smart for sinne , before a plaister of christs blood ; brokennesse of heart , before binding up . god himselfe a opened the eies of our first parents , to make them see and bee sensible of their sinne and misery ; nakednesse and shame , &c. gen. . . b before hee promised christ. c vers . . christ iesus tells us , d that hee was annointed by the lord , e to preach good tydings : but to whom ? to the poore , to the broken hearted ; to the captives ; to the blind ; to the bruised , isai. . . luk. . ▪ that the whole neede not the physition , but they that are sicke ; and hee came not to call the righteous , but sinners to repentance . matth. . . . that is , poore soules , sinners with a witnesse even in their owne apprehension and conceit ; and not selfe-conceited pharisees , who tho they bee meere strangers to any wound of conscience for sinne ; yet they will not be perswaded , that they shall bee damned ; but in the meane time contemne and condemne all others in respect of themselves : sinfull publicanes are to grosse ; sincere professours are too godly . whereas notwithstanding in true iudgemēt , harlots are in a f farre happier case then they . math. . . that hee will give rest ; but to whom ? to those that labour and are heavy laden . matth. . . that the spirit which hee would send , should convince the world : first , of sinne ; and then of righteousnesse ; to wit , of christ ; it is ordinary with the phrophets ; first to discover the sinnes of their people , and to denounce iudgements : and then to promise christ , upon their comming in , to illighten and make them lightsome , with raising their thoughts to a fruitfull contemplation of the glory , excellency , and sweetnesse of his blessed kingdome . isaiah in his first chapter , from the mouth of god doth in the first place behaue himself like a son of thunder , pressing vpon the consciences of those to whom hee was sent , many hainous sinnes ; horrible ingratitude , fearefull falling away , formality in gods worship , cruelty and the like : afterward vers . . . he invites to repentance : and then followes vers . . come now and let us reson together , saith the lord : g though your sins bee as scarlet , they shal bee as white , as snow ; though they bee red like crimsin , they shal bee as wooll . nathan to recover even a regenerate man , convinceth him first soundly of his sin , with much aggravation and terrour , and then upon remorse , assures him of pardon . . sam. . . consider further for this purpose the sermons of our blessed saviour himselfe ; who taught as one having authority , and not as the scribes : with what power , and piercing , did our lord and master labour to open the eies , search the hearts , and wound the consciences of his hearers , to fit them for the gospell , and his owne deare hearts blood ? see mat. . &c. and . and &c. of iohn baptist , who by the mightinesse of his ministerial spirit , accompanied with extraordinary strength from heaven , did strike thorow the hearts of those that heard him , with such astonishment about their spirituall state ; with such horrour for their former waies , and feare of future vengeance , that they came unto him thicke , and threefold , as they say : and the people asked him saying , what shall wee doe then ? then came also publicans to be baptized , and said unto him , master , what shall wee doe ? and the souldiers likewise demanded of him , saying , and what shall wee doe ? luk. . . . . of peter : who act. . beeing now freshly inspired , and illuminated from aboue with large and extraordinary effusions of the holy ghost , shadowed by cloven fiery tongs ; in the very prime and flower of his ministeriall wisedome , bends himsel●e to breake the hearts of his hearers . amongst other pie●ci●g passages of his searching sermon , hee tells them to their faces , they standing before him stained with the horrible guilt of the dearest blood , that ever was shed upon earth , most worthy to have beene gathered up by the most glorious angels , in vessels of gold ; that they had crucified and slaine that iust and holy one , the lord of life , i●sus of nazareth . vers . . and againe , at the close and conclusion vers . . leaves the same bloody sting in their consciences ; which restlesly wrought and boild within them , untill it begot a great deale of compunction terrour , and tearing of their hearts with extreme amazement and anguish . now when they heard this , they were h pricked in their heart . v. . whereupon they came crying vnto peter , and the rest of the apostles : men and brethren what shall wee doe ? and so beeing seasonably led , by the counsell of the apostles i to beleeve on the name of iesus christ ; to lay hold upō the promise , to repent evangelically ; they had the remission of sinnes sealed vnto them by baptisme , and were happily received into the number of the saints of god , whose son they had so lately slaughtered : of paul ; who tho hee stood as a prisoner at the barre , and might perhaps , by a generall plausible discourse , without piercing or particularizing , have insinuated into the affections , and wonne the favours of his hearers , who were to be his iudges ; and so made way for his enlargement , and particular wellfare ; yet hee for all this , very resolutely and unreservedly , crosseth and opposeth their greedy , lustfull and carelesse humours with a right searching , terrifying sermon of righteousnesse , temperance , and iudgement to come . acts . . . that vnhappy felix was a fellow polluted with abominable adultery , and very infamous for his cruell and covetous oppressions , and by consequent unapprehensive , and fearelesse of that dreadfull tribunall , and the terrors to come : whereupon paul hauing learned in the schoole of christ , not to k feare any mortall man in the discharge of his ministry , drawes the sword of the spirit , with undantednesse of spirit , and strikes presently at the very face of those fearefull sinnes , which ra●gned in his principall and most eminent hearers ; tho hee stood now before them in bonds , at their mercy and devotion , as they say . hee shrewdly l galls the conscience of that l great man ; m by opposing righteousnesse to his brybing cruelties , temperance to his adulterous impurities , n the dreadfulnes of iudgement to come to his insolent lawlesse outrages & desperate security . h●d paul addre● himself to haue satisfyed their curiosities , as many a rising temporizing tre●char-chaplaine would have done very industriously ; and to entertaine th●●ime with a generall discourse of the wonderfull b●●●h , 〈…〉 christ , now so much talk't of 〈…〉 in the world ; with ● pleasing discovery , onely 〈…〉 and glorious things pur●●● 〈…〉 by his bloodshed ; not 〈…〉 delights 〈…〉 lust , and other sinnes ; o then , they had listned unto him with much acceptation , and delight ; all things had been carried faire , and favourably : paul had not been interrupted , and so suddainly silent ; nor felix so frighted , and distempered . but this man of god , knewfull well that that was not the way ; neither best for them , nor for his masters honor , nor for the comfort of his owne conscience ; and therefore hee takes a course to cause the tyrant tremble ; that thereby hee might either bee sitted for christ , which was best of all ; or at least made inexcusable ; but howsoever that in so doing his duty might bee discharged , and soule delivered ; holding it farrre better , that his body should bee in bonds ; then his soule guilty of o blood . orthodox antiquity was of the same minde , and for the same methode . p austen , that famous disputer in his time counselleth to this purpose in this point : ( i expresse the sense and summe , and no more then may bee collected and concluded from the place ; i will not ever tie my selfe grammatically and pedantically to the words , precisely , and to render verbatim ; save only in some cases ; as of controversie , or some other such like necessity of more punctuall quotation ) . the conscience is not to bee healed , if it bee not wounded . thou preachest and pressest the law , comminations , the iudgement to come , and that with much earnestnesse and importunity : hee which heares , if hee bee not terrified , if hee bee not troubled , is not to bee comforted . another heares , is stir'd , is st●ng , takes on extremely : cure his contritions , because hee is cast downe and confounded in himselfe . after , that iohn baptist , saith q chrysostome , had thorowly frighted the minds of his hearers , with the terrour of iudgement , and expectation of torment ; and with the name of an axe , and their rejection , and entertainement of other children ; and by doubling the punishment , to wit , of beeing hewed downe and cast into the fire : when hee had thus every way tamed , and taken downe their stubbornnesse , and from feare of so many evils , had stir'd them up to a desire of deliverance ; then at length hee makes mention of christ. god powres not the oyle of his mercy , saith r bernard , save into a broken vessell . so also are all our moderne divines , who are instructed unto the kingdome of heaven . s peter martyr magnifies nathans method of preaching , and commends it to all the ministers of god. hee first proposeth a parable , as wee doe doctrines , for the illumination , and conviction of the understanding . then hee applies it more particularly , and to the present● where hee doth notably exagitate and aggravate the sinne , by recounting , and opposing gods extraordinary bounty and most mercifull dealing with david , by the cause of it , contempt of the lords commandement , and dreadfull things ensuing thence : afterward that hee might strike the heart thorow with astonishment and dread , hee threatens terribly : at last upon compunction , and crying , i have sinned , he sweetly comforteth and rayseth to the assurance of gods favour againe . if this course must bee taken with relapsed christians ; why not much more , with those who are starke dead in trespasses and sinnes ? christ is promised to them alone , saith t calvin , who are humbled , and confounded with sense of their owne sinnes . then is christ seasonably revealed , faith u musculus , when the hearts of men beeing soundly pierced by preaching repentance , are possest with a desire of his gratious righteousnesse . the way to faith , saith x beza , is penitence , legall compunction ; because sicknesse enforceth men euen unwilling , to slie unto the physician . men are ever to bee prepared for the gospell , by the preaching of the law. a sermon of the law , said y tilenus , while hee was yet orthodoxe , must go before the doctrine of the gospell , that the oyle of mercy may bee powred into a contrite vessell . in our exhortations to follow christ saith z rolloc , the minds of men are ever to bee prepared with a sense of misery , and their darke estate ; and afterward with a desire of enlargement and light . it is the care of those ministers , which divide gods word aright , say our a great divines of great britaine , first fitly and wisely to wound the consciences of their hearers with the terrours of the law , and after to raise them by the promises of the gospell , &c. b the spirit first terrifies those , who are to bee justified , with the law : breaking and humbling them with threats scourges and lashes of conscience , that thereby despairing of themselves , they may flie unto christ. wee cannot learne out of the gospell saith c chemmitius , that wee are to bee blessed in christ , except by an anthithesis , as luther speakes , we also acknowledge , that wee are accursed by the law. the doctrine of the law , saith d davenant ▪ is to be propounded to the impious and impenitent — to strike terrour into their hearts and to demonstrate their just damnation , except they repent , and she to iesus christ. c perkins that great light of our church , both for soundnesse of learn●ng , sincer●ty of iudgement , and insight into the mystery of christ , te●ching , how repentance is wrought , tel● vs , that first of all a man must have knowledge o● foure things : of the law of god ; of sinne against the law ; of the guilt of sinne ; and of the iudgement of god against sinne , which is his eternall wrath : in the second place must follow an application of the former knowledge to a mans selfe , by the worke of the conscience assisted by the holy ghost , which for that cause is called the spirit of bondage ; in this manner . the breaker of the law is guilty of eternall wrath , saith the minde : but i am a breaker of the law of god , saith the conscience as a witnesse , and an accuser : therefore i am guilty of eternall death , saith the same conscience , as a iudge . every law shall have his part in the lake , which burneth with fire and brimstone : reuel . . . but i am a liar : therefore i shall have my part in that everlasting fiery lake . and so of other sinnes ; covetousnesse , cruelty , drunkennesse , whoredome , swearing , defrauding , temporizing , vsury , filthinesse , self-uncleannesse , foolish talking , ●esting , ephes. . . revellings , galat. . . prophaning the lords day , strange apparell , zeph. . . and innumerable sinnes moe ; which beeing all severally prest upon the heart , by a discourse of the guilty conscience , as i have said , must needs full sorely crush it with many cutting conclusions : from which set on by the spirit of bondage , is woont to arise much trouble of minde ; which , saith hee , is commonly called , the sting of the conscience , or penitence , and the compunction of heart . and then succeedes seasonably , and comfortably the worke of the gospell . the soule beeing thus sensible of and groaning under the burden of all sinne , is happily f fitted for all the glorious revelations of the abundant riches of gods dearest mercies ; for all the comforts , graces and favours which shine from the face of christ ; for all the expiations , refreshings , and exultations , which spring out of that blessed fountaine , opened for sinne and for uncleannesse . never any of gods children , saith g greeneham , were comforted thorowly , but they were first humbled for their sinnes . the course warranted unto us by the scriptures , saith h hieron , is this : first , to endeavour the softning of our hearers hearts , by bringing them to the sight and sense of their owne wretchednes , before we adventure to apply the riches of gods mercy in christ iesus . the preaching of the gospell is cōpared by our saviour himself unto the sowing of seedes as therefore the ground is first torne up with the pl●●gh , before the seede be committed unto it : so the f●llow ground of our hearts must first bee broken up with the sharpenesse of the law , and the very terrour of the lord , before wee can bee fit to entertaine the sweete seed of the gospell — i would have a preacher to preach peace , and to aime at nothing more , then the comfort of the soules of gods people : yet i would have him withall , frame his course to the manner of gods appearing to elijah . the text saith , that first a mighty strong winde rent the mountaines , and brake the rockes : then , after that came an earthquake ; and after the earthquake came fire : and after all these , then came a still , and a soft voyce . after the same manner , i would not have the still and milde voy●e of the gospell come , till the strong tempest of the law hath rent the sto●y hearts of men , and have made the●● beli●es to tremble , and rottennesse to enter into their bones . — or at least , because our auditories are mixt , consisting of men ▪ of divers humours , it shall bee good for him to deliver his doctrine with that caution , that neither the humbled soules may be affrighted with the severity of gods judgements , nor the prophane and unrepentant grow presumptuous by the abundance of gods mercy . — the person that is full , despiseth the hony-combe , saith salomon : and what doth a proud pharisie , or a churlish nabal , or a politicke gallio , or a scoffing ishmael , care to heare of the breadth , and length , and depth , and height of the love of god in his sonne iesus ? except it bee to settle them faster upon their lees . the doctrine of that nature is as unfitting such uncircumcised eares , as the snow the summer , and the raine the harvest . vnto the horse belongs a whip , to the asse a bridle , and a rod to the fooles backe , &c. — hee that intendeth to doe any good in this frozen generation , had need rather to bee boanerges , one of the sons of thunder , then bar-ionah the sonne of a dove . the word of god , saith i forbes , hath three degrees of operation in the hearts of men . for , first it falleth to mens eares as the sound of many waters , a mighty great , and confused sound , and which commonly , bringeth neither terrour , nor ioy , but yet a wondering , and acknowledgement of a strange force , & more then humane power . this is that effect which many felt , hearing christ , when they were astonished at his doctrine , as teaching with authority . what manner doctrine is this ? never man spake like this man. this effect falleth even to the reprobate , which wonder and vanish : ha●ak . . act. . . the next effect is the voice of thund●r . which bringeth not onely wonder , but feare also : not onely filleth the eares with sound , and the heart with astonishment , but moreover shaketh and terifyeth the conscience . and this second effect may also befall a reprobate . as felix . act. . the third effect is proper to the elect : the sound of harping , while the word not onely ravish●th with admiration , and striketh the conscience with terrour ; but also , lastly filleth it with sweete peace and ioy , &c. now albeit the first two degrees may bee without the last ; yet none feele the last , who have not in some degree , felt both the first two . god healeth none k saith gouge , but such as are first wounded . the whole need not a physitian , but they that are sicke . christ was annointed to preach the gospell to the poore , to heale the broken hearted , &c. ob. many have believed , who never grieved for their misery , as lidia , &c. answ. who can tell , that these greeved not ? it followeth not that they had no greife , because none is recorded . all particular actions and circumstances of actions are not recorded : it is enough that the greefe of some , as of the iewes , of the iaylour , of the woman that washed christs feete with her teares ▪ and of others , is recorded . lidia might bee prepared before she heard paul. for sh●e accompanied them which went out to pray , and shee worshipped god : or else her heart might be then touched , when she heard paul preach . the like may bee said of those which heard peter , when her preached to cornelius ; and of others . certaine it is that a man must both see and feele hi● wretchednesse , and bee wounded in soule for it before faith can be wrought in him. yet i deny not , but there may be great difference in the manner and measure of greeving , &c. l the heart is prepared for faith , and not by faith . iustifi●ation beeing the worke of god is perfect in it selfe : but our hearts are not fit to apply it , untill god have humbled us brought us to despaire in our selves . — the whole preparation beeing legall wrought by the spirits of bondage to bring us to the spirit of adoption , leaves us in despaire of all helpe either of our selves , or the whole world ; that so beeing in this wofull plight wee might now submit our selves to god , who infusing a lively faith into our hearts , gives us his son and our iustification with him. m none ever had conscience truly pacifyed , that first felt not conscience wounded . n the preparation to repentance . ( hee meanes evangelicall ) are those legall sits of feare and terrour , which are both in nature and time too , before faith. o as there can bee no birth without the * paines of the travell going before ; so neither , no true repentance without some terrours of the law , and streights of conscience . — the reason is plaine . none can have repentance , but such as christ cals to repentance . now hee cals only sinners to repentance . mat. . . even sinners heavy laden with the sense of gods wrath against sinne . mat. . . hee comes onely to save the lost sheepe , that is such sheepe , as feele themselves lost in themselves , and know not how to finde the way to the fold . it is said rom. . . yee have not received the spirit of bondage againe , to feare : which shewes , that once they did receive it , namely , in the very first preparation vnto conversion , that then the spirit of god in the law did so beare witnes unto thē , of their bondage and miserable slavery , that it made them to tremble . now there , vnder the person of the romans , the apostle speakes to all beleevers , and so shewes , that it is every christians common case . p the law hath his use to worke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , poenitentiam . the gospell his force to worke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , resipiscentiam ; and both are needfull for christians even at this present , as formerly they have ever bin . q gods mercy may not bee such , whereby his truth in any sort should bee impeached . as it should , if it be prostituted indifferently and promiscuously to all , as well the insolent , and impenitent , as the poore humble , and broken hearted sinner . for unto these latter onely is the promise of mercy made . and if to others , the gate of mercy should bee set open ; gods mercies ( as solomon saies of the wicked's , that they are cruell mercies ) should be false and uniust . mercies . but god never yet learned so to bee mercifull , as to make himselfe false and unfaithfull . the first thing that drawes unto christ , is to consider our miserable estate without him. — therefore wee see that the law drives men to christ : and the law doth it by shewing a man his sin , and the curse due unto the same . — wee must know , that nothing performed of us can give satisfaction in this matter of humiliation . — yet it is such a thing without which wee cannot come to christ. it is as much as if a man should say , the physitian is ready to heale thee , but then it is required , that thou must have a sense of the disease : & c ! no man will come to christ except he bee hungry . onely those that are troubled receive the gospell . no man will take christ for his husband , till hee come to know & feele the waight of satans yoke . till that time , hee will never come to take upon him the yoke of christ. to all you i speake , that are humbled : others that minde not this doctrine , regard not the things of this nature ; but you that mourne in zion , that are broken-hearted ; you that know the bitternesse of sin , to you is the salvation sent . r vnder the causes i comprehend all that worke of god , whereby hee worketh faith in any , which standeth especially in these three things : . that god by his word , and spirit first illightneth the understanding , truly , to conceive the doctrine of mans misery , and of his full recovery by christ. . secondly , by the same meanes hee worketh in his heart , both such sound sorrow for his misery , and fervent desire after christ the remedy ; that hee can never bee at quiet , till hee enioy christ : . thirdly , god so manifesteth his love in freely offering christ with all his benefits to him a poore sinner , that thereby hee drawes him so to giue credit to god , therein , that hee gladly accepts christ offered vnto him. these three works of god , whosoever findeth to have bin wrought in himselfe , hee may thereby know certainly hee hath faith. but without these , what change of life soever may bee conceived , there can bee no certainty of faith. s the law first breakes us , and kills us with the sight , and guilt of sin , before christ cures us , and binds us up . the holy ghost worketh and maketh faith effectuall by these three acts : . first , it puts an efficacy into the law , and makes that powerfull to worke on the heart ; to make a man poore in spirit ; so that hee may bee fit to receive the gospell . — the spirit of bondage must make the law effectuall ; as the spirit of adoption doth the gospell , &c. . the second worke , is to reveale christ , when the heart is prepared by the spirit in the first worke , then in the next place , hee shewes the unsearchable riches of christ , what is the hope of his calling , and the glorious inheritance prepared for the saints ; what is the exceeding greatnesse of his power in them that beleeve . i say wee neede the spirit to shew these things , &c. . the third act of the spirit , is , the testimony which hee gives to our spirit , in telling us that these things are ours . when the heart is prepared by the law ; and when these things are so shewed unto us , that wee prize them , and long after them , yet there must bee a third thing : to take them to our selves , to beleeve they are ours : and there needes a worke of the spirit for this . for tho the promises bee never so cleare , yet having nothing but the promises , you shall never bee able to apply them to your selves . but when the holy ghost shall say , christ is thine , all these things belong to thee , and god is thy father ; when that shall witnesse to our spirit by a worke of his owne , then shall wee beleeve , & c ! t this is the order observed in our iustification : . first there is a sight of our misery , to which wee are brought by the law. . secondly , there is by the gospell an holding forth of christ , as our redemption from sin and death . . thirdly , there is a working of faith in the heart to rest on christ , as the ransome from sinne and death . now when a man is come hither , hee is truly and really iust . u wee teach that in trve conversion a man must bee wounded in his conscience by the sense of his sinnes ; his contrition must bee compungent , and vehement , bruising , breaking , renting the heart , and feeling shee throwes ( as a woman labouring of childe ) before the new-creature bee brought forth , or christ truly formed in him. it is not done without bitternesse of the soule ; without care , indignation , revenge . . cor. . . but as some infants , are borne with lesse paine to the mother , and some with more : so may the new-man be regenerated , in some with more , in some with lesse anxiety of travell . but surely grace is not infused into the heart of any sinner , except there bee at least so great affliction of spirit for sinne foregoing that he cannot but ●eele it , &c. x this bruising is required before conversion . . that so the spirit may make way for it selfe into the heart by levelling all proud high thoughts ! &c . to make vs set an high price upon christs death — this is the cause of relapses , and apostasies , because men never smarted for sin at the first ; they were not long enough under the lash of the law. hence this inferiour worke of the spirit in bringing downe high thoughts , is necessary before conversion . by this time it doth most clearly , and plentifully appeare ; what a foule , and fearefull fault it is ; for men , either in the managing of their publike ministery ; or more private passages , of conference , visitations of the sicke , consultations about a good estate to godward , and other occasions of like nature ; to apply iesus christ and the promises , to promise life and safety in the evill day , to soules as yet not soundly illightned and afflicted with sight of sinne , and sense of gods wrath ; to consciences never truly wounded and awaked . i insisted the longer upon this point , because i know it full well , to bee a most universall , and prevailing policy of the devill , whereby hee keepes many thousands in his cursed slavery , and from salvation : to confirme as many pastours as hee can possibly , willing enough to drive their flocks before them to damnation , in an ignorant , or affected preiudice , and forbearance , of that saving method of bringing soules out of hell , mentioned before ; and made good with much variety of evidence : and to nourish also in the hearts of naturall men , a strong and sturdy disconceite , opposition & raging , against downe-right dealing , and those men of god ( able as they say , but falsely and furiously against their owne soules by their terrible teaching to drive their hearers to distraction , selfe-destruction , or despaire ) who take the only right course to convert them and to bring them to iesus christ as hee himselfe invites them , to wit , labouring and heauy laden with their sinnes , matth. . . dawbers then , who serue satans craft in this kinde , and all those who dispence their ministery without all spirituall discretion and good conscience , of whom there are too many , as great strangers to the right way of working grace in others , as to the worke of grace in themselves ; i say , they are a generation of dangerous men . old excellent , as they say in an accursed art of conducting poore blinded soules , merrily , towards everlasting miserie , and setting them downe in the very midst of hell , before they bee sensible of any danger , or discovery of their damnable state . great men they are with the men of this world , with al those wise fooles and sensuall great ones , who are not willing to bee tormented before their time , or rather who desire impossibly to live the life of pleasures in the meane time , and yet at last to die the death of the righteous . they have still ready at hand , hand over head , mercy , and pardon . heaven and salvation for all commers , and all they come neere , without so much as a desire to put any difference , or divide the pretious from the vile . which is a prodig●●usly-arrogant folly , pernicious in the highest degree , both to their own soules , and those they delude . he●●e 〈◊〉 they are branded in the booke of god ; calling them : 〈◊〉 - s●wers under mens elboes ; ezek. ● . ● . that 〈◊〉 laid y soft and lockt fast in the cradle of security , th●● may sinke suddenly into the pit of destruction , before they be aware : criers of peace , peace ; when no peace is towards , ier. . . but horrible stirs , tumbling of garments in bloud ; burning and devouring of fire : a ●●n-pleasers , ●alat . . . who chuse rather to tickle the itching eares of their carnall hearers with some f●othy , frier-like conceits out of dung-hill 〈◊〉 and so smooth great ones in their humours , by their cowardly flatteries , especially , if they any waies depend upon them for countenance , rising , and preferment ; rather then conscionably to discharge that trust 〈◊〉 upon them by their great lord and master in heaven , upon answerablenes for the bloud of those soules , which shal perish by their temporizing silence , and flattering vnfaithfulnesse : healers of the hurt of their hearers with 〈◊〉 words . ier. . . while their soules are 〈◊〉 by the wounds of sinne unto eternall death ; preachers of a smooth things . isa. . . which kinde of men , the greatest part , and all worldlings wonderfully b affect and applaud , tho to their owne everlasting vndoing . they swell under such teachers with a pharisaicall conceite , that they are as safe for salvation , as the precisest of them all ; but alas ! their hope is but like a hollow wall , which beeing put to any stresse , when the tempest of gods searching wrath begins to shake it , in the time of a finall triall of it's truth , and soundnesse ; it shatters into pieces and comes to naught . heare the prophet : * now go , write it before them in a table , and note it in a booke , that it may bee for the time to come for ever and ever : that this is a rebellious people , lying children , children that wil not heare the law of the lord : which say to the seers , see not ; c and to the prophets , prophesie not unto us right things ; speake unto us smooth things , prophesie deceits . get you out of the way : turne aside out of the path : cause the holy one of israel to cease from before us . wherefore , thus saith the holy one of israel : because ye despise this word , and trust in oppression , and perversenesse , and stay thereon : therefore this iniquity shal bee to you as a breach ready to fall , swelling out in a high wall , whose breaking commeth suddenly at an instant . and hee shall breake it as the breaking of the potters vessell , that is broken in pieces , hee shall not spare ; so that there shal not be found in the bursting of it , a sheard to take fire from the harth , or to take water with all out of the pit. dawbers with untempered morter : ezech. . . who erect in the conceits of those who are willing to bee deluded by them , pharises at the best , a rotten building of false hope , like a d mudde-wall without straw , or morter made onely of sand without lime to binde it ; which in faire weather makes a faire shew for a while ; but when abundance of raine falls , and winter comes , it moulders away , and turnes to myre in the streetes . their vaine confidence in prosperous times , before it come to the touchstone of the fiery triall by gods searching truth , may seeme currant ; but in the tempest of gods wrath when the stormy winters night of death approacheth , or at furthest , at the iudgement seate of the iust and highest god , it prooves to bee counterfeite : when at last they shall cry lord lord like the foolish virgins , and those mat. . in steade of imaginary comfort , they shal bee crusht with horrible and everlasting confusion . heare the prophet : say unto them which daube it with untempered morter , that it shall fall : there shall bee an overflowing showre , and yee , o great haile stones , shall fall , and a stormy winde shall rent it . loe , when the wall is fallen , shall it not bee said unto you where is the daubing wherewith yee have daubed it ? therfore thus saith the lord god , i will rent it with a stormy winde in my fury : and there shall be an overflowing showre in mine anger , and great hailestones in my fury to consume it . so wil i breake downe the wall that yee have daubed with untempered morter , and bring it downe to the ground , so that the foundation thereof shal bee discovered , and it shall fall , and yee shall bee consumed in the midst thereof : and yee shall know that i am the lord. thus will i accomplish my wrath upon the wall , and upon them that have it dawbed with untempered morter , and will say unto you , the wall is no more , neither they that daubed it : to wit , the prophets of israel , which prophesie concerning ierusalem , and which see visions of peace for her , and there is no peace , saith the lord god : such as with lies make the heart of the righteous sad , whom god hath not made sad ; and strengthen the hands of the wicked , that hee should not returne from his wicked way by promising him life . ezech. . . these fellowes hold and beare meere civill men in hand , that their estate is sound enough to godward , whatsoever the purer and preciser brethren prate to the contrary : d and yet the holy ghost tells us , that without holinesse no man shall see the lord. hebr. . . that formall professours are very forward men ; whereas iesus christ professeth , that hee will spew the luke-warme out of his mouth . nay , and if there bee talke even of a good fellow especially of some more commendable naturall parts , and plausible carriage ; if hee be so but moderately , that i may so speake , and not iust every day drunke ; well , well , will they say , wee have all our faults , and that is his. but as concerning the faithfull servant of god ; they are woont to entertaine the same conceite of him , which ahab did of elijah to wit , that e hee was a troubler of israel : which one of the captaines had of the prophet sent to annoint iehu , that hee was a f mad fellow : which the false prophets had of micaiah ; that hee was a fellow of a singular and od humour by himselfe , and guided by a private spirit of his owne : which tertullus had of paul , that he was a g pestilent fellow : which the pharises had of christs followers ; that they were a contemptible and h cursed generation ; a company of base , rude illiterate underlings . nay sometimes , when the bedlam fit is upon them , they will not sticke to charge gods people in some proportion most wickedly and falsely ; as the ancient heathens did the primitive christians , with conventicles and meetings of hatefull i impurities , faction , disaffection to caesar , and many other horrible things ; whereas poore soules ! they were most innocent , and infinitely abhorred all such k villanies ; and they met in the morning even before day , not to doe , god knowes any such ill , but for the l service of god , ( even their more ingenuous m adversaries being witnesses ) to sing prayses to christ. god to confirme their discipline , forbidding all manner of sinne , &c. with n all the miscarriages , miseries and calamities that fell vpon the state , as tho they were the causes . whereas those few neglected ones which truly serve god are the onely men in all places where they live to make up the hedge and to stand in the gappe against the threatned inundations of gods dreadfull wrath ; and all the opposites to their holy profession are the true cut-throats of kingdomes , able by their dissolutenesse , and disgracing godlinesse , to dissolve the sinewes of the strongest state upon earth . looke upon amos . . . and there you shall finde who they are , which cause god to enter a controversie with the inhabitants of a land. o heare how p austin describes some of these selfe-seeking , and soule-murthering dawbers in his daies ; farre be it from us , saith hee , that we should say unto you : live as you list , doe not trouble your selves , god will cast away none ; onely hold the christian faith : hee will not destroy that which he hath redeemed , he will not destroy those for whom he hath shed his blood ; and if you please , to recreate your selves at plaies , you may go ; what hurt is there in it ? and you may go to those feasts , which are kept in all townes , by joviall companions , making themselues merry as they suppose at these publike meetings & comessations , but indeed rather making themselves most miserable , i say you may go , and be jovial , gods mercy is great , and may pardon all . crowne your selves with roses before they wither . — you may fill your selves with good cheere and wine , amongst your good-fellow companions : for the creature is giuen unto us for that purpose that wee may enjoy it . — if wee say these things , peradventure wee shall h●ve greater multitudes applaude and adhere unto our doctrine . and if there bee some , which thinke , that speaking these things , wee are not well advisde , wee offend but a few , and those precise ones , but wee winn● thereby a world of people . but if wee shall thus doe speaking not the words of god , not the words of christ , but our owne ; wee shal bee pastours feeding our selves , not our flocke . the authour of the imperfect commentary in chrysostome sorted by q some body into homilies upon matthew , seemes to intimate , that the cause of the overflowing and rankenesse of iniquity , is the basenesse of these self-preaching men-pleasers . r tolle hoc vitium de clero , saith hee ; take this fault from the clergy , to wit , that they bee not s men-pleasers , and all sinnes are easily cut down . but if they blunt & rebate the edge of the sword of the spirit with dawbing , slattery , temporizing ; or strike with it in a scabberd garishly and gaudily embroiderd with variety of humane learning , tricks of wit , frier-like conceits , &c. it cannot possibly cut to any purpose ; it kills the soule , but not the sinne . they are the onely men howsoever worldly wisedome raue , and unsanctified learning bee besides it selfe , to beate downe sinne , batter the bulwarks of the deuill , and build vp the kingdome of christ ; who setting aside all private ends and by-respects , all vaine glorious , covetous and ambitious aimes ; all serving the times , proiects for preferment , hope of rising , feare of the face of man , &c. addresse themselves , with faithfulnesse and zeale to the worke of the lord , seeking sincerely to glorify him in converting mens soules , by the foolishnesse of that preaching which god hath sanctified , to save them that beleeve : in a word , who labour to imitate their lord and master iesus christ , and his blessed apostles , in teaching u as men having authority ; in * demonstration of the spirit , and power ; and not as the scribes . by embroidered scabberd ; i meane the very same , which king iames not long before his death , did most truly out of his deepe , and excellent wisedome , conceive to bee the bane of this kingdome : to wit , a light , affected and unprofitable kinde of preaching , which hath been of late yeeres taken up in court , vniversity , city and country . heare something more largely what reason led his royall iudgement to this resolution ; and desire of reformation : y his maiesty beeing much troubled and grieved at the heart to heare every day of so many defections from our religion both to popery , and anabaptisme , or other points of separation in some parts of this kingdome ; and considering with much admiration , what might bee the cause thereof , especially in the raigne of such a king , who doth so constantly professe himselfe an open adversary to the superstition of the one and madnesse of the other ; his princely wisedome could fall upon no one greater probability , then the lightnesse , affectednesse , and vnprofitablenesse of that kind of preaching , which hath been of late yeares too much taken up in court , vniversity , citty , and country . the usuall scope of very many preachers is noted , to bee a soaring vp in points of divinity too deepe for the capacity of the people ; or a mustring vp of much reading ; or a displaying of their own wits , &c. now the people bred up with this kinde of teaching , and never instructed in the catechisme , and fundamentall grounds of religion , are for all this aiery nourishment no better then abrasae tabulae , meere table bookes ready to bee filled up , either with the manualls , and catechismes of the popish preists or the papers and pamphlets of anabaptists , &c. in another place , hee resembles with admirable fitnesse the vnprofitable pompe , and painting of such selfe-seeking discourses , patched together and stuft with a vaineglorious variety of humane allegations , to the redde and blew flowers , that pester the corne , when it stands in the fields ; where they are more noysome to the growing crop , then beautifull to the beholding eye . they are king iames his owne z words . whereupon , a little after , hee tells the cardinall ; that it was no decorum to enter the stage with a pericles , in his mouth , but with the sacred name of god : nor should his lordship , saith his maiesty , have marshalled the passage of a royall prophet , and a poet , after the example of an heathen oratour : these things being so ; how pestilent is the art of spirituall dawbing ? what miserable men are men-pleasers , who being appointed to helpe mens soules out of hell , carry them headlong , and hoodwinkt by their vnfaithfulnesse and flatteries towards euerlasting miseries ? oh , how much better were it , and comfortable for every man that enters upon , and undertakes that most waighty and dreadfull charge of the ministery , a b burden , as some of the ancients elegantly amplify it , able to make the shoulders of the most mighty angell in heaven to shrinke under it , to tread in the steps of blessed c paul ; by vsing no flattering words nor a cloake of covetousnesse , nor seeking glory of men ; but preaching in season , and out of season ; not as the scribes , but in the demonstration of the spirit , and of power ; keeping nothing backe that is profitable , declaring unto their hearers all the counsell of god ; holding the spirituall children which god hath given them , their glory , ioy , and crowne of reioycing ▪ still watching for the soules of their flocks as they that must giue account . heb. . . ( the terrour of which place , d chrysostome professeth , made his heart to tremble ) i say by such holy and heavenly behaviour , as this , in their ministery ; to be able at least to say with him in sincerity , not without vnspeakeable comfort : e i take you to record this day that i am pure from the blood of all men ! let us bee moved to this course and frighted from the contrary ; by consideration of the different effects and consequents of plaine dealing , and dawbing , in respect of comfort or confusion : faithfulnesse this way : . begets those which belong unto god to grace and new obedience : see peters piercing sermon ; act. . . . . recovers those christians , which are fallen , by remorse and repentance , to their former forwardnesse , and first loue ; see nathans downe-right dealing with david ▪ . sam. . . . . makes those which will not be reformed , inexcusable . see pauls sermon to foelix : act . . how strangely will this fellow be confounded , & more then vtterly without all excuse , when hee shall meet paul at that great day , before the highest iudge ? . it is right pleasing and profitable to vpright hearted men , and all such as happily hold on in a constant and comfortable course of christianity . doe not my words do good to him that walketh vprightly ? micah : . . it makes them still more humble , zealous , watchfull , heavenly minded , &c. . hardens the rebellious and contumacious . see f isa. cap. . in which faithfull ministers are also unto god a sweet savour of christ . cor. . . . and the man of god himselfe shall hereafter blessedly g shine as the brightnes of the firmament , and as the starres for ever and ever . and all those happy ones which hee hath puld out of hell by his downe-right dealing , shall h raigne and reioyce with him in unknowne and vnspeakeable bliste through all eternity . but now on the otherside the effects of dawbing and men-pleasing are most accursed and pestilent ; in many respects . . in respect of gods word and messages : first , not dividing it and dispensing them aright . secondly , dishonouring the majesty , and weakening the power of them many times , with the vnprofitable mixture of humane allegations , ostentations of wit , fine frier-like conceits digged with much adoe out of popish postills , &c. even as wee may see at haruest time a land of good corne quite choaked up with red , blew and yellow flowers . as king iames doth excellently allude in the forecited i place . thirdly , fearefull prophaning them by mis-application against gods will : k making the heart of the righteous sad , whom god would not have made sad ; and strengthening the hands of the wicked , that hee should not returne from his wicked way , by promising him life . fourthly , villanous perverting and abusing them to their owne advantage , applause , rising , revenge , and such other private ends : . in respect of the flattering , and unfaithfull ministers themselves . first , extreme vilenesse , isa. . . secondly , l guiltinesse of spirituall bloudshed . ezech. . . thirdly , liablenesse to the fierce wrath of god , in the day of visitation . ier. . . . king. . . . in respect of their hearers , who delight in their lies , in their smooth and silken sermons ; suddaine , horrible , and unavoidable confusion . isa. . . . . m burning both together in hell for euer , without timely and true repentance ; banning there each other continually , and crying with mutuall hideous yellings : o thou bloody butcher of our soules , hadst thou bin faithfull in thy ministery , wee had escaped these eternall flames ! o miserable man that i am ; woe is mee , that ever i was minister ; for now besides the horrour due unto the guiltinesse of mine owne damned soule , i have drawen vpon mee , by my unfaithfull dealing , the cry of the bloud of all those soules , who have perished under my ministery , to the everlasting enraging of my already intollerable torment ! give mee leave to conclude this point , with that patheticall , and zealous passage of reuerend and learned greenham against negligent pastors , amongst whom i may justly ranke and reckon also all dawbers ( for as well never a whit , as never the better ) & men-pleasers ; for selfe preachers are , for the most part , n seldom-preachers . heare o his words : were there any love of god from their hearts in those , who in stead of feeding to salvation , starve many thousands to destruction : i dare say , and say it boldly that for all the promotions under heaven , they would not offer that iniury to one soule , that now they offer to many hundred soules . but , lord , how doe they thinke to give up their p reckoning to thee , who in most strict account will take the answere of every soule committed unto them ▪ one by one ? or with what eares doe they often heare that vehem●nt speech of our saviour christ , feede , feede , feede ? with what eyes doe they so often read● that piercing speech of the apostle , feede the slocke committed unto you ? but if none of these will move them then the lord open their eyes to heare the grievous groanes of many soules lying under the griefly altars of destruction , and complaining against them ; o lord the revenger of blood , behold these men , whom thou hast set over us to give us the bread of life ; but they have not given it us : our tongues , and the tongues of our children have stucke to the roofe of our mouths for calling and crying , and they would not take pitty on vs : wee have given them the tenths which thou appointedst us , but they have not given us thy truth ; which thou hast commanded them : reward them . o lord , as they have rewarded us ; let the bread betweene their teeth turne to rottennesse in their bowells . let them be clothed with shame , and confusion of face , as with a garment : let their wealth as the dung from the earth , bee swept away by their executours ; and upon their gold & silver , which they have falsely treasured up , let continually bee written , the price of blood , the price of blood : for it is the value of our blood , o lord. if thou didst heare the blood of abel , being but one man , forget not the blood of many , when thou goest into judgement . i now returne to rectify and tender a remedy against the first aberration . which i told you was this : when mercy , christ , the promises , salvation , heaven & all are applied hand overhead and falsely appropriated to vnhumbled sinners : whose soules were never rightly illightened with sight of sinne , and waight of gods wrath ; nor afflicted to any purpose with any legall wound , or hearty compunction by the spirit of bondage : in whose hearts , q sense of their spirituall misery , and want , hath not yet raised a restlesse and kindly thirst after iesus christ ? in this case mine advise is ; that all those who deale with others about their spirituall states , and undertake to direct in that high and waighty affaire of mens salvation , either publikly or privatly in their ministry , visitations of the sicke , or otherwise ; that they would follow that course of which i largely discoursed a little before taken by god himselfe , his prophets , his sonne , the apostles , and all those men of r god in all ages , who have set themselves , with sincerity , faithfulnesse , and all good conscience , to seeke gods glory in the salvation of mens soules ; to discharge aright their dreadfull charge , and to keepe themselues pure from the blood of all men ; to wit , that they labour might and maine , in the first place , by the knowledge , power , and application of the law , s to illighten , convince , and terrify those that they have to doe with , concerning conversion , with a sensible particular apprehension , and acknowledgement of their wretchednesse , and miserable estate , by reason of their sinfulnesse and cursednesse : to breake their hearts , bruise their spirits , humble their soules , wound and awake their consciences , &c. to bring them by all meanes to that legall astonishment , trouble of minde , and melting temper , which the ministry of iohn baptist , paul and peter wrought upon the hearts of their hearers . luk. . . . . act. . . and . . that they may come crying feelingly and from the heart , to those men of god who happily fastened those keene arrows of compunction and remorse in the sides of their consciences and say ; men and brethren , what shall wee do ? sirs , what must wee doe to bee saved ? &c. as if they should have said : alas ! wee see now , wee have bin in hell all this while ; and if wee had gone on a litle longer , wee had most certainely lien for ever in the fiery lake ; the devill and our owne lusts were carrying us hood-winkt , and headlong towards endlesse perdition . who would have thought wee had bin such abominable beasts , and abhorred creatures as your ministry hath made us ; and in so forlorne & wofull estate ? now you blessed men of god , helpe us out of this gulfe of spirituall confusion , or wee are lost everlastingly . by your discovery of our present sinfull and cursed estate , wee ●eele our hearts torne in * pieces with extreme , and restles anguish , as tho many fiery scorpions stings stuck fast in them ; either lead us to the sight of that blessed anti-type of the brazen serpent to coole and allay the boyling rage of our guilty wounds , or we are vtterly undone : either bring us to the blood of that just and holy one , which with execrable villany wee have spilt as water upon the ground , that it may bind up our broken hearts , or they will presently burst with despaire , and bleed to eternall death . give us to drinke of that soueraigne fountaine , opened by the hand of mercy , for all thirsty soules or else wee dye . there is nothing you can prescribe , and appoint , but wee will most willingly doe . wee will with all our hearts , pluck● out our right eyes , cut off our right hands ; we meane ; part with our beloved lusts , and dearest sinfull pleasures ; abominate , and abandon them all for ever , from the heart root to the pit of hell : if wee can bee rid of the devills sette●● welcome shall bee christs sweete and easy yoke : in a word , wee will s sell all , even all our sinnes to the last ●ilthy ragge of our heretofore doted vpon minion delight , so that wee may injoy our blessed iesus , whom , you have told us , and wee now beleeve , god hath made both lord and christ : &c. now when wee shall see , and find in some measure the hearts of our hearers , and spirituall patients thus prepared ; both by legall dejections and terrours from the spirit of bondage ; t and also possessed with such melting and eager affections , wrought by the light of the gospell , and offer of christ : when their soules once begin to feele all sins , even their best beloved one , heauy and burdensome ; to prize iesus christ far before all the world , to thirst for him infinitely more , then for riches , pleasures , honours , or any earthly thing ; to resolue to take him as their husband , and to * obey him as their lord for ever , and all this in truth : i say then , and in this case , wee may haue comfort to minister comfort . then , upon good ground wee may goe about our masters command . isa. . . ( which man-pleasers many times pittifully abuse ) comfort yee , comfort yee my people ; ( u i meane in respect of spirituall bondage ) — speake yee comfortably to ierusalem , and cry unto her , that her warre is accomplished , that her iniquity is pardoned . wee may tell them , with what a compassionate pang , and deare compellation , god himselfe labours to refresh them . isa. . . oh thou afflicted , and tossed with tempest , that hast no comfort ; behold , i will lay thy stones with faire colours and lay x thy foundations with saphirs , &c. wee may assure them in the word of life and truth , that iesus christ is theirs , and they are his : and compell them , as it were , by an holy violence , not without a great deale of just indignation against their lothnesse to beleeue , and holding off in this case to take his person , his merit , his blood , all his spirituall riches , priviledges , excellencies : and with him possession of all things , even of the most glorious * deity it selfe , blessed for ever : see . cor. . . . . ioh. . . but now in the meane time , untill sense of spirituall misery and poverty raise an hunger and thirst after iesus christ ; before such like preparations , and precedent affections , as have been spoke of , be wrought in the hearts of men , by pressing the law , and proclaiming the gospell ; and that in sincerity ; ( for the degree and measure , wee leave it to god , as a most free agent , in some they may bee stronger , in some weaker ) the preaching or promising of mercy , as already belonging unto them is farre more unseasonable , and unseemely , then snow in summer , raine in harvest , or honour for a foole . it is upon the matter , the very sealing them up with the spirit of delusion , that they may never so much as thinke of taking the right course to bee converted . what sottish and sacrilegious audaciousnesse then is it in any dawber to thrust his prophane hand into the treasury of gods mercy , and there hand over head , without any allowance from his highest lord to scatter his dearest , and most orient pearles amongst swine ? to warrant salvaon to any unhumbled sinner ? to strengthen the hands of the wicked , who never yet tooke sinne to heart to any purpose , and thirst farre more ( such true gadarens are they ) after gold , satisfying their owne lusts , and perking above their brethren , then for the blood of christ , by promising them life ? to assure meere civill men , and pharises who are so farre from the sense of any spirituall poverty , that they are already swolne as full as the skin will hold , with a selfe-conceit of their owne rotten righteousnesse , that they shall bee saved as well as the most puling precisian ? especially , sith there is such a cloud of witnesses to the contrary , as you have heard before . besides all which , upon this occasion , take two or three moe . heare a most faithfull and fruitfull workman in the lords harvest , of great skill , experience and successe in the most glorious art of converting soules , which makes mee more willing to vrge his authority , and esteeme his judgement in points of this nature . none , y saith hee , can prove or shew president , that faith was wrought in an instant at first , without any preparation going before : nor can it bee conceived how a man should beleeve in christ for salvation , that felt not himselfe before in a miserable estate , and wearied with it , and desired to get out of it into a better . as the needle goes before to pierce the cloth and makes way for the threed to sew it : so is it in this case . afterward hee tells us how and in what manner & order , these predispositions , and preparative acts , required for the plantation of faith , and so securing us of the right season , and a comfortable calling to assure men of spirituall safety , are wrought in such , as god is drawing unto iesus christ. hee requires from the law , first , illumination : secondly , conviction : thirdly , legall terrour . from the gospell by the helpe of the spirit ; first , revealing the remedy : secondly , beliefe of it in generall : thirdly , support in the meane time from sinking under the burthen , and falling into despaire . fourthly , z contrition ; which is attended , with some kind of , first , desire . secondly , request . thirdly , care. fourthly , a hope . fiftly , ioy. sixthly , hungring and thirsting after mercy and after christ. seventhly , resolution to sell all , to wit , all sins , not to leave an hoofe behind , &c. and thus ( saith hee ) god brings along the man , that hee purposeth to make his. and when he is at this passe , god seales it up to him , & inables him to beleeue ; and saith : sith thou wilt haue no nay ; bee it unto thee according to thy desire : and god seales him up by the spirit of promise , as surely as any writing is made sure by sealing of it . then he beleeves the word of god , and rests , and casts himselfe vpon it . and thus hee finds himselfe discharged of all woe , made partaker of all good , at peace in himselfe , and fitted , and in tune to doe god some service . this is to some sooner , to some later ; according to the helpes and meanes they haue , and wise handling they meet withall , and as god gives power . — it is hard to say , at what instant faith is wrought , whether not till a man feeles that hee apprehends the promises , or even in his earnest desires , hungring and thirsting ; for even these are pronounced blessed . but here ( for i desire and endevour as much as i can possibly , in every passage to prevent all matter , both of scruple in the upright hearted , and of cavill in the contrary minded ) let no truly humbled sinner bee discouraged , because hee cannot finde in himselfe these severall workings , or other graces , in that degree and height , which hee desires and hath perhaps , seene , heard , or read of in some others : if hee have them in b truth , and truly thirsts and labours for their increase , hee may goe on with comfort . neither let any bee disheartened , though hee did not observe so distinctly the order of the precedent acts , nor could discerne so punctually their severall operations in his soule : yet if in substance and effect they have been wrought in him , and made way for iesus christ , hee needs not complaine . as this man of god in experimentall divinity , so our renowned and invincible c champions in their polemicall discourses upon other occasion , speake to the same purpose , telling us also of some antecedent acts humbling and preparing the soule for conversion . there are say they ; certaine internall effects going before conversion or regeneration , which by vertue of the word and spirit , are wrought in the hearts of those which are not yet iustified : such as : illumination of the mind and conscience with the knowledge of the word and will of god , for that purpose , sense of sin , feare of punishment or legall terror ; advising and casting about for enlargement from such a miserable estate , some hope of pardon : &c. let mee but adde one other , and hee also of excellent learning ; and then i have done ; such is the nature of man , saith d hee ; that before hee can receiue a true justifying faith , hee must as it were bee broken in pieces by the law : ier. . . — wee are to bee led from the feare of slaves , through the feare of penitents , to the feare of sonnes : and indeed , one of these makes way for another , and the perfect love thrusts out feare ; yet must feare bring in that perfect love , as a needle or bristle drawes in the threed after it ; or as the potion brings health . in the preparation and fitting us for our being in christ , hee requireth two things : first , the cutting of us off as it were from the wild olive-tree . by which hee meaneth two things . first , a violent pulling of us out of the corruption of nature , or a cutting , as it were by the knife of the law , of an unregenerate man from his security , &c. secondly , a violent atraction to christ for ease ; man at the first plainely refusing it . the hunted beast flies to his den , the pursued malefactor to the hornes of the altar , or city of refuge . pauls misery rom. . . drives him to gods mercy . the israelites are driven into their chambers by the destroying angell ; balaam is made to leane backe by the naked sword ; agur to runne to ihiel and veall , that is christ : pro. . . . ; when he is confounded with his owne brutishnesse . god must let loose his law , sinne , conscience , and satan to baite us , and kindle hell fire in our soules , before wee will bee driven to seeke to christ. secondly . a paring and trimming of us , for our putting into christ by our humiliation for sin , which is thus wrought : god giveth the sinner to see , by the law , his sinne , and the punishment of it : the detection whereof drives him to compunction , and a pricking of heart , which is greater , or lesser , and carries with it divers symptomes , and sensible passions of griefe . — and workes a sequestration from his former courses , and makes him loath himselfe , &c. and yet by the way , & once for all , take this caveat , and forewarning : if any should think of these precedent acts , c these preparative workings of the law , and gospell , which make way for the infusion of faith , as any meritorious meanes to draw on christ ; it were a most false , rotten , foolish , execrable , popish , absurd , luciferian misconceit ; and might justly merit never to obtaine mercy at gods bountifull hands , nor part in the merits of christ : i speake thus to fright every one for ever , from any such abhorred thought . god the father offers his sonne most freely . god so loved the world , that hee gave his onely begotten sonne , that whosoever beleeveth in him should not perish , but have everlasting life . ioh. . . vnto us a child is borne , unto us a sonne is given . isa. . . if thou knewest the gift of god , saith christ unto the woman of samaria , and who it is , that saith to thee , give mee to drinke . ioh. . . much more they , which receive abundance of grace , and of the gift of righteousnesse , &c. rom. . . christ calleth himselfe , a gift ; and it is called , the gift of righteousnesse . and nothing so free as * gift . and therefore those divines speake not unfitly , who say , it is given unto us , as fathers give lands and inheritance to their children ; as kings grant pardons , to their subjects , having merited death : they give them , because they will , out of the freenesse of their minds . all those who would come unto christ and desire to take him as their wisedome , righteousnesse , sanctification , and redemption , must bee utterly unbottomed of themselves , and built onely on the rich and free mercy of god revealed in the gospell . they must bee emptied , first , of all conceit of any righteousnesse or worth in themselves at all : secondly , of all hope of any ability or possibility to helpe themselves . nay filled , thirdly , with sense of their owne unworthinesse , naughtinesse , nothingnesse : fourthly , and with such a thirst after that water of life , ioh. . . that they are most willing to sell all for it , and cry heartily , giue mee drinke , or else i die . and then when they are thus most nothing in themselves , doe so long for the rivers of living water , they are certainely most welcome unto iesus christ ; and may take him most freely ; heare how sweetly hee calls them ; ho , every one that thirsteth , come yee to the waters ; and hee that hath no mony , come yee , buy , and eat ; yea come , buy wine and milk , without mony , and without price . isa. . . in the last day , that great day of the feast , iesus stood , and cryed saying ; if any man thirst let him come unto mee , and drinke , hee that beleeveth on mee , as the scripture hath said , out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water ; ioh. . . . it is done ; i am alpha , and omega , the beginning and the end. i will give unto him , that is a thirst , of the fountaine of the water of life freely . revelat. chap. . vers. . and let him that is a thirst come , & whosoever will let him take the water of life freely , rom. . . wee must therefore by no meanes conceive of the forenamed preparatiue humiliations and precedent workes of the law and gospell , as of any meritorious qualifications to draw on christ ( for hee is given most freely ) but as of needfull predispositions , to drive us unto christ. for a man must feele himselfe in misery , before hee will goe about to find a remedy ; bee sicke before hee will seeke the physition ; bee in prison before hee will sue for a pardon ; bee wounded before hee will prize a plaster , and pretious balsam . a sinner must bee weary of his former wicked wayes , and tired with legall terrour , before hee will haue recourse to iesus christ for refreshing , and lay downe his bleeding soule in his blessed bosome ; hee must bee sensible of his spirituall poverty , beggery , and slavery under the deuill , before hee thirst kindly for heavenly righteousnesse , and willingly take up christs sweet and easy yoke . hee must bee cast downe , confounded , condemned , a cast away , and lost in himselfe , before hee will looke about for a saviour ; hee must cry heartily ; i am uncleane , i am uncleane ; before hee will long , and labour to wash in that most soveraigne , and soule-saving fountaine , opened to the house of david , and to the inhabitants of ierusalem for sin , and for uncleannesse ; he must sell all , before hee will be willing and eager to buy the treasure hid in the field . now thus to prepare , wound , afflict , and humble the soule , that it may bee fitted for iesus christ , and so for comfort upon good ground , let ministers , or whosoever meddle in matters of this nature , publickely or privatly , vse all warrantable meanes , f faire , and foule , as they say , let them presse the law , promise mercy , propose christ , &c. doe what they will seasonably and wisely ; let them improve all their learning , wisedome , discretion , mercifullnesse , experience , wit , eloquence , sanctified unto them for that purpose ; so that the worke bee done . g in pressing the law , besides other dexterities and directions for managing their ministry in this point succesfully by gods blessing , let them take notice of this particular , which may prove very availeable to begin this legall worke ; it is a principle , attended upon with many a probatum est : pressing upon mens consciences with a zealous , discreet powerfullnesse , their speciall , principall , fresh-bleeding sins , is a notable meanes to breake their hearts , and bring them to remorse . that most hainous and bloudy sinne of killing iesus christ , in which they had newly imbrued their hands , pressed upon the consciences of peters hearers , breakes and teares their hearts in pieces . act. . . . . so adultery , secretly , intimated by christs words , unto the woman of samaria , ioh. . . seemes to have strucke her to the heart , vers . . so the iewes having idolatry pressed upon their consciences by samuel , . sam. . . the sin of asking a king ; ibid. . . vsury by nehemiah , . . strange wives by ezra , cap. . . were therevpon mightily moved , and much mollified in their hearts , as appeares in the cited places . consider for this purpose , that worke upon davids heart , by nathans ministry , and felix trembling , when paul strucke him on the right veine . the reasons , why this more particular discovery , and denouncing of judgement against a mans principall sinne , is like , god assisting with the spirit of bondage , to put such life into the worke of the law , are such as these . . the sword of the spirit , which is the word of god , being welded by the hand of the holy ghost ; and edged as it were , with the speciall power of gods blessing , for the cutting asunder of the iron-sinewes of a stubborne and stony heart , doth crush and conquer , strike through and breake in pieces , with an unresistable puissance , proportioned to the insolency , or easinesse of resistance . my meaning is this ; as philosophers say of the lightning ; that by reason of the easinesse of the passage , weakenesse of resistance , porosity of the parts , it pierceth through the purse , scabberd , and barke without any such scorching and visible hurt ; but melts the mony , the sword , rents and shivers the tree , because their substance and solidity , doth more exercise , and improve its activenes and ability : so this spirituall sword , tho it strike at every sinne , and passeth thorow , even to the diuiding asunder of soule and spirit , and of the joynts , and marrow ; yet the hairy pate of the maine corruption , and master sinne , it wounds with a witnesse ; it there tortures and teares in pieces with extraordinary anguish and smart , searching and sence : for that opposeth with the most flinty iron-sinew , to blunt and rebate its edge , if it were possible . . in consciences regularly , and rightly wounded , and awaked , sinnes are wont to bite , and sting proportionably to their hainousnesse , and the exorbitancy of their former sensuall impressions . some like a mastife , some like a scorpion , some like a wolfe in the evening : ( but vnderstand , that spirituall anguish surpasseth immeasurably any corporall paine ; therefore conceiue of them with a vast dis-proportion ) now the minion delight or captaine sinne frighting the heart with greatest horrour , and stinging with extremity proportionable to its former vastation of conscience , doth by an accidentall power , ( god blessing the businesse ) give a great stroke , to drive a man to deepest detestation of himselfe , to throw him downe to the lowest step of penitent dejection , to eneager his thirsty greedinesse after pardon and grace , and at length to fire him out of his naturall estate . . a mans principall , and most prevailing sinne is sathans strongest hold. when hee is in danger to be dislodged , and driven by the power of the word out of the other parts of the soule , as it were , and from possession of a man by all other sinnes ; hee retires hither as to his castle , and most impregnable fort. and therefore if this bee soundly beaten upon by the hammer , and horrour of the law , and battered about his eares , hee will bee quickly enforced to quit the place quite . it may bee good counsell then , and often seasonable to say unto those men of god , who desire to drive the devill out of others , in some sort , as the king of syria said to his captaines , fight neither with small nor great , save onely with the king of israel . my meaning is ; let them addresse the sharpest edge of their spirituall sword , yet as well with an holy charitable discretion , as with resolute , downeright dealing against those sinnes , which beare greatest sway in them , they have to deale with . bee it their covetousnesse , ambition , lust , drunkennesse , lukewarmenesse , monstrousnesse of the fashion , sacriledge , oppression , vsury , back-sliding , murder , luxury , opposition to the good way , hatred of the saints , or what other sinne soever they discover in them , to minister greatest advantage to satan , to keepe them fastest in his clutches . no sinne must bee spared , but let the raigning sin be paid home especially . for opening of the most rich and orient mines of all those sweetest mercies folded vp within the bowells of gods dearest compassions , and of the mysterie of his free grace and love through the sonne of his lous ; vpon purpose to invite , and allure those that are without , to come in , and to stirre vp our hearers , h to bring broken hearts , bruised spirits , bleeding soules unto the throne of grace , upon the same ground , but infinitely more gracious , that incouraged the seruants of benhadad , to addresse themselves towards the king of israel ; * and his servants said unto him ; behold now , wee have heard that the kings of the house of israel , are mercifull kings ; let vs , i pray thee , put sackecloth upon our loines , and ropes upon our heads , and goe out to the king of israel , peradventure , hee will save thy life . the most desperate rebels heretofore , upon present true remorse for their former rage in sinne , resolving sincerely to stand on gods side for ever hereafter , may safely and upon good ground thus reason within themselves ; alas ! wee have done very villanously , we have served satan a long time ; we walk up & downe as condemned men , ripe for destruction long agoe ; hell it selfe even groanes for us , wee may justly look every moment for a mittimus , to cast us headlong into the dungeō of brimstone , and fire : and yet we will trie ; we will goe and throw downe our selves before the throne of grace in dust and ashes , and cry as the publican did unto the great god of heaven ▪ for hee is a mercifull god , gracious , long suffering , abundant in goodnesse , and truth , keeping mercy for thousands , forgiving iniquity , transgression and sinne . and then , not onely peradventure ; but most certainely , they shall bee received to mercy , and hee will save the life of their soules ; i say for this point , of preaching mercy onely to hearten men to come in , and to nourish in them a hope of pardon , in case of penitency , &c. see my discourse of true happines . p. . and i will only adde and advise at this time this one thing of great importance in the point : that after a plentifull magnifying and amplifying the mercy of god , by its infinitenesse , eternity , freenesse , and imcomparable excellency every way , onely upon purpose to assure the greatest sinners of most certaine acceptation , and pardon , if they will presently turne with truth of heart , from sathan to the living god , from all sinne to his holy seruice ; i say that wee then take heed and make sure , as much as in us lies , that no impenitent unbelieving wretch , none that goes on in his trespasses , or lies willingly , and delightfully in any one sinne , receive any comfort by any such discourse , as though , as yet , hee had any part or interest at all in any one drop of all that boundlesse and bottomlesse sea of mercy ( that were a meanes to naile him fast to his naturall estate for ever ; ) but onely thence conceive , that if hee will presently lay downe armes against the majesty of heaven , and come in with a truly penitent humbled soule , thirsting heartily for iesus christ , and resolve vnfainedly to take his yoke vpon him , there is no number or notoriousnesse of sinne , that can possibly hinder his gracious entertainement at gods mercy-seate . for this end let vs tell all such that though the mercies of god be infinite , yet they are dispensed according to his i truth . now the oracles of divine truth tell us , that those who shall find mercy , are such as confesse , and forsake their sinnes ; who so confesseth , and forsaketh his sinnes shall have mercy . proverb . . . those then who doe not confesse , and k forsake them , shall haue no mercy . that the parties to whom good tidings of mercy and comfort are to bee preached : are the poore , the broken hearted , them that are bruised : those that labour , and are heavy laden ; all that mourne , &c. luk. . . mat. . . isa. . . . that the man to whom the lord lookes graciously , is , even hee that is poore , and of a contrite spirit , and trembleth at his word . isa ▪ . . that whosoever , by his free mercy through christ , is borne of god , doth not commit sin . . ioh. . . i meane , l with allowance , purpose , perseverance . no sinne m raignes in such a one , &c. and yet alas ! how many miserable men , will needs most falsely perswade themselves , and others , that they have a portion in the mercies of god , and hugge with extraordinary applause , and embracement , the formall flattering messages of men-pleasers and time-servers , to dawbe over such rotten hopes ; who yet notwithstanding , goe on still in their trespasses ; who were never yet sensible of the burden of their corruptions , and spirituall beggery ; never wounded in conscience , or troubled in minde to any purpose for their sinnes , never mourned in secret and sincerely for the abominations of their youth ; could never yet find in their hearts to sell all for the buying of that one pearle of great price , nor ever yet so prized iesus christ , as to leave their darling pleasures , though very base , and abominable , to enjoy the unspeakeable and glorious pleasures of his gratious kingdome ? nay such as heartily serve some captaine , and commanding sinne in heart , or life , or calling , as their owne consciences , if they consult with them impartially in cold blood , can easily tell them ; as lust , the world , ambition , the times , the fashion , their pleasures , their profits , their passions , their ease , selfe love , pride , revenge , the dunghill delight of good fellow-ship , or the like . and here then let mee discover a notable depth of sathan , whereby hee doth baffle , and blind fold his slaves most grossely : you know full well , and heare often the common n cry of all carnall men , especially under any conscionable ministery , against preaching of judgement , and for preaching of mercy ; see the causes why they cannot downe with downeright dealing , and powerfull application of the law : disc. of true happinesse . pag. , &c. but what doe you thinke is the reason , that they gape so greedily after preaching of mercy ? not that they can , endure the preaching of it , as i now have taught , and as it onely ought , to those that are without ; to wit , to have first , the dearenesse , the sweetnesse , the freenesse , the full glory of gods immeasurable mercy revealed unto them , onely as a motive , and incouragement to come in ; but ever at the close and conclusion , to bee made to understand and know certainely , that not so much as one drop of all that bottomlesse depth of mercy and bounty in iesus christ , doth as yet belong unto them , lying in any state of unregeneratnes , or in any kind of hypocrisy ; whilest they regard any wickednesse in their heart , and are not willing to plucke out their right eyes , and cut off their right hands , i meane to make an everlasting divorce from their former dearest sensuall delights , and sinnes of their bosome : for onely they who confesse and forsake their sinnes , shall have mercy . pro. . . this way of preaching mercy would nettle and gall them , as much perhaps as pressing of judgement , nay , why not more ? proportionably to that which o divines hold , that the privation and losse of heavenly joyes , and beatificall presence of god is far bitterer , then the torments of sense , and positive paines of hell. but to tell you their true meaning , and their very hearts : their aime in so complaining , and calling for mercy from our ministry , is , to have it so , and in such a manner proposed , and preached , that they may thence collect , and conceive , that they are in state good enough , to goe to heaven as they are ; though in truth , they bee meere strangers to the life of god , and holy strictnesse of the saints ; were never truly humbled with sight of sinne and sense of wrath , nor experimentally acquainted at all , with the mysterie of the new birth ; that they may conclude , and say within themselves : howsoever some ministers of the purer , and preciser streine , fright us continually with nothing but judgement , terrour , damnation , and will not suffer us to bee quiet , no not so much as in one sinne ; yet it is our good hap , sometimes to meet with some mercifull men , who will help us to heaven without so much adoe , and upon easier termes , &c. in a word , they would upon the matter have just so much mercy , as might assure , and warrant them to carry securely their sinnes , in their bosome to heaven with them ; to live as they list in this life , and to dye the death of the righteous ; which is a conceit most ridiculous , absurd , and more then utterly impossible . what a hatefull tricke then is this , and horrible imposture , which they suffer sathan to put them upon ! in proposing of christ , let the man of god , set out as much as hee can possibly ; the excellency of his person , the unvaluable pretiousnesse of his blood , the riches of his heavenly purchases , the gracious sweetnesse of his invitations , * the generality , and freenesse of his offers , the glorious priviledges hee brings with him ; reconciliation to god , adoption , forgivenesse of sins , justification , righteousnesse , wisedome , sanctification , redemption , &c. possession of all things ; for all things are yours ; whether paul , or apollo , or cephas ; or the world , or life , or death ; or things present , or things to come ; all are yours , and yee are christs , and christ is gods. . cor. . . . let him tell his hearers , that the blood of christ , is called the blood of god , act. . ; and therfore of infinite merit and unvaluable price . it sprang out of his humane nature , and therefore finite in it's owne nature and lost upon the ground ; but the person that shed it , being the p sonne of god , did set upon it such an excellency and eternity of vertue , and value , that the infinitenesse of its merit , and inestimablenesse of its worth lasts everlastingly . it will bee as fresh , orient , and effectuall , to wash away the sinnes of the last man that shall bee called upon earth , as it was those of the penitent thiefe , who saw it with his bodily eies gushing out of his blessed side upon the crosse ; or the first man who did first savingly apprehend that first promise : the seed of the woman shall bruise the serpents head . let him assure them it is so soveraigne ; that in a truly broken , humbled , and thirsty soule , it turneth the most scarlet , and crimson sinnes into snow , and wooll : that upon compunction , and comming in , it washed away that horrible , and bloody guilt , from the soules of them that q spilt it . act. . let them know also : in how high a degree , and hainously they offend from time to time , who refuse to r take iesus christ offered most freely , & without exception of any person , every sabbath , every sermon , either in plaine , and direct termes , or implyedly , at the least . oh! litle doe people thinke , who sit under our ministry , unwrought upon by the word , what a grievous , and fearefull sinne they commit , and carry home from the house of god , day after day ; in neglecting so great salvation , in forsaking their owne mercy , and in judging themselves unworthy of everlasting life ; i meane , by chusing , upon a free offer of his soule-saving blood , to cleave rather to a lust , horrible indignity ! then to s iesus christ blessed for ever : rather to wallow in the mire , and mudde of earthly pelfe , in the filth , and froth of swinish pleasures , in idlenesse , pride , worldlinesse , whoredome , drunkennesse , strange fashions , scorning professours , contempt of the power of godlinesse , railing against religion , revelling , selfe-uncleannesse , &c. then abandoning these filthy harlots , to take the sonne of god for their deare and everlasting husband . this not beleeving , this refusing christ , this not taking him , in the manner , and sense , as i have said , is such a sinne , though not so thought upon , and taken to heart , that t divines speake of it , as of a most transcendent sinne , the greatest sinne , the sinne of sinnes , the onely sinne , as it were , from such places as these : but when the king heard thereof , hee was wroth , and hee sent foorth his armies , and destroyed those murderers , and burnt up their city ▪ mat. . . hee meanes , those who were invited to the sons marriage , and made light of it . hee that beleeveth not is condemned already , because , hee hath not beleeved in the name of the onely begotten sonne of god. ioh. . . when the comforter is come ▪ hee will convince the world of sinne . — because they beleeve not on mee . hee meanes , this sinne alone , saith austin . as though not beleeving on the sonne of god , were the onely sinne . it is indeed the maine , and master sinne , because ( as the same father speakes truly ) this remaining , the guilt of all other sinnes abides upon the soule ; this removed , all other sinnes are remitted . nay , and besides the horriblenes , and hainousnes of the sin ; what height , and perfection of madnesse is it ? that whereas a man but renouncing his base , rotten , transitory , sinfull pleasures , dogged continually at the heeles with vengeance , and horror ; and only taking iesus christ in whom are hidden , and heaped up the fulnes of grace ▪ and treasures of all perfection ; might have therevpon ( to say nothing of the excellency of his person , purchases of his passion and possessiō of the most blessed deity ) a full & free discharge thereby , at the hands of so happy an husband , from every moment of the everlastingnesse of hellish torments ; and a u deed presently sealed with his owne hearts-blood , for an undoubted right , to every minute of the eternity of heavenly joyes , yet should in cold blood most wickedly , and willingly , after so many intreaties , invitations , importunity , onely for the good of his poore immortall soule , refuse the change ! heaven and earth may be astonished , angels , and all creatures , may justly stand amazed at this prodigious sottishnes , and monstrous madnesse of such miserable men ! the world is wont to call gods people , precise fooles , because , they are willing to sell all they have , for that one pearle of great price , to part with profits , pleasures , preferments , their right hand , their right eye , every thing , any thing , rather then to leave iesus christ , &c. but who doe you thinke now , are the true , and great fooles of the world ? and who are likeliest one day to groane for anguish of spirit , and say within themselves , this was hee , whom wee had sometimes in derision , and a proverbe of reproch . wee fooles accounted his life madnesse , and his end to bee without honour . now is hee numbred among the children of god , and his lot is among the saints . therefore haue we erred from the way of truth , and the light of righteousnesse hath not shined unto us , and the sun of righteousnesse hath not rose upon us : wee wearied our selves in the way of wickednesse and destruction : yea , wee have gone through deserts where there lay no way : but as for the way of the lord , wee have not knowne it . what hath pride profited us ? or what good hath riches with our vanting brought us ? all those things are passed away like a shadow , and as a post that hasted by , &c. nay , and yet further , besides the extraordinarinesse of the iniquity , & folly in refusing christ freely offered , it shall most certainely bee hereafter plagued with extremest tormenting fury , and most desperate gnashing of teeth . for with what infinite horrour , and restlesse anguish will this conceit rent a mans heart in pieces , and gnaw upon his conscience , when hee considers in hell , that hee hath lost heaven for a lust : and whereas hee might at every sermon , had even the son of god his husband , for the very x taking ; and have lived with him for ever in unspeakeable blisse , yet neglecting so great salvation , must now , crying out therefore continually against himselfe , as the most raging bedlam that ever breathed , lie in unquenchable flames , without remedy , ease , or end ! it is the highest honour that can be imagined , and a mystery of greatest amazement that ever was , that the sonne of god should make sute unto sinfull soules to be their husband . and yet so it is ; hee stands at the doore , and knocks , if you will give him entrance , hee will bring himselfe and heaven into your hearts . we are christs ambassadours , as though god did beseech you by us , wee pray you in christs stead to be reconciled to god ; wee are christs spokes-men , that i may so speake , to wooe and winne you unto him. now what can you say for your selves that you stand out ? why come you not in ? if the divell would give you leave to speake out , and in plaine termes : one would say , i had rather bee damned then leave my drunkennesse ; another , i love the world better then iesus christ ; a third , i will not part with my easie and gainefull trade of vsury , for the treasure hid in the field ; and so on , so that upon the matter , you must needs all confesse , that you hereby judge your selves unworthy of everlasting life , that you are wilfull bloody murderers of your owne soules , that you commit such a wickednesse , that all the creatures in heaven and earth cry shame upon you for it . nay , and if you go on without repentance , you may expect that the hellish gnawing of conscience for this one sinne of refusing christ , may perhaps hold scale with the vnited horrors of all the rest . what is the matter i marvell , that you will not entertaine the match ? if wee stand upon honour , and noble family ; hee that makes love , and sute unto our soules , hath on his vesture and on his thigh , a name written , king of kings , and lord of lords . if upon beauty : heare how hee is described . cant. . my beloved is white and ruddy , the chiefest of ten thousand : his head is as the most fine gold ; his lockes are bushie and blacke as a raven . his eyes are as the eyes of doves , by the rivers of water , washed with milke , and fitly set . his cheekes are as a bed of spices , as sweet flowers . his lips like lillies , dropping sweet smelling myrrhe . his hands are as the gold rings set with the berill : his belly is as bright ivory , overlaid with saphires . his legs are as pillars of marble , set upon sockets of fine gold : his countenance is as lebanon , excellent as the cedars . his mouth is most sweet , yea , hee is altogether lovely , y now you must understand , that the spirit of god by these outward beauties and braveries , labours in some measure to shadow out , and represent unto us , the incomparable excellency of inward graces ; the dignity , the glory , the spirituall fairenesse of iesus christ , that wee may know , that hee is wholly and altogether lovely , delectable , and precious . if upo● ease , and contentment , hee can lead us to fulnesse of joy , and pleasures at gods right hand for evermore . if wee desire honorable alliance ; hee will bring us to an innumerable company of angels , to the generall assembly , and church of the first borne , which are written in heaven ; and to god the iudge of all , and to the spirits of just men made perfect . if we stand upon wealth , we shall haue y all things with him ; which is a large possession . if we respect love : z greater love hath no man then this , that a man lay downe his life for his friends . and hee being the brightnesse of his fathers glory , and the expresse image of his person , a came downe from his bosome , the well-spring of immortality and blisse , the fulnesse of joy , and that unapprocheable light , into an house of flesh , upon this base and miserable earth . hee passed thorow a life full of all manner vexations , miseries , persecutions , indignities , slanders , speaking against of sinners , &c. he was so prodigiously slandered , that they said , b hee had a divell ; whereas , c the fulnesse of the godhead dwelled in him bodily . hee was cunningly hunted long , and at last violently haled by a packe of hell-hounds , to a cruell and bloody death , which for the extremity and variety of paines , for the enraged spight of the executioners , for the innocency , and excellency of the person suffering , the like never was , shall , or can bee endured . his passions were such , so bitter , and unsupportable , that they would have made any meere creature to have sunke downe under the burden of them to the bottome of hell. hee was tortured extremely , and suffered grievous things both in body and soule , from heaven , earth , and hell. his blessed body was given up as an anvile to bee beaten upon , by the violent , and villanous hands of wretched miscreants , without all measure or mercy ; untill they had left no one part free from some particular and speciall torment . his skin and flesh were ●ent with scourges ; his hands and feet pierced with nailes ; his head with thornes ; his very heart with the speare point . all his senses , all his parts , indeed his whole sacred body was made a rufull spectacle to angels and to men , of all the most base and barbarous vsage , which malice could devise , and cruelty execute . but all this yet , was but a shadow of his suffering , the substance of his suffering , was the d agony of his soule ; give mee any affliction save the affliction of the mind , for the spirit of a man , saith salomon , will sustaine all his other infirmities ; but a wounded spi●rit , who can beare ? yet his soule , though hee was the prince of glory , and lord of heaven and earth , upon the crosse , was even as a scorched heath , without so much , as any drop of comfort either from heaven or earth . the grievous weight of all the sinnes of all his children , the least of which had bin enough to have pressed them downe into the bottome of hell , lay now heavy upon him . the powers of darkenesse were let loose to afflict him ; hee wrastled even with the fierce wrath of his father , and all the forces of the infernall kingdome , with such anguish of heart , that in the garden , it wrung out of his pretious body , a sweat , as it were great drops of blood falling downe to the ground ; with such agony of spirit , that upon the crosse , hee cryed , my god , my god , why hast thou e forsaken mee ! and the measure of all these sufferings , and sorrowes , were so past all measure , that all the creatures , save sinfull men onely , both in heaven , and earth , seemed to bee amazed and moved with them . the sun in the heavens drew in his beames , unwilling as it were to see the spotlesse blood of the son of god , spilt as water upon the ground . the earth it selfe shrunk , and trembled , under it . the very rocks rent asunder , as if they had sense and feeling of his intolerable , and , save by himselfe , vnconquerable paines ; the whole frame of nature seemed astonished at the mournefull complaint of the lord of the whole world. these , and farre more then these , or then can bee exprest , our blessed saviour , being son of the most high god , endured for no other end , but to ransome us from the bondage of sathan , and of hell , in a thirsting desire of saving all penitent sinners ; and to offer himselfe freely , a most glorious , and everlasting husband to all those , who with broken and beleeving hearts cast themselves into his bosome . such admirable , and unutterable perfections , beauties , indowments , sufferings , and inflamed affections , as these , in the heavenly suter unto our sinnefull soules , doth mightily aggravate the hainous and horrible sinne of refusing him. thus , and in this manner , would i have the men of god to magnifie , inlarge , and represent to the hearts of their hearers , all the excellencies of iesus christ , with the worth , merit , and efficacy of his blood : to set out to the utmost they can possibly , the glory of the gospell with all the riches of mercy , goodnesse , and free grace , revealed , and offered therein &c. so that they tell them withall ; that iesus christ takes none , but such as are willing , to take upon them his yoke : that hee gives himsel●e to none , but such as are ready , to sell all , in the sense i have said , that they may enjoy his blessed selfe . that the glorious grace of the gospell shines savingly , to none , but such as deny ungodlinesse , and worldly lusts ; and live soberly , righteously , and godlily in this present world ; that those whose soules are cleansed by the blood of iesus christ from all sinne , are onely such , as walke in the light , as god is in the light ; who make conscience of detesting and declining all sins , and workes of darkenesse discovered to them by the light of gods holy booke , and sincerely set their hearts and hands , with love , and carefull endeavour to every duty injoyned therein . in a word , that , as that fountaine opened to the house of david for sinne and for uncleanesse , i meane the blood of that immaculate lambe , iesus christ , the holy and the righteous , doth turne all the sinnes even the very scarlet and crimson , of a truly broken heart , and every true mourner in zion , into snow , and wooll , so it will never wash away the least sinfull staine from the proud heart of any unhumbled pharisee , that hereby no strangers unto the love and life of godlinesse , may bee deceived by appropriating unto themselves any of these glorious things , which are onely proper to the sealed fountaine ; but onely conceive of them as excellent motives to cause them to come in . i would have the preaching of christ fill the soule of every true harted nathanael every time with unspeakeable and glorious joy , with all those euangelical pleasures , which neither eye hath seene , nor eare heard , neither have entred into the heart of man ; but i would have it onely make every unregenerate man sensible of what infinite blessednesse hee bereaves himselfe by continuing a rebell ; that thereupon hee may bee moved to make hast out of his present hell , into this new heaven so fairely opened , and freely offered unto him. besides pressing the law , promising mercy , proposing christ , &c. to stirre men in their naturall states , to make them entertaine thoughts of comming in , to humble them in the sight of the lord under the heavy burden of all their sinnes , assure them also of pardon , in case they will leave sathans service , and so prepare them for christ ; let gods ministers lay hold upon all warrantable wayes , which they shall find , and feele out of their ministeriall experience , and holy wisedome to be availeable , and prevaile for that purpose . so that the worke bee done in truth : and that they doe not like the divels dawbers , deceive them to the eternall ruine , and damnation of their soules , by telling them that they have christ already , and are safe enough for salvation , whereas indeed , as yet , there is no such matter . such points as these , are woont to make attentive naturall men , to startle in their seates , to looke about them something more then ordinarily : to wit , to divide the precious , from the vile ; to distinguish that one true happy state of grace , from all states of unregeneratnesse , and all kinds of hypocrisie : to tell them out of the booke of god , how farre a man may goe in generall graces , and doing many things , &c. and yet come short of heaven : to deliver markes of sincere professours , of a saving faith , of true repentance , of a sound conversion , &c. but i would have this done with a great deale of spirituall wisedome , and heavenly understanding , with much godly discretion , and caution ; least thereby , either the formall professour may bee incouraged , or the weakest christian disheartned : to discourse of the fewnesse , and scarcity of those which shall bee saved ; and that even f under the light , and within the sound of the gospell ; see math. . . many are called , but few chosen . consider the parable of the sower . mat. . there is but one good soile , upon which the seed of the word falls prosperously ; but three reprobate grounds , as it were , upon which it is lost , as water upon the ground . see my first doctr. upon gen. . . &c. thus let the men of god acquaint themselves , with such points , as they conceive , the likeliest , and most pregnant to pierce their hearers hearts , and come closest to their consciences ; that so , by the helpe of god , they may pull them out of hell. and there are some places also in the book of god , which being rightly handled , and powerfully applied , seeme to have a speciall keennesse to strike at , and cut asunder the iron sinewes of the most obstinate heart ; and of more aptnesse to serve for the rowsing and awaking of meere civill men , formall professours , pharisies , and foolish virgins out of their desperat slumber of spirituall selfe-deceit . such as these . deut. . . . and it come to passe , when hee heareth the words of this curse , that hee blesse himselfe in his heart , saying ; i shall have peace , though i walke in the imagination of mine heart , to adde drunkennesse to thirst : the lord will not spare him , but then the anger of the lord , and his jealousie , shall smoke against that man , and all the curses that are written in this book , shall lie upon him , and the lord shall blot out his name from under heaven . ps. . . god shall wound the hairy scalpe of such a one as goeth on still in his trespasses . pro. . . . because i have called , and yee refused , i have stretched foorth my hand , and no man regarded : &c. then shall they call upon mee , but i will not answer ; they shall seeke me early , but they shall not c find mee . pro. . . he that being often reproved , hardeneth his neck , shall suddenly be destroyed , and that without remedy . ezek. . . in thy filthinesse is lewdnesse , because i have d purged thee , and thou wast not purged , thou shalt not bee purged from thy filthinesse any more , till i have caused my fury to rest upon thee . . pet. . . if the righteous scarcely bee saved ; where shall the ungodly and the sinner appeare ? . ioh. . . whosoever is borne of god doth not commit sinne . . pet. . . love the brotherhood . heb. . . without holinesse no man shall see the lord. iam. . . the divels also beleeue and tremble . luke . . . strive to enter in at the strait gate ; for many , i say unto you , will seeke to enter in , and shall not bee able . math. . . . and whosoever shall not receive you . &c. veri●y , i say unto you , it shall bee more tolerable for the land of sodom , and gomorrah in the day of judgement , then for that city . and. . . and from the dayes of iohn the baptist , untill now , the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence , and the violent take it by force . and . . and if you salute your brethren onely , what doe you more then others ? and vers . . i say unto you , that except your righteousnes shall exceed the righteousnesse of the scribes , and pharisees , ye shall in no case enter into the kingdome of heaven . these fellowes represented to the eye of the world , a goodly and glorious shew of freedome from grosse sinnes ; i am not , saith the pharisee , luke . . as other men are , extortioners , unjust , adulterers , &c. of workes ; first , of righteousnesse ; i give tithes of all that i possesse : secondly , of piety ; hee went up to pray . thirdly , of mercy ; besides fasting , and prayer , they gave almes , mat. . &c. and yet christ speakes thus peremptorily to his hearers . except your righteousnesse exceede the righteousnesse of the scribes and pharisees , &c. ye shall in no case enter into the kingdome of heaven . hee saith not simply ; yee shall not enter : but yee shall in no case enter . and yet how many who come short of these , will bee very angry , if the ministers , tell them , that they shall certainely come short of the kingdome of heaven . i have done with dawbing and plaistering over rotten hearts with plausible perswasions , that they shall not bee damned : i meane that most cruell , and accursed trade of strengthening with lies , the hands of the wicked , that hee should not returne from his wicked way by promising him life . ezek. . . whereby thousands , are sent hood-winckt to hell , more is the pitty ! even in this blessed time of the gospell : and i come now to another errour , about comforting afflicted consciences . which is this : . when the spirituall physition promiseth comfort , applies the promises , assures of mercy , acceptation and pardon : . when the ground of griefe , is not in truth trouble for sinne , but some outward trouble . some , in such a case may cast out by the way some faint , and formall complaints of their sinnes , and seeme to seeke direction , and satisfaction about the state of their soules ; when as the true root and principall spring of their present heavinesse , and hearts-griefe , is some secret earthly discontentment , the bi●●ng and bitternesse of some worldly sting . it may bee the losse or desperate course of some over-loved child ; decay , and going backward in their estate ; feare of falling into beggery ; some unexpected discontents and disappointments after marriage ; some great disgrace , and shame fallen upon them in the eye of the world ; some long and tedious sicknesse , pinching them extremely for want of peace with god , and patience to passe thorow it . or the like . in this case , after the man of god by his best wisedome , and searching experimentall tryals , and interrogatories fitted for that purpose , whereby he may give a strong conjecture , if not a peremptory censure , hath discovered the imposture : let his desire and endeavour be , to turne the torrent of worldly teares ( and taking on for transitory things ) upon sinne . when a veine is broken , and bleeds inward , or a man bleeds excessively at the nose , the physition is wont to open a veine in the arme , so to divert the current of the blood , that it may bee carried the right way , for the safety and preservation of the party . doe proportionably in this point . let such know . first , that e sorrow of the world worketh death . f it dries the bones , consumes the marrow , chils the blood , wastes the spirits , eates up the heart , shortneth life , and cutteth off too soone , from the day of gracious visitation . it is a base thing for an immortall soule to bee put thus out of tune , and temper with mortall things , & most unworthy it 's heavenly birth , breeding under the ministery , and everlasting abode . secondly , that sorrow spent upon the world , is like a perfum'd precious water , throwne into the channell , or sinke-hole , which would make a sweet sent in an humbled soule , and helpe excellently against the noisome savour of sinne . fire put into the thatch , would turne all into combustion ; g dung placed in your parlour , would impoison all ; but lay the one upon the hearth , and it would warme , and comfort ; the other upon the land , and it fatneth and makes fruitfull : so sorrow misplaced upon earthly things , fills a man with swarmes of carking confusions , and brings many devouring harpies into the heart ; but being turned upon h sin , and former sinfull courses , which is the onely right , proper , profitable vse thereof , it may procure a great deale of ease , and enlargement to the heavy spirit , and helpe to bring foorth fruits meet for repentance . thirdly , that the tithe perhaps of taking on , trouble of mind , vexation of spirit , sadnesse and sorrow , about worldly things in respect of the bulke , and quantity , if sincere , and set upon the right object , might serve i to drive us unto christ , and afterwards in gods gracious acceptation , for saving repentance . mee thinkes it should bee a very quickning motive to make a man k bee sorry for nothing but sin , and to turne all his griefe and groanes , sighs , and teares , upon his transgressions l onely : to wit ; to consider , that an impenitent carnall worldling doth passe thorow even in this life ( where hee hath all the heaven hee is ever like to have ) incomparably more comfortlesse hearts-griefe , slavish torment of minde , and heavinesse of spirit towards endlesse paines , then the strictest christian , and most mortified saint , doth endure in his passage to everlasting pleasures . fourthly , that , besides , many other pestilent properties , worldly sorrow doth also double , nay multiply , and mightily enrage the venome , bitternesse , and ●ting of every crosse , accident , losse , disgrace , &c. when m ahitophel was disgraced , by neglect of his counsell , which was in those dayes , as if a man had enquired at the oracle of god , carnall griefe so grew upon him , that hee gate him home to his house , put his household in order , and hanged himselfe . what was the disgrace to this desperate end ? haman beeing crossed by mordecaies discourtesie , and contempt , did so trouble himselfe , and take on , that , having n told his wife , and freinds , of the glory of his riches , and the multitude of his children , and all things , wherein the king had promoted him , and how hee had advanced him above the princes , and servants of the king , &c. yet professeth unto them ; that all this availed him nothing , so long as hee saw mordecai the iew , sitting at the kings gate . now whether doe you thinke was the most greivous thing to beare ; the bare omission of a meere complement , or an universall distaste , and dis-injoyment of all outward comforts heaped upon him to the height , and in excellency ? the hundreth part of iobs losses , and lesse , hath many times since , made many a covetous worldling to cut his owne throat . i have knowne some , for the losse of an over-loved child , to have languished , fallen into a consumption , and lost their owne lives . but now on the other side , besides many other gracious effects , sorrow , according to god , is more delicious , and sweeter then any worldly delight : as o chrysostome truly tells us in many places . to whom moderne divines accord . the very teares , that a good conscience sheds , saith p one , have more joy , and pleasure in them , then the worlds greatest joyes . this is certaine , saith q another , that there is more lightnesse of heart , and true delight in the sorrow of the saints , then in the lowdest laughters of the world . for unspeakeable joy is mingled with un-utterable groanes . . when it is not any kindly touch of conscience for s●● wrought by the ministry : but terrours , and affrighting distempers arising from the darke mists of a melancholicke humour in the braine , which cause a man to complaine . in this blacke , and sad humour , satan , god suffering him , ( and of it selfe also it is pregnant enough this way ) hath great advantage to raise , and represent to the phantasie many fearefull things , terrible objects , griesly thoughts , hideous injections and temptations to despaire , selfe-destruction , &c. whereupon the party so affected and afflicted is wont out of impatiency of such uncouth horrours , and heavines to addresse himself , and have recourse to some man of god , some noted physitian of the soule ; not from any purpose and resolution to become a new man , and alter his courses ; but only for hope of ease , enlargement frō the tyranny of that ferall passion , and recovery to wonted quietnesse of mind : not expecting or aiming at all , at any other change ; but from present melancholy to former mirth ; from this abhorred , irkesome , insupportable state of sadnesse ; to his accustomed sensuall , or civill contentment at least . in this case let the art , and aide of physicke bee improou'd , to abate and take off the excesse and phantasticalnesse of this horrible humour : and then let the party bee advised , to imploie , and spend the native , and kindly q sadnesse , of that uncomfortable constitution , in sorrowing for sinne , in trembling at the threats of gods judgements , in fearing to offend , and flying under the wings of christ for sanctuary ; that so hee may happily bring supernaturall , and heavenly lightsomnesse into his soule , by pardon from god , peace of conscience , and evangelicall pleasures . it is incredible to consider , what assistance , and advantage a gracious man hath , by his sweete r communion with iesus christ , and those refreshing beames of comfort which shine from his face , to confine and conquer those many impertinent , irkesome , and vexing vagaries of this wild humour ; which with much folly and fury tyrannise in the feareful phantasies of gracelesse men , and make their life very disconsolate , and abhorred . i am perswaded , the very same measure of melancholicke matter , which raises many times in the heads , and hearts of worldlings , ( having besides , the guilt of their unforgiven sinnes staring with griesly representations in the face of their consciences , and acquainted with no comfort but that which comes from carnall joyes ) continuall clouds of many strange horrours , and gastly feares , nay and sometimes makes them starke mad ; i say , the very same in a sanctified man may bee so mollified and moderated by spirituall delight , and soveraignty of grace , that he is not onely preserved from the sting , and venome of them , but by gods blessing from any such desperate extremities , violent distempers and distractions , which keepe the other in a kinde of hell upon earth . if the very darkenesse of the hellish dungeon were in the heart ; yet reaching out the hand of faith , and receiving christ that blessed sun of righteousnesse , would dispell and disperse it to nothing : much more mee thinkes , the light of grace and heavenly wisedome , may in some good measure , dissolve and maister the mists and miseries of this earthly humour . religion then , and religious courses , and conformities doe not make melancholike men mad ; as the great bedlams of this world would beare us in hand . for you must know that besides belials and debosht companions , there are a generation of worldly wise men also , right brave and jolly fellowes in their owne conceits , and in the opinion of some flattering clawbacks ; but by testimony of the truth it selfe , starke mad about the service of god and there owne salvations , who cursedly ●eare their owne consciences , with the hottest iron in the divels forge , by breaking out into such blasphemies as these , when they heare , or see , any extraordinarie heavie-heartednes , temptation , distraction , or spirituall distemper , to have seizd upon any that desires to bee saved : you see now , what becomes of so much reading the scriptures , of plying prayer , and private duties with so much adoe ; of medling with mysteries of religion ; of meditating so much of heavenly things ; of taking sinne so deeply to heart , and holding such strict conformity to gods word , &c. blessed god! is thine holy booke become , ( execrable blasphemy ! ) a perverter , distracter , and empoysoner of mens soules ; which beeing the glorious issue of thine owne infinite understanding , was purposely created as a most pretious r panacea , an universall medicinall store-house for the cure of all spirituall maladies ; an inexhausted treasury of all sound comfort , true joy , peace , and refreshing ! now the lord rebuke thee satan , and returne as dung upon thine owne face this villanous , base and wicked slaunder , which by thy gracelesse instruments thou labourest to cast upon the glorious face of christianity , the incomparable sweetnesse of the wayes of grace , and that one necessary thing . i have knowne , when the onely wise god , hath suffered for ends seene and seeming good to his heavenly wisedome the hideous , and raging humour of melancholie , to darken the native clearenes of the animall spirits in the braine , requisite to a due discretion of things apprehended ; and to blunder , and disorder the objects , and operations of the phantasie in his dearest child , even to distraction , and breaking out into that inordinate passion , against reason ; i say then , the concurrent cry and clamour of the enemies to the power of godlines to bee : this it is now to bee so bookish , to follow preachers so much , to be more holy then their neighbours , never to have done in serving of god : her so much reading the scriptures , and such poring upon precise bookes ( so they call those , which most pierce the conscience , and guide the cleerliest in the holy path ) hath made her starke mad : the puritan is now besides her selfe , &c. now i say againe , the lord rebuke thee satan , who sits with such extreme malice , and soule-killing folly in the hearts & heads of such miserable men , whom thou so sottishly hood-winkes , and hardens to the height , for a most desperate downefal , and horrible confusion at last . were now the glorified soule of that blessed saint consulted with , and asked : diddest thou ever receive hurt by reading gods blessed book , by searching sweetly into the great mystery of christ crucified , by meditation upon heavenly things ? did the sacred sense of those divine oracles dissettle thy noble faculties , or ever make sad thy heart ? &c. oh! with what infinite indignation , would it sly in the face of such cursed cavillers , and wranglers against the truth ? is it possible for the sole , and soveraigne antidote sent from heaven by god himselfe against the sting and venome of all heart-griefe , and horror ; the sacred sun of saving truth , which is onely able to ennoble and glorifie our understandings with wisedome from the brest of the everlasting counsell of iesus christ , should become the cause of discomfort , and dissettlement of the soule ? no , no. there is such a quickening , healing , and mighty efficacy and vigour shed into it from the father of lights , and shining in it from the face of christ , that by the helpe of the blessed spirit , it can turne darkenes into light , death into life , hell into heaven , the deepest horrour , into height of joy . tell mee of any misery upon the body , soule , outward state , or good name ; any calamity felt or feared in this life , or the life to come ; and if thou wilt bee converted and counselled , i can send thee to some , both promise , and precedent in this book of god , which may upon good ground fill thine heart as full with sound comfort , as the sun is of light , and the sea of waters . nay , give mee a wounded spirit with all it 's inexplicable terrors , and bitternesse ; which is the greatest misery , & extremest affliction , of which an understanding soule is capable in this life . and let first all the physitians in the world , even the rose-knights , as they call themselves , lay all their heads , skill , and experience together , for the cure ; let all the highest monarchs upon earth shine upon it with their imperiall favours for comfort ; let the depth of all humane wisedome , and the height of the most excellent oratory bee improoued to perswade it peace ; let all the creatures in heaven and earth contribute their severall abilities and utmost , to still it 's rage : and when all these have done , and have done just nothing ; i will fetch a cordiall out of gods owne booke , which shall mollifie the anguish , expell the venome , and bind it up with everlasting peace , which passeth all understanding ; that the broken bones may rejoyce , and the poore soule groaning most grievously under the guilty horrour of many foule abominations , and ready to sink into the gulph of despaire , bee sweetly bathed and refreshed in the fountaine opened by the hand of mercy for sinne , and for uncleannesse , christs dearest bloud , the glorious wel-spring of all lightsomnesse , and joy . heare how precisely for this purpose , and how punctually against such pestilent cauillers some of the ancient fathers doe puritanize : there is no malady , saith * chrysostome , either of body , or soule , but may receive a medicine out of gods booke ; one comes oppressed with sadnesse , and anxiety of businesses , overwhelmed with griefe ; but presently hearing the prophet saying , a why art thou cast downe , o my soule ? and why art thou so disquieted within mee ? hope thou in god , for i will yet praise him , who is the health of my countenance , and my god ; hee receives abundance of comfort , and abandons all heavines of heart . another is pinched with extreme poverty ; takes it heavily , and grieves , seeing others flowing in riches ; swelling with pride , attended with great pompe , and state : but hee also heares the same prophet , saying ; b cast thy burden upon the lord , and hee shall sustaine thee : and againe , c be not afraide when one is made rich , when the glory of his house is increased : for when hee dieth , hee shall carry nothing away : his glory shall not descend after him . there is another , which assaulted with insidiations , and calumnies , is much troubled , thinkes his life uncomfortable , finding no helpe in man : hee is also taught by the same prophet , that in such perplexities , wee must not resort to the arme of flesh . heare what hee saies ; they slandered , and i prayed . the mouth of the wicked , and the mouth of the deceitfull are opened against mee : they have spoken against mee with a lying tongue . they compassed mee about also with words of hatred ; and fought against mee without a cause . for my love , they are my adversaries ; but i give my selfe to prayer . another is slighted , and contemned by some base contemptible underlings ; and forsaken of his friends ; and that is it , which most troubles his mind , & goes nearest to his heart : but hee also , if hee will come hither , doth heare that blessed man saying : my lovers and my freinds stand aloofe from my sore ; and my kinsmen stand afarre off . they also that seeke after my life lay snares for mee : and they that seeke my hurt , speake mischeivous things , and imagine deceipts all the day long . but i , as a deafe man heard not ; and i was as a dumbe man that openeth not his mouth . thus i was as a man that heareth not , and in whose mouth are no reproofes : for in thee , o lord , do i hope : thou wilt heare , o lord my god. hee concludes thus : thou hast seene , how that any misery pressing our mortality , a convenient ant●ote may be taken out of scripture , and all the carking of this life may bee cured ; neither need wee to bee greived for any thing which befals us . therefore i beseech you that henceforward , you would come hither , and listen diligently to the reading of divine writ . and not onely when you come hither , but also take the bible into your hands at home , and receive with great affection , the profit to bee found in it . for from thence springs much gaine : first , that the tongue may bee reformed by it : the soule also takes wings , soares aloft , and is gloriously illightened with the beames of the sunne of righteousnesse , and that while is freed from the entisements of impure thoughts , enioying much calmenesse , and contentment . furthermore , that which corporall food doth for encreasing bodily strength : the same doth reading performe to the soule . all scripture is given by inspiration of god , and is profitable : and writ by the spirit of god for this purpose , saith great s basil , that in it , as a common mart of soule-medicines , every one of us may chuse a medicine proper , and fit for his spirituall malady . jerome , writing to many t even of her sexe , whom as i told you before , much reading of scriptures and other good bookes made mad , if the extremest malice of the most mortall enemies to the waies of god may bee credited ; doth stirre them up with extraordinary earnestnesse to a diligent , industrious and fruitfull reading of gods booke , in many passages of his epistles . u in that to gaudentius , about bringing up a young maiden : hee would have her at seaven years old , and when she begins to blush , learne the psalmes of dauid without booke ; and untill twelue , make the books of salomon , the gospels , the apostles and prophets , the treasure of her heart . x to one hee speakes thus : this one thing about all others , i would fore advise thee ; and inculcating it , i will admonish againe and againe : that thou wouldest possesse thy minde with love of reading scriptures . y to an other : let the booke of god bee ever i● thy hands : — and after the holy scriptures , reade also the treatises of learned men . z to another : let the sacred scriptures bee ever in thine hands , and revolved continually in thy minde . reading scripture , saith a origen , daily prayers , the word of doctrine nourish the soule , even as the body is strengthened by dainty fare . the spirit is nourished , growes strong , and is made victorious by such foode . which because you doe not ply ; doe not complaine of the infirmity of the flesh : doe not say , wee would but cannot , &c : those reverend b men that made the homilies , seeme to apprehend themselves , and they commend to us the excellent sweetnesse , which may bee suckt from the breasts of consolations in meditating upon the scriptures , by this their emphaticall and effectuall expression : let us ruminate say they , and as it were chew the cudde , that wee may have the sweet juyce , spirituall effect , marrow , hony , kernell , tast , comfort and consolation of them . i have said all this , upon purpose , least melancholike men should be miss-led , or disheartened by the cursed counsell of carnall freinds , and wicked clamours of the world , from turning their sadnesse into sorrow for sin ; and from plying gods blessed booke , and the powerfull ministry thereof , the onely wellspring of all true lightsomnesse , and ioy ; and able as i said before , if they wil bee converted , and counseled , to dispell the very darkenesse of hell out of their hearts . mee thinkes , they rather above others , should bee encouraged hereunto : . because they have a passive advantage , that i may so speake , when it pleaseth god , to sanctifie for that purpose , and set on worke the spirit of bondage , by reason of their sad dispositions , and fearefull spirits , to bee sooner affrighted , and dejected by comminations of judgements against sinne ; more feelingly to take to heart the miseries , and dangers of their naturall state ; more easily to tremble and stoope under the mighty hand of god , and hammer of his law. guiltinesse , and horrour ; damnation and hell beget in their timerous natures stronger impressions of feare : whereupon they are woont to tast deeplier of legall contrition , and remorse ; and so proportionably to feel and acknowledge a greater necessity of iesus christ ; to thirst after him more greedily , to prize him more highly ; and at length to throw their trembling soules into his blessed bosome with more eagernesse , and importunity . and having once entred into the holy path , their native fearefulnesse beeing rectified , and turned the right way , they many times walke on afterward , with more feare to offend , ( and happy is the man that feareth alway ) more watchfulnesse over their wayes , tendernesse of conscience , impatiency of losing spirituall peace , sensiblenesse of infirmities , and failings , awfulnes to gods word , &c. . and because of all others , such men have most neede of lightsomnesse , and refreshing : which when carnall counsellers , & flattering mountebanks of the ministry , labour to introduce into their darke heads , and heavy hearts by the arme of flesh , outward mirth , and such other meanes , they onely palliate , and dawbe : and are so farre from doing any true good , that thereby they drowne them many times deeper and more desperately into the dungeon of melancholy afterward . so that , a melancholicke man , let him turne him , which way , hee will , is like , without the light of grace , to live , a very miserable life upon earth , and as it were in some part of hellish darkenesse : to which also at length , shal bee added the torment , if hee dye impenitently . but now let them addresse themselves to the booke of life , and thence onely they may sucke , and bee satisfied with the breasts of consolation : let them leane their sorrowfull soules , improoving naturall sadnesse to mourne more heartily for sinne , upon the promises there : and every severall one will shine upon them with a particular , heavenly , and healing light , with sound , and lasting joy . all those then are starke mad , either with ignorant or learned malice , who beare the world in hand , that reading scriptures , plying the powerfull ministry , taking sinne to heart , &c. will make melancholike men mad . if you desire to know , before i passe out of the point , the differences betweene the heavines of a melancholike humour , and affliction of conscience for sinne , take notice of such as these . terrour for sinne springs out of the conscience , and from the smart of a spirituall wound there : melancholy dwels , and hath his chiefe c residence in the phantasie : uncomfortably ouercasts , and darkens the splendour , and lightsomnesse of the animall spirits in the braine . the melancholike man is extremely sad , & knowes not why : hee is full of feare , doubts , distrust , and heavinesse , without any true and just ground , arising onely from the darkenesse and disorder of the phantasie , the griesly fumes of that blacke humour in the braine : but a broken heart , a thousand to one , can readily tell you , the particular sinnes , the crying abomination , the legall hammer , and ministeriall hand that made it bleed . his trouble is ever●p●●●●a●se , cleare , and evident , and the greatest that ever brought misery upon mankinde ; waight of sinne , and the wrath of god. a melancholike man will ride many miles , walke many houres , and at length bee able to giue no account of the exercise , and discourse of his minde , or what his thoughts have beene all the while : but hee that is troubled in mind for sinne , can for the most part tell right well , and recount exactly to his spirituall physitian , the severall temptations , suggestions , and injections ; the hideous conflicts with satan : his objections , exceptions , replies , d methods , devises , and depths , which have afflicted his heavy spirit , since the first illightening , convincing , and affrighting his awaked , and working conscience . the soule may bee seized upon with terrour of conscience , and spirituall distemper , the body being sound and in good temper ; in excellency of health , purity of bloud , symmetry of parts , vivacity of spirit , &c. but the horrors of melancholy are woont to haunt corrupted constitutions ; where obstructions hinder the free passage of the humours , and spirits ; the blood is over-grosse , and thick , &c. melancholy makes a man almost mad with imaginary feares , & strange chymaraes of horror , which have no beeing , but only in the monstrous compositions of a darkened and distempered braine . he is many times by the predominancy of that cowardly humour , afraid of every man , of every thing , of any thing ; of a shadow , of the shaking of a leafe , of his owne hands , of his owne heart . hee e feares where no feare is , where there is no probabilitie , no possibility , even in the very middest of security . his feare sometimes is so extremely foolish ; that hee can f heare of no fearefull thing fallen upon others , but hee thinkes verily , the very same thing shall befall him : so prodigious , that g some of them , thinking their feete to bee of glasse , have beene afraid to walke : others imagining themselves to bee noted for lepers , durst not come into any company , &c. but now a troubled conscience is ordinarily fearelesse of any thing , but the anger of god. bodily tortures , outward trouble , tyrants threats , even the prince of terrour , death it selfe in his apprehension and eie , would bee as nothing , to the guilty glance of one cursed lust . hee would not care , or feare though all the creatures in christendome were turned into beares , or divels about him , so that all were well at home . if hee could get into his bosome that sweete peace which passeth all understanding ; oh! then would hee bee more then conqverour over the whole world , and ten thousand hells . . melancholy may bee something abated , the braine cleared , the heart eased by the aide and excellency of the art of physicke : but in the case of a wounded conscience , there is no helpe under heaven to bee had ; no friends , or physicke , h no mirth or musicke , no princely favour or dainty fare , &c. can possibly give any ease at all . nay they will all farre rather enrage the wound , then weaken the rage . it is christ , christ , and nothing but christ , which can comfort in this confusion of spirit . . when complaint of sinne is confusedly onely and in generall : many deale with god , and his ministers in confession of their sinnes , saith a good divine , as nebuchadnezzar with his inchanters about his dreame , that hee had dreamed ; hee told them , and desired an interpretation ; but what his dreame was hee could not tell . so many confesse themselves sinners , and cry out that they are greiuous offenders , and desire pardon : but wherein they have sinned , and what their sinnes are , they cannot , or will not tell . and how is it possible the physitian should help him , who only saies , he is not well , but will not tell him where ? i have sometimes visited those , who being pressed to a sight and sense of their sinnefulnesse , and cursednesse , upon purpose to fit them for christ , have acknowledged in generall , that they were sinners , but descending to the particulars of the law , ( which was horrible to heare ) iustified themselves thorow out . of which extreme spirituall misery and prodigious madnesse , ignorance ( tho i know satan mannageth that , and all other advantages with all the malice , and cunning hee can possibly , to the overthrow of soules ) is the principall ground ; the prime , but pestilent occasion : i say , ignorance , which though it bee not perhaps so much talked of , taxed , and taken to heart as others , yet is a loude-crying sinne of the kingdome . for it is a most incredible thing , and of infinite amazement , how universally it raignes in this glorious k noone-tide of the gospell ! and therefore musts needs prouoke god mightily , and hasten the remooving of our candlesticke . and in the meane time , besides many moe , and that dreadfull doome at last . . thes. . . . it brings upon most , ( more is the pitty and shame , especially so glorious beames of a blessed ministry shining about us ) these two speciall mischeifes ; which at this time i onely mention , because they serve fitliest for illustration of the point . first , ignorant people sticking fast in his clutches , stand all , as they say , at the divels mercy , and devotion , to do with them what he will ; even as a poore helpeles lambe in the bloody paw of a lyon , or asilly wren in the ravenous claw of a kite ; to slash and mangle their woful soules at his pleasure , with a cursed variety of l innumerable sinnes ; they , in the meane time , which is the perfection of their misery , neither fearing or feeling any hurt at al , by reason of the hellish mists , and miserable lethargie of spirituall blindnesse , which makes them sightlesse , and senselesse . secondly , when times of sorrow come upon them , when melancholy & old age growes on , and they say unto the world , upon which they have doted all their life long , i have no pleasure in thee ; when losses , crosses , and heavie accidents befall them ; when hideous injections , temptations to selfe-murder , despaire &c. presse them full sore ; and they thereupon begin to cast about seriously , and to conceive with great terrour and anxiety of spirit , what is like to become of them in the other world : then in such extremity , and forced by necessity , they are wont to have recourse to ministers for ease and helpe ; and alas ! then we are at our wits end , as they say , and in much perplexity how to deale , and what to doe with them . for upon the first entrance into a discovery of their spirituall state , wee see evidently with griefe of heart , that their m ignorance hath betraied them to the divell , and now in the evill day exposed them to his mercilesse cruelty and cunning ; even as if a man should commit a ship without sailes , rudder , pilot , &c. to the rage , and roaring of the tempestuous devouring sea ; or put a poore weake naked man into the field against an implacable mighty adversary , compleatly armed from top to toe . wee tell them truely , that the true way to comfort , is to repent and beleeve . but for the first , by reason of the sottish disacquaintance with themselves , with their miserable , sinfull naturall state , and their grosse ignorance in the law and word of god , they onely cry out in the generall , they are very grievous sinners ; but to descend to any competent examination of the conscience , search of their soules by the sight of the law , particular survay of their sinnes , and so to speciall repentance , because , of their spirituall blindenesse , they are vtterly unable . nay many in this case are so destitute of matter of humiliation for sinne , that they can scarce tell you what sinne is . at the most , they have not learned , or thinke that there is any other breach of the seventh commandement , but the grosse acts of uncleannesse ; that there is any sinne against the ninth , but giuing in false witnes against their neighbours in open court : they looke no further into the sixth commandement , but unto the actuall bloody murder of the hand ; into the third , but to blasphemy and swearing ; and so proportionably in the other commandements . for the other also , although they have heard much of iesus christ , and if hee bee talkt of , pretend a very foolish and false presumption of having part in him ; yet to the knowledge of his person , offices , excellency , sweetnesse , effectuall ministry , and of his whole mysterie , they are meere strangers . and so , when they should now upon this occasion of trouble of mind , bee brought by knowledge and application of the law and gospell , through the pangs of the new-birth into the holy path , they are to begin to learne the very first principles of religion ; in n which they have not so much skill ( i speake a reprochfull thing ) as i could teach a child of five , or sixe yeares old in few daies . now when the old red dragon hath drawne them into the lists , armed with all the power and policy of hell , and furnished with all his fiery darts , they are so farre from ability to put on , and manage the whole spirituall armour with dexterity , and wisedome , that they are starke ideots and infants , in the very speculative knowledge of the nature and vse of every piece thereof . they have no skill at all at that excellent , invincible weapon , the sword of the spirit , which is the word of god : by which iesus christ foyled that foule fiend in the most hideous and horrible o temptations , that were ever suggested to the mind of man. and therefore hee doth bring them too often thus blindfolded and baffled , to perish themselves , as they say , in a most bloody and desperat● manner , both temporally , and eternally . the pharisies , papists , and our ordinary ignorants , are all fouly faulty this way . they love , and labour to enquire , and looke no further into gods law , then to the grosse acts , and greatest transgressions onely . if they find themselves free from these , they out of a most absurd , and sottish selfe-conceitednesse , justifie and applaud themselves , as no such dangerous and damnable delinquents . hence it was , that christ teaches , and tells the pharisies , that not onely the grosse act of adultery was to be taken notice of , but also , that even a p lascivious , and lustfull looke after a woman , was a transgression of that law ; and to be taken to heart as adultery before god. that not onely killing a man with a bloody hand , but also rash anger in the heart , railing , and reviling speeches ; nay , even a frowning face , a contemptuous gesture , discovering inward rancour and rage , kill the soule , and cast into hell , &c. hence it was , that bellarmine , as the grand impostor , and impoisoner , so the great pharisie of christendome , upon his bed of death , could hardly finde what to confesse , or any matter of absolution . prodigious pharisaisme ! of which , heare some passages from the reporter of his death : q such was the innocency of the man , ( to wit , bellarmine ) that albeit hee was in his perfect sense , yet could hee hardly finde what to confesse ; insomuch as his ghostly father was in some perplexity , as wanting matter of absolution ; till by recourse to his life past , hee found some small defects , of which hee absolved him . now nothing troubles my conscience . for god ( his goodnesse bee still r thanked therefore ) hath so preserved mee hitherto , as i doe not remember in the whole course of my life , ever to have committed any scandalous action ; pag. . how s holy was his life , not stained with mortal sinne ? how secure a conscience , that had at his death no scruple ; but for the exchange of one good worke for another &c. pag. . this holy man began his prayers , t said the pater noster , and aue maria , and began againe the pater noster : which beeing ended , hee said distinctly the psalme , miserere , to the end : and beeing warned to say also the creed , &c. said it all through , and with the end of the creed , ended his speech ; his u last words were , vitam aeternam , amen . pag. . hence it is , that carnall men are well enough content to heare the commandements read , and perhaps will bee angry if at any time they bee omitted : would you know the reason ? they goe along with the minister , and applaud themselves pharisaically all the while , saying secretly , and securely to their owne soules ; wee thanke god , wee are no image-worshippers , no murderers , no adulterers , &c. and so depart home from time to time , as highly conceited of themselves , and yet more damnably deceived , then that pharisie , luk. . . . of whose outward , x religious , charitable , and righteous performances , they come farre short . but they cannot possibly with any patience , endure a particular unfolding , and powerfull application of gods law after christs manner , matth. . a punctuall survay of their sinfull states , and speciall search into their lives and hearts . this cutting , yet conscionable course , stirres up , and raises in them the ill spirits of murmuring , cavilling , reviling , and perhaps persecuting the faithfull messengers of god , as a generation of terrible teachers . to expositions , exercises , and considerations of this nature , they are drawne with very ill will , and much adoe ; even as a bankrout to his counting-booke , a foule face to the looking-glasse , and a traytour to the racke . by reason of this affected ignorance in the law of god , and lothnesse to descend to particulars , it comes to passe , that many in trouble of minde complaine in generall of sinne onely , and confusedly . and thereupon , as though they were competently cast downe , expect comfort ; and perhaps many draw it from some dawbers : whereas particularizing of our sinnes , is a necesary precedent , and preparative to a sound humiliation . and therefore in this case wee must deale with such , as surgeons are wont to doe with a tumour , or swelling in the body : who first apply to the affected place drawing , and ripening plaisters to bring the sore to an head , that the corruption may have issue , and then heale : so a generall complaint of sinne , and confused griefe , must bee reduced to particulars . it is a principle in the mysterie of christ resolved upon by best divines , rightly instructed to the kingdome of heaven : that a confused acknowledgement , and generall repentance onely for knowne sinnes is never sound and saving ; but onely common , formall , perfunctory , and that of counterfeite converts , not truly touched with sense of their sinnes , nor heartily resolved to forsake their pleasures . if they can bee first brought to the sight , sense , and acknowledgement of some one speciall notorious sinne , which hath most reigned in their heart , life , o● calling ; and bee in some good measure illightened , convinced , and terrified about the hainousnesse , and horrible guilt of it , it may bee a good meanes by gods blessing , to bring in the rest . for ordinarily true repentance is first occasioned by some one speciall sinne laid to heart . the apostles , act. . doe specially presse the murder of christ upon the iewes . christ himselfe adultery upon the woman of samaria , ioh. . samuel , idolatry upon the israelites , . sam. . the sin of asking a king , chap. . ezra , taking strange wives : ezra . nehemiah , usury : chap. . &c. to further the worke of a more particular setting their sinnes in order before their eyes ; it were much to bee wished , and a very happy thing , if all the wounded consciences , and troubled in minde wee meete with , were furnished before-hand , with a competent speculative knowledge , at the least of the particulars in gods law , exorbitant passages of their life , and grosse corruptions of their hearts . wee might so , by gods helpe , more easily bring them to particular remorse , and fit them sooner , and more seasonably for comfort . we find a most hard , and right heavy taske , to encounter the divels devises , wiles and depths , in a poore , distressed , tempted ignorant . . when the party is dejected for some notorious sinne onely . it is x sometimes seene in meere civell men , that having a long time preserved their reputations entire and unstained , in the eye of the world , from grosse and notable enormities ; and yet after foulely shaming themselues in the sight of men by some infamous fall , seeme to take on much , as tho they were truly troubled with the remorse ; whereas perhaps the present hearts-griefe ariseth rather from losse of credit , then wound of conscience ( tho to favour their credit , they cunningly father it upon conscience ) . or let them bee indeed affrighted very grievously for a time with the horrour of that one sin ; yet stay the cry , and abate the rage of that one with some superficiall comfort , and they are healed , and put into an happy case in their owne conceite , and in the opinion also perhaps of their unskilfull physition ; tho they search no further , and dive no deeper into the loathsome dunghill of those many abominable lusts , and corruptions in their heart and life , of which they are as full as the skinne will hold . now it is a foule and fearefull over-sight in a minister ; nay , it may proove an errour stained with spirituall bloodshed , to promise pardon to such partiall penitents . suppose a man sicke of a plurisie , should send to a physition , and tell him , hee is sore troubled with a cough , and intreate his help , concealing other y signes and symptomes , which ordinarily accompany that disease ; as his short and difficult breathing , the stinging stitch in his side , &c. the physition may addresse himselfe to cure the cough , and yet the patient die of an inflammation seized upō the membrane girding the ribs and side . it is proportionably so in the present point . a man may complaine , and cry out , houle and take on extremely for some one horrible hainous sinne , and that may bee well ; but except hee proceede to a further discovery , and sorrow proportionable for his other knowne sinnes , they will bee the destruction , and death of his soule . if a dozen theeves bee entred into thy house , it is not enough for thee to lay hold on the captaine thiefe onely , and thrust him out at doores : if thou suffer but one of them to lurke in any corner undiscovered , and not turned out , hee will serue the turne to cut thy throate , and take away thy treasure . crying out of one capitall sinne onely is not sufficient : wee must confesse and forsake * all , if wee looke to find mercy : prou. . . and yet here i would have no true penitent dejected , or mistake : the bare omission of some particular sinnes , in this case is not ever damnable . for wee must know , that if a man deale truly with his owne heart in a sincere acknowledgement , confession , and repentance for discovered and knowne sinnes ; ( and hee ought to labour , by clearing the eye of naturall conscience , and industrious inspection into gods pure law , to know as many as may bee ) and for all those that come into his minde , when hee sets himselfe apart , solemnely to humble and afflict his soule before god ; ( and hee ought to remember as many as hee can possibly ) i say , if so , then for secret and unknowne sinnes , which are committed in weakenesse and ignorance , the lord accepteth a generall confession , as wee see in davids practise , psalm . . . who can understand his errours ? cleanse thou mee from secret faults . sinnes there are many , and that in the best men , which are not onely unnoted of others , and free from the worlds observation , but even unknowne to a mans owne selfe , and invisible to the watchfullest eye of the most waking conscience ; which notwithstanding are clearely subject to the search of gods all-seeing eye , and to the censure of his pure majesty : for hell and destruction are before the lord , how much more the secretest waies of the sonnes of men ? sinnes there are also , which even in the zealous exercise , and holy worke of repentance , may not come into the consideration and remembrance of one truly penitent ; which if hee could recover into his memory , hee would heartily , and with much indignation acknowledge , bewaile and detest : so un-numbred are the cursed by-paths of mens crooked wayes . but for both these sorts of sinnes , i must say thus much for the comfort of the true convert ; that both those unknowne sins which hee commits of ignorance , if he truly repent for all his knowne sinnes , and labour with sincerity and zeale for further illumination of conscience , and fuller revelation of every corrupt passage both in heart & life , in judgement and practise ; and those sins of knowledge also , which came not into his minde , if with diligence , and without dissimulation , with hearty prayer , and best intention of spirit , he endeavour to recover them into his memory , that hee might also mourne for , and mortifie them with the rest ; carrying ever in his heart this resolution , that as any sinne shall bee discovered to his conscience , or returne into his mind , hee will abominate and abandon it ; i say , both these kinds of sinnes ( it is a pearle for the true penitent , let no stranger meddle with it ) to such an one , upon such conditions are most certainely washed away by christs blood , and gods free mercy , upon his generall confession and repentance . davids petition , o cleanse thou mee from my secret faults , did assuredly prevaile with god for the forgivenesse of all his unknowne sinnes , and shall bee powerfull for that end , to the worlds end , to all those that so pray , with davids spirit and sincerely . besides these two cases ; first , want of knowledge ; and secondly , want of remembrance in the sense i have said : there is also a third , and that is , thirdly , want of time : which if truly so , doth also sometimes excuse the omission of some particular sinnes . as wee may see in the thiefe upon the crosse. for want of leisure , hee could not possibly punctually revise his vile abominable life , nor peruse with remorse all the particulars of his former , wicked , and abhorred courses . but he had infused into his soule by iesus christ an habituall a grace of true repentance ; which if hee had lived , would have carried him faithfully along over all the notorious passages of his lewd and lothsome life , with a truly contrite , broken , and bleeding soule . so that , if hee had had space , i doubt not , but hee would have prooved a very eminent , extraordinary , and exemplary penitent . and therefore the lord in mercy , did gratiously b accept the desire and purpose , the inclination and preparation of his heart that way . but to returne to the point , and give my advise in the case proposed : let the party , who so takes on for some notorious sin only , and there takes up his rest , be told ; that tho he dwell with deepest sighes , heaviest heart and saltest teares , upon some of his greatest and most speciall sinnes ; yet the rest must by no meanes bee neglected . that which is most crying , and crimson , must serve as a cryer , that i may so speake , to summon the rest into the court of conscience , and as a remembrancer to bring them to minde and remorse : as davids murder and adultery brought even his birth-sinne into his memory : psalm . . and that sinne of strange wives many other sinnes to ezra's minde , ezra . when a father beates his childe for some one speciall fault , he is wont to remember unto him , and reckon with him for many former mis-demeanours also . when a bankrout is once clapt up for one principall debt , the rest of his creditours ordinarily come thicke and threefold upon him. when once thou begins to reckon with thy conscience for some one extraordinary rebellion , never cease untill thou hast searcht thorowly , and ransackt it to the bottome , that it may smart soundly , before thou hast done , with penitent anguish , and true remorse for all thy other sinfull corruptions also . when horror for some one hainous sinne hath seiz'd upon thy heart , follow gods blessed hand leading thee to conversion , and thorow the pangs of the new-birth to unspeakeable and glorious joy , by giving way to all the rest , to bring in their severall inditements against thy soule . and bee not afraid thus to arraigne , cast and condemne thy selfe as guilty of innumerable sinnes , and worthy ten thousand hells , before gods just tribunall . for then shalt thou there most certainely find a gracious advocate at his right hand ; to whom if thou make sute , and seeke in truth , hee will by the plea and price of his owne pretious blood , sue out a pardon for thine everlasting peace . when the guilty rage of thy raigning corruption begins to presse upon thy conscience , lay on loade , and more weight still by a penitent addition , and painefull apprehension of all thy other sinnes , that growing very sensible of thy spirituall slavery , weary of the dungeon of lewdnesse and lust , sensuality and death , wherein the divell hath kept thee long ; and thine heart being happily broken and bruised to the bottome , and scorch'd , as it were , in some measure with hellish flames of guilty horrour ; c thou mayst see , and feele the greater necessity of iesus christ , set him at an higher price ; with more eagernesse and impatiency thirst for his righteousnesse , and blood ; long for spirituall enlargement , more then for worlds of pleasures , glory , or wealth ; rellish the hidden manna of the promises most kindlily , and cast thy wounded and bleeding soule with more delight and sweetnesse , into his blessed armes of mercy and love . for , o how acceptable is the fountaine of living waters , saith a worthy divine , to the chased hart panting , and braying ? the blood of christ to the weary and tired soule ? to the thirsty conscience scorched with the sense of gods wrath ? hee that presents him with it , how welcome is hee ? even as a speciall choise man , one of a thousand . the deeper is the sense of misery , the sweeter is the sense of mercy . the traytour laid downe upon the blocke , is more sensible of his soveraignes mercy in pardoning , then hee , who is not yet attached . — in our dead security before conversion , god is faine to let the law , sinne , conscience , satan , a deepe sense of our abominable and cursed state loose upon us , and to kindle the very d fire of hell in our soules , that so wee might bee rouzed , and afterward more sweetly and soundly raised and refreshed . for after the most toylesome labour is the sweetest sleepe , after the greatest tempests the stillest calmes . sanctified troubles and terrours establish the surest peace . and the shaking of these windes makes the trees of gods eden take the deeper ro●ting . i confesse , that commonly true converts at the first touch , and turning , and after too , cry out most of , and are extraordinarily troubled with some one capitall sin , and that which in their dayes of darknesse and vanitie , wasted their conscience most , and detained them with strongest entisements , and hold-fast in the divels bondage . hence it was , that zacchaeus was so ready , and willing to restore fourefold , that so hee might bee rid of the sting and horrour of his former raigning sinne , luk. . . that blessed paul , as it seemes , amongst other dreadfull apprehensions of his former unregenerate courses , was so much vexed and wounded in heart , for that hee had been a persecuter , . timoth. . . . cor. . . but yet should they take-on never so much , houle and roare for that one sinne ; if besides , they did not by the conduct of the blessed spirit , descend also to a more particular acknowledgement , confession and repentance of all other knowne sinnes , ( and they ought , by clearing the eye of naturall conscience , industrious inspection into the pure cristall of gods law , discover as many as they can possibly ) all were nothing . hee which is grieved , say divines , for one sinne truly , and unfainedly from his heart , will proportionably bee grieved for all the sinnes that hee knoweth to bee in himselfe . if wee favour any one sinne in our heart , or life , or calling , wee cannot enjoy gods favour . if there bee any sensuall lust , or secret corruption , which a man purposely labours to cover and conceale from gods pure eye , the search of his word , and mortifying grace ; what hope can hee have , that it is covered with the blood of christ from the wrath that is to come , or warranted by any promise of grace from the damnation of hell ? in a true penitent , there ought to bee an utter cessation from all grosse abandonable sinnes , and at least dis-allowance , dis-affection , and all possible opposition , even to un-avoidable infirmities , and inseparable frailties of the flesh . . fiftly , when the physition of the soule promiseth mercy and pardon hand over head , without that spirituall discretion , which is convenient for a matter of so great consequence , and requiring such a deale of dexterity in discerning , to a man upon his bed of death , who hath formerly bin notorious , or onely civill , howsoever a meere stranger to the power of godlines , and the truth of profession , because now in the evill day , he takes on extremely , by reason of his extremity ; cries out of his sins ; o i am an hainous , horrible and grievous sinner ! if i were to live againe , what would not i doe ? a world for comfort now , and to die the death of the righteous : because hee howles vpon his bed , as the prophet speaketh , and breakes out oftentimes into a roaring complaint of sinne , and cry for pardon , by reason hee now begins to feare and feele the revenging hand of god ready to seize upon him for his former rebellions , &c. or when hee assures him , having been a formall professour onely , and foolish virgine , of blisse and glory ; because out of a former habituated spirituall selfe-deceite , hee cries , lord , lord ; seemes to by-standers very confident , that he shal presently receive a crowne of life , thankes god that nothing troubles him ; professes to every one that comes to visite him , that hee believes and repents with all his heart , forgives all the world , makes no doubt of heaven , &c. here by the way , wee must take notice , that many having out-stood the day of their gratious visitation , having neglected so great salvation , forsaken their owne mercy , and iudged themselues unworthy of everlasting life , all their life long , by standing out against the ministry of the word , in respect of any saving worke upon their soules ; and now at length beeing overtaken after the short gleame of worldly prosperity , with the boysterous winter-night of death , and darkenesse of the evill day , may keepe a great stirre upon their dying-beds , or in some great extremity , with grievous complaints of their present intolerable misery , and former sinfull courses procuring it , with incessant cries for ease and deliverance , being now caught like wilde bulls in a n●t full of the wrath of god , with earnest and eager ●uing and seeking for pardon and salvation , now when worldly pleasures are past ; and yet bee not truly penitent , not soundly and savingly humbled , not rightly fitted for christ and comfort . consider for this purpose , prov. . . . in the day of visitation , god called upon them , and stretched out his hands , but they refused , did not regard ; set at naught all his counsell , and would none of his reproofe : and therefore in the day of vexation , when extremity and anguish shall come upon them , like a thiefe in the night , a whirle-winde , travaile upon a woman , suddenly , extremely , un-avoidably , hee professeth before-hand , that then they shall call upon him , but hee will not answer ; e they shall seeke him early , but they shall not find him. psal. . . . . . when gods hand was upon them , then they * sought him : and they returned , and enquired early after god , &c. neverthelesse , they did flatter him with their mouth : and they lyed unto him with their tongues . for their heart was not right with him , &c. hos. . . they howled upon their beds . will not a dog or a beast , or any unreasonable creature , when they are pinched , when they are in extremity , will they not cry , will they not mourne for helpe , &c. their cries in the evill day were not hearty prayers , but howlings upon their beds . their earnestnesse in such a case is ordinarily like the teares , prayers , and cryes of a malefactour newly condemned . hee is very earnest with the iudge to spare him. hee roares out sometimes , and takes on extremely , yet not heartily for his former lewdnesse , but horribly , because hee must now loose his life . hee seemes now , when hee sees his misery to relent , and to bee toucht with remorse , but it is onely because hee is like to bee hanged . againe , many there are , who satisfying themselves and others , with a goodly shew of a forme onely of godlines , may upon their last bed discover , and represent to by-standers , a great deale of fearelesnesse about their spirituall state , much f confidence , many ostentations of faith , and full assurance , and behave themselves , as tho they were most certainely going to everlasting blisse , when as , god knowes , their answer at his just tribunall must bee , i know you not : and in truth and triall , they have no more part in christ , nor other portion in heaven , then the foolish virgins , and those , luk. . . . they are so confident , not because they have escaped the danger , but because they never saw the danger . and hence it is , that many of them die with as much confidence , as the best christians ; they have no more trouble then holy men . to bee sure i am free from danger , and not to know it , may beget equall confidence . now concerning the present case , i must tell you , that for my part , i would not much alter my censure and conceite of a man's spirituall state , whom i have thorowly knowne before for the manner of his death . the end of gods dearest servant , after an holy life and unblame-able conversation , may not appeare in the eye of man so calme and comfortable , as was expected ; by reason of much tendernesse of conscience , some strong temptation , spirituall desertion , violent distemper of body ; or because god would have the manner of his death serue the glory of his justice , in hardning those about him , who were so farre from being won by his godly life , that they heartily hated it ; or for some other secret and sacred end seene , and seeming good to divine wisedome , who ever disposeth every circumstance , even of the least affaire most sweetly and wisely . and yet this , as it doth not prejudice his salvation , neither should it his christian reputation . heare that great g doctor in the art of rightly comforting afflicted consciences . but what if you should die in this discomfort ? for my part ( as i my selfe looke for no great things in my death ) i would not thinke more hardly of you ; neither would i wish any to iudge otherwise of gods childe in that state of death : for wee shall not bee iudged according to that particular instant of death , but according to our generall course of life ; not according to our deede in that present , but according to the desire of our hearts ever before : and therefore wee are not to mistrust gods mercy in death , bee wee never so uncomfortable , if so bee it hath been before sealed in our vocation and sanctification . on the otherside , a notorious wretch which hath swumme downe the current of the times , and wallowed in worldly pleasures all his life long , may seeme to die penitently and resoluedly to bee reformed , if hee recover ; and yet his sorrow of minde , but such onely as the terrours of an awaked guilty conscience produce ; and his resolution to cast away his sinnes , onely such , as a man hath in a storme to cast away his goods , not because hee doth not love them , but because hee feareth to loose his life , if hee part not with them . or a meere civill man , or formall professour , may upon his bed of death bee very confident , and seeme to bee full of comfort ; and yet that confidence no other , then the strong imaginary ioyfull conceit of a covetous man grasping a great deale of gold in his dreame , but when hee awaketh , behold , his hands are empty . for a more full and cleare apprehension of my meaning and iudgement in the point , let us take a survay of the different and severall kinds of death , which ordinarily befall the godly , and the wicked . the death of gods children are divers . . some of their holy and zealous lives doe determine and expire sweetly , fairely , and gloriously , even like a cleare sunne in a summers evening , without any storme , or cloud of temptation and discomfort . the darkesome and painefull passages and pangs of death are illightened , and sweetned with the shining beames of gods glorious presence , and fast embracement of iesus christ in the armes of their faith. so that to them , the very ioyes of heaven , and exultations of everlasting rest mingle themselues , with those last agonies , and expirations of death . their heads are , as it were , crowned with immortality , and endlesse peace upon their beds of death . luther , that blessed man of god , died sweetly h and triumphantly over hell , the pope , and the divell : i my heavenly father , ( said hee at his death ) eternall and mercifull god , thou hast manifested unto me thy deare son , our lord iesus christ. i have taught him , i have knowne him , i love him as my life , my health , and my redemption : whom the wicked have persec●●ed , maligned , and with iniury afflicted . draw my soule to thee . after this , hee said as insued thrice . i commend my spirit into thine hands , thou hast redeemed mee , o god of truth . god so loved the world , that hee gave his onely sonne , that all that beleeve in him should have life everlasting . ioh. . heare how another blessed k saint of god ended his dayes : having the day before hee died continued his meditation and exposition vpon rom. . for the space of two houres , or more , on the sudden hee said ; o stay your reading ! what brightnesse is this i see ? have you light up any candles ? to which i answered , no ; it is the sun-shine , for it was about five a clocke in a cleare summers evening . sun-shine , saith hee , nay , my saviour-shine . now farewell world , welcome heaven ; the day-starre from on high hath visited my heart . o speake it when i am gone , and preach it at my funerall , god dealeth familiarly with man. i feele his mercy , i see his maiesty ; whether in the body , or out of the body , i cannot tell , god hee knoweth ; but i see things that are un-utterable . so , ravished in spirit , hee roamed toward heaven , with a chearefull looke , and soft sweete voyce , but what hee said , wee could not conceive . — with the sunne in the morning following , raising himselfe , as iacob did upon his staffe , hee shut up his blessed life , with these blessed words : o what an happy change shall i make ? from night to day ? from darkenesse to light ? from death to life ? from sorrow to solace ? from a factious world to an heavenly beeing ? o my deare brethren , sisters , and friends ! it pittieth mee to leave you behind : yet remember my death when i am gone , and what i now feele , i hope you shall finde , ere you die , that god doth , and will deale familiarly with men . and now thou fiery chariot , that came downe to feth up eliah , carry mee to my happy hold : and all yee blessed angels , who attended the soule of lazarus , to bring it up to heaven , beare mee , o beare mee into the bosome of my best beloved . amen , amen , come lord iesus , come quickly . and so hee fell asleepe . that this is true , the l reporter and by-stander , that ancient learned reverend minister of god , master leygh addeth : i say the truth , my brethren , i lie not , my conscience bearing mee witnesse in the holy ghost , &c. . others may end their dayes very uncomfortably in ravings , impatiencies , and other strange behaviours . nay , the fiery distempers of their hot diseases , may sometimes , even in the saints of god , produce furlous carriages , fearefull distractions , and some despairefull speeches . but these being the naturall effects and issues of melancholike excesses , phrensies , and burning fevers , are sins of infirmity in sanctified men . for which , if they come againe to themselves , they actually repent ; if not , they are all undoubtedly , by a generall habituall repentance , and gods gratious acceptation thereof , pardoned by the passion of christ , and buried for ever in his bloody death . that last and unreversable doome , at the dreadfull tribunall of the ever-living god must passe upon us ; not according to the violent , and unvoluntary distempers at our last houre , but according to the former passages of our life ; the sinfull , or sanctified expense of the daies of health . heare that other o great artist in the mysterie of dealing with trouble consciences . the common opinion is , that if a man die quietly , and goe away like a lambe , ( which in some diseases , as consumptions , and such like , any man may doe ) then hee goes straight to heaven : but if the violence of the disease stirre up impatience , and cause franticke behaviours , then men use to say , there is a judgement of god serving either to discover an hypocrite , or to plague a wicked man. but the truth is otherwise : for indeede a man may die like a lambe , and yet goe to hell : and one dying in exceeding torments , and strange behauiours of the body , may goe to heaven . . the death of some others is mixt , to wit , of fearefull tempestuous stormes , and almost , if not altogether , despairefull agonies , in the beginning of their last sicknesse , and a faire refreshing glorious calme , and ioyfull triumphs over temptations , and feare , towards the conclusion of their life . for some secret end and holy purpose seeming good to his heavenly wisedome , god suffers sometimes even his dearest servants , to taste , as it were , of the fire of hell , and for a while to feele in their consciences , those damned flames , as a preparative to drinke more sweetly of the well of life , and rivers of endlesse pleasures . so himselfe is most honoured , by helping when all hope is past : the heart of his child more ravisht with the first sight of those un-utterable joyes , beeing suddenly rais'd to the height of happinesse , from the depth of horrour : the enemies to the narrow way dasht and confounded , by observing his deliverance , whom , out of prophane blindnesse , they deemed an hypocrite : godly christians gratiously reviv'd , when they see , that tho the lord hide his face from his childe for a moment , yet at last with everlasting kindnesse will hee have mercy on him. and that hee will never utterly , and finally forsake any of his. thus died those blessed servants of god , mistris bretergh , master peacock , &c. mistris bretergh in the heate of temptatiō , wished that she had never bin borne , or that she had bin made any other creature , rather then a woman : but when that hellish storme was over-blowne by the returne of the glorious beames of the sun of righteousnesse into her soule ; she turnd her tune , and triumphed thus : oh happy am i , that ever i was borne , to see this blessed day ! i confesse before the lord his loving kindnesse , and his wonderfull workes before the sons of men : for hee hath satisfied my soule , and filled my hungry soule with goodnesse . master peacocke in the height of his dreadfull desertion , told those about him , that hee converst with hell-●ounds ; that the lord had cursed him ; that hee had no grace : that it was against the course of gods proceeding , to save him , &c. but when that horrible tempest of spirituall terrours was happily disperst ; and the light of gods comfortable countenance begun to shine againe upon his most heavy and afflicted spirit ; hee dis-avowed all inconsiderate speeches , as hee called them , in his temptation , and did humbly and heartily aske mercy of god for them all ; and did thus triumph : what should i extoll the magnificence of god , which is unspeakeable , and more then any heart can conceive ? nay rather let us with humble reverence acknowledge his great mercy . what great cause have i to magnifie the great goodnesse of god , that hath humbled , nay rather exalted such a wretched miscreant , of so base condition to an estate so glorious and stately ! the lord hath honored mee with his goodnesse : i am sure , hee hath provided a glorious kingdome for mee : the joy which i feele in my heart is uncredible . . some of gods worthiest champions , and most zealous servants doe not answere the unreprooveable sanctity of their life , and unspotted current of their former conversation , with those proportionable extraordinary comforts , and glorious passages upon their beds of death , which in ordinary congruity might be expected , as a conuenient conclusion to the rare and remarkeable christian cariages of such blessed saints . so bottomlesse and infinitely un-fathomable by the utmost of all created vnderstandings are the depths of gods most holy waies , and his inscrutable counsells , quite contrary many times to the probable conclusions of man's best wisdome . but every one of his , sith he certainly passes thorow those pangs into pleasures and joyes endlesse and unspeakeable , must be content to glorifie god , & to be seruiceable to his secret ends , with what kinde of death hee please : whether it bee glorious and untempted : or discomfortable , because of bodily distempers , and consequently interpretable by undiscerning spirits : or mingled of temptations , and triumphs : or ordinary , and without any great shew , or remarkeable speeches , after extraordinary singularities of an holy life , which promised an end of speciall note , and admiration . why may not some worthy heavenly-minded christians sometimes by strong mortifying meditations , and many conquering fore-conceits of death in their life time , make it before-hand so familiar and easie unto them , an by continuall conversing above , and constant peace of conscience , taste so deepely of spirituall ioyes , that that dreadfull passage out of this life , as it may breede no great sense of alteration in themselves , so no extraordinary matter of speciall observation to others . of the wicked , and those , who were ever strangers to the mystery of christ and truth of godlinesse : some die desperately . tho thousands perish by m presumption , to one of these who despaire ; yet some there are , to whom upon their beds of death all their sins are set in order before them , and represented to the eie of their awaked consciences in such griesly formes and so terribly , that at the very first and fearefull sight , they are presently struck starke dead in soule and spirit , utterly over-whelmed and quite swallowed up with guilty and desperate horrour . so that afterward , no counsell , or comfort ; no consideration of the immeasurablenesse of gods mercy , of the unvaluablenesse and omnipotency , that i may so speak , of christs bloud shed , of the variety & excellency of gracious promises , of the losse of their owne immortall soules , can possibly drive and divert from that infinitely n false conceite , and cursed cry ; my sinnes are greater , then can bee pardoned . whereupon most miserable , and forlorne wretches , they very wickedly , and willfully throw themselves into hell , as it were , upon earth , and are damned above ground . thus the lord sometimes for the terror of others , glorifying his owne iustice , & bringing exemplary confusion upon impenitent obstinacy in sinne , and willfull opposition to grace , doth in greatest indignation by the hand of divine vengeance , unclaspe unto them , the booke of their owne conscience , and of his owne holy law. in one of which they find , now at length , all their innumerable iniquities , transgressions and sinnes engraven with the point of a diamond , enraged with gods implacable wrath , aggravated with the utmost malice of satan ; and never to bee razed out , or remitted , but by the bloud of the son of god , in which they peremptorily professe themselves to have no part . in the other , they see the fiercenes , and fulnesse of all the curses , plagues and torments denounced there , and due unto all impenitent sinners , ready to bee poured upon their bodies and soules for ever ; and no possibility to prevent them , no waies to decline them , but by gods infinite bounty thorow iesus christ , in which they also utterly disclaime all right and interest . and therefore they are now finally , and desperately resolved to looke for no mercy : but in their owne judgement , and by their owne confession ▪ stand reprobates from gods covenant , and voide of all hope of his inheritance , expecting with unspeakeable terrour and amazement of spirit , the consummation of their miserie , and fearefull sentence of eternall damnation . they are commonly such , o as have been grosse hypocrites like iudas , and lien in some secret abomination against the knowledge of their hearts , all their life long ; that have followed still their owne sensuall wayes , and course of the world against the light of the ministry , standing like an armed man in their consciences to the contrary ; who have been scorners and persecutours of the power of godlinesse , and the good way ; who have abjured the gospell of iesus christ , and forsaken the truth for honour , wealth , or worldly happinesse : to whom the lord in their life-time vouchsafed many mercies , much prosperity , great meanes of salvation , long forbearance , &c. and yet they stood out still they still hated to bee reformed , set as naught all his counsell , and would 〈◊〉 of his ●● proofe . wherefore the day of gratious visitation beeing once expired , a thousand worlds ▪ will not purchase it againe ; heaven and earth cannot recall it . no mercy , no comfort , no blessing can then bee had , tho they seeke it with teares and yelling . they shall never more bee heard , tho with much violence they throw their serikings into the aire and cry with sighes and groanes , as piercing as a sword . not , but that the gates of heaven , and armes of mercy may stand wide open , untill their last breath : but alas ! they have already so hardened their hearts , that they cannot repent . after thine hardnesse , saith paul , and heart , that cannot repent . they now but howle upon their beds , they doe not cry unto god with their heart ; as the prophet speakes , hos. . . their earnest and early crying in this last extremity , is onely because ▪ their feare is come upon them as desolution , and their destruction as a whirlewinde . when they cast out their considerations for comfort . it is not the whole creation can possibly help them ; for they must stand or fall to the tribunall of the everlasting god , mighty and terrible , the creator of the ends of the earth . if they looke up to god the father ; that prov. . . . comes presently into their heads with much horrour , and quite kills their hearts : because hee hath called all our life long , and all that goodly time wee refused ; hee will laugh now at our calamity , and mocke when our feare is come . iesus christ , as they strongly conceive , and un-mooveably conclude against themselves , hath now to them for ever closed up his wounds as it were , and will not afford them one drop of his blood ; because they have so often , by comming unworthily , spilt it in the sacrament , persecuted him in his members , and despised him in the ministry . the blessed spirit , because in the day of visitation they repelled all his inward warnings and holy motions , preferring satans impure suggestions , before his sacred inspirations , doth now in their own acknowledgement , by the equity of a just proportion , in this day of vexation , leave them to eat the fruit of their former wilfulnesse , and reape the reward of their owne wayes . thus these forlorne wretches are disclaimed , forsaken , and abandoned of heaven and earth , god and man ; of all the comforts in this life , and blessings of the world to come . and so by finall despairing of gods mercy , the o greatest of sinnes , they most unhappily , and cursedly follow iudas the worst of men , into the darkest and most damned nooke in hell. . others die senselesly and blockishly . they demeane themselues , upon their dying beds , as tho there were no immortality of the soule , no tribunall aboue , no strict account to bee given up there for all things done in the flesh , no everlasting estate in the world to come ; wherein every one must either lie in unspeakeable paines , or live in un-utterable pleasures . in their life time , they were never woont to tremble at gods judgments , or rejoyce in his promises , or much trouble themselves with the ministry of the word , or about the state of their soules . all was one to them , what minister they had , whether a man taught to the kingdome of christ , or a generall teacher , or an ignorant mangler of the word , or a dissolute fellow , or a dawber with untempered morter , or a dumbe dog. if they were neither whores nor thieves , but well accounted of amongst their neighbours , thriued in the world , prospered in their outward state , prouided for posterity , slept in a whole skinne , were not vexed on the lords day with any of these precise trouble-townes : they were well enough , and had all they looked for , either in this world , or in the world to come . wherefore at their death by reason of their former disacquaintance with spirituall things , and god not opening their eies , they are neither afflicted with any feare of hell ; or affected with any hope of heaven ; they are both un-apprehensive of their present danger , and fearelesse of the fiery lake , into which they are ready to fall . in these regards , they are utterly untouched , die most quietly , and without any trouble at all . and it is their ordinary answere , when they are questioned about their spirituall state , and how it stands with them betweene god and their owne consciences ; i thanke god nothing troubles me . which , tho they thinke it makes much for their owne credit , yet alas ! it is small comfort to judicious by-standers , and such as wish well to their soules ; but rather a fearefull confirmation , that they are finally giuen ouer to the spirit of slumber , and sealed up by divine q justice , in the sottishnesse and security of their owne senselesse hearts , for most deserved condemnation . thus these men , as one speakes , live like stocks , and die like blocks . and yet the ignorant people , saith greeneham , will still commend such fearefull deaths , saying , he departed as meekely , as a lambe , hee went away as a bird in a shell ; when they might as well say , ( but for their featherbed , and their pillow ) hee dyed like a beast , and perished like an oxe in a ditch . . others die formally ; i meane they make very goodly shewes and representations of much confidence and comfort . having formerly beene formall professours , and so furnished with many formes of godly speeches ▪ and outward christian behaviours ; and the spirit of delusion , and spirituall selfe-cousenage , wich in their life time detained them in constancy of security , and selfe-conceitednesse about the spirituall safty of their soules , p without any such doubts , troubles , feares , temptations , which are woont to haunt those who are true of heart , ( for ordinarily such is the peace of unsound professors ) continuing their imaginary groundlesse persvasion and presumption in the height and strength unto the end , for their very last breath may bee spent in saying lord lord open unto us , as wee see in the foolish virgines , and those , mat. . i say such men as these , thus wofully deluded and fearefully deceiving others , may cast out upon their last beds many glorious speeches ▪ intimating much seeming confidence of a good estate to god-ward , contempt of the world , willingnesse to die , readinesse to forgiue all the world , hope to bee saved , desire to bee dissolved , and goe to heaven , &c. they may cry aloud with a great deale of formall confidence , lord , lord , q mercy , mercy in the name of christ , lord iesus receive our spirits , &c. and yet all these goodly hopes , and earnest eiaculations , growing onely from a forme , & not from the power of godlines , are but , as i said somewhere before , as so many catchings and scrablings of a man over-head in water ; he strugles and strives for hold to save himself , but he graspes nothing but water ; it is still water , which he catches , and therefore sinkes and drownes . they are all but as a spiders web , iob. . . . vpon which , one falling from the top of an house , laies hold by the way , for stay and support . hee shall lea●e upon his house , but it shall not stand ; h●e shall hold it fast , but it shall not endure . o how many descend faitl● an ancient father , with this hope to eternall trauailes and torment ? how many saith an * other worthy doctour , goe to hell with a vaine hope of heaven : whose chiefest cause of damnation is their false persuasion and groundlesse presumption of salvation ? of all the foure kindes of death , which ordinarily befall such as are not saved , this is the fairest in shew ; but yet of greatest imposture to those about them , and of most pestilent consequence to harden especially all of the same humour , that heare of it . . some die penitently : but i meane seemingly so , not savingly . many having served their appetites all their lives , and lived in pleasure ; now when the sun of their sensuall delights begins to set , and the darke midnight of misery and horrour , to seize upon them , would very gladly bee saved . and i blame them not , if they might first live the life of the wicked , and then die the death of the righteous : if they might have the earthly heaven of the worlds favourites here , and the heauen of christs martyrs in the world to come . r these men are woont in this last extremity , to take on extremely ; but it is but like their howling upon their beds . hos. . . because they are pinched with some sense of present horror and expectation of dreadful things : they cry out mightily for mercy ; but it is no other , then their early seeking , prov. . . because distresse and anguish is come upon them : they enquire eagerly after god , and would now bee gladly acquainted with him ; but just like them , psal. . s when hee slew them , then they sought him : and they returned , and enquired early after god. and they remembred that god was their rocke , and the high god their redeemer . neverthelesse , they did flatter him with their mouth : and they lyed unto him with their tongs : for their heart was not right with him. they promise very faire , and protest gloriously , what mended men they will bee , if the lord restore them : but all these goodly promises are but as a morning cloud , and as the early dew . they are like those of a thiefe or murtherer at the barre , which beeing now cast , and seeing there is now no way but one : o what a reformed man would hee bee , if hee might bee reprieved ! antiochus , as the apocryphall booke of the t maccabees reports , when the hand of god was upon him horribly , vowed excellent things : o what hee would doe ; so and so extraordinarily for the people of god! yea and that he himselfe also would become a iew ; and goe through all the world , that was inhabited , and declare the power of god. but what was it , thinke you , that made this raging tyrant to relent , and thus seemingly repent ? a paine of the bowells that was remedilesse came upon him , and sore torments of the inner parts . so that no man could endure to carry him for his intolerable stinke ; and he himselfe could not abide his owne smell . many may thus behaue themselves upon their beds of death with very strong shewes , and many boisterous representations of true turning unto god , whereas in truth and triall , they are as yet rotten at heart roote . and as yet no more comfort upon good ground belongs unto them , then to those in the fore-cited places : and if any spirituall physition in such a case , doe presse it hand over head , or such a patient presume to apply it , it is utterly misgrounded , mis-applied . heare what u one of the worthiest divines in christendome saith : now put case one commeth to his ghostly father with such sorrow of minde , as the terrours of a guilty conscience usually doe produce , and with such a resolution to cast away his sinnes , as a man hath in a storme to cast away his goods ; not because hee doth not love them , but because hee feareth to lose his life , if hee part not with them : doth not hee betray this mans soule , who putteeh into his head , that such an extorted repentance as this , which hath not one graine of love to season it withall , will qualifie him sufficiently for the receiving of an absolution ? &c. and x another excellently instructed unto the kingdome of heaven : repentance at death is seldome sound . for it may seeme rather to arise from feare of iudgement , and an horrour of hell , then for any griefe for sinne . and many seeming to repent affectionately in dangerous sicknesse , when they have recovered , have been rather worse then before . it is true , that true repentance is never too late , but late repentance is seldome true : for here our sinnes rather leave us , then wee them , as ambrose sayes , and as hee addes , woe bee unto them , whose sinne and life end together . this received principle among the ancient fathers , that late repentance is rarely true , implyes , that it is often false and unsound , and so by consequent confirmes the present point . too manifold experience also makes it good : amongst many for my part , i have taken speciall notice of two : the one beeing laboured-with in prison , was seemingly so extraordinarily humbled , that a reverend man of god was mooved thereby , to bee a meanes for his reprive , whereupon a pardon was procured . and yet this so extraordinary a penitent , while death was in his eye , having the terror removed , returned to his vomit ; and some two yeeres after , to the same place againe , as notorious a belial as hee was before . another , having upon his bed of sicknesse received in his owne conceite the sentence of death against himselfe ; and beeing pressed to humiliation , and broken-heartednesse ; for hee had formerly been a stranger and enemy to purity , and the power of godlinesse , answered thus : my heart is broken : and so broke out into an earnest confession of particular sinnes : hee named uncleannesse , stubbornnesse , obstinacy , vaine-glory , hypocrisie , dissimulation , uncharitablenesse , covetousnesse , luke-warmenesse , &c. he compared himselfe to the thiefe upon the crosse. and if god , saith hee , restore mee to health againe , the world shall see , what an altered man i will bee . when hee was prest to syncerity and true-heartednesse in what hee said ; hee protested , that hee repented with all his heart and soule , and minde , and bowels , &c. and desired a minister that stood by , to bee a witnesse of these things betweene the world and him. and yet this man upon his recovery , became the very same , if not worse then hee was before . now sith upon this perusall of the different deaths incident to the godly and the wicked , it appeares ; that some men never soundly converted , may in respect of all outward representations , die as confidently and comfortably in the conceite of the most , as gods dearest children : and that christs best servant sometimes may depart this life y uncomfortably to the eye , and in the opinion of the greatest part ; and wee heard before , that our last and everlasting doome must passe upon us , according to the syncerity , or sensuality , the zealous forwardnes , or formality of our former courses ; and not according to the seeming of our last carriage upon bed of death , and enforced behaviour in that time of extremity : i say , these things beeing so , i hold my conclusion still , and resolution ; not much to alter my censure and conceit of a mans spirituall state , for the manner of his death . i except the thieves upon the crosse : my meaning is , that there may bee some , ( i know nor how few , but i am sure there is none , except hee have in him the perfection of the madnesse of all the bedlams that ever breath'd , would run that hazard ) who formerly out of the way and unreformed , may now at last , being very extraordinarily , and mightily humbled under gods mighty hand , & cleaving to the lord iesus with truly broken hearts indeede , follow by a miracle , as it were , the thiefe upon the crosse , to an everlasting crowne . and here now , i require the care , conscience , heavenly wisedome , experimentall skill , and all his ministeriall dexterity in the physition of the soule , to discerne aright betweene these , and seeming penitents : and then to apply himselfe proportionably with all holy discretion and seasonablenesse , to their severall different estates . but to fright and fire every one for ever , from that extremest z folly of hoping to follow that miraculously penitent thiefe ; and from going on in sinne , and deferring repentance upon such a deceiving and desperate ground ; let us consider ; . first , what an holy and learned a man of god saith to this point : in great wisedome , that men at the last gaspe should not utterly despaire , the lord hath left us but one example of exceeding , and extraordinary mercy , by saving the thiefe on the crosse. — yet the perversenesse of all our nature may bee seene by this , in that this one serveth us to loosenesse of life , in hope of the like : whereas wee might better reason ; that it is but one , and that extraordinary , and that besides this one , there is not b one moe in all the bible ; and that for this one that sped , a thousand thousands have missed : and what folly is it to put our selues in a way , where so c many have miscarried ? to put our selves into the hand of that physition , that hath murthered so many ; going cleane against our sense and reason : whereas in other wee alwaies leane to that which is most ordinary , and conclude not the spring of one swallow ? it is as if a man should spurre his asse till hee speake , because baalams asse did once speake : so grossely hath the divell bewitched us . . secondly , the singularities about the good thiefe : first , his heart was broken with one short sermon , as it were ; but thou hast , or mightest have heard many , and art yet hard-hearted . secondly , the other thiefe saw also that soveraigne soule-healing blood gush freshly and abundantly out of his blessed side , and yet was not strucke , or stird at all . thirdly , his example is onely for true penitents ; but thou upon this presumption despising in the meane time , the riches of gods goodnesse , and forbearance , and long-suffering , leading thee to repentance , hardenest thy heart , that thou canst not repent . fourthly , his case was singular , and such , that the like is not to bee found in the whole scripture . a king sometimes pardons a malefactour at the place of execution ; wilt thou therefore runne desperately into some horrible villany , deserving death , hoping to bee that one amongst many thousands ? fifthly , it was a d miracle , saith an excellent e divine , with the glory whereof our saviour would honour the ignominy of the crosse ; we may almost as well expect a second crucifying of christ , as such a second thiefe . christ then triumphing on the crosse , did as princes doe in the triumph of entring into their kingdomes , they pardon grosse offences before committed , such as they pardon not afterwards . . having an eye upon this thiefe , that thou mayest more fully and freely follow thy pleasures , thou makest a covenant with death , and an agreement with hell , and puts the evill day farre from thee : but the lord hath professed ; that thy covenant with death shall bee dis-annulled , and thy agreement with hell shall not stand ; when the overflowing scourge shall passe thorow , then shalt thou bee trodden downe by it . . thirdly , the ordinary impossibilities of following the blessed thiefe in his miraculous repentance . first , thou art cryed unto continually by gods messengers to come in , now while it is called to day ; yet thou standest out still , out of this f conceite onely , or rather deceite , to take thy fill of pleasure in the meane time , and to seeke god sufficiently upon thy bed of death , by repenting with the thiefe at last . but know for thy terrour , and timely turning , that the longer thou puts off and deferres , the more unfit thou shalt be to repent . thy custome in sinning will exercise more tyranny over thee : the curse of god for thy going on still in thy trespasses will bee more heavy upon thee . the corruptions that lurke in thine owne bosome , will be more strengthened against thee . and this threefold cord is hardly broken : these three giants will be maistered with very much adoe . the further thou walkest in the wayes of death , the more unwilling , and more unable wilt thou bee to returne , and bee reformed . thine understanding will be more darkened with hellish mists , thy judgement more perverted , thy will more stubborne , thy memory more stuft with sensuall notions , thine affections will become more rebellious , thy thoughts more earthly , thine heart more hardened , thy conscience more feared , thy selfe more sold to sinne , and every day that comes over thine head in this state of darkenesse , much more the child of the divell , then thou wast before . to refuse christ upon this point so freely and fairely offered , is to receive gods curse under seale ; and to make sure thy covenant with hell , and league with death , untill thou bee slaine by the one , and swallowed up of the other , without all mercy , or recovery . for in this time of delay , god growes more angry , satan more strong , thy selfe more unable to repent , sinne more unconquerable , thy conversion more hard , thy salvation more impossible . a ruinous house , the longer thou lettest it run , the more labor & charge will it require in repairing . if thou drive a naile with an hammer , the more blowes thou givest to it , the more hard will it bee to plucke it out againe . it is just so in the case of continuing in ●inne : and every new sin is a new stroke with an hammer , that drives the naile in further . secondly , with what possibility art thou like to passe thorow the great work of saving repentance ? or with what heart canst thou addresse thy selfe unto it ? when upon thy sicke bed , thou art set upon at once , if thy conscience bee waking , with the ugly sight of all thy sinnes charging upon thee with insupportable horrour , with the pangs of death , with g satans utmost malice , and his very powder-plot , and with the terrour of that approaching strickt tribunall . which dreadfull encounter is able to put to it , the spirituall strength of many yeeres gathering . thirdly , resolution to deferre repentance , when grace is offered , doth justly merit , to bee deprived for ever after of all oportunity , and ability to repent . fourthly , it is just with god , that that man , who doth purposely put off repentance , and provision for his soule , untill his last sicknes , should for that sin alone , bee snatcht out of the world in great anger , even suddenly , so that there bee scarce a moment betwixt the height of his temporall happinesse , and depth of his spirituall misery . that his foolish hope may bee frustrated , and his vaine purpose come to nothing , hee may bee cut off , as the top of an care of corne , and put out like a candle , when hee least thinkes of death , and dreames of nothing lesse , then departure from his earthly paradise . h they are exalted for a little while , saith iob , but are gone and brought low , they are taken out of the way as all other , and cut i off as the tops of the eares of corne . fifthly , a long continued k custome is not woont to bee shaken off in an instant . is it like , that a blackamore should change his skinne , and a leopard his spots in three or foure dayes , which they have contracted in forty or threescore yeeres ? therefore i marvell that any should bee so blindfolded , and baffeld by the divell , as to embolden himselfe to drive off untill the last , by that place before confession ; at what time soever a sinner doth repent him of his sinne , from the bottome of his heart , i will put all his wicked out of my remembrance , saith the lord : especially , if hee looke upon the text from whence it is taken ; which mee-thinkes , beeing rightly understood , and the conditions well considered , is most punctuall , and precise , to fright any from that desperate folly : the words runne thus , ezech. . . . but if the wicked will turne from all his sinnes which hee hath committed , and keepe all my statutes , and doe that which is lawfull and right , hee shall surely live , hee shall not die . all his transgressions , &c. hence it appeares , that if any man expect upon good ground , any portion in this pretious promise of mercy and grace , hee must leave all his sinnes , and keepe all gods statutes . now how performest thou the condition of leaving all thy sinnes ; when as in this last extremity , having received the sentence of death against thy selfe , thy sinnes leave thee , and not thou thy sinnes , that i may speake in the phrase of an ancient l father ? and what space is left to come to comfort , by keeping all gods statutes ; when thou art presently to passe to that highest and dreadfull tribunall , to give an exact and strickt account for the continual breach of all gods lawes , all thy life long ? sixthly , many seeme to bee passingly penitent , and promise exceeding faire , in the evill day , and upon their sicke beds ; who beeing recovered , and restored to their former state , are the very same they were before , if not worse . i never knew , nor heard of any , un-wrought upon , under conscionable meanes , who after recovery performed the vowes and promises of a new life , which hee made in his sicknesse , and times of extremity . for if hee will not bee mooved with the ministry , god will never give that honour unto a crosse , to doe the deede . nay , father abraham ; saith the rich glutton , but if one went unto them from the dead , they will repent . and hee said unto him , if they heare not moses and the prophets , neither will they bee perswaded , the one rose from the dead . luke . . . it would amaze thee much , if one of thy good-fellow companions should now rise from the dead , and tell thee , that hee who was thy brother in iniquity , is now in hell , and if thou follow the same sensuall courses still , thou must shortly most certainely follow him to the place of torment . and yet even this would not worke at all , if thou bee a despiser of the word . it may bee , while the dead man stood by thee , thou wouldst be extraordinarily mooved , and promise much : but no sooner should he bee in his grave ; but thou wouldst bee as gracelesse , as thou wast before . seventhly , what wise man seeing a fellow , who never gave his name to religion in his life time , now only troubled about sinne , when hee is sure , hee m must die , will not suspect it to be wholly slavish , and extorted for feare of hell ? my sentence is , saith greenham , that a man lying now at the point of death , having the snares of death upon him ; in that straite of feare and paine , may have a sorrow for his life past , but because the weakenesse of flesh , and the bitternesse of death doth most commonly procure it , wee ought to suspect , &c. eighthly , painefull distempers of body are wont to weaken much , and hinder the activenes and freedome of the soules operations ; nay , sometimes to distract , and utterly over-throw them . many even of much knowledge , grace and good life , by reason of the damp and deadnesse , which at that time the extremity and anguish of their disease brings upon their spirits , are able to doe no great matter , if anything at all , either in meditation or expression . how then doest thou thinke to passe thorow the incomparably greatest worke , that ever the soule of man was acquainted with in this life , i meane the new-birth , at the n point of death ? it is a wofull thing to have much worke to doe , when the power of working is almost done . when wee are come to the very last cast , our strength is gone ▪ our spirits cleane spent , our senses appalled , and the powers of our soules as numbe as our senses : when there is a generall prostration of all our powers , and the shadow of death upon our eyes : then something wee would say or doe , which should doe our soules good . but alas ! how should it then bee ? . when the spirituall physition powres the baulme of mercy , and oyle of comfort into a wounded conscience : . too soone . the o surgeon , that heales up a dangerous sore , and drawes a skinne over it , before his corrosives have consumed the dead flesh , before hee hath opened it with his tents , ransackt it to the roote , and rent out the core , is so farre from pleasuring , that hee procures a great deale of misery to his patient . for the rotten matter that remaines behind , will in the meane time rankle and fester underneath , and at length breake out againe , perhaps , both with more extremity of anguish , and difficulty of cure . they are but mountebankes , as they call them , smatterers in physicke and surgery ; upon the matter , but plaine cheaters and couseners , who are so ready and resolute for p extemporary , and palliate cures . sudden recoveries from rooted and old distempers , are rarely sound . if it be thus in bodily cures ; what a deale , doe you thinke , of extraordinary discretion , heavenly wisedome , precise and punctuall ponderation of circumstances , well-advised and seasonable leasure , both speculative and experimentall skill , heartiest ejaculations , wrastlings with god by prayer for a blessing , is very convenient , and needfull for a true and right methode in healing a wounded conscience ? which doth passe immeasurably all other maladies , both in exquisitenesse of paine , tendernesse of touch , deceitfulnesse of depth , and in highest and greatest consequence , either for the everlasting health , or endlesse horrour of an immortall soule . hence it was , that that q one of a thousand , and learned doctour in this heavenly mystery , did so farre differ from all dawbers with untempered mortar , and the ordinary undoing-courses in this kind : but now comming to the salving of this sore , saith hee , i shall seeme very strange in my cure : and so much the more bee wondred at , by how much in manner of proceeding i differ from the most sort of men herein . i am not ignorant , that many visiting afflicted consciences , cry still ; oh comfort them ! o speake ioyfull things unto them ! yea , there bee some , and those of the most learned , who in such cases , are full of these and such like speeches . why are you so heavy , my brother ? why are you so cast downe , my sister ? bee of good cheare : take it not so grievously . what is there that you should feare ? god is mercifull , christ is a saviour . these bee speeches of love indeed : but they often doe the poore soules as much good herein , as if they should powre cold water into their bosomes ; when as without further searching of their sores , they may as well minister a malady , as a medicine . for as nutritive and cordiall medicines are not good for every sicke person , especially when the body needeth rather a strong purgation , then a matter restorative ; and as in carnative medicines may for a time allay the paine of the patient , but after , the griefe becommeth more grievous : so the comfortable applying of gods promises are not so profitable for every one that is humbled , especially when their soules are rather further to be cast downe , then as yet to bee raised up : so those sugred consolations may for a while over-heale the conscience , and abate some present griefe ; but so , as afterwards the smart may bee the sorer , and the griefe may grow the greater : hereof ensueth this effect , that comfort seemeth to cure for a while , but for want of wisedome in the right discerning of the cause , men minister one medicine for another ; and so for want of skill , the latter fit grindeth sorer then the former . calvine also , that r great pillar and glory of the christian world for syncere and sound orthodoxe doctrine , concurres in judgement with this blessed man of god , and so , i doubt not , doe all the faithfull ministers of iesus christ : s let this bee the first degree of repentance ; when men feele that they have been grievous offenders ; and then the griefe is not to bee immediately cured ; as impostors deale flatteringly and nicely with mens consciences , that they may favour themselves as much as may bee , and bee notably deceived with superficiall dawbing . the physition will not forthwith asswage the paine , but will consider what may bee more expedient : perhaps hee will increase it , because a sharper purge will bee necessary . even so doe the prophets of god , when they see trembling consciences , doe not presently apply sweet consolations ; but rather tell them , that they must not dally with god ; and stirre up those , who are so forward of their owne accord , that they would propose unto themselves the terrible iudgement of god , that they may yet bee more and more humbled . t another excellent and skilfull work-man in the great mystery of saving soules , tells us truly ; that the promise of salvation is not straight belonging to one terrified in conscience , but to one that is not onely terrified for his punishment , but is contrite-hearted for sinne , which is the worke of the gospell . — let not these bee weary of the yoke of god and the law , and make over much haste out of this state , for so may they undoe themselves : for some withstanding their terrour , have withstood their salvation , &c. even as an impatient patient gets the chirurgion to pull out the tent and corrosive , or p●ls it off himselfe as soone as it begins to smart a little , and so thinkes it is searcht enough , and now layes ( saith hee ) on healing plaisters : but afterward breakes out againe worse then ever ; whereas if the corrosive had been let lie on , till it had eaten out the corruption indeed , then it might have been whole long agoe . if dawbers in this kind did rightly understand and acknowledge , or had ever had any experimentall feeling in their owne soules of christs rule , and the holy ghosts method , which is first , to convince of sinne ; to deject and humble in the sight of the lord with apprehension , and sense of a most abominable and cursed state , before there follow a conviction of the righteousnesse of christ to raise up ; see ioh. . . or of the necessity of the worke of the spirit of bondage , to fit and prepare for christ and comfort ; i say then , they would not deale so ignorantly and overly in a matter of so deare and everlasting importance . they would not so hastily hand over-head , without all warrant and wisedome , without any further search , discovery or dejection , offer mercy , pardon , and all the promises to a man formerly wicked ; onely for some faint and enforced confession of sinnes , or because now beeing overtaken by the evill day , hee howles upon his bed , not for any true hatred of sinne , but for present smart , and expected horror , &c. but would labour to let the spirit of bondage have it's full work , and lay him open more at large in the true colours of his skarlet sinnes ; and not onely cause a bare confession of them , but such a conviction which may stop his mouth , that hee hath not a word to speake , but trembles to see such a sinke , sodom and hell of sinne and abomination in himselfe , &c. o how oft have i heard many a poore ignorant soule in the day of sorrow , beeing mooved to humble himselfe in the sight of the lord , that hee might lift him up ; first , to get his heart broken with the abhorred burden of all his sinnes , and then to bring it thus bleeding to the throne of grace , that christ might binde it up ; i say , beeing thus intreated : to answer , yes , yes , with all my heart ; i am sorry for my sinnes with all my heart ; i trust in iesus christ with all my heart ; and thus whatsoever you can counsell or advise , hee doth it with all his heart : whereas alas ! poore heart , as yet , his understanding is as darke , as darkenesse it selfe , in respect of any , i say not onely , saving knowledge , but almost of any knowledge at all ; and his heart in respect of any true remorse , as hard as a rocke of flint . now those unskilfull physitions of the soule , who in this and the like cases , will needs without any more adoe , without any further illightning or labour , threape mercy and comfort upon them , are like those foolish sheapherds , as u marbury calls them , who when they want skill to helpe their poore sheepe out of the ditch , are driven to play the miserable comforters , and to take some other indirect course ( as many use to doe in such cases ) to cut the sheepes throate in time , to make him mans meate , lest it should bee said , hee died in a ditch . they are desolators , not consolators , as austin somewhere calls them : not sound comforters , but true cut-throates . besides that which i have said before , of the precedency of the working of the law , and of the spirit of bondage , to make way for christ ; let mee further tell you upon this occasion , that it may appeare , that much more is to bee done herein , then is ordinarily imagined , before comfort may upon good ground , and seasonably bee applied to the conscience awaked , what an excellent divine , both for depth of learning , and height of holinesse , delivered somewhere in this point to this purpose : no man must thinke this strange , that god dealeth with men after this strange manner : as it were to kill them , before hee make them alive ; to let them passe through , or by , as it were , the gates of hell , to heaven ; to suffer the spirit of bondage to put them into a feare , into a shaking , and trembling , &c. for hee suffers those that are his , to bee terrified with this feare : . first , in respect of his owne glory ; for the magnifying both of his iustice , and of his mercy : . hee glorifies his iustice , when lessening , or altogether , for the time , abstracting all fight of mercy , hee lets the law , sinne , conscience , and satan loose upon a man , to have their course , and severall comminations ; and sets the spirit of bondage on worke , &c. thus , as in the great worke of x redemption , hee would have the glory of his iustice appeare ; so would hee have it also in the application of our redemption , that iustice should not bee swallowed up of mercy : but even as the woman , . king. . who had nothing to pay , was threatned by creditours to take away her two sonnes , and put them in prison : so wee having nothing to pay , the law is let loose upon us , to threaten imprisonment and damnation ; to affright and terrifie : and all this , for the manifesting of his iustice . furthermore , the booke of god is full of terrible threatnings against sinners : now shall all these bee to no purpose ? the wicked are insensible of them ; to them therefore in that respect , they are in vaine . some there must needs bee , upon whom they must worke ; shall the lion roare , saith the prophet , and no man bee affraide ? sith then , they who should , will not ; some there bee who must tremble . this the prophet excellently setteth ●orth , isai. . . where the lord sheweth , whom hee will regard . but to this man will i looke , even to him that is poore , and of a contrite spirit , and trembleth at my word . neither is it without good cause , that god dealeth thus with his owne in this manner , tho it bee sharpe in the experience . first , wee must feare , tremble , and bee humbled : and then wee shall receive a spirit not to feare againe . . his mercy also is thereby mightily magnified . which would never bee so sweet , nor relish so well , nor bee so esteemed of us ; if the awfull terrour of iustice had not formerly made us smart . a king sometimes doth not only suffer the law to passe upon some grievous malefactor for high treason ; but also causeth him to bee brought to the place of execution , yea , and lay downe his head upon the blocke , ere hee pardon : and then mercy is mercy indeed , and y melts the heart abundantly with amaz●m●nt and admiration of it . so god dealeth with us many times : le ts the law loose against us , puts us in feare , casts us into prison , and threatneth condemnation in hell for ever ; so that when mercy commeth to the soul● , beeing now lost in it selfe , and at the pits brinke , it appeares to bee a wonderfull mercy , the riches of exceeding mercy , most seasonable , most z sweet , most ravishing . why doe so many find no savour in the gospell ? is it because there is no matter of sweetnesse or delight in it ? no , it is because they have not tasted of , not been soundly toucht and terrified by the law , and the spirit of bondage ; they have not smarted , nor as yet been afflicted with a sense of the bitternesse of sinne , nor of iust punishment due unto the same . god therefore sends into our hearts the spirit of feare and bondage , to prepare us to rellish mercy : and then the spirit of adoption , not to feare againe . and thus by this order , the one is magnified , and highly esteemed , by the fore-going sense of the other . . secondly , for our good ; and that two waies : first , in iustification : secondly , and in sanctification . . for the first ; wee are such strangers unto god , that wee will never come unto him , till wee see no other remedy ; being at the pits brinke , ready to starue , hopelesse , &c. wee see it in the prodigall sonne : he would never thinke of any returne unto his father , till all other helpes failed him , money , friends , acquaintance , all sorts of food ; nay , if hee might have fed upon huskes with the swine , hee would not have thought of returning , any more to his father : this beeing denied him , the text saith , hee came to himselfe : shewing us , that when men runne on in sinfull courses , they are mad men , out of themselves ; even as wee see th●se in bedlam are beaten , kept under , den●ed comforts , till they come to themselves : and what faith hee then ? i will arise , and goe to my father , and will say unto him , father , i have sinned against heaven , and against thee , &c. so it is with us , untill the lord humble , and bring us low in our owne eyes , show us our misery and spirituall poverty , and that in us there is no good thing ; that wee bee stript of all helpe● , in , and without our selves ; and see that wee must perish , unlesse wee beg his mercy ; i say , untill then wee will not seeke his face and favour , nor have recourse to iesus christ , the rocke of our salvation . it is with us in this case , as it was with the women , whom christ healed of the bloody issue . how long was it , ere shee came to christ ? she had been sicke twelve yeeres ; she had spent all her living upon physitions , neither could she bee healed of any . now this extremity brought her to iesus christ. this then is the meanes to bring to christ : to bring us upon our knees , to drive us out of our selues , hopelesse , as low as may bee ; to shew us , where helpe is onely to bee found , and make us runne unto it . the hunted beast flies unto his den : the israelites being stung by fiery serpents , made hast to the brazen serpent , a type of christ , for helpe : the man-killer under the law , chaced by the avenger of blood , ran●e a pace to the city of refuge . ioab being pursued for his life , fled to the tabernacle of the lord , and laid fast hold upon the horne● of the altar : a wounded man hies unto the surgeon : proportionably a poore soule , broken and bruised with the insupportable burden of all his abominations , bleeding at heart-roote under sense of divine wrath , by the cutting edge of the sword of the spirit , managed aright by some masters of assemblies , chaced furiously by the law , sinne , conscience , and satan , sometimes even to the brinke of despaire , &c. will bee willing with a witnesse , to cast it selfe into the sweet compassionate inviting armes , and embracements of iesus christ , broken and bleeding upon the crosse for our sinnes , and so bee made his , for ever . . for our sanctification also , it is good for us that the comforters first worke bee , to worke feare in us . for wee are naturally so frozen in our dregs , that no fire in a manner will warme , or th●w us . wee wallow in our owne blood , wee sticke fast in the mire of sinne up to the chinne , that wee cannot stirre . so that this feare is sent to pull us violently , as it were , from our corruptions ; to make us holy , and looke unto our waies for the time to come . now to effect this , sharpest things are best ; as are the law , and threatnings of condemnation , the opening of hell , the racking of the conscience , and a sense of wrath present , and to come . so hard-hearted are wee by nature , being as the children of the bond-woman , to whom violence must be used . even as wee see a man riding a young and wilde horse to tame him ; hee will runne him against a wall , that hee may make him afraid , ride him in deepe and rough places ; or if this will not doe , take him up to some high rocke , and bringing him to the brinke thereof , hee threatneth to throw him downe headlong ; maketh him shake and quake , whereby at last hee is tamed . so deales the lord with us : hee gives us a sight of sinne , and of the punishment due thereunto , a sense of wrath , setteth the conscience on fire , as it were ; filleth the heart with feares , ●orrours and dis-quietnesse ; openeth hell thus unto the soule , brings us to the gates thereof , and threatneth to throw us in : and all this to make a man more holy , and a hate sinne the more . the cure of the stone in the heart , saith b another , speaking to the same purpose , is like that of the stone in the bladder : god must use a sharpe incision , and come with his pulling and plucking instruments , and rend the heart in pieces , ere that sinne can bee got out of it . — even as in a lethargy it is needfull the patient should bee cast into a burning fever , because the senses are benummed , and this will wake them , and drie up the be●otting humours ; so in our dead security before our conversion , god is faine to let the law , sinne , conscience and satan loose upon us ; and to kindle the fire of hell in our soules , that so we might be rouzed : our sinnes sticke close unto us , as the prisoners bolts , and wee are shut up under them , as in a strong prison : and therefore unlesse , as once in paul and silas their case , an earthquake , so here there come a mighty heart-quake , violently breaking open the prison doores , and shaking off our fetters , never shall wee get our liberty , &c. thus wee see , what a mighty c worke of the law , and of the spirit of bondage there must bee , to prepare for christ. and how requisite it is both for the glorifying of gods justice and mercy ; and also for the furtherance of our justification , and sanctification . for illustration of which point , besides all that hath been said before , i have more willingly in this last passage prest at large the authority of so great a divine , ( in which , i hope , i have not swarved from his sense ) because hee is without exception both for holinesse and learning : and so his sincere and orthodoxe judgement more currant and passable . ob. but hence , it may bee , some troubled soule may take up a complaint , and say : alas , if it bee thus , what shall i thinke of my selfe ? i doe not remember , that ever i tasted so deepely of such terrours , and legall troubles , as you seeme to require : i have not been so humbled and terrified , nor had such experience of that state under the spirit of bondage , as you talke of , &c. and therefore you have cast scruples into my conscience , about the truth and soundnesse of my conversion . answ. i answer , in this worke of the spirit of bondage ; in this case of legall terrours , humiliations , and other preparative dispositions , wee doe not prescribe precisely just such a measure and quantitie : we doe not determine peremptorily upon such or such a degree , or height : wee leave that to the wisedome of our great master in heaven , the onely wise god , d who is a most free agent . but sure wee are , a man must have so much , and in that measure , as to bring him to christ. it must make him weary of all his sinnes , and of satans bondage wholly ; willing to plucke out his right eye , and cut off his right hand , i meane , to part with his best-beloved bosome-lusts ; to sell all , and not leave so much as an hoofe behind . it must bee so much , as to make him see his danger , and so hast to the citie of refuge , to bee sensible of his spirituall misery , that hee may heartily thirst for mercy ; to finde himselfe lost and cast away in himselfe , that christ may bee all in all unto him : and after must follow an hatred of all false and evill waies for the time to come ; a thorow-change of former courses , company , conversation ; and setting himselfe in the way and practise of ●obriety , honesty and holinesse . if thou hast had experience of these affections , and effects in thine owne soule , whatsoever the measure of the work of the spirit of bondage hath been in thee lesse or more ; thou art safe enough , and mayst goe on comfortably in the holy path , without any discouragement , either from such pretended scruples in thy selfe , or any of satans cruell cavils , and oppositions to the contrary . vpon this occasion , it will not bee here unseasonable , to tell you , how that legall terrour , which god appoints to bee a preparative in his elect , for the spirit of adoption , and a true change , differs from that which is found in * aliens , and not attended with any such saving consequents : that every one , who hath had trouble of conscience for sinne , may clearely discerne , whether it hath brought him to christ , or left him unconverted . . that happy soule , which is under the terrifying hand of god , preparing by the worke of the spirit of bondage , for the entertainement of christ , and a sound conversion upon that fearefull apprehension of gods wrath , and strict visitation of his conscience for sinne , casts about for ease and reconcilement , onely by the blood of the lord iesus , and those soule-healing promises in the booke of life , with a resolute contempt of all other meanes and offers , for pacification : feeling now , and finding by experience , that no other way , no earthly thing , not this whole world , were it all dissolved into the most curious , and exquisite pleasures , that ever any carnall heart conceived , can any way asswage the least pang of his grieved spirit . glad therefore is hee to take counsel and advise , with any that is able , or likely to leade him by a wise and discreet hand to a well-grounded comfort and refreshment : and resolveth greedily , what-ever the prescription and direction bee , to give way unto it most willingly in his performance and practise . and the people asked him , saying , what shall wee doe then ? then came also publicans to be baptized , and said unto him , master , what shall wee doe ? and the souldiers likewise demanded of him , saying , and what shall wee doe ? thus were iohns hearers affected , luk. . , , . beeing afflicted with the piercing passages of iohns thundring sermon ; men and brethren what shall wee doe ? say the penitent iewes , pricked in their hearts , acts. . . the iaylour , acts . . came trembling , and fell downe before paul and silas , and said , sirs , what must i doe to bee saved ? as if they had said : prescribe and enioyne what you will ; bee it never so harsh and distastefull to flesh and blood , never so crosse and contrary to carnall reason , profit , pleasure , preferment , acceptation with the world , ease , liberty , life , &c. having warrant out of the word , wee are resolved , and ready to doe it . onely informe us first , how to partake , and bee assured of the person and passion of iesus christ ; how to have the angry face of our blessed god , to whom wee have continued rebels so long , turned into calmnesse and favour unto us . but now a cast-away and alien thus legally terrified , and under wrath for sinne , is never wont to come to this earnestnesse of care , eagernesse of resolution , stedfastnesse of endeavour , willingnesse upon any termes to abandon utterly all his old wayes , and to embrace new , strict and holy courses . these things appeare unto him terrible puritanicall , and intolerable . he commonly in such cases , hath recourse for ease and remedy to worldly comforts , and the arme of flesh . he labours to relieve his heavy heart , by a strong and serious casting his minde , and nestling his conceit upon his riches , gold , greatnesse , great friends , credit amongst men , and such other transitory delights , and fading flowers of his fooles paradise . for hee is at a point , and resolute with a sensuall impenitent obstinacy , not to passe forward thorow the pangs of the new-birth by repentance and sanctification , into the holy trade of new-obedience : lest hee should , ( as out of a foolish and phranticke basenesse , hee is apt to feare ) bee engaged and enchained , as it were , to too much stricknesse , precisenesse , holinesse of life , communion with gods people , and opposition to good fellowship . . hee , that is savingly-wounded with legall terrour , is wont in cold blood , and being something come to himselfe , to entertaine the very same conceit ( or rather mingled with a great deale more reverence , affectionatenesse and love , as farre as the life of an immortall soule doth surpasse in dearenesse and excellency the cure of a fraile and earthy body ) of that man of god , which by a right managing the edge of his spirituall sword , hath pierced his heart , scorched his conscience , and bruised his spirit ; i say , the same in proportion , which a wise and thankefull patient would have of that faithfull surgeon , which hath seasonably and thorowly launced some deepe and dangerous sore , which otherwise would have been his death . vpon the search and discovery , hee clearely sees and acknowledgeth , that had not that holy incision been made into his rotten and ulcerous heart , it had cost him the eternall life of his soule . but now the alien put out of his sensuall humour with horrour of conscience , is ordinarily transported with much ragefull discontentment , against the powerfull ministery of gods paineful messengers , who put him to such torture , by troubling him for sinne , and frighting him with hell. and thereupon cries out against them , at least with secret indignation and fretting , as the divels did against christ : why doe you thus torment us before the time ? . aliens in such cases entertaine no other thought , and cast about for no other comfort at all , but onely how they may recover their former quietnesse of mind , carnall ease , and freedome from present terrour . but hee that is fitting , by the spirit of bondage , for faith , and the fellowship of the saints , will never by any meanes , whatsoever come of him , relapse to his wouted sensuall security . nay , of the two , hee will rather lie still upon the racke , waiting for the lord iesus all the dayes of his life , then to returne any more unto foolishnesse , or hunt againe after any contentment in the miserable pleasures of good fellowship . . that messenger , an interpreter , c one among a thousand , who in such a case can seasonably and soundly declare unto a savingly-wounded soule his righteousnesse ; assure him , it was christ iesus onely businesse in comming from heaven , to disburden all that labour , and are heavy laden ; and ease such trembling hearts , &c. i say , such a blessed man of god to such a broken heart , is for ever after most deare and welcome . his secte are beautifull in his eye , every time hee comes neere him. comfort of so high a nature , in extremity of such horrible consequence , doth infinitely and endlesly endeare the delivered soule to such an heavenly doctour . but aliens commonly make no great account of godly ministers any longer , then they have present need of them , and that trouble of minde makes them melancholike , and without mirth . they seeme to reverence them , while from their generall discourses of mercy , and gods free grace , of mercifull invitations to christ , and certainty of acceptation ( if they will come in ) &c. they sucke into their false hearts before the time , and truth of humiliation , some superficiall glimmerings , and flashes of comfort and cooling . but if once the heate of their guilty rage begin to asswage , and they find againe some ease from their former terrours , and wonted rellish in earthly delights , they turne such holy men out of their hearts , cast them out of their consciences , and hold no higher , or further conceit of them , then of other , and ordinary men ; if they forbeare to persecute them with thoughts of disdaine and contempt . . the true penitent , having smarted under the sense of divine wrath , and frighted with the flames of horrour for sinne , doth grow fearefull for ever after to offend , and with much gracious care dreads that consuming fire . but the alien , while hee is upon the r●cke indeede , and hath the hainousnesse of his sinnes , and hell freshly in his eie , will easily make many glorious protestations and promises , what a rare and resolute convert hee will become upon his recovery . but if once the storme bee over-blowne , gods hand withdrawne , and his painefull conscience cast againe into a deade sleepe by the power , or rather poison of some sensuall receit , hee performes just nothing : but like a filthy swine , wallowes againe in the mire and mud of earthlinesse and carnality , and againe with the beastly dog , returnes unto , and resumes his vomit . . hee that hath savingly passed thorow the pangs of such spirituall afflictions , is wont to bee very kindlily affected , most compassionate , and tender-hearted to others , afflicted with the same wofull terrours and troubles of conscience . a woman , which hath herselfe with extraordinary paine , tasted of that exquisite torture of child birth , is wont to bee more tenderly and mercifully disposed towards another in the like torment ; then she , that never knew what that miserie meant : and is more ready , willing , and skillfull to relieve in such distresses . it is proportionably so in the present case : but the alien beeing tainted in some measure with the divels hatefull disposition , is by the heate of his slavish horrour , rather enraged with malice , then resolved into mercy : hee is rather tickled with a secret content , then touched with true commiseration , to see and heare of others plunged into the same gulphe of misery , and plagued like himselfe . hee is much troubled with his solenesse in suffering , and the singularity of any sorrowfull accident . companion-ship in crosses , doth something allay the discomforts of carnall men : so that sometimes they secretly , but very sinfully reioyce , ( such is their dogged , * divelish disposition ) even to see the hand of god upon their neighbours . neither can hee in such extremeties minister any meanes of helpe , or true comfort at all , either by prayer , counsell , or any experimentall skill ; because the evill spirit of his vexed conscience , was not driven away by any well-grounded application of gods mercies , and christs blood , but as saules was , by musicke , worldly mirth , carnall advise , soule-slaying flatteries of man-pleasing ministers , plunging desperately into variety of sensuall pleasures , &c. . hee , which after the boisterous tempest of legall terrours , hath happily arrived at the port of peace ; i meane , that blessed peace which passeth all understanding , made with god himselfe in the blood of his son , enters presently thereupon into the good way , takes upon him the yoke of christ , and serues him afterward in holinesse and righteousnesse all the dayes of his life . and ordinarily his deeper humiliation , is an occasion of his more humble , precise , holy , and strickt walking , and of more watchfulnesse over his heart , and tendernesse of conscience , about lesser sinnes also ; all occasions of scandall , appearances of evill , even aberrations in his best actions , & holiest duties , &c. but aliens , whē once they bee taken off the racke , and their torture determine , either become just the same men they were before ; or else reforme onely some one , or other grosse sin , which stuckē most upon their consciences , but remaine unamended and unmortified in the rest : or else , which often comes to passe , grow a great deale worse . for they are , as it were , angry with god , that hee should give them a taste of hell fire before their time ; and therefore knowing their time but short , fall upon earthly delights more furiously , engrosse and graspe the pleasures of the world with more greedinesse and importunitie . these things thus premised ; i come to tell you , that for the rectifying of the fore-mentioned errour , and prevention of the danger of dawbing and undoing for ever in a matter of so weighty importance , i would advise the spirituall physition , to labour with the utmost improovement of all his divine skill , heavenly wisedome , best experience , heartiest praiers , most piercing persuasions , prest out of the word for that purpose , wisely to worke , and watchfully to observe the season , when hee may , warrantably and upon good ground , apply unto the woundedst soule of his spiritually-sicke patient assured comfort in the promises of life , and that soveraigne blood , which was spilt for broken hearts ; and assure him in the word of truth , that all those rich compassions , which lie within the compasse of that great covenant of everlasting mercy and love , sealed with the painefull sufferings of the sonne of god , belong unto him. which is then , when his troubled heart is soundly humbled under gods mighty hand , and brought at length to , first , a truly penitent sight , sense , and hatred of all sinne : secondly , a sincere and unsatiable thirst after iesus christ , and righteousnesse both imputed , and inherent : thirdly , an unfained and un-reserved resolution of an universall new-obedience for the time to come , &c. here i had purposed to have been large ; but i am prevented by that which hath been said already : and therefore to avoide repetition , i must remit you to the consideration of those legall and evangelicall preparations for the entertainement of christ and true comfort , which i handled before , which may give some good direction and satisfaction in the point . yet take notice , that in the meane time before such fitnesse bee fully effectuated , i would have the man of god ply his patient with his best perswasions and proofes , seasonably mingled with motives to humiliation , of the pardonablenesse of his sinnes , possibility of pardon , damnablenesse of despaire , danger of ease by outward mirth , &c. and to hold out to the eye of the troubled conscience , as a prize and lure , as it were , the freenesse of gods immeasurable mercy , the generall offer of iesus christ without any exception of persons , times , or sinnes ; the pretiousnesse and infallibilitie of the promises , in as faire and lovely a fashion , in as orient and alluring formes , as hee can possibly . but it is one thing , to say ; if these things bee so , i can assure you in the word of life , of the promises of life , and already-reall right and interest to all the riches of gods free grace , and glorious purchase of christs meritorious blood : another thing , to say ; if you will suffer your understandings to bee illightened , your consciences to bee convinced , your hearts to be wounded with sight , sense , and horrour of sin ; if you will come-in , and take iesus christ , his person , his passion , his yoke ; if you will entertaine these and these affections , longings , and resolutions , &c. then most certainely our mercifull lord will crowne your truly humbled soules with his dearest compassions , and freest love . lastly , bee informed , that when all is done , i meane , when the men of god have their desire ; that the patient in their perswasion is soundly wrought upon , and professeth understandingly and feelingly , and as they verily thinke from his heart ; first , that hee is heavy laden with the grievous burden of all his sinnes ; secondly , that hee is come by his present spirituall terrour and trouble of minde , to that resolution , to doe any thing ; which wee find the hearers of iohn and peter , luk. . act. . thirdly , that hee most highly prizeth iesus christ farre above the riches , pleasures , and glory of the whole earth ; thirsts , and longs for him infinitely . fourthly , that hee is most willing to sell all : to part with all sinne , with his right eye , and right hand , those lusts and delights which stucke closest to his bosome ; not to leave so much as an hoofe behind . fifthly , that hee is content with all his heart to take christ , as well for a lord and husband to serue , love , and obey him ; as for a saviour to deliver him from the miseries of sinne . to take upon him his yoke : to enter into the narrow way , and walke in the holy path : to associate himselfe to that sect , which is so spoken against everywhere , &c. i say , when it is thus with the afflicted party , and most happy is hee , when it is thus with him ; yet notwithstanding , because god alone is the searcher of the heart , and the heart of man is deceitfull above all things , wee can assure mercy and pardon , but onely conditionally , ( tho by the mercy of god , wee doe it many and many times with strong and undeceiving confidence ) . wee must ever adde either expressedly , or impliedly , such formes of speech as these : if all this which you professe bee in truth ; if you bee thus resolved indeed ; if these things bee so as you have said , &c. why , then wee assure you in the word of life and truth , your case is comfortable ; you may sweetly repose your troubled , and truly-humbled soule upon iesus christ , as your wisedome , righteousnes , sanctification and redemption ; upon all the promises of life , gods free grace , &c. as truly belonging unto you , and certainely yours for ever . heare two master builders upon the matter , confirming the present point . . f to think that it lyeth in the power of any priest truly to absolve a man frō his sins , without implying the condition of his believing and repenting , as he ought to doe , is both presumption and madnesse in the highest degree . . g in the pardon , whereby a priest h pardoneth a sinner for an offence by him committed against god , there are two things to bee considered : one , that there is no pardon , if the sinner doth not earnestly repent ; the other , that hee himselfe which pardoneth , hath need of pardon . of these two points , the first is the cause , that the priests pardon is conditionall , because hee knoweth not the heart ; the other is a cause , that the priest should consider of himselfe , that hee is rather a delinquet , then a iudge : and to teach him to feare , lest that after hee hath pardoned others , hee himselfe may not obtaine pardon . it is a thing certaine , that if a sinner seriously converting ▪ and beleeving in iesus christ , cannot obtaine absolution of his pastor which is passionate , or badly informed of the truth ; god will pardon him . on the contrary , if a pastor that is indulgent , an winketh at vices , or that is deceived by appearance of repentance , absolveth an hypocriticall sinner , and receiveth him into the communion of the faithfull , that ●ypocriticall sinner remaineth bound before god , and shall bee punished notwithstanding . for god partaketh not with the errours of pastors , neither regardeth their passions ; nor can be hindred from doing iustice by their ignorance . . let mee adde i cyprian , who at the first rising of the novatian heresie , wrote thus to antonianus : we doe not preiudice the lord that is to iudge ; but that hee , if hee finde the repentance of the sinner to bee full , and iust , hee may then ratifie that , which shall bee here ordained by us : but if any one doe deceive us with the semblance of repentance , god ( who is not mocked , and who beholdeth the heart of man ) may iudge of those things , which wee did not well discerne , and the lord may amend the sentence of his servants . neither let this truth ; to wit , that our assuring of mercy and pardon must bee conditionall , upon such like termes as these ; if thou doest beleeve , and repent as thou oughtest to doe ; if these things bee in truth as you promise and professe , &c. discourage , or trouble any that are true of heart : for it should not prejudice , or hinder their application of the promises , taking christ as their owne assurance of mercy and comfort : because they are conscious to themselves of the syncerity of their owne hearts . and therefore k looke how the prophet esay was comforted , when the angell said unto him ; l thine iniquity is taken away , and thy sinne purged ; and the poore woman in the gospell , when iesus said unto her , m thy sinnes are forgiven : the like consolation doth the distressed sinner receive from the mouth of the minister , when hee hath compared the truth of gods word faithfully delivered by him , with the worke of gods grace in his owne heart . according to that of elibu : if there bee an angell , or a messenger with him , an interpreter , one of a thousand , to declare unto man his righteousnesse ; then will god have mercy upon him , and say , deliver him from going downe to the pit , i have received a reconciliation . . too much . a little aqua vita may happily revive and refresh the fainting spirits of a swouning man ; but too much would kill . a spoone-full of cinnamon-water mingled with twelve spoone-fulls of spring-water , and one spoonefull of rose-water , &c. may bee soveraigne against the sinking of the heart ; but poure at once a pint into the stomack , and it might unhappily choake the naturall heate , waste the radicall moysture , and burne up a mans bowels . mercy being wisely administred in the right season , and mingled with convenient counsels and caveats , may , by gods blessing , binde up a broken heart with a leasurable and kindly cure ; it may mollifie in the meane time with an healing and heavenly heate , the smarting anguish of a wounded conscience ; and at length seasonably close it up with sound and lasting comfort : but poured out hand over head by an unsteady , and in-discreet hand , it may by accident , dangerously dry up penitent teares too soone , and stifle the worke of the spirit of bondage in the beginning . but here let none either out of ignorance or malice mistake , or bee troubled with this too much : the same phrase in the same sense is to be found in * master perkins , a great master in the deepe mystery of dealing with afflicted consciences . for wee must know , that too much , is by no meanes to bee meant of any wayes restraining , or confining the infinitenesse of gods mercy . it were execrable blasphemy to dis-roabe gods most glorious attribute of it's immensity : but in respect of not mingling some coolers and caveats to keepe from presumption : as shall appeare in the ensuing counsells , i shall commend for that purpose . vpon this ground , i reason thus : a man may presse , and apply gods justice , and the terrours of the law too much ; therefore also mercy , and the comforts of the gospell , too much . the consequent is cleare . for as the former may plunge into the gulphe of despaire ; so the other may cast upon the rocke of presumption : nay , it is more then un-answerably strong ; because wee are farre readier to apprehend , and apply unto our selves mercy , then judgement . and thousands are endlesly overthrowne thorow presumption , for one by despaire . and the antecedent who will deny ? it is rather so preposterously applauded and prest ; that most , if a minister , even with his best discretion , reveale the whole counsell of god , and tell them ; that none shal bee refreshed by christ , but onely those who labour and are heavy laden ; that they must humble themselves in the sight of the lord , if they would have him to lift them up : that none shall have mercy , but such as confesse and forsake their sinnes : that the meere ciuill man , and luke-warme formall professour , without holinesse and zeale , can never bee saved : that all the wicked shal bee turned into hell , &c. in a word , if hee take the right course to bring men from darkenesse to light , from satan to the living god ; by first wounding with the law , before hee heale with the gospell ; i say , the most in this case , are ready to cry out , and complaine , that hee throwes wild-fire , brimstone and gunpowder into the consciences of men . conceive therefore , i pray you ; that there is in god ; first , his justice ; and secondly , his mercy , both infinite and equall . onely in regard of man there is an inequality ; for god may bee said , to bee more mercifull unto them that are saved , then just to them that are damned : for of damnation the just cause is in man ; but of salvation , it is wholly from grace . n in himselfe and originally , they are both equal , and so are all his attributes : but in respect of the o exercise , and expression upon his creatures , and abroad in the world , there is some difference . but for my purpose , and our ministeriall emploiment and commission , take notice ; that as the revealed effects of gods mercy , are love , tender-heartednesse , compassion ; his owne deare sons pretious hearts-blood , pardon of sinnes , peace of conscience , unspeakeable and glorious joy thereupon , evangelicall pleasures , comfortable presence of the spirit even in this life , and in the other world pleasures infinitely moe then the starres of the firmament in number , even for ever and ever : and all these vpon all true penitents . so the revealed effects of his iustice are indignation and wrath , tribulation and anguish ; that sword , which will devoure flesh ; those arrowes , that drinke blood ; that fiery anger , which will burne unto the lowest hell , and set on fire the foundations of the mountaines ; that comming against , which is with fire and charets like a whirlewinde , to render anger with fury , and rebuke with flames of fire ; that meeting which is , as of a beare bereaved of her whelps , to rent the cau●e of the heart , and devoure like a lyon , &c. all plagues with the extremity , temporall , spirituall , eternall , all the curses in this booke of his , all the torments in hell , to the utmost sparke of those infernall flames ; and all these , upon all impenitent sinners . now god will bee glorified both waies , and by them both : give us leave then , to give them both their due : wee are most willing , and ready , as our great * master in heaven would have us , isa. . . . and our blessed saviour by his example doth teach us ; luk. . . to convey by our ministry into every truly-broken heart , and bleeding soule , the warmest bloud that ever heated christs tender heart ; and to keepe backe from the true penitent , not any one graine of that immeasurable mine , of all the rich mercies purchased with that pretious blood . bee content therefore on the otherside , that wee open the armory of gods justice , and reveale his wrath from heaven against all ungodlinesse and unrighteousnesse of men ; that indignation and wrath , tribulation and anguish , shal be upon every soule of man that doth evill , &c. as wee are ever ready to binde vp the bruised spirit with the softest oyle of gods sweetest mercy : so let us , i pray you , have leave , in the equity of a just and holy proportion , to wound with the hammer of the law , the ha●ry pate of every one that goes on in his sinne . let us deale faithfully even with ▪ wicked men , lest wee answere for the blood of their soules , by telling them ; that , as certainely as all the glorious comforts , and blessed consequents of gods infinite mercy shall crowne the heart and heade of every true-hearted nathanael for ever : so all the dreadfull effects of his angry iustice will at length seize upon the soules , and confound the consciences of all un-holy men with extremest severity , and terrour . let it bee thus then , and let our ministeriall dispensation bee in this manner : if thou bee an impenitent person ; i would tell thee , that the vtmost wrath of god , vnquenchable and everlasting vengeance , all earthly and infernall plagues , are thy certaine portion : but i would mollify and sweeten the bitternesse of this sentence , with assurance of mercy upon repentance , to prevent the assaults of despaire . on the other side , if the ministry of the word hath wrought upon thee effectually ; and now thy truly-humbled soule thirsts after christ with a syncere hatred and opposition against all sinne ; i would assure thy troubled and trembling heart in the word of life and truth , of all those most pretious blessings and sweetest comforts , which the booke of god doth promise , and the blood of christ hath bought : but withall i would commend unto thee some coolers and counterpoisons against presumption , and falling to pharisaisme . for which purpose , and for prevention of danger , and spirituall undoing by unskilfull , and undiscreet dawbing in the case proposed ; i come now to tender such counsels and caveats as these , or the like , which the faithfull physition of the soule according to occasions , circumstances , and present exigents , may thinke fit to bee mingled with administration of mercy , and wisely propounded to the afflicted party . it may not proove unseasonable to speake thus , or in some such manner , to thy spirituall patient . . if these things bee truly and soundly so : if thou finde and feele indeed such a mollified and melting spirit , such broken and bleeding affections in thy bosome ; thou art certainely blessed . if that sorrowfull soule of thine doth renounce from the very heart-roote , with speciall distaste and detestation all manner of sinne ; insatiably thirst after righteousnesse ; unfainedly resolve , for the short remainder of a few and evill dayes , to bend it selfe towards heaven in all new-obedience ; i say , if this bee syncerely , the holy disposition and resolution of thine heavy heart , notwithstanding all thy present terrour and trouble of minde , thou art truly and everlastingly happy . onely take notice ( lest my ministring of mercy bee mistaken , or thy conceiving of comfort mis-carry ) that the heart of man is deceitfull above all things . a bottomlesse depth it is of falshoods , dissemblings , hypocrisies . an endlesse maze of windings , turnings , and hidden passages . no eye can search and see it's center and secrets , but that all-seeing one alone , which is ten thousand times brighter then the sun ; to which the darkest nooke of hell is as the noone-day . and therefore not i , nor any man alive , can promise pardon , or apply the promises , but conditionally , upon supposition : if these things bee so , and so , as thou hast said . and the syncerity of thy heart , and truth of these hopefull protestations , which wee now heare from thee in this extremity ; ( and i must tell thee by the way , such like may be enforced by the slavish sting of present terrour , not fairely and freely flow from a true touch of conscience for sinne ; i say , this may bee , tho i hope better things of thee ) . the truth , as i said , both of thy heart , and these affectionate promises , will appeare , when the storme is over , and this dismall tempest , which hath over-cast and shaken thy spirit with extraordinary feare , and astonishment , is overblowne . thy course of life to come , will proove a true touch-stone , to try , whether this bee the kindly travaile of the new-birth ; or onely a temporary taking-on during the fit , by reason of the uncouthnesse , and exquisitenesse of this invisible spirituall torture , without true turning to iesus christ. if when the now-troubled powers of thy soule , which the wound of thy conscience hath cast into much distracted and uncomfortable confusion , shall recover their wonted calmenes and quiet , thou turne unto thine old bias , humour , company and conversation ; it will then bee more then manifest , that this furnace of terrour and temptation , wherein thou now lies and languishes , was so far from working thine heart to heavenlinesse and grace , that it hath hammered it to more hardnesse and ungraciousnesse : from purging and refining ; that it hath occasioned more earthlinesse , epicurisme and raging affections in sensuality and sinfull pleasures . but if , when thou art up againe , and raised by gods mercifull hand out of the depth of this spirituall distresse , into which the horrible sight , and heavy waight of thy sinnes have sunke thee ; if then thou expresse , and testifie thy true-heartednesse in these present solemne protestations made now , as it were , in thy hot blood ; i meane , of thy hatred against sinne , by an earnest opposition , watchfulnesse , and striving against all , especially that , which in thine unregenerate time stucke closest to thy bosome : of thine hunger and thirst after a comfortable fruition of gods face and favour , by a conscionable and constant pursuit , and exercise of all good meanes and opportunities , of all his blessed ordinances , appointed and sanctified for groath in grace , and bringing us nearer unto him : of thy future new-obedience , and christian walking , by plying industriously , and fruitfully with thy best endeavour , and utmost ability , those three glorious workes of christianity ; preservation of purity in thine owne soule and body : righteous dealing with all thou hast to doe-with : holy carriage towards god in all religious duties . in a word , by denying ungodlinesse and worldly lusts , and living soberly , righteously , and godlily in this present world , of which the grace of god teacheth every true convert to make conscience . i say , if upon thy recovery , this bee thy course ; thou art certainely new-created . such blessed behaviour as this , will infallibly evidence , these present terrours to have been the pangs of thy new-birth , and thy happy translation from death to life , from the vanity and folly of sin into the light and liberty of gods children . . secondly , say unto him : when once that blessed fountaine of soule-saving blood is opened upon thy soule , in the side of the sonne of god , by the hand of faith for sinne and for uncleannesse ; then also must a counter-spring , as it were , of repentant teares bee opened in thine humbled heart , which must not be dried up untill thy p dying day . this is my meaning ; ( for every christian hath not teares at command : the heart sometimes may bleed , when the eyes are dry ) . thou must bee content to continue the current of thy godly sorrow upon that abominable sinke and sodom of all the lusts , vanities and villanies of thy darke and damned time ; and also upon those frailties , infirmities , imperfections , defects , relapses , back-slidings , which may accompany thy regenerate state ; even untill that body of sinne , which thou carries about thee , bee dissolved by the stroke of death . as concerning thine old sinnes , and those that are past , it is not enough that now the fresh horrour of them , and those grissely affrighting formes , wherein they have appeared to the eye of thy wounded conscience , have wrought upon thy heart , by gods blessing ▪ some softnesse , heart-rising , remorse and hatred : but thou must many and many a time hereafter , in the extraordinary exercises of renued repentance , presse thy penitent spirit to bleede afresh within thee , and q draw water againe out of the bottome of thy broken heart with those israelites , and poure it out before the lord in abundāce of bitter teares , for thy never sufficiently sorrowed-for abominations and rebellions , against so blessed and bountifull a god. now the solemne times and occasions , when wee are called to this renued repentance , are such as these : . when wee are to performe some speciall services unto god ; because then out of a godly jealousie wee may feare , lest the face and favour of god , the love and light of his countenance may not lie so open unto us , by reason of the cloudy interposition of our former sinnes . . when wee seeke for any speciall blessing at gods mercifull hands ; because then out of a gracious feare we may suspect , that our old sinnes may intrude ; and labour to intercept and divert from our longing soules , the sweet and comfortable influences of the throne of grace . it may seeme that david in the current of his prayer , saw his old sinnes charge upon him , and therefore cries out by the way ; remember not the sinnes of my youth . . in the time of some great affliction , and remarkeable crosse ; when upon a new search , and strict examination of our hearts and lives ; we humbling our selves more solemnely againe in the sight of the lord , and mourning afresh over him , whom wee have pierced with our youthly pollutions , and provoke daily with many wofull failings , are wont to seeke gods pleased face , and our former peace ; sanctification of it unto us in the meane time , and the remoovall of it from us in due time , in the name of iesus christ. . after relapse into some old secret lust , or fall into some new scandalous sinne . davids remorse for adultery and murder , brought his heart to bleede over his birth-sinne , psal. . . above all , upon all those mighty dayes of humiliation by prayer and fasting , publike , private , or secret : wherein gods people wrastle with god by the omnipotency of prayer , and worke so many wonders from time to time . . some there are also , who setting apart some speciall times to conferre with god in secret , lay together before him , the glorious catalogue of the riches of his mercy , reaching from everlasting to everlasting , all his favours , preservations , deliverances , protections , &c. from their first beeing , to that time ; and the abhorred catalogue of all their sinnes from adam to that houre , originall , both imputed , and inherent ; actuall both before and since their calling ; and this they doe with hearty desire of such different affections , as they severally require . a serious and sensible comparing of which two together , makes sinne a great deale more loathsome , and the mercies of god more illustrious ; and so prooves effectuall many times , by the helpe of the holy ghost , to soften their hearts extraordinarily , to make them weepe heartily , and fils their soules with much joyfull sorrow , and humble thankefulnesse . . vpon our beds of death . then because wee take our farewell of repentance , we should take our fill of it ; because it is the last time wee shall looke upon our sinnes for that purpose , we should dismisse them with utmost , and extremest loathing . at such times , and upon such occasions as these , and the like , when thou art called to a more solemne , strict and severe search , and review of thy old sinnes and former life , thou must renue this present repentance of thy new-birth , make thine heart breake againe , and bleed afresh with the sight of thy heretofore much doted-upon , but now most abhorred abominable courses . and so often also , as thou lookes backe upon them , thou must labour to abominate and abandon them with more resolute aversion , and new degrees of detestation . tho●e may bee , by the mercies of god , they shall never bee able to r ●●ng thee againe with the same slavishnesse of guilty horrour ; yet thou m●st still endeavour , in thy cold blood to strangle utterly thy former delight in them , with more hearty additions of deadly hatred ; and to bee more and more humbled for them untill thy ending houre . it is a very high happinesse , and blessing above ordinary , to bee able to looke backe upon thy choisest youthfull pleasures and pollutions , without either sensuall delight , or slavish horrour : with syncere hatred , holy indignation , and hearty mourning . now for the time to come , and those sinnes , which hereafter the rebelliousnesse of thy naughty nature , and violence of the divels temptations may force upon thee ; if thy heart bee now truly toucht , and conscience savingly illightned , thou shalt find much matter , necessity , and use of continuing thy repentance , so long as thy life lasts . in a leaking ship there must bee continuall pumping ; * a ruinous house must be still in repairing : these bodies of death wee beare about us , are naturally liable to so many batteries , and breaches by the assaults of originall sinne , and other implacable enemies to our soules , that there is extreme need of perpetuall watch and ward , repenting and repairing , lest the newman bee too much opprest , and too often surprized by the many , and cunning encounters of the old adam . when thou art in company , solitary , busied about thy particular calling , there may suddenly arise in thine heart , some greedy wish , some grosse conceite , some vaine , uncleane , ambitious , revengefull thought ; ejaculate presently a penitent ●igh , and ●ervent prayer for pardon of it in the passion of christ. in thy family , perhaps amongst thy children and servants , by reason of some crosse-accident , thou mayst breake out into some unadvised passionate speech ; and disgrace thy selfe and profession , by over hasty intemperate heate , not without some danger of hurting and hardening those about thee thereby : get thee presently upon it into thy closer , or some place for that purpose ; throw thy selfe downe with a truly-grieved , and humbled soule before the trone of grace , and rise not untill thou bee reconciled unto thy god. if at any time , which god forbid , thou bee over-taken with some more publike scandalous sinne , or dangerously haunted with some enormous secret lust ; appoint for thy selfe a solemne day of humiliation ; and then cry unto the lord like a woman in travaile ; and give him no rest , untill hee returne unto thee with the wonted favour and calmnesse of his pleased countenance . if christians would constantly take to heart , and ply this blessed businesse of immediately rising by repentance , after every relapse and fall into sinne , they should find a further paradise and pleasure in the wayes of god , then they ever yet tasted . this course continued with present feeling , and after-watchfulnesse , would helpe excellently , by the blessing of god , and excercise of faith , the onely conduit of all spirituall comfort , to keepe in their bosomes that , which they much desire , and often bewaile , the want of a chearefull , bold , and heavenly spirit . neither let any here bee troubled , because i presse the exercise and use both of renewed and continued repentance all our life long ; as tho thereupon the christians life might seeme more uncomfortable : for wee are to know , that sorrow according to god , evangelicall mourning , is * mingled with abundance of spirituall joy , which doth infinitely surpasse in sweetnesse and worth , all worldly pleasures and delights of sense . nay , whereas all the ioviall good-fellow-mirth of carnall men is but a flash of hellish folly ; this is a very glimpse of heavenly glory . let mee tell you againe , how sweetly and truly that excellent divine of scotland speakes of it : c there is , saith he , more lightnesse of heart , and true delight in the sorrow of the saints , then in the worlds loudest laughter . for unspeakeable ioy is mingled with un-utterable groanes . the ancient fathers are of the same minde with this man of god : godly sorrow , saith * chrysostome , is better then the ioy of the world. even as the ioy of the world is ever accompanied with sorrow ; so teares according to god beget continuall and certaine delight . againe , such a man as this now ( meaning him whose heart is inflamed with an heavenly heate ) despising all things here below , doth presevere in continuall compunction , pouring out abundance of teares every day , and taking thence a great deale of pleasure . let the repentant , saith d austin , be alwaies sorrowfull for sinne , and alwaies reioyce for that sorrow . . beware of two dangerous errours : . either to conceive , that thou mayst not admit of any comfort , or apply the promises comfortably ; because thou still finds in thy selfe more matter of mourning , and further humiliation . . or to thinke ; when thou hast on●● laid hold upon christs person and pretious sufferings , for the pardon of thy sinnes , and quieting of thy soule , that then thou must mourne no more . . for the first , know , that were our heads seaes , and our eyes fountaines of teares , and poured out abundantly every moment of our life : should our hearts fall asunder into drops of blood in our breast , for anguish and indignation against our selves for our transgressions ; yet should wee come infinitely short of the sorrow and hearts-griefe , which our many and hainous lusts and pollutions justly merit , and exact at our hands . therefore wee cannot expect from our selves any such sufficiency of sorrow , or worthinesse of weeping for our sinnes , as by the perfection and power thereof to win gods favour , and draw his mercy upon us . such a conceit were most absurd , senselesse , and sinfull , and would rather discover and taste of naturall pride , then true humility , as they perhaps mistake : tend unhappily to the disgrace of gods mercies , and gracing our owne merits . true it is ; had wee a thousand eyes , it were too little to weep them all out , for the very vanity of that one sinfull sense : had we a thousand hearts , and they should all burst with penitent griefe , and bleed to death for the sinnes of our soules ; it were more then immeasurably , unconceiveably insufficient . for were al this so , s yet were it not this ; but the hearte-blood of iesus christ , could make the fathers heart to yerne compassionately over us , or purchase pardon , and acceptation at his hands . tender therefore unto that poore troubled soule , who beeing sorely crushed , and languishing under the burden of his sinnes , refuses to bee raised and refreshed , endlesly pleading , and disputing against himselfe , out of a strong , fearefull apprehension of his owne vilenesse and unworthinesse , putting off all comfort by this mis-conceit , that no seaes of sorrow , no measure of mourning will serve the turne to come comfortably unto iesus christ : i say , presse upon such an one this true principle in the high and heavenly art of rightly comforting afflicted consciences . so soone as a man is truly and heartily humbled for all his sinnes , and weary of their waight , tho the degree of his sorrow bee not answerable to his owne desire , yet hee shall most certainely bee welcome unto iesus christ. it is not so much the t muchnesse and measure of our sorrow , as the truth and heartinesse , which fits us for the promises and comforts of mercy . tho i must say this also : hee that thinkes , hee hath sorrowed u enough for his sinnes , never sorrowed savingly . . for the second , which is more properly and specially pertinent to our purpose ; take notice , that the blood of christ beeing seasonably and savingly applyed to thine humbled soule , for the pardon and purgation of sinne , must by no meanes damne and dry up thy well-spring of weeping , but onely asswage and heale thy wound of horrour . that pretious balme hath this heavenly property and power , that it rather melts , softneth , and makes the heart a great deale more weeping-ripe . if these bee truly the pangs of the new-birth , wherewith thou art now afflicted ; thou shalt find , that thy now cleaving with assurance of acceptation unto the lord iesus , will not so much lessen , hinder , or cease thy sorrow ; as rectifie , season , and sweeten it . if thy right unto that soule-saving passion bee reall ; and thou cast thine eye with a beleeving , hopefull heart upon him , whom thou hast therein pierced with thy sins ( and those sinnes alone are said properly to have pierced christ , which at length are pardoned by his blood ) . thou canst not possibly containe , but excesse of love unto thy crucified lord , and sense of gods mercy , shed into thy soule thorow his merits , will make thee weepe againe , and fa●ely force thine heart to burst out abundantly into fresh , and filiall teares . ( see how freshly davids heart bled with repentant sorrow , upon his assurance by nathan of the pardon of his sinne : psal. ) . thou canst not chuse , but mourne more heartily evangelically , and that which should passingly please thee , and sweetely perpetuate , the spring of thy godly sorrow , more pleasingly unto god. take therefore speciall notice and heede of these two depths of the divell , that i have now disclosed unto thee : . when thou art truly wrought upon by the ministry of the word , and now fitted for comfort ; beleeve the prophets ; those ones of a thousand , learned in the right handling of afflicted consciences , and thou shalt prosper . as soone as thy soule is soundly humbled for sinne , open and enlarge it joyfully like the thirsty ground , that the refreshing dew and doctrine of the gospell may drop and distill upon it , as the small raine upon the parched grasse . otherwise ; . thou offers dishonour , and disparagement , as it were , to the dearenesse , and tendernesse of gods mercy ; who is ever infinitely more x ready , and forward to bind up a broken heart , then it to bleed before him. consider for this purpose the parable of the prodigall sonne , luk. . hee is there said to goe , but the father ran . . thou maist , by the unsettlednesse of thy heavy heart unnecessarily , unsit and dis-able thy selfe for the duties , and discharge of both thy callings . . thou shalt gratifie the divell ; who will labour mightily by his lying suggestions , ( if thou wilt not bee counselled and comforted , when there is cause ) to detaine thee in perpetuall horrour here , and in an eternall hell hereafter . some find him 〈◊〉 furiously and mali●iously busie to keepe them from comfort , when they are fitted ; as from fitnesse for comfort . . thou art extremely un-advised , nay , very cruell to thine owne soule . for whereas it might now be filled with unspeakable and glorious ioy , with peace that passeth all understanding , with evangelicall pleasures , which are such , as neither eye hath seene , nor eare heard , neither have entred into the heart of man , by taking christ ; to which thou hast a strong and manifold calling : isai. . . ho , every one that thirsteth , come yee to the waters , &c. matth. . . come unto mee all yee that labour , and are heavy laden , and i will give you rest . ioh. . . if any man thirst , let him come unto mee , and drinke . revel . . . and let him that is a thirst , come .. and whosoever will , let him take the water of life freely . yea , a commandement ; . ioh. . . and this is his commandement , that wee should beleeve on the name of his sonne iesus christ : and yet for all this , thou , as it were , wilfully stand'st out , wilt not beleeve the prophets , forsak'st thine owne comfort , and liest still upon the racke of thy unreconcilement unto god. . on the other hand : when the angvish of thy guilted conscience , is upon sure ground something allayed , and suppled with the oyle of comfort ; and thy ●●unded heart warrantably revived with the sweetnesse of the promises , as with marrow and fatnesse : thou must not then , either shut up thine eyes from further search into thy sins , or y dry them up from any more mourning . but comfort of remission must serve as a pretious eye-salve , both to cleare their sight , that they may see moe , and with more detestation ; and to enlarge their sluces , as it were , to poure out repentant teares more plentifully . thou must continue ripping up , and ransacking that hellish heape of thy former rebellions , and pollutions of youth : still dive and digge into that body of death thou bearest about thee , for the finding out , and furnishing thy selfe with as much matter of sound humiliation as may bee ; that thou mayst still grow viler and viler in thine owne eyes , and bee more and more humble untill thy dying day . but yet so , that as thou holdest out in the one hand the cleare cristall of gods pure law to discover the vilenesse and variety of thy sinnes ; all the spots and staines of thy soule ; so thou hold out in the other hand , or rather with the hand of faith lay hold upon the lord iesus hanging , bleeding , and dying upon the crosse for thy sake . the one is soveraigne , to save from flavish stings of conscience , bitternesse of horrour , and venome of despaire : the other mingled with faith , will serve as a quickning preservative to keepe in thy bosome a● humble , soft , and lowly spirit ; which doth ever excellently fit , to live by faith more chearefully , to enjoy god more neerely , to apply iesus christ more feelingly , and to long for his comming more earnestly . in a word , to climbe up more merrily those staires of joy , which are prest upon us by the holy prophet , psal. . bee glad . — reioyce — and shout for ioy , all yee that are upright in heart . . conceive that hypocrisie may lurke in very goodly outward formes , and fairest promises and protestations of selfe-seeming earnest humiliation . looke upon ahab , . king. . . upon the israelites , psal. . ● ▪ . i meane not onely grosse hypocrisie , whereby mens false hearts teach them to deceive others ; but also that , which else-where i have stiled formall hypocrisie , whereby mens owne hearts deceive even their own selves . for i make no question , but the promises of amendment , which many make , when they are pressed , and panting under some heavy crosse , or grievous sicknesse , proceede from their hearts ; i meane , they speake as they thinke ; and for the present , purpose performance ; who notwithstanding , upon their recovery , and restitution to former health , and wonted worldly happinesse , returne with the dog unto the vomit ; and plunge againe perfidiously into the cursed current of their disclaimed pleasures . but by the way , and in a word , to illighten a perplexed point , and prevent a scruple , which may trouble true hearts indeed ; who hold truth of heart in their repentances , services and duties towards god , to bee their peculiar , and a speciall touchstone to trie and testifie the soundnesse of their sanctification , the truth of their spirituall states , and a distinctive character from all sorts of unregenerate men ; and all kindes of hypocrisie : i say , purposes and promises made from the heart in the sense , i have said , with earnest eager protestation , while they are in angvish and extremity , and yet after deliverance and ease , melt away , as a morning cloud , and like the early deaw ; proceede from hearts , rather affected onely with sting of present horrour , naturall desire of happinesse , mis-conceite , that it is a light thing to leave sinne , and the like ; then truly broken and burdened with sight of their owne vilenesse , sense of gods displeasure , hatred of wickednesse , and former sensuall waies ; or enamoured with the sweetnesse of iesus christ , amiablenesse of grace , and goodnesse of god , &c. howsoever for my purpose , certaine it is , and too manifest by many wofull experiences ; that as it often falles out , and fares with men in their corporal visitations , & outward crosses ; to wit , that while the storme and tempest beates sore upon them , they run unto god as their rocke , and enquire early after him , as it is said of the israelites , ps. . . but when once , an hot gleame of former health and prosperitie shines upon them againe , they hie as fast out of gods blessing into the warme sunne , as they say , from sorrow for sinne , to delight of sense ; from seeking god , to security in their old waies : i say , even so it is sometimes also , with men in aflictions of soule , and troubles of conscience : while the agony and extremity is upon them , they take on , as though they would become trve converts ; both promise , and purpose many excellent things for the time to come , and a remarkeable change : but if once the fit be cover , they start aside , like a broken bow ; and fearefully fall away from what they have vowed , with horrible ingratitude , and execrable villany ; having been extraordinarily schooled and scorched , as it were , in the flames of horrour , and warned to take heed by the very vengeance of hell. for the former , heare the experience of reverend divines : many seeming , saith one , to repent affectionately in dangerous sicknesse , when they have recovered , have been rather worse then before . i would have thought my selfe , saith another , that many monstrous persons , whom i have visited , when gods hand upon them , caused them to cry out , and promise amendment , would have prooved rare examples to others , of true conversion unto god : but to my great griefe , and to teach ●ee experience , what becommeth of such untimely fruits , they have turned backe againe , as an arrow from a stone wall , and as the dog to his owne vomit , &c. for the latter ; i could here make it good also by too many experiences , were it convenient ; but i forbeare for some reasons , to report them at this time . i publish this point , and speake thus ; not to trouble any true converts about the truth of their hearts in their troubles of conscience : * consciousnesse unto themselves of their new-birth already happily past ; their prizing , and cleaving to the lord iesus , unvalewably , unvincibly ; their present new-obedience , new courses , new company , new conversation , &c. makes it more then evident , that they were savingly mollified and melted in the furnace of their spirituall afflictions ; fashioned and framed by the hand of the holy ghost to bee gods iewels : but to terrifie those miserable men , who having tasted that transcendent torture of a wounded conscience , dare upon any termes look-backe againe upon the world with delight and doting ; and againe commit those sinnes , which have already stung their hearts with the very terrours of hell : or rather at this time , to teach and tell the afflicted in conscience , that when the rich treasures of gods free mercy , and the unsearchable riches of christ are opened , and offered unto him , hee drinke not so undiscreetly at first of that immeasurable sea , as presently to fall into a surfet of security . but to prevent mis-carriage in a matter of so unvalew-able moment , let him rather mingle motives to humiliation with his medicine of mercy . let him looke well to the grounds , and good speeches , upon which the spirituall physition is encouraged to comfort him , that they shrinke not in the wetting , as they say . let him feare and attend his owne deceitfull heart withall narrow watch , and a very jealous eye . otherwise that false heart of his , may proove a depth , to drowne his owne deare soule in the pit of endlesse perdition . for in time of extremity and terrour , especially of conscience , it may seeme pliable , and promise faire ; and yet when it comes to performance and practise ; either impudently and perfidiously wallowes againe in open wickednesse , or rests onely in a forme of godlinesse at the best . let him bee stedfast in the covenant , and then hee may bee sure , that his heart was upright ; and that hee did not flatter with his mouth , or lye unto god with his tongue . . sith thou art now upon termes of turning unto god , taking profession upon thee , and giving up thy name unto christ , the blessedest businesse that ever thou went'st about : be well advised , consider seriously what thou undertakest , and cast deliberately before-hand , what it is like to cost thee . thou must make an account to become the drunkards song , and to have those that sit in the gate to speake against thee ; the vilest of men to raile upon thee , and the wisest of the world to laugh at thee . thou must bee content to live a despised man , to bee scoft-at , to bee hated of all men ; to crucifie the flesh , with the affections and lusts ; to looke upon the world , set out in the gaudiest manner with all her baites and bables of riches , honours , favours , greatnesse , pleasures , &c. as upon an unsavoury rotten a carrion : thou and the world must bee as two dead carcasses upon one beere , without any delightfull mutuall commerce , or enter-course ; strangers and b starke dead one unto another , in respect of thy any further trading with the vanities thereof . for keeping a good conscience , standing on gods side , and christs sake , thou must deny thy selfe , thy worldly wisedome , carnall reason , corrupt affections ; thy acceptation with the world , favour of great ones , credit and applause with the most ; thy passions , profit , pleasures , possibility of rising , and growing great ; thy nearest friends , dearest companions , ease , liberty , life : and grow by little and little into hesters most noble and invincible resolu●ion , ever when doing gods will , threatneth any earthly danger ; and if i perish , i perish . but not to perish so , is everlastingly to perish ; and so to perish , is to bee saved for ever . thou must thus resolve upon this selfe-deniall , when thou first enters into profession ; or else thou wilt never bee able to hold out in thy spirituall building , or conquer in the christian warfare . ( see and consider the occasion , and how earnestly christ enioynes it : matth. . . &c. luk. . . &c. and presses it with two parables ) . but all will come to naught ; and thou cursedly conclude in open apos●acy , grosse hypocrisie ▪ or selfe-deceiving formalitie . consider the young man in the gospell : hee came hastily unto iesus christ , and would needs bee his disciple , and follower upon the sudden . but alas ! hee did wofully mistake . little did he know , neither indeed would know , what belonged unto it : that the servant of such an heavenly master must bee no earth-worme ; that every one of his disciples must take up their crosse and follow him ; for his sake , part with any thing , every thing ; bee it riches , honours , credit , pleasures , &c. and therefore , when once christ for the triall of his heart had bid him go , and sell that he had , &c. hee had soone done : hee was quickly gone . now had this young man gone away without this lesson , hee had gone away a disciple , as well as any other , and perhaps as iolly a professour , as the forwardest of them all ; and that both in his owne strong opinion , and charitable mis-conceite of the rest , who were true of heart . as iudas did a long time , and the foolish virgines all their life long . too many such professours , as hee would have prooved , are to bee found , even in this noone-tide of the gospell abroad in the world : who beeing at their first entrance into profession , not soundly humbled , nor laying a sure foundation ; not resolved upon an universall selfe-deniall ; nor weighing with due fore-cast , what it will cost them , doe afterward behave themselves thereafter upon any gainefull occasion greater triall , and temptation , or beeing put to it indeed : they are wont from time to time to discover their rottennesse , open the mouthes of the prophane , and shame all . they are like unto reeds , which in a calme stand bolt upright , and seeme stiffe and strong ; but let a tempest breake-in upon them , and they bend any way : while their temporall state is untoucht , their outward happinesse unhazarded ; they seeme resolute , thorow , and couragious ; but let a storme of persecution bee raised against them ; let them bee put into a great fright , that if they stand to it , they may bee undone , &c. and then they cowardlily hide their heads , pull in the hornes , as they say , and shamefully shrinke in the wetting : unhappily holding it better to sleepe in a whole skinne , then with a good conscience . like the eagle , they soare aloft with many goodly religious shewes and representations ; but they still keepe their eye upon the prey ; and therefore when advantage is offered , they will basely stoope from forwardnesse , honesty , generosity , humanity , any thing , to seize upon a worldly commodity , office , honour , some earthly pelfe , and transitory nothing . some of these after profession for some time , fall quite away from it , and turne epicures , or worldlings , if not scorners and persecutors : others hold-on in a plodding course of formall christianity all their life long ; and at last , depart this life like the foolish virgins , and in that formall manner i told you of before . neither be thou dis-heartned with this counsell of leaving all for christ. for thou shalt bee no loser , but a great gainer thereby . besides , eternall life in the world to come ; thou shalt receive an hundred-fold now in this time , as christ him selfe tells thee , mark. . . if thou part with worldly ioies , thou shalt have quiet in the holy ghost , spirituall joy unspeakable and glorious , neerer familiarity with god , deerer cōmunion with iesus christ , &c. to which the pleasures of ten thousand worlds , were they all extant , were but extremest paine . if thou lose thine husband : he that made thee , will be in his stead unto thee , thy maker is thine husband , the lord of hosts is his name . if thou lose thy father ; the al-sufficient iehouah , blessed for ever , will pitty thee , as a father pittieth his children . if thou lose thy friends , and the worlds favour , thou shalt have all and the onely excellent upon earth , to love thee dearely , and to pray heartily for thee . in a word , if thou lose all for christs sake , hee will bee unto thee all in all : and in * him all things shall be thine in a farre more sweet and eminent manner . all things are yours , whether paul , or apollo , or cephas , or the world , or life , or death , or things present , or things to come ; all are yours , and yee are christs , and christ is gods. . when the spirituall physition shall see the soile of his patients heart well softned with sorrow for sinne , comfortably warmed with refreshing beames of fauour from the face of christ , and so seasonably fitted , for to enter a christian course , and to bring forth fruits meete for repentance ; let him throw-in some timely seedes of zeale , holy precisenesse , undaunted courage , and unshaken resolution about the affaires of heaven , and in the cause of god ; from such quickning scriptures , and excellent examples as these , luk. . . rom. . . . ephes. . . phil. . . . matth. . . revel . . . ruth . . esth. . . nehem. . . . king. . . heb. . . . . sam. . . acts . . &c. that it may bee happily preserved from the ranke and flourishing , but rotten and fruitlesse weede of formality and luke-warmenesse . which pestilent canker , if it once take roote in the heart , it will never suffer the herbe of grace , if i may so speake , the heavenly unfading flowers of saving grace , to grow by it , while the world stands . nay , and will proove one of the strongest bolts to barre them out ; and the most boysterous cart-rope to pull-downe extraordinary vengeance upon the head of the party . for as a loathsome vomite is to the stomacke of him that casts it out ; so are luke-warme professours to the lord iesus , reuel . . . i marvaile many times what such men meane , and what worship , service and obedience they would have the mighty lord of heaven and earth to have . hee offers to us in the ministry , his owne blessed sonne to be our deare , and everlasting husband ; his person with all the rich and royall endowments thereof , the glory and endlesse felicities above , his owne thrice glorious , and ever-blessed selfe , to bee enjoyed thorow all eternity , which is the very soule of heavenly blisse , and life of eternall life , &c. doe you thinke it then reasonable or likely , that hee will ever accept at our hands an heartlesse , formall outwardnesse ; a cold , rotten carcasse of religion : that wee should serve our selves in the first place , and him in the second ? that wee should spend the prime and flower of our loues , ioyes , services , upon some abominable bosome-sinne ; and then proportion-out to the everlasting god , mighty and terrible creator , and commander of heaven and earth , only some outward religious formes and conformities ; and those also so farre onely , as they hurt not our temporall happinesse , but may consist with the entier enjoyment of some inordinate lust , pleasure , profit or preferment ? prodigious folly , nay , fury to their owne soules ! this very one most base , and unworthy conceit of so great a god , and his due attributions , meriteth justly exclusion from the kingdome of heaven , with the foolish virgins , for ever . my counsell therefore is ; when the spirituall patient hath passed the tempestuous sea of a troubled conscience , and is now upon termes of taking a new course , that by all meanes hee take heed , that hee runne not upon this rocke . it is better to bee key-cold , then luke-warme : and that the milke boile over , then bee raw . . tho it bee an ordinary , yet it is a dangerous and utterly un-doing errour and deceite , to conceive , that all is ended , when the afflicted party is mended ; and hath received ease and enlargement from the terrible pressures of his troubled conscience . to thinke , that after the tempest of present terrour , and rage of guiltinesse bee allayed and over-blowne , there needes no more to bee done . as tho the new-birth were not ever infallibly and inseparably attended with new-obedience . as tho , when once the soule is soundly and savingly strucke thorow , humbled , and prepared for christ , by the terrifying power of the law revealing the foulenesse of sinne , and fiercenesse of divine wrath , which set on by the spirit of bondage , is able , like a mighty c thunder to breake and teare in pieces the iron synewes of the most stubborne and stony-heart , there followed not hearty shewers of repentant teares , never to bee dried up , untill our ending houre , as i taught before , when all teares shall bee everlastingly wiped away with gods mercifull hand ; and that the sunne of righteousnesse did not presently breake forth upon that happy soule , to dispell the hellish clouds of sensuality , lust , lying in sinne , &c. and to illighten , inflame , and fill it with the serenity , and cleare sky , as it were , of sanctification , and purity , a kindly fervour of zeale for gods glory , good causes , good men , & keeping a good conscience , and fruitfull influence of sobriety , righteousnesse and holinesse for ever after . and therefore if upon recovery out of trouble of conscience , there follow not a continued exercise of repentance both for sinnes past , present , and to come , as you heard before ; an universall change in every power and part , both of soule and body , tho not in perfection of degrees , as the schooles speake , yet of parts ; an heart-rising hatred and opposition against all sinne ; a shaking-off old companions , brethren in iniquity , all satans good-fellow reuellers ; a delight in the word , waies , services , sabbaths , and saints of god ; a conscionable and constant endeavour to expresse the truth of protestations and promises made in time of terrour , as i told you before , &c. in a word , if there follow not a new life , if all things doe not become new , there is no new-birth in truth ; all is naught , and to no purpose in the point of salvation . they are then miserable comforters ; physicions of no value ; nay , of notorious spirituall blood-shed , who having neither acquaintance with , nor much caring for the manner , meanes , methode , any heavenly wisedome , spirituall discretion , or experimentall skill , in managing aright such an important businesse ; if any waies they can asswage the rage , and still the cries of a vexed guilty conscience , they thinke they have done a worthy worke ; tho after their dawbing , there bee nothing left behind in it , but a senselesse skarre ; nay , and perhaps more brawnednesse , & benummednesse brought upon it , because it was not kindlily wrought-upon in the furnace of spirituall affliction ; and rightly cured . i feare mee , many poore soules are fearefully a deluded , who beeing recovered , out of terrours of conscience , too suddenly , unseasonably , or one way or other , unsoundly , conceive presently , they are truly converted ; tho afterward , they bee the very same men , of the same company and conditions , they were before ; or at best , blesse themselves in the seeming happinesse of an halfe b conversion . for a more full discovery of this mischiefe , and prevention of those miseries , which may ensue upon this last miscarriage ; let mee acquaint you with foure or five passages out of pangs of conscience , which still leade amisse ; and leave a man the divel 's still : and for all his faire warning by the smart of a wounded spirit , drowne him in the workes of darkenesse , and waies of death . . some , when by the piercing power and application of the law , their consciences are prest with the terrible and intolerable waight of their sinnes ; and the worme that neuer dies , which hath been all this while dead-drunke with sensuall pleasures , is now awaked by the hand of divine justice , and begins to sting ; they presently with unspeakeable rage and horrour , fall into the most abhorred , and irrecoverable dungeon of despaire . the flames of eternall fire seize upon them , even in this life ; they are in hell upon earth , and damned , as it were , above ground . such they are commonly , who all their life long have been contemners of the conscionable ministry ; scorners of the good way ; quenchers of the spirit ; revolters from good beginnings , and profession of grace ; harbourers of some secret , vile , abominable lusts in their hearts against the light of their conscience ; close agents for popery and prophanenesse ; plausible tyrants against the power of godlinesse ; and such other like notorious champions of the divell , & infamous rebels to the highest majestie . whom , sith they have bin such , and have so desperately , and so long despised the riches of his goodnes , and forbearance , and long-suffering , leading them to repentance ; god most justly leaves now in the evill day , when once the hot transitory gleame of worldly pleasures is past , and his judgements begin to grow upō their thoughts , like a tempestuous storme ; and death to stand before them unresistable , like an armed man ; and sinne to lie at the doore , like a bloodhound ; and the guilty conscience to gnaw upon the heart , like a vulture , &c. i say , then hee leaves them in his righteous iudgement to sinke or swimme , to eate the fruit of their owne waies , to the fulnesse of that unquenchable wrath ; which by their innumerable sinfull provocations , impenitency , and unbeliefe , they have treasured up against this day and wrath . that raging worme , which never dies in the damned , and naturally breeds in every gracelesse conscience , by their insatiable surfet in sinne , and greedy drinking-in iniquitie like water , growes so strong , and to such a strange bignesse ; that taking advantage , especially in the time of terrour , of their weakenesse and confusion of spirit upon the bed of death , at some dead lift , and irrecoverable danger , it surprises them upon the sudden , with unexpected hellish armies of guiltinesse and horror ; and over-throwes them quite , horse and man , never to rise againe in this world , or the world to come . then would those wofull wretches , who would never bee warned betime , give tenne thousand worlds , if they had them , for one moment of that mercifull time of grace , which they have cursedly long abused , for the benefit of the ministry , which they have insolently scorned ; for a drop of that precious blood , which by their desperate villanies , and hatred to bee reformed , they have trampled under foote . but alas ! no mercy , no blessing , no comfort will then bee had ; tho with prophane esau , they seeke it with teares , and throw their rufull , and piercing cries into the aire with hideous groanes and yelling . and therefore , turning their eye upon their torments , will roare out like those sinfull hypocrites , isai. . . with un-utterable angvish of spirit : who among us shall dwell with the devouring d fire ? who amongstus shall dwell with everlasting burnings ? in the morning they shall say , would god it were even : and at even they shall say , would god it were morning , for the feare of their hearts wherewith they shall feare ; and for the sight of their eyes which they shall see . in their life-time they behaved themselves like cruell beasts , and bloody goades in the sides of the saints , and against their syncerity ; and how at last themselves are caught with a witnesse , and lie upon their beds of extremity and terrour like wilde bulls , and beasts in a net , full of the fury of the lord. . others there are , who finding their sinnes discovered , and their consciences wounded by the light and power of the word ; and now feeling sadnesse , heavy-heartednesse , uncouth terrours , much perplexity and anxiety of spirit comming upon them , addresse themselves presently , and have speedy recourse to the arme of flesh , outward mirth , carnall contentments , and such other miserable comforters . they falsely suppose , and to their owne utter , and everlasting overthrow , that these spirituall pangs that are now upon them ; which if rightly managed , might proove an happy preparative , and legall petard , as it were , to breake the iron barres , and open the everlasting doores of their soules , that the king of glory might come in ; bee nothing but fits of melancholy , or sowre and unseasonable effects and compressions of some puritanicall ministry , & dangerous temptations to despaire . and therefore they c hie out of them as fast as they can , by posting after worldly pleasures , pastimes , plaies , musicke , gaming , merry company , ioviall meetings of good-fellowship , tavernes , ale-houses , visites , entertainements , improovement of their chiefe carnall contentment , &c. if not to wisards , and even to light a candle at the div●●● for lightsonmesse of heart . thus i know not , whether with more sinne or folly , they endeavour to come unto themselves againe , by the mirth and madnesse of wine , earthly joy , carnall counsell , &c. wherein they are not unlike those bloody israelites , who while they burnt up their children in sacrifice to molech , filled their eares with f noise of instruments ; lest by the rufull cries of their little babes , they should bee moved to pitie , and so staied in the cruell service of that blood-sucking idoll . iust so these men of pleasure and perdition , doe sinfully seeke to stop the guilty clamours of their vexed consciences with the comforts of this life , and sensuall joy , while their soules are sacrificing to satan , and making fit fewell for the fire of hell ; lest by listning to their cryes and controlements , they should bee stirred up to take compassion of their owne poore immortall soules , and stopt in the pursuite of their fugitive follies , and delights of sense . but alas ! in so doing , they are also like a man in a burning ●ever , who lets downe cold drinke eagerly and m●rrily , because in the extremity of thirst , it cooles him a little ; but after a while , hee shall finde the heat , the paine , and the danger all doubled upon him. earthly pleasures may , for the presens , still the noyse of in accusing conscience , and seeme somewhat to allay it's guilty ●●ge ; but assuredly they will afterward kindle such a fire in the bowels of these miserable men , that will burne even to the very bottome of hell , and blow them up body and soule with irrecoverable ruine for ever . hee that goes about , to cure the wound of his conscience for sinne with sensuall delight , is as if , to helpe the tooth-ake , hee should knocke out his braines ; or when hee is stung with a waspe , should rub with a nettle the smarting place ▪ or finding no good by physicke , should runne 〈◊〉 wise-men ; as if in extremity of thirst , hee should drinke ranke poyson to quench it ; apply a venemous plaister to his sore , and prop up his falling roofe with burning fire-brands : remedies farre worse , and more pestilentiall then the malady ; for they either plunge them deeper into the dungeon of melancholy , and heavy-heartednesse ; or else draw a skinne onely over the spirituall wound , whereby it festers and rankles underneath more dangerously : for thus stopping the mouth of that never-dying worme , that insatiable wolfe in the meane time , doth make it , when there is no more supply of carnall pleasures , whereupon it feeds for a while , to fall more furiously upon the conscience that bred it ; and to gnaw more ragingly , by reason of it's former restraint , and enforced diversion . i know full well , satan is right-well pleased , and doth much applaud this pestilent course of theirs ; and therefore hee helpes forward this accursed businesse all hee can , of abandoning and banishing all trouble of minde for sinne with worldly toyes . for ordinarily out of his cruell cunning , thus he proceeds in these cases : . in the first place , and above all , hee labours might and maine , to detaine men in that height of hard-heartednesse , that they may not bee mooved at all with the ministry , or suffer the sword of the spirit to pierce . and then , like a strong man armed , hee possesseth their bodies and soules , which are his g palace , with much peace ; and disposeth them wholly in any hellish service at his pleasure . thus hee prevailes with a world of men amongst us . they heare sermon after sermon , iudgement upon iudgement , and yet are no more stirr'd with any penitent astonishment for sinne , or saving worke of the word , then the very seates whereon they sit , the pillars to which they leane , or dead bodies upon which they tread . they are ordinarily such as these : first , ignorants , of two sorts : first , vnskild , both in the rules of reason and religion ; such are our extremely sottish , and grossely ignorant people , which swarme amongst us in many places , to the great dishonour of the gospell , by reason of the want of catechising , and other discipline : secondly , led by the light of naturall conscience to deale something honestly ; but ideots in the great mystery of godlinesse ; such are our meerely civil honest men . secondly , those that are wise in their owne conceits , isai. . . beeing strongly perswaded of their good estate to god-ward , whereas , as yet , they have no part at al in the first resurrection . such as those , matth. . . and . . thirdly all such as are resolved not to take sinne to heart . see , isai. . . these either , first , h make god all of mercy : secondly , or preserue a secret reservation in their hearts to repent hereafter : thirdly , or have so prodigiously hardened their hearts , that they feare not the iudgement to come : fourthly , or with execrable villany desire to extinguish the very notions of a deity , by a kind of an affected atheisme ; and beeing drowned in sensuality , labour not to beleeve the word of god ; that they may sinne without all checke or reluctation . . but if it fall out so by gods blessing , that the word once begin to get within a man , and to worke terrour and trouble of minde for sinne ; so that he sees him grow sensible of his slavery , weary of his former waies , and like enough to breake the prison , and bee gone ; then doth hee seriously observe and attend , which way the partie enclines , and how hee may bee easiliest diverted , that hee may thereafter proportion his plots and attempts against him , the more prosperously . first , if hee find him to have been an horrible sinner , of a sad and melancholike disposition , much afflicted with outward crosses , &c. hee then laies load upon his affrighted soule , with all his cunning and cruelty ; that if it bee possible , hee may drive him to despaire . for this purpose hee keen's the sting of the guilty conscience it selfe , all he can ; sharpens the empoysoned points of his owne fierydarts ; addes more grisselinesse to his many hatefull transgressions ; more horrour to the already flaming vengeance against sin , &c. that if god so permit , hee may bee sure to strike desperately home , and sinke him deepe enough into that abhorred dungeon . secondly , but if hee perceive him not to have been infamous and noted for any notorious sinnes ; by naturall constitution , to bee merrily disposed ; impatient of heavy-heartednesse , and formerly much addicted to good fellowship : if hee spie him , to strive and struggle for dis-intanglement out of these uncouth terrours ; and re-injoyment of his former worldly delights , and ioviall companions : i say , then hee is most forward to follow and feede his i humou● 〈◊〉 way also : that so he may stifle , and utterly extin●●●sh , the worke of the spirit of bondage in the very beginning . and to this end , he blunts , with all the cun●●●● he can , the sting of a man 's owne conscience , and quite remooves his owne : hee procures and offers all occasions of o●●ward contentment ; hee furnishes his fellowes in iniquity , and the divels proctors with pernicious eloquence , and store of entisements , to bring him backe againe to their bent and beastly courses : he ministers his owne delicious 〈◊〉 of carnall pleasure , to cast his conscience asleepe 〈◊〉 ▪ in briefe , he leaves no policy , plot , or practise un-assayed , un-attempted to make the power of the law unprofitable unto him ; and to drowne all his sorrow for sinne in sensuall drunkennesse . this then i make the second pestilent passage out of pangs of conscience : to wit , when a man , to decline them , is driven by the subtilty of satan , and perversenesse of his owne flesh , if not to wisards and wisemen , as they call them , and other such oracles of the divell ; yet at best to humane helpes , to worldly wisedome , to outward mirth , good-fellowship , pleasant company , his heapes of gold , hoards of wealth , riches , pastures , variety of choisest pastimes : nay , for ease to any thing , even to drinking , dancing , dicing , masking , mis-rule , revelling , roaring , &c. or any other such ribald , bedlam , and raging fooleries . . some there are , who passe out of trouble of mind for sinne , and legall terrours , into a kind , as it were , of an artificiall , enforced , unsound , untimely , and counterfeit peace of conscience . i meane it thus , when a mans carnall heart , wounded by the terrifying power of the word , with sight and horrour of his former wicked wayes , but weary of the wound , impatient of spirituall heavinesse , wilfully set and resolved obstinately against the holy severities of the schoole of repentance , mortification , godly stricktnesse , walking with god , &c. and withall meeting with some dawber with untempered mortar , who is very ready k to heale his heart with sweet words , saying , peace , peace , when there is no peace ; i say in this case , l snatches hold of comfort , and applies the promises of mercy and salvation , before they belong unto him : before hee bee searched to the quicke , sounded to the bottome , and soundly humbled ; before the spirit of bondage hath , as it were , it 's perfect worke , and hee kindlily fitted for iesus christ. for this purpose they are wont to wrest , abuse , and misapply many places in the booke of god ; the unskilfull physicions in application ; and the deluded patients in apprehension of them : even such as these : come unto mee all yee that labour , and are heavy laden , and i will give you rest : matth. . . yea , but they are not weary of all their sinnes , but onely troubled with the present terrour ; nor willing to take upon them the crosse of christ : well enough content they are to take him as a saviour to preserve them from hell , but not as a m lord , a king , and an n husband , to serve , obey and love him. whosoever shall call upon the name of the lord , shall bee saved : rom. . . yea , but they doe not consider , that many also shall cry , lord , lord , matth. . . and . . and yet bee excluded from eternall blisse ; and therefore all that call savingly upon the name of christ , must depart from iniquity : . tim. . . but they upon recovery , will by no meanes depart from their darling delight . hee that beleeveth on the sonne , hath everlasting life : ioh. . . yea , but justifying faith purifies the heart , acts . . fills it with deare affections unto heavenly things , deads it to the world , and divorces it quite from all former carnall pleasures , and companion-ship . i will giue to him that is athirst , of the fountaine of the water of life , freely : reu. . . yea , but they thirst onely for salvation , not for sanctification ; for mercy , not for grace ; for happinesse , not for holinesse , &c. these men , as well as the second sort , will by no meanes thorow the pangs of the new-birth into the holy path. they wickedly misconceiue out of the rotten principles of their owne worldly wisedome , prejudice against the power of godlinesse , and pestilent perswasions of pillow-sowers under their elbowes , that in so doing , they shal bee utterly undone , and never have good day afterward : but , to speake in their owne language , fall presently into the hands of the puritanes , into the strict tortures , and hypocriticall miseries of precisenesse , into fowrenesse , vnsociablenesse , dumps of melancholy ; and indeede , into a state , not past a step short of distraction and madnesse . and these therefore cast about to get out of trouble of minde , and sense of divine terrour with as great impatiency and precipitation , as the former ; onely more plausibly , and with seemingly fairer , but truly false satisfaction to their owne soules . for the former rush with furious indignation out of these spirituall dejections of conscience , as unmanly feares , not fit for worthy spirits , and men of ioviall resolution , into greater excesse , and variety of worldly delights , and sensuall loosenesse ; and so ordinarily become afterward very notorious , and more desperate enemies to the kingdome of christ : because the power of the word hath once stung their carnall hearts with some remorsefull terrour , they ever after heartily hate the sound and searching ministry , and managers thereof , the inflicters of their smart ; for no other reason in the world , but that they tell them the truth , and thereupon torment them before their time ; that so , if they be not wanting unto themselves , they may escape the torments of eternity hereafter . and they set themselves against godly christians with incompatible estrangement , and implacable spite ; onely because they are professours of selfe-deniall , holy strictnesse , inconformity to the world , repentance , mortification , &c. the entertainement and exercise whereof they furiously more detest and flie from , then the death of their bodies , and damnation of their soules . but these latter , passe more plausibly out of trouble of conscience , and take a fairer course of the two , tho it proove but an imaginary and counterfeite cure. for they labour to close up their spirituall wound , with comfort out of the word ; and promise peace to their troubled hearts from the promises of life : but herein they faile , and fearefully deceive themselves , in that they conceive , the first fits and qualmes , as it were , of legall terrour , to bee saving repentance ; a generall speculative apprehension of christ's passion , to procure a speciall pardon for all their sinnes ; fruitlesse speculations of faith to prevent and secure them from the wrath that is come ; a meere verball profession to be forwardnesse enough , except a man would bee too precise . vpon the first fright , and feeling the smart of a confused remorse and horrour for sinne , without any further penitent wading into particulars , or thorow-search into their hearts , lives , consciences , and callings ; without suffering the worke of the spirit of bondage , to drive them to christ , and a resolution to sell all , &c. they presently , hand over-head , apply by the strong delusion of their owne idle groundlesse conceite , all the gracious promises and priviledges of gods childe to their un-humbled soules ; and enforce their understandings by a violent greedy error , to think they are justified by such an artificiall heartles notion , which they falsely call faith : and so resting in a counterfeite perswasion , that they are true converts , ordinarily turne o carnall professours . who are a kind of people , who have no more spirituall life , then a dead faith can infuse into them : no more comfort in the communion of saints , then an outward correspondence in profession , speculative discourses of religion , and meetings at the meanes can yeeld : no more interest , or right to heaven , then a bold presumptuous confidence ; built first upon their owne wilfull fancy , and seconded with satans lying suggestion , can give them . whose sorrow for sinne at the most , is commonly no more , then afflicting their soules for a day , and bowing downe their heads like a bul-rush , without loosing the bands of wickednesse , or departing from iniquity . whose conversion is nothing , but onely a speculative passage from a confused apprehension of sinne , to a generall application of christ ; without any sensible , or saving alteration in their waies . whose new-obedience consists onely in a formall conformity to outward exercises of religion , without all true zeale , life , heartinesse , holinesse , or indeed honest dealing with their brethren . but these men are to know , that christs blood never pardoned any mans soule from sinne , whose spirit the power thereof did not purge from guile . it never saves any one from hell , whom it doth not first in some good measure season with holinesse and heavenly life . in vaine doe they build comfort upon his passion , who doe not conscionably conforme to the practise of his word . and let them further bee informed for a more cleare discovery of their grosse and damnable selfe-deceit ; that howsoever a dead faith , according to it's name and nature , enters ( if it hath any entitie at all ) into the understanding , without any remarke-able motion , sense and alteration ; yet that faith , which truly justifies , pacifies , purifies , mortifies , sanctifies , and saves , is evidently discernable , by , first , many stirring preparatives ; sight and sense of a mans miserable state by nature , of his sinfulnesse and cursednesse ; humbling himselfe in the sight of the lord , fearefull apprehensions wrought by the spirit of bondage ; illumination , conviction , legall terrours , &c. secondly , violent affections about the infusing of it , which are wont to bee raised in the humbled heart by the holy ghost ; extreme thirst , inflamed desires , vehement longings , un-utter-able groanings of spirit , prizing and preferring the person and passion of christ , before the possession of infinite worlds ; willingnesse to sell all , to part with any thing for him , tho neuer so deare , or so much doted upon heretofore ; with pleasure , riches , preferments , a right hand , a right eye , liberty , life , &c. nay , if in such a case , if even hell it selfe should stand betweene iesus christ and a poore soule , he would most willingly passe thorow the very flames thereof to embrace his blessed crucified lord , in the armes of a lively faith. thirdly , inseparable consequents and companions : first , an hearty and everlasting falling-out with all sinne : secondly , sanctification thorowout , in body , soule , spirit , and calling , and in every power , part and passage thereof , tho not in perfection of degrees , as they say , yet in truth and effectually : thirdly , a set and solmne course of new-obedience , spent principally in selfe-sobriety , righteousnesse towards our brethren , and holinesse towards god. many unfaithfull men in the ministry , both in their publike teaching , and private visitations of the sicke , have much to answer-for in this point : who for want of skill in that highest art of saving soules , of familiarity with god , and secret workings of his spirit , of experience in their owne change , and of the spirit of discerning , &c. many times concurre with such miserable men to marre all , in stife-ling the very first stirrings of legall remorse , by healing the wounds of their conscience with sweet words , before they be searcht , and sounded to the bottome ; and by an unseasonable and undiscreet heaping a great deale of comfort there , where as yet , a good ground-worke of true humiliation is not soundly laid . many and lamentable are the spirituall miseries in those places , where such dawbers with untempered morter domineere ; who never passed thorow the pangs of the new-birth themselves , were never feelingly acquainted with the wonderfull dealings of god in that great miracle of a mans conversion ; nor trained up experimentally in the schoole of temptations , painefull exercises of mortification , and counter-minings against the depths , wiles , devises , and stratagems of the divell . the blessed prophet paints them out to the life , and denounces a dreadfull woe against such flattering and foolish prophets , ezech. . a ship-master skilfull onely in astronomy , and other speculative passages of the art of navigation , is no body in conducting men safely over some dangerous sea , to him , that besides sufficiencies of art , is furnisht also with experimentall skill in those parts , by passing formerly that way himselfe , and having discovered those dangers of ruine , and hidden rockes , which the other man might easily runne upon . give me a man , in whom variety and profoundnesse of best learning doth concurre in the highest degree of excellency , yet if his owne heart bee not soundly wrought upon , and seasoned with saving grace , himselfe experimentally seene into the mystery of christ , and secrets of sanctification , as hee shall bee hardly able to wound other mens consciences , and pierce them to the quicke ; so hee will bee found very unfit to manage aright the spirituall miseries of a troubled soule ; and to transport it savingly thorow the tempestuous terrours and temptations incident to the new-creation , into the port of true peace , and paradise of the blessed brother-hood . a right dreadfull and tender point it is , to deale with distressed consciences ; so many depths of satan , and deceits of mans heart mingle themselves with businesse of so great consequence . even a well-meaning man without much heedfulnesse , and good experience both in the point , and the party , may erre dangerously , and bee much deceived herein . i have heard from a man of conscience and credit , besides many and many in the same kind , of a fearefull imposture to this purpose : a man , who for the world was well enough , visited with some trouble of minde for his sinnes , sent for a minister to minister comfort . hee , it seemes , not sounding him to the bottome , or searching to the quicke , heaped upon him unseasonably , and too soone , mercies , and hopes of spirituall safety . amongst other things , hee asked him , whether formerly , hee had ever felt testimonies and refreshings of gods favour , and love ; yea , answered the party ; [ and here take notice of a notorious depth of the divell ] once riding alone upon the way in such a place , i grew upon the sudden , very lightsome , and light-hearted , &c. [ this was but a flash of satans angelicall glory , cunningly to lighten and leade him the way to further confusion ] . why then , replied the minister , you may build upon it . god is constant in his favours ; and whom hee loves once . hee loves for ever . hereupon the patient was presently healed of his wounded heart , and after fell unto his former courses , and grew fully as prophane , as hee was before . amongst the many important passages of our ministeriall imployments , i feare mee , this p waighty affaire of visiting the sicke , is passed-over also ( more is the pitty ! ) with much ignorance , slightnesse and neglect . it is incredible to consider , how fearefully many offend , and what a deale of hurt they doe , by observing one plodding generall forme , and that a poore one too , towards all patients promiscuously : without any judicious discretion in distingvishing the variety of spirituall states , the different degrees of unregeneratenesse , former courses of life , &c. commonly their carriage in such cases is the same to the notorious sinner , the meere civill man , grosse hypocrite , carnall gospeller , formall professor , back-slider ; the weake and strong ; the tempted and untempted christian. if they but heare from the sicke man a generall acknowledgement of his sinnes , formall cries for mercy and pardon , earnest desires to die the death of the righteous , &c. which may bee easily , and ordinarily found in a pharisie , or foolish virgine , as you have heard before ; they will presently needs threape him downe , that he is as sure a saved man , as if hee were in heaven already . herein resembling , saith q marbury , a foolish shepheard , who wanting skill to helpe his poore sheepe out of the ditch , is driven to play the miserable comforter ; and to take some other indirect course ( as many use to doe in such case ) to cut the sheepes throate in time , to make him mans meate ; left it should bee said , hee died in a ditch . many and many a time doe such fellowes as these , empty and discharge their common-place bookes of all the places of mercy and comforte , collected curiously , and industriously for that purpose , upon those men ; who were never acquainted with the waies of god in their life-time , nor with the truth of humiliation , or truly with the great worke of repentance upon their beds of death . those formall church-men , who stood about marshall biron , that great peere and pillar of france , at his death , did in this respect very ill offices of ghostly fathers unto him in his greatest neede , and last extremitie . for when hee behaved himselfe more like a r furious divel , already amongst the damned spirits , in blasphemies impatiencies , and most raging passions , then a meeke and humble saint of god , ready to passe into everlasting mansions of peace ; they notwithstanding out of their popish divinity , gave him this absolution , assuring him that his soule was ready to see god , and to bee partaker of his glory in heaven . when it had been farre fitter to have driven him to the sight of his sinnes , sense of that dreadfull houre , terrour of that strict tribunall , to which hee was ready to passe , and fearefulnesse of that infernall fiery lake , from which no greatnesse can priviledge gracelesse men. i feare me , there are many trencher-chaplaines of the true religion , also , who are ready to doe proportionable service , to ungodly great ones , upon whom they depend , by promising them life . but many and dreadfull are the mistakings and miseries , which fall upon the soules of men , both patients and by-standers , by these flattering , formall visitations , and funerall panegyricks , which ordinarily follow after . happy then , and hopefull is that man , who in the troubles of his soule meetes with that s one of a thousand , iob . . with those sonnes both of consolation and thunder ; who are as able , ready , and willing , rightly to binde up a bruised spirit with the baulme of mercy , and promises of life , as to breake in pieces a stubborne heart with the terrours of the law. who , as they labour in the first place to fright and fire men out of their sinfull courses , into penitent dejections of conscience , a needfull preparative to a saving conversion ; so they have learned both speculatively and experimentally , to conduct them thorow the pangs of the new-birth , to sound comfort in christ , mortification , new-obedience , walking with god , &c. . others there are , who passe out of trouble of conscience for sinne , into some more tolerable courses for the time to come ; but yet not thorowly , and savingly into the truth and trade of christianity . for when satan once perceives , that sorrow for sinne lies so heavie upon a mans heart ; and the rage of guiltinesse doth sting him still with such restlesse angvish , that in all likelihood , it will at length draw and drive him to some alteration at least , and worke out at last some measure of amendment ; then doth hee out of an insatiable hellish thirst to hold him still in his clutches , bend and imploy all his power and policy , to make him satisfie himselfe ; and rest finally , as sufficiently fitted for salvation , in some partiall , insufficient , halfe-conversion ; and to sit downe contentedly with religious formes onely , and some outward reformation . the divels first desire in working our destruction , is to keepe a man notoriously naught , in the highest straine of impiety . a traitour in graine , as it were , and most desperate rebell to the divine majesty , wallowing still in all variety of villany and vanity . but if that will not bee , hee is glad to detaine him , in what degree of prophanenesse , hee can most conveniently and with greatest safty , tho the least and the lowest ; in any state of unregeneratenesse , tho furnished with the utmost perfections , ●f which it is capable ; so that hee step not into the kingdome of christ. rather then hee will utterly lose him , and part with him quite , hee will leave possession of him in part ; and be willing , tho full sore against his will , to lose a great deale of his former more furious service ; and something of the fullnesse of his conformity to the fashions of hell , if hee cannot doe as hee would , hee will doe as hee may , as they say . when hee sees him grumbling and grow discontent , and weary with the loathsomnesse of the dungeon , and waight of his fetters ; rather then hee should escape , and breake quite away ; hee will knock off some of his irons , grant him the liberty of the prison , the comfort of the walks ; nay and suffer him sometimes to walke abroade , so that hee bee still watchfully attended by his keeper ; and continue a retainer to the kingdome of darkenesse . hee will bee content , to give him the benefit of the fewest stripes in hell , and the least measure of damnation ; tho that also be more then infinitely terrible , and intolerable , rather then hee should bee undamned at all . and therefore in such a case , hee will easily suffer him to proceede to some kinde of repentance ; and reformation , of some one or moe outward grosse notorious sinnes ; remorse whereof , perhaps , did first raise the terrour and trouble in his minde ; so that he wil there rest , and remaine unmortified and unamended in the rest . or , hee cares not much , tho he be universally , outwardly reformed ; and unblameable , for the most part , in his visible carriage , and conversation ; tho hee restore ill gotten goods with iudas ; say his praiers , give almes , fast often , give tythes of all that he possesses , with the pharisee ; hold out a lamp of goodly professiō to the eie of the world , with the foolish virgines ; observe godly ministers , reforme many things after their preaching , and heare them gladly , with herod ; so that for all this plausible and unpernicious outside the heart continue unchast , impure , unholy , unheavenly still ; and he still hug in his bosome , some secret lusts and sensuall corruptions , with willing delight , and loathnesse to leave them . or , if a man , besides outward religious representations , and conformities , desires also to finde and feele in himselfe some kinde of inward worke ; hee will not bee much troubled with addition of the spirit of u illumination , temporary faith , some x ioy in the word , y taste of the powers of the world to come , &c. so that the spirit of speciall sanctification bee wanting still , and that some darling delight bee maintained in heart , life , or calling ; which the man by no meanes would have meddled with , or mortified . or that , which is a notable depth of the divell , of which take speciall notice : whereas a man heares many times out of the ministry of the word ; that the abandoning of his bosome-sinne , is a good token of a true conversion ; and the embracing of it still , is too sure a signe , that hee is satans still : to the end hee may blind him in this important point ; hee will suffer him to exchange the visible forme , and outward exercise even of his beloved sinne . for the purpose ; a mans captaine and commanding sinne , is covetousnesse ; and it is outwardly exercised in usury , bribery , sacriledge , &c. hee is well enough content in this case , to let him bee frighted by the terrour of the ministry , from those grosser acts of cruelty , for which the world cries shame on him , ( especially not restoring ) ; so that hee insensibly fall unto , and sec●etly practise some other cunning invisible oppressions , or any unlawfull waies of getting . his sweet sinne is voluptuousnesse ; hee hunts after it in the horrible villanies of adultery , or fornication ; but at some sermon or other , hee is told and terrified ; that by such sinnes he doth not onely damne himselfe , but also ever draw another to hell with him , &c. whereupon hee may grow into a slavish distaste , and dis-continuance from them ; and satan will not say much , so that there succede in their roomes , some other kinds of uncleannesse ; perhaps immoderate abuse the marriage , without any checke , or remorse ; or some other secret , selfe-abominations , not to bee conceived without horrour , much lesse to bee named . nay , hee will yet yeeld further , and endure an utter cessation from the externall acts , and visible practise of a mans predominant and reigning sinne ; so that hee delightfully feede upon it still in his heart with speculative greedinesse ; and spend the strength of his affections , and the most of his thoughts that way . hee will give him leave to leave off his vsury , and to call-in his money , ( but ordinarily ever without restitution ) so that hee may hold his heart still exercised with covetousnesse . hee can well enough abide , abandoning the grosse acts of uncleannesse ; so that hee lie frying in the flames of his owne scorching concupiscence ; and consume his thoughts in the adulteries of the heart , and contemplative filth . o the endlesse maze , unfathomed depths , and deepest malice of that old red dragon ! hee will yeeld unto any thing , take in the very darkest nooke of hell , for some cunning devise , rather then part with a pretious soule out of his hellish paw . if a man bee so haunted with horrour of conscience , that hee dare not for his life lie any longer in his notoriousnesse , but will needs into some new course ; hee can put him into many new fashions , and yet no new-birth , no new-man . hee will suffer him to passe into a more tolerable conversation , and yet come short of a true conversion . hee can afford him a morall change , or a formall change , or a mentall change ; i meane it onely in respect of the spirit of illumination , and generall graces ; or a temporary change , ( of which see my directions for walking with god , pag. . ) and yet continue him still within the confines of his cursed kingdome , and in a damnable state . hee doth improove to the utmost , as occasion of advantage is offered , both the grisseliest shape of a foule fiend , and the most alluring light of his angelicall glory ; to doe us a mischiefe any way , either upon the right hand , or the left . how many thousands , ah pitie ! even in this clearest noone-tide of the gospell , doth hee keepe in a presumptuous confidence , that they are converted ; and yet most certainely his owne still , and in a willing slavery to some one or other predominant lust at the least ? bee advised then in the name of christ , whosoever thou art , when the hand of god , great mercy , shall visit and vex thy conscience for sinne , by the piercing power of the ministry : bee sure to follow the direction and guidance of that blessed hand , without dawbing or diversion , out of the kingdome of darkenesse , thorow the pangs of the new-birth , into the holy path , wholly and for ever . make sure worke , whatsoever it cost thee ; z have never any thing more to doe with the divell ; give over the trade of sinning quite , never more to turne agains unto folly upon any termes . and if satan set upon thee with baites and allurements , to detaine thee in his spirituall bondage , but by one darling delight , to which thou hast been most addicted : answer him in this case with an un-shaken resolution , as moses did pharaoh in a point of temporall bondage ; there shall not so much as an hoofe bee left behind . yeeld not an haires breadth upon any condition to that hellish pharaoh , especially in so great a matter , as the endlesse salvation , or damnation of thy soule . if hee can keepe possession but by one reigning sinne , in which thou liest with delight , against the light of thy conscience , hating to bee reformed ; hee desires no more . one knot in a thread will stay the needle 's passage , as wel as five hundred , &c. see to this purpose my directions of walking with god , pag. . beware then of closing up the wound of thy terrified and troubled conscience with any out-side , halfe , or unsound conversion : which i make the fourth passage , out of trouble of mind for sin . . and why may not satan sometimes , by gods permission , bee suffered to inflict , and fasten his fiery darts of terrours and temptations upon a mans conscience ; continue them there some while with much angvish and horrour , for some secret holy end seene , and seeming good to divine wisedome ; and at length remoove and retire them , not upon succession of any sound comfort , or true peace , from the promises of life , and pardon of sinne ; but onely upon a meere cessation of the divels pleasure to torment , and terrifie any longer ? not that hee can hurt the least , or most contemptible creature that ever god made , when he please : but that it pleaseth god sometimes to give him the raines , and leave to rage . quieting the conscience in this case , is no comfortable cure from positive helpe : but a counterfeite palliation by ceasing to hurt . see satans proportionable practises in matters of witchcraft , in giffards dialogve concerning witches and witchcrafts , pag. . . nay , let mee here further , before i passe out of the point , discover unto you a mysterie , but it is of iniquity and horrible hypocrisie . i have knowne some ( would you thinke it ? ) , who have a counterfeited even trouble of conscience ; and made shew , with out all truth or true touch , of sundry temptations , and spirituall distempers , incident onely to the saints . and have for that purpose addrest themselves with much industry and noise ; and had recourse many times to some spirituall physitions , with many teares , an heavy countenance , and other rufull circumstances ; expressing almost exactly the scruples , doubts , distrusts , complaints of such as are truly grieved in spirit , and true of heart . o the wonderfull depth , which lieth hid in the confluence of the hypocrisies of mans false heart ; and the devises of that old b serpent , which deceiveth the whole world ! such as these , take upon them , and lay aside terrours of conscience , as c players doe their apparell and parts . . the passages past doe all mislead into by-paths : but there is one blessed way , besides all these , tho it be a narrow one , which conducts directly out of a naturall state through the pangs of the new-birth , with out diversion , or dawbing ; with out any longer detainement in any lust , sensuall pleasure or beloued vanitie ; in any kind of hypocrisie , or degree of unregeneration , into the paradise of grace fully and for ever . this neither plunges a man into the pit of despaire , nor misguides him by carnall counsell , and his own wicked conceit , into the fooles paradise , and tastlesse fooleries of outward mirth ; nor pacifies unseasonably with untimely and counterfeit peace ; nor leaves in the deceiving formes of an unsound conversion , and unsaving flourishes of generall graces only , &c. but convaies and transports him happily , by an universall , syncere , supernaturall , thorow-change into the holy path : and that thus , and by such degrees as these : . the first is an illumination of the minde , conviction of the conscience , terryfying the heart with sight , sense and horrour of sinne in some true measure . the first worke of the spirit iohn . . is to convince of sin ; which presupposeth illumination , and produceth terror . the spirit of bondage must bee first set on worke , to shew us our spirituall misery , to humble us to prepare for christ. and yet this worke in it selfe , is common to the alien , with the child of the new-birth . and ordinarily here they part : the alien and hee that hates to bee reformed , out of an inveterate , unhappy prejudice against the saving precisenesse of the saints ; and ●othnesse to leave utterly his former courses , company , conversation , being obstinated against passing on forward into the way , which is called holy ; ( regeneration , the new-birth , repentance , mortification , sanctification , self-deniall , new-obedience , walking with god , turning puritan , as they say , &c , are termes perhaps , of as great terrour unto him , as his present trouble of conscience ) doth now here divert , and afterward willfully and wofully perish in some pestilent or plausible by-path . in this case hee labours and layes about him for ease any way , ( yea sometimes he will have it from the divell himself , if he can , by the help of a wizzard , rather then misse of it ) so that he may attaine and keepe it , without any great alteration of his former waies , or especially , without parting with his darling pleasure . and therefore he assaies , either , to conquer his spirituall affliction with worldly comforts , carnall counsell , choise contentments , &c. or else to allay the present storme of his guilty rage with some counterfeit calme ; or at best , to still the cry of his conscience , with putting forth his hand to some outward workes of christianity , and some kinde of conversion ; which may yet well enough consist with the secret enjoyment of his bosome-sin : or by some other such indirect course , & unsound cure . but now the other , whom the lord doth purpose to prepare for himselfe by this first worke , and to call effectually ; doth entertaine at the same time by the helpe of god , a strong , invincible resolution , not only never more to returne unto foolishnes , whatsoever comes of him ; never upon any termes to fall back again into his former d sinfull pleasures , which have now fastned so many fiery scorpions stings in his conscience ; but also , never to admit of any cure , recovery and comfort to his afflicted soule , but only by iesus christ ; never to have the bleeding wounds of his bruised spirit bathed , bound up and healed , but in that fountaine , opened to the house of david , and to the inhabitants of ierusalem , for sinne and for uncleannesse : nay rather then he will doe the one or the other , hee will abide upon the racke of his spirituall torture unto his ending houre . whereupon he directly addresseth and applies himselfe to the only meanes , appointed and sanctified by god , for working a sure , kindly and lasting cure in such a case , i meane , the ministery of the word . and , if hee may have his will ▪ he would hit upon the most skilfull , experienced , searching , and sound-dealing man , amongst all gods faithfull messengers . . and so in a second place , without all reservation , or any purpose ever to returne or divert ; hee comes unto the ministers of god , in the same minde , and with the same meaning , that peters hearers did , act. . . having his heart pricked and rent in peeces with legall terrour , as theirs were : men and bretheren what shall wee doe ? if there bee any instruction , direction , or duty , which upon good ground out of gods blessed booke , you can enjoyne ; we will willingly follow it , embrace it , and rather die then not doe it . prescribe any course , whereby wee may have the boyling rage of our guilty consciences some what asswaged , & we wil blesse god , that ever we saw your faces : nay , that ever hee made you the happy instruments , to fasten these keene arrowes of truth and terrour , in our amazed and afflicted spirits . alas ! we see now , &c. see before p. . &c. and now here the ministers of god have a strong & seasonable calling to set out in the height , the excellencie , amiablenes , and soule-saving sufficiency of iesus christ , blessed for ever : to amplifie and magnifie to the life , the heavenly beauty , unvaluablenesse , and sweeetnesse of his person , passion , promises . no sinne of so deepe a die , bee it scarlet or crimson , but his pretious blood can raze it out . no heart so darke or heavy , but one beame shining from his pleased face , can fill it as full of spirituall glory and joy , as the sunne is of light , or the sea of waters . no man so miserable , but if hee will goe out of himselfe , and the devills slavery quite , and come-in , when hee is dearely invited , he will advance him without money , and without price , from depth of horrour to height of happinesse , &c. . by this time , being thus told and truly informed in the mystery and mercy of the gospell , the poore wounded and weary soule begins to bee deepely and dearely enamored of iesus christ. to advance him highest in his thoughts ; as the only jewell and joy of his heart ; without which hee hath been heretofore , a deade man , and shall here after bee a damned miscreant ; to preferre and prize him farre aboue the pleasures , riches and glory of the whole earth ; to set his eye and longing so upon him , as to hold himselfe lost for ever without his love ; nay , in the case hee now stands , hee is most willing for a sound and saving cure , to passe through a peece of hell , if need were , to such a heavenly physition ; in whose blessed person alone , as hee hea●es , all the riches of mercy , goodnesse , compassion , and comfort is to bee found ; and in whom are hid and heaped up the fullnesse of grace , and treasures of all perfection so that now the current of his best affections , and all the powers of his humbled soule are wholly bent and directed toward him , as the sun-flower towards the sun ; the iron to the load-stone ; and the load-stone to the pole-star . to whom the nearer hee drawes , the more heartily it grieves him ; that ever he pierced so sweet and deare a saviour , with such a former impure loathsome life , & so many abominable , & now most abhorred provocations . . vpon this discovery , survay and admiration of this pearle of great price , this rich treasure , the now truly broken , and contrite heart , doth cast about by all meanes , how to compasse it . o! what would he now giue , for the sweete fruition and ravishing possession of it ? hearts-blood , life , e lying in hell for a season , were nothing in this case : the imperiall crownes and command of tenne thousand worlds , were they all extant , would bee in his conceit , but as dust in the ballance , layd in the scale against iesus christ , &c. but these things are not required at his hands . at last he happily hitt's upon that , which god would have him : he even resolves to sell all that he hath : to part with all sinne , tho it should bee as deare , and as much doted upon , as that compared to a right eye or right hand : bee it that , which hath kept him longest in hell , most wasted the conscience , and stuck closest to his bosome ; i meane his captaine corruption , master-lust , or minion-delight ; he will spare none , he will quite out of sodome , hee will not leave so much as an hoofe behind . for hee well now remembers , what hee hath often heard heretofore , tho then hee tooke no heed ; that the lord iesus , and any f one allowed lust , are never woont to lodge together in the same soule . . fifthly , to the party thus legally afflicted , evangelically affected and fitted savingly , now doe all the promises of life in gods blessed booke , offer themselves , as so many rockes of eternitie in faithfulnesse and truth , for his wearied soule , tossed with tempest , and full sorely bruised with stormes of terrour , sweetly to rest upon , with everlasting safety : god the father , his bowells of tenderest compassion and bounty already stirring within him , runnes , that i may so say , as the father in the gospell , to fall upon it's necke , and to kisse it with the kisses of his sweetest mercy : iesus christ opens himselfe , as it were , upon the crosse , to receive it graciously into his bleeding wounds ; all which , hee beholding with a spiritually illightned eie , admiring and adoring , can not chuse but subscribe and seale unto them , that they are true ; and so by the helpe of the holy ghost , casts himselfe with all the spirituall strength hee can , at least with infinite longings , most thirsty desires , and resolution never to part , into his blessed bosome ; saying secretly to himselfe ; come life , come death , come heaven , come hell , come what come can , here will i sticke for ever . and if ever i perish , they shall plucke mee out of the hands , and rent mee from betweene the armes of this mighty , glorious , and dearest redeemer of mine . . and having now taken christ , as a saviour , to free him from the miseries of sinne , g hee is willing also to take him as a lord , husband , and king ; to serve , love and obey him . for every one that is truly christs , doth as well thirst heartily , and syncerely indeavour after mortification , conquest over corruptions , sanctification , purity , new-obedience , ability to do , or suffer any thing for christ ; as for pardon of sinne and salvation from hell . and therefore he willingly takes upon him his yoake ; which tho so called , yet is h easie and light ; enters in earnest into the narrow way , which tho it bee every where spoken against , as it was in pauls time . act. . . yet in truth and upon triall is most pretious , profitable , and pleasant . see prov. . happy is the man that findeth wisedome ; to wit , in the word , to walke in the wayes of god. — shee is more pretious then rubies : and all the things thou canst desire , are not to be compared unto her . length of dayes is in her right hand ; and in her left hand , i riches and honour . her wayes are wayes of pleasantnesse , and all her pathes are peace . hee now for the short remainder of his abode in this vale of teares , vowes and gives up the flower and prime of all his abilities , loves , joyes , endeavours , performances in any kinde , to the highest majesty ; and consecrates all the powers and possibilities of body and soule , to doe him the best and utmost service hee can any wayes devise , unto his dying day . and still grieves and walkes more humbly , because hee can doe no better . for then hee casts his eyes upon god the fathers free love , and christs deare passion ; hee thinks with himselfe , and so hee well may , that if hee were able to doe him , as much service , as all the saints doe , both in this and the church above , with addition of all angelicall obedience ; it were all infinitely lesse then nothing , towards the discharge of his debt , and incomprehensible , everlasting obligation . . and being thus incorporated into christ , he presently k associates himself to the brotherhood , to the sect , l that is every where spoken against . for so is profession accounted . act. . . after that peters hearers were pricked in their hearts , they were counselled to repent , believe , be baptised , &c. and to m save themselves from that untoward generation . he now beginnes to delight himselfe in them , whom hee heartily hated before , i meane the people of god , professours of the truth and power of religion ; and that , as the most excellent of the earth ; the only true noble worthies of the world : worthy for ever , the flower , fervency , and dearenesse of his most melting affections and intimate love . and hee labours also might and maine , to ingratiate himselfe into their blessed communion , by all ingagements and obligations of a comfortable , fruitfull , and constant fellowship in the gospell . by an humble mutuall entercourse and communication of holy conference , heavenly counsell , spirituall encouragements , consideration one of another , confirmation in grace , and in assurance of meeting in heaven , &c. resolved to live and die with these neglected happy ones , in all faire and faithfull correspondence , sweetest offices of christianity , and constant cleaving to the lord iesus , and his glorious cause : nay , assured to raigne with them hereafter everlastingly in fullnesse and height of all glory , joy , and blisse . for if once this divine flame of brotherly love bee kindled by the holy-ghost in the hearts of true hearted christians , one towards another , it hath this propertie and priviledge above all other loves , that it is never after put out or quenched ; but burnes in their brests with much affectionate fervor , with mutuall warmth of dearest sweetenes here upon earth ; and shall blaze eternaly with seraphicall heate in the highest heavens hereafter . in the meane time , he makes cōscience of sympathizing , both with their felicities and miseries . his heart is enlarged with lightsomenesse , or eclipsed with griefe ; as hee heares of the prosperity or oppression of gods people . i the rather here mention this marke of the true convert , because it is so much required ; nay infinitely exacted at our hands , in these heavy times of the church . and therefore may bee to every one of us an evident touch-stone , to try whether our profession bee vitall or formall . if those terrours , which i have heretofore many times threatned out of gods booke against all those pittilesse and hard-hearted caniballs , which take not the present troubles of the church to heart , upon purpose to breake in pieces those flinty rockes , which dwel in some mens brests , and to drive us all to compassionatenesse , prayer , dayes of humiliation and parting from our evill wayes ; i say , if they have beene thought by any , to have been pressed too precisely and peremptorily , heare , what i have since seene in n austin ; and what a peremptory censure hee doth passe upon those , who want a fellow-feeling in such a case : if thou hast this fellow-feeling , thou art of that blessed body and brotherhood ; if not , thou art not . and here , can i hardly hold , but were it incident , i should desire to cry out with a voice lifted vp like a trumpet , against all those prophane esaus , swinish gadarens , senselesse earth-wormes ; who all this while , that so many noble limbes of that great blessed body of the reformed churches have laine in teares and bloud , o did never take to heart to any purpose , or trouble themselves at all with their grievous troubles ; but have sottishly and securely laine at ease in zion , liable to that horrible curse denounced against meroz : curse yee meroz ( sayd the angell of the lord ) , curse yee bitterly the inhabitants thereof : because they came not to the help of the lord against the mighty . iudg. . . they have not helped the people of god , so much as with any hearty fellow-feeling , wrastling with god in praier , set daies to seeke the returne of gods face and favour , &c. men they are of the world , which have their portiō in this life : who feele nothing but worldly losses , know nothing but earthly sorrowes , rellish nothing but things of sense . if they be stung with a deare yeare , rot of cattel , losse by surety-ship , ship-wrack , robbery , fire , &c. they houle , and take-on immoderately . but let ioseph bee afflicted , gods people in disgrace , the ministry hazarded , christ spouse sit in the dust , the daughter of zion weepe bitterly , and have none to comfort her , &c. and these mercilesse mē are no whit moved ; they have not a teare , a groane , or sigh to spend in such a ruful case . whereby they infallibly remonstrate unto their owne consciences , that they are no living members of christs mysticall body ; have no part in the holy fellowship of the saints , no spark of spiritual life , no acquaintance at all with the waies of god : but continue cursedly carelesse , what becomes of the gospell , or gods children ; so that they may rise , grow rich , and sleepe in a whole skinne . . by this time now , is he become the p drunkards song , table-talke to those that sit in the gate , musicke to great men at their feasts , a by-word to the children of fooles , and the children of villaines , men viler then the earth , whose fathers hee would have disdained to have set with the doggs of his flocke . and what then ? even thus they dealt with * david , iob , & ieremie ; nay they told the sonne of god himselfe , in whom the godhead dwelt bodily , that he was a ** samaritane and had a devill . what man of braine then , that gives his name to christ , and lookes to bee saved , will looke for q exemption ? especially , sith all the contumelies , and contemptes , all those nick-names of puritan , precisian , hypocrite , humorist , factionist , &c. with which lewd tongues , are woont to load the saints of god ; are so many honourable badges of their worthy deportment in the holy path , and resolute standing on the lords side . some noble romans having done some singular service to the state ; and after , troubled and handled violently in some privat cases , were woont to bare their bodies , and to shew in open court the scars and impressions of those woundes , which they had received in their countries cause ; as characters of speciall honour , and strongest motives to commiseration . so many lying imputations , unworthy usages , and persecutions in any kinde , for profession of godlinesse , which the faithfull christian shall bring to the iudgement seate of christ ; so many glorious and roiall representations of excellency of spirit and height of courage in christian causes , shall they bee accounted in the sight and censure of almighty god , and the blessed angels ; and make him more amiable and admirable in the face of heaven and earth . thus much of the theorie , as it were , i come now to the practicke part . to a particular application of some speciall soveraigne antidotes ; to the most grievous ordinary maladies , incident to the soules of the saints . but first give mee leave to premise some generall well-heads , out of which do spring abundance of comfort , and overflowing rivers of refreshing for all intents , and effects in point of temptation and trouble of minde . . and first take a fruitfull cluster , and heavenly heape of them together ; those twelve heads of extraordinary , immeasurable , comfortable matter for spirituall medicines ; which i have heretofore erected , as so many invincible bulwarkes against all assaults of despaire , oppositions of satan , exceptions of distrust . . the infinitenesse of gods mercy sweetely intimated , isa. . . . . the mercy of god is like r himselfe , infinite : all our sinnes are finite both in number and nature : now betweene finite and infinite there is no proportion , and so no possibility of resistance . and therefore bee thy sinnes never so s notorious , and numberlesse , yet in a truly broken heart , thirsting for , and throwing it selfe upon christ , unfainedly resolving upon new-obedience , and his glorious service for the time to come , can no more withstand , or stand before gods mercies , then a little t sparke the boundlesse and mighty ocean , throwne into the midst of it , nay infinitely lesse . if u all the sinnes , that all the sonnes and daughters of adam have committed , since the creation to this time , were all upon one soule ; yet so affected , as i have sayd , and put into such a new penitent , gracious temper , it should be most certainly upon good ground , and everlastingly safe . i speake not thus to make any secure ; for any one sinne x pleasing and raigning will ruine a soule for ever : but to assure of mercy enough , how great or many so ever the sinnes haue been ; if the heart bee now truly humbled for them all , and wholly turned heaven-ward . . the unvaluablenesse of christs meritorious blood . which is call'd the blood of god ; and therefore of inestimable price . vnderstand mee aright : it was the blood of god , not of the god-head ; but of him who was both god and man. for the man-hood of christ was received into the union of the second person . and so it may bee called the blood of god , for so speakes s. paul act. . . god purchased his church with his owne blood ; that is christ , god incarnate . our devines expresse it thus : it was the sonne of god , and lord of life , that died for us upon the crosse , but it was the nature of man , not of god , wherein he died ; and it was the nature of god , and infinite excellency of the same , whence the price , valew and worth of his passion grew . this blessed blood then is of infinite y efficacie , and therefore if thou be now turning to the lord , assure thy selfe ; whatsoever thy sinnes have beene , they have not out-gone the price , that hath been payd for them . this blood upon repentance did take off the transcendent scarlet guilt from the soules , even of those that shed it . act. . &c. . the riches of the word in affording precedents of the saints , and of the sonne of god himselfe ; who have surpassed thee ; and that , perhaps , very farre in any kinde of miserie thou canst name . thou art perhaps consulting with the prodigall to come-in , but there comes terribly into thy minde the extraordinary hainousnesse of thy former sinnes ; and that hinders . cast thine eie then upon manasses , a man of prodigious impiety and matchlesse villany : hee shed innocent blood very much , till hee had filled ierusalem from one end to another . hee did that , which was evill in the sight of the lord , like unto the abominations of the heathen , whom the lord had cast out before the children of israel . hee caused his children to passe through the fir●● , in the valley of the sonne of hinnom : also hee observed times , and used inchantments , and used witch-craft , and dealt with a familiar spirit , and with wizzards . hee wrought much evill in the sight of the lord , to provoke him to anger , &c. and yet this great sinner humbling himselfe greatly before the god of his fathers , was received to mercy . suppose , which yet were a horrible thing , that after conversion , by extraordinary violence of temptation , strong in-snarement of some sudden sensuall offer and opportunity , treacherous insinuation of thy owne false heart , and furious re-assault of thy former bosome-sin , thou shouldest be overtaken grossely with some grievous sin and scandalous fal ; and then upon illumination , remorse , and meditation of returne , reason thus within thy selfe ; alas ! what shall i doe now ? i have undone all : i have wofully againe defiled my soule , so fairely washed in my saviours blood , with that dis-avowed sinne of my unregenerate time ; i have shamed my profession , disgraced religion for ever ; i have broke my vowes , lost my peace , and my woonted blessed communion with my god , &c. and therefore , what hope can i have , of any acceptation againe at the throne of grace ? i say in this case , to keepe thee from sinking , cast thine eie upon y aaron , david , peter : who returning with sound and hearty repentance , were mercifully entertayned into as great favour , as they were before . but god forbid , that any professour of religion should ever fall so fowly , especially in this glorious mid-day of evangelicall light ! art thou langvishing under the heauy desolations ▪ of a spirituall desertion , and deprived of thy former comfortable feelings of gods favourable countenance ? looke upon david psal. . i remembred god , and was troubled . i complained , and my spirit was overwhelmed . i am so troubled , that i can not speake . my soule refused to bee comforted . nay , upon iesus christ himselfe , mat. . . crying , my god , my god , why hast thou forsaken mee ? art thou haunted with some of satans most hatefull and horrible injections , grissely to the eie even of corrupted nature , thoughts framed by himself immediately , and put into thee ; perhaps tending to atheisme , or to the dishonour of god in the highest degree , or of his blessed word ; to self-destruction , or the like ? thoughts , which thou canst not remember without horrour , and darest not reveale , or name for their strange and prodigious monstrousnesse . if it bee thus with thee : consider how this malicious feind dealt with the sonne of god himselfe . he offered to his most holy , and unspotted imagination , these propositions : first , murder and make away thy selfe , matth. . . secondly , fall downe and worship the divell : vers. . then which a fouler thought , i thinke , was never injected : that iesus christ blessed for ever , in whom the god head dwelt bodily , should fall downe and worship the divell , the vilest of creatures . and yet this was suggested to our blessed saviour . to which his purest heart infinitely uncapeable of sinne , was as a brasse wall to an arrow , beating it backe presently with infinite contempt . and himselfe did utterly conquer and confound the tempter ; and that for thee , and thy sake too . and therefore * if thy humbled soule doe abominate and abandon them from the heart-roote to the pit of hell , they shall never be laid to thy charge , but set on satans score . extremely then doe those wrong themselves , and gratifie the divell to the height ; who suffer such injections , which they heartily hate , and stand against , with all their strength , to hold their hearts still upon the racke of extraordinary astonishment and distraction ; whereby they are unnecessarily discouraged and disabled for a chearefull discharge of both their callings . which is the thing satan specially aimes at , in vexing so many of gods dearest servants with this fieri'st dart . it may bee , that many yeares after thy new-birth , when thou thinkest the worst is past , thou maist bee revisited and afflicted afresh with ( perhaps ) sorer spirituall pangs , and more horrour , then at the first . and what then ? heare how david , a man after gods owne heart , cries out : z my bones waxed old ; through my roaring all the day long ; for day and night thy hand was heavie upon mee ; my moisture is turned into the drought of summer . selah . and iob. , a god-fearing man , and most upright : a wherefore hidest thou thy face , and holdest mee for thine enemie ? wilt thou breake a leafe driven to and fro ? and wilt thou pursue the drie stubble ? for thou writest bitter things against mee , and makest mee to possesse the iniquities of my youth . b the arrowes of the almighty are within mee , the poison thereof drinkes up my spirit : the terrours of god doe set themselves in array against mee . c hezekiah , that walked before god in truth , and with a perfect heart : i reckoned till morning , that as a d lion , so will he breake all my bones : from day even to night wilt thou make an end of mee . like a crane or a swallow , so did i chatter : i did mourne as a dove ; mine eyes fayle with looking upward : o lord , i am opprest , undertake for mee . doest thou day after day poure out thy soule in prayer , before the throne of grace , with all the earnestnesse , and instancy thy poore , dead heart ( as thou callest it ) can possibly ; and do'st thou still rise up dull , heavy-hearted and uncomfortable ; without any sensible answer from god , or comfortable sense of his favour and love shed into thy heart ? be it so ; yet for all this , pray still in obedience unto thy god , against all discouragements and oppositions whatsoever . presse hard unto still , and ply gods mercy-seate , if it be but with sighes and groanings . assuredly , at length , and in the fittest time , thou shalt bee gloriously refreshed , and registred in the remembrance of god , for a christian of excellent faith. see a patterne of rare and extraordinary patience this way , mat. . . there , that woman of canaan having received many grievous repulses , & cuting discouragements : the solicited was silent ; the disciples grumble ; she was not of the fold ; she was a dog ; yet for all this , by her constancy in crying after christ , her petition at last was not only granted , but her self also crowned with a singular , and admirable eulogie , from the lords owne mouth : o woman ! great is thy faith : be it unto thee , even as thou wilt , what an honour and comfort was this , to bee thus commended by iesus christ ? and that with an admiration , o woman ! hath thy faith lost it's feeling ? doest thou for the present feele nothing , but anger , wrath , and great indignation ? is gods face and favour , wherein is life , turned away from thee , and quite hid from thy sight ? nay , hath hee broken thee a●under , taken thee by the necke , and shaken thee to pieces , and set thee up for his marke ? yet for all this , let thy truly humbled soule bee so farre from loosing , or leaving it's hold-fast , and sure repose upon the person , passion , and promises of iesus christ ; that in such a case , it cleave and cling faster to that blessed rocke , and farre more immoveablely . for therein specially is the strength and glory of faith improved , and made illustrious . it is one of the most noble and heroicall acts of faith , to beleeve without feeling . he , who beleeveth most , and feeleth least , is hee , who glorifieth god most . it is nothing to swimme in a warme bath ; but to endure the surges , and tumbling billowes of the sea , that 's the man. to beleeve , when god doth fairely and sensibly shine upon the soule , with the love and light of his countenance , is no great matter : but to rest invincibly upon his mercy thorow christ ; when he grinds thee to powder , that 's the faith. thou hast before thee for this purpose a matchlesse precedent . thus cries holy iob , vexed not onely with an unparalleld variety and extremity of outward afflictions , but also with the venome of the almighties arrowes , drinking up his spirit . th● hee slay mee , yet will i trust in him : cap. . . so abraham : rom. . . hast thou given thy name stoutely to religion , and do'st thou stand on gods side with resolution ? and art thou therefore villanously traduced with slanderous , odious , nick-names of puritan , precisian , hypocrite , humorist , dissembler & c ? consider then for thy comfort , that gracelesse wretches , when hee was upon the earth , called thy blessed lord and saviour , divell ; see matth. . . ioh. . . which passeth all , i am perswaded , that any drunken belial ever yet fastned upon thee . contemne thou therefore for ever , and trample upon with an humble and triumphant patience , all their contumelies and contempts . passe-by nobly without touch or trouble , without wound or passion , the utmost malice of the most scurrill tongue ; the basest gibe of the impurest drunkard . doth the world , carnall men , thine owne friends , ormall teachers suppose , and censure thee to be a dissembler in thy profession ▪ and will needes concurrently and confidently , yet falsely , fasten upon thee the imputation of hypocrisie ? an heavy charge ! yet for all this , let thy truly-humble heart , conscious to it selfe of it's owne syncerity in holy services , like a strong pillar of brasse , beate backe all their impoysoned arrowes of malice and mistake this way , without any dejection , or discouragement ; onely take occasion hereby to search more thorowly , and walke more warily . iob may bee a right noble patterne to thee in this point also . he had against him , not onely the divell his enemy , pushing at him with his poysoned weapons ; but even his owne friends scourging him with their tongues ; his owne wife a thorne pricking him in the eye , yea , his owne god , running upon him like a gya●● , and his terrours setting themselves in aray against him● powerfull motives , to make him suspect himselfe of former halting , and hollow-heartednesse in the wayes of god : yet notwithstanding , his good and honest heart , having been long before acquainted with , and knit unto his god ●● truth , makes him breake out boldly , and resolutely protest : till i die , i will not remove my integrity from mee . my righteousnesse i hold fast , and will not let it goe : chap. . . . behold , my witnesse is in heaven , and my record is on high . cap. . . art thou a loving and tender-hearted mother unto thy children , and hast thou lost the dearest ? the greatest outward crosse , i confesse , that ever the sonnes and daughters of adam tasted , and goeth nearest to the heart : yet thy sorrow is not singular , but out-gone in this also . for the blessed mother of christ stood by , and saw her owne , onely , deare , innocent sonne , the lord of life , most cruelly and villanously murdred upon the crosse before her eyes , ioh. . . hast thou lost thy goods or children ? doth thy wife that lies in thy bosome , set her selfe against thee ? doe thy nearest friends charge thee falsely ? art thou pained extremely from top to toe ? doe the arrowes of the almighty sticke fast in thy soule ? thy affliction is grievous enough , if thou taste any of these severally . but doe they all in greatest extremity concurre upon thee at once ? hast thou lost all thy children , and all thy goods ? doth thy wife afflict thy afflictions ? &c. if this bee not thy case , and rufull condition , thou commest yet short of iob , a most just man , and one of gods dearest iewels . . the exceeding greatnesse and pretiousnesse of the promises . in every one of which , it is incredible to consider , what abundant matter of unspeake-able and glorious joy lies w●rp● up ! oh , how sweet are they to a thirsty soule , in the ●●me of angvish and trouble ! they are like a cloud of raine , that commeth in the time of a drought . they are very glimpses of heaven , shed into a heart , many times as darke as hell . they are even rockes of eternity , upon which every bruised reed may sweetly repose , with impregnable safety . a truly humbled spirit , relishing spirituall things , would not exchange any one of them , for all the riches and sweetnesse of both the indies . tell me , deare heart , thou that in thy unregenerate time , though now happily changed , lay soaking in sinnes of cruelty and blood ; whether that mercifull promise , isai. . . come now , and let us reason together , saith the lord : though your sinnes bee as sk●rlet , they shall bee as white as snow ; though they bee red like crimson , they shall bee as wooll ; bee not farre dearer unto thee , then thousands of gold and silver ? or thou , who formerly pollutedst thy selfe villanously with such secret execrable lusts , which now thou canst not remember without horrour , tell mee , if it were utterable by the tongue of man , with what dearest sweetnesse and blessed peace , thy broken heart was bound up and revived ; when thou cast thine eye considerately and beleevingly upon that pretious place , ezech. . . i will sprinkle water upon you , and you shall bee cleane : and from all your filthinesse , and from all your idols will i cleanse you , &c. there was beyond the seas , as my author reports , c christian matrone of excellent parts and piety ; who langvishing long under the horrible pressure of most furious and fiery temptations , wofully at length yeelded to despaire , and attempted the destruction of her selfe . after often and curious seeking occasion for that bloody fact , at last having first put off her apparrell , threw her self head-long from an high promontory into the sea. but having received no hurt by her fall ; shee was there , by a miracle , and extraordinary mercy , strangely preserved , for the space of two houres at the least ; though all the while shee laboured industriously to destroy her selfe . afterward drawne out with much adoe , and recovered , shee yet still did conflict with that extremest , desperate horrour almost a whole yeere . but by gods good providence , which sweetly and wisely ordereth all things , listening on a time , though very unwillingly at first , to her husband reading amongst other places , that , isa. . . thus saith the high and lofty one that inhabiteth eternity , whose name is holy ; i dwell in the high and holy place : with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit , to revive the spirit of the humble , and to revive the heart of the contrite ones . for i will not contend for ever , neither will i bee alwaies wroth : for the spirit should faile before mee , and the soules which i have made : i say , listening to these words , the holy ghost drawing her heart ▪ shee begun to reason thus within her selfe : god doth here promise to revive and comfort the heart of the contrite , and spirit of the humble : and that hee will not contend for ever , neither b● alwayes wroth : but i have a very contrite heart , and a spirit humbled 〈◊〉 to the dust ▪ one of the acknowledgement , and sense of my sinnes , and divine vengeance against them : therefore peradventure , god will vouchsafe to revive and comfort my heart and spirit ; and not contend with 〈◊〉 for ever , nor bee wroth against mee still , &c. hereupon by little and little , there flowed by gods blessing into her darke and heavy heart , abundance of life , lightsomnesse , spirituall strength , and assurance . in which she continued with constancy and comfort , many a yeere after ; crowned those happy dayes , and a blessed old age , with a glorious and triumphant death , and went to heaven in the yeere . what heart now , but hers that felt it , can possibly conceive the depth of that extraordinary , un-utterable refreshing ; which sprung out of that promise , upon her forlorne and fearefull soule ; or the excesse of that love , which shee bore ever after to those blessed lines ; to the mercy that made them , and to the blood that sealed them ? an other terrified in conscience for sinne , resolves to turne on gods side ; but the crie of his good-fellow companions , strength of corruption , and cunning of satan , carrie him backe to his former courses . a good number of yeares after , hee was so throughly wounded , that whatsoever came of him , he would never returne againe unto folly . then comes into his minde the first of the proverbes : whence hee thus reasoned against himselfe : so many yeares agoe god called , and stretched out his hand in mercy , but i refused : and therefore now , th● i call upon him , hee will not answer ; though i seeke him early , i shall not finde him . whereupon was his heart filled with much griefe , terrour , and slavish feare . but the spirit of god leading him at length to that place , luke . . if thy brother trespasse against thee seven times in a day , and seven times in a day turne againe to thee , saying , i repent ; thou shalt forgiue him ; he thence happily argued thus for himselfe : must i a silly sinnefull man forgive my brother , as often as hee repents ; and will not then the father of mercies , and the god of all comfort , entertaine mee , seeking againe in truth , his face and ●avour ? god forbid . from ▪ which hee blessedly drew such a deale of divine sweetnesse , and secret sense of gods love ; that his trembling heart at first received some good satisfaction , and afterward was setled in a sure and glorious peace . an other godly man passing through his l●st sicknesse with such extraordinary calm●nesse of conscience , and absolute freedome from temptation ; that some of his christian friends observing , and admiring the singularity of his soules quiet , at that time especially , questioned him aboue it : he answered ; that he had stedfastly fixed his heart upon that sweetest promise , isa. . . thou wilt keepe him in perfect peace , whose mind is stayed on thee : because hee trusteth in thee : and his god had graciously made it fully good unto his soule . and so must every saint doe , who would sound the sweetnesse of a promise to the bottome ; & make it the arme of god unto him for sound & thorow-comfort : even settle his heart fixedly upon it , and set his faith on worke , to broode it , as it were , with it's spirituall heate , that quickenesse and life may thence come into the soule indeed . for god is woont to make good his promises unto his children , f proportionably to their trust in them , and dependance upon his truth and goodnesse for a seasonable performance of them . now all these promises in gods blessed booke , ( which addes infinitely to their sweetnesse and certainty ) are sealed with the blood of iesus christ : g heb. . . and confirmed with the oath of almighty god , heb. . . . — god willing more abundantly to shew unto the heires of promise , the immutability of his counsell , confirmed it by an oath : that by two immutable h things , in which it was impossible for god to lie , wee might have a strong consolation , who have fled for refuge , to lay hold upon the hope set before us . oh what a mighty and pretious invitation is this , to beleeve perfectly ! the speciall aime of gods oath , whereas his promise had been more then infinitely sufficient , was to strengthen our consolation . and therefore every heart true unto christ , ought hence to hold fast , not a faint , wavering , inconstant ; but a strong , stedfast , and unconquerable comfort . otherwise it sacrilegiously , as it were , robs god of the glorious end , for which hee swore . . the free love of god. which , how rich and glorious , how bottomlesse and boundlesse a treasure it is of all gracious sweetnesse , abundant comfort , and endlesse bounty , appeares in this , that iesus christ , blessed for ever , that unvalew-able , incomparable iewell , came out of it . for god so loved the world , that hee gave his onely begotten sonne ; that whosoever beleeveth in him should not perish , but have everlasting life : ioh. . . and therefore every syncere servant of christ , when upon a serious and sad survay of his christian waies , finds himself to come so far short of that , which god requires , and himselfe desires ; that his prayers are very faint , his sorrow for sinne very scant , his love unto the brethren too cold , his spending the sabbaths very unfruitfull , his spirituall growth , since he gave his name to christ , very poore , his profiting by the meanes hee enjoyes , most unanswerable to the power and excellency thereof , his new-obedience almost nothing , &c. ( for so hee is wont to vilifie himselfe ) . whereupon hee is much cast downe ; and out of this apprehension of his manifold unworthinesse , concludes against himselfe , that hee hath little cause to bee confident in the promises of life ▪ or to presume of any part and interest in iesus christ ; and so begins to retire the trembling hand of his already very-weake faith , from any more laying-hold of comfort : i say , in such a case , being true-hearted , k he may safely , and upon sure ground , have recourse to this ever-springing fountaine of immeasurable mercy ; and raise up his drooping soule against all contrary oppositions , with unspeake-able and glorious refreshing , from such places as these : hos. . . i will love thee freely . isai. . ho , every one that thirsteth , come yee to the waters ; and hee that hath no money : come y●e , buy and eate ; yea , come , buy wine and milke without money , and without price . and chap. . . i , even i am hee , that blotteth one thy transgressions for my owne sake ; and will not remember thy sinnes . revel . . . i will give unto him that is athirst , of the fountaine of the water of life freely , &c. god never set the promises on sale , or will ever sell his sonne to any . hee never said ; iust so much sorrow , so much sanctitie , so much service , or no christ : but hee ever gives him freely . every truly humbled heart , which will take him at the hands of gods free love , as an husband to bee saved by him , and to serve him in truth , may have him for nothing . yet i must adde this : there was never any , who received the lord iesus savingly , but hee laboured syncerely to sorrow as much for sinne , to bee as holy , to doe him as much service as hee could possibly . and when hee reflected upon his best , hee ever desired , it had been infinitely better . . the sweete name of the lord. which hee proclaimes , exod. . . . wherein he first expresseth his essence in one word : the lord , the lord. which doubled , is effectuall to stirre up moses attention . secondly , three attributes : first , his power , in one word , strong : secondly , his justice , in two formes of speech : not making the wicked innocent ; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children , and upon childrens children , unto the third and fourth generation : thirdly , but his speciall goodnesse , and good affection towards repentant , and beleeving sinners , in seven : mercifull and gracious , long-suffering , and abundant in goodnesse and truth , keeping mercy for thousands , forgiving iniquity , transgression and sinne . in which there are implyed un-answerable replies to all the scruples , doubts , exceptions , objections , which may arise in a troubled soule . . thou sayest perhaps , that thou art plunged into the depth of extremest spirituall misery , both in respect of s●●fulnesse and cursednesse . the present sense whereof is ready to sinke thee into despaire . be it so : then take my counsell in this case : cast thine eye upon the first and fairest flowre in this heavenly-glorious garland of divine goodnesse . and thou shalt finde a fame greater depth of mercy ; ready to swallow up thy depth of misery . the mercy of god and misery in this kind , are relatives : no misery , no mercy ; much misery , much mercy ; transcendent misery , transcendent mercy : the onely difference is , the mercy of god is infinite , thy misery finite . and therefore how much spirituall misery soever thou bringest in a broken heart to the throne of grace , gods bountifull hand will weigh out to thee a proportionable measure of mercy ; nay , a measure without measure , super-abundant , running-over . for where misery in a truly humbled soule aboundeth , there mercy doth much more abound . . or suppose , that at thy first turning unto god , tho truly humbled , yet thou art tempted , not to take christ ; out of this ccōeit , because thou art but euen now come out of hell , and horrible courses , and as yet hast no good thing in thee at all : or after some progresse in christianity , reflecting in time of temptation upon thy whole carriage , since conversion ; and finding it to have been so fruitlesse , and full of failings : thou concludest , thy selfe in thy present feeling , to be extremely vile ; of a very doubtfull state for thy soule ; if not stark naught : that no professour upon earth walkes so unworthily ; and if ministers knew thy heart , and weake performance of holy duties , they would not bee so forward to presse comfort upon thee , &c. i say , in these two cases , and the like , it is a great happinesse and sweetest comfort , that the mighty lord of heaven and earth hath proclaimed himselfe to bee gracious ; ** which imports thus much : to poure out abundance of extraordinary bounty , upon a most undeserving partie : to place dearest affection and desire of doing good there , where there is no desert at all . as if a king to make his royall favours more illustrious , should raise a worthlesse wretch , a most contemptible vassal , to be his worthi●●● favorite , & highest in his love . and therefore bring 〈◊〉 to the throne of grace , but a true sense of thy misery a syncere thirst for mercy , an humble acknowledgement of thine unworthinesse ; and god hereupon , for his christs sake , will thinke thee worthy of the riches of his grace , the righteousnesse of his son ; all the promises in his booke , all the comforts of his spirit , a crowne of immortality and blisse : for hee is gracious ; and an universall glorious confluence of blessednesse in all kinds , is promised to poverty in spirit ; and shal most certainely , to the vtmost , bee made good unto it for ever . . but alas ! i , saith an other , have most wretchedly mis-spent the flower and strength of mine age in vanity and pleasure ; in lewdnesse and lust : the best of my time hath been wofully wasted in satans notorious service , and sensuall serving my selfe , &c. and therefore , tho i bee now weary of my former waies , and looke backe upon them with a trembling heart , and grieved spirit ; yet i am affraid , that god hath given over looking after mee ; that his patience towards mee is expired , and my day of visitation out-stood ; and that he will not vouchsafe to cast his eye of compassion upon such a blackamore , & leopard , as i am ; so overgrowne with corruption , and growne old in sinne ; especially , having so long neglected so great salvation , forsaken mine owne mercy so long , and so unthankefully despised the riches of his goodnesse and forbearance , leading mee to repentance . i confesse , it is something rare , to see men gone-on so long , and growne old in sinne , to returne , and give way to any saving worke of the ministry ; because too often in the meane time they so harden their hearts , that they cannot repent ; yet notwithstanding , bee thou assured in the word of life and truth , if now at length thou be truly touched indeed , and will come-in , in earnest ; the father of mercies will receive thee freely to mercy , and embrace thy bleeding soule in the armes of his everlasting love through christ. for it is a title of highest honour unto him , to be long-suffering . hee all this while waited , that hee might bee gracious unto thee ; and now undoubtedly upon thy first resolution to returne in truth , hee will meete thee with infinitely more compassionate affectionatenesse , then the father in the gospell , his prodigall : who when hee was a great way off , his father saw him , and had compassion , and ran , and fell on his neck● , and kissed him , &c. . yea , but saith an other ; though i have been a professour long , yet many times my heart is full heavy , and more loth to beleive , when i seriously and sensibly call to minde , the hainousnesse of my unregenerate time ; and see in my selfe besides , since i was illightned , and should have behaved my selfe in forwardnesse and fruitfullnesse for god , answerably to my former folly , and furiousnesse in evill ; so many defects and imperfections every day : and such weake distracted discharging of commanded duties , both to god and man. take then counsell and comfort in this case , by casting thine eye upon gods kindnesse : he is abundant in * kindnesse ▪ which hath these foure pretious properties : first , to bee easily intreated : secondly , to be intreated for the greatest : thirdly , to passe by involuntary infirmities : fourthly , to accept gratiously weake services . even ● fraile man , if of a more noble , generous , and kind disposition , will bee easily appeased for the unpurposed offences , errours , and over-sights ; and well pleased with the good will , syncere indeavours , and utmost , especially , of those who hee knowes to bee true-hearted unto him ; and desire heartily , if they were able , to doe all hee desires , even to the height of exactnesse and expectation . how much more then will our heavenly father deale so with his children , who is in himselfe essentially kinde , and infinitely ? . yea , but saist thou , many times when i reach 〈◊〉 the hand of my faith , to fetch some speciall promise into my soule for refreshing , and comfort ; and weighing them well , and comparing advisedly my owne nothingnesse , worthlesnesse , vilenesse , with the riches of mercy , grace and glory shining in it ; and marking the dis-proportion , i am overwhelmed with admiration and astonishment ; and to tell you true , say sometimes to my selfe : is it possible , that this should be so ? that so glorious things should belong to such a wretch and worme , as i am ! but turning thine eye from a distrustfull , and too much dejected dwelling upon thine owne desert , to what christ hath done for thee , and to the almightinesse and all-mercifullnesse of him that promiseth ; consider with all , that god is also abundant in truth . every promise in his booke is as sure as himselfe , sealed with his sons blood , and confirmed with his owne oath . hee must sooner cease to bee god , and deny himselfe ; which is more , then infinitely impossible , and prodigious blasphemie to imagine ; then faile in the least circumstance , or syllable of his immeasurable love , and promises of life , to any one that heartily loves him , and is true of heart . and therefore when thy thirsty soule makes towards the well of life , by vertue of that promise ; rev. . . i will give to him that is athirst , of the fountaine of the water of life freely ; and upon survey of the overflowing rivers of pleasures and blisse , which everlastingly spring thence , begins to retire from it , as too-good newes to bee true ; i say , then steele thy faith , and comfort thy selfe gloriously , by consideration of that abundant truth , with which hee hath crowned every word of his , stronger then a rocke of brasse , far surer then the pillars of the earth , or poles of heaven ; nay , i speake an admirable thing , and of unutterable consolation , which cannot bee violated without destruction of the deity , most blessed and glorious for evermore . and let this ever banish , and beat backe all scruples , doubtes seares , which at any time offer themselves , and oppose thy unspeakeable joy , and peace in believing . . well , saith an other , i easily acknowledge the incomprehensible goodnesse in this name of god ; and hold them most blessed , who have their part and portion therein . but for my part , i am affraid , i come too late . for i have observed the course of the ministery amongst us , and the dispensation of gods mercy in it . at first comming , our towne being full of ignorance , prophanesse , and much superstitious follies , having never before injoyed the word with any life or power ; wee all stood amazed a good whle , at the majesty and mysterie of this new heavenly light. the first messages of the ministry sounded in our eares , as the voyce of many waters , mighty , and great ; but confused : not working in us either joy or terrour , but onely an extraordinary wonder , and secret acknowledgement of a strange force , and more then humane power . but afterwards , when our watchman was better acquainted with our waies , and had more fully discovered the state of our soules ; the word was unto us , as a voice of a great thunder , more distinct and particular ; breeding not only admiration , but feare also ; not filling our eares onely with an uncouth sound , but our hearts also with a terrible searching . for the sermons of every sabbath came-home to our consciences , singling out our severall reigning corruptions ; beating punctually upon our bosome-sinnes ; manifesting clearely our spirituall misery , and certaine liablenesse to the extremest wrath of god , and endlesse woe . whereupon , wee were all at our wits end what to doe , grew weary of our lives , wished with all our hearts , that such a puritane-preacher had never come amongst us ; told every man , almost wee met , that wee had a fellow at our towne would drive us all to despaire , distraction , selfe-destruction , or some mischiefe , or other . that wee heard nothing from him but of damnation , and hell , and such horrible things , &c. now in this second worke of the word , there was a good number , even some out of that cursed crue and knot of good-fellowship , wherein i have been insnared so long , wonne unto iesus christ. for beeing illightned , convinced and terrified in conscience for their former sinfull courses ; the continued piercing of the word , and worke of the spirit of bondage , keeping them upon the racke , under the dreadfull sense of divine wrath , and their damnable state a good while : at last , they happily resolved without any more delay , diversion , by-path , or plunging againe into worldly pleasures , to passe on directly , by the light and guidance of the gospell , into the holy path . and so undertooke , and hitherto have holden out in profession ; and a blessed conformity to the better side , but i , and the greater part a great deale , more was the pitty , hating heartily to bee reformed ; and abhorring that precise way , so much spoken against every where ; into which woe conceived , such severe ministeriall counsell would have conducted us ; i say , wee wickedly wrested out of our vexed consciences , those keene arrowes of truth and terrour , with great indignation ; wee unhappily hardned our hearts and foreheads against the power of the word , which particularly pursued us every sabbath : nay , alas ! we persecuted the very meanes , which should sanctifie us ; and men , which would have saved us . here then is my case and complaint ; neglecting that blessed season , when i was first terrified and troubled in minde ; when the angell from heaven , as it were , troubled the water ; and when some , even of mine owne companions in iniquity , were converted ; i am affraid , i now come too late , that the mercy of god to doe mee spirituall good , is already expired ; and that the ministry , which i have so wretchedly opposed , is the very same to mee , that it was to the obstinate iewes , isa. . . . nay , but yet say not so ; though it bee with thee as thou hast sayd : for our gracious god keepeth mercy for thousands . h here you must know , that a finite number is put synecdochecally for an infinite , and an infinite indeed . and therefore if thou now bee in earnest , and willing to come-in , in truth ; and those thine other brethren in good fellowship , and hundreds , thousands , millions moe , or any whosoever to the worlds end , god hath mercy in store for you all ; and being all weary of all your sinnes , unfainedly thirsting for the well of life ; resolving for the time to come , upon new courses , company , and conversation ; you shall all be most welcome to iesus christ. even the last man upon earth , bringing a truly broken heart to the throne of grace , shall bee crowned as richly , and with as large a portion of gods infinite mercy , and christs un-valew able merit , as adam and eve , or whosoever layd first hold of that first promise : the seed of the woman shall bruise the serpents head . . yea , but alas ! i have been no ordinary sinner . my corruptions have carried mee beyond the villanies of the vilest you can name . not only variety , but the notoriousnesse also , and enormity of my wicked waies , have set an infamous brand upon mee , even in the sight of the world ; beside those secret pollutions , and sinfull practices , which no eie , but that , which is ten thousand times brighter then the sun , ever beheld . had i not been extremely outragious , stayned with abominations of deepest die , and gone on thus with a high hand , i might have had some hope ; but now i know not what to say ! take notice then , to the end that nothing at all may possibly hinder , or any way discourage any poore soule , that syncerely seekes for mercy , & desires to turne truly on gods side , from assurance of gracious acceptation , and intertainement at his throne of grace ; that it is naturall also to his name , to forgive iniquity , transgression and sinne . that is , i sinnes of all sorts , kindes and degrees whatsoever . there is none so hatefull and hainous ; whether naturall corruption , or ordinary outward transgression , or highest presumption , but upon repentance , god is most able , ready , and willing to remit it . . god the fathers compassionate pangs of infinite affection and forwardnesse to entertaine into his armes of mercy , all true penitents . as i live , sayth the lord god , i have no pleasure in the death of the wicked , but that the wicked turne from his way and live : turne yee , turne yee from your evill wayes ; for why will yee die , o house of israell ? ezech. . . woe unto thee o ierusalem , wilt thou not bee made cleane ? when shall it once be ? ier. . . they say , if a man put away his wife , and shee goe from him , and become another mans , shall hee returne to her againe ? shall not that land be greatly polluted ? but thou hast played the harlot with many lovers ; yet returne againe to mee , sayth the lord : ier. . . oh that my people had hearkned unto mee , and israel had walked in my waies ! i would soone have subdued their enemies , and turned my hand against their adversaries . the haters of the lord should have submitted themselves unto him : but their time should have endured for ever ; hee should have fed them also with the finest of the wheate : and with honey out of the rocke should i have satisfyed thee : psal. . o that thou hadst hearkned to my commandements , then had thy peace been as a river , and thy righteousnesse as the waves of the sea. thy seed also had been as the sand , and the off-spring of thy howells like the gravell thereof : his name should not have been cut off , nor destroyed from before mee : isa. . . . his mercifull almightinesse , in putting life and lightsomnesse into the most dead and darkest heart . seeke him , saith the prophet , that maketh the seven starres and orion , and turneth the sh●dow of death into the morning : amos . . suppose thou s●ttest thy selfe to seeke gods face and favour : and art presently set upon with this temptation : but alas ! my soule is so blacke with sinne , and darke with sorrow , that it is to no purpose for mee to proceed , &c. but now in this case , consider , who hee is that thou seekest ; it is he , that made of nothing those beautifull , shining , glorious constellations , orion and the pleiades ( and nothing in the world is darker then nothing ) . hee is hee , that turneth the darkest midnight into the brightest morning , &c. . christs sweetest , dearest , most melting invitations of all truly troubled soules for sinne , unto the well of life , and their owne everlasting wellfare . come unto mee all yee that labour , and are heavie laden , and i will give you rest : mat. . . o ierusalem , ierusalem , thou that killest the prophets , and stonest them which are sent unto thee ! how often would i have gathered thy children together , even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings , &c. mat. . . and when hee was come neare , hee beheld the city , and wept over it , saying ; oh if thou hadst knowne , even thou , at least in this thy day , the things which belong unto thy peace ! luke . . . . in the last day , the great day of the feast , iesus stood , and cried , saying ; if any man thirst , let him come to mee , and drinke . . precedents in gods booke of many hainous and horrible sinners received to mercy upon their humiliation . as eve , magdalen , paul , zacheus , sodomits . . cor. . . . crucifiers of christ. acts. . . experience perhaps of the comforter , converted from a more wicked and desperate course , then the patient himselfe . and it doth not a little refresh the heart of him , who grievosly wounded in conscience , and thereupon sending for a skillfull , and faithfull messenger of god ; and , when he hath opened his case fully unto him , to heare him say , when he hath sayd all ; my case was farre worse then yours every way : nay but besides those notorious sins , i have named unto you , i have defiled my selfe with many secret execrable lusts . be it so , saith the spirituall physition ; yet in the daies of my vanity , i have been guilty of moe and more hainous crimes , then any , you have yet spoken of . yea , but even now , when i have most need of , should most prize , reverence , and lay hold upon gods blessed word , son and promises ; i am pestilently pestered with many abhorred , villanous , and prodigious injections about them . not a man alive , replies the man of god , hath had his head troubled with more hideous thoughts of such hellish nature , then i , &c. . that pretious parable , luk. . wherein all those loving passages of the father unto his prodigall son ; to wit , his beholding him , when hee was yet a great way off ; his compassion , running towards him , falling upon his necke , kissing him , putting on him the best robe , and the ring , killing the fatted calfe , &c. doe shadow that immeasurable , incomprehensible love of god the father to every one , that is willing to come out of the divels cursed service , into the good way . but come as farre o short of expressing it to the life , as the infinite greatnesse of almighty god , surpasseth the finite frailty of a weake man , and worme of the earth . . in a second place , let us take a view of some of those most delicious , and sweetest streames of dearest comfort , which spring abundantly out of that fruitfull fountaine of compassion and love , psal. . . like as a father pittieth his children : so the lord pittieth them that feare him . see also , deut●r . . . malac. . . hence may wee draw refreshing enough to our thirstie soules , in many passages of heavy thoughts , and grievous complaints about our spirituall state . . in the distempers and damps of prayer , thus : suppose the dearest sonne of the loving'st father to lie grievously sicke ; and out of the extremity of angvish , to cry out and complaine unto him , that hee is so full of paine in every part , that hee knowes not which way to turne himselfe , or what to doe ; and thereupon intreats him of all loves , to touch him tenderly , to lay him softly , to mollifie all hee may his painefull misery , and give him ease . how ready , thinke you , would such a father bee , with all tendernesse and care , to put to his helping hand , in such a ruefull case ! but yet if hee should grow sicker , and weaker , so that hee could not speake at all ; but onely looke his father in the face with watery eies ; and moane himselfe unto him with sighes and groanes , and other dumbe expressions of his increased paine , and desire to speake : would not this yet strike deeper into the fathers tender heart ; pierce and melt it with more feeling pangs of compassion ; and make his bowells yerne within him ▪ with an addition of extraordinary dearenesse , and care to doe him good ? even just so will thy heavenly father bee affected , and deale with thee in hearing , helping , and shewing mercy ; when all thy strength of praier is gone , but onely * groanes and sighes . nay , with incomparably more affectionatenesse for looke how farre god is higher then man in majestie , and greatnesse , which is by an infinite distance and disproportion ; so far doth he passe him in tender-heartednesse and love . see isai. . . . or be it so , that thou art able to speak unto god , and in some measure to utter thy mind ; yet in thy conceit , it is so weakly , coldly , and confusedly , that thou thinkes ; as well never a whit , as never the better , &c. take notice here ; that gods child is able , first , sometimes to poure out his soule unto his god with life and power : secondly , sometimes to say something , but with much coldnesse , deadnesse of heart , and distractednesse ( as he a complaines ) , without his woonted feeling , and freedome of spirit : thirdly , at other times , he can say just nothing , but groane , and sigh , and only desire hee could pray . for this last , looke upon the last passage . for the second ; to wit , when the christian is troubled , that hee can say something , and speake words unto god ; yet it is without that order , efficacy , fit phrase and comming-off so comfortably , as he thinks is to bee found in other professours , &c. i say , in this case , consider , that as a father is more delighted with the stammering & stuttering , as it were ; with the in-articulate , and imperfect talke of his owne little childe , when it first begins to speake ; then with the exactest eloquence of the most famous oratour upon earth : so b assuredly , our heavenly father is infinitely better pleased with the broken , interrupted passages , and periods of prayer in an upright heart , heartily grieved , that hee can doe no better , nor offer up a more lively , hearty , and orderly sacrifice ; then with the excellently-composed , fine-phrased and most methodicall petitions of the learned'st pharisee . nay , his soule extremely loathes the one , and graciously accepts the other in iesus christ. as concerning the complaint of coldnesse ; bee assured , that tho thy prayers proceede out of thy mouth , faint and feeble , cold and uncomfortable ; yet springing from a syncere heart , purified by faith , truly humbled under gods mighty hand for sinne ; seconded with groanes and griefe , with an holy anger , and selfe-indignation , that they be not more fervent and piercing , and offered in obedience unto god ; are most certainely , as it were , by the way fortified , and enlived with the pacifying perfections , and intercessory spirit of iesus christ ; sweetly perfumed with the precious odours of his fresh-bleeding merits , and blessed mediation ; so that they strike the eares of the almighty with farre greater strength , and irresistable importunity , then is ordinarily imagined : and are as sweet-smelling sacrifices in his nostrils ; the very sight of whose crucified sonne at his right hand tendering the suite , can calme his most angry countenance ; and convert by a sacred meritorious attonement , his displeasures and wrath , into compassions and peace . now blessed bee god , that the weake prayers , and broken sighes of tempted and troubled spirits , have this happy promise and prerogative : that before they presse , as it were , into the presence of god the father , they are mingled in the meane time , with the soveraigne and satisfactory incense in the golden censer ; whence evaporating out of the angels hand , ( i meane the angel of the covenant , for so the truest interpreters understand the place ) they ascend into the sight of our gracious father , incorporated and enwoven , as it were , into that pretious and pleasing fume : and that it pleaseth the blessed spirit , in the needefull time of spirituall extremities , to draw the petitions of our sometimes speechlesse , heavy and distracted hearts : iesus christ , the great angell of the covenant , to perfect , perfume and present them : hee that by an excellency , and title of highest honour , is stiled the hearer of praiers , to receive them into his mercifull hand , and bosome of compassionate acceptation ! goe on then poore soule ; thou that sorely ●roopes under the sensible waight of thy manifold weakenesses , and unworthinesse this way ; and thereupon sometimes sinfully drawes back , with some thoughts of giving-over quite ; which is that , the divel desires , and would utterly undoe thee forever ; presse forward in the name of christ unto the throne of grace , with a lighter heart , then thou art wont . shall the lord iesus call and cry for a pardon for those , who put him to death ; who were so farre from seeking unto him , that like so may evening wolves , they sought and suckt his blood ? and will hee shut his eares , thinkes thou , from thy complaints and groanes , who values one drop of his blood to quench thy spirituall thirst , at an higher price , then the worth of many worlds ? comfort thy selfe invincibly : it cannot bee . . in the faintnesse of faith , and want of feeling . thou beholdest sometimes , a father holding a little childe in his armes : now whether , dost thou thinke , is the child safe by it's owne , or by the fathers hold ? it claspes about the father with it's little weake hands , as well as it can ; but the strength of it's safety , is in the fathers arme . nay and the father holds the faster , when at any time hee perceives the child to have left it's hold . thou art c tied , as it were , unto christ by a double bond : first , of the spirit , and secondly , of faith. thou layest hold on christ by faith ; and hee holds thee by his spirit . now thy infant , faith , or after some good standing in christianity , weakened and sorely wounded in thy present feeling , hath lost it's hold-fast : and therefore thou thinkes , all is gone ; and walkes dejectedly , and uncomfortably , as tho not any promise in gods booke , or drop of christs blood were thine , &c. but assure thy selfe , being sound at the heart roote , and walking in the light , as god is in the light , thy heavenly father in this case d holds thee so fast by his spirit ; that no man or divell , not all the powers of darkenesse or gates of hell , can possibly plucke thee out of his hand . nay , the excellency of his power is most gloriously improoved , and made more illustrious in thy greatest extremities , and extremest spirituall weakenesse . and hee holds it his highest honour , to hold thee the fastest , when thy hold is gone . heere then and upon this ground , thou hast a calling ; and ma●st comfortably , for hee is ever most loving and tender hearted , in times of temptation , to all that are true of heart , exercise that most excellent act of faith ; to beleeve without feeling . to beleeve , when the face of god doth shine upon thee with sensible refreshing , and when thou enjoyest plentifull , and pregnant proofes of his favour , is no great matter , no such maistery . but then to beleeue , when all sense of gods love is gone , and the light of his countenance hid from thee ; when all goe quite crosse and contrary in the apprehension of carnall reason ; then is the highest praise ; this is the perfection of faith . the very dull , senselesse and soulelesse earth , upon which wee tread , may teach us to rest and depend upon god in such a case . it is a mighty , and massy body , planted in the middest of the thinne aire ; and hangs upon just nothing in the world , but only upon gods word ; by that alone it is there established unmooveably , keepes his place most steadily , never stirs an ynch from it . it hath no props or pillars to uphold it : no barres or beames to fasten it ; nothing to stay and support it , but the bare word of god alone . hee upholdeth all things by the word of his power , saith the apostle , heb. . . and yet not all the creatures in the world can shake it , or make it tremble . bee it so then , that thy faith hath lost it's hold-fast ; that for the present , thou findest no feeling ; no encouragements of joy , and peace in beleeving ; no sensible pawnes , and pledges of gods wonted favour , &c. yet for all this , cast thy selfe upon the sure word of that mighty god , who hath established all the ends of the earth ; and reared such a great and goodly building , where there was no foundation : and questionlesse , thou shalt bee more then infinitely , everlastingly safe , and setled like mount zion , which cannot bee removed , but abideth for ever . . in failings of new-obedience . thou puts thy sonne into imploiment , sets him about thy businesses ; he improves the utmost of his skil , strength and indeavour , to doe thee the best service hee can , and please thee , if it were possible , to perfection : but yet comes short of what thou desires , and failes in many particulars ; and therefore he weepes and takes-on ; and is much troubled that hee can give no better contentment . now tell mee , thou , whose heart is warmed with the tendernesse of a fathers affection , whether thou wouldest not bee most ready , and willing to pardon and passe-by all defects and failings in this kinde ? nay i know thou wouldest rejoyce , and blesse god , that hee had given thee a child so obedient , willing and affectionate . proportionably , thy heavenly father sets thee on worke , to beleeve , repent , pray , read the scriptures , heare the word , conferre , meditate , love the brethren , sanctifie his sabbaths , humble thy selfe in daies of fasting and praier , poure out thy soule , day and night ( as the times require ) in compassion , fellow-feeling , and strong cries for the afflictions of ioseph ; the destruction of the churches and those bretheren of thine , which have so long laine in blood and teares ; to bee industrious and serious in all workes of justice , mercy , & truth , &c. and thou goest about these blessed businesses , with an upright heart , and in obedience unto god ; but the several performances comes far short of what his word requires , and thy heart desires ; and thereupon thou mournes and grieves , and afflicts thy soule in secret , because thou canst not come-off with more power and life ; nor bring that glory unto god in thy christian walking , which so many mercies , meanes , and such a ministery may exact at thy hands . in this case now of these involuntary failings , and humble disposition of thy heart , therefore bee most assured , thy all-sufficient father will spare thee , as a man spareth his owne sonne , that serveth him . nay , and with so much more kindnesse and love ; as the heavens are higher then the earth , and god greater then man. . in case of a spirituall desertion . a father solacing himselfe with his little child , and delighting in it's pretty , and pleasing behaviour , is woont sometimes to step aside into a corner , or behind a dore , upon purpose to quicken yet more , it 's love , and longing after him , and try the impatiency and eagernesse of it's affection . in the meane time , hee heares it cry , run about , and call upon him ; and yet hee stirres not , but forbeares to appeare ; not for want of compassion and kindnesse , which the more it takes-on , the more abounds ; but , that it may dearelier prize the fathers presence ; that they may meete more merrily , and rejoyce in the enjoyment of each other more heartily . conceive then , and consider to thine owne exceeding comfort , that thy heavenly father deales just so with thee in a spiritual desertion . he sometimes hides his face from thee , and withdrawes his quickning , and refreshing presence for a time , not for e want of loue , for hee loves thee freely ; he loves thee with an everlasting love ; hee loves thee with the very same love , with which he loves iesus christ ; and that deare son of his , loves thee with the same love , his father loves him : but to put more heate and life into thine affections towards him , and heavenly things ; to cause thee to relish communion with iesus christ , when thou enjoyest it , more sweetely ; to preserve it more carefully ; to joy in it more thankefully ; and to shunne more watchfully , whatsoever might rob thee of it : to stirre up all the powers of thy soule , and all the graces of god in thee ; to seeke his face and favour againe with more extraordinary , and universall seriousnesse , and industry : for we finde with pleasure , possesse with singular contentment , and keepe with speciall care , what we have sought with paine . wee may see this in the spouse : cantic . . , &c. under the pressure of a grievous desertion : ponder every particular . by night on my bed i sought him , whom my soule loveth ; i sought him , but i found him not . i will rise now , and goe about the citty in the streetes , and in the broad wayes ; i will seeke him whom my soule loveth : i sought him , but i found him not . the watchmen that goe about the city , found mee : to whom i said ; saw yee him whom my soule loveth ? it was but a little , that i passed from them , but i found him whom my soule loveth : i held him , and would not let him goe , untill i had brought him to my mothers house ; and into the chamber of her that conceived mee . i charge yee , o yee daughters of ierusalem , by the roes , and by the hindes of the field , that yee stirre not up , nor awake my love , till hee please . and lastly , that , when the comfortable beames of gods lightsome countenance shall break out againe upon thy soule , and thy beloved is returned ; thou maist sing , that triumphant song of faith most joyfully ; i am my beloveds , & my beloved is mine . desertions then , & delaies of this nature , are fruites of thy heavenly fathers love ; and ought to bee no discouragements unto thee at all , holding thy integrity . his love thereby is intended towards thee , by the restraint of the influence , as it were , and sense of it from thy soule , as a brooke growes big , by damming it up for a while : and thy love is more enflamed towards him , when thou now feeles by the want of it , what an heaven upon earth it is , to have his face shine upon thee , with it's quickning refreshing presence ; and that a sensible embracement of iesus christ in the armes of thy faith , is the very life of the soule , as the soule is the life of the body ; the crowne of all sweet contentment in this vale of teares , and a piece , as it were , of everlasting pleasures . . in times of triall . thou seest sometimes a father setting downe his little one upon it's feet , to trie it's strength , and whether it bee yet able to stand by it selfe or no ; but withall ▪ hee holds his armes on both sides , to uphold , it if he see it incline either way , and to preserve it from hurt . assure thy selfe , thy heavenly father takes care of thee with infinitely more tendernesse , in all thy trials , either by outward afflictions , or inward temptations . the thou shouldest fall , yet shalt thou not bee utterly cast downe , for the lord upholdeth thee with his hand : psal. . ▪ never did gold-smith attend so curiously , and punctually upon those pretious mettalls hee casts into the fire , to observe the very first season , and bee sure , that they tarry no longer in the furnace , then the drosse b●● wasted ; they thorowly purified , and fitted for some excellent use ; as our gratious god lovingly waits , to take thee out of trouble and temptation ; when the rust 〈◊〉 removed from thy spirituall armour ; thy graces shi●● out , and thou heartily humbled , and happily fitted , to doe him more glorious service for the time to come ; i meane , when hee hath attained the end , which hee mercifully intended in love , and for thy good . . in conceits of our unworthinesse . david commanded ioab , and the other captaines , to entreat the young man absolom gently for his sake . . sam. . . a rebellious traiterous sonne , up in armes against his owne father , gracelesly , and unnaturally thirsting out of a furious ambitious humour , to w●ing the regall scepter out of his hand , and to set the imperiall crowne upon his owne head : how dearely and tenderly then , will the father of mercies deale with a poore humbled soule , that sighes , and seekes for his favour , infinitely more , then any earthly treasure , or the glory of a thousand worlds ? . i will suppose , thou hast broke some speciall vow , ( which were a grievous thing ) made before the sacrament , upon some day of humiliation , or such other occasion ; and so forfeited thy selfe , as it were , and thy soule , into the hands of gods justice , to bee disposed of to the dungeon of utter darkenesse , if thou we●t served , as thy sinne hath deserved . and thereupon , thou art much afflicted , and sore troubled in minde , to have suffered thy selfe to be so sottishly ensnared againe in such a dis-avowed sin , against so strong a purpose . but here consider , whether thou , being a father , would'st take the forfeiture of a bond , and advantage of breaking day , especially full sore against his will , from thy dearest childe , intreating thee to intreat him kindely ; much , nay infinitely lesse , will thy heavenly father deale hardly with thee in such a case , if thou complaine at the throne of grace with a grieved spirit ; renew thy covenant , and tell him truly , that thou wilt , by the help of the holy ghost , guard thy heart with a narrower watch , and stronger resolution for the time to come . if wee confesse our sinnes , hee is faithfull and iust to forgive us our sinnes : . iohn . . and in such a case , wee have ever a blessed advocate with the father , iesus christ the righteous : cap. . . . a father sometimes holds his child over a pond ▪ river , or well , to fright him from it , lest at some time or other he fall into it . but the child , especially , if of riper conceit , and wiser thoughts , laughes , perhaps , in the fathers face , dreads no danger , dreames not of drowning . and what 's the reason , thinke yee ? only because hee knowes , hee that holds him , is his father : so thy heavenly father holdes thee , as it were , over hell in some strong temptation , upon purpose to terrifie thee from tampering so much with the divels baites ; so that thou sees nothing about thee for the present , but darknesse and discomforts , & the very horrors of eternall death ready to take hold on thee : yet for all this , upon the ground of this loving gracious resemblance thou maist be comforted ; and cry confidently with iob , tho he slay me , yet will i trust in him ; with david , tho i walke through the valley of the shadow of death , i will feare no evill . who is among you , saith the prophet , that feareth the lord , that obeyeth the voice of his servant , that walketh in darkenesse , and hath no light ? let him trust in the name of the lord , and stay upon his god. . a son by the seducement of some dissolute and drunken belials , is drawne into lewd and licentious company ; and so plunges presently over head and eares into pestilent courses ; falls unhappily , to swaggering , drinking , gaming , the mirth and madnesse of wine and pleasures ; and at length to expresse to the life , an exact conformity , to that compleat character of the professours of good-fellowship , as they call it , and epicurisme ; both for pursuite of sensuall delights , and persecution of true professours ; wisd. . , &c. , &c. whereby he wasts his patrimony , cuts the heart of his parents , wounds his conscience , &c. his father mournes and grieves , consults and casts about with all love and longing for his recovery , and returne : at length out of sense and conscience of his base , and debosht behaviour , vile company , dishonouring god , banishing good motions , &c. hee comes to himselfe , intreats his father upon his knees with many teares , that hee would bee pleased to pardon what is past , receive him into favour againe ; and hee will faithfully endeavour to displease him no more , but redeeme the losse of the former , with the improovement of the time to come . how willingly and welcomely , thinke you , would such a father receive such a son , into the bosome of his fatherly affection , and armes of dearest embracement . and yet so , and infinitely more is our heavenly father mercifull , and melting towards any of his relapsed children , returning unto his gracious throne , with true remorse and hearty griefe , for so going astray . which is an incomparable comfort in case of backe-sliding ; which yet god forbid . . a father indeede , will lay heavier burdens upon his son , now growne into yeares and strength , and puts him to sorer labour , and harder taskes ; but while hee is very young , hee is woont to forbeare him with much tendernesse and compassion ; because he knowes , hee is scarce able to carry himselfe out of the mire : even so , but with infinite more affectionatenesse and care , watchfullnesse and love , doth our heavenly father beare in his armes , and forbeare , a babe in christ. see isai. . . this may bee a very sweet and pretious cordiall to weake consciences ar their first conversion : who when they cast their eie upon the hainousnesse and number of their sinnes , the fiery and furious darts of the divell , the frownes and angry foreheads of their carnall friends , the worlds lowring and enmity , the rebelliousnesse and untowardnesse of their own hearts , pressing upon them all at once ; and so considering , that refraining from evill , they make themselves a prey , are ready to sinke , and faint ; and feare that they shall never hold out . for they may hence ground upon it ; being upright-hearted , and believing , that god , who knowes their weakenesse full well , will not suffer them to bee tempted above that they are able ; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape , that they may bee able to beare it . so that over all these adversaries , and ungodly oppositions , they shall most certainely bee more then conquerours . . when thou art dejected in spirit ▪ and walkes more heavily , because thou comes short of stronger christians in all performances , services , duties and fruitfull walking ▪ and thereupon suffers slavish doubtes and distrusts , least thy ground worke bee not well laid , to beate back , and barre out , all spirituall joy , and expected contentment in thy christian course ; i say then , and in such a case , suppose a father should call unto him in haste , two of his children ; one of three yeares old , the other of thirteene : they both make all the hast they can , but the elder makes much more speede ; and yet the little one comes on wadling , as fast as it can ; and if it had more strength , it would have macht the other : now would not the father accept of the youngers utmost endeavour according to it's strength , as well as of the elders faster gate , being stronger ? i am sure hee would ; and that with more tendernesse too , and taking it in his armes to encourage it . and so certainely will thy heavenly father deale with thee in the like case , about thy spirituall state , being true-hearted , and heartily grieving , praying , and indeavouring to do better . . suppose a child to fall sicke in a family ; the father presently sets the whole house on worke for the recovery of it's welfare . some runne for the physitio● ▪ others for friends and neighbours ; some tend it , others watch with it ; all contribute their severall abilities , endeavours , and diligence to doe it good ; and thus they continue in motion , affection , and extraordinary imploiment about it ; farre more then about all the rest that are well , untill it recover . with the very same but incomparably more tender care , and compassion ▪ will thy heavenly father visite thee in all thy spirituall maladies and sicknesses of soule . the whole blessed trinity is stirred , as it were , extraordinarily , and takes to heart thy troubles at such a time ; even as a shepeheard takes more paines , and exercises more pittie and tendernesse about his sheepe , when they are out of tune . see isa. . . ezech. . . upon which places ▪ heare the paraphrase of a blessed * divine , the lord will not bee unfaithfull to thee , if thy heart bee uprigh● with him , tho thou bee weake in thy carriage to him ; fo● hee keepes his covenant forever . and therefore in 〈◊〉 . the lord expresseth it thus ; you shall know mee ; as sheepe know their shepheard , and i will make a covenant with you , and thus , and thus i will deale with you : and how is that ? why the covenant is not thus only ; as long as you keep within the boundes , and keepe within the fo●ld ; as long , as you go along the pathes of righteousnesse , and walke in them : but this is the covenant that i will make ; i will drive you according to that you are able to beare : if any be great with young ▪ i will drive them softly ▪ if they bee lame , that they are not able to goe ( saith hee ) , i will take them up in my armes , and carry them in my bosome . if you compare this with ezech. . you shall finde there , hee puts downe all the slips wee are subject unto ; ( speaking of the time of the gospell , when christ should bee the shepheard ) hee shewes the covenant that hee will make with those that are his ; saith hee , if any thing bee lost , if a sheepe loose it selfe , this is my covenant , i will finde it : if it be driven away by any violence of temptation , i will bring it backe againe : if there bee a breach made into their hearts , by 〈◊〉 occasion through sinne and lust , i will heale them , and binde them up . this the lord will doe ; this is the covenant that hee makes . but i was telling you , the whole blessed trinity takes on , ( if i may so speake ) after a speciall manner , in all the spirituall troubles ; especially , of all those , who are true of heart . god the fathers bowells of mercy yerne compassionately over thee , when hee sees thee spiritually sicke . the distressed and disconsolate state of thy soule , puts him into such melting and affectionate pangs , as these : oh thou afflicted , tossed with tempest , and not comforted ; behold , i will lay thy stones with faire colours , and lay thy foundations with saphires , &c. comfort yee , comfort yee my people , saith your god. speak ye comfortably to ierusalem , and cry unto her , that her warfare is accōplished that her iniquity is pardoned ; &c. iesus christ , out of his owne experience , knoweth full well , what it is to be grievously tempted : what it is to have the most hideous thoughts , and horrible injections throwne into the minde , that can bee possibly imagined ; nay , that the divell himselfe can devise : see mat. . . . what an hell it is , to want the comfortable influence of the fathers pleased face and favour . see mat. . . and therefore hee cannot chuse but bee afflicted in our afflictions ; and very sensibly and sweetly tender-hearted in all our spirituall troubles . they pitty us most in our sicknesses , who have felt the same themselves . in that hee himselfe suffered , and was tempted , hee is able to succour them that are tempted . heb. . . as for the blessed spirit , it is his proper worke , as it were , to comfort them that mourne in zion ; to give unto them beauty for ashes , the oyle of joy for mourning , the garment of praise for the spirit of heavinesse . and yet besides all this thy heavenly father , in the distresse of thy soule , sets also on worke the church of god about thee : faithfull ministers to pray for , and prepare seasonable and sound arguments , reasons , counsels , and comforts out of gods blessed booke ; to support , quicken , revive , and recover thee all they can : private christians , to commend thy case unto the throne of grace , and mercy ; and that extraordinarily with mightinesse of prayer upon their more solemne daies of humiliation . . a father sometimes threatens , and offers to throw his little-one out of his armes : but upon purpose only to make him cling closer unto him . our heavenly father may seeme to cast off his childe , and leave him for a while in the hands of satan , for inward temptation ; or to the rage of his bloody agents for outward persecution ; but it is onely , to draw him nearer to himselfe , by more serious seeking , and sure dependance in the time of trouble ; and that with the hand of his faith , hee may lay surer hold upon his all-sufficiency . thus , and in the like manner , peruse all the compassionate passages of the most tender-hearted parents , to their best beloved children , in all cases of danger and distresse : and so , and infinitely more tenderly will our heavenly father deale withal , that are upright-hearted , in all their troubles , trials , and temptations . for the dearest love of the most affectionate father or mother to their childe , is f nothing to that , which hee beares to those that feare him . isa. . . psal. . . deut. . . . thirdly , there is a pretious principle in the mysterie of salvation ; which , as a comforting cordiall-water , serves to quicken and revive in the sownings and faintings of the body , defection of the spirits , and sinking of the heart ; so it may bee soveraigne , to support and succour in afflictions and dejections of soule , and weakenesses of our spirituall state : it is thus delivered by divines . g a constant and earnest desire to bee reconciled to god , to believe , and to repent , if it bee in a touched heart , is in acceptation with god , as reconciliation , faith , repentance it selfe . h a weake faith shewes it selfe by this grace of god , namely , an unfained desire , not onely of salvation , ( for that the wicked and gracelesse man may have ) ; but of reconciliation with god in christ. this is a sure signe of faith in every touched and humbled heart , and it is peculiar to the elect . i those are blessed , who are displeased with their owne doubting and unbeliefe ; if they have a true earnest desire to bee purged from this distrust , and to believe in god through christ. k our desire of grace , faith and repentance , are the graces themselves , which wee desire ; at least in gods acceptation ▪ who accepteth of the will for the deede , and of our affections for the actions . l hungring and thirsting desires are evidences of a repenting heart . m true desire argues the presence of things desired , and yet argues not the feeling of it . n it may not bee dissembled , that there are in the world many definitions , or descriptions of faith , such as doe not comprehend in them that onely thing , which is the chiefe stay of thousands of the deare servants of god ; and that is , desires , which may not bee denyed to bee of the nature of faith. i expresse my meaning thus : that when a man , or woman is so farre exercis●d in the spirituall seeking of the lord his god ; that hee would bee willing to part with the world ▪ and all things thereof , if hee had them in his owne possession , so that by the spirit and promises of god hee might bee assured , that the sinnes of his former life , and such as presently doe burthen his soule , were forgiven him ; and that hee might believe that god were now become his god in christ : i would not doubt to pronounce , that this person ( thus prising remission of sinnes at this rate , that hee would sell all to buy this pearle ) did undoubtedly believe : not onely because it is a truth ( though a paradoxe ) that the desire to believe is faith. but also because our saviour christ doth not doubt to affirme that they are blessed , that hunger and thirst after righteousnesse , because they shall bee satisfied . and to him that is a thirst i will give to drinke of the water of life freely . and david doubted not to say , the lord heareth the desire of the humble . o i thinke , whensoever the humbled sinner sees an infinite excellency in christ , and the savour of god by him , that it is more worth then all the world ; and so sets his heart upon it , that hee is resolved to seeke it without ceasing , and to part withall for the obtaining it , now i take it , is faith begun . what graces thou unfainedly desirest ; and constantly vsest the meanes to attaine ; thou hast . p there is no rocke more sure then this truth of god ; that the heart ▪ that complaineth of the want of grace , desireth above all things the supply of that want , useth all holy meanes for the procurement of that supply , cannot be destitute of saving grace . q such are wee by imputation , as wee bee in affection . and he is now no sinner , who for the love he beareth to righteousnesse , would bee no sinner . such as we be in desire , and purpose ; such we be in reckoning , and account with god ; who giveth that true desire , and holy purpose , to none but to his children , whom hee justifieth . r we must remember , that god accepts affecting for effecting ; willing for working ; desires for deedes ; purposes , for performances ; pence , for pounds ; and unto such as doe their endeavour , hath promised his grace enabling them every day to doe more and more . s if there be in thee a sorrow for thine unbeliefe ; a will and desire to believe ; and a care to increase in faith by the use of good meanes ; there is a measure of true faith in thee ; and by it thou maist assure thy selfe , that thou art the child of god. t it is a great grace of god to feele the want of gods graces in thy selfe ; and to hunger and thirst after them . u if you desire healing of your nature ; groane in desire to grace ; perceive your foulenesse unto a loathing of your selfe ; feare not , sinne hath no dominion over you . x sense of want of grace , complaint and mourning from that sense , desire setled and earnest with such mourning to have the want supplyed ▪ vse of good meanes , with attending upon him therein for this supply , is surely of grace . what graces thou unfainedly desirest , and constantly usest the meanes to attaine ; thou hast . take it in short from mee thus : a true desire of grace argues a saving and comfortable estate . the truth of which appeares clearely , by scriptures , reasons , both ancient and moderne deuines . proofes . mat. . . blessed are they , which doe hunger and thirst after righteousn●sse , for they shall bee filled . here to a desire of grace is annexed a promise of blessednesse , which comprehends all the glory and pleasures of christs kingdome here , and all heavenly joyes and everlasting blisse hereafter . ioh. . . if any man thirst , let him come unto mee , and drinke . psal. . . the lord heareth the desire of the humble . psal. . . hee will fulfill the desire of them that feare him. luk. . . the lord filleth the hungry with good things . reu. . . let him that is athirst come . and whosoever will , let him take the water of life freely . isa. . . h● , every one that thirsteth , come yee to the waters , &c. and cap. . vers . . i will poure water upon him that is thirsty , and floods upon the dry ground . o lord , i beseech thee , saith nehemiah , let now thine eare bee attentive to the prayer of thy servant , and to the prayer of thy servants , who desire to feare thy name . here , those who desire to feare the lord , are stiled his servants ; and proposed as men qualified , and in a fit disposition to have their praiers heard , their petitions granted , their distresses relieved , their affaires blessed with successe . and no doubt , th●s man of god would make speciall choise of such attributes and affections ; which might proove powerfull , and pleasing arguments , to draw from god compassion , favour , and protection . and therefore a true-hearted desire to feare the lord , is a signe of his servant . abraham , as you know , gen. . did not indeede , when it came to the point , sacrifice his son : an angell from heaven stayed his hand . onely hee had a will , purpose , and resolution , if the lord would so have it , even to shed the blood of his onely childe . now this desire to please god , was graciously accepted at his hands , as tho the thing had been done ; and thereupon crowned with as many blessings , as there are starres in heaven , and sands upon the sea-shore . by my selfe have i sworne , saith the lord , because thou hast done this thing , and hast not spared thine onely sonne ; ( and yet hee spilt not a drop of his blood , save onely in purpose and preparednesse to doe gods will ) therefore will i surely blesse thee , and greatly multiply thy seede , as the starres of the heaven , and as the sand which is upon the sea-shore . vers . . . rich men , marke . cast into the treasury large doles , and royall offerings , no doubt . for it is there said : many that were rich , cast in much , vers . . and yet the poore widowes two mites , receiving worth and waight from her holy and hearty affection , in christs esteeme , did out-valew , and over-weigh them all . verely , saith christ , i say unto you , that this poore widow hath cast more in , then all they which have cast into the treasury . reasons . . one argument may bee taken from the blessed noblenesse of gods nature , and the incomparable sweetnesse of his divine disposition : which by infinite distance , without all degree of comparison , and measure of proportion , doth surpasse , and transcend the ingenuousnesse of the noblest spirit upon earth . now , men of ingenuous breeding , and generous dispositions , are wont to receive sweetest contentment , and rest best satisfied , in prevailing over , and winning the hearts , good wills , and affections of those , who attend , or depend upon them . outward performances , gratifications , and visible effects , are often beyond our strength and meanes ; many times mingled , and quite mard , with hypocrisies , disguisements , famed accommodations , and flatteries ; with selfe-advantages , by-respects , and private ends : but inward reverence , and love , kind and affectionate stirrings of the heart , are ever , and alone in our power ; and ever , by an uncontrole-able freedome , exempted from enforcement , dissembling , and formality . no marvaile then , tho the most royall , and heroicall spirits , prize most , and bee best pleased with possession of mens hearts ; and beeing assured of them , can more easily pardon the want of those outward acts of sufficiency , and service ( most minded by basest men ) which they see to be above the reach of their ability and power . now if it be so , that even ingenuous , and noble natures accept with speciall respect and esteeme the affectionatenesse , and hearty well-willing of their followers and favourits ; tho th●y want dexterity , and meanes , to expresse i● actually in visible effects , and executions answerable to their affection : how much more are spirituall longings , holy affections , thirsty desires , graciously accepted of that god ; in respect of whose compassions , the bowels of the most mercifull man upon earth are cruelty ; in respect of whose immeasurably amiable , melting sweetest disposition , the ingenuousnesse of the noblest spirit is doggednesse and disdaine . especially sith mens good turnes , and offices of love , turne many times to our good and benefit , to our advancement , profit , preferment : but our well-doing extendeth not unto god. that infinite essentiall glory , with which the highest lord , alone to bee blessed , adored , and honoured by all for ever ; was , is , and shall bee everlastingly crowned ; can neither bee empaired by the most desperate rebellions ; or enlarged by the most glorious good deeds . can a man ( saith eliphaz to iob ) bee profitable unto god ; as hee that is wise , may bee profitable unto himselfe ? is it any pleasure to the almighty that thou art righteous ? or is it gaine to him ▪ that thou makest thy waies perfit ? and cap. . , . if thou sinnest , what doest thou against him ? or if thy transgressions bee multiplyed , what doest thou unto him ? if thou bee righteous , what givest thou to him ? or what receiveth he of thine hand ? thy wickednesse may hurt a man as thou art ; and thy righ●eousnesse may profit the sonne of man. were all the wicked men upon earth turned into humane beasts , desperate belials ; nay , incarnate divels ; and the whole world full of those out-ragious giants of babell ; and , those also of the o●● world ; and all with combined force and fury , should bend , and band themselves against heaven ; yet they could not hurt god. the lord is king , be the people never so impatient ; hee sitteth between the cherubins , be the earth never so unquiet . or , were all the sonnes of men abrahams , or angels ; and as many in number , as the * starres in heaven ; and as shining both with inward graces , and outward good deeds , as they are in visible glory ; yet could they make no addition unto that incomprehensible majesty above : they could not conferre so much as one drop to that boundlesse and bottomlesse sea of goodnesse , or the least glimpse unto that almighty sunne of glory . all nations before him are as nothing , and they are counted to him lesse then nothing , and vanity . our sinnes hurt him not : our holinesse helpes him not : y it is onely for our good , that god would have us good . no good , no gaine accrewes unto him by our goodnesse . for what good can come by our imperfect goodnesse , to that , which is already infinitely good ? what glory can bee added by our dimnesse to him , which is already incomprehensibly glorious ? every infinite thing is naturally , and necessarily uncapable of addition : possibility of which suppos'd , implies contradiction , and destroyes the nature of infinity . if it bee so then , that good turnes doe good unto men ; and yet out of their ingenuousnesse , they most esteeme good wills , true heartednesse , kind affections : and can well find in their hearts , to passe-by failings , where there is heart and good will , as they say ; to pardon easily want of exactnesse in performance , where there are unfained purposes . how much more will our gracious god , who gaines nothing by all the good workes in the world , out of the depth of his dearest compassions , kindly interpret , and accept in good part , the holy longings , and hungry desires of a panting , and bleeding soule ? how dearely will hee love , the love of a true-hearted nathanael ? how willingly will hee take the will for the deede ; the groanings of the heart , before the greatest sacrifice ? but lest you mistake , take notice here of a two-fold glory : z . essentiall , infinite , everlasting . it is impossible that this should either receive disparagement , and diminution ; or addition and encreasement by any created power . and this i meant in the precedent passage . . the other i may call , accidentall , finite , temporary . this ebbs or slowes , shines or is over-shadowed , as goodnesse or gracelesnesse prevailes in the world : as the kingdom of christ , or powers of darknes get the upper hand amonst the sonnes of men. in this regard indeede , rebellious wretches dishonour god upon earth , i confesse : and godly men by their holy duties , good workes , and gracious behaviour , make his name more illustrious in the world . but what is this , to that essentiall , infinite , everlasting glory , which was as great and full in all that former eternity , before the world was ; when god , blessed for ever , enjoyed onely his glorious selfe , angels , men , and this great vniverse lying all hid , as yet , in the darke , abhorred dungeon of nothing ; as now it is , or ere shall bee ? . a second reason may bee taken from gods proportionable proceeding in his courses of justice and mercy . in his executions of iustice , and inflictions of punishment ; he interprets , and censures a desires for the deeds , affections for actions , thoughts for the things done . whosoever , saith christ , looketh on a woman to lust after her , hath committed adultery with her already in his heart . in gods interpretation , in the search and censure of divine justice , hee that lusts after a woman in his heart , is an adulterer ; and without true and timely repentance in the meane time , shall bee so taken , and proceeded against at that great and last day . whosoever hateth his brother , saith iohn , is a man-slayer . an hateful thought of our brother , murthers him , and spils his blood , b by the verdict of the blessed spirit : and a malicious man , c at the barre of god , goes for a man-slaier . if this then bee gods property , and proceeding in justice , wee may much more confidently expect : nay , with reverent humility challenge , way beeing made by the mediation of christ , the same proportionable measure in those his most sweet , and lovely inclinations , and expressions of mercy . shall a lewde desire after a woman fall under the axe of gods justice , as if it were the grosse act● of lust ? and shall not a longing desire after grace , bee graciously embraced in the armes of mercy , as the grace it selfe ? shall an angry thought invisible , immaterial , hurtfull only to the heart which harbours it , be charged with actuall bloodshed ? and shall not a panting thirst of a broken , and bleeding soule after christs saving and sanctifying blood , bee bath'd and refresht in his pretious blood ? yes certainely , and much rather . for gods tender mercies are over all his workes : psal. . . and mercy with an holy exultation triumpheth , and reioyceth against iudgement : iam. . . his mercy is great unto the heavens : psal. . . hee doth with much sweet contentment , and as it were , naturall propension , encline to the gracious effusions of mercy . hee delighteth in mercy , saith micah , cap. . . hee is passingly plea●ed and exalted most gloriously , when hee is pardoning of sinnes , purging of soules , pulling out of the divels paw , pouring in of grace , shining into sad and uncomfortable hearts , saving from hell , &c. this makes him so passionate in an holy sense , when hee hath no passage for his love . deus . . . psal. . . isa. . . mat. . . luk. . . . but now on the other side , hee is hardly drawne , not without much reluctancy , delaies , forbearance , and , as it were , some kinde of violence offered , by excesse of multiplyed rebellious provocations , to exercise his justice , and to punish for sinne . see . chron. . . hos. . , &c. it appeares , zeph. . . by the emphasis of the * original , that in this respect , in a right and sober sense , god is like a woman with childe . when the cry of our sinnes comes first to heaven , hee doth not presently poure upon our heads fire and brimstone , according to our desert : but , as loth to enter into judgement with us , hee then but begins to conceive , as it were , wrath , which hee beares , or rather forbeares full many and many a moneth ; still waiting , when upon our repentance , hee might bee gracious unto us ; untill it come to that ripenesse by the fullnesse and intolerable waight of our sinnes , that hee can possibly beare no longer . and then also , when hee is about to bee delivered of his justly conceived , and long-forborne vengeance ; marke how hee goes about it : ah! saies hee , &c. isa. . . ** this aspiration argues a compassionate pang of griefe , speaking after the manner of men , to proceede against his owne people , tho they had provoked him as enemies . how shall i give thee up , ephr●im ? how shall i deliver thee , israel ? how shall i make thee as admah ? how shall i set thee as zeb●im ? mine heart is turned within mee , my repentings are kindled together : hos. . . when hee came against sodome and gomorrah , the most prodigiously wicked people , that ever the earth bore ; what a miracle of mercy was it , that he should be brought so low , as to say ; i will not destroy it for tennes sake : gen. . . so it is then , that mercy flowes naturally and easily from god , and he is most forward , and free-hearted in granting pardons , and receiving into grace and favour : but justice is ever , as it were , violently with cart-ropes of iniquity , pul'd from him. he is pressed with our sinnes , f as a cart is pressed that is full of sheaues ; before wee wring from him the vials of just wrath , and wrest out of his hands , the arrowes of deserved indignation . that you erre not in this point , conceive , that both gods mercy and iustice are originally and fundamentally , as god himselfe , infinite , both of the same length , height , bredth , and depth ; that is equally endlesse , boundlesse , botomlesse , unsearchable . yet , if wee consider the exercise and execution of them amongst the creatures , and abroad in the world ; mercy , that sweetest attribute , and most pretious baulme to all bruised hearts , doth farre surpasse and out-shine the other , tho incomparable excellencies of his divine nature , and all the perfections , which accompany the greatnesse of god : as appeares , exod. . . . gen. . . ioel. . . ionah . . . psal. . and . . chron. . . his influences and beames of mercy are fairely and plentifully shed into the bosome of every creature , and shine gloriously over all the earth , even from one end of heaven to the other . the whole world is thicke set , and richly embroidered , as it were , with wonderfull variety of impressions , and passages of his goodnesse and bounty . in this great volume of nature , round about us , wee may runne and reade , the deepe prints and large characters of kindnesse and love , which his mercifull and munificent hand hath left in all places , in every leafe , and page , and line of it . if mercy then bee so graciously magnified over g all his workes , we may more strongly build upon it ; that if the hand of iustice seize upon an hatefull thought , as a murtherer , and stained with blood ; and arraigne a lustfull conceite , as guilty of adultery , and actuall pollution ; his armes of mercy will most certainely embrace , and accept of a syncere desire for the deed done ; of hearty affections for the actions ; and of a grieved spirit for the grace it groanes for . yea , but may some say : if mercy bee so faire a flower in the garland of gods incomprehensible greatnesse ; if it so farre excell his other attributes in amiablenesse amongst his creatures ; how comes it to passe , that the number of his elect is so small ; and the sway of the multitude sinke downe under the burden of their iniquities , transgressions and sinnes into the pit of endlesse perdition ? how comes it to passe , that out of the great heape , and masse of all man-kinde , there are made but so few vessells of mercy ; and that so many vessels of wrath are justly for their sinnes , filled brim-full with the vialls of everlasting vengeance . see matth. . . . and . . some matter of answer to this point , would yee thinke it ! may bee taken even from the h schoolemen . if we consider , first , the unconceiveable eminency , and unvalewable worth of the crowne of glory ; which doth so far , and disproportionably surpasse & transcend the common state , and condition of our nature . secondly , the pretiousnesse of the effusion of the blood of the deare and only son of god , for the purchasing of that so glorious a crowne . thirdly , * the necessary , and inevitable defectibility of the creature . fourthly , the most free , and wilfull apostacy of adam , and in him , of all his posterity . fifthly , the abominable and villanous nature , and staine of sinne , &c. why should wee not rather wonder at the unsearcheablenesse of gods mercy , for advancing one soule to that endlesse blisse in heaven ; then to repine at the equity of his justice , if he should have h suffered all the polluted and sinnefull sonnes of adam , to passe from the masse of corruption , into which they freely fell , on their owne accord and cursed choise , thorow a rebellious life , into the endlesse miseries of their deserved confusion ? would it not have been a greater marvaile , to have seene any one , clearely convinced , and found guilty of that most horrible villany , that ever was bred in hell , or heard-of in the world ; i meane , the popish powder-treason , pardoned ; then all those desperate assasins to have justly perished in their so abhorred and execrable rebellion ? and it is utterly un-imaginable either by man or angell , what a deale of mercy doth flow out of the bowels of gods dearest compassions , thorow the hearts-blood of his onely sonne , to the washing and salvation , but of one soule ! . a third reason may bee taken from it's part , and interest in the fountaine of salvation , and rivers of living water . hee that thirsts after grace , is already enrighted to the well of life , and fullnesse of heavenly blisse , by a promise and protestation from gods owne mouth : revel . . . i will give to him , that is athirst , of the fountaine of the water life , freely . in that place , after god himselfe had confirmed , and crowned the truth and certainty of the gloriousnesse of the holy city , and the happinesse of the inhabitants thereof , with a solemne asseveration of his owne immutability and everlastingnesse ; it is done : i am alpha and omega , the beginning and the end , he then notifies , and describes the persons , to whom the promise , and possession of so great and excellent glory , doth appertaine ; and those also which shall bee eternally abandoned from the presence of god , and burned in the lake of fire and brimstone for ever . inhabitants of heaven elect , are , . humble soules thirsting after grace , gods favour , and that blessed fountaine opened to all broken hearts for sinne , and for uncleannesse . i will give to him that is athirst , of the well of the water of life freely . vers . . . christs champions here upon earth against the powers of darkenesse , and conquerers of their owne corruptions , hee that overcommeth , shall inherit all things ; and i will be his god , and hee shall bee my sonne : vers . . but the fearefull , &c. are mark't out for hell : verse . for all that cursed crue , and slaves of sinne , are overcome of satan and their owne lusts , and so carried away captives into everlasting misery and woe . cast not away thy confidence then , poore heart ! no , not in the lowest langvishings of thy afflicted soule ; if thou bee able to say syncerely with david , psal. . my soule thirsteth after thee , as a thirsty land. if thou feele in thy affections an hearty hunger after rightousnesse , both infused , and imputed ; as well after power against , as pardon of sinne ; bee assured , the well of life stands already wide open unto thee , and in due time thou shalt drinke thy fill . thy soule shall bee fully satisfyed with the excellencies of iesus christ , evangelicall joyes , as with marrow , and fatnesse ; and thou shalt bee abundantly refreshed out of the river of his pleasures . . that which paul tells us in the point of communicating to the necessities of the saints ; to wit , if there bee first a willing minde , it is accepted according to that a man hath , and not according to that hee hath not : . cor. . . holds true also , in all other services , and divine duties : so that wee are accepted with the lord , according as wee are inwardly affected , altho our actions be not answerable to our desires . hee that hath a ready , and resolved minde , to doe what hee may ; would undoubtedly doe a great deale more , if ability were ministred . god , saith paul , worketh both to will , and to doe . if both bee his owne workes ; the desire , as well as the deede ; hee must needs love , and like both the one , and the other , both in respect of acceptation and reward . david did but conceive a purpose to build god an house ; and hee rewarded it with the building , and establishing of his owne house : . sam. . . hee did but conceive a i purpose to confesse his sinne ; and gods eare was in his heart , before davids confession could bee in his tongue ; ps. . . to the poore begge●s , that wanted food for themselves , christ shall say at the last day ; yee have fed me , whē i was hungry , only in regard of their strong affections , if they had had meanes . the prodigall child , when he was but conceiving a purpose of returning , was prevented by his father , first comming to him , nay , running towards him , luk. . . god will answer us , before wee call : isa. . that is , in our purpose of praier , &c. besides scripture and reasons , i add ancient and moderne authority ; not for any further confirmation , but onely to shew consent . to desire the helpe of grace , is the beginning of grace ; saith k austin . onely thou must will , and god will come of his owne accord ; saith l basil. hee that thirsts , let him thirst more : and hee that desires , let him yet desire more abundantly : because so much as hee can desire , so much he shall receive . m bernard . christ , saith n luther , is then truly omnipotent , and then truly raignes in us , when wee are so weake , that wee can scarce give any groane . o againe ; the more wee finde our unworthinesse ; and the lesse wee finde the promises to belong unto us ; the more wee must desire them : beeing assured , that this desire doth greatly please god ; who desireth , and willeth , that his grace should bee earnestly desired . when i have a good desire , saith p kemnicius , tho it doth scarcely shew it selfe in some little and slender sigh , i must bee assured , that the spirit of god is present , and worketh his good worke . faith ▪ saith * 〈◊〉 sin , in the most holy men in this life , is imperfect and weake : yet neverthelesse , whosoever feeles in his heart an earnest desire , and a striving against his naturall doubtings , both can , and must assure himselfe , that hee is indued with true faith. if thou shalt feele thy selfe , saith * rolloc , to beleeve in christ , and that for christ ; or at l●ast , if thou canst not forthwith attaine that ; — if thou feele thy selfe willing to beleeve in christ , for christ ; and willing to doe al things for gods sake , and syncerely ; thou hast certainely a very excellent argument , both of perseverance in faith , and of that faith , which shall last for ever . our faith may bee so small and weake , saith q tassin , as it doth not yet bring forth fruits , that may bee lively felt in us ; but if they which feele themselves in such estate , desire to have these feelings [ namely , of gods favour and love ] ; if they aske them at gods hands by prayer ; this desire and prayer are testimonies , that the spirit of god is in them , and that they have faith already : for is such a desire a fruit of the flesh , or of the spirit ? it is of the holy spirit , who bringeth it forth onely in such , as he dwells in , &c. is it possible , saith r hooker , speaking of valentinian the emperour , out of ambrose , that he which had purposely the spirit given him to desire grace , should not receive the grace , which that spirit did desire ? s where wee cannot doe what is inioyned us , god accepteth our will to doe , in stead of the deede it selfe . i am troubled with feare , that my sinnes are not pardoned , saith careles . they are , answered t bradford : for god hath given thee a penitent , and beleeving heart : that is , an heart , which desireth to repent , and beleeve . for such an one is taken of him , ( hee accepting the will for the deede ) for a penitent and beleeving heart . before i come to the vse of this comfortable point , lest any coozen themselves by any mis-conceites about it ; as the notorious sinner , the meere civill man , and the formall professour , may all doe very easily ; take notice of some markes of this saving desire . it is : . supernaturall . for it followes an effectuall conviction of sinne , and co-operation of the spirit of bondage , with the preaching and power of the law , for a thorow casting a man downe in the sight of the lord , shewing and convincing him to bee a sinke of sinne , abomination and curse ; to bee quite undone , lost and damned in himselfe . ( which preparative worke , precedent to the desire , i speake of , is it selfe above nature ) . whereupon the soule thus illightened , convinced , and terrified , being happily lead unto , and looking upon the glorious mystery of the gospell , the excellency and offer of iesus christ , the sweetnesse and freenesse of the promises , the heavenly splendour , and riches of the pearle of great price , &c. doth conceive by the helpe of the holy ghost , this desire , and vehement longing . which you may then know to bee saving , when it is joyned with an hearty willingnesse , and unfained resolution to sell all ; to part with all sinne ; to bid adiew for ever to our darling-delight , &c. it is not then an effect onely of selfe-love ; not an ordinary wish of naturall appetite , like baalams , numb . . . of those who desire to bee happy , but are unwilling to bee holy ; who would gladly bee saved , but are loth to bee sanctified . . it ever springs from an humble , meeke , and bruised spirit ; very sensible , both of the horrour of sin , and happinesse of pardon ; both of it 's owne emptinesse , and of the fulnesse in christ : never to bee found in the affections of a self-ignorant , selfe-confident , unhumbled pharisie . . it must be constant , importunately greedy after supply and satisfaction . not out of a pang , or passion onely ; or begot by the tempest of some present a extremity , like a flash of lightning , and then quite vanishing away , when the storme of terrour and temptation is over . for if a syncere thirst after christ , be once on foote , and takes roote in an heart truly humbled , it never b determines , or expires , in this life , or the life to come . . it is ever enlinckt , and enlived with a continued , and conscionable use , and exercise of the meanes ; and drawes from them by little and little spirituall strength , and vigour ; much vitall efficacy and increase : not idle , ignorant , un-exercised . it were very vaine and absurd , to heare a man talke of his desire to live ; and yet would neither eate nor drinke , nor sleepe , nor exercise , nor take physicke , nor use those meanes which are ordinary and necessary for the maintenance of life . it is as fruitlesse and foolish for any one to pretend a desire of grace ; after christ ; and to bee saved ; and yet will not prize , and ply the faithfull ministry , the word preached and read , prayer , meditation , conference , vowes , dayes of humiliation , the use of good company , and good bookes , and all divine ordinances , and blessed meanes appointed , and sanctified by god , for the procuring and preserving a good spirituall state . . it is not a lazy , cold , heartlesse , indifferent desire ; but earnest , eager , vehement ▪ extremely thirsting , as the parched earth for refreshing shewers ; or the hunted hart for the water-brookes . never was ahab more sicke for a vine-yard ; rachel more ready to die for children ; sisera , or samson for thirst ; then a truly humbled soule after iesus christ , after bathing in his blood , and hiding it selfe in his blessed righteousnesse . this desire deads the heart to all other desires after earthly things , gold , good-fellow-ship , pleasures , fashions , even the delights of the bosome-sinne , &c. all other things are but drosse and dung vanity and vile , in respect of that object it hath now c found out , and affects . as aarons rod , managed miraculously by the hand of divine power , swallowed up all the other rods of pharaohs sorcerers : so this spirituall desire , planted in the heart by the holy ghost , eates up , and devoures , as it were , all other desires , and over-eager affections after worldly contentments , as worthlesse , vaine , transitory ; as empty clouds , welles without water , comforters of no valew . wee that deale with afflicted consciences , heare many times some expressions of this impatient violent desire in troubled minds . i have borne nine children , said one , with as great paine , i thinke , as other women : i would with all my heart , beare them all over againe , and passe againe thorow the same intolerable pangs every day , as long as i live , to bee assured of my part in iesus christ. complaining another time , that shee had no hold of christ , it was said unto her : but doth not your heart desire , and long after him ? oh! sayes she , i have an husband and children , and many other comforts ; i would give them all , and all the good i shall ever see in this world , or in the world to come , to have my poore thirsty soule refresht with that pretious blood of his , &c. . it is growing , from appetite to d endeavour ; from endeavour to action ; from action to habite ; from habite to some comfortable perfection and tallnesse in christ. if it bee quite quencht and extingvished , when the spirituall angvish and agony is over , or stand at a stay , never transcending the nature of a naked wish , it is to bee reputed rootelesse , heartlesse , gracelesse . there are christians that lie as yet , as it were , strugling in the wombe of the church ; who for a time at the least , live spiritually , onely by grievings and groanes , by hearty desires , eager longings , & affectionate stirrings of spirit , &c. there are also babes in christ ; young men in christ , strong men in christ , e old christians . a perpetuall infancy argues a nullity of sound and saving christianity . the childe that never passeth the stature and state of an infant , will proove a monster : hee that growes not by the syncere milke of the word is a true changeling , not truly changed . hee that rests with contentment , upon a desire onely of good things , never desired them savingly . but here , lest any tender conscience bee unnecessarily troubled , i must confesse ; it is not so growing , as i have said , or not so sensibly at certaine times ; as while the pangs of the new-birth are upon us , in times of desertion , temptation , &c. tho even then , it growes in an holy impatiency , restlesnesse , longing , &c. which is well-pleasing unto the father of mercies in the meane time ; and which hee accepts graciously , untill hee give more strength . the point thus cleared , is very sweet and soveraigne ; but so , that no carnall man must come neere it , no stranger meddle with it ; much lesse , swine trample upon it . it is a iewell for the true-hearted nathanaels wearing alone . nay , the christian himselfe , in the time of his soules health , height of feeling , and flourishing of his faith , must hold off his hand : onely , let him keepe it fresh and orient in the cabinet of his memory , as a very rich pearle against the day of spirituall distresse . as pretious and cordiall waters are to bee given onely in swounings , faintings and defection of the spirits : so this delicious manna is to bee ministred specially , and to bee made use of , in the straits and extremities of the soule . at such times , and in such cases as these : in , . the strugglings of the new-birth . . spirituall desertions . . strong temptations . . extraordinary troubles upon our last bed. . for the first . when thou art once come so farre , as i intimated before : to wit , that after a thorow conviction of sinne , and sound humiliation under gods mighty hand , upon a timely and seasonable revelation of the glorious mystery of christ , his excellencies , invitations , his truth , tender-heartednesse , &c. ( for the desire , i speake of , is an effect and affection wrought ever immediately by the gospell alone ) ; i say , when in this case thine heart is filled with vehement longings after the lord of life : if thou bee able to say with david ; my soule thirsteth after thee , as a thirstie land : if thou feele in thy selfe an hearty hunger and thirst after the favour of god , that fountaine opened for sinne , and for uncleannesse , and fellow-ship with christ ; assuredly then the well of life is already opened unto thee , by the hand of thy faithfull redeemer , and in due time thou shalt drink thy fill . he that is alpha and omega , the beginning and the end ; the eternall and unchangeable god hath promised it . and amid the sorrowes of thy trembling heart , and longings of thy thirsty soule , thou mayst even challenge it at his hands , with an humble , sober and zealous confidence . as did that f scottish penitent , a little before his execution : hee freely confessed his fault , to the shame , as hee said , of himselfe , and to the shame of the divell , but to the glory of god. hee acknowledged it to bee so hainous and horrible , that had hee a thousand lives , and could he die ten thousand deaths , hee could not make satisfaction . notwithstanding , said hee , lord , thou hast left mee this comfort in thy word , that thou hast said ; come unto mee all ye , that are weary and laden , and i will refresh you . lord , i am weary ; lord , i am heavily laden with my sinnes , which are innumerable . i am ready to sinke , lord , even to hell , without thou in thy mercy put to thine hand , and deliver mee . lord , thou hast promised by thine owne word , out of thine owne mouth , that thou wilt refresh the weary soule . and with that , hee thrusts out one of his hands ; and reaching , as high as hee could , with a louder voyce , and a strained , cryed ; i challenge thee , lord , by that word , and by that promise which thou hast made , that thou performe , and make it good unto mee , that call for ease and mercy at thine hands , &c. proportionably , when heavy-heartednesse for sinne hath so dryed up thy bones ; and the angry countenance of god so parched thine heart , that thy poore soule begins to gaspe for grace , as the thirsty land for drops of raine ; thou mayst , tho dust and ashes , with an holy humility thus speake unto thy gracious god : o mercifull lord god , thou art alpha and omega , the beginning and the end . thou sayest ; it is done , of things that are yet to come ; so faithfull and true are thy decrees and promises . and thou hast promised by thine owne word , out of thine owne mouth ; that unto him that is athirst , thou wilt give of the fountaine of the water of life , freely . o lord , i thirst , i faint , i langvish , i long for one drop of mercy . as the hart panteth for the water brookes , so panteth my soule after thee , o god , and after the yerning bowels of thy woonted compassions . had i now in possession the glory , the wealth , and the pleasures of the whole world ; nay , had i ten thousand lives , ioyfully would i lay them all downe , and part with them , to have this poore trembling soule of mine received into the bleeding armes of my blessed redeemer . o lord , and thou onely knowest it , my spirit within me is melted into teares of blood , my heart is shivered into peeces : out of the very place of dragons , and shaddow of death , doe i lift up my thoughts , heavy and sad , before thee : the remembrance of my former vanities , and pollutions , is a very vomite to my soule ; and it is full sorely wounded with the grievous representation thereof . the very flames of hell , lord ! the fury of thy just wrath ; the scorchings of mine owne conscience , have so wasted , and parched mine heart , that my thirst is insatiable . my bowels are hot within mee ; my desire after iesus christ , pardon and grace , is greedy as the grave , the coles thereof are coles of fire , which hath a most vehement flame . and lord , in thy blessed booke thou calls and cries : ho , every one that thirsteth ! come yee to the waters , &c. in that great day of the feast , thou stood'st , and cryed'st with thine owne mouth , saying ; if any man thirst , let him come unto mee , and drinke . and these are thine owne words ; those who hunger and thirst after righteousnesse , shall be filled . i challenge thee lord , in this my extremest thirst after thine owne blessed selfe , and spirituall life in thee , by that word , and by that promise , which thou hast made , that thou performe , and make it good unto mee , that lies groveling in the dust , and trembling at thy feet . oh! open now that promised well of life ; for i must drinke , or els i die . heare then , and in a word , is thy comfort ; in these hungrings and thirstings of the soule , there is , as it were , the spawne of faith , semen fidei , there is aliquid fidei in them ; as excellent divines , both for learning and holinesse , doe affirme : howsoever , or in what phrase soever it bee exprest , sure i am , such desires so qualified , as before , shall bee fulfilled , satisfied , accomplished , possessed of the well of life , and that is abundant , to put the thirsting partie into a comfortable and saving-state , as i said at first . the words of scripture are punctuall , and down-right , for this which i say : blessed are they , which doe hunger and thirst after righteousnesse , for they shall bee filled : mat. . . if any man thirst , let him come unto mee , and drinke . ioh. . . the lord heareth the desire of the humble . psal. . . hee will fullfill the desire of them that feare him. psal. . . the lord filleth the hungry with good things . luk. . . let him that is athirst , come . and whosoever will , let him take the water of life freely : rev. . . h● , every one that thirsteth , come yee to the waters , &c. isa. . . i will poure water upon him that is thirsty , & flouds upon the dry ground ; cap. . . these longings and desires , this hunger and thirst , before a sensible apprehension , and enjoyment of christ , arise from a sense of the necessity and want of his blessed person , and pretious bloodshed ; which the afflicted soule now prizeth before tenne thousand worlds ; and for whose sake , is most willing to sell all , and to abandon wholly the devils service for ever : those , after a full entrance into the holy path , and joyfull grasping of the lord iesus in the armes of our faith , arise partly from the former taste of unutterable sweetnesse we found in him ; partly from the want of a more full , and further fruition of him , especially when he is departed , in respect of present feeling ; as in times of desertion , extraordinary temptation , &c. in the passage that is past , i understand the former ; in those that follow , the latter . . secondly , concerning desertions i intend a larger , and more particular discourse ; and therefore i passe by them , here . . thirdly , wee may have recourse for comfort to this pretious point , in some speciall temptations of doubtfullnesse , and feare about our spirituall state ; when spirituall life is runne , as it were , into the roote , in some particulars ; and actuall abilities to exercise some graces , and discharge some duties , are returned to nothing for the present , but groanes , desires , and longings to doe , as god would have us . for instance : thou art much afflicted , because thou feeles the spirit of prayer not to stirre and worke in thee with that life and vigour , as it was woont ; but beginnes to langvish in the inward man , for lacke of that vitall heate and feeling , in the mutuall entercourse , and commerce betweene god and thine owne soule ; which heretofore hath many times warmed thine heart with many sweet refreshings , springing from a comfortable correspondence between thy holy eiaculations , and his heavenly inspirations ; betweene thine humble complaints at the throne of grace , and his gracious answers : nay , it may bee , thou throwes downe thy selfe before his seate of mercy , in much bitternesse of spirit ; and for the time , can say little , or nothing ; the present dullnesse , and indisposition of thine heart , stopping all passage to thy woonted prayers , and damming up , as it were , the ordinary course of thy most blessed heart-ravishing conference with thy god in secret . but tell mee true , poore soule ; tho at such a time , and in such an uncomfortable damqe , and spiritual deadnesse , thou feeles not thine heart enabled , and enlarged for the present , to poure out it selfe with accustomed fervency and freedome ; yet doth not that heart of thine , with an unutterable thirst and desire , long to offer up unto his throne of grace , thy suites and sacrifices of prayers , and praises , with that heartinesse and feeling , with al those broken , and bleeding affections , which a grieved sense of sinne , that hangs so fast on , and an holy greedinesse after pardon , grace and nearer communion with his heavenly highnesse , are won● to beget in truly-humbled soules ? if so ; assure thy sel●● this very desire is a prayer of u extraordinary strength , dearenesse and acceptation with thy god. i say ; with that , thy mercifull lord god , who is as farre more compassionately , and lovingly affected to his childe , then the kindest father to his dearliest beloved sonne ▪ as the infinite love of a tender-hearted god , doth surpasse the faint affection of a fraile , and mortall man. suppose thy dearest childe were in great extremity , and should at last grow so low and weake , that it were not able to speake , but onely groane , and sigh , and cast it's eye upon thee ; as one from whom alone , it look't for helpe : would not thine heart melt over thy child a great deale more in that misery , then ever before , when it was able to expresse it's minde ? i am sure it would . it is just so , in the present point . for , like as a father pittieth his children : so the lord pittieth them that feare him. nay , and much x more , if wee consider the muchnesse and quantity . for looke how farre god is higher then man in majesty and greatnesse ; which is with an infinite distance , and disproportion ; so farre doth hee passe him in tender-heartednesse and mercy . see isa. . . . thou mayst sometimes upon the awakening , illumination , and search of thy conscience , after some drouzy repose , and deeper sleep upon the bed of security ; some fouler ens●arement , and longer abode in some knowne scandalo●s sinne ; after the canker of earthly cares , and teeth of worldly-mindednesse have , ere thou bee well-aware , with an insensible pleasing consumption , eaten too farre into the heart of thy zeale , and other graces : in the apprehension of some present terrour , arising from a more serious , and sensible survay of the now abhorred villanies , and abominations of thine unregenerate time ; or from the grieved remembrance of thy falls , and failings ; of thy sins , and unservice-ablenes since thy conversion ( which i am perswaded , trouble the christian most , and goe nearest to his heart ) , &c. i say , in such cases , as these , thou maist feele such a fearefulnesse and faintnesse to have surprised the hand of thy faith , that it cannot so presently and easily recover it 's former hold ; nor claspe about the glorious justice , and meritorious blood of christ , with that fastnesse and firmenesse of assent , with that comfort and confidence , as it was woont . so that for a time , thou mayst lie under the torture of an heavy heart , uncheerfullnesse in all thy waies , and some degree of horrour ; because thou canst get no better hold-fast . ( but more is thy fault : for never did dearest father so lovingly entertaine into his greedy armes , a penitent sonne , returning from going astray : then our mercifull god , upon thy renewed humiliation , is willing to shine upon thee againe , with the refreshing beames , and blessings of his woonted favour ) . yet tell mee true , deare heart , tho for the present , that precious and happy prayer of paul for the romanes , the god of hope fill you with all ioy and peace in beleeving , be not fulfilled upon thy soule ; tho thy former joyfull feelings bee turned into distrustfull feares : yet doth not that heavy heart of thine desire farre more to bee re-comforted with the presence , and pleased , face of thy beloved ; then crowned with the glory and pleasures of many worlds ? wouldest thou not much rather , feele the hand of thy faith fastned againe with peace , and full perswasion upon the person , passion and promises of the lord iesus ; then graspe in thy bodily hand , the richest imperiall crowne , that ever sate upon any caesars head ? if satans spitefull craft , taking a cruell advantage of thy present dejection of spirit , doe not hinder thy trembling heart from telling the truth ; i know , thou canst not deny this . and then i must tell thee ; these hearty longings , and longing desires in the meane time , untill god give more strength , be right deare to that tender-hearted father of thine ; which doth infinitely more esteeme one groane or sigh from a broken spirit , then a thousand rammes , or tenne thousand rivers of oyle ; and are most pretious and piercing to that compassionate heart , that poured out it's warmest and dearest blood to purchase the salvation , and refresh the sadnesse of every truly-humbled soule . ground upon it then , and bee of good cheere : if thy troubled spirit fild with the sense of the want of it's former , sweet , and joyfull feelings , finde in it selfe a true and hearty longing after the supply of that want ; a constant , and conscionable pursuite of all holy meanes for the procurement of that supply ; i can assure thee in the word of life , and truth , in gods season , thou shalt bee satisfyed . hee will fullfill the desires of them that feare him : hee also will heare their cry , and will save them . and this blessed promise , for the accomplishment of thy desire , is as surely thine , as the breath in thy body . hee must sooner cease to bee god , and deny himselfe ▪ which is more then infinitely impossible , and prodigious blasphemy to imagine ; then faile in the least circumstance , or syllable of all his love , and promises of life to any one , that heartily loves him. all the sacred sayings in his holy booke , and all those promises of salvation , are signed with the hand of truth it selfe , and sealed with the blood of his beloved sonne ; and so are farre surer , then the pillars of the earth , or poles of heaven : for heaven and earth must passe away , before any title of his word fall unto the ground . and therefore , as hee will most certainly poure upon the hairy pate of every one , which hates to bee reformed , all the plagues and curses threatned there , even to the least sparke of the flames of hell ; and the last drop of the full vials of his infinite , endlesse , unquenchable wrath : so will hee abundantly make good to every upright soule , syncerely thirsting after iesus christ , in the best time , all the promised good in his blessed booke , and that aboue all expectation , expression , conceit . . fourthly , thou mayst bee diversly distressed upon thy bed of death . . casting thine eye backe upon thy whole life , all thy sinnes from adam to that houre ; and willing , as thou must now take thy farewell , so to take thy fill of repentance ; they appeare to the eie of thy conscience farre moe in number , and more ougly , then ever before . and no marvaile ; for beeing now sequestred for ever from all worldly comforts , and company ; distractions , and diversions , and the cloudes of naturall feare , raised by the dreadfull circumstances of approaching dissolution ; uniting , as it were , and collecting the sight of thy soule , which imploiments in the world , commerce amongst men , and sunne-shine of outward prosperity , did before too much disperse , dazle , and divert ; they are represented farre more to the life , and in their true colours . whereupon , comparing the poore weake nothingnesse , as thou now apprehends , of thy godly sorrow , hatred , and opposition against them , with thy present apprehension of their hainousnesse , hatefulnesse , and horrible number ; thou begins to bee dejected , and knowest not well what to thinke of thy selfe . i say then , for thy comfort , consult with thy sanctified heart ; and thou shalt finde , and feele an infinite hearty desire , that thy repentance for them , detestatiō of them , and heart-rising against them , had been , and now were as thorow , sound , and resolute , as ever was in any penitent soule , that breathed the life of grace upon earth . . secondly , revising now , thy whole christian conversation ; spending of sabbaths , pouring out prayers , reading scriptures , hearing the word , love of the brethren , dayes of humiliation , workes of mercy , receiving the sacrament , godly conference , living by faith in all estates , &c. thou mayst see them in this last , impartiall , cleare , retired examination of thy conscience , to have been pestered with so many failings , imperfections , deadnesse of spirit , distractions , distempers ; that thou begins to feare and conceive ; as well never a whit , as never the better , as they say , &c. in this case also , reflect upon the holy habituall disposition of thy heart ; and thou shalt feele it thirsting , and longing unfainedly , that all the holy duties , and good deeds , that ever passed thorow thy heart and hands , had been done in answerable exactnesse to the rules of divine truth ; and if it had so pleased god , with absolute freedome from all infirmities . . thirdly , thou mayst bee troubled at that time ; because , beeing perhaps , as yet , but of little standing in profession , thou hast done god so little service ; and in that short time , hast not stood on gods side with that courage and life , nor walked in his holy wayes , with that watchfulnesse and zeale , as thou mightest . and it cuts thy heart the more ; because thou spent so much of thy time , in serving thy selfe and satan ; and expectest now , to enjoy immortall joyes and a crowne of endlesse blisse . but here is thy comfort . it is the unfained desire , and resolution of thine heart ; if the lord would bee pleased to allow thee a longer time in this life , and adde many moe yeeres unto it ; thou wouldest double thy diligence , and improove all oportunities , to doe thy god every way farre more glorious service , then heretofore all the daies of thine appointed time ; oh! then thou wouldest doe so , and so , &c. assure now thy selfe , in these three cases , and troubles upon thy last bed ; this syncere desire of thine upright soule , wil be graciously accepted of our mercifull god , in the name of iesus christ : as tho , first , thy repentance had been to the full : secondly , thy obedience to the height : thirdly , thy present promises , vowes and resolutions , for future forwardnesse and fruitfulnesse performed to the vtmost . for when all is done , iesus christ is all in all : hee alone is the onely sanctuary , and tower of everlasting safty , for every truly humbled soule to fly unto , both in life and death : hee is made unto us wisedome , righteousnesse , sanctification , and redemption . i come now , as i promised , to some speciall cures , and particular application of comfortable antidotes , to divers spirituall maladies ; of which , christians specially complaine ; to those terrours and temptations , which are woont most to afflict sin-troubled , and truly-humbled soules . . i will suppose , thou art effectually and savingly wrought-upon , by the preaching and power of the word ; illightned , and convinced to acknowledge , and feele thy selfe to bee a most sinnefull and cursed wretch by nature ; lost and forlorne , damned and utterly undone in thy selfe , &c. and upon the opening of the glorious mysterie of the gospell , and offer therein of the person , and pretious merits of iesus christ , for the present binding-up of thy broken heart , and endlesse blessednesse , thou art ravisht with extraordinary admiration and affection , after that hidden treasure and pearle of great price ; holding thy selfe happy , that ever thou wast borne ; and made for ever , if thou canst get possession of it ; but a gone-man , if thou canst not get it , and an everlasting cast-away . most willing therefore art thou to sell all that thou hast ; prizing it infinitely before the riches , glory , and pleasures of the whole earth , &c. in which state , thou hast a strong , direct , and speciall calling , to fill thine hungry soule with iesus christ ; to lay hold upon his person , sufferings , promises , and all the rich purchases of his dearest blood , as thine owne for ever ; to take him , as thy wisedome , and righteousnesse , and sanctification , and redemption ; that so unspeakeable ioy , and full of glory , peace which passeth all understanding , evangelicall pleasures , which neither eye hath seene , nor eare heard , neither have entred into the heart of man , might abundantly flow into thine heart , from the fountaine of all comfort . a but yet so it is ; alledging , that thou art the unworthiest upon earth ; the vilest of men ; no heart so hard as thine ; thy sinnes farre above ordinary ; of an abominable and most abhorred streine ; of a scarlet and crimson die : for thou hast done so and so ; sinned many and many a time against that divine , nay , and even naturall light ; which stood in thy conscience , like an armed man ; persecuted the saints ; liued in sodom , &c. and that which troubles thee most of all , for all these sinnes , thy sorrow is very poore and scant , in no proportion to thy former hainous provocations . i say , upon these , and the like mistaken grounds , thou very unadvisedly professes , but against thine own soule , that as yet , thou canst not , thou dares not , thou wilt not , meddle with any mercy , apply any promise , or bee perswaded , that iesus christ belongs unto thee . what ? such a vile , unworthy , abominable wretch at thou ! to expect such glorious things ; to come neare so pure a god ; to lay violent hands upon the lord of life , and looke for everlasting blisse ! alas ! say what you will , saist thou , as yet i cannot , i dare not , i will not . whereupon thou willfully , as it were , lies still upon the racke of much spirituall terrour , and trouble of minde ; and which is a miserable addition and mischiefe , for which thou maist thanke thy selfe ; art all the while farre more liable , and lies much more open to satans most horrible injections , and cruellest temptations to selfe destruction , despaire , plunging againe into former pleasures of good-fellowship , and the like . it grieves mee to consider , how fearefully and falsly thou deceives thine own heart , in a point of so great importance , to thy much spiritual hurt , and further horror . why , therefore art thou most welcome to iesus christ ; because thou art so sensible of thy b spirituall misery , and beggery ; because thou art so vile , so abominable , so unworthy and wretched in thine own conceit . * those that bee whole , need not a physician ; but they that are sicke . christ came not to call the c righteous , but sinners . and in this respect , he is said to d iustifie the ungodly ; and to die for the e uniust ; and to seeke those that finde themselves lost . f and therefore , that which thou makes thy greatest discouragement to come unto christ , should bee , and in truth is , the greatest encouragement , to cast thy selfe with confidence into the bosome of his love . but before i come to speake more fully to the point , let mee premise this principle : when a man is once syncerely humbled under gods mighty hand , with sight of sinne , and sense of divine wrath ; so that now all his former wicked wayes , pollutions , and provocations of gods pure eye , lie so heavy upon his heart ; that hee is truly weary , willing to bee rid of them all , unfainedly thirsting after the blood and holinesse of christ : and therefore as well content to take upon him his sweet and easy yoke , for to please him in new-obedience for the time to come ; as to partake of the merit of his passion , for the present pardon of his sinnes ; i say , then hee must conceive , that hee hath a sound , seasonable , and comfortable calling , to lay fast hold upon iesus christ ; and to bee undoubtedly perswaded , that hee hath his part and portion in him. and besides , that gods blessed word determines it , hee may the rather assent unto the season , and the more boldly believe ; because hee hath now found , and feeles by his owne experience , the practise of that double policy of the divell , so often discovered unto him heretofore by gods faithfull messengers , to wit ; that whereas hee was a long time most industrious to ●eepe his heart resolutely stubborne , and unstird against the might and piercing of the most powerfull ministry ; and when at any time hee once perceived it to begin to worke upon him , raised all possible oppotion against his yeelding : so now , when hee is truly toucht indeed , and resolute to abandon his hellish slavery for ever ; hee labours might and maine , with all restlesse cruelty and malice , to keepe his conscience continually upon the racke . to this purpose , he objects and urgeth to the utmost , the hainousnesse of his former sinnes , the fiercenesse of gods wrath , which hee cunningly concealed before ; the littlenesse of his sorrow ; his unworthinesse to meddle with any promise , and the like . and what 's the reason , thinke you , that hee , who was so dawbing before , is now so downe-right ; hee , that was so indulgent before , is now so desperately bloody , and for nothing but despaire , and damnation ? it is easie to tell ; for that foule fiend knowes full well , if a poore soule in the supposed case , and such a truly-humbled state , shall but come now , when christ calls him , and set to his seale , that god is true ; which not to doe , shall ever bee an unmannerly madnesse , and willfull cruelty to a mans owne conscience , hee is then quite gone out of his kingdome of darkenesse ; and an immortall soule is pulld out of his hellish paw for ever . this is the true reason , why hee so rageth , when hee sees a weary soule make towards iesus christ for rest . i have often foretold you of satans methode , and malice , in managing his temptations in this kinde ; that beeing fore-warned , yee may be fore-armed . he plots first , and prevailes with most amongst us , to keepe them from terrour and trouble for sinne . but if they bee once happily wounded that way , then his next plot , is to allay , and take away the smart by outward mirth ; or dawbe , and draw over a skinne onely with unsound and superficiall comfort . but if hee find , that it bleeds still , and will not bee stanched , but onely by the blood of christ ; and that no earthly pleasure can any whit asswage the paine ; then in a third place doth hee cast about , and contend with all cruelty , to keepe the poore soule in a perpetuall sad slavish trembling ▪ that it may not dare to meddle with any comfort , or apply the promises ; but cherishing the bruise , against the counsell of the prophets , bleede inwardly still . and this point hee plies with more eagernesse and fury , because the very next step , to wit , but even reaching out of this spirituall gulfe and griefe for sinne , towards the mercifull hand of christ , holden out to helpe him up , is the next and immediate act , by which a man is quite , and for ever puld out of his power , and put into the paradise of grace . or in a word , and shorter thus : tho thou commest freshly out of an hell of hainous sinnes ; and hitherto , hast neither thought , or spoke , or done any thing but abominably : yet if now with true remorse thou groans under them all , as an heavy burden , and syncerely longest for the lord iesus , and newnesse of life ; thou art bound presently , ipso facto , as they say , immediatly after that act , and unfained resolution of thy soule , to take christ himself , and all the promises of life as thine own for ever . all delaies , demurres , exceptions , objections , pretexts , standing out , scruples , distrusts , & contradictions to the contrary , are dishonourable to gods mercy and free grace , disparagement to the promises , derogatory to the truth & tender-heartednes of iesus christ ; an unnecessary detainement of the soule in terrour ; and onely a gratification of that roaring lion , whose trade is to teare soules in peeces , and torture them all hee can . for as soone as wee are poore in spirit , we are presently blessed ; mat. . . as soone as we are weary of our sins , the hand of christ is ready to take off the burden , mat. . . as soone as wee thirst , in the sense i have said , the fountaine of the water of life , is set wide open unto us ; rev. . . as soone as we have got contrite and humble spirits , wee become royall thrones , for the high and lofty one that inhabiteth eternity , to dwell in for ever ; isa. . . and now come and take abundantly mighty arguments , and invincible motives , which neither man , nor divell , nor natural distrust can ever , any waies possibly disable ; not to lie any longer , being in the proposed and supposed state , upon the racke of terror ; but to lay hold upon the rock of eternity . i meane , to rest and establish thy trembling heart upon the lord iesus , with everlasting peace and safty ; and after walke watchfully and fruitfully in the holy way , untill thine ending houre . . and first , take notice , that iesus christ , god blessed for ever , keeps an open house for all such hungry and thirsty soules . let him that is athirst , come . and whosoever will , let him take the water of life freely ; rev. . . whosoever will ] in whose heart soever the holy a ghost hath wrought an effectuall , b earnest , hearty will ; that supernaturall syncere desire described before , which prizeth the well of life before the whole world , and is ever accompanied with an unfained resolution to sell all , for the pearle of great price ; i say , such an one may come , and wellcome , and that without bidding , and drinke his fill of the rivers of all spirituall pleasures . if there were no more , but this , this is more then enough to bring thee to iesus christ. if a proclamation should bee made that such , or such a great man kept open house for all commers , there need no more to bring-in all the poore , hungry people in the countrey , without any further waiting or inviting . but heere above all degrees of comparison , the hunger is more importunate and important ; the feast-maker more faithfull and sure of his word ; the fare more delicious and ravishing : and why doest thou refuse ? thou hast a warrant infinitely aboue all exception . the lord of life keepes open house for all that will come : and thou knowest in thine owne conscience , and canst not deny , but that hee hath already c honored thee with that singular favour , as to plant in thy soule a will this way , with a witnesse , as they say ; for what wouldest thou not part with , to have assurance of thy part in iesus christ ? what wouldest thou not give , if it might be bought , to heare him speake peace unto thy soule , and say sweetly unto it ; i am thy salvation ? and therefore if thou come not in presently , and take the comfort of this pretious place and promise ; setting to thy seale that god is true ; consider by the premisses , whether thy terrours and temptations bee not justly upon thee , in the meane time . . if this will not serve , which god forbid ; then in a second place , thou art invited solemnly , by the feast-maker , as it were , himselfe with his owne mouth , which is an infinite mercy , d honour and comfort : come unto mee all yee that labour , and are heavy laden , and i will give you rest : mat. . . here is no exception of sinnes , times , or persons . and if thou shouldest reply , yea , but alas ! i am the unworthiest man in the world , to draw neere unto so holy , a god ; to presse into so pure a presence ; to expect upon the sudden such glorious , spirituall , and heavenly advancement ; most impure , abominable , and beastly wretch , that i am ! readier farre , and fitter to sinke into the bottome of hell , by the insupportable waight of my manifold hainous sins : i say then , the text tells thee plainely , that thou mightily mistakes ; for therefore onely art thou fit , because thou feeles so sensibly thy unfitnesse , unworthinesse , vilenesse , wretchednesse : the sorer and heavier thy burden is , the rather shouldest thou come : in a word , it appeares , by thine owne words , expressing such a penitent apprehension of thy spirituall poverty ; that thou art the onely man , and such as thou alone , which christ here specially aimes-at , invites , and accepts . . thirdly , hee knowing our frame , our sluggish , dull and heavy disposition ; our spirituall lazinesse , naturall neglect of our owne salvation , and loathnesse to believe ; adds in an other place , to ordinary invitation , a stirring compassionate ▪ and quickning e compellation , or rather , f exclamation : ho , saith hee , isa. . . every one that thirsteth , come yee to the waters , &c. and lest any thinke hee shall come to his cost , or should bring any thing in his hand , hee calls upon him that hath no money ; and thus doubles his cry : come yee , buy and eate ; yea , come , buy wine and milke without money , and without price . o most blessed and sweetest lines ! so full of love and longing , to draw us to the well of life ; that besides that holy pang of compassion , and excitation , ho ; hee cries thrice , come , come , come ! yea , but mayst thou say , alas ! i am so farre from bringing any thing in my hand , that i bring a world of wickednesse upon my heart ; and that above ordinary , both in notoriousnesse , and number ; and therfore i am afraid the hainousnesse of my sinnes will hinder my acceptation ; tho the invitation bee most sweet and pretious : be it so ; yet the spirit of god in the same chapter doth purposely meet with , and remoove that very scruple : let the wicked , saith he , forsake his way , and the unrighteous man his thoughts : ( and this is thy case ; thou art unfainedly set against all sinne both inward and outward ) , and let him returne unto the lord , and hee will have mercy upon him , and to our god , for he will abundantly pardon : verse . hee will not onely have mercy upon thee , but hee will also abundantly pardon . hee will f multiply his pardons , according to thy provocations , and that with g super-abundance : rom. . . . if all this will not yet doe ; hee descends out of the infinite riches of his grace to a miracle of further mercy . for the mighty lord of heaven and earth sends ambassadours unto us , dust and ashes , wormes and no men , to beseech us to bee reconciled unto him. now then we are ambassadors for christ , as though god did beseech you by us ; wee pray you in christs st●ad , be ye reconciled unto god , . cor. . what man can possibly ponder seriously upon this place ; but must bee transported with extraordinary admiration ; nay , adoration of the bottomlesse depth , and infinite height of gods incomprehensible , everlasting and free love : we most abhorred , vile wretches , are the offenders , traitors , rebels & enimies ; and ought to seek and sue unto him first , upon the knees of our soules , trembling in the dust : and if it were possible , with teares of blood ; and yet he begins unto us , intreating us by his owne son , and his servants the ministers , to come in ; accept his favour and grace , enter into the wise and good way ; which is i pretious , profitable , honorable , and pleasant ; that he may hereafter set upon our heads everlasting crownes of glory and blisse . an earthly prince would disdaine , and hold it in foule scorne , to send unto his inferiour for reconcilement ; especially , who had behaved himself basely , & unworthily towards him , and justly provoked his royall indignation . would not the king of spaine , thinke you , so great a monarch , hold it an inexpiable dishonour and indignity , to send embassadours now , and sue unto the hollanders , so farre below him , for reconcilement and peace ; promising and assuring them , of an entire restitution , and exercise of all their k ancient rights , priviledges , liberties and ▪ fundamentall lawes ; that they should not need to feare , that greatest l tyranny , and severest kind of persecution under heaven , the spanish inquisition ; that he would resume his former m oath , the popes dispensation , for which begun all the trouble , &c. rather then he would do it , he hath paid already , a good while since , n above an hundred millions , and the lives of above foure hundred thousand men ; and is still spending abundance of gold and blood . it is thus indeede with wormes of the earth , in whom there is no helpe , and whose breath is in their nostrills ; but it is otherwise with the king of kings , who sitteth upon the circle of the earth , and the inhabitants thereof are as grashoppers , and the nations as the drop of a bucket ; who bringeth the princes to nothing , and maketh the iudges of the earth as vanitie . hee is content to put up at our hands , this indignity and affront , if i may so speake . he is glad to sue unto us first , and send his ambassadours day after day , beseeching us to bee reconciled unto him. o incomprehensible depth of unspeakeable mercy and encouragement to come in , and trust in his mercy , in case of spirituall misery , able to trample under foot triumphantly , all oppositions of the most raging hell , or distrustfull heart ! . nay hee commands us , and this is his commandement , that wee should beleeve on the name of his sonne iesus christ ; . ioh. . . this command alone of rhe all-powerfull god , should infinitely out-weigh , and prevaile against all other counter-maunds of heaven , or earth ; flesh and blood , satan , nature , reason , sense ; the whole creation ; all the world : it should swallow up all scruples , doubts , feares , despaires . comming to iesus christ with broken hearts , according to this commandement ; it will beare us out against all oppositions , accusations , weaknesses of faith in the evill times , in the houre of temptation , upon our beds of death , at that last and greatest day . it will be a plea at such times , utterly above all exception , against all allegations , terrours , and temptations to the contrary , to say : i was humbled under the burden of sinne , and sense of my spirituall misery : god in mercy offered mee his sonne iesus christ freely , in the mysterie of the gospell , by the ministry of the word : i thereupon thirsted infinitely for his person , and pretious blood , that i might thereby obtaine pardon and power against my sinnes : hee called upon mee , and commanded mee to drinke my fill of the water of life freely : i accepted his gracious offer , and according to his commandement cast my selfe upon the lord christ , against all the contradictions of carnall reason , and sophistry of satan ; and since that time , hee hath given mee power to serve him in syncerity of heart . this is my ground and warrant , even the commandement of my blessed god ; thus to drinke when i was thirsty : against which , the gates of hell can never possibly prevaile . in thy case then , who thirsts extremely , and upon free offer , yet refusest to drink , consider how unworthily thou dishonours god ; and wrongs thine owne soule , by suffering the divels cavils , and the groundlesse exceptions of thine owne distrustfull heart , to prevaile with thee against the direct command of al-mighty god ; o which thou oughtest to obey against all reason , sense , feares , doubts , despaires , and hellish suggestions . abraham , the father of the faithfull , did readily , and willingly submit to gods commandement ; even to kill his owne onely deare sonne with his owne hand ; naturally , matter of as great griefe , as could possibly pierce the heart of a mortall man : and wilt thou beeing broken-hearted , stand off from believing , and refuse , when hee commands thee to take his own only deere son ; especially sith thou takes with him , the excellency and variety of all blessings both of heaven & earth ; a discharge from every moment of the everlasting paines of hell ; deeds sealed with his own blood , of thy right to the glorious inheritance of the saints in light . in a word , even p all things , the most glorious deity it self , blessed for ever , to bee enjoyed thorow him , with unspeakeable and endlesse pleasure thorow all eternity ? prodigious q madnesse , cruelty to thine owne soule , or something at which heaven and earth , man and angell , and all creatures may stand amazed ; that thou shouldest so wickedly , and willfully , forsake thine owne mercy , and neglect so great salvation . . lastly , lest he should let passe any meanes , or be any waies wanting on his part to drive us to christ , and settle our soules upon him with sure and everlasting confidence , o he also o threatneth : and to whom sware hee , that they should not enter into his rest , but to them that believed not ? heb. . . wherein hee expresseth extremest anger ; unquenchable and implacable indignation : hee sweares in his wrath , that no unbeleever shall ever enter into his rest . in the threats of the morall law , there is no such oath , but a secret reservation of mercy , upon the satisfaction of divine justice some other way . but herein the lord is peremptory , and a third way shall never bee found , or afforded to the sonnes of men. neglect of such a gracious offer , of so great salvation , must needes provoke , and incense so great a god extraordinarily ; for with prodigious ingratitude & folly , it flings , as it were , gods free grace in his face againe ; and sinnes against his mercy . suppose , a mighty prince passing by all the royall and noble blood in christendome , many brave and honorable ladies , should send to a poore maide , bred in a base cottage , borne both of beggerly and wicked parents ; offer her marriage , & to make her a princesse : and shee then should foolishly refuse , and reject so infinitely undeserved , and unexpected advancement . as shee might thereupon bee justly branded for a notorious bedlam ; so would not so great a prince , thinke you , bee mightily enraged , at such a dunghill indignity , and peevish affront ? the prince of peace , upon whos● thigh is written king of king● , and lord of lords , s passing by more excellent and noble creatures , sends unto thee ; whose father is corruption , and the worme thy mother and thy sister ; and who in respect of thy spirituall state , lies polluted in thine owne blood , &c. and offers to betroth t thee unto himselfe in righteousnesse , and in iudgement , and in loving kindenesse , and in mercies : to crowne thee with all the riches , both of his kingdome of grace and glory , &c. now , if thou shouldest stand off , which god forbid ; as thereupon out of perfection of madnesse , thou forsakest thine owne salvation ; so thou most justly enforcest that blessed lord to sweare in his wrath , that thou shalt never bee saved . thus thou hast heard , how ; first , hee keepes open house to all such hungry and thirsty soules : rev. . . secondly , hee invites : mat. . . thirdly , invites with an awakening and rouzing compellation : isa. . . fourthly , intreats : . cor. . fifthly , commands : . ioh. . . sixthly , and threats : heb. . . how cruell then i● that man to his owne wounded conscience , who in his extreme spirituall thirst , will not bee drawne , by this sixfold mercifull cord , to drinke his fill of the fountaine of the water of life ; to cast himselfe with confidence , and comfort , into the armes of the lord iesus ? which is more then infinitely able to tie the most trembling heart , and that which hangs-off most , by reason of pretended doubts , scruples and distrusts , to that blessed saviour of his , with all full assurance and u perfect peace . how is it possible , but that all , or some of these should bring in every broken heart , to believe ; and cause every one that is weary of his sinnes , to relie upon the lord of life for everlasting wellfare ? but that which i desire principally to presse for my purpose , in the p●int at this time , is this ; thy conscience is now awaked , terrifyed and troubled ; and therefore , as i suppose , tender and very sensible , at least , for a time of the least sinne . ●very sinne lies now upon thy soule as heavy , as a mountaine of leade ; and therefore thou wouldest not willingly adde , unto thy already insupportable burden , any more waight . all thy youthfull lusts , and abominations , stare in the face of thy conscience , with griesly and horrible lookes ; and therefore , for the present , especially , thou art notably scared , from a willing provocation of gods anger , and wounding it afresh with any new sinne . well , it beeing thus then ; if it appeare unto thee , that by thy standing off , in the case , i have supposed thee , from taking christ as thine owne , applying the promises , as most certainely belonging unto ●hee , and so putting to thy seale , that god is true ; thou dishonours him extraordinarily in many respects : mee thinkes then , thou shouldest bee mightily mooved , without any more adoe , to cast thy selfe presently upon the lord iesus with comfort and much assurance ; especially , sith thy so yeelding to the law of faith , is for thy infinite good : and assure thy selfe , thou offendest , in the meane time , many waies : . by a sowre , and selfe-will'd unmanerlinesse towards christ ; in not comming , when hee calls theo ; mat. . . it is pride , and high pride , saith a worthy * divine , not to come when thou art called . it is rudenesse , and not good manners , not to doe as thou art bidden to doe ; yea , so often and earnestly charged to doe . it would be a foule fault , and unmannerly disobedience for any subject in this kingdom , tho never so ragged & tatter'd , or pretending never so much his unfitnesse , and unfinenesse to presse into so great a presence , not to come unto the king , if hee should please earnestly to call upon him. disobedience to the law of faith , and reiecting gods gracious offer of his sonne freely , is the greatest , and an inexpiable sinne . he hath sworne in his wrath , that such a refusant shall never enter into his rest . . by a saucy prescribing unto him , upon what termes hee shall take thee : ho , sayes hee , every one that thirsteth , come yee to the waters ; and hee that hath no money : come yee , buy and eate ; yea , come buy wine and milke without money , and without price . nay , saist thou , i will either bring something in mine hand , or i will none . whereas it appeares in the cited place , that christ calls not onely those that are thirsty ; but also such as have no money . . by undervalewing the unvalewable worth of his pretious blood . as tho thy sinnes had exceeded the price , that hath been paid for them . whereas it is called , act , . . gods owne blood . and therefore no want in it , to wash away any sinne , and for ever . . by offering disparagement to all the promises in gods blessed booke ; every one whereof doth now sweetly , and upon good ground , invite thee , as it were , to repose upon it , as upon a sure word of god , with everlasting rest and safty . but thou giving too much way to the divels lies , and the dictates of thine owne distrustfull heart , keepes off , and retires ; as tho they were too weak , to support thy now troubled , and trembling soule , especially loaden with so many , and hainous sinnes . whereby , consider how great indignity , thou offers to such pretious promises , and places , as these : isa. . . ezek. . . isa. . . . . and . . especially , beeing so strongly backt by gods blessed oath : god willing more abundantly to shew unto the heires of promise , the immutability of his counsell , confirmed it by an oath : that by two immutable things , in which it was impossible for god to lie , wee might have a strong consolation , who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us : heb. . . . what a mighty strength may that most glorious speech of our all-mercifull god , infuse into our faith ; ezek. . . as i live , &c. as if hee should have said : as x sure , as i am the true , eternall , living , and omnipotent god , &c. so certainely , i have no pleasure in the death of the wicked ; but i y have pleasure , that hee should come in ; take my sonne , and bee my servant . vnderstand the same proportionably of every promise : as sure as i have an eternall essence , and beeing of a god-head , &c. so certainely will i give freely to every one , that is truly z weary of all his sins ; and a thirsts unfainedly for mercy and grace , eternal rest , and refreshing in the ever-springing fountaine of all spirituall , and heavenly pleasures . and so of the rest . in a word ; what an unworthy thing is this ; that all the pretious promises in the booke of god , confirmed with his owne b oath ▪ and sealed with his sonnes blood , should suffer dishonour and disparagement , as it were , by thy distrust : as tho so many mighty rocks of mercy and truth , were not able to susteine a poore bruised reede ? . by disabling and dis-honouring : . gods free love . see hos. . . ier. . . ezech. . deut. . . . ioh. . . eph. . ▪ if god would not give us christ , without some matter and motives in us ; without something done by our selves first ; it were something to stand out in such a case : but he gives him most freely , without any respect , or expectation at all of any precedent worke , or worth on our part . onely there is required a predisposition in the partie , to take christ , legall dejection , sight , sense , and burden of sinne ; we must bee truly wounded , sensible of the divels yoke , feele our owne misery ; wee must prize him above , and * thirst for him more , then the whole world , &c. a a man will not seriously seeke after a physition , before hee feele himselfe to be sicke ; for ease , before hee bee prest with the waight of his burden ; for a plaister , before hee bee wounded ; for heavenly riches , before hee bee sensible of his spirituall beggery ; for enlargement and pardon , before hee finde himselfe in prison ; for mercy , before hee smart with sense of his misery . such dispositions then as these serve onely to drive us unto christ , and to let us see and feele a necessity of him ; but they are infinitely , with more then an utter impossibility disabled , by any worthinesse , to draw on christ. hee is a gift ; rom. . . ioh. . . and what is freer then gift ? nothing is required at our hands , for receiving him ; but emptie-handednesse , and sensiblenesse of our owne nothingnesse . our heavenly father never did , or ever will fell his sonne unto any iustitiarie ; or any , that will needes bee something in himselfe : hee ever did , and ever will give him to every poore soule , thas is vile in his owne eyes , nothing in himselfe ; labours , and is heavy laden , and willing to take him as a saviour , and a lord. a full hand can hold nothing ; either it must bee empty , or wee cannot receive christ. first thirst , and then buy , without money , and without price . isa. . . mee thinkes b chrysostome doth somewhere set out sweetly , the admirable , and adored frankenesse of this divine bounty : b if thou wilt be adorned with my comlinesse , or bee armed with my weapons , or put on my garments , or bee fed with my dainties , or finish my iourney , or come into that city , whose builder and maker i am , or build an house in my countrey : thou maist so doe all these things ; that i will not onely not exact of thee any price , or paiment for any of these things ; but i my selfe would bee a debtour unto thee of a great reward , so that thou wouldest not disdaine to use my things , my strength , gifts , graces . what can be ever found equall to this bounty ? if god then bee so infinitely good , as to offer his sonne so freely ; and thou so fitted to receive him ; by sensiblenesse of thy spirituall miserie , thirsting for his blood , resolving upon his service for the time to come , &c. how unad-visedly cruell art thou to thine owne conscience , and unmannerlily proud , that wilt needs stand off still from taking the lord iesus ; and suffer still thy poore trembling soule to lie unnecessarily upon the racke of terrour ? sith thou gets and gaines nothing thereby ; but , first , gods dishonour : secondly , thine owne willfull torture : thirdly , gratification of satans malicious cruelty . obiect . . but were it not fitter for mee , maist thou say , first to amend my life ; to doe some good workes ; to have experience of the change of my conversation ; to grieve legally longer , &c. before i bee so bold , as to lay hold upon christ , and apply the promises ? answ. thou must first bee alive , before thou canst c worke ; thou must have spirituall ability inspired , before thou canst walke in the d good way ; thou must be justified , before thou bee sanctified . now spirituall life is onely then , and never before , or by any other meanes infused ; but when wee reach out an e empty hand , and take iesus christ into our humbled soules . when a 〈…〉 wearie of all sinne , according to his f call , commandement , and counsell , roles itself , as it were , and g ●●anes upon the lord iesus ; then is spirituall life first brea●hed into it : the vitall operations of grace in ●ll holy duties , good deeds , amendment of life , holy walking , universall obedience , &c. must appeare afterward . zacheus , received iesus christ first into his heart and house , before hee was able to restore , and distribute . casting ou● selves upon that lord of life with truth of heart ; as our onely iewell and ioy we have in heaven , or in earth 〈◊〉 whom we are resolved to live and die ; drawes fr●m him into our soules that heavenly vertue and vigour , whereby we are afterward inabled to exercise all the functions of spirituall life , and to die to the world , and all wordly pleasures for ever . herein is thy fault and failing , thou conceives not a right of gods free grace ; but thinkes thou shalt not bee welcome , except thou comest with thy h cost . whereas god ever gives his sonne freely ; and bids thee come , and welcome and buy without money , and without price . obiect . . but will it not bee presumption in mee , having no good thing in mee at all , to bring with mee ; but comming now , as it were , fresh out of hell , from a most wicked , impure , abominable life , to take christ as mine owne ; and all those rich and pretious promises sealed with his blood ? answ. enough hath been already said , to meete with this objection . it is not presumption , but good manners to come , when thou art called . how can hee bee said to presume , who is both invited and intreated ; commanded and threatned to come in , &c. of which see before . thou must now in this extreme spirituall thirst of thine , drinke of the water of life , so freely offered , that thou mayst receive some heavenly strength to bee good , and * power to become the sonne of god. thou must throw thy sinfull soule upon iesus christ , bleeding and breathing out his last upon the crosse ; as the body of the shunamites childe was applyed to the prophet stretching himselfe upon it ; that thou mayst thereby bee quickened with desired fruitfulnesse , filled by little and little with all the fulnesse of god ; receiving grace for grace : i am the resurrection , and the life , saith christ : hee that believeth in me , tho he were dead , yet shall hee live . it were execrable presumption , for any man , who a purposeth to goe on in the willing practise , or allowance of any one knowne sinne , to believe that christ is his righteousnesse and sanctification . but where all sin is a burden , every promise as a world of gold , and the heart syncere for a new way ; there a man may be bold . for thee to have pretended part in christ , wallowing yet in thy sinnes , had been horrible presumption indeed : and for mee to have applyed the promises , and preached peace unto thy remorselesse conscience , before the pangs of the new-birth had seazed upon thee , had been damnable dawbing : but in the case i now suppose thee to bee ; it is both seasonable , and surely grounded ; for mee to assure thee of acceptation and pardon : and for thee to receive iesus christ without any more adoe , into the armes of thy humbled soule . . his sweet name : exod. . . . wherein is prevented , whatsoever may any wayes bee pretended for standing out in this case : as appeares fully before , pag. . line . . his glorious attributes . . his truth . hee that believeth , hath set to his seale , that god is true : ioh. . . he that labours , and is heavy laden with the burden of sin , comes to christ for case , when hee is called ; takes him for his saviour , and his lord ; and thereupon grounds a resolute , unshaken and everlasting confidence , that hee is his for ever ; puts to his seale , that christ is true ; that his pretious promise , come unto mee all yee that labour , and are heavy laden , and i will give you rest ; mat. . . is inviolable . whereby christ iesus , blessed for ever , is b mightily honoured his truth glorified , and thine owne soule with extraordinary , blessednesse everlastingly enlived . but hee now that retires in this case , and holds off , makes him , who is truth it selfe , a lyar : hee that believeth not god , hath made him a lyar : . ioh. . . now what a fearefull indignity is this against the lord god of truth ? wee see too often how miserable mortall men , wormes of the earth , take such an affront at the hands one of another : for many times , for the lie given them , they throw themselves desperately upon the irrecoverable ruine of their lives , states , soules and posterity , by chalenging the field , and killing each other . which c dishonour to the mighty lord of heaven and earth , is the greater , and is much aggravated by the infinite infallibility of the promises . for besides his word , which were more then immeasurably sufficient , hee hath added a most solemne oath for our sakes , that wee might have greater assurance , and stronger consolation . . his mercy , most directly and specially . and to say nothing of the freenesse of his mercy ; which springs onely out of the riches of his infinite bounty , and the good pleasure of his will : of his readinesse to forgive ; otherwise the death of christ should bee of none effect , his blood shed in vaine ; the greatest worke lost , that ever was done : of his delight in mercy : mich. . . mercy in man is a quality , in god it is his d nature and essence . now what wee doe naturally , wee doe willingly , readily , unweariedly : as the eye is not weary of seeing , the eare with hearing , &c. e a bee gives honey naturally , never stings , but provoked : when god is angry , it is but , as it were , by accident , upon occasion ; drawne unto it by the violent importunity of our multiplied provocations ; but hee delights in mercy , &c. i say , to say nothing of these ; this one consideration may convince us of extreme folly , in refusing mercy in such a case , for all the hainousnesse , or number of our sinnes : to wit , that no sinnes , either for number , or notoriousnesse , in a truly broken heart , can make so much resistance to gods infinite mercies , as the least f sparke of fire , to the whole sea , and that is little enough . nay , as infinitely lesse , as an infinite thing exceedes a finite . betweene which there is no proportion . . his power . for thou art very like thus , or in the like manner , to reason within thy selfe , and cavill cruelly against thine owne soule : alas ! what talke you of taking christ , the promises of life , and heavenly lightsomnesse ; my poore heart is as darke as the very middle of hell ; much harder then a rocke of adamant ; as cold and dead , as the senselesse center of the earth ; as uncomfortable and restlesse , almost , as desperation it selfe , &c. it is more then infinitely impossible , that such a darke , hard , dead , comfortlesse thing should ever bee enlightened , softened , quickened , and established with joy , &c. but marke how herein , thou unadvisedly under-valewes , and unworthily sets bounds to the g unlimited power of god. whereas thou shouldest imitate abraham , the father of all them that believe , who staggered not at the promise of god through unbeliefe : but was strong in faith , giving glory to god : and beeing fully perswaded , that what hee had promised , hee was able also to performe : rom. . . . bee advised in this case : . to compare these two things together : the making of the seven starres , and orion , and turning the shadow of death into the morning ; and the infusion of heavenly light into thy darke and heavy heart : and doest thou not think , that the second is as easie as the first , to the same omnipotent hand ? nay , it is easier in our conceit ( to the divine majesty nothing is difficult or un-easie ) ; for those glorious shining constellations were created of nothing ; and nothing hath no disposition to any beeing at all , much lesse to any particular existence ; but a soule sensible and weary of it's spirituall darknesse , is in the nearest , and most immediate passive disposition , if i may so speake , to receive the whole sunne of righteousnesse . reach but out thy hand in this case to iesus christ , offering himselfe freely unto thee , as a saviour and lord ; and thou shalt presently take possession of the kingdome of grace , and undoubted right to the everlasting kingdome of glory . the prophet amos . . presseth this argument of power for some such purpose . and it may serve excellently against all pretences and counter-pleaes for a supposed impossibilitie of being illightened , and refreshed in the depth of spirituall darkenesse and distresse . it may bee , thou mayest say unto mee , you advise mee indeed to seeke gods face and favour , &c. but alas ! mine is not an ordinary heart , it is so full of guilty sadnesse , and horror for sin , that i have little hope , &c. yea , but consider , he that i counsell thee to seek , made the seven starres and orion , and turneth the shadow of death into the morning : and will doe fargreater wonders for thy soule , if thou wilt believe the prophets , that thou mayest prosper . if thou will trust in him , he will quickly turne the tumultuous roarings of thy conscience into perfect peace . thou wilt keepe him in perfect peace , whose minde is stayed on thee : because hee trusteth in thee : isai. . . the prophet therefore , to prevent all scruples and exceptions in this kinde , calles upon them thus : seeke him that maketh the seven starres , and orion , &c. . secondly , lay these two together : to bring hony out of the rocke , and oyle out of the flinty rocke ; deut. . . and to mollifie thine heart , even to thine owne hearts desire ; in which there is already some softnesse , else thou couldest not sensibly and syncorely complaine of it's hardnesse . and thou must needs acknowledge , that they are both equally easie to the same almightie arme . . thirdly , thou mayst well consider , that it is a farre greater worke to make heaven and earth ; then to put spirituall life and lightsomnesse into thy truly humbled , and thirsty soule , to which so many pretious promises are made . and hee , with whom thou hast to doe , and from whom thou expectest helpe , is he , that made heaven and earth , the sea , and all that therein is : which keepeth truth for ever . which openeth the eyes of the blind , — and raiseth them that are bowed downe : psal. . . which heal●th the broken in heart : and bindeth up their wounds . — who taketh pleasure in them that feare him : in those , that hope in his mercy : psal. . . . . in such an extremity of helpe-lesnesse , and hope-lesnesse ; in this trembling and terrour of thy heart , thou shouldest call to minde for thy comfort ; that hee who establisheth all the ends of the earth , prov. . and hath hung that mighty and massie body upon nothing , iob . can most easily stay , and stablish the most forlorne and forsaken soule , even sinking into the mouth of despaire . hee that said at first to the earth , stand still upon nothing and it never stirr'd out of it's place since the creation , can easily uphold , fortifie , and refresh thine heart in the depth of the most grievous spirituall misery . even , when in the bitternesse of thy spirit , thou cries ; my strength , and my hope is perished from the lord : lament . . . . even his iustice. christs blood is already payed , as a price , for the pardon of the sinnes of thine humbled soule ; and thou wilt needs pay it over againe , or else thou wilt not enter upon the purchase : as tho god did expect and exact the discharge of the same debt twice ; which to imagine , were a monstrous intolerable indignity to the most just god. you know full well , what conceit wee should hold of that man , who having a debt fully discharged by the surety , should presse upon the principall for the payment of the same againe . wee should indeed thinke him to bee a very cruell , hard-hearted , and mercilesse man : wee should call him a turke , a cut-throate , a canniball ; farre fitter to lodge in a den of tygers , then to live in the society of men . what a fearefull dishonour then is i● to the mercifull , and mighty lord of heaven and earth ; to the righteous iudge of all the world , to conceive , that having received an exact , h and full satisfaction for all our sinnes , by the hearts-blood of his owne deare sonne , should ever require them againe at our hands ! farre bee it then from every one , who would not offer extraordinary disparagement , even to gods glorious iustice , to entertaine any such thought : especially , s●th wee have his word , his oath , and the seale of his sonnes blood for security . and assuredly , wee may build upon it , as upon a rocke of eternall truth ; that when wee come unto christ , weary of all our sinnes , thirsting syncerely for him , and throwing our selves upon him , as salvation it selfe ; resolved to take upon us his sweet and easie yoke for the time to come ; hee doth presently , as hee hath promised , take off the burden , and free us everlastingly , from the guilt and staine ; damnation and reigne of all our sinnes . but now , if thou wilt cast thy self upon iesus christ , role thy selfe upon the promises , beeing so humbled , spiritually thirsty , and resolved , as thou hast said , and i supposed at the first : for wee , who are gods messengers , comfort and assure of pardon in such cases , onely upon supposition , that the heart and speeches ; all the promises and protestations of the party and patient , we deale with , bee syncere every way ; i say , if thou thus cast thy selfe upon the lord iesus , and the promises of life , having a well-grounded , strong and seasonable calling thereunto , beeing , as appeares before , invited , intreated , commanded , &c. the case will be blessedly altered . thou shalt then doe , as god would have thee ; and mightily honour the un-valew-able , and i infinite dignity of his sonnes passion , and blood , the pretious freenesse of all the promises , his free love , sweet name , truth , mercy , power , iustice , &c. thou shalt also cut off , and defeate the divels present fiery darts , and projects of further cruelty ; dis-intangle and unwinde thy selfe out of the irkesome maze of restlesse terrours , and trouble of minde ; crowne thine owne soule in the meane time with peace that passeth all understanding , with ioy unspeakeable , and full of glory ; with evangelicall pleasures , such as neither eye hath seene , eare heard , or have entred into the heart of man ; and hereafter be most certainely received by that sweetest redeemer of thine , into those glorious mansions above ; where nothing , but light and blessed immortalitie , no shaddow for matter of teares , discontentments , griefes , and uncomfortable passions to worke upon ; but all ioy , tranquillity and peace , even for ever and ever , doth dwell . . yea , but may an other say , i , in the case proposed have cast my selfe according to your counsell , upon iesus christ ; and there , by the mercy of god , am i resolved to sticke , come what come will ; and yet no comfort comes : what doe you thinke , should i thinke of my selfe , in this case ? i think in such a case , it may be convenient , and that such an one hath thereupon some cause and calling , seriously and impartially , to search and trie his spirituall state . for which purpose ponder seriously upon such considerations as these : some of which may discover unsoundnesse ; others his unadvisednesse . . it may bee , the party is not yet come in truth , to that sound humiliation , contrition , spirituall thirsting , resolution to sell all , &c. required by the reverend * author in that most profitable , and piercing doctrine of faith , quoted before : but onely hath passed over them overly , not soundly ; superficially , not syncerely ; and then no marvell , tho no true and reall comfort come . informe thy selfe further in this point , and that thou mayst more fully know my meaning in it , and be guided aright in a marter of so great waight , ibid. cap. . of the author and meanes of faith. and cap. . of the difficulty of faith , pag. , &c. . or it may bee , howsoever hee protest otherwise , and for all his partiall legall terrour , and trouble of minde , his deceitfull heart may still secretly harbour and hanker after some sweet sinne , as pride , revenge , strange fashions , worldlinesse , lust , playes , gaming , good-fellowship , as it is call'd , &c. from which , it doth not heartily yeeld , resolve , and endeavour to make an utter and k finall cessation and divorce . and assuredly , that false heart , which regards , and allowes any wickednesse in it selfe , howsoever it may be deluded with some anabaptisticall flashes ; yet shall never bee truly refreshed with ioy in the holy ghost . . it may bee , tho there was some probable and plausible shewes , that the party was principally cast downe , and affected with the heavy waight of sin , and horrour of gods wrath for it ; yet the true predominant cause of his heavinesse , harts-griefe , and bitterest complaint , was some secret earthly discontentment , the restlesse biting of some worldly sting . and in such cases , remove this , and you remove his paine ; comfort him about his crosse , and you set him where hee was . and therefore , as in all this he continues a meere stranger in affection to the sweetnesse , amiablenesse , and excellency of iesus christ ; so it is impossible , that hee should bee acquainted with any sound spirituall comfort . but i will suppose all to bee syncere , and as it should bee : let mee advise thee then to take notice of thine unadvisednesse . . thou art , perhaps , so full of the want of feeling , such a stranger to so much expected , and desired ioy , and peace in believing ; and by consequent , so drowned in the unnecessary distractions , and distempers of a sad heart , that thou utterly forgets to give thankes , and magnifie gods singular , and incomprehensible mercy , for illightening , convincing , and terrifying thy conscience ; offering his sonne ; raising in thine heart an insatiable thirst after him ; and giving thee spirituall abilitie to rest thy weary soule upon him. and who knowes not , that unthankfulnesse keepes many good things from us ; and is an unhappy blocke in the way , to intercept , and hinder the comfortable influence , and current of god , favours and mercies , from being showred downe so frankly and plentifully upon his people . and hee is more likely to bee the more provoked in this case ; because thou suffers thine heart to bee lockt up , and thy tongue tied , by satans cunning and cruell malice , from praysing the glory of gods free grace , for such a worke of wonder : i meane , that mighty change of thine from nature to grace ; in extolling of which , were all the hearts and tongues , of all the men and angels in heaven and earth , set on worke industriously thorow all eternitie , they would still come infinitely short , of that which is due and deserved . . or it may be , when some one of a thousand , upon thy complaint , that no comfort comes , doth seriously labour to settle thine heart in peace ; pressing upon thee for that purpose , invincible and unanswer-able arguments out of the word of truth ; to open it wide , that over-flowing rivers of evangelicall joyes , which may spring to him that is advised , and believes the prophets , abundantly , even from the weakest faith , to refresh and comfort it : telling thee , that as thine humbled soule , learning upon christ , drawes much heavenly vertue , mortifying power , and sanctifying grace from him ; so it may , and ought also to draw abundance of spirituall lightsomnesse from that ever-springing fountaine of life , &c. yet notwithstanding all this , thou suffers some malicious counter-blasts , and contrary suggestions of the divell , to disperse and frustrate all these well-grounded and glorious messages . and therefore it is just with god , that thou fare the worse at his hands , and fall short of thine expectation ; because thou gives more credit to the father of lyes , then the lord of truth . sith thou spills all the cordials , that are tendered unto thee in the name of christ by his faithfull physicions , thou art deservedly destitute of comfort still . many in such cases , while gods messenger , who can rightly declare his wayes unto them , stands by , opening , and applying the rich treasures of gods free mercy , in the mysterie of the gospell , and with present replies , repelling satans cavils , are reasonably well cheared , and revived ; but when hee is gone , they very weakely , and unworthily give way againe to that foule lying fiend , to cast a dis-comfortable mist over the tender eye of their weake faith , and to domineere as hee did before . tell mee true ; if thou wert in doubt and distresse about thy temporall state , tenure of thy lands , soundnesse of thy evidence ; wouldest thou advise with , and take counsell from a foole , a knaue , and an enemy ; or wouldest thou make choise of an honest , wise , understanding friend ? i doubt not of thine answer : and wilt thou then so farre disparage divne truth , gratifie hell , and hurt thine owne heart , as in that waightiest point of thy spirituall state ; to consult and resolve with the divell , a liar , a murtherer , and sworne enemy to gods glory , and thy soules good ; and neglect god himselfe , blessed for ever , speaking unto thee out of his word , by that minister , which in such a case durst not falsify , or flatter thee for a world of gold . shall many thousands of worldly-wise men , give credit very readily , and roundly , to dawbers with untempered morter , upon a false and rotten foundation , to the most certaine , and eternall ruine of their soules ; and shall not an humble , and upright-hearted man , believe the prophet upon good ground ; that the bones , which the heavy burden of sinne hath broken , may reioyce ? god forbid . . nay , but suppose the party bee truly humbled , very thankefull , resolute against all sinne , labour to believe the prophets , &c. and yet no comfort come ? i say then , there is an other duty expected at thy hands , right pretious and pleasing unto god : and that is waiting . by which god would , . set yet a sharper edge and eagernesse more hungring and thirsting , greater longing , and panting after the ravishing sweetnesse of his comfortable presence ; with which melting , earnest , crying dispositions , hee is very much delighted ; . cause us with peace and patience to submit unto , and depend upon his mercifull wisedome , in disposing and appointing times and seasons for our deliverances and refreshings . for hee well knowes , that very point and period of time : first , when his mercy shall bee most magnifyed : secondly , his childrens hearts most seasonably comforted , and kindlily enlarged , to poure out themselves in praisefulnesse : thirdly , his , and our spirituall enemies most gloriously confounded : . quicken , and set on worke with extraordinary fervency , the spirit of prayer ; fright us further from sinne for the time to come ; fit us for a more fruitfull improovement , of all offers and opportunities to doe our soules good ; to make more of ioy and peace in believing , when we enioy it ; and to declare to others in like extremity , gods dealing with us , for their support , &c. wee must learne then , to expect , and bee content with gods season : and hold up our hearts in the meane time with such considerations , as these ; first , we performe a very acceptable service , and a christian duty , right pleasing unto , and much prevailing with god , by waiting , see isa. . . and . . and . . lam , . . secondly , by our patient dependance upon god in this kinde , wee may mightily encrease , and multiply our comfort , when his time is come . for he is woont to recompence abundantly , at last , his longer tarrying with excesse of ioy , and over-flowing expressions of his love . thirdly , wee must ever remember ; that all the while hee exerciseth us with waiting , that season is not yet come , which in his mercifull wisedome , hee holds the meetest to magnify the glory of his mercy most , and wiseliest to advance our spirituall good . fourthly , and that which is best of all , if the true convert , resting his weary soule upon the lord iesus , and promises of life , should bee taken away , before hee attaine his desired comfort ; hee shall bee certainely saved , and undoubtedly crowned with everlasting blessednesse . for , blessed are all they that waite for him : isa. . . a man is saved by believing ; and not by ioy and peace in believing : salvation is an inseparable companion of faith : but ioy and peace accompany it , as a separable accident : as that which may be remooved from it ; yea , there is cause why it should bee remooved . the light would never bee so acceptable , were it not for that usuall entercourse of darkenesse , &c. take here notice upon this occasion ; that as a truly humbled soule receiving christ , in the sense i have said , hath power given him thereby to become the sonne of god ; so hee doth draw also from that glorious obiect of faith , so full of all amiablenesse , excellency , and sweetnesse . . sometimes , by the mercy of god , a very sensible , stirring , and ravishing ioy , unspeakeable , and full of glory : which , tho it be many times very short , yet is unutterably sweet . . if not so , yet an habituall calmenesse of conscience , if i may so call it . which , tho wee doe not marke it so much , or magnifie gods mercy for it , as we ought ; yet it makes us differ as far by a comfortable freedome from many slavish , guilty twitches , & an universall contentednesse in all our courses , and passages thorow this vale of teares , from the worlds dearest minion , and most admired favourite , as * the highest region of the aire , from the restlesse and raging sea. especially , if that unhappily happie wretch , have a waking conscience . . or at least , ever a secret heavenlie vigour , whereby the soule is savingly supported in what state soever ; though it be under the continued pressures of most hideous temptations . the tyth of the terrour whereof , would make many a wordling make away himselfe , because hee wants this stay . and suppose they should last unto the last gaspe , even unto thine ending houre ▪ nay entrance into heaven ; ** yet notwithstanding ▪ thy spirituall state is not thereby prejudiced , but thy salvation is still most sure ; and thy first taste of those eternall ioyes shal bee the sweeter , by how much thy former temptations , and trials have been the sorer . for wee must ever hold fast this blessed truth ; l that wee are justified , by casting our selves upon christ , not by comfort ; by faith , not by feeling ; by trusting the sure word of god , not by assurance . but i desire to come yet neerer to thy conscience , and to presse comfort upon thee with such strong , and unresistable arguments , which all the subtilety of the infernall powers , will never bee able to dissolve . thou sayest , and i suppose so ; that thou art weary of all thy sinnes , hungers and thirsts after the righteousnesse of christ ; prizes him before all the world ; hast cast thy selfe upon his truth , and tender-heartednesse for everlasting safty ; and yet thou feeles no speciall sensible joy in thine heart thereupon . bee it so : yet upon this occasion , take my counsell , and at my request , addresse thy selfe again , and have recourse afresh unto the promises , settle thy soule upon them seriously , with fixed meditation , and fervent prayer : set thy selfe purposely with earnestnesse and industry , to sucke from them , their heavenly sweetnesse . and then , how is it possible , that thine m humble upright heart , should make resistance to those mighty torrents of spirituall joyes and refreshings ; which by a natural , and necessary consequence , spring abundantly from the ensuing comfortable conclusions grounded upon the sure word of god , and thine owne inward sense , and most certaine un-deniable experience ? whosoever hungers and thirsts after righteousnesse , is blessed from christs owne mouth : mat. . . and this blessednesse compriseth an absolute , and universall confluence of all excellencies , perfections , pleasures , and felicities in this world , and in the world to come ; begun in some measure in the kingdome of grace , and made compleate in the kingdome of glory , thorow all eternity . but i , mayst thou say , out of evident feeling , and experience , finde my selfe to hunger and thirst after righteousnesse : therefore i am most certainely blessed , and inter-essed in all the rich purchases of christs dearest blood and merit , which is the full price of the kingdome of heaven , and all the glory thereof , &c. whosoever is * athirst , hath his part in the fountaine of the water of life ; rev. . . and . . ioh. . . isa. . . but i , mayst thou say , cannot deny , dare not belie my selfe , but that my poore heart thirsts unfainedly , to bee bathed in the heavenly streames of gods free favour , and christs soveraigne blood : therefore undoubtedly , i have my part in the well of life everlastingly . whence , what delicious streames of dearest a joy doe sweetly flow ? whosoever labours , and is heavy laden , may justly chalenge at the hands of christ , rest and refreshing : mat. . . but i feele all my sinnes , an intolerable burden upon my wounded soule ; and most willingly take him as a saviour , and a lord : therefore i have my portion in his spirituall , and eternall rest . the high and lofty one that inhabiteth eternity , whose name is holy , and who dwells in the high and holy place ; dwelleth also in every humble and contrite spirit , as in a royall throne ; ( hee hath as it were two thrones ; one in the empyrean heaven , the other in a broken heart ) : isa. . . but my heart lies groveling in the dust , humbled under the mighty hand of god , and trembling at his feete , &c. therefore it is the mansion of iehova , blessed for ever . whosoever confesseth and forsaketh his sinnes , shall have mercy , prov. . . but i confesse , and abominate all sinne ; resolved never to turne againe to folly : therefore mercy is most certainely mine . hee in whose heart the holy ghost hath enkindled a kindly heate of affection to the brethren , hath passed from death to life : . ioh. . . but by the mercy of god , my heart is wholy set upon the brother-hood , which i heartily hated heeretofore : therefore i have passed from death to life . these , and the like conclusions , are in themselves as full of sound joy , and true comfort ; as the sunne of light or sea of waters . open but the eye of thine humbled soule , and thou maist see many glorious things in them . crush them but a little with the hand of faith , and much delicious sweetnesse of spirituall peace may distill upon thy soule . lastly , such considerations as these , may contribute some matter of comfort , and support , to him of weakest apprehension , in this case : . if hee consult with his owne conscience , hee shall happily finde in his present syncere resolution , an impossibility to turne backe againe to his former sinnefull life , pleasures , goodfellow-ship , sensuall courses , company : hee sayes , and thinkes it , that hee will rather die , then lie , sweare , prophane the sabbaths ; put to usury , doe wrong , keepe any ill-gotten goods in his hands , haunt ale-houses , play-houses , gaming-houses ; or willingly put his heart , or hand to any kind of iniquity , as hee was formerly wont . and doth nature , thinke you keepe him backe ; or grace , and gods spirit ? . if hee should now heare , and have his eares fill'd with oathes , blasphemies , ribald talke , rotten speeches , filthy songs , railing at gods people , scoffing at religion , jesting out of scriptures , &c. his heart would rise ; hee would either reproove them , or bee rid of them , as soone as hee could ; whereas heretofore , hee hath been , perhaps , a delightfull hearer of them , if not a notorious actour himselfe . and whence doe you thinke doth this arise , but from the seede of god remaining in him ? . thirdly , if when you heare him complaine ; that howsoever hee hath cast himselfe upon christ , as the prophets have counselled him ; yet sith thereupon hee feeles no such comfort , and peace in believing as other christians doe ; hee begins to doubt , whether hee hath done well , or no : and to conceive , that hee hath layd hold upon the promises too soone : nay , and it may bee upon this discontent , doth thus further enlarge his complaint : alas ! my sinnes have formerly been so great , my heart is at this present so hard , my sorrow so scant , my failings so many , &c. that i know not what to say to my selfe . mee thinkes , i can neither pray , conferre , love the brethren , sanctifie the sabbath , rejoyce in the lord , &c. as i see other of gods children doe . and therefore , i am affraid , all is naught : what heart can i have to hold on ? i say , if to such a speech , thou shouldest for triall give this reply : well then , if it bee so ; even give over all , strive no more against the streame ; trouble thy selfe no longer with reading , prayer , following sermons , forbearing good fellowship , and thine old companions . and sith no comfort comes by casting thy selfe upon christ , cast thy selfe againe into the current of the times , course of the world , and merry company ; for there yet , is there some little poore pleasure to bee had , at least : oh! no , no , no , would hee say ; that will i never doe , whatsoever comes of mee : i will trust in my christ , tho hee should kill mee ; for all these discouragements , i will by no meanes , cast away my confidence . i have been so freshly stung with their guilt , that i will rather be pull'd in peeces with wild horses , then plunge againe into carnall pleasures ; i will put my hand to all holy duties in obedience to god , tho i performe them never so weakely ; i will , by the mercy of god , keepe my face towards heaven , and backe to sodome , so long as i breath ; come what come will , &c. and whence , doe you thinke , springs this resolution ; but from a secret saving power , supporting him in the most desperate temptations , and assaults of distrust ? now this first , secret saving power , by which an humble soule leaning upon christ is supported , when it is at the lowest ; secondly , the seed of god , and thirdly , presence of grace ; doe every one of them argue a blessed state , in which thou shalt bee certainely saved ; and therefore thou mayst lift up thine heart and head , with comfort unspeakeable and glorious . . thirdly , many there are , who much complaine of the great disproportion betweene the notorious wickednesse of their former life , and their lamentable weakenesse of an answerable be wailing it : betweene the number of their sinnes , and fewnesse of their teares ; the hainousnesse of their rebellions , and little measure of their humiliation . and thereupon , because they did not finde , and feele those terrours , and extraordinary troubles of mind in their turning unto god ; those violent passions , and pangs in their new-birth , which they have seene , heard , or read of , or knowne in others , perhaps , farre lesse sinners then themselves ; they are much troubled with distractions and doubts about the truth , and soundnesse of their conversion . d whereby they receive a great deale of hurt and hindrance in their spirituall state . for satan gaines very much by such a suggestion , and grounds many times a manifold mischiefe upon it . for by keeping this temptation on foot ; these doubts and troubles in their mindes , whether they bee truly converted or no ; hee labours , and too often prevailes : . to hinder the christian in his spirituall building . with what heart can hee hold on , who doubts of the soundnesse , and sure-laying of the foundation ? what progresse is hee like to make in christianity , who continually terrifies himselfe with fearefull exceptions and oppositions , about the truth of his conversion ? a man in a long journey , would jogge on but very heavily , if hee doubted whether hee were in the right way , or no. . to abate , lessen , and abridge his courage in standing on gods side , patience under the crosse , spirituall mirth in good company : to keepe him in dulnesse of heart , deadnesse of affections , distractions at holy exercises , and under the raigne of almost , a continuall sadnesse , and uncomfortable walking : to make him quite neglect , and never looke towards those sweete commands of the blessed spirit : reioyce evermore . reioyce , and i say againe , reioyce . bee glad in the lord , reioyce , and shout for ioy all yee , that are upright in heart . . to fasten a great deale of e dishonour upon god ; when he can make the christian dis-avow , as it were , and nullifie in conceit , so great a worke of mercy and grace , stampt upon his soule by an almighty hand : a worke for wonder and power answerable , if not transcendent , to the creation of the world. to the production whereof , the infinite mercies of the father of all mercy ; the warmest hearts-blood of his onely sonne ; the mightiest moouing of the blessed spirit were required . now what an indignity , and disparagement is offered unto so glorious a workeman , and blessed a worke , to assent and subscribe unto the divell , a knowne liar , that there is no such thing ? . to double , and aggravate upon the christian , the grievous sinne of unbeliefe : not to believe the promises , as they lie in his booke , is an unworthy , and wicked wrong unto the truth of god : but for a man to draw backe , and deny , when they are all made good upon his soule , makes him worse then thomas the apostle : for when he had thrust his hand into christs side , hee believed . but in the present case , a man is ready to renounce , and disclaime ; tho hee have already graspt in the armes of his faith , the crucified bleeding body of his blessed redeemer . the sacred and saving vertue whereof , hath inspired into the whole man a new , spirituall , sanctifying life , and a sensible , un-deniable change from what it was : . to discontinue , or detaine the heart lock't up , as it were , in a perpetuall barrennes , from giving of thanks ; which is one of the noblest , and most acceptable sacrifice , and service , that is offered unto god. now what a mischiefe is this ; that an upright heart should bee laced up , and his tong tied by the divels temptation , from magnifying heartily the glory of gods free grace , for such a worke ? i meane , the new-creation ; at which heaven and earth , angels and men , and all creatures may stand everlastingly amazed . so sweet it is and admirable , and makes an immortall soule for ever . but to keepe my selfe to the point . those who complaine , as i have said : that because the pangs of their new-birth were not in that proportion they desire , answerable to the hainousnesse of their former pestilent courses , and abominablenesse of their beastly life before , many times suspect themselves , and are much troubled about the truth of their conversion ; may have their doubts , and scruples encreased , by taking notice of such propositions as these , which divines both ancient and moderne , let fall sometimes in their penitentiall discourses . ordinarily men are wounded in their consciences at their conversion , answerably to the wickednesse of their former conversation . contrition in true converts , is for the most part proportionable to the hainousnesse of their former courses . f the more wicked that thy former life hath been , the more fervent and earnest , let thy repentance , or returning bee . g sorrow must bee proportionable to our sinnes . the greater our sinne , the fuller must bee our sorrow . h according to the waight of sinne upon the conscience , ought penitent sorrow to bee waighty . i he that hath exceeded in sinne , let him exceede also in sorrow . k looke how great our sinnes are , let us so greatly lament them . l let the minde of every one drinke up so much of the teares of penitent compunction , as hee remembers himselfe to have withered from god by wickednesse . m grievous sinnes require most grievous lamentations . n the measure of your mourning must bee agreeable , and proportionable to the sinne . and wee may see these rules represented unto us in the practise of manasses , who beeing a most grievous sinner : . chron. . . humbled himselfe greatly before the god of his fathers : vers . . in the woman , who is called a sinner ; luk. . . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , as they say , by a kinde of singularity ; and therefore takes on extraordinarily , vers . . so that she wipes christs feete with teares . in the idolatrous israelites upon their turning unto the lord : . sam. . . . who drew water , and poured it out before the lord. in the hearers of peter , who having their consciences all bloody with the horrible guilt of crucifying the lord of life ; act : . . . were pricked in their hearts : vers . . with such horrour and raging angvish , as tho so many empoisoned daggers and scorpions stings stucke , and were fastned in them * punctually . in paul , who having been an hainous offender , a grievous persecuter , act. . whereas the other apostles , as one sayes , had been honest and sober fisher-men , tasted deeper of this cup then they . for hee tells us , rom. . . that the law slew him. hee was strangely amazed with a voyce from heaven , strucke downe to the earth , and starke blinde . he trembled , and was astonished : for three daies hee did neither eate , nor drink . &c. act. . and there is good reason for it . for ordinarily the newly-illightened eye of a fresh-bleeding conscience , is very sharpe , and cleare ; piercing and sightfull ; greedy to discover every staine , and spot of the soule ; to dive even to the heart-roote , to the blackest bottome and ougliest nooke of a mans former hellish courses ; to looke backe , with a curious survay , thorow the pure perspective of gods righteous law , over his whole life to his very birth-sinne , and adams rebellion . and in this sad , and heavy search , it is very inquisitive after , and apprehensive of all circumstances , which may adde to the hainousnesse of sin , and horrour to his heart . it is quick-sighted into all aggravating considerations ; and quickly learnes , and lookes upon all those wayes , degrees , and circumstances , by which sins are made more notorious and hatefull . and what the spirit of bondage , in a fearefull heart , may inferre hereupon , you may easily iudge . now to the case proposed ; i say , first ; . that betweene sinne and sorrow , wee cannot expect a precise adequation ; not an arithmeticall , but a geometricall proportion : great sinnes should bee greatly lamented ; yet no sinne can bee sufficiently sorrowed for ; tho it may bee savingly . when wee say , the pangs of the new-birth must bee answerable to our former sinnefull provocations ; wee meane not , that wee can mourne for sinne according to it's merit ; that is impossible : but great sinnes require a great deale of sorrow . wee must not thinke , that wee have sorrowed enough for any sinne , tho wee can never sorrow sufficiently . before i proceede to a further , and fuller satisfaction in the point , let mee tell you by the way , how discomfortable , and doubtfull , the popish doctrine is here about ; that the truth of our tenet may appeare the more pretious , and taste more sweet . their attrition and contrition , as i take it , differ , as our legall and evangelicall repentance ; . in respect of the object . contrition , as they say , is sorrow for sinne , as an offence to god : attrition is a griefe for sinne , as liable to punishment . . in respect of the cause . contrition ariseth from sonne-like , attrition from servile feare . [ see valent. disp. . q. . de contrit . punct . . ] this contrition is the cause of the remission of sinnes . [ bellar. lib. . de poenit . cap. . arb. at catholici ] & alij passim . well then , thou art a papist , and troubled inconscience . thou knowest well , that without contrition no remission : but when comest thou to that measure and degree , which may give thee some contentment about the pardon of thy sinnes ? goe unto them in this point for resolution and reliefe , and thou goes unto a racke . consult with their chapters , de quantitate contritionis , of the muchnesse of sorrow , and they are able to confound thee with many desperate distractions . . looke backe upon the elder schoolemen : and you shall have adrian quaest. de poenit : quodlib . artic. . ] and others tell you of a contrition intensivè summa ; in the highest s●reine ; and to which nothing can bee added , as a valent. reports it . this opinion vega refutes [ de iustif . lib. . cap. . ad princ . ] and bellarmine dislikes it [ de poenit . lib. . cap. . art. denique si summus ] . note by the way , how sweetly they agree : our concord is angelicall , in respect of their confusions . . goe to scotus [ in . sent. dist. . q ] , and his followers . and you shall finde him to talke of a certaine intension of contrition ; which is [ soli deo cognita ] onely knowen unto god : but this greg. de valent. censures as very false [ tom. . col. . ] . you see againe , as there is no truth in their tenets ; so no constancy , no concord ; and by consequent , no comfort to a truly troubled spirit . . come at length to the latter locusts , some moderne iesuites , dawbers over of their superstitious ruines , with many rotten distinctions : i meane bellar. greg. de valent. and their fellowes : and they dare not stand either to the unknowne intension of scotus , nor that of highest pitch , which hadrian holds : but come in with a sorrow for sin , appreciativè summus . and what is that , thinke you ? hence bellarmine [ for valent. speakes more warily in the quoted place , art. neque verò ] . yet very weakely too ( for in such cases , the troubled minde is not woont to rest upon generalls onely , but will ( will wee , nill we ) bring us to particular ; howsoever scotus , navar and madin● , advise the contrary ) . sorrow for sinne , saith b hee , is then summus appreciativè when the will doth more esteeme the detestation of sinne , then the attainement of any good , or escaping any ill . and so by consequent , ( for as i intimated , a troubled conscience in such a case , is very curious , and inqui●itive ; and will not stay onely upon confused , and generall notions of good and ill , but easily descend to particulars , to know it's state more perfectly , especialy in a point of so great importance ) a man must finde his heart first to prize the hatred of sinne , before the happinesse of heavenly joyes , or avoiding hellish paines ; before hee can come to comfort of the remission of his sinnes . what a torture were it to a troubled spirit , to fall into the hands of such true pharisies , who lay heavy burdens upon others , but will not touch them themselves with the least of their fingers . but blessed bee god! wee truly teach , that it is not so c much the measure and muchnesse , as the truth , and heartinesse of o● sorrow ; which fits for the promises of life , and pardon of sinne . yet i must say this also ; hee that thinkes , hee hath sorrowed sufficiently , never sorrowed truly . and i like d bellarmines last proposition well in the fore-●●●ted place ; if it bee thus understood : that wee must desire , aime , and endeavour after the highest pitch of godly sorrow , which can possibly bee attained . but 〈◊〉 is one thing to say ; either , just so much measure of sorrow , or no mercy ; such a quantitie of contrition , or no remission : an other thing to say , wee must long and labour to bring our naughty hearts to this : even to bee willing rather to lie in hell , then to live in sinne . perfections of grace are aimed at in this life , not attained . . i confesse some of them sometimes , by reason of freedome in their schooles , over-ruled like caiphas , or over-mastered by the clearenesse and invinciblenesse of the truth , &c. speake something more orthodoxally . as in this point , vega. lib. . cap. . art. ad qua accedit ] ibid. art. et sacerdotes ] tolet. instruct. sacerd. lib. . cap. . art. quartum dubium ] c navar. cap. . num. . estius in . sent. dist . . § . . art. adde quòd fi summus ] . f gratians mothers confessour . but you see them still like the foure windes , blow in one anothers faces . hereupon i have many times marvailed , that understanding papists looking into the point , are not plunged into desperate perplexities ; considering the g varietie of opinions , and uncertainety of the degree of sorrow , required to their contritiō . but when i reflected upon another rotten dawbing tricke of theirs , i rather wonder at the depths of their anti-christian craft , in so politikly , and plausibly patching together their popish paradoxes ; that they may still keep their damnably-deluded disciples in contentment , and please them still , at least , with some palliate cures . it is this i meane ; they hold also , ( prodigious infatuation ! ) it is impossible , that the learned on the popes side ( but that , that curse is justly upon them ; . thes. . . . because they received not the love of the truth , that they might be saved : god sends them strong delusion , that they should believe a lie ) should ever bee so grosely blinded : i say , they hold , that a man h ex attrito , by the power of the priestly absolution , is made h contritus ; and that ex opere operato , as valent. affirmes . which upon the matter is thus much : that having but only attrition , legall repentance , that fruitlesse sorrow , which may be found in a i iudas , a latomus ; and which a reprobate may carry with him to hell , is , by the vertue of their sained sacrament , by the sacr●mentall act of ab●olution , as they call it , made truly , and savingly contrite , & put into a state of justification . heare it in the words of that great & famous light of k ireland ; and for ever abhorre all such popish impostures : when the priest with his power of forgiving sins , interposeth himselfe in the businesse , they tell us , that attrition , by vertue of the keyes , is made contrition : that is to say , that a sorrow arising from a servile feare of punishment , and such a fruitlesse repentance , as the reprobate may carry with them to hell ; by l vertue of the priests absolution , is made so fruitful , that it shall serve the tur●● for obtaining forgivenesse of sinnes ; as if it had been that m godly sorrow , which worketh repentance to salvation , not to bee repented of . by which spirituall cousenage , many poore soules are most miserably deluded , while they perswade themselves , that upon the receit of the priests acquittance , upon this carnall sorrow of theirs , all skores are cleered untill that day ; and then beginning upon a new reckoning , they sinne and confesse , confesse and sinne a fresh , and tread this round so long , till they put off all thought of saving repentance ; and so the blind following the blind , both at last follow into the pit . or thus a little after : it hath been alwayes observed for a speciall difference , betwixt good and bad men , that the one n hated sinne for the love of vertue , the other only for the feare of punishment . the like difference doe our adversaries make betwixt contrition , and n attrition . o that the hatred of sin in the one , proceedeth from the love of god ; and of righteousnesse in the other , from the feare of punishment . and yet teach for all this , that attrition ( which they confesse , would not otherwise suffice to iustifie a man ) being ioyned with the priests absolution is sufficient for that purpose : hee that was att●ite , being by vertue of this absolution , made contrite , and iustified ; that is to say , hee that was led only by a servile feare , and consequently was to bee ranked among disordered , and evill persons , being by this meanes put in as good a case , for the matter of the forgivenesse of his sinnes , as hee that loveth god syncerely . for they themselves doe grant , that p such as have this servile feare , from whence attrition issueth , are to bee accounted evill , and disordered men , &c. but leaving these blind pharisies in the endlesse maze of their inextricable errours , untill it please the lord to illighten them , and by a strong hand pull them out , which i heartily desire , and will ever pray ; i come to prosecute mine owne point . . secondly , if you aske mee , when trouble for sinne is saving : i would answer , when it is true . if you further demand , when it is true : i would say ; when it drives thee utterly out of thy selfe , and to sell all , in the sense i have said before ; and brings thee with a syncere thirst , and setled resolution to iesus christ , to live and die with him , as a saviour and a lord ; and is accompanied with an universall change in body , soule and spirit . . thirdly , take notice of such considerations , as these : . god beeing a most free agent , doth not q tie himself constantly , & unvariably , to ordinary , expected , set , and the same formes , measures , times , proportions of his waies , and workings upon his children . for hee is wise without limit , and above measure ; and therfore hath many secret and glorious ends , and aimes , which , according to his good pleasure , much diversifie the meanes serviceable and subordinate thereunto . from whence may spring these three conclusions : . hee may , for the most part , create in the heart of the true convert , terrours and troubles of conscience ; amazements and mourning , answerable , in some good measure , to the varietie , vanity , and villany of his former wicked waies , and lewd life . as appeares before in manasses , the sinnefull woman , idolatrous israelites , hearers of peter , and many in these dayes , if it were convenient to name them . for the most part , saith a great divine , the violence of humiliation in the calling of a sinner , is according to the continuance and greatnesse of his actuall transgressions : according to the same , is the rent in the conscience and soule . therefore , if there bee any , who hath been a great and grievous sinner ; and hath not with violence been pulled from his sinne , hee may doe well to suspect , and search himselfe soundly . . hee may sometimes suffer a notorious sinner ●● passe something more easily , and unterribly thorow th● pangs of the new-birth . but then such a one is woont to walke more humbly before god , all his life after ; for that hee was not humbled with more remarkeablenesse of penitent remorse , and spirituall angvish in his conversion : and so extension and continuance of godly griefe , that hee was not more grieved , makes up as it were that desired intension , and extremity of pangs , which might justly have pained him , in his passing from death to life . every hearty , and sensible complaint , that the pangs of the new-birth were not more painefull , and proportionable to the pollutions of his youth , is , as it were , and in the sense i have said , a pang of the new-birth . or else upon some occasion afterward in his christian course , hee may bee revisited , and vexed afresh , with more terrour and trouble of conscience , then in his first change ; as in such cases as these : first , if hee should , which god forbid , by some volent enticement , and snaring opportunity , bee entangled againe , and re-infected with any former sensuall pleasure of his unregenerate time ; or by neglect of his care , and watchfulnesse over his waies , bee suddenly surprised with some new scandalous sin . secondly , upō the assault of some extraordinary frighting temptation , or pressing of hideous thoughts upon his melancholick imagination . thirdly , when some heavy r crosse , or sicknesse , after many prosperous daies , shall seize upon him , which may lye sore , and long . fourthly , upon his bed of death ; especially , if hee fall upon it immediately after some relapse , backsliding , or new wound of conscience . there is a kinde of naturall power , besides gods speciall hand , in sicknesse , sorrow , darknesse , melancholy , the night , extraordinary crosses , the bed of death , to represent the true number , and hainousnesse of sinnes with greater horror , and more unto the life : whereas prosperity , health , and daies of peace , doe rather delude the eyes of the conscience ; and like false and flattering glasses , make those foule fiends seeme fairer then they are indeede . and therefore the christian , especially , that i speake of , beeing outwardly distressed , cast upon his bed of death , or any waies extraordinarily visited by gods hand , seeing his sinnes upon the sudden marshalled , and marching against him ; moe in number , and more fiercely then heretofore , may for the while bee surprised and exercised with unexpected terrour ; untill , by meditation upon gods former speciall mercy unto him , in spirituall things ; upon the markes and effects of his change ; upon the uprightnesse of his heart towards god in the daies of health ; upon those testimonies , and assurances , which his christiā friends can give him , of his beeing in a gracious state ; with such like holy helpes ; and so in cold blood , and above all , resolving to sack so , ever fast to the lord iesus , tho he kill him ; hee bee raised againe from such dejections of spirit , to the ●oonte● confidence , and comfort of his interest in christ , and salvation of his soule . here by the way , let none think it strange , that even the dearest servants of christ may bee s re-visited with more horrour of conscience afterward , then at their first turning on gods side . as appeares in iob , ezechiah , david , in mi●● . brettergh , mr. peacock , &c. see before , pag. . l . & . besides the proposed cases ; this revisitation may befall them also . fifthly , for their owne triall . this was the t end , as it may seeme , why iob was set up as a marke , for the envenomed arrowes of the almighty to aime at , and whole armies of terrours to fight against . hee approoved himselfe to be steele to the backe , as they say , by that victorious ejaculation . cap. . . though he slay mee , yet will i trust in him. whereby god was mightily honoured , satan utterly confounded , that controversie , whether iob feared god for nought , or no ? gloriously ended on gods side . sixthly , that they may grow into greater conformity with their blessed saviour in spirituall sufferings . seventhly , that tasting againe sometimes the bitternesse of divine wrath for sinne , they may bee the more frighted , and flee further from it . eighthly , that thereby the incomprehensible love of christ toward them , may sinke deeplier into their hearts ; who for their sakes , and salvation , drunke deepe and large ; and the very dregs of that cup ; the least drop whereof , is to them so bitter and intolerable . ninthly , that by sometimes , sense of the contrary , their joy in the favour and light of gods countenance may bee more joyful ; their spirituall peace more pleasant , the pleasure of grace more pretious , the comforts of godlinesse more comfortable , &c. tenthly , for admonition to others : to draw duller and drouzy christians to more strictnesse , watchfulnesse and zeale ; by observing the spirituall troubles and terrours of those , who are far more holy and righteous then themselves . to intimate unto formall professours , that all is certainely naught with them , who ordinarily are meere strangers to all afflictions of soule , and sorrow for sinne . eleventhly , for terrour to many , who going on securely in their sensuall courses , are woont to cry downe all they can , the power of preaching , by crying to their companions thus , or in the like manner : well for all this , wee hope , hell is not so hot , nor sinne so heavy , nor the divell so blacke , nor god so unmercifull , as these precise preachers would make them , &c. how may such as these bee affrighted , and terrified upon this occasion , with pondering upon that terrible place , . pet. . . . if iudgement begin at the house of god , what shall the end bee of them , that obey not the gospell of god ? and if the righteous scarcely bee save● ; if gods children have their consciences scorched , as it were , with the flames of hell ; where shall the ungodly and the sinner appeare ? but even in the bottome of that fiery lake , and amidst the unquenchable rage of those endlesse flames . twelfthly , for the just hardening of such as hate to bee reformed , and are desperately resolved against the saving precisenesse of the saints . it may bee in this manner : a godly man hath lived long , amongst rebels , thornes and scorpions , scorners , railers , persecutours ; who , altho hee hath shined all the while as a light , in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation ; yet they were ever so farre , from beeing heated with love of heavenly things , by his holy life ; or wonne unto good by his gracious example : that like so many bats and owles , impatient of all spirituall light , they did either flie from it , as farre as they could in affection , practise , if not in habitation ; or fell upon it fiercely with their envenomed clawes of spite and cruelty , to extingvish quite , if it were possible , such blessed beames of saving light ; and to darken with hellish mists of ignorance , and ill life , the place where they live . they wilfully blinded themselves with a pestilent conceit ; that his sincerity was nothing but hypocrisie ; his holinesse , onely humour ; his forwardnesse phantasticallnesse ; his sanctification , singularity . and thereupon resolved , and boisterously combind against him , with all their policy , purses , and possibilities ; like those ungodly ones , wisd. . let us lie in waite for the righteous : because hee is not for our turne , and hee is cleane contrary to our doings ; he upbraideth us with our offending the law , and obiecteth to our infamy , the transgressings of our education , &c. i say , now god may suffer such a man upon his deaths-bed , to fall into some more extraordinary , and markable discomfort , and distresse of conscience : of which those gracelesse wretches taking greedy notice , may thereby bee desperately obstinated , and hardned in their lewd and carnall courses . for seeing gods hand upon him in that fearefull manner , and wanting the spirit of discerning , they doe conclude most peremptorily , that for all his great shewes , hee was most certainely but a counterfeite . and so themselves become , upon that occasion , many times more , most implacable enemies to grace , and all good men ; they are stronglier lockt up in the armes of the divell , faster nailed to formality , or good-fellowship ; and which is the perfection of their madnesse and misery , blesse themselves in their hearts , saying merrily to their brethren in iniquity : you see now what these men are , which make themselves so holy , and are so hot in religion : these are the fellowes , which pretend to bee so scrupulous and precise : and of that singular streine of sanctity , that they thinke none shall be saved but themselves , &c. you see in this man the desperate ends of such hypocriticall puritans . thus the glory of gods justice is justly magnified , by letting them grow starke blind , who wilfully shut their eyes against the light of grace ; by giving them over to a reprobate minde , who so maliciously hated to bee reformed ; and so too often , they walke on for ever after , with confidence , and hardnesse of heart , which cannot repent , in a perpetuall prejudice against purity , and the power of godlinesse ; unto the pit of hell. whereas by the mercy of god , and inviolable constancy of his covenant , that blessed man , by these terrours , and afflictions of conscience , besides glorifying god in hardening others , is , as it were , the more thorowly fitted and refined , for that glory , which is presently to bee revealed . . greatest humiliations doe not ever argue , and import the greatest sinners . for sinnes a are not alwayes the cause of our afflictions , particularly and directly ; but some times , some other motives . abraham was put unto that heavy taske , of taking away his owne onely deare sonnes life , principally for the triall of his faith : iob was visited with such a matchlesse variety , and extremity of afflictions , upon purpose to end that controversie betweene god and satan ; whether hee feared god for nought , or no ? gods heavy hand was sometimes upon david , specially , for the manifestation of his innocency : see psal. . . nay our blessed saviour , infinitely free from sinne , was notwithstanding tempted and tried by satan and the world ; that his heavenly vertues , & divine excellencies might appeare , and bee made more illustrious . and himselfe tells us , ioh. . . that the blinde man was so borne ; neither for his owne sinne , nor for the sinne of his parents ; but that the workes of god should bee made manifest in him. for the particular i have in hand : to prevent some sinne , into which hee sees his childe inclinable , and like to fall ; by reason of some violent occasion , naturall propension , strong temptation , industrious malice of the divell to disgrace him , and his profession scandalously , &c. god in great mercy , may give him a taste , nay , a deepe draught of the unexpressable terrours of a troubled minde b againe ; that thereby , hee may bee taught betime , to take more heede , walke more warily , and stand upon his guard with extraordinary watchfulnes , against the very first assault , and least insinuation of sinne . there is preventing physicke for preservation of health , as well as that , when the disease is dangerously upon us , for recovery . there was given unto paul a thorne in the flesh , &c. * if wee will take the interpretation of some learned divines , a wound in the spirit , the sting of conscience , pressing him downe to the nethermost hell in his sense , that was erst taken up to the highest heaven ; upon purpose , lest hee should swell with spirituall pride , bee puft up , and exalted aboue measure , with the abundance of revelations . if wee well weigh the admirable story , of that gracious and holy servant of christ , mistris bret●ergh ; wee may probably conceive , that a principall end , why those most grievous spirituall afflictions of soule , upon her last bed , were laide upon her , was in gods just judgement , to blind yet more those bloody papists about her ; and because they wilfully shut their eies against that glorious light of true religion , which shee so blessedly , and fruitfully exprest in her godly life ; to let them thereby sincke yet deepelier into strong delusion ; that they might sticke still more stiffely to popish lies : according to that prophecy of the antichristians ; a thess. . . . . because they received not the love of the truth , that they might bee saved : for this cause , god shall send them strong delusion , that they should believe a lie : that they all might bee damned , who believed not the truth , &c. which wee see at this day verified , with a witnesse , in popish doctours , even their greatest schollers ; as bellarmine , and other polemicall writers . and therefore , let us never marvaile , that tho they bee loaden with much learning ; yet that they should lie ●gregiously ▪ and defend with infinite obstinacy , and clamour , the doctrine of divels , that accursed hydra of heresies , in their voluminous dunghils . now gods judgement in hardning them hereby , as i have said , was the more iust ; because they were so farre from beeing wrought upon , and wonne by her heavenly conversation ; that they were extraordinarily enraged against her goodnesse and profession of the gospell . as appeares , in that , besides their continuall rayling , and roaring against her , as an eminent light , like so many furious bedlams ; they barbarously wreckt their malice and spite , upon the dumbe , and innocent creatures , c by killing , at two severall times , her husbands horses and cattell in the night . that her fiery triall , thorow which shee passed , as purest gold , into abrahams bosome , did thus harden them , is manifest by the event . for , as the reverent pen-man of that story reports ; d those of the romish faction bragged , as though an oracle had come from heaven , to proove them catholicks , and us hereticks . prodigious folly ! damnable delusion ! it is so then , that god in his inflicting of afflictions , doth not ever c aime at sinne , as at the principall end . and yet doe not mistake : tho hee punishes sometimes , and not for sinne ; yet never without sinne ; either inherent , or imputed . there is ever matter enough in our sinnefull soules , and bodies , and lives , to afflict us infinitely . the best of us brought with us into this world , that corruption , f which might bring upon us all the plagues of this , and the other life : every man hath in himselfe , sufficient fewell for the fire of gods wrath to worke upon still , if it pleased him in justice to set it on flame . as in the present point of spirituall terrours , and troubles of minde ; if god should out of his just and causefull indignation , put the full sting but into the least sinne ; it were able to put a man into the very mouth of hell. ( but i speake of gods more ordinary wayes , and dealings with the sonnes of men ) and so i say , god may sometimes , for some hidden , and holy ends , seene , and seeming good to his heavenly wisedome , bring a lesse hainous sinner , thorow extraordinary horrour , out of his naturall state , into the good way . . aggravation of horrour is occasioned ; terrours and troubles may bee multiplyed , and enlarged in our enlargement , from the state of darkenesse , and chaines of the divell , by , . some precedents , and preparatives , which god sometimes in his unsearchable wisedome doth immediately premise ; or suffer to fall out . as , . some heavy crosse , and grievous affliction ; to make the power of the law more passable , and fall more heavily upon our stubborne , and stony hearts . this wee see in manasses , who was , as it were , fired out of his bloody , and abomiable courses , by the heavinesse , and horrour of his chaines ; and so was humbled greatly before the god of his fathers . gods extraordinary angry visitations , make men many times cry with troubled , and grieved hearts ; come , let us turne unto the lord ; hee hath wounded us . &c. a. strange terrours sometimes arising from externall accidents ; yea , hidden naturall causes ; uncouth visions , and apparitions , full of amazement and feare ; bodily distempers ; horrible injections , hideous thoughts , &c. whereby they are mightily affrighted before hand , and prepared to passe thorow the pangs of the new-birth more terribly . . some hainous and crying sinne , which he suffers some to fall into , and immediately upon it awakes the conscience . that almighty physition , who is able to bring health out of poison ; death out of life ; light out of darkenesse ; heaven out of hell ; may by accident , as they say , prepare one to conversion , by giving him over to the height of some one , or moe abhorred abominations , and crimson sinnes : as wee may see in peters hearers , act. . paul , manasses , the sinnefull woman , publicans and harlots ; left to the killing of christ , spilling the blood of the saints , those horrible out-rages , extreme filth , extorsions , pollutions . physitions , by ripening diseases , make way to heale them ; for sicke matter is never more easily removed , then when it exceedeth in ripenesse , and quantity . . lying long in ignorance , sensuality , & dissolute life ; without profitable , and powerfull meanes . in this case upon the first awaking , and affrighting the conscience for sinne , it may bee exposed to many terrible perplexities , and longer continued terrours . for the light of naturall conscience , bred with them in their owne bosomes , may in the meane time serve to enrage , and torture ; as wee see in many guilty heathens : but there is no naturall light , to leade us to christ , and evangelicall comforts . the commandements have ground in nature ; but the mysterie of the gospell is wholly supernaturall . wee finde it by manifold experience , what an hard , and heavy taske it is , to undertake a poore ignorant soule , troubled in minde . the cure is many times very difficult , dangerous , and long . the darkenesse of their ignorance , beeing now distressed in conscience , is very fit , and fearefull matter , for satan to worke in hideously ; and to play his pestilent prankes of most grosse impostures , and much hellish cruelty . his malicious maine plot against such , ordinarily is , and his utmost endeavour ; to drive them to selfe-destruction , if it bee possible , before they get understanding in the waies of god ; of wee can get any competent light , and comfort into their consciences . . some concurrent circumstances : as , . the melancholike , and sad constitution of the party . that humour doth naturally give extraordinary entertainement , and edge to terrours and sorrowes . . the crabbednesse , and crookednesse of his naturall disposition , which must be tamed , and taken downe with more adoe ; with much violence , and renting . an hard and knotty block , must have an hard wedge . an angry word , or frowne , will worke more with some dispositions ; then many sore blowes upon a crosse , and sturdy spirit . god is here woont sweetly , and wisely to apply himself to the severall natures , conditions , and dispositions of his children . . height of place , and happinesse to have for this life , ●hat heart can wish . whereby it comes to passe , that men are so deepely drowned in sensuality epicurisme , and earthly mindednesse ; that for a thorow change , they have need many times to be taken down thorowly with a deepe sense of legall terrours . . excellency of naturall , or acquired parts , and endowments ; as wit , learning , courage , wisedome , &c. wretchedly abused , and long mis-imploied , upon wrong and wicked objects . much adoe , many times , and a great measure of humiliation , will hardly fright such vaine over-valewers of themselves , and idolizers of their owne sufficiencies , from their admired follies . and here also satan interposeth most furiously , and hinders this happy worke all hee can possibly . for hee well knowes , that , if such noble , and worthy parts should bee sanctified to the owners , and turned the right way ; his kingdome would fare the worse , and hee should bee a great looser . suppose , a christian prince should with his army breake into the turkes dominion : would not the turkes fortifie those castles best , out of which beeing wonne , the enemy might doe him most harme ? so whom the divell seeth to bee the likeliest instruments for the overthrow of his kingdom , if once they become temples of the holy ghost ; those hee is lothest to loose , and labours mightily ●o keepe in his slavery still . and therefore he opposes with all his power , and policy ; raysing as many tempests of terrour , as hee is able ; that hee might either drive them backe in their passage to the holy path , or swallow them up into the abhorred gulphe of despaire , by the way . . a more searching , and piercing ministry ; which is ordinarily woont to awake the conscience with more terrour ; to irradiate , and fill it with more universall , and clearer light , to quicken it with more apprehension ; and so proportionably , to affect and afflict it with a more feeling , and fearefull sense of gods most just , and holy wrath against sinne . whereupon they become excellent , and everlasting christians . . byting it in , as they say , and not opening the wound of conscience betime to some skillfull soule-physition , may bee an unhappy meanes , much to enlarge , both the continuance , and extremity of a mans spirituall trouble . shame , bashfulnesse , pretence of want of opportunity , hope to get thorow by himselfe , &c. are ordinary keies to lock up his tongue at such a time . but sure i am , satan hath a chiefe stroke , and principall part to perswade concealement . for alas ! hee winnes by it wofully : all the while hee plies with great advantage , and much subtilty , his hideous temptations to selfe-killing ; despaire of mercy , returning againe to folly , &c. and it is to bee feared , which is a most grievous thing ; that sometimes , by this cruell silence , hee conquers , & casts some poore soules , upon the bloody , and most abhorred villany of selfe-perishing . let such an one then be ever sure most resolutely , to break thorow the divels accursed snare in this kinde ; and to powre out his soule-secrets betime , into some faith full holy bosome . i have heard many , after they have escaped tell what strange tricks , and variety of devises hee practised , to discourage , divert , and dis-able them to discover their mindes , as they purposed ; even when they were come , with much adoe , into the presence of the spirituall physition . . the ends to which god prepares , and fits some by their sore travaile , in the new-birth , and longer langvishing under his visiting hand in this kinde . god may purpose sometimes in such cases : . to g imploy them , as christs most resolute , and undanted champions , in more worthy services . in managing whereof , remembrance of their having beene once , as it were , in the mouth of hell , and scorched with flames of terrour , serves as a continuall spurre , and incentive unto them , to doe nobly , and to supply them , from time to time , with mightinesse of courage , height of resolution , and eminency of zeale , in those glorious waies . as wee may see in those renowned pillars of the church , austin , luther , &c. the higher and greater the building is , the deeper must the foundation be laid in the earth . . to make them afterwards of excellent use , and speciall dexterity , out of their former experience , to speake unto the hearts of their brethren , ready to sinke into the same gulphe of horrour , and danger of despaire ; out of which , the good hand of gods gracious providence , hath by such , and such meanes , so mercifully pulled , and preserved them . the same keyes , which dip open the locks , and loose the fetters , which satan hung upon their heavy hearts ; may happily undoe those also , which hee hath fastned upon the soules of others . . to render them to the church , as remarkeable precedents , and mirrours of mortification , selfe-denial , heavenly mindednesse , and holy walking with god ; for others to looke upon , and imitate . mindfulnesse of their former wrastling with the wrath of god , despaire , and the horrours of hell ; makes them for ever after , more mindlesse of earthly things , weaned from the world , startling at every appearance of evill , greedy of godlinesse , conversing in heaven , excellent christians indeede . master iohn glover , after five yeeres horrible afflictions of soule , was framed thereby , saith master foxe , to such mortification of life , as the like lightly hath not been seene ; in such sort , as hee beeing like one placed in heaven already , and dead in this world , led a life altogether celestiall , &c. see acts and monuments . pag. . . in sound contrition , and saving repentance , let us for the present take notice , of , first , a sensible smart , and angvish of the heart . secondly , a h dislike , hatred , and aversion in the will. thirdly , a change of the minde , illightened , and now enabled to give stronger reasons out of gods booke , love of christ , &c. against any sinne , then carnall reason , the divell himselfe , or the drunken eloquence of his old good. fellow companions can suggest to the contrary . fourthly , an universall opposition , and constant endeavour against all manner of iniquity . fifthly , an hearty sorrow , that wee are not more sorrowfull . now , say i , if thou shouldest not feele in thine heart that stirring griefe , and violent renting , for those many rebellions , and horrible filth of thy naughtie heart , and former wicked life , which thou heartily desires ; their hamousnesse exacts at thine hands , and many lesser sinners , then thy selfe have endured : yet if thou findest an unfained hatred , and i displeasednesse in thy will ; a settled resolution in thy minde ; a watchfull striving in all thy wayes , against all sinne ; true k griefe , because thou art not more grieved ; thou art by no meanes to cast away thy confidence , or bee discomforted therefore , as tho thou wer 't not truly converted : but onely bee advised , to take occasion thereupon , to walke more humbly before thy god : with syncerity & constancy , to oppose all things which may hinder ; and pursue all meanes , that may further the more kindly melting of thine heart , sensible sorrow , and hearty mourning over him , whom thou hast so cruelly pierced with thy youthfull lusts , and abominations . . fourthly , lest any true-hearted christian , lying in no sinne against conscience , and labouring syncerely to please god in all things , should bee unnecessarily troubled and dejected with slavish feares and jealousies , lest hee bee not truly turned unto god ; because he feeles not in himselfe , that boysterous , vehement conversion , that extremity of pangs , and horrour in the new-birth , which sometimes are to bee found in some others : let him ponder upon these resemblances : . thou mayst have thy bile , or botch , opened with the point of a needle ; whereas another man endures the slashing of a surgeons lancer ; yet if the corruption , and putrified matter bee let out by this easier meanes , and thy selfe thereby thorowly cured , i hope thou hast no great cause to complaine . it may bee so in the present point . . two sonnes are punished for their offence : the one , cries , and roares , and takes on extraordinarily : the other makes no great noise , but resolves silently with himselfe , and in syncerity , upon a new course , as well as the former : is not the change and reformation of them both equally welcome , and accepted of the father , who onely aimes at , and expects their amendment ? . two malefactors equally guilty of high treason ; both apprehend their danger ; acknowledge that they are utterly undone ; hold themselves for dead men , &c. to the one a pardon comes , not yet cast , cōdemned , or carried to the place of execution : to the other , ready to lay downe his head upon the blocke : there is great difference in all likely hood of their terrours and dejections : but they have equall parts in the pardon , and both their lives are saved . . two men are arrived at their wished port : the one was tossed with many roaring tempests , and raging waves ; the other hath a reasonable calme passage : howsoever , they now stand both safe upon the shore , and have both escaped destruction and drowning in that great mercilesse devouring gulfe . . suppose a man dead for some dayes , and then reviv'd ; hee perceives his change with a witnesse : an other is not so , but himselfe onely alive , walkes amongst a multitude of dead men ; hee also may clearely enough see the difference , and both acknowledge , and praise god for his life . yet for conclusion ; let all those who have passed thorow the pangs of the new-birth , not so terribly , but more tolerably , especially , having been formerly notorious ; take counsell , and bee advised , to ply more carefully , the great and gracious worke of humiliation still , to humble themselves in the sight of the lord , yet more and more unto their dying day . ** the humblest christians are ever highest in favour , and neerest in familiarity with almighty god. they are , as it were , his second royall throne , wherein hee sweetly dwells and delights . see isai. . . and . ▪ . psal. . . and . . and they are also of the most sweet , amiable , and in-offensive carriage amongst the people of god. heare that excellent l artist in the spirituall anatomy of mans deceitfull heart : humiliation is the procurer of all other graces . * god resisteth the proud , and giveth grace to the humble . — and it is the preserver of grace procured . and therefore compared to a strong foundation , upholding the building against the force of winde and weather . onely those streames of grace hold out , that flow out of the troubled fountaine of a bruised spirit . an humbled professour quickly starts backe , even as a broken egge , or ches-nut leapes out of the fire . grace is no where safe , but in a sound and honest heart . now , onely the humble heart is the honest heart . onely a rent and broken heart , is a whole and sound heart . the drosse cannot bee purged out of the gold , but by melting . crooked things cannot bee straightned , but by wringing . now humiliation is that which wrings , and melts us ; and makes us of drossy , pure ; of crooked , straight and upright ; and so , sound , durable , and persevering christians . and let them consider and examine , whether neglect of this holy endeavour , i now exhort them to , may not bring upon them much spirituall misery : whether they may not therefore , bee the rather exposed ; first , to many irksome intrusions of very vexing doubts and feares ; and something slavish questionings of the truth , and soundnesse of their conversion all their life long . secondly , to much deadnesse of affection and listlesnesse ; many dampes and distempers in the performance of holy duties , use of the ordinances , and religious exercises . thirdly , to greater variety of crosses , and a heavier hand upon their outward states ; purposely to bring the eye of their conscience to looke backe more heavily , and with heartier remorse upon the loathsomnesse and filth of their youthfull folly . fourthly , to more easinesse of re-entry and surprise , by the assaults , and insinuation of old sinnes in their un-regenerate time , especially that of the bosome ; which is an horrible thing . for the lesse sinnes are sorrowed for , the sooner doe they re-insnare us with their sensuall delight , and re-pollute with renewed acts. fifthly , to the entertainement at least , for a time of uncomfortable and scandalous giddinesse , and some phantasticall tenents of new and naughty opinions ; which many times fearefully infect our chiefest citty ; and some proud companions , and ignorant lozels there , and els-where , are ever ready to lay hold upon : whom you may ordinarily discerne by their luciferian pride , and lewd tongues , to the great hurt , and hinderance of the power of godlinesse , holy obedience to the blessed law of god , and humble walking with him ; if any will be so miserable and mad , as to listen to such petty and paltry trash , idle and cheating dreames , contrary to the doctrine which they have learned , or should have learned ; ( for these fellowes were never well catechised ) ; if professours will bee children still , tossed to and fro , and carried about with every winde of doctrine , by the sleight of men , and cunning craftinesse , whereby they lie in waite to deceive : which god forbid . for if it bee possible , that any true heart bee entangled , i hope hee will quickly in cold blood , dis-insnare himselfe . as these tare-sowers themselves are ordinarily very superficiall in ministeriall abilities ; so , for the most part , their disciples are onely the foolish virgins , and unsound professours of the places , thorow which they passe . sixthly , to danger of some future grievous desertion , extraordinary temptations , or re-visitation with farre greater terrours then they tasted , at their first turning into the wayes of god , &c. . in a fourth place , i come to spirituall desertion , which puts the christian , for the present , into a most o dark and dis-cōfortable condition . i meane , when the most wise god , for some holy ends seeming good unto himself , retires for a time ; & with-holds from the heart of his childe , the light of his countenance , the beames of his favour , and sense of his love : whereupon tho the roote of spirituall life , the habite of faith , and fundamentall power of salvation , and eternall safty , remaine still , and sure in his soule ; never to bee shaken , or prevailed against , no , not by the very gates of hell , or concurrent forces , and fury of all the powers of darknesse ; yet for the time , hee findes and feeles in himselfe , a fearefull deprivation , and dis-continuance of the feeling , and fruition of gods pleased face ; exercise of faith ; pardon of sinne ; inward peace ; joy in the holy ghost ; cheerefulnesse in wel-doing , and godly duties ; confidence in praier ; assurance of beeing in a saving state , &c. so that hee may judge p himselfe , to have been formerly an hypocrite ; and for the present , can very hardly , or not at all , difference and distinguish his wofull condition , from that of a cast-away . this secret and wonderfull work of spirituall desertion , doth god much exercise and practise upon his children , in many cases , for many q causes . . sometimes upon a re-ensnarement in some secret bosome-lust , which was their darling and delight , in the daies of their rebellion : relapse into which , satan labours industriously to procure , with much adoe by all his devises ; for hee gaines greatly thereby . for so the new-convert , considering in cold blood what hee hath done , may be cast upon such complaints as these : alas ! what have i done now ? this pestilent old pollution , which so wofully wasted my conscience in time past , hath fearefully re-infected my newly washed soule : i have againe , woe is mee ! fallen into the abhorred sodome of this foule sinne : i have grieved that good spirit , which was lately come to dwell in me : all the former horrours charge afresh upon my heart , from which i was happily freed , even by some glimpses of heavenly joy : i have wretchedly let goe my hold ; lost my peace ; broke my vowes , and blessed communion with my god , &c. ah! wretch that i am , what shall i now doe ? and thereupon may fall upon a temptation of returning to his dis-avowed sensuall delights ; out of this conceit , as well over bootes , as over shoes : doe what i can , i see i can never hold out , &c. or hee may plunge into this slavish perplexity : i dare not goe to god , i have used him so villanously after such immeasurable kindenesse ; and provoked the eies of his glory , with such prodigious impurity , after i was purged : i dare not fall againe to good-fellowship and former courses , lest i draw some remarkeable vengeance upon mee in the meane time , and bee certainely damned , when i have done : so that hee can neither take pleasure , upon the right hand , or the left : or , which is most for my purpose , and that which the divell specially desires , god therefore may hide his face from him , and leave him to the darknesse of his own spirit ; so that he may for a long time walke on heavily , starke lame , in respect of those comfortable supporters of the soule ; affiance , hope , spirituall joy , peace of conscience , sense of gods favour , boldnesse in his waies , courage in good causes , delight in the company of the saints , &c. such a dampe also , and desertion may come upon the soule , especially after a fall into some new , open , scandalous sinne ; whereby not onely their owne consciences within are grievously wounded ; but also for their sakes and sinne , the profession of gods truth abroad scandalized and disgraced ; the common state of goodnesse questioned and traduced , the heart and glory of christianity hurt and distained . david was thus dealt with in gods just judgement , after his monstrous and * matchlesse fall . gods good spirit had richly crowned his royall heart with abundance of sanctification and purity ; and had graciously filled him aforetime , with the fruits and feeling thereof ; and thereupon many heavenly deawes , no doubt , of spirituall joyes , had many times sweetly refreshed his blessed soule : but by the hainous scandalousnesse of his hatefull fall , hee so grieved that good spirit , and turned the face of god from him , that hee had neither sense of the comforts of the one , nor of the favour of the other . the spirituall life of his soule , the eie of his judgement , light of conscience , lightsomnesse in the holy ghost , and the whole grace of sanctification , were so wasted , dazeled , confounded , weakened , raked under the ashes , as it were , and runne into the roote ; that hee speakes , as if he had utterly lost them , and so stoode in neede of a new infusion , and creation thereof , psal. . . but by the way , conceive aright of davids spirituall condition at this time : tho in his owne feeling , and present apprehension , hee so complaines , and cries out for a new creation , as tho all were gone ; yet even when hee was at the lowest , and worst , the soule and substance , that i may so speake , of saving r grace and salvation did abide still rooted , and resident in his heart . which once emplanted by gods omnipotent mercifull hand , in an humble soule , and taking roote , it there sticks fast for ever , far more un-mooveable then a thousand mount zyons . the s blossoms , buds and fruits may sometimes bee fouly cankerd , as it were , by our owne corruptions ; shrewdly nipt by the frost of some earthly affections ; blasted by sharper tempests of satans temptations : but the foundation standeth sure , grounded , and founded upon the unchangeable nature of god , and immutability of his counsell ; and therefore mauger the malice of all , both mortall and immortall rage , there is still life in the roote ; which in due season will spring out againe , and grow up unto everlasting life . to the present instance : all purity , and cleannesse of heart was not utterly extinguisht and abolisht in david : for , . some little , at least , was left , which descried , and discovered those spots and pollutions of filthinesse and impurity , which had lately over-growne it . for grace discovers corruption , not nature . a sensible complaint of hardnesse of heart , and an earnest desire after softnesse , is a signe , that the heart is not wholly hard : a syncere crying out against impurity , and hearty endeavour after purity , argues the presence of the purifying spirit . . and how was this holy ejaculation , create in mee a cleane heart , o god ; and renew a right spirit within mee , created , t but by the spirit of grace and supplications ? which blessed sanctifying spirit , was all the while rooted , and resident in davids heart , by a saving existence there ; tho not so fully by an effectuall operation , and exercise . divines , about this point , consider ; first , the infinite , free , and eternall love and favour towards his childe ; with which , whom hee loves once , hee loves for ever . the gifts and calling of god ; that is , as best interpreters affirme , the gifts of effectuall calling , effects of his free grace , are such as god never repenteth of , or taketh away . secondly , his sanctifying spirit , which hee gives unto him. thirdly , the habits of graces created in his heart by that blessed spirit , justification , regeneration , adoption . fourthly , the feeling exercises , and acts of those graces , with many sweet and glorious refreshings of spirituall joy springing thence . the three first , after wee bee once christs , are ours for ever ; u the last , may be suspended , and surcease for a time . . by way of interpretation , in the latter part of the verse , hee calleth the a creation of the grace of sanctification in his heart , a renovation , and raysing thereof to the same degree , wherein it was in former time . . hee cries unto the lord ; not to take his holy spirit from him : vers . . and b therefore that blessed spirit was not gone . it were very absurd and incongruous , to desire the not taking away of that thing , which wee have not . hee certainely hath the holy spirit , which heartily desires , hee may not bee taken from him. davids desire then of a cleane heart , did not argue , that it was utterly uncleane , and wholly turned into a lumpe of filth . ( c sanctity , and cleannesse of heart is never cleane extingvished in any one once truly sanctified ; it was not in david , in peter ) . but he was so earnest after it : first , because that little which was left , was scarce , or not at all sensible in his spirituall distresse : where the glory of the sunne hath lately been , the succession of a candles light is little worth . secondly , and because now hee vehemently thirsteth after a great deale more , then he presently had . learned and rich men , thinke themselves not learned and rich , in respect of what they desire . when the sunne begins to peepe up , wee gaze no longer at starres . gods comforting spirit began a little to warme his heart againe ; whereupon hee grew so eager , and greedy of that heavenly heate , that hee thinkes his heart key-cold , except it ●lame to the height . that dampe and darkenesse of spirit , into which he was fallen , by reason of his grievous fall , had so frozen his affections with disconsolate deadnes , and heavines of heart , that a little glimpse of spirituall life , and lightsomenesse , is presently swallowed up , as it were , and devoured ; and serves but onely to set an edge to his desire , to whet his stomack , and stirre up his appetite after a more full , and further fruition of those comfortable graces , and woonted communion with his god ; a re-tast and returne whereof , is so sweet and deare unto his soule . take heede then , that you doe not mistake : when i speake of a spirituall desertion , i meane it not , either in respect of a totall , or finall dereliction , and forsaking on gods part ; or a totall , and finall falling away on the saints side ; to hold such an apostacy , were a d fearefull apostacy : but onely in respect of the exercise , and operation of grace , of present sense , and feeling ; as i said before , e life lies still in the roote , and upon the first breaking out of the heavenly , and healing beames upon the soule , from the sun of righteousnes , returning in mercy , puts forth againe , and prospers . david being astonied , as they say , with a mighty blow of temptation ( as f bernard resembles it ) , lay for a time , as it were , in a swoune : but upon the voyce of the prophet sounding in his eare , hee awaked , and came to himselfe . as wee see in heated water , the aire 's blowing upon it , doth recover , and reduce it to it 's former naturall coldnesse , by the aide of that little remainder of refrigerating power , which is originally rooted in that element : so by the awaking of the north wind , and comming of the south ; i meane , the blessed spirits breathing afresh upon davids heart , scorched dangerously with the fire of lust , by stirring up and refreshing the retired , and radicall power of grace ; that immortall seede of god , never to be lost , did sweetly , and graciously bring it againe to it's former spirituall , comfortable temper , and constitution . . sometimes the lord may for a time retire the light of his countenance , and sense of his graces from his child ; that hee may bee driven thereby to take a new , and more exact revise ; a more serious , thorow-survay of his youthfull sinnes ; of that darke and damned time , which hee wholly spent upon the devill ; and so put againe , as it were , into the pangs of his new-birth , that christ may bee more perfectly formed in him : that hee may againe behold , with feare , and trembling , the extreme loathsomnesse , and aggravated guilt of his old abominable lusts ; and so renewing his sorrow , and repairing repentance , grow into a further detestation of them ; a more absolute divorce from his insinuating minion-delight ; and bee happily frighted afresh , and fired for ever from the very garment spotted of the flesh , and all appearance of evill . that upon this occasion , hee may make a new inquisition , and deeper search into the whole state of his conscience , severall passages of his conversation , and every corner of his heart ; and so for the time to come , more carefully cut off all occasions of sinne ; and with more resolution , and watchfulnesse , oppose , and stand at staves end with every lust , passion , distraction in holy duties , entisements to relapse , spirituall lazinesse , lukewarmenesse , worldlinesse , &c. with greater severity to crucifie our corruptions , and ever presently and impartially , execute the law of the spirit against the rebellions of his flesh . this , it may seeme , was one end of iobs spirituall affliction in this kind . in cap. . . he is earnest , and importunate with god , to know , what be those iniquities , transgressions , and sins , which had turned his face and favour from him ; in that fearefull manner , as tho hee was a meere stranger , or rather , a profest enemy unto his majesty . and hee presently apprehends the burden , and bitternesse of the iniquities of his youth : thou writest , saith hee , bitter things against mee ; and makes mee possesse the iniquities of my youth . at all such times , when god thus hides his face from us , and leaves us to the darkenesse of our owne spirits ; the sins of our youth are woont to lie most heavy upon our hearts , & exact at our hands a more speciall renewing , increase , and perfecting of penitent sorrow : for h they are acted with the very strength of corruption , in the heate of sensuality , and height of rebellion . hence it was , that even david himselfe cries out , * remember not the sinnes of my youth ; and so doth many moe , many times with much bitternesse of spirit . it is so then , that god may deale ●hus in mercy , even with his dearest servants ; especially , if penitent griefe , and trouble of conscience in their conversation , were not in some good measure answerable to their former abominable li●e , and sinnefull provocations ; if they have been extraordinary sinners , and but ordinary sorrowers for sinne ; if they were formerly furious in the service of satan , and now but something faint-hearted in standing on gods side ; if heretofore they marched impetuously , like iehu , in the pursuite of earthly pleasures , and now creepe but slowly forward in the waies of god ; or if they begin to looke backe againe with some un-controled glances after disavowed delights , and abandoned company , &c. i say , in such cases , the lord may withdraw himself in displeasure ; leave them for a time to the terrours of their owne hearts ; all their old sinnes may returne to the eie of their consciences , as unremitted , &c. that so their regeneration may be , as it were , regenerated ; their new-birth new-borne ; their sinnes new sorrowed for ; the hatefulnesse , and horrour of their youthfull pollutions , more hated and abhorred . and in conclusion ( for all the worke , and waies of god with his chosen , are ever in love , and for their good ) , that the storme being disperst , the comfortable beames of divine favour may shine more amiably upon them , then ever before ; and by the effectuall stirring againe , and stronger influence of the spirit , spirituall life , that was hid in the heart for a season , may sprout out fresh , spring , and spread abroade more flourishingly , and fruitfully for ever afterward . . thirdly ; for triall , quickening , and exercise of spirituall graces : that they may put forth themselves with more power , improovement , and illustriousnesse . the cold comfort of a desertion in this case , beeing unto them , as water cast upon the smiths forge , to make some of them especially , to burne inwardly , as it were , in the meane time with more intention and heate ; and all afterward to breake out , and flame more gloriously . there are many gracious dispositions , and endowments in the christians heart , which would never see the i light , at least , with such eminency , were it not for this darkenesse . the brightnesse of lampes langvish in the light , but they shine cleare in the darke : the splendour and beavty of the starres would never appeare , were there no night . k you have heard of the patience of iob , saith iames : and wee reade also of his excellent faith , when hee said ; * though hee slay mee , yet will i trust in him : but wee had neither heard of , or admired the one , or the other ; had he not been afflicted both with outward troubles , and inward terrours . it is the highest , and most heroicall act of faith , and it is improov'd to the utmost , and prooved steele to the backe , as they say ; then to trust in the name of the lord , and to stay upon our god ; when wee walke in darkenesse , and have no light . god is best pleased , and most honoured , when wee rest upon him , without any sensible comfort . i make no doubt , but that admirable ejaculation of iob ; tho hee slay mee , &c. did hold scale in gods acceptation , with all those innocencies , integrities , and gratious conformities to his holy law ; blessed fruits , i confesse , of his invincible faith enumerated . chap. . nay , did incomparably ouer-weigh them ; abrahams believing against hope , was far aboue , and of infinite more worth with god , then the sacrifice of his sonne , or all his other glorious services . it is no such great matter , or maistery , to bee confident , when wee are encouraged , and hired , as it were , with ioy & peace in believing ; but then to sticke to christ , and his sure word , when wee have against us , sense and reason , flesh and bloud , feares and feeling ; heaven and earth , and all creatures ; that is the faith indeed ; there is it's excellency ; there is the true , and orient sparkling , and splendour of that heavenly iewell . that prayer is truly fervent , fullest of spirit , and enforced with most unutterable groanes , which is poured out for the recovery of gods pleased countenance , after it hath been turned away from us for a time . that love is most industrious and mighty , groweth strong as death , and into a most vehement ●lame ; which is enkindled in the upright soule , when her dearest love is departed , in respect of feeling and fruition . oh! then shee prizeth , and praiseth his spirituall beauty and excellency , as one exceedingly sicke of loue ; and takes on extremely : as you may see , cant. . , &c. i opened to my beloved , but my beloved had withdrawne himselfe , and was gone : my soule failed when hee spake ; i sought him but i could not finde him ; i called him ▪ but hee gave mee no answer : the watchmen that went about the citty found mee , they smote mee , they wounded mee ; the keepers of the walls tooke away my vaile from me : i charge you , o daughters of ierusalem , if yee finde my beloved , that yee tell him , that i am sicke of love . what is thy beloved , o thou fairest among women ! what is thy beloved more then another beloved , that thou doest so charge us ! my beloved is white and ruddy , the chiefest among ten thousands . his head is as the most fine gold , &c. that thankefulnesse , which springs from a sensible re-enjoyment of iesus christ , and returne of the sense of the savour of his good ointments into the soule ; hath farre more heart and life , then the free and full possession of all the visible glory , and outward comfort of the whole world , could possibly put into it . that joy which makes our hearts leape within us , upon the re-gaining of the woonted workings of grace , and our heavenly feelings , is much more joyfull , then either that , which followed the first taste , or the after free enjoyment of them . excellent and extraordinary good things , tasted and lost , doe beget a farre greater sense of their sweetenesse and comfort , upon their recovery , then if they had been either never tasted , or never lost . that sun-shine is most faire and amiable , which breakes out after some boisterous storme , or great eclipse . restitution to sense of grace , after some despairefull sadnesse for gods departure , may produce a deeper impression of spirituall pleasure , in the recovered patient , then the first plantation of it . thus doth our gracious god , who when hee please , can bring light out of darknesse ; life out of death ; something out of nothing ; heaven out of hell ; even come nearer unto us , by departing from us . by the dead winter-time of a spirituall desertion , he may bring , by his blessed hand of mercy , and quickening influence , more strength , activenesse , lively exercise , and excellency into our graces , and sweetest fruits thereof . . fourthly , the christiā , as he growes in knowledge , grace , spirituall abilities , forwardnes , fruitfulnes , & further from his new-birth ; except hee bee very watchfull over his heart , much practised in the exercises of humiliation , often exercised in the schoole of afflictions , terrified sometimes with hideous injections , and walke humbly with his god ; shall have by a slie , and insensible insinuation , privy pride to grow upon him ; confidence in his owne strength ; too much attribution to the meanes ; a selfe-conceit of an independant standing upon his owne bottome , as it were , and by the power of his present graces . and therefore our wise god doth sometimes take a course to take downe his selfe-confidence , by with-drawing his countenance ; and to humble his spirituall presumption , with a spirituall desertion . i meane , by taking from him the sense of grace , and feeling of his favour ; by cutting off , as it were , for a time , those streames of comfort , which were woont to distill upon his soule , by use , & ordinary influence of the meanes , meditation , prayer , conference , publike ministry , sabbaths , sacraments , daies of humiliation , & such like ; doth mercifully force him to have recourse unto , at length , with much longing and thirst ▪ & to repose upon , with more reverence , and acknowledgement , the everlasting fountaine and founder of all graces , comforts ; compassions and life ; even his owne glorious , mercifull , and almighty self . see this in the beginning of the third chapter of the canticles , at the latter end of cap. . the christian soule is sweetely crowned with a glorious over-flowing confluence of all spiriuall consolations ; rapt extraordinarily with un-utterable , and joyfull ravishments of spirit , upō the nearer embracēment of her dearest spouse , and more sensible grasping of refreshing graces . she lies so peacefully in his armes of mercy , and under the banner of his love ; that shee sweetly sings unto her selfe , my beloved is mine , and i am his. but in the beginning of the third ( for the daies of gods child after conversion , are like the daies of the yeere ; some , faire and shining ; some , tempestuous and cloudy : some , happy with heavenly hony-dewes , as it were , of unspeakeable joy , and unconceivable peace ; others , more dismall and dis-astrous , if i may so speake , for want of an amiable aspect from the throne of graces ) . i say , a little after , the case is fearefully altred with her : for she lies strugling , and distressed in the irkesome , and comfortlesse desolations of a spirituall desertion . her spouse is gone , the very heart , and life of all her lightsomnesse in this world , and the world to come . no sense now of the savour of his good ointments ; no feeling of the assurance of his favour . nothing left of all that former heaven , but onely a sad and wofull heart , which had been happy . in this infull case , she casts about for recovery of her woonted comfort : assaies those meanes , which were accustomed to convey unto her with joy , fresh streames , and strength from time to time , out of the wells of salvation . . first , shee seekes her spouse , and former refreshings of spirit , by secret praier , meditation , experimentall considerations , calling to minde former assurances of his love , reflecting upon the foot-steps of a saving worke , unfained change , and sweete communion with him aforetime ; and other silent , selfe-inquisitions , and inward exercises of the heart : but shee found him not , vers . . . secondly , she enquires abroad , and hath recourse unto godly christians ; especially such as have been most exercised , and best acquainted with trials , temptations , and mysteries of the holy way ; to see if shee can get any comfort , any new hold , and hope by their counsell , prayers , instructions , out of their owne experience : ( for in such cases , gods children may , and ought to confesse their sinnes , and gods dealing with them , one unto another ; and pray one for another ) . but shee finds none , vers . . . thirdly , she addresses her selfe , and resorts to faithfull ministers , gods publike agents in the church , about the affaires of heaven , and salvation of soules ; to receive from them some light , and direction to regaine her love : but it will not yet bee , vers . . no comfort comes by all , or any of these meanes : no feeling of gods favour , and former peace , for all this various and sollicitous seeking , and pursuite . for god may sometimes , upon purpose , restraine his quickning influence from the meanes ; and recall , as it were , to the well-head , those refreshing rivers of comfort , which ordinarily flow thorow his owne holy ordinances , as so many blessed conduits of grace , into humble hearts ; that wee may fetch them more immediately from the fountaine , the boundlesse sea of all heavenly treasures , and true peace ; and so with more humility , sense of self-emptinesse , reverence , and praise-fulnesse , acknowledge from whence wee have them . it was but a little that i passed from them , saith the deserted soule ; but i found him , whom my soule loveth , vers . . when no meanes would bring him , but that shee had past thorow the use , and exercise of them all ; and hee would not bee found : hee after , at length , comes upon his own compassionate accord , and illighteneth her darke , and disconsolate state , with the shining beames of his glorious presence ; and fills her plentifully with ioy and believing againe . that so , no vse , variety , and excellency of meanes , but his owne free mercy and goodnesse , might bee crowned with the glory of it : let every christian by the way , take notice of , and treasure up this point ; it may steed him in some spirituall extremity hereafter : god may sometimes withdraw and delay his comfort , to draw his children thorow all the meanes : which , when they have passed , without prevailing ; hee after , and immediately , when hee please , puts to his helping hand , that they may not attribute it to the meanes , tho never so excellent ; but to the mercies of god , the onely well-spring , both of the first plantation , continuance , and everlastingnesse of all spirituall graces , and true comforts in all those happy ones , which shall bee saved . why doth the lord let us use all the meanes ; and yet not finde him in them ? that wee may know , hee only commeth when hee will ; nothing mooving him , but his owne good pleasure , . fifthly , the world sometimes , that mighty enemy to the kingdome of christ , aided under-hand by the covetous corruption of our false hearts , and the divels craft , ( for ordinarily in all spirituall assaults , and overthrowes , satan is the bellowes ; the world , the wild-fire ; our corruptions the tinder , and the pretious soules of men , those goodly frames , which are fearfully set on fire , and blowne up ) doth wrastle so desperately , even with some of christs champions ; that surprising their watch , cooling the fervour of their first love , and stealing away , by little and little , their spirituall strength ; it supplants them at length , and throwes them upon the earth . whereon it labours , might and maine , to keepe them downe , and doting ; that so they may roote in the mud and mire thereof , with immoderation and carking ; to the great disgrace of divine pleasures ; their high and excellent calling ; and so raising the spirit of railing in unregenerate men , to cast unworthy aspersions upon the glory of profession , for their sakes . nay , too often by it's suttle insinuations , and sirens songs , it lulls them so long upon her lap , that they are cast into a heavy slumber , even of carnall security . and that so deepe and dangerously , that tho the lord iesus , the beloved of their soule , cry aloud in their eares , by the shrill and piercing sound of his spirituall trumpetters ; and by the more immediate , and inward motions of his holy spirit , intreate them fairely upon all loves , for his owne deare passions sake , and all those bloody sufferings , to shake off that carnall drouzinesse , and to delight againe in god ; to ●et the earth fall out of their mindes , and againe to minde heavenly things : open to me my sister , my love , my dove , my undefiled : for my head is filled with dew and my lockes with the drops of the night : yet for all this , full loth they are to leave their beds of ease ; and therefore frame many shifts , excuses , and delaies , to passe by , and put off those compassionate calls of love , and mercifull importunities ; i have put off my coat● how shall i put it on ? i have washed my feet , how shall i de●ile them ? whereupon their blessed spouse so unworthily repell'd with such notorious unkindnesse and ingratitude , scattering onely in their hearts some sense , and glimmerings of his spirituall sweetnesse and beauty ; to breede the more shame and sorrow for so foule neglect , departeth from them for a time ; withdrawes the life and lightsomnesse of his gratious presence ; hides , as it were , in an angry cloud , the comfortable beames of his former favour ; and so leaves them to the darknesse of their owne spirits , and in the comfortlesse dampe of a justly deserved desertion . that thereby , they may bee schooled to prize iesus christ before gold and silver ; and to preferre , as is most meete , one glimpse of his pleased face , before the splendour of all earthly imperiall crownes : to listen with more reverence , cheerefulnesse , profit and holy greedinesse , to his heavenly voice , in the ministry of the word ; and to make more deare account of godly comforts , when they shall recover , and re-injoy them . for the purpose , wee may finde cant. . the christian soule laid too soft , and lazily , upon the ●ed of case , and earthly mindednesse ; and slipt into a slumber of security and selfe-love , vers . . her wellbeloved knocks , and calls upon her ▪ nay , be speakes , and intreats upon all the termes of dearest love , and for his painefull sufferings-sake , to rise , & open unto him. ibid. but she most unworthily puts him off , with some slight excuses , and delaies of sloth : vers . . whereupon hee drops into her heart , some taste of his sweetest ointments , to set her affections on edge , and eagernesse after him , vers . . . and so departs , and leaves her in her sad and solitary dumps , for driving away her dearest , by such intolerable unkindnesse , and shamefull neglect , vers . which perplexity , and trouble of spirit for his departure , begets in her , a great deale of zeale , fervency , and patience to follow after him , vers . . . an extraordinary admiration of his amiable excellencies , and heavenly fairenesse , vers . , &c. and no doubt , a farre nearer embracement , and dearer esteeme of him , upon his returne ; and enjoyment of a more full , blessed cōmunion with him , againe . cap. . . . sixthly , the graces of salvation , are the most pretious , and worthfull things , that ever issued out of the hands of god by creation . the dearest of his infinite mercies , the hearts-blood of his sonne , the noblest worke of his blessed spirit , doe all sweetly concurre moovingly , meritoriously , efficiently to the production of them . no mervaile then , tho it bee right pleasing unto god , that such rare , and inestimable iewels , should bee rightly prized , and holden in highest esteeme , by those that have them : that they should still appeare , and present themselves to those soules , wherein they shine , in their true excellency , orient fairenesse , and native beauty . now privation of excellent things hath speciall power to raise our imaginations , to an higher streine of estimation of them ; and to cause us , at their returne , to entertaine them , with much more longing , farre dearer apprehensions , and embracement . absence , and intermission of the most desirable comforts , adde a great deale of life to the love of them , and waight of pretiousnesse to their valewation . the goodnesse of whatsoever we enioy , is better perceived by vicissitude of want , then continuall fruition . sleepe is more sweet , after the tediousnesse of some wakefull , and wearysome nights : liberty , and enjoyment of the free aire , and faces of men , after restraint and imprisonment : the glory and fairenesse of the sunne , after a blacke day , or boisterous storme , &c. so gods favourable aspect is much more acceptable after an angry tempest , and hiding his face for a season : and the graces of salvation farre more amiable , and admirable to the eie of his humbled childe , after the darkenesse of a spirituall desertion . wherefore our gracious god doth many times , in great mercy and wisedome , deprive his dearest servants , for a time of the presence of their spouse , the assurance of his love , and sense of those graces ; that the absence thereof , may represent the glory of such an incomparable happinesse , and those heavenly pearles , more to the life ; and discontinuance of their enjoyment , may inflame , and affect their hearts with more holy greedinesse , and eager pursuite after them ; and stirre up in them that height of esteeme , and heate of love , which may in some good measure , bee answerable to their unvalewable excellency and sweetnesse . such dulnesse of heart , deadnesse of affections , and declination to the world , may grow sometimes upon a good man ; that hee may finde little more contentment in communion with iesus christ , then in the prosperity of his outward affaires ; which is infinitely unworthy an heire of heaven . but now in such a case , let god make him but to repossesse the iniquities of his youth , and fight against him with his terrours for a while ; and the same man with all his heart , will preferre the reconciled face of god and peace of conscience , before the soveraignty , and sole command of all the kingdomes upon earth . while wee have a free , and un-interrupted recourse unto the throne of grace , wee are apt to under-valew , and to conceive of that mighty grace of prayer , but as of an ordinary gift : but if once the lord please , to leave us to that confusion , and astonishment of spirit , that our ejaculations doe sadly rebound upon our heavy , and un-heated hearts , without answer , or encouragement from heaven ; wee shall easily then acknowledge the spirit , and power of praier , to bee one of the fairest flowers in the garland of all our graces ; the very arme of god to doe miracles for us many times , and ever to settle our troubled soules in sweetest peace and patience , amidst the greatest pressures and persecutions , either of hellish , or earthly enemies . . seventhly , iesus christ himselfe , blessed for ever , drunke full deepe of the extremity and variety of sorest sufferings , in many kinds ; not only to deliver his , from the vengeance of eternall fire ; but also lovingly to learne out of the sense of that sympathy , and self-feeling , to shew himselfe tender hearted , kind , and compassionate unto them in all their extremities ; and never to suffer them to sinke in any trouble or affliction ; though never so full of desperate representations , or apprehensions of impossibility to escape ; or to bee tempted at any time above their power and patience . and many are the meanes , and methods , by which , hee is woont to ease , and mitigate their many painefull miseries ; especially , that extremest of martyrdome . first , somtimes he rescues them by his own mighty , and immediate arme , out the mouth of lyons ; and pulls them , by strong hand , from between the teeth of bloody persecuting wolues , . tim. . . secondly , * sometimes hee takes away , or lessens the sting , and fury of the torment and torturers . the fire had no force at all over the bodies of those blessed men , dan. . . and no doubt in queene maries dayes , of most abhorred memory , hee many times mollified , and sweetned the rage , and bitternesse of those mercilesse flames , for our martyrs sakes . thirdly , sometimes he supports , and supplies them with supernaturall vigour , and extraordinary courage over the smart , and rigour of the most terrible , and intolerable tortures . the heart of that holy proto-martyr , steven , was furnished , and filled with those heavenly infusions of spirituall strength and ioy ; when the heavens opening , he saw the glory of god , and iesus standing on his right hand ; which were gloriously transcending , and triumphant over the utmost of all corporall paine , and iewish cruelty . and so graciously dealt he with many other martyrs in succeeding ages , as we may reade in ecclesiasticall stories . fourthly , hee may sometimes also , out of his mercifull wisdome , put into their hearts such a deale of heaven before-hand , and ravishing comforts of the world to come ; that the excesse thereof doth swallow up , and devoure , as it were , the bitternesse of all bodily inflictions , and sufferings of sense . thus mercifully dealt hee with that worthy martyr , master robert glover , even when he was going towards the stake . he poured into his soule upon the sudden , such over-flowing rivers of spirituall joyes ; that , no doubt , they mightily abated , and quencht the ragefull fury of those popish flames ; wherein hee was sacrificed for the profession of the gospell of christ , and gods everlasting truth . and assuredly , that comfortable sun-shine of unexpresse-able joy , which , by the good hand of god , was shed into master peacocks sorrowfull heart , in the depth of his darkenesse and desertion , a little before the resignation of his happy soule into the hands of god ; did make the pangs of death , and that dreadfull passage , a great deale lesse painefull , and sensible ; if not very lightsome and pleasant . now in both these men of god , a wofull spirituall dereliction , was a fit introduction , and immediate preparative , to the effusion of such a sudden torrent of strange exultations , and ravishments of spirit , upon their sad and heavy hearts . conceive the point then thus : the lord sometimes even in tendernesse , and love to his owne deare children , whom hee designes for extraordinary sufferings , may purposely possesse them with such a paradise of divine pleasures , as a counter-comfort to the extremity of their paines ; that , besides their owne private refreshing , and support , their couragious insensibility , and victorious patience thereupon , may bring a great deale of terrour to their tormentors , glory to their mercifull maister , credit unto the cause , and confusion to the enemies of grace . and that there may be an addition of more heart , and life to such joyfull elevations of spirit ; and , that he may make the excellency of that spirituall joy , proportionable to the exquisitnes of their tortures and trouble , he may in his unsearchable wisedome make way thereunto by a spirituall desertion . as hee did in the fore-named glorious martyr , master glover . for want of the sense of the comforts of godlinesse for a season , doth make our soules a thousand times more sensible of their sweetnesse , upon their re-infusion . . eighthly , thus may the lord sometimes deale with his best , and dearest children ; even , by withdrawing the light of his countenance , leave them for a while to these inward conflicts , and confusions of spirit ; that thereby they may bee fitted , and informed with an holy experimentall skill , to speake feelingly , and fully to the hearts of their christian brethren , which may afterward bee tempted , and troubled , as they have been . for god is woont at all times in his church , so gracious is hee , purposely to raise up , and single out some speciall men ; whom hee instructs , and enables in the schoole of spirituall experiments , and afflictions of soule , with extraordinary dexterity , and arte , to comfort and recover other mourners in zion , in their distresses of consciences , stronger temptations , spirituall desertions , decaies of grace , relapses , eclipses of gods face and favour , wants of former comfortable feelings ; in case of horrible thoughts , and hideous injections , darkenesse of their owne spirits , and such other soule-vexations . and such a blessed physition , which is able to speake experimentally to a dejected sorrowfull heart , out of practise and sense in his owne soule , is farre more worth , both for a true search and discovery , and sound recovery and cure of a wounded conscience , then an hundred meere speculative divines . such an one , is that one of a thousand , spoken of by iob , which can wisely , and seasonably declare unto his soule-sicke patient , the secret tracks , & hidden depths of gods dealings with afflicted spirits . let us take instance , in those experimentall abilities , which david gained for such a purpose , by his passing thorow that most grievous spirituall desertion : psal. . the case of that christian were most rufull , both in his owne fearefull apprehension , and to the un-judicious 〈◊〉 the beholders ; who having spent a long time 〈◊〉 zealous professiō of the truth , walking with god , and secret communion with iesus christ , should come to that passe , and fall into those wofull straights of spirituall trouble : first , that hee should feare , not without extraordinary horrour , lest the mercies of god were departed from him for ever ; and that the lord would never more bee intreated , or ever shine againe with his favourable countenance upon his confounded soule . secondly , that the very remembrance of god , which was woont to crowne his heart with a confluence of all desire-able contentments , should even rent it asunder , and make it fall to pieces in his bosome , like drops of water . thirdly , that the pouring out of his soule with pittifull groanes , and complaints in secret unto his god , which heretofore did set wide open unto him , heavenly flood-gates of gracious refreshing , should now quite overwhelme his spirit , with much distracted amazement and feare . fourthly , that , that heart of his , which had formerly full sweetly tasted those holy pleasures , which farre passe the comprehension of any carnall conceit , should now be so brim-full , and damm'd up with excesse of griefe ; that no vent , or passage should bee left unto his speech . fifthly , and which , mee thinkes , is the perfection of his misery in this kinde , that amidst all these heavy discomforts , his soule should refuse to bee comforted . that tho the ministers , and men of god stand round about him , bring into his minde , and presse upon him the pregnant evidences , and testimonies of his owne godly life ; the unchangeablenesse of gods never-failing mercies to his ; the sweetnesse of his glorious name ; the soveraigne power , and mighty price of his sonnes blood ; the infallible , and inviolable pretiousnesse , and truth of the promises of life , &c. yet in the agony , and angvish of his grieved spirit , hee puts them all away from 〈…〉 none of his , nor as properly belonging to his 〈◊〉 state . hee is readier out of his spirituall di●emper , to spill , as water upon the ground , the golden vialls of the water of life , and soveraigne oyles of evangelicall joy , tendered unto him by the physition of his soule ; then to receive them with woonted thirst and thankfulnesse , into the bruised bosome of his bleeding conscience . tho they assure him in the word of life and truth , having had ( for that i suppose ) true and sound experience of his conversion , and former sanctified courses , from isai. . . that as the heate , and strength of the summers sunne , doth disperse and dissolve to nothing , a thicke mist , or foggy cloud : so the inflamed zeale of gods tender love , thorow the bloodshed of his owne onely deare sonne , hath done away all his offences ; his iniquity , transgression , and sinne , as tho they had never been . and mich. . . that , that god , which delighteth in mercy , vers. . hath cast all his sinnes into the bottome of the sea ; never to rise againe , either in this world , or in the world to come . the prophet alludes to the drowning of the egyptians in the red sea. and therefore they assure him , that as that mighty host sunke downe into the bottome , like a stone , exod. . . or as lead , vers. . so that neither the sunne of heaven , nor sonne of man ever saw their faces any more : so certainely , all his sinnes are so swallowed up for ever , in the soule-saving sea of his saviours blood , that they shall never more appeare before the face of god or angell , man or divell , to his damnation or shame . yet for all this , lying in a spirituall swoune , hee findes his heart even key-cold , and as it were , starke dead , in respect of relishing , or receiving all , or any of these incomparable comforts . the case thus proposed , may seeme very deplorable , and desperate : yet consider , what good davids experience might doe in such distresse . what a deale of life and light were it able , to put into the very darkest dampe , and most heartlesse faintings of such a dying 〈…〉 have such an one as david , even a man after go●● owne heart , remarkeably inriched , and eminent with heavenly endowments ; one of the highest in the booke of life , and favour with god , to assure it , that himselfe had already suffered as grievous things in his soule , if not greater ; and passed thorow the very same passions , and pressures of a troubled spirit , if not with more variety , and sorer pangs . that proportionably to his present perplexities , hee cryed out with a most heavy heart : first , will the lord cast off for ever ? and will hee bee favourable no more ? is his mercy cleane gone for ever ? doth his promise faile for evermore ? hath god forgotten to bee gracious ? hath hee in anger shut up his tender mercies ? vers. . . . secondly , that when hee remembred god , hee was troubled : vers. . thirdly , that when he prayed unto god , and complained , his spirit was overwhelmed . ibid. fourthly , that hee was so troubled , that hee could not speake : vers. . fifthly , that his soule refused to be comforted . vers. . which painefull passages of his spirituall desertion , answer exactly to the comfortlesse case of the supposed soule-grieved patient . nay , and besides assurance of the very samenesse in apprehensions of feare , and thoughts of horrour ; david also out of his owne experience , and precedency , might sweetly informe , and direct such a poore panting soule in a comfortable way , to come out of the place of dragons , and depths of sorrow ; by teaching , and telling him the manner , and meanes of his rising , and recovery . meditation of gods singular goodnesse , and extraordinary mercy to himselfe , his church and children aforetime , gave the first lift , as it were , to raise his drooping soule out of the dust . and no doubt , ever since the same consideration , by the blessings of god , hath brought againe many a bruised spirit from the very gates of hell , and brink of despaire . a and in his happy per-usall of ancient times , and gods compassions of old ; it is very probable , that ●is memory first met with adam , a right wonderfull , and matchlesse patterne of gods rarest mercies , to a most forlorne wretch . for hee was wofully guilty by his transgression , of casting both himselfe , and all his sonnes and daughters , from the creation to the worlds end , out of paradise into the pit of hell : and also of empoysoning with the cursed contagion of originall corruption , the soules and bodies of all that ever were , or shall bee borne of woman , the lord iesus onely excepted . and yet this man , as best divines suppose , tho hee had cast away himselfe , and undone all mankind , was received to mercy . let never poore soule then , while the world lasts , upon true and timely repentance , suffer the hainousnesse , and horrour of his former sinnes , whatsoever they have been , to hinder his hopefull accesse unto the throne of grace , for present pardon of them all ; or at any time afterward confound his comforts , and confidence in gods gracious promises . thus , no doubt , the weary soule of this man of god waded further , into those bottomlesse seas of mercies , manifested , and made good from time to time upon his servants . his heavy heart might sweetly refresh , and repose it selfe upon the contemplation of gods never-failing compassions , in not casting off aaron everlastingly , for his fall into most horrible idolatry : in not suffering the murmuring , and rebellious iewes to perish all , and utterly , in the wildernesse ; considering their many prodigious provocations and impatiencies , &c. but at length , as wee may see in the forecited psalme , his soule sets it triumphant selah upon that great , and miraculous deliverance at the red sea ; one of the most glorious , and visible miracles of mercy , that ever shone from heaven upon the sonnes of men ; and also a blessed type of the salvation of all truly penitent and perplexed soules from the hellish phara●● and all infernall powers , in the red sea of our savio●● blood . how fairely now , and feelingly might the●e experimentall instructions , and this passage of proofe , troden , and chalked out by this holy man , illighten , and conduct any , that walkes in darkenesse , and hath no comfort , out of the like distracted horrour of a spirituall desertion ? let him in such a case , first cast backe his eye upon gods former manifold , mercifull dealings with himselfe . if his god made his soule of the darkest nooke of hell , as it were , by reason of it's sinfulnesse and cursednesse , as faire and beautifull , as the brightest sun-beame , by that soveraigne blood , which gusht out of the heart , and those pretious graces , which shine upon it , from the face of his sonne , that never-setting sunne of righteousnesse ; he will undoubtedly , in due season , dispell all those mists of spirituall misery , which over-shadow the glory and comfort of it for a time . if hee upheld him by his mercifull hand , from sinking into hell , when hee was an horrible transgressour of all his lawes with greedinesse and delight ; hee will most certainely , ( tho , perhaps , for a small moment , hee hide his face from him ) binde up his soule in the bundle of the living for ever ; now especially when hee preferres the love , and light of his countenance before life ; and would not willingly offend him , in the least sinne , for all the world , &c. let him yet proceede further in davids foot-steps , and strengthen his fainting soule with all that heavenly manna of richest mercy , which hee hath heard , read , or knowne to have been showred downe at any time , from the throne of grace , into the heavy , humble , and hungry hearts of his afflicted hidden ones . let him refresh his memory , with consideration of davids deliverance , by this meanes , from deeper distresse ; of that most memorable , and triumphant resurrection , as it were , and recovery of those three worthy saints of god , master glover , mistris bret●ergh , master peacocke , from greatest ●●tremitie in this kinde , into most un-utterable joyfull exultations of spirit . and so , of others within the register of his observation , remembrance , and reading . but principally , and above all ; let him live , and die ; let him rest , and recreate himselfe for ever , with surest hold fast , and sweetest thoughts , upon that heavenly , and healing anti-type of the red sea , the pretious blood of the lord iesus . and let him ground upon it , that tho satan with all his hellish hosts , and utmost fury , pursue his fearefull soule , like a partridge in the mountaines ▪ even to the very brinke of despaire , and mouth of hell ; yet even then , when all rescue and deliverance is neerest , to bee utterly despaired of , ( for it is the crowne of gods glorious mercy to save , when the case seemes desperate , and there is no hope of humane helpe , or possibility of created power to comfort ) i say , then that soule-saving sea of his saviours hearts-blood , will most certainely , and seasonably open it selfe wide unto him , as it did to those above-named blessed saints ; and swallow up into victory , hell , death , the grave , damnation , the present wofull desertion , with all other adversary power : and at length , make him a faire and pleasant passage , thorow the sweetned pangs of death , into the heavenly canaan ; which flowes with joyes and pleasures , un-mixed and endlesse ; more then either tongue can tell , or heart can thinke . . ninthly , a spirituall desertion may seeme a proportionable , fit , and most proper punishment , and meanes to correct , and recover the christian ; which out of infirmity and feare , deserts the lord iesus , and the profession of his blessed truth and gospell . if any bee ashamed of him ; refuse to doe , or suffer any thing for his sake , who hath given unto us his owne hearts-blood ; it is most just , that in such a case hee withdraw himselfe , in respect of all sense and feeling of divine favour , and fruites of grace , or any comfortable influence at all , upon the consciences of such coward●● that so they being left to the darkenesse of their owne spirits ; and by consequent , to the taste even of hellish horrour for the time ; they may bee brought againe to themselves , and taught by such terrours to returne ; and become infinitely more willing to embrace the stake , if the times should bee so cruell ; and kisse the instruments of death , then langvish any longer in the despairing extremities of such a desertion ; to acknowledge it incomparably better to passe thorow the temporary bitternesse of popish fire , then to bee abandoned to everlasting flames : nay , and that which is the greater hell , to bee robbed of , and rent from him ; in whose glorious presence alone , is not onely life , and all lightsomnesse even in this life , but also fulnesse of ioy , and pleasures for evermore , in the life to come . this point appeares , and is prooved by gods dealing with some of our martyrs in qveene maries time : a thomas whittell , a blessed martyr of iesus , was by the wicked suggestions of some popish b incarnate divels , drawne to subscribe to their hellish doctrine : but considering in cold blood , what hee had done , was horribly vexed ; and , as hee reports of himselfe , felt hell in his conscience , and satan ready to devoure him . which terrible desertion , and trouble of minde , made him quickly returne with great constancy and fortitude , and turne a most invincible , and un-mooveable martyr . heare some passages from his owne pen. the night after i had subscribed , i was sore grieved , and for sorrow of conscience could not sleepe . for in the deliverance of my body out of bonds , which i might have had , i could finde no ioy , nor comfort ; but still was in my conscience tormented more and more , &c. and , i said to [ harpesfield , sc. ] that my conscience had so accused mee , through the iust iudgement of god , and his word ; that i had felt hell in my conscience , and satan ready to devoure mee : and therefore i pray you , master harpsfield , ( said i ) let mee have the bill againe , for i will not stand to it . when the lord had led mee to hell in my conscience , through the respect of his fearefull iudgements against mee , for my fearefulnesse , mistrust , and crafty cloaking in such spirituall , and weighty matters ; yet hee brought mee from thence againe , &c. see also the story of iames abbes , and th● . benbridge , gentleman . act. and monuments , pag. . . . tenthly , god is many times forced by their frowardnesse , luke-warmenesse , worldly-mindednesse , cowardlinesse , selfe-confidence , falling from their first-love , and other such spirituall distempers ; to visite , and exercise his children with variety , and sometimes , severity of crosses and corrections ; as losses in their outward state ; afflictions of body ; disgraces upon their good name ; oppression by great ones ; discomforts in wives , neighbours , friends , children , &c. upon purpose to put life , quicknesse , fruitfulnesse , and forwardnesse into them ; that thereby , they may bee more gloriously servi●cable to himselfe ; more profitable to others ; and more provident to treasure up peace unto their own soules , against an evill day . god humbleth us ▪ saith a worth divine , by afflictions , and pricketh the swelling of our pride . hee cutteth , and loppeth us , to the end , wee may bring forth the more fruit . hee filleth us with bitternesse in this life ; to the end , wee might long for the life to come . for those , whom god afflicteth grievously in this world , leave it with lesse griefe . hee , who hath formed us to feare him , knoweth , that our praiers are slacke and cold in prosperity , as proceeding from a spirit , that is cooled by successe ; and which are endited by custome . the cries , which our owne will produced , are feeble , in comparison of those , which griefe expresseth . nothing so ingenious to pray well , as sorrow ; which in un instant formeth the slowest tongues to an holy eloquence ; and furnisheth us with sighes , which cannot be expressed , &c. but now many times , this physicke , which pincheth onely the body , and wasteth us but in things of this world , doth not so worke , as hee would have it ; and therefore hee is constrained a in love , and for our good , to proceede to more sharpe , and searching medcines ; to apply more strong , and stirring purges , which immediately vexe the soule : as horrible , and hideous injections ; a spirituall desertion ; and other affrighting , and stinging temptations . hee deales with them in this case , as absalom with ioab ; when hee would not come at him by sending once , and againe ; hee causes his servants to set his field of barley on fire , and then there was no neede to bid him hie . when inferiour miseries , and other meanes will not doe it ; god sets , as it were , their soules on fire with slames of horrour , in one kinde or other ; and then they looke about them indeede , with much care , and feare , searching and syncerity ; they seeke him then with a witnesse , earnestly , and early . for afflictions of soule are very soveraigne , and have singular efficacy , to stirre , and quicken extraordinarily ; to weane quite from the world , and keepe a man close , and clinging unto god. how many , tho perhaps , they thinke not so , would grow proud , worldly , luke-warme , cold in the use of the ordinances , selfe-confident , or something that they should not bee ; if they were not sometimes exercised with iniections of terrible thoughts ? by this fiery dart ▪ the divell desires , and endeavours to destroy , and undoe them quite ; but by the mercy of god , it is turned to their greater spirituall good . it is in this case , as it was with him , who thrusting his enemy into the body , with ●ull purpose to have killed him , lance● the ulcer ▪ which no physition was able to 〈◊〉 ; and let out that corrupt m●tter , that would have cost him his life : by representation of such horrour , out of satans cruellest malice , they are happily kept more humble , watchfull , earnest in praier , eager after the meanes , weaned frō the world , compassionate to others , &c. hiding of gods face from him , and leaving him to the darknesse of his owne spirit , did put and preserve master iohn glover in a most zealous , holy , and heavenly life for ever after . heare the * story : this gentleman being called by the light of the holy spirit , to the knowledge of the gospell ; and having received a wondrous sweet feeling of christs heavenly kingdome : his minde after that , falling a little to some cogitation of his former affaires , belonging to his vocation , began by and by to misdoubt himself , upō occasion of those words , heb. . for it is impossible , &c. vpon considerations of which words , hee was so farre deserted , as to bee perswaded , that hee had sinned against the holy ghost ; even so much , that if hee had been in the deepest pit of hell , hee could almost have despaired no more of his salvation — beeing young , saith foxe , i remember , i was once , or twice with him ; whom partly by his talk● , i perceived ; and partly by mine owne eies , saw to be so worn● and consumed , by the space of five yeares ; that neither almost any brooking of meate , quietnesse of sleepe , pleasure of life ; yea , and almost no kinde of senses was left in him. — who in such intolerable griefes of minde , altho hee neither had , nor could have any ioy of his meate ; yet was hee compelled to eate against his appetite , to the end , to deferre the time of his damnation , so long as hee might ; thinking with himselfe no lesse , but that hee must needs bee throwne into hell , the breath being once out of the body . albeit christ , hee thought , did pitty his case , and was sorry for him : yet hee could not ( as hee imagined ) helpe , because of the verity of the word , which said : it is impossible , &c. but what was the happy issue , and effect of these extraordinary spirituall terrours , and terrible desertion ? the same blessed man of god , who writes the story , and was himselfe with the party , tells us : albeit hee suffered many yeares so sharpe temptations , and strong buffetings of satan : yet the lord , who graciously preserved him all the while , not onely at last did rid him out of all discomfort , but also framed him thereby to such mortification of life , as the like lightly hath not been seene ; in such sort as hee , beeing like one placed in heaven already , and dead in this world ; both in word and meditation , led a life altogether celestiall , abhor●ing in his minde all prophane doings . thus a spirituall desertion , or some other affliction of spirit , doth that alone , many times ; which variety , and a long continued succession of ordinary outward crosses , one upon the necke of an other , is not able to effect . for troubles of soule sooner take , and are of a quicker , and stronger operation , then those which afflict the body . the spirit of a man will sustaine his infirmity : but a wounded spirit , who can ●eare ? prov. . . all other afflictions are nothing to this ; they are but flea-bitings to this fiery scorpion . the stoutnesse of a mans spirit will stand under a world of outward miseries , many times : but if the eie , which is the light of the body , bee in darkenesse ; how great is that darkenesse ? if the spirit it selfe bee crusht , which should support the whole man , how great is the confusion ? hence it was , that faithfull david waded thorow a world of troubles ; yet all that time , no malice of saul , no hatred of the philistines , no rebellion of absalom , no treachery of ahitophel , no grapling with a lion , no fighting with a beare , no threatning of a vaunting goliah , could so much discourage him : but when at any time , hee suffered immediately in his soule , under the wrath of god , o! then his very bones , the master-timber of his body , are broken in peeces . hee roares all the day , and his moysture is turned into the drought of summer . then hee speakes thus unto god ; when thou with rebukes doest correct man for iniquity , thou makest his beauty to consume away like a moath . thus having discovered the cases , and causes of spirituall desertion ; i come now to the comforts and the cure. . and let us first take notice of a double desertion : first , passiue ; when god withdrawes himselfe from us : secondly , active ; when wee with-draw our selves from god. and they are both two-fold : first , temporary : and secondly , finall . . passive desertion temporary ; as in david , psal. . heman the ezrahite , psal. . iob. both the glovers . see their story , acts and monuments , . . mistris brettergh ; master peacocke ; and many moe of gods children . . finall , in many , after a wofull , and willfull abuse of many mercies , meanes of salvation , and generall graces . as saul , iudas , &c. such as have out-stood all opportunities and seasons of grace , and all those , prov. . . . active desertion temporary ; as in solomon , &c. . finall ; as in those , heb. . now in the present point , i understand onely a passive temporary desertion . and therefore in that man , which is truly ingraffed into christ by a justifying faith , and regenerated ; who can never possibly , either forsake finally , or be finally forsaken of god of whom hooker thus speakes . * blessed for ever and ever be that mothers childe , whose faith hath made him the child of god. the earth may shake ; the pillars of the world may tremble under us ; the countenance of the heaven may be appaled : the sunne may loose his light ; the stars their glory : but concerning the man that trusteth in god , if the fire hath proclaimed it selfe unable , as much as to singe an haire of his head ; if lyons , beasts , ravenous by nature , and keene with hunger , beeing set to devoure ; have , as it were , religiously adored the very flesh of the faithfull man ; what is there in the world , that shall change his heart , overthrow his faith , alter his affection towards god , or the affection of god to him ? nay and besides , sith i onely understand a temporary passive desertion , i must suppose it in him also , who sees full well , and doth acknowledge from whence hee is fallen ; is very sensible of his spirituall losse ; afflicted much with the absence of the quickning , and comforting influence of grace ; and grieved at the heart-roote , that hee cannot doe his god service ; and performe holy duties with that life , power , and lightsomnesse , as hee was woont : and thereupon resolves to give no rest unto his discontented soule from cries , complaints , and groanes ; untill gods face and favour bee turned towards him againe ; and bring with it former feelings and fruitfulnesse , now so highly prized , and heartily praied for . * which blessed behaviour doth clearely difference him from the back-slider ; a truly miserable , and right wofull creature indeede ; who insensibly falles from his forwardnesse , first love , intimate fellowship with the saints , and all lively use and exercise of the ordinances , and divine duties ; and yet is never troubled , to any purpose ; neither doth chalenge or judge himselfe for it at all . for wee are to know , that the presence of spirituall weakenesses , decaies , and wants ; and absence of due dispositions , accustomed feelings , and former abilities of grace , onely then argue a backslider , and are evill signes of a dangerously declining soule ; when they are willingly carried without remorse , or taking much to heart ; without any eager desire , or earnest endeavour after more heate , and heavenly mindednesse . a christian may be without gods gratious presence , and comfortable exercise of grace in present feeling ; and yet no forsaker of god , but rather left of him for a time ( his heavenly wisedome , for some secret holy ends so disposing ) ; while by grieving , striving , & strong desires , hee unfainedly thirsts after , and seriously pursues his former acceptation and forwardnesse . here then is comfort , god hath hid his face from thee for a season , and thou art left to the darknesse , and discomforts of thine owne spirit ; and thereupon art grievously dejected , thinkes thy selfe utterly undone ; yet take notice , that in a spirituall desertion , properly so called , thou doest not willingly forsake god , but god forsakes thee ; c or rather , as divines truly speake , seemes to forsake thee ; ( for hee deale● with thee in this case , as a father with his childe : who sometimes upon purpose , still loving him extremely , hides himself from him , as tho he were quite gone ; to make it discover , and manifest it's love unto him by longing , seeking , and crying after him ) . and that for excellent ends , and ever for thy endlesse comfort : first , to trie , whether thou wilt trust in him , tho he slay thee , as iob did . every cock-boate can swim in a river ; every sculler saile in a calme : in ordinary gusts , any man of meaner skill , and lesser patience , can steere aright , and hold up the head : but when the blacke tempest comes , a tenth wave flowes , one deepe calls an other ; when the tumultuous darkenesse of the sky , the roaring of that restlesse creature represents terrible things , and heaven and earth are blundered together , as it were ▪ with horrible confusions ; when nature yeelds , spirits faint , hearts faile ; then to stand upright and unshaken ; then to say with david ; i will not feare , tho the earth bee removed : and tho the mountaines bee carried into the middest of the sea : tho the waters thereof roare , and bee troubled ; tho the mountai●es shake with the swelling thereof . selah : i say , that●s the man , which is found at the heart-roote indeede , and steele to the backe : and then is the invincible might , and incomparable valour of faith made knowne with a witnesse ; who ever hath gods sure word for the compasse , and the lord iesus at the helme . then doth this glorious grace shine , and triumph above nature , sense , reason , worldly wisedome , the arme of flesh , and the whole creation . in such desperate extremities , and sorest trials , it shewes it selfe like the * adamant , that nothing will breake ; the ** palme tree , that yeelds not to the waightiest burden ; the shoote-anchor , that holds , when other tacklings breake ; the oile , that ever over-swims the greatest quantity of water we can poure upon it . and with this improovement of the extraordinary power of faith , god is exceedingly well-pleased , and highly honoured . secondly , to en-ure thee to patience , obedience , and submission to his blessed will in every thing , even extremest sufferings , if hee so please . thirdly , to worke in thee , a deeper detestation of sinne , and further divorce from the world . fourthly , to quicken , improove , and exercise some speciall graces extraordinarily . thou didst hide thy face , saith david , and i was troubled . then i cried unto thee , o lord , &c. then was the spirit of praier put to it indeede ; and so was the grace of patience , waiting , and the like . fifthly , to cause thee to prize more dearely , and to keepe more carefully , when it comes againe , gods glorious presence , and the quickning influence of his grace and comfort . wee never apprehend the worth , and excellency of any thing so well , as by the want of it . the un-interrupted , & secure enjoyment of the best things , and even those that please us best , without vicissitude , and enter change , is woont to breed such cheapnes and satiety , and so dulls the soules appetite ; that it is neither so affected with their pretious sweetnesse , nor thankfully ●●vished with the present possession of them , as it ought . health is then highly valewed , when sicknesse hath made us sensible of such a iewell : wee then rellish our food extraordinarily , when wee have fasted longer then ordinary : rest doth then refresh us most , when our bodies have been tired , and over-travelled . sixthly , to make thee conformable in some measure , to christs immeasurable spirituall sufferings . seventhly , to manifest , and make illustrious , his mightinesse and mercy in thy deliverance , and the power of christs resurrection . wilt thou shew wonders to the dead ? saith heman . shall the dead arise , and praise thee ? selah . those , whom the mercifull hand of god hath lifted up , out of the depth of a spirituall desertion , will easily acknowledge it , as omnipotent a worke and wonder , as to pull out of the mouth of hell , and raise a dead man out of the grave . eighthly , to represent unto thee , the difference of thy condition in this life , and that which is to come . this is our time of nurture , not of inheritance . here wee walke by faith , not by sight . wee live by faith , not by feeling . in this vale of teares wee are killed all the day long : but heavenly glimpses of unspeakeable and glorious ioy , and spirituall ravishments of soule , are d seldome and short : their fullnesse , and constant fruition , is reserved for the next life . here wee are trained , as it were , in a spirituall warfare against the world , the flesh , and the divell ; wee are exercised unto new-obedience , by manifold crosses , troubles , and temptations : satan is sometimes set upon us , to afflict us with his owne immediate hellish suggestions ; sometimes our owne sinnes grievously affright us , with renewed representations of horrour ; sometimes our owne god frownes upon us himselfe , with his displeased and angry countenance ; and in love leaves us a while , to the terrours of a spirituall desertion : hee sometimes laies his visiting 〈◊〉 upon our bodies , and casteth us downe 〈…〉 of sicknesse ; sometimes hee sends heavy crosses upon our outward states , and breakes the staffe of our prosperity ; continually , almost , hee suffers many malicious currs to barke at us with slanders , lies , disgracefull imputations ; and all the enemies of grace , to pursue us bitterly with much malice and disdaine : thus are wee trained , and entertained in this world ; our crowning comes in the world to come . ninthly , to cause thee to have recourse with more reverence , thirst , and thankfull acknowledgement to the well-head of refreshings : if god once withdraw the light of his countenance , and comfortable quickning of his spirit ; wee shall find no comfort at all in any creature , no life in the ordinances , no feeling of our spirituall life ; and therefore wee must needs , to the ever-springing fountaine of all-sufficiency , &c. which blessed ends and effects , when the good hand of our god hath wrought ; hee will as certainly returne , as ever the sunne did after the darkest mid-night ; and that with abundance of glory , and sweetnesse , proportionable to the former dejection , and darknesse of our spirits . the lowest ebbe of a spirituall desertion , brings the highest tide of spirituall exultation . as wee may see before in mistris brettergh and master peacocke . pag. . . what is the reason , thou art so sad , and sore afflicted , for the absence of thy beloved ; and with want of the woonted gracious , and comfortable workings of the spirit ? it is because thou hast formerly grasped the lord iesus sweetly , and savingly , in the armes of thy soule ; been sensibly refreshed with the savour of his good ointments ; ravished extraordinarily with the beauty of his person , dearenesse of his blood , riches of his purchase , and glory of his kingdome ; and hast heretofore holden him , as the very life of thy soule , and chiefest and onely treasure ; ejaculating , with david , unfainedly from the heart-roote , whom have i in heaven but thee ? and there is none upon earth , that i desire , besides thee ? ( earth is an hell , and heaven no heaven , without iesus christ ) . i say , the present griefe , that thy well-beloved is now gone , argues evidently , this former enjoyment of his gracious presence . and then build upon 't , as upon the surest rocke : once christs , and his for ever . the gifts and calling of god , are without repentance , whom hee loveth once , hee loveth unto the end : hee is no changeling in his love ; i am the lord , faith hee , i change not : therefore yee sonnes of iacob are not consumed : * once elected , ever beloved : once a new-borne , and borne to eternity : if once the sanctifying spirit hath seizd upon thee for iesus christ , thou art made sure , and lockt fast for ever , in the armes of his love , with everlasting barres of mercy and might , from any mortall hurt , and adversary power . thou maist then cast downe the gauntlet of defiance against the devill , and the whole world ; and take up with paul , that victorious chalenge unto all created things : b i am perswaded , that neither death , nor life , nor angels , nor principalities , nor powers , nor things present , nor things to come , nor height , nor depth , nor any other creature , shall bee able to separate mee from the love of god , which is in christ iesus our lord : hee may hide his face from thee for a while ; but thou hast his owne sure , and inviolable word from his owne mouth . that hee will returne , and with everlasting kindnesse have mercy on thee . hee c may frowne upon thee , i confesse , for a season ; and so fright thee with his terrours , as tho , in thy present apprehension , thou wert a lost man : but hee never will ; hee cannot possibly forsake thee finally . i have d sworne once by my holinesse , that i will not faile david ; psal. . . and in the meane time , thy former feelings of the motions of the spirit and grace , doe give cleare evidence , and assurance , that spirituall life is still e resident in thy soule ; tho runne , as it were , into the roote , and tho it 's more lively operations , and effects bee suspended for a time . f the woman , that hath once felt the child stir in her wombe , is most assured , that shee is with-child ; that an immortall soule , and naturall life , is infused into it by the omnipotent hand of god , though at other times , shee perceive no motion at all : it is so in the present point . and thy grieving also , groaning , and panting after christ , is an unanswerable argument , that thou art alive spiritually . lay the waight of the whole world upon a man , that is starke dead , and hee can neither stirre , cry , or complaine . . consider that some graces are more substantiall in themselves , more profitable to us , and of greater necessitie for salvation ; as faith , repentance , love , new-obedience , active and passive ; selfe-deniall , vilenesse in our owne eyes , humble walking with god , &c. others are not so , or absolutely , necessary , but accompany a saving state , as separable accidents ; as ioy and peace in believing , sensible comfort in the holy ghost , comfortable feelings of gods favour , rejoycing in hope , a lively freedome in prayer , * assurance of evidence , a &c. and from hence mayest thou take comfort in two respects : first , desertion deprives thee only of these comfortable accessar●es ; but thou art still possest of the principall , and substantialls of salvation : of which , not the utmost concurrence of all hellish , and earthly rage , can possibly rob thee ; and therefore thou art well enough in the meane time , and as safe , as safety it selfe can make thee . . secondly , losse of these lesse principall graces ( which by accident , is a singular advantage and gaine ) drives thee nearer unto iesus christ , at least , by many unutterable groanes ; every one whereof , is a strong cry in the eares of god ; and causeth thee , better to prise , and plie ; to exercise , and improove more fruitfully , those other more necessary graces , without which thou canst not bee saved . it is a wise , and honest passage in mistris iuxons monument ; pag . shee continued faithfull to the ende , in the most substantiall graces . for howsoever shee mourned for the want of that degree of ioy , which shee had felt in former times ; yet she continued in repentance ; in the practise of holinesse , and righteousnesse ; in a tender love of god , and to his word , and children ; in holy zeale , and fruitfulnesse , even to the last period of her daies . and indeede , her want of full ioy was so sanctified unto her , that it was a furtherance to a better grace ; namely , to repentance , and selfe-deniall , and base esteeme of her selfe . and i call repentance ▪ a better grace then ioy , because , howsoever ioy , is a most excellent gift of the spirit ; yet unto us , repentance is more profitable . for i make no question , but that a mourning christian may bee saved without ravishing ioy ; and that christ may wipe away his his teares in heaven : but no christian shall bee saved without repentance , and selfe-deniall . for instance : the darkenesse of our spirits in spirituall desertions , sets our faith on worke extraordinarily . in such a case , it hath recourse with more love , and longing to all the fountaines of life . the person and passion of christ ; all the promises ; gods free grace ; his sweet name , and survaies them more seriously ; searches and sounds them to the bottome ; that by some meanes , at least , it may subsist , and hold up the head in such an evill time , and amongst so many terrours , and boisterous tempests . it is now put to the improvement , of the very utmost of all it 's heavenly vigour and valour ; and inforced to put forth it 's highest , and most heroicall act ; even to cleave fast to the sure word of god , against all sense and feeling ; against all terrours , tricks of satan , and temptations to the contrary . and by this extraordinary exercise and wrastling , it is notably strengthened , and steeled for the time to come . for as sloth , idlenesse , and want of exercise , doth much emasculate , and make our bodies more unactive , and unable ; but hard-ship , agitation and imployment , doth much quicken , and fortifie them : so it is in the present point . without oppositions and assault , faith langvisheth , and lies hid ; but when stormes , and spirituall troubles are towards , it stirres up it selfe ; gathers it's strength , and forces together : casts about for subsidiary assistance by prayer , ministeriall counsell , meditation upon speciall promises for the purpose ; experimentall recounting former deliverances , mercies , and favours upon our selves , and others , &c. and so becomes farre more excellent and victorious , for future incounters . it furthers also repentance : in respect of , first , sight of sins . for thorow the glasse of spirituall affliction we see more , and them more monstrously vile . the clouds of inward trouble especially , unite , as it were , and collect the sight of our soules ; and so represent our sinnes more to the life , and in their true colours : where as the glistering of prosperity , is wont to disperse and dazle it . secondly , of sense ; wee are then more apprehensive of divine wrath , and weight of sinne ; when wee are terrified , but with a taste of those immeasurable seaes of bitternesse , and terrour , which it infinitely merits at the hands of god. thirdly , of hatred and opposition ; wee then grow into a more hearty loathing of that sweet meat , which wee are too apt to tumble into our mouth , & hide under our tongue ; when wee feele it accompanied with such sower sauce , and turned into gall and gravell within us . wee shall afterwards bee farre more watchfull , and afraid to give entertainement , or warmth in our bosomes to those vipers , which have so bitten and stung us . it makes selfe-deniall more resolute and thorow . for the dearest and most desirable things of this life , compared with christ , were never viler dung in our esteeme , then at such a time . wee then finde that most true ; that tho all the starres shine never so bright , yet it is still night , because the sunne is gone ; but the alone presence of that prince of light , creates a comfortable and glorious day ; though never a starre appeare . so , let us enjoy the lord iesus ; and no matter , tho all the creatures in the world bee turned into beares , or divels about us ; but if hee withdraw himselfe ; and the light of his countenance set out of our sight ; the confluence of all the comforts , the whole creation can afford , will doe us no good at all . it quickneth notably our new-obedience . in respect of , first , holinesse towards god , and reverent heavenly behaviour about the first table . a generall taste and triall whereof , wee may take , by comparing marriners in a storme , and arrived in the haven ; h prisons with theaters ; burialls with banquets ; beds of sickenesse , and expectation of death , with strength of youth , and prosperous health ; and , which is punctuall for my purpose , fits of temptation , with times of spirituall wellfare . for as in the one state , wee may observe too much presumption , and putting farre from us the evill day , forgetfulnesse of god , security , and sloth : so in the other , trouble , danger and distresse , much alter the case . wee shall then see them , bitterly bewayling their former sinnes ; trembling in the dust , seeking early gods face and favour ; falling to prayer ; vowing better obedience ; and promising , upon deliverance , much holinesse , and a happy change . what mighty groanes of spirit proceede from the deserted , in such a case , which are the strongest praiers , tho in that agony they falsely complaine , that they cannot pray ? how greedy are they of godly conference , counsell and comfort out of the word , daies of humiliation , of the most searching sermons , godliest company , presence and praiers of the precisest ministers ? how fearefull are they , to heare any worldly talke upon the lords day ? how sensible of the least sinne , any dishonour of god , and all appearance of evill ? in a word ; how busie are they about that one necessary thing ? secondly , of compassionatenesse towards others . selfe-sufferings soften mens hearts towards their brethren : personall miseries makes them pittifull , and painefull to afford all possible help in times of distresse . experience of our owne weakenesses , wants , danger to sinke under the waves of gods wrath , and dis-ability to subsist by our selves , begets a sweet mildnesse , and gentle behaviour towards our neighbours ; whose assistance , visitation and praiers wee now see , wee stand in need of in extremities , and evill times . prosperity is apt of it selfe , to produce scornefulnesse , insolency , selfe-confidence , and contempt of others ; but gods hand upon us , especially in afflictions of soule , teacheth us another lesson ; to wit , how fraile , weake , and unworthie wee are . thirdly , of selfe-knowledge . in times of peace and calmenesse , looking thorow the false spectacles of selfe-love and conceitednesse , we are ready to over-weene , and out-prize our gifts ; to mistake shadowes , for substances ; smallest mites of vertues , for richest talents ; the infant beginnings of grace , for tallnesse in christ : but remove these deceiving glasses , and let the touchstone of some sorer triall represent our selves unto our selves ; and wee shall more clearely see our spirituall abilities , in their true nature and proportion . then all unsound semblances of selfe-conceited sufficiencies , and former flourishes of unhumble assurance ( which like gilded papers , or posts , shewing gloriously in the sunshine , and seeming pure gold in outward appearance ) will vanish quite away , and come to nothing in the fire of spirituall afflictions . then the weaknesse of our , too much vaunted of , christian valour , will bee discovered unto us , and acknowledged of us ; when wee are put to wrastle with the wrath of god , and left to the horrour of some hideous temptation . . heare master hooker , a man of great learning , and very sound in this point : ( i varie some words , but keepe the sense entire ) happier a great deale is that mans case , whose soule by inward desolation is humbled , then hee , whose heart is , through abundance of spirituall delight , lifted up , and exalted above measure . better is it sometimes to goe downe into the pit with him , who beholding darknes , and bewailing the losse of inward ioy and consolation , crieth from the bottome of the lowest hell ; my god , my god , why hast thou forsaken mee ? then continually to walke arme in arme with angels ; to sit , as it were , in abrahams bosome ; and to have no thought or cogitation , but of peace , and blessing himselfe in the singularity of assurance above other men ; to say , i desire no other blisse , but only duration of my present comfortable feelings , and fruition of god : i want nothing , but even thrusting into heaven ; and the like . for in the height of spirituall ravishments , thou art in great a hazard of being exalted above measure ; and so may bee justly exposed to a thorne in the flesh , the messenger of satan to buffet thee , which is a very heavie case : but now on the other side , the lowest degree of humiliation under gods mighty hand , is the nearest step to rising , and extraordinary exultation of spirit ; the extremest darknesse of a spirituall desertion , is wont to go immediately before the glorious sun-rise of heavenly light , and un-utterable lightsomnes in the soule . david securely pleasing , and applauding himselfe in his present stability , and strong conceit of the continuance of his peace , brake out thus ; i shal never be moved ; lord , by thy favour thou hast made my mountaine to stand strong : but hee was quickly throwne downe , from the top of his supposed unmoveable hill ; taken off from the height of his confidence , and lay trembling in the dust . thou didst hide thy face , and i was ▪ b troubled . but now that sweetest rapture of incredible joy ( for so he spake , the ioy which i feele in my conscience is incredible ) did arise in master peacocks heart , when hee was newly come , as it were , out of the mouth of hell. mistris bretterghs wonderfull reioycing followed immediately , upon her returne out of a roaring wildernesse , as she called it . what large effusions of the spirit , and overflowing rivers of heavenly peace , were plentifully showred downe upon robert glovers troubled spirit , after the heaviest night , in all likelyhood , that ever he had in this world , by reason of a greivous desertion ? . nay , heare the spirit of all truth and comfort himselfe immediately : who is among you that feareth the lord , that obeyeth the voyce of his servant , that walketh in darkenesse , and hath no light ? let him trust in the name of the lord , and stay upon his god. whence wee may draw a double comfort in time of desertion : first , because in thy present apprehension , thou finds , and feeles thy selfe in darkenesse , and to have no light ; thou art ready therupon to conceive , and conclude un-necessarily against thy owne soule , that gods favour , iesus christ , grace , salvation , and all , are gone for ever . and this is the most cutting sting , & sorest pang , which grievously afflicts , and rents the heart in pieces with restlesse angvish in such cases . out of what depth of horrour , doe you thinke , did these heavie groanes , and almost , if not c altogether for the time , despairing speeches spring , in those blessed saints mentioned before ? d will the lord cast off for ever ? and will hee be favourable no more ? is his mercy cleane gone for ever ? doth his promise faile for evermore ? while i suffer thy terrours , i am e distracted . i am amazed , confounded , and almost mad with feare , least my soule should bee swallowed up , with the horrours of eternall death : f i am afraid lest the lord hath utterly withdrawne his wonted favour from me : g woe , woe , woe , &c. a weake , a wofull , a wretched , a forsaken woman : h i have no more sense of grace then these curtaines . oh! how wofull and miserable is my estate , that must thus converse with hell-hounds ! it is against the course of gods proceedings to save mee , &c. but now herein , the deserted in the sense i have said , are much deceived , and extremely wrong their owne soules in such extremities ; not considering , that their walking in darkenesse , and having no light , may most certainely consist with a saving estate , and a beeing in gods favour , tho for the present not perceived . which appeares plainely by the quoted place : wherein , hee that walketh in darkenesse , and hath no light , is such an one as feareth the lord , and obeyeth the voice of his servant . now the feare of god , and obedience to the ministery , are evident markes of a gracious man. hence it is , that when the servants of god are something come againe unto themselves , they see ▪ and censure their owne unadvisednesse in that respect ; disavow , and disclaime all termes tending that way , which they let hastily fall from them , in heate of temptation . and i said , faith david , this is my infirmity : but i will remember the yeeres of the right hand of the most high. i truly , said master peacocke , my heart and soule have been far led , and deepely troubled with temptations , and stings of conscience ; but i thanke god , they are eased in good measure . wherefore i desire , that i bee not branded with the note of a forlorne reprobate . such questions , oppositions , and all tending thereto , i renounce . here then is a great deale of comfort , in the greatest darkenesse of a spirituall desertion : for wee may assure our selves , that god by his blessed spirit hath a secret influence , and saving worke upon the soule of his child ; when there is no light , or feeling of his favour at all . the sun , we know , tho hee leaves his light upon the face of the earth , yet notwithstanding , descends by a reall effectual influence into the bosome , and darkest bowels thereof ; and there exerciseth a most excellent work , in begetting mettals , gold , silver , and other pretious things . it is proportionably so in the present point . a poore soule may lie groveling in the dust , afflicted , tossed with tempest , and in present apprehension , have no comfort ; and yet blessedly partake still of the sweet influence of gods everlasting love , of a secret saving worke of grace , and almighty support of the sanctifying spirit . let us looke upon the lord iesus himselfe : * his holy soule , though hee was lord of heaven and earth , upon the crosse , was even as a scorched heath-ground , without so much , as any drop of deaw of comfort , either from heaven or earth ; and yet at the same time , hee was gloriously sustained by an omnipotent influence : and god was never nearer unto him , than then ; neither hee , ever so obedient unto god. and i make no doubt , but that the judicious eye of the well-experienced physition , may many times easily observe it , in those troubled , tempted and deserted soules , which they deale , and converse with , for recovery and cure . this secret and saving influence ( i speake of ) might bee evidently discerned in master peacocke , even at the worst . some reverend ministers standing by his bed of sorrow , asked him , if they should pray for him : marke well his answer , take not the name of god in vaine ( said hee ) by praying for a reprobate . which words well weighed , seeme to imply , and represent clearely to a spirituall discerning judgement , some good measure , even of the highest degree of divine love ; preferring the glory of god , before the wellfare of his owne soule ; rather willing to have the meanes of his salvation neglected , then the lord dishonoured , one asking another time ; whether hee loved such an one , meaning a godly man : yes , saith hee . why ? for his goodnesse . another comming to him upon the lords day , willed him to put his hand to a note of certaine debts : this is not a day for that , said hee . and at the same time , hee would hardly suffer any to stay with him from the sermon . beeing told of suffering plaisters out of gods word , to rest upon his wounded soule ; hee brake out thus : oh! if i had . oh! if it would please god. i had rather then any thing in this , or other three thousand worlds ! by these we may b see , and other passages to the same purpose ; that our blessed god had a secret working , and saving influence upon his soule , even in the depth and hideous darkenesse of his most grievous desertion . here is love , first , unto god in a high degree ; secondly , deare affection unto his children , and that for his image shining in them ; thirdly , love unto his sabbaths , and salvation of others ; fourthly , vehement desires after grace and gods favour . all which , were undeniable demonstrations of an undamned state , to every understanding eye . nay , unquestionable arguments of spirituall life , and designation to eternall blisse . whereupon , my resolution was then , and protestation , upon good ground : that if all the powerfull eloquence , which rested with in the reverent bosome of mine owne deare mother , the famous vniversity of oxford , managed by the s●raphicall tongue of the highest , and most glorious angell in heaven , had been industriously set on worke for that purpose ; except i had heard my blessed redeemer say , i will rend a member from my body , and throw it away ; the holy spirit say , i will pull my seale from that soule , which i have savingly sanctifyed ; my gracious and mercifull father say , i wil this once faile , & forsake one of mine ; i could never have been possibly perswaded , that , that soule of his , so richly laden with heavenly treasure , and gifts of god , never to be repented of ; so syncerely exercised in the waies of god , and opposition to the corruption of the times , &c. should possibly perish ! . secondly , suppose thou shouldest walke in darkenesse and have no light , in the sense of the prophet , for the residue and remainder of thy few and evill dayes in this vale of teares ; nay , and dye so , before comfort comes ; yet be not discomforted . for fearing god , and being upright-hearted , thy soule shall most certainely bee preserved in spirituall and eternall safety , by staying upon thy god ; tho thou bee without any sense of joy , and peace in believing . this life , tho never so long , is but a moment to the life to come : but the kindnesse is everlasting , with which hee will have mercy on thee . thy sufferings are but short , whatsoever they bee ; but thou hast eternity of joyes in the world above ; purchased and prepared for thee , by the hearts-blood of that blessed saviour of thine , upon whom thy soule relies . it is the divels policy , say divines , to procure for his slaves , all the favours , honours , and advancements ; all the prosperities and pleasures hee can possibly ; lest if hee should not follow , and fullfill their humours this way , they might thinke upon seeking after , and serving a new master : no● caring to vexe , or molest them in this world ; because hee knowes full well , hee shall have time enough hereafter to torment them in hell. and wilt not thou contrarily , be content , if god so please , to passe thorow this vale of teares , even with hemans horrour : psal. . . sith heaven is so neare at hand , and thou hast a little before thee , an everlasting time , to row in the bottomlesse , and boundlesse ocean of all glory and blisse ; in an endlesse variety of new and fresh delights , infinitely excellent and sweet , aboue the largest created conceite ? . let us suppose a christian in these three states : ( and it is no uncouth thing to those who obserue , or feele gods secret , and unsearchable dealings with his children ) . . first , in a faire and comfortable calme , and sun-shine , after the tempestuous troubles , and travaile in the pangs of the new-birth : when the light of gods countenance ; the first refreshing warmth of his sanctifying spirit ; the fresh sweetnesse and vitall stirrings of grace ; the ravishing consciousnesse of his happy conversion , doe fill his soule , as with marrow and fatnesse ; and feede it with a kindly , and more lively disposition to all good and godly dueties . . secondly , in a spirituall desertion ; when the sense of gods favour , love , and woonted presence ; the comfortable vse , and exercise of the ordinances , graces and spirituall affaires langvish ; and leave him for a time . . thirdly , in the state of recovery , and restitution from such a fearefull dampe , and deprivation of divine comfort , unto former ioyfull feelings , and re-enjoyment of his beloved ; so that his revived soule may sweetly sing , my beloved is mine , and i am his . now , i doubt not , but that the middle of these three estates , being accompanied with hearty griefe , and groanes for christs absence ; restlesse pantings , and longings after a new resurrection , as it were , of the sensible , and fruitfull operations of grace ; renewed desires and endeavours , for regainement of accustomed surer hold , by the hand of faith ; patient , and praierfull waiting for the returne of gods pleased face , &c. is as pleasing and deare , if not c more , to our mercifull father , as either of the other two . doe you not thinke , that the fathers of our flesh are as lovingly affected , and meltingly mooved , to heare the obedient child sigh and sob , cry out and complaine , because they looke not kindly upon him ; but for triall of his affection , have hid for a time , the much desired beames of their fatherly favour , under some affected angry frownes ; as when things are carried more currently , and comfortably betwixt them , without any great distast , and discontentment , or occasion to discover the mutuall impatiency of their loves one unto another ? and shall not the * father of our spirits , who loves us with the d same love , with which he loves the lord iesus himselfe , surpasse as farre in affectionate compassion towards us , in the like case , as an almighty god doth a mortall man ? he cannot chuse ; because the word is already gone out of his mouth ; like as a father pittieth his childe : so the lord pittieth them that feare him . psa. . . i am perswaded , gods bowels of compassionate tender-heartednesse and love , did yearne within him towards iob , with more dearenesse and delight , at that cry , e tho he slay mee , yet will i trust in him ; then at any time else , even in the spring of his spirituall prosperity , or fullest tide of most heavenly feelings . here then is comfort , more then thy heart can hold , if thou wilt bee counselled by the prophets , that thou maist prosper . for when thou thinkest , that all is gone , that thou art a lost man , and utterly forsaken ; even in the depth of thy spirituall darkenesse , ( thou being so spiritually disposed , as i have said , and which thou canst not deny ) i say , even then , ( and thou oughtest so to apprehend and believe ) the love of god is , as it were , doubled towards thee , much more endeared , by reason of thy distresse ; and cannot hold , but breakes out many times into extraordinary pangs , and expressions thereof : as wee may see , isa. . . oh! thou afflicted , tossed with tempest , and not comforted , &c. and into profession of resolution ; and waiting to do us good ; which he will super-abundantly performe , in the best time . behold , i will lay thy stones with faire colours , and lay thy foundations with saphires . ibid. and therefore will the lord waite , that hee may bee gracious unto you ; and therefore will hee bee exalted , that he may have mercy upon you : for the lord is a god of iudgment . blessed are all they that wait for him , isa. . . retiring the effects , and exercise of our love , from him whom wee love dearely , makes it returne with redoubled fervour into our owne bosomes ; and there growes into a more vehement flame , which never rests , untill it breake out againe with dearer pangs upon the beloved party . even as when the sunne suffers an eclipse , and it's beames are driven backe , and reflected from the face of the moone , interposed directly betweene it and our sight , so that they shine not upon us ; then is the * heate , and light thereof , multiplied , and much intended toward the fountaine ; which afterwards is shed downe upon us againe more amiably and acceptably , when the darkenesse is done . and let us further take notice , that christ , our eldest brother , blessed for ever , deales with us in such cases , as ioseph , a type of him in many e respects , dealt with his brethren : hee frown'd upon them , handled them roughly , and frighted them extremely ; onely , to humble them thorowly ; but in the meane time , and midst of his menacing carriage , his heart was so full of naturall affection , that hee was enforced , by the excesse thereof , to turne aside and weepe , and so returne to them againe . and hee turned himselfe about from them and wept , and returned to them again , gen. . . so the sonne of god , as well as god the father thorow him , tho sometimes in a little wrath hee hide his face from us ; yet as hee will certainely , after a small moment , gather us with great mercies ; so in the meane time , hee is afflicted , and most tenderly affected towards us in all our afflictions . see isa. . . . seventhly , thinke it not strange , that thou art fallen into this kinde of spirituall affliction , as tho some strange thing , or that which doth , or may not befall the dearest servants of god , had happened unto thee . for herein thou becomes conformable to as holy men , as ever the world had ; iob , david , heman , f luther , &c. nay , to the sonne of god himselfe ; from whose example and precedency , let the christian , even in the darkest horror of a spirituall desertion , when hee is afraid , lest god hath forsaken him , fetch abundance of comfort , and support out of such considerations as these : . christ himselfe was in the same case : besides a numberlesse variety of most barbarous cruelties , inflicted upon his blessed body , by the mercilesse , and implacable malice , of the iewes ; and , by consequent , sympathy upon his glorious soule ; hee suffered also g in soule immediately , intolerable , and ( save by himselfe ) unconquerable torments and paine . hee grapled with the fiercest wrath of his father for our sins ; and sweat blood , under the sense of his angry countenance : nay , this crosse upon his soule , infinitely more waighty , then that which hee carried upon his shoulders toward calvarie , did not onely cause streames of great bloody drops to fall downe to the ground ; but also prest from him , that heavy groane , mat. . . my soule is exceeding sorrowfull , even unto death : and that last rufull bitter cry : my god , my god , why hast thou forsaken mee , cap. . . if christ iesus himselfe then , blessed for ever , the * son of the fathers love , the prince of glory ; nay , the glory of heaven and earth , the brightnesse of everlasting light , &c. in whom hee professeth himselfe to bee well-pleased , and for whose sake onely hee loves all the sonnes of men , which shall be saved ; was thus plunged into a matchlesse depth of unknowne sorrowes , and most grievous desertion ; let no christian cry out in the like spirituall desolation ( but ever immeasurably short of his ) and in his feare of being forsaken , that his case is singular , desperate , irrecoverable : for the onely , deare , innocent sonne of god , was farre worse in this respect , and in greater extremity , then hee is , can , or ever shall bee . . secondly , amongst other ends , for which the lord iesus drunke so deepe , and the very dregs of that bitterest cup of his dearest fathers heaviest indignation , this was one : that by a particular , and personall passing thorow that infinite sea , those extremest dreadfull horrours of divine wrath for h our sinnes ; which we all most justly deserved ; and would have caused any meere creature to have sunke downe under it , into the bottome of hell ; and by an experimentall * feare , and feeling of that bitter and bloody agony , which melted , as it were , his blessed soule into that mournefull cry : my god , my god , why hast thou forsaken mee ! ( the comfortable influence of the deity , being for the time in i some sort restrained , and retired from the humane nature ; that it might bee capable , and sensible of that anger and angvish , which would have holden both men and angels , and all created natures under everlasting calamity and woe ) . i say , that by his owne sense , and experience of such painefull passages , hee might learne , and know with a more fellow-feeling , and pittifull heart , to commiserate his poore afflicted ones in their spirituall desertions ; and with a softer , and more compassionate hand , to bind up their bleeding soules , with his sweetest balme of tender-heartednesse and love ; when in such horrible k depths , they shall thirst , and long , and gaspe for drops of mercy , and his fathers pleased face . for in that hee himselfe hath suffered , being tempted ; hee is able to succour them , that are tempted , heb. . . a woman , which hath her selfe with extraordinary torture , tasted the exquisite paines of childe-birth , is woont to bee a great deale more tenderly , and mercifully affected to an other in like case ; then she , that never tried , what it is to be terrified with the suddennesse , un-avoidablenes , and terrible pangs of a womans travaile ; and is more skilfull , ready , and forward to relieve in such distresse . and so also all others , who have been most afflicted , either with outward troubles , or inward terrours , or both ; are ever most fit , and feeling , to speake unto the heart ; to put to their helping hand ; and make much of comfortlesse and miserable men , troubled , and tempted , as they have been . and such was the case of our blessed saviour in his sufferings for our sakes . hee was exercised all his life long with variety , and extremitie of cruelties , indignities , and all manner of vexations , beyond measure , grievous , bitter , and intolerable . hee drunke full deepe of the worlds disgrace ; the divels malice ; the rage of great ones ; the contempt , and contumelies of the vilest ; the scornefull insultations of his enemies ; sorest sufferings , from all things in heaven , earth , and hell : of those pinching passions , hunger , thirst , wearinesse ; of bodily tortures , hideous temptations , agonies of spirit ; l even of the full cup of his fathers fiery wrath , and m horrors of soule , for our sinnes , to the very last drop ; which went as farre beyond his other outward extremities , as the soule goes beyond the body ; gods utmost anger , the malice of men : whereby hee is now blessedly fitted , and enabled excellently to succour them that are tempted . consciousnesse of his owne case in the daies of his flesh , is a keene incentive to his holy , and heavenly soule , more sensibly and soone , to take pitty upon , and ease the severall necessities , troubles , sorrowes , and soule-afflictions of all his children . . thirdly , as this ever-blessed redeemer of ours , was in himselfe more then infinitely free , and more then farre enough from all sinne ; so by consequent , from any inherent cause of the least crosse ; or any shadow in the world , of his dearest fathers displeased countenance . for originally , he was of a most pure , harmelesse , and holy nature ; all his life long , kinde , sweet , and gracious to every creature ; offending none , doing good unto all ; in his death , incomparably patient , brought as an innocent lambe to that bloody slaughter ; not opening his mouth , for all those base , and barbarous provocations of the cruell , and mercilesse miscreants about him ; swimming in blood , burning in zeale , wrastling in prayer , even for the salvation of his enemies . so that his guiltlesse , and unspotted soule had no neede at all of any passion , or expiation . all his sorrowes and sufferings , were voluntarily under-gone , onely for our sakes , and sinnes . had not the pretious hearts-blood of the only , deare , naturall , eternall sonne of god , been poured out as water upon the ground ; where at the whole creation was astonished ; the earth trembled and shooke , her rocks clave asunder , her graves opened ; the heavens with-drew their light , as not daring to behold this sad and fearefull spectacle ; never had the soule of any sonne or daughter of adam been saved . it was not the glory and treasures of the whole earth , not any streaming sacrifices of purest gold , not the life of men and angels ; no not the power , and prostration of all the creatures in heaven and earth , or of ten thousand worlds besides , could have prevail'd , satisfied , and served the turne in this case . either the heire of all things must die , or we had all been damned . is the heart then of any mourner in zion heavy , and ready to breake for sorrow ; because hee hath lost the light of gods face , feeling of his love , and consolations of grace ? so that the darknesse of his spirit thereupon , frights him with re-possession of his pardoned sinnes , temptations to despaire , and feares , lest hee bee forsaken : o then let him hie , and have speedy recourse unto this heavenly cordiall : when our lord , and our love felt the curse of our sinnes , and his fathers hottest wrath comming upon him in the garden ; without any outward violence at all , onely out of the paine of his owne thoughts ; bled thorow the flesh and skinne , not some faint deaw , but even solid drops of blood ; and afterwards in the bitternesse of his soule , cried out upon the crosse , my god , my god , why hast thou forsaken mee ? and none of all this for himselfe ; for no staine at all did cleave to his sacred soule ; but all this , ( the least of n which , wee can no more expresse , then wee could undergoe ) for thy sake and salvation , alone , who loves our lord iesus christ , in syncerity . and therefore ground upon it as upon the surest rocke , even in the height of thy heavie-heartednesse , and depth of a spirituall desertion ; that those depths of sorrow , whereof our conceits can finde no bottome ; thorow which hee waded in his bloody sweat , cry upon the crosse , and painfull sufferings in soule , did most certainly o free thee everlastingly from the guilt , venome , and endlesse vengeance of all terrours of conscience , agonies of spirit , temptations to despaire , and damnations of hell. the righteous iudge of all the world will never expect , or exact at the hands of any of his creatures double paiment , a double punishment . our dearest saviour hath satisfied to the utmost , with his owne blood , the rigour and extremity of his fathers iustice in thy behalfe ; and therefore it is utterly impossible , that thou shouldest ever finally perish . inward afflictions , and troubles of minde , may for a time presse thee so sore , that thou maist bee ready to sinke ; for chastisement , triall , prevention of sinne , perfecting the pangs of the new-birth , example to others , &c. but in despite of the united rage , and policy of all infernall powers ; thou shalt in due time be raised again , by that victorious , and triumphant hand ; which bruised the serpents p head , and burst the heart of hell ; even * out of an horrible pit , bee set upon a rocke , farre above the reach of all hellish hurt , or sting of horrour . in a little wrath i hid my face from thee , for a moment , but with everlasting kindnesse wil i have mercy upon thee , saith the lord thy redeemer , isa. . . . there is another terrible fierie dart , dipt full deep in the very rankest poyson of the infernall pit ; which , though it bee not much talked of abroad , nor taken notice of by the world ; yet is secretly suggested , and managed with extremest malice and cruelty , in the silent bosomes of gods blessed ones . q the most holy hearts are many times most haunted with this foulest fiend . strangers to the wayes of god , bee not much troubled in this kinde , nor ordinarily vexed with such horrours . satan , as i said before , makes as much of his in this world , as hee can possibly ; knowing , that hee hath time enough , even eternity , to torment them in the world to come : and therefore hee is not woont , to weld this terrifying weapon against them , save only at some dead lift , or upon some speciall advantage ; as under some extraordinary misery , or in excesse of melancholy ; to drive them thereby to distraction , selfe-destruction , or despaire . or , it may bee , god may suffer him to afflict thus hideously , some grievous sinner , which hee is about to bring in ; to prepare him thereby ( though the divell himselfe meaneth not so ) for the pangs of the new-birth , deeper humiliations , and more vehement desires to get under the wings of christ from that hellish kyte . or , hee may sometimes mingle these horrible stings , with the terrours of spirituall travell ; upon purpose to q hinder conversion , by a diversion into by-wayes , or frighting backe againe to folly and former courses . but sure i am , the ordinary object , and speciall aime of satans malice in this point , are only those , who have happily escaped out of his clutches already ; and are fully , and for ever freed from his damming fury , and all-deadly hurt . and i know not , whether there bee any of these , which doth not lesse , or more , at one time , or other , suffer under this horrour . and yet every one of them thinks himselfe singular in this suffering ; and that it is not usuall for gods children , to have such prodigiously foule and fearefull thoughts put into their heads ; which they dare not mention for their abhorred monstrousnesse , neither remember without trembling . now by this dreadfull engine of the divell , which i thus talk of , before i tell you what it is ; ( and no marvaile , for what heart would not willingly retire , or can chuse but tremble , intreating upō such a theame ! ) i meane , hideous iniections , * horrible thoughts , blasphemous suggestions , monstrous conceits of the most holy pure and ever-glorious god , his word , divine truths , the lord iesus , blessed for ever ; or some way , or other , about spirituall and heavenly things ; framed immediately by satan himselfe , and with furious violence throwne into our minds , infinitely against our wills ; at the grieselinesse whereof , not only religion , but also reason ; nay , even corrupted nature , and common sense , stand astonisht ; shrug and shrink backe at the horrour , and abhorre them extremely . some of gods dearest children , and those that love him best , ( would you thinke it ? yet it is too true ) are sometimes so pestred with their irkesome intrusions ; that whatsoever they speake , doe , heare , reade , or think upon , is wrested , perverted , and hellishly empoisoned with this temptation of blasphemy . and they are ordinarily prest upon them with most importunity and impetuousnesse , when they are best busied , and exercised in the holiest duties ; as in praier , hearing , or reading the word , singing of psalmes , dayes of humiliation , &c. in the first place : for a comfortable support in such a case , peruse , ponder well upon , and apply such considerations and counsels as these : . in this terrible temptation also , thou becomes but conformable to thy lord and master , which bought thee with his dearest blood , and to many of his blessed saints . was there ever suggestion in conceit , or word , or any possibilitie of being like unto this in execrablenesse and horrour : that the king of saints , in whom dwelleth all the fulnesse of the godhead bodily , should fall downe and worship the prince of hell , and vilest of creatures ? and yet this most horrible blasphemie , was injected into the most holy imagination of iesus christ ; with which it was infinitely more impossible to be any waies tainted , or stained , then the fairest sunne-beame with the foulest dirt. but hee endured it , and conquered : and that for our sakes only , and safety , even for such excellent endes as these ; first , that when wee are ●et upon by satan in the same kinde , and so hideously assaulted , that upon the first sense , we are ready to sinke under the suddaine fright ; and to thinke , that none in the world are so but wee ; yet in cold blood , wee may comfortably recover our selves , and presently conceive , that our case is not singular , and incompatible with a saving state ; for even the sonne of god himselfe surpassed us in the same suffering . secondly , that hee might take the venome , sting , and guilt from this hatefull , and horrible temptation , for all his , to the worlds end . thirdly , that having himselfe tasted the divels malice herein , hee might out of his owne feeling and experience , more tenderly take to heart our troubles , and terrours that way ; more mightily fortifie , and free our spirits , against the invasion , and surprise of all such prodigious injections , and flashes of hell. . it is the concurrent judgement of r learned , and holy divines , that these monstrously blasphemous thoughts , and satanicall suggestions , resisted , and not consented unto , are not our sinnes , but our crosses . or suppose , there should be any tainture on our parts ; yet , condemning them in our judgements , and abhorring them with our heartes ; wee may bee most assured , that the blood of iesus christ is infinitely more mighty and soveraigne , to take away the venome , and vilenesse of them ; then the divell malicious , and subtil● to inject . i will imagine , that some bloody popish powder-traytor , had prest upon thee at that time , and suggested thus : wee are plotting , and purpose to blow up the parliament with gun-powder : to destroy at one blow the king , queene , prince , nobility , &c. and afterward , to cut the throats of all the protestants in the kingdome ; to roote the gospell out of it for ever , &c. and then to lay the fault upon the s puritanes . these , and the like , were injections of much horrour , and monstrous nature : for thus , men learned both in the mystery of christ , and depths of state , spoke of that plot at that time : t remember but the powder-treason , the uttermost point of all villany ; beyond which it is terra incognita ; no man can devise , what should bee betweene hell and it . u consider but this day , the birth-day , as i may tearme it , of our countrey ; in which , both prince and people came , as it were , anew into the world ; delivered from the fearefull powder-vault , the very belly of hell and confusion , as ionah sometime did from the belly of the whale . x behold , that which so many millions of eies , since those windowes were first opened in the head of man , to behold the light of heaven ; i say , so many millions of eyes in their severall generations , now sunke downe into their holes , and consumed within their tabernacles , never saw : never those glorious and constant lights of the firmament ; those cleare and crystalline eies of nature , which walke through the whole world , and give no rest to their temples ; the sunne that wandereth by day , and the moone that waketh by night , they never saw the like , &c. it y was of such prodigious immanity , that before now , the tongue of man never delivered ; the eare of man never heard ; the heart of man never conceited ; nor the malice of hellish , or earthly divell ever practised . z it is beyond all example , whether in fact , or fiction ; even of the tragicke poets , who did beat their wits , to represent the most fearefull , and horrible murders . a the plot , whereof livie speakes , of dispatching the whole senate of rome in an houre : the devise at carthage , to cut off one whole faction , by one enterprise : the conspiring of brutus and cassius , to kill caesar in the senate ; the proiect of destroying in one conclave , the greatest part of the cardinals : the sicilian even-song , and the parisian mattins : nay , the wish of nero , that rome had but one head , which hee might cut off at one blow , came farre short of this invention , which spared neither age , sexe , nor degree . well then , if thou shouldest have approved , and consented unto the suggestion of this most execrable , and unheard-of villany ; for which , hell hath not a fit name , nor the world a sufficient punishment ; thou hadst made thy selfe the most prodigious beast that ever breathed , an abhorred monster of mankinde ; and justly merited to have passed presently , from most exquisite tortures here , to endelesse torments in another world. but now , if all the while the motion was making , thy heart had risen against it , with indignation and loathing ; thou protested'st to the party , thy abominating any thought that way , from the heart roote , to the pit of hell ; and immediately running to the king , shouldest have discovered , and disclaimed it , as a most detestable and hellish plot ; i say then , what man could have justly blamed thee , or wherein could thy conscience any way accuse thee ? it is so in the present point . as that other incarnat divell in his kinde , so the divell himselfe throwes into thine imagination , most hideous thoughts , and horrible blasphemies , even against the dreadfull majesty of heaven , the thrice blessed and ever-glorious trinity , the holy humanity of the lord iesus , &c. to which , if thou shouldest understandingly assent , and approve indeed ; thou mightest expect most worthily , to become ten times fouler , then the ougliest fiend in hell. but sith thou knowest in thine owne conscience , that thy heart trembles with horrour and amazednesse , when they are offered ; nay , violently thrust into thy minde ; that thou resists , and rejects , them , with all the power and prayer thou canst possibly ; canst not chuse , but out of a pang of infinite detestation , and heart-rising , turne thus , or in the like manner upon the tempter : b most malicious enemie to the glory of my god , and good of my soule ; thou troubles thy selfe and mee in vaine . i doe infinitely acknowledge my blessed creatour , redeemer , and sanctifier , to bee one incomprehensibly glorious , wise , gracious god : heaven to be wholly filled , embroidered , impaled with nothing but holinesse and happines : all the creatures to be good , as they issued out of the hands of god ; and remembrancers to us of his power , wisedome , and goodnesse : gods blessed booke to be all most holy , most true , a rich treasury of heavenly wisdome , and sweetest knowledge , &c. and thy cursed self to be the onely authour , and brocher of all sinne , hurt , and uncom●linesse ▪ and to thee , and thine , alone they belong . mingle not thou thy malice with my lowliest , most deare , and reverend thoughts of my father , my saviour , my comforter , &c. and thou art also woont presently to presse in private , into gods glorious presence , and prostrate thy selfe before his righteous throne ; there to discover this hellish malice ; to complain how villanously the divell deales with thee ; to protest thine innocency , and infinite hatred of those horrible blasphemies ; to cry heartily for pardon , patience , and power against them . and therefore it being thus with thee , thou maist , upon good ground , bee more then infinitely assured , that they are not imputed unto thee at all ; but wholly set upon satans score . hence it is , and from this ground , that i have many times told some , thus tempted : that when they have passed a day , prest upon violently , and pestred , with the furious intrusion of such un-utterably foule , and fearefull injections ; they have , in all likelyhood spent that day , with farre lesse sinne in their thoughts ; and more freedome from guilt , and provocation of divine anger , then if they had been free : because they being so earnestly , and vehemently deprecated ; withstood with such aversion and loathing ; protested against unfainedly , and that upon such termes , that they would rather bee torne in pieces with wild horses ; die ten thousand deathes ; doe , or suffer any thing ; then yeeld the least assent , or approbation thereunto : they are then , i say , not their c transgressions , but afflictions ; not their iniquities , but miseries ; not their sinnes , but crosses . nay , and further for their comfort , if they should bee haunted by them , untill their ending houre ( which god forbid , and beat backe such accursed , and hatefull spight from every humble soule ) ; yet cleaving close unto the lord iesus , hating all sinne , and having respect to all gods commandements ; they are not able at all , neither can any whit hinder , hurt , or any way prejudice their spirituall state , and everlasting salvation . . d every servant of christ hath his share in some affliction , or other ; and is ever made , in some good measure , conformable to him in his sufferings . those , who have the raines laide , and left upon their neckes , without curbe or correction , are bastards , and not sonnes . they may , as the holy ghost tells us , prosper in this world , and passe peaceably out of it , and have no bands in their e death , like other men : they may * live , and become old , and bee mighty in power : their seede may bee established in their sight with them , and their off-spring before their eyes : their houses may be safe from feare , neither may the rod of god bee upon them : their bull may gender , and faile not , their cow may calve , and not cast her calfe : they may send forth their little ones like a flocke , and their children dance : they may take the timbrell and harpe , and reioyce at the sound of the organ : they may spend their dayes in wealth , and in a moment go downe to the grave : at last die even f like a lambe , as they say . but when all is done , they are utterly undone , and everlastingly ; by reason of the horrour , and angvish , that shall come upon their soules ; the affliction , the worme-wood , and the gall : for horrible is the end of the unrighteous generation : they are immediately throwne downe from the top of their imaginary felicity , and untroubled bed of seeming peace , to the depth of extremest misery , and bottome of the burning lake . but it is not so with the servants of god. * he scourgeth every sonne , whom hee receiveth . hee g hath onely one sonne with out sinne , none without suffering ▪ saith an ancient father . but here take notice , that in this dispensation of fatherly corrections amongst his children , he ever out of his unsearchable mercifull wisedome , singles out , and makes choise of those , which are most punctuall , and simply the fittest for their spirituall good . and therefore both for the kinde , and particular ; let us ever humbly , and thankfully submit , and wholly referre our selves , to the sweet and wise disposing of our most loving , and dearest father : who ever knowes best , what is best for us in such cases ; both in regard of his service , and our sufferings ; his glory and our gaine ; what wee are able to beare ; how hee hath furnished us before-hand with spirituall strength , to goe through temptations and troubles ; what spirituall physicke is most quicke , and operative , and apted to the prevention , cure , and recovery of our soule-sickenesses , distempers , and declinations ; how wisely to proportion , and mercifully moderate , in respect of measure , time , and working ; and when his hand is heavie upon us in one kinde , tenderly to take care , that wee bee not opprest with other extremities also : as appeares by that sweet observation of master foxe , in the * story of the two glovers : god in his holy providence , seeing his old and trusty servant so many yeeres , with so extreme , and many torments , broken and dried up ; would in no wise heape too many sorrowes upon one poore silly wretch ; neither would commit him to the flames of fire ; who had been already baked , and scorched with the sharpe fires of inward affliction ; and had sustained so many burning darts , and conflicts of satan so many yeeres . god therefore of his divine providence , thinking it too much , that one man should bee so much over-charged , with so many plagves and torments , did graciously provide ; that robert his brother , being both stronger of body , and also better furnished with helpes of learning to answer the adversaries , should sustaine the conflict . it may bee , our onely wise god , purposeth to exercise us extraordinarily with spirituall conflicts , and troubles of conscience ; and therefore doth mercifully give us more prosperity , and comfort in our outward state : or perhaps , to afflict us with variety of worldly crosses ; and therefore doth sweetly , and compassionately , give us more peace and comfort at home in our owne hearts : or it may bee , hee meanes to make us ominent objects of disgrace , reproach , and slander in the world ; and even from those , who sit in the gate , for our forwardnesse and excellency of zeale ; and therefore out of a gracious tender-heartednesse , gives us both more calmenesse in conscience , and contentment in outward things : or , perhaps , hee may lay all these upon us ; suffer us to bee tried with ill tongues , with troubles without , and terrours within ; why then undoubtedly , his grace shall bee sufficient for us . so wise , and so mercifull is our blessed god. only , first , let us take heed ( tho in our owne apprehensions and misdeeming , wee may pretend , and except never so plausibly ) that wee never prescribe unto him ; how , in what kind , or measure hee should afflict us . secondly , that wee never ward , or put off any blow from his owne heavenly hand , men , or creatures , with the wound of conscience ; never decline any ill , by ill meanes . thirdly , that wee learne , and labour to profit by , and make the right use of all his corrections . fourthly , and ever magnifie the glory of his mercy , and wisdome , in sparing us any way ; his tender-hearted taking notice , where wee are weakest , and not so able to beare his severer visitations ; but specially , that hee ever , pitches upon that affliction , which doth our soules most good ; and serves most punctually to procure , protect , and promote the soundnesse , safety , and flourishing of our spirituall state . well then , for my purpose , and thy support : sith our most holy god deales thus with all , that are not damned ; to wit , sorts out unto them , those severall crosses and corrections ; which , out of his unsearchable wisdome , and spirituall necessity of their soules , hee sees most fit to keepe them humble , obedient , and in awe ; take thou up , and in good part , this crosse of thine , while it pleaseth god to exercise thee with it , as thy portion . others , tho free from this , yet have their proportion and proper potion ; and that , perhaps , in a bitterer cup , and from a more smarting rod. it may bee , it goes well with thee , in e other respects ; in which , were thou yet crossed , the physicke would not take , nor work so kindlily . our all-wise heavenly physition knowes , this dreadfull dart will onely doe it . who knowes whether , if thou wert not haunted with these foule furies , i meane , furious injections of the divels owne forge , thou mightest grow worldly , luke-warme ; too passionate , proude , secure ; or something which god would not have thee , and would bee infinitely for thy hurt . be thou therefore patient under them , humbled by them , make a holy and profitable use of them ; comfort thy selfe in them , by these considerations commended unto thee for that purpose ; and learne , how to behave thy selfe about them , by the following counsels . . as at their first approach , and offer , thou oughtest to stirre up , and steele thy heart ; to improve the strength and stoutnesse of all the powers of thy soule , to make a mighty and forcible resistance ; lifting up at the same instant thy heart , in a bitter complaint , against the cruelty and malice of the adversary ; a strong cry for the rebuking of him , and restraint of his hellish spight , with extreme detestation of all such divellish filth ; so take heede , that thou never revolve in thy mind , or muse upon those his blasphemous temptations . but say with luther , a kite , or cormorant may fly over my house , but sure , shall never rooust , or nestle there . or , as another ; a ravenous and hatefull bird may begin to build in mine arbour , i cannot hinder it ; but i will never faile to pull it downe , as often as shee beginnes . the divell will inject , whether thou f wilt or no : but resolve to suffer them by no meanes , to have any rest , or residence in thine imagination . if thou bee a minister ( and the holiest men are satans speciall marke , that hee would gladliest hit with his fierie darts ) , take advise , which hath proved soveraigne and helpefull , to beat backe , and banish these temptations of blasphemie . the minde of every man of god , instructed to the kingdome of heaven , is , as i suppose , still digging into the rich mines of divine truth ; diving into the great mystery of christ : ever discoursing in it selfe for , or doing something for the advancement of the worke of the lord , their ministeriall affaires , and welfare of soules . temporizers indeed , seldome and selfe-preachers , are not much troubled this way , neither take these things so to heart . they seeke more to advance themselves , then save soules ; their chiefe study is , if they be not downe-right g good fellowes ( as they call them ) , either to grow rich , or rise ; and so they are still negotiating industriously about the one , or plotting ambitiously for the other . but were they of pauls minds ; * woe is unto mee , if i preach not the gospell : of chrysostom's temper , h who was woont to tremble , when hee tooke into consideration , those words , hebr. . . for they watch over your soules , as they that must give account : of austins resolution , for not meddling in worldly matters ; wherein to deale , he i deemed a very tiring , and tedious vexation ; and was never wel , but when he was wading in the depths of christian religion , and busied about the things of god. i say , if they were thus affected , they would bee such as they ought , and as i now suppose ; to wit , have many webs , as it were , of their holy work in their heads all at once ; many in misteriall taskes in agitation , and on foote still : some part of the day , they would , perhaps , search , and pierce into the pith , and marrow of some scripture-text ; at another time , wraflle with the difficulties , and knotty distinctions of some popish , or neo-pelagian controversie ; at another , discusse , and drive unto a resolution , some perplexed , and intricate case of conscience , &c. well then , for my purpose , this supposed ; vpon the very first proposall of these monstrous , and hideous thoughts , presently k divert , and resort to the hardest of all those irons , thou hast in the fire , if i may so speake ; and that which hath neede of most hammering ; i meane , to the most difficult and waighty points , of all those severall spirituall businesses , thou hadst last in thy braine ; and single out that particular , which did most puzzle , and put thy understanding to it . where-abouts , when the strength , heat , and intension of thy whole soule is spent , and improoved : not onely other impertinent wandrings , and vagaries , but these idle and irkesome injections also , will more easily vanish , and bee gone . let others also proportionably upon such occasions , besides other helpes ; have recourse to the most troublesome and over-mastering part of their honest imploiments ; to the chiefest , and needefullest affaire of their lawfull callings . . in temptations of this nature , never set thy selfe to l dispute with the divell ; hee is an old sophister of above five thousand yeares standing , in the schoole of hideous temptations , and hellish policies , and thou art but a novice . hee hath many methods , devices , and depths , which thy shallow fore-cast cannot possibly fathome . direct opposition by reasons , and replies , stirreth up the out-ragious blasphemour to grow more furious : and hereby we give him greater advantage ; more matter of molestation and mischiefe ; and may so plunge our selves further into an intricate maze of horrour , and confused distractions . our blessed captaine , christ iesus , may bee a patterne for us in this point . when hee was tempted , to fall downe and worship satan ; hee reasoneth not the case , but repells him with vehement extraordinary detestation and disdaine : avoid satan . it will therefore bee our best wisedome , at such a time , to turne from him ; and as hezekiah spread his blasphemous letter , so to lay open his fury before the lord : crying mightily unto him , and intreating him , even for his owne honours sake , to vindicate the purity of his great majesty , and excellency of his unspotted glory , from this hellish filth , and horrible villany of his damned vilest creature ; that he would cast it , as dung , upon the tempters face : and in the passion and blood of christ , free fully , and for ever , our poore soules trembling under the hideousnesse of his malice and cruelty , from the guilt , staine , terrour , and assault of all such abhorred , and p●●odigeous blasphemie . in that other terrible temptation also , to selfe-murther , many much wrong themselves this way . in managing this fierie dart , the adversary deales by way of argument too , and presses reasons , such as they are , upon the temted ; sometimes extremely absurd , especially , if the party bee something more simple and ignorant ; sometimes , exceedingly suttle , if hee bee of better understanding and capacity . as thus : it is soone done , and the paine quickely past : thou art like thus to languish , and lie in misery all thy life long : the longer thou livest , the larger will bee the score of thy sinnes , and so thy torments in hell more horrible hereafter : if it be once done , it will appeare to have bin gods decree ; and i hope thou wilt not oppose the accomplishment of that : m do what thou canst , thou wilt bee damned , when all is done , &c. now in this case , if thou debate the matter with the divell , and begin to confer ; thou art like enough to be more and more confounded , and intangled with inextricable astonishments , and danger to bee utterly undone , and suddenly blowne up by the mine of his soule-murdering sophistry . but if according to the precedency , and practise of thy lord & master , who hath begun unto thee in this bitter cup , is afflicted in all thy afflictions ; and ever stands by thee as a victorious commander , and conquerour in all such assaults ; first , abominate , and beate backe , this base and bloody motion , with infinite indignation and loathing ; avant satan : and then immediately lay hold on the sword of the spirit , and keepe him at the point of it ; and then assuredly , all the divells in hell cannot hurt thee . tell him , that against his vile and villanous suggestion , and all the subtilties , and sophistry with which hee seconds it ; this is thy onely answere , even the precise , holy and everlasting countermand of his , and thy creatour , the mighty lord of heaven and earth : thou shalt not kill . now if it bee a crimson , and crying sinne ; the most deadly opposite , and desperate cut-throate of charity , to kill an other ; and fastneth such a deepe , and inexpiable staine upon the face of a whole kingdome ; that it cannot bee razed out , but by the blood of him that shed it ; how execrable , and hainous then is this ; and what depth of hell , and height of horrour , doth that abhorred miscreant deserve , and may expect ; who makes away himselfe ? for the rule of charity , whereby wee love one another , is proportioned by that charity , whereby a man loues himselfe . if the divell bee able to dissolve , and disanull the most absolute , perfect , and just law of the most high ; who , tho all other things besides , are something in possibilitie , which as yet they are not in act ; yet himselfe , is actually , and everlastingly , whatsoever hee may bee ; and cannot hereafter be that , which now hee is not ; and so by consequent , is with out all variablenesse , or shadow of turning : i say , if the prince of darkenesse can reverse this law of the father of lights ; thou shalt not murder ; thou maist well say , thou wilt then thinke of an other answer . but , till that bee , which is more , then infinitely impossible ever to come to passe ; thou wilt rather lie in the miseries of hell upon earth ( which indeed were incomparably better ) , then breaking gods blessed law , goe downe into the grave in a bloody coffin , made by thy owne hands , onely at the divels bidding . can this madnesse ever bee matched ; for a man , besides selfe-severing the soule from his body before the time , by a more hainous and un-naturall villany , then murthering of his owne father , ( for every man is naturally next unto himself ) ; and sending it suddenly , all goare-blood , by becomming his owne butcher and hangman , unto the dreadfull tribunall , of the all-powerfull god ; the most certaine , and severe revenger of all bloodshed : to bring also abundance of unnecessary shame , griefe and hopelesse mourning upon friends , kindred , husband , childrē , parents ; a reproachfull staine and brand , upon house , name , buriall , posterity , &c. and that meerely at the instance , and upon the most absurd , ridiculous , and senselesse suggestion of the arch-murtherer , thy mortall , and immortall enemy ; against sense , reason , nature , religion , scripture , gods direct command to the contrary , even heathen philosophy , heaven and earth ! . avoid idlenesse , solitarinesse , and too much secrecy ; three maine advantages for the adversary , which he watchfully apprehending , and plying industriously , workes a world of mischiefe upon afflicted soules , in their spirituall miseries . idlenesse laies a man open to all hellish snares and temptations ; makes the heart , like unmanured ground , fit for nothing , but the wildest , and rankest weedes of lust , luxury , lewd company , the universall inordinatenes of originall corruption , to domineere , rage , and doe what it will : like standing pooles , naturally prepared , and pregnant to breed , and feed the vermine , and venome of vilest thoughts , and un-naturall filth : like thorow-faires , for satans most hideous , o and horrible injections , to wander and walke up and downe in , without restraint , or remedy . solitarinesse , besides it's native propertie and power , to make sad , increase melancholy , and aggravate feares , doth in this case , more then any , bring an heavie woe ; * woe to him , that is alone : for if the weake christian fall , hee hath not another to help him up . he may there be surprised , yeeld , and foil'd , before he get into such company , which might happily have prevented it , or supported him in the temptation . too much secrecy and concealement , may cause the wound of a terrified conscience , to bleed inward , rankle , fester , and grow desperate ; whereas seasonable discovery ▪ might have cured , and comforted it : horrour arising from the apprehension , of such uncouth and monstrous thoughts , kept close , and dam'd up in the mans owne brest , may swell so high , that the poore soule may bee in great danger to bee wofully drowned , and over-whelmed by it ; which had it had vent be time ; eased , and emptied it selfe into some holy and faithfull bosome ; might , by divine and discreete counsell , by little and little dried up quite . i have knowne him , who did bite in , and keepe close in his bosome , this temptation of blasphemie the space of about twenty yeares . all which while , the divell did tyrannize extremely , and keep him almost in continuall terrour . hee thought there was never man had such vile , and prodigious thoughts , as hee : and if the world knew what they were , hee should bee abhorr'd as a monster of men , and the loathsommest creature upon earth ▪ most worthy to bee utterly exterminated , and rooted out of the society , and confines of mankinde . and hereupon many and many a time , when hee apprehended any opportunity , or had any meanes offered to make himself a way , he was tempted there unto ; principally upon this ground , that it was pitty , such an horrible blasphemer ( for so he supposed ) should any longer breathe . but at last , hearing the nature , manner , and remedy , of these hideous injections discovered by the ministery ; afterward privately informing himselfe further , and more fully from gods messenger , was happily , taken of the racke for the time to come , and most wonderfully refreshed . and therefore take heede of keeping the divels counsell . the tempted in this kinde may doe well , to bee still conversant in religious duties , honest workes of their lawfull callings , company of skillfull experienced soule ▪ physitions , or one or other comfortable imploiment . . settle in thy heart , a peremptory , impregnable resolution , never to entertaine any conceit of that great majes●y and glory above ; of the most holy and ever-blessed trinity ▪ or any thing there-about ; but such onely as is revealed ▪ and represented unto thee in gods booke . whatsoever is objected by carnall reason to the contrary ; or injected by the divell , any wayes to deprave the divinenesse of that glorious truth , ought to bee rejected as cursed , false , and execrable . and therefore , when that hellish nimrod shall at any time hunt , and chase thine affrighted soule , with these blasphemous hell-hounds ; bee sure ever to take sanctuary in the oracles of god , and keepe thee close and safe under this covert . whatsoever is not comprehended within the confines of that sacred pale ; warranted by holy writ , the soveraigne touch-stone of all heavenly truth ; let it bee abhorred , and retorted as dung upon the face of the tempter . that sense and apprehension of the deity , and divine things , which is not suckt from the brests of the two testaments , is in this regard to bee reputed ranke poyson ; repelled , and abominated with infinite indignation and disdaine . and for further helpe herein , when thou findest thy selfe thus followed with the violent , and incessant incursions of this furious folly ; call often , and seriously to minde , that accursed brand , which the booke of god hath set upon the adversary , that hee is the father of lies ; and let that still continue a more resolute rejection and contempt , of whatsoever comes from him . suppose a raging bedlam should follow thee up and downe , all the day long , and tell thee , that thy father , or speciall friend , were a stone , a bird , a tree , a toade , or whatsoever is viler , or more absurd : would'st thou hereupon entertaine , and harbour in thy minde , any mis impression , or monstrous perswasion of the party ? i trow not : ( onely his senselesse clamour , and restlesse raving would be very ●●kesome , troublesome , and un-welcome ) especially sith thou art furnished with a cleare demonstrative light out of naturall philosophy , that hee is a reasonable creature ; and thy selfe sees in him , the face and favour , the shape and proportion of a man. proportionably , satan , that bloody bedlam of hell , out of that madnes , at which heaven and earth may stand amazed , solicites thee to admit such , and such horrible and hideous conceits of thy dearest lord , his sonne , and sacred word . ( ah cursed fiend , that ever thou shouldest discover such prodigious malice against thy glorious maker ! ) now god infinitely forbid , that this should cause the least alteration , or any diminution at all , of thy lowliest , most reverent , adoring , and divinest thoughts of so great a god. for have but recourse to the holy records of all sound , supernaturall , and saving knowledge ; i meane , the word of life , with which thou oughtest to consult ; and to which onely thou art confind in this case ; and thou shalt finde him to bee , a onely , b one c living and d true god , e everlasting , f without body , parts or passions ; g of infinite power , h wisdome and i goodn●sse ; the maker and preserver of all things both visible and invisible . and in unitie of this godhead there to bee three persons , of one substance , power and eternity , the father , the sonne , and the holy ghost : and besides , thou k mayst graspe , as it were , and feele betweene thy fingers , as they say , even in every creature , his greatnesse and goodnesse , majesty and might , power and providence . in the glorious lights of heaven , saith a noble writer , wee perceive a shaddow of his divine countenance ; in his provision for all that live , his manifold goodnesse : and lastly , in creating , and making existent the world universall , by the absolute art of his owne word , his power , and almightiness● ; which power , light , vertue , wisdome , and goodnesse ▪ being al● but attributes of one simple essence , and one god , wee in all admire , and in part discerne per speculum creaturarum , that is in the disposition , order , and variety of celestiall and terrestriall bodies : terrestriall in their strange , and manifold diversities ; celestiall in their beauty and magnitude ; which in their continuall , and contrary motions , are neither repugnant , intermixt , or confounded . by these potent effects , wee approach to the knowledge of the omnipotent cause , and by these motions , their almighty mover . whensoever therefore that most implacable , and everlasting enemy to gods glory , and the good of his children , shal go about to pervert , and crosse by his blasphemous injections , these sober and sacred conceptions of the thrice glorious , & ever-blessed deity ; planted in thy minde , by his owne word , and this visible world ; bid him , by the example of thy lord and master , avoide and avant ; trample upon his hellish spite ; appeale unto gods righteous throne , with protestation of thine innocency ; damning them unto the pit of hell in thy iudgement ; and hating them , not without horrour , from the very heart-roote ; and so truly resisting them , crying mightily unto god for pardon , wherein soever thou shalt faile about them ; and for power against them ; and then possesse thy humble soule in patience and peace . . being humbled by them , making an holy use of them ; perusing , and applying the considerations and counsels in hand , for comfort in them , and conquest over them ; doe not by any meanes continue to afflict and torture thy spirit about them . a let them now passe away , and bee packing ; abandon them with an holy detestation , contempt , and slighting , without any such dismayednesse and terrour ; as most unworthy of any longer taking to heart , or notice of : much lesse of that carking and trouble , as to terrifie , in-dispose , & dis-able thee for a chearefull discharge of either of thy callings , particular , or generall ; divines hold even godly sorrow unseasonable , when it unfitteth the body or minde to good duties ; or to a good , and chearefull manner of doing them ; how much more would they not have these hellish distractions and intrusions to dishearten thee in this kinde ? but least of all , of that pestilent prevailing , as to fill thine heart with extraordinary astonishment , horrour and doubting ; whether such monstrous injections bee incident to sanctified soules , a saving state , and habitation of the holy-ghost ; and so to put thee into a habit of heavy walking , and secret sadnesse , by reason of continuall questioning the soundnesse of thy conversion ; the constancy of gods love unto thee ; former assurance of an immortall crowne ; and whether it bee possible , that iesus christ should dwell in a soule hanted with such horrible thoughts . procurement of which miseries & molestations , is the adversaries only aime . for so immesurably malicious is he , that if he cannot plunge thee into the pit of hell ▪ and everlasting flames in the world to come ; p yet will be labour might and maine , to keep thee upon the rack ; and in as much terrour , as hee can possibly , all thy life long , in this vale of teares . suffer then this advise to sinke seriously into thy heart : being illightned , rightly informed , and directed about them , let them no longer astonish thy spirit ; detaine thee in horrour ; hurt thy heart , or hinder thee in any duty to god or man ; or in an humble , comfortable , and confident walking with thy god , as thou art woont ; or of thy former sweet communion with iesus christ. and the rather because ; first , it is the tempters earnest end , only out of pure spite , to put this imposture , and unnecessary vexing perplexities upon thee . secondly , the more thou art troubled with them , and takes them to heart ( for that is it hee would have ) , the more violently and villanously , will he presse them upon thee , and terrifie . thirdly , they are not thine , but his fearefull sinnes ; hee alone must answer for them , at that great and last day , and thou goe free . it is his malicious madnesse , of such a prodigious nature , and notoriousnesse , as is beyond conceit , and above all admiration : onely fit for a divell : that hee may trouble thee temporally , hee mightily aggravates his owne eternall torment ! in a second place , let mee tender unto thee an antidote ; which hath been found soveraigne , and succesfull this way . the summe of it is this : let the tempted christian labour to worke , and extract , by the blessings of god , some spirituall good , out of the horrible hell of these most hatefull , abominable , blasphemous suggestions . and if satan once see , that thou s●cks honey out of his poyson ; comfort out of his cruelty ; medicine out of his malice : hee will have no heart , or hope to goe on ; no courage or contentment to continue the temptation . take it in the sense , if not in the same wordes , without any variation , or enlargement , as it was applied and prosper'd : spitefull and malicious fiend ; cursed enemie to heaven and earth ; by the mercies of god ( hough thy purpose be most pestilent ) yet thou shalt not hurt , or have any advantage against mee hereby : thy base and dunghill injections tending to the dishonour of my god , and my christ , &c. shall make mee : . more hate thine infinitely hatefull , and revengefull malice , against that thrice-glorious , and ever-blessed majesty above . . with more feeling and dearenesse , to adore , and love the glory and sweetnesse of my god , and my redeemer . for the more excessive and endlesse , i feele thy spite against him ▪ the more , i know , is his incomprehensible excellency and worth . . to pray oftner , and more fervently , that my god would rebuke thee , and cast this extreme malice of thine , as dung , upon thine owne face . . to bee still more humbled under the hand of my mighty lord ; because i cannot bee more humbled , and with more resolution and abhorrence , abominate , and abandon such prodigiously-senselesse , and hellish blasphemies of his ( for i am sure they are none of mine ) into the bottomlesse bottome of that darkest dungeon : in the blackest horrour whereof , they were most maliciously , and monstrously hatched . . to take up a strong argument , and answer , against an other of thy cursed injections , tending to atheisme , and the not being of those endlesse joies above . because i most plainely and palpably , feele thee , an invisible spirit , casting into my imagination such horrid , absurd , and ridiculously impious thoughts ; which cannot possibly spring ordinarily , or naturally from any power , or possibilitie of mine own soule : i know q thereby , and assure my self , that there is also an infinite , most wise , and glorious spirit , which created both me and thee : and will in due time chaine thee up for ever , in the pit of hell ; and bring mee at length , by the blessed merit of his only dearest sonnes bloodshed , into the bosome of his owne glory , and everlasting blisse . . to confirme mine owne heart , with stronger r assurance , ( which is no meane benefit ) that i undoubtedly belong unto god , and am in a gracious state . for thou well knowest , and so doth mine owne soule ; that thou never troubledst me ( to any purpose ) with these ougly blasphemous thoughts , while i yet lay starke dead in sinnes and trespasses ; and drown'd full deepe in vanity and lust ; in carnall loosenesse , and sensuall courses . then thou being the strong man , possessedst mee wholly , and all was quiet ; because all was thine : but being now happily rescued out of thy clutches , by a mightier then thou ; and having blessedly broke the prison by the helpe of the holy ghost ; thou followes mee with this fierie malice , and the most prodigious yellings of that infernall pit . and i am perswaded , it is a pestilent peece of thy deepest cunning ; very rarely to vexe civill worldlings ; those that lie in any grosse sinne ; or any , which thou keepest fast , and secure in thy snares , with such affrighting and greisely temptations . for thou craftily feares , lest striking that horror into the heart of a naturall man , which is woont to arise from such hellish fogs , and blasphemous filth ; thou shouldest thereby give him occasion , to renounce , detest , and drive him out of thine accursed slavery , and cause him to cast about for a new master . . to take notice of some speciall corruption , lust , passion , or spirituall distemper in one kinde or other ; over which i have not holden that hand , hatred , wakefull eie , as it were meete . for i am perswaded , my god out of his mercifull goodnesse , aimes at , and intends some such good unto my soule , by enlarging thy chaine ; and suffering thee at this time to afflict mee in this vncouth manner , with this hell-empoison'd dart , somthing extraordinarily . i have not been so sensible of thy other temptations , farre more ensnaring in sinne , tho not so terrifying ; and therefore my gracious lord may suffer thee at this time , thus to thrust out thy hornes , as they say , in this most horrible , and outragious encounter ; that i may bee throughly advertised , what an adversary i have ; and so , more minde , and marke him , for feare of much secret and suddaine mischiefe , by my security and neglect ; and more quickned to an universall watchfulnesse against all his methods , devises , and depths ; as well his subtile , and slie insinuations in the glory of an angell ; as his impetuous , and furious assaults in the shape of a foule fiend . some trouble , crosse , heavie accident , disgrace , discontentment ; some great and waighty affaire on foote , vnseasonable entertainements , sad newes from abroad , or something hath too often stolne my heart from that full and fruitfull attention to holy duties , which was due , and that even vpon the lords day : and i can now remember , and my conscience tells mee , vpon this occasion , that i have not watched over the many idle , impertinent wandrings , and vagaries of my imagination , as i ought ; but given so farre way vnto them , that they have justly brought upon mee an uncomfortable deadnesse of affection , barrennesse and indisposition , in the use of the ordinances ; and conversing with god by meditation , prayer , hearing of the word , singing of psalmes , examination of the conscience , and other religious exercises ; and i know not , into what further spirituall miserie they may leade mee ; and therefore in great mercy the most wise god goes now graciously about , to correct , and mortifie the vanity , worldlinesse , distractions , and mis-imploiment of my thoughts ; even by the terrours of these thy most horrible , and hellish injections . and by the helpe of god , i will follow the meaning , and conduct of his holy hand for a right use of them , and attaining that happy end , which hee doth so mercifully intend . . to gather skill , experience , and dexterity , for the raising , and reviving of others hereafter , hanging down the head , heavie-hearted , and maliciously haunted in the same kinde . by discovering unto them thy bootelesse malice , the soveraigne medicines i have met with in the ministry of the word ; and the good i gained to my soule hereby ; by the helpe of that almighty hand , which can turne the darkest mid-night into the brightest morning , and produce a medicinable potion out of the rankest poison . me thinks this heaven , which by divine blessing , i extract out of thy hell ; this healing vertue , which i draw from thy vilest venome ; this spirituall good , which i gather from thy divelish spite , should make thee weary of this way , and pull in thy hornes . i trust in my god , it will shortly cause thee to cast away this weapon , and quit the field quite . for thou ever infinitely hatest , and hinders all thou canst , the glory of god , all exercise and increase of grace , and the welfare of my poore soule ; which by accident , and his sanctifying power , who ever turnes all things to the best , to them that love him , are all happily advanced , furthered , and enlarged by this raging , and pestilent rancour of thine . and who would not thinke , were not the incredible depth of thy malice and madnesse , equally unfathomable by the wit of man ; but that thou shouldest the rather surcease ; because these satanicall suggestions , to mee , that resists , are but crosses and corrections ; but in thee , most outragious and execrable blasphemies ; which will mightily hereafter adde to the heavinesse and horrour of thine everlasting chaines of darkenesse and damnation , at the iudgement of the great day . finis . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e * . tim. . . b but as for the holy truth professed by my selfe , and those of the reformed religion , &c. king iames remonst . pag. . c bellarmine , eudae●ono-iohannes , suarez , becanus , mariana , with such monsters ▪ teach the doctrine of parricides ibid. pag. . if any except , and say ; these are but private doctors : heare king iames afterward : if the pope doth not approove , and like the practise of king killing ; wherefore hath not his holinesse imposed some severe censure , with a fearefull frowne , upon the booke of mariana the iesuite , ( by whom parricides are commended , nay , highly extolled ) when his holinesse hath been pleased to call-in some other of mariana's bookes . againe , wherefore did his holinesse advise himselfe , to censure the decree of the court of parliament in paris against iohn chastell ? wherefore did he suffer garnet and oldcorne , my powder-miners , both by bookes and pictures , vendible under his nose in rome , to bee inro●led in the canon of holy martyrs ? and when hee saw two great kings murdered one after another : wherefore by some publike declaration did not his holinesse testifie to all christendome , his inward sense , and true apprehension of so great misfortune , as all europe had just cause to lament , on the behalfe of france ? wherefore did not his holinesse publish some law , or pontificiall decree , to provide for the security of kings in time to come ? ibid. pag. . . see histor. iesuit . put out by lucius . wherein you may see their bloody behaviour in many kingdomes . d the mighty working of king iames his workes upon the adversaries , is intimated unto us to in the preface before his workes . they looke upon his maiesties bookes , as men looking upon blazing 〈◊〉 , with amazement ; feating they portend some strange thing ; and bring with them a certaine influence , to worke great change and alteration in the world : neither is their expectatiō herein deceived ; for wee have seene with our eyes , the operatiō of his majesties works in the consciences of their men so farre , as from their highest con●l●ve to their lowest cells , there have been , that have been converted by them . bishop of winten . e revel . . . f take policie as it is now a dayes taken by common phrase of speech : — as we say , that a right polit●tian is a very machiavell ; — so it may bee said , that in politicall government , or machivellian policy , none goeth beyond the iesuites at this day . decacord . quodlib . . art. pag. . no , no , their course of life doth shew what their study is : and howsoever they boast of their perfections , holinesse , meditations and exercises ; yet their platforme is heathen●sh , tyrannicall , and able to set aretöne , lucian , machiavell , and the divell himselfe , in a sort , to schoole . ibid. quodlib . . art . pag. . the iesuites manage matters more machiavellianly , then machiavell himselfe . answer to the iesuited gent. pag. . iesuites are fathers of mischiefe , friends to themselves , benefactours to seditious persons , masters of machiavellisme , traytours to england , and to their prince . an answer by one of our brethren , a secular priest , to blackwels letter , written to cardinall cajetan . . circa med. g the iesuites are to be marked out for the most malicious , trayterous , and irreligious calumniatours , that ever lived on earth , unworthy that ever the earth should bea●● them . quodl . . art. . pag. . h but mariana likes better , to have a tyrant poysoned by his chaire , or by his apparell , and robes , after the example of the mauri●●nian kings ; that beeing to poysoned onely by sent , or by contact , hee may not bee found guilty of selfe-fellony ; and the soule of the poore tyrant , in the flight out of the body , may be innocent of the fact . o hell-hounds ! o diabolicall wretches ! o infernall monsters ! how long then ? how long shall kings , whom the lord hath called his annointed ; kings , the breathing images of god upon earth ; kings , that with a wry , or frowning looke , are able to crush these earth-wormes in pieces ; how long shall they suffer this viperous brood scot-free , and without punishment , to spit in their faces ? king iames remonst . pag. . such is the religion of these reverend fathers , the pillars of the pontifician monarchy . in comparison of whose religion and holinesse , all the impiety , that ever was practised among the infidels , and all the barbarous cruelty , that ever was perpetrated among the cannibals , may passe henceforth in the christian world for pure clemency and humanity . ibid. pag. . adue religion of the iesuites : — for to speake truth ; to deale in state-matters , and to practise the death of princes , are as essentiall parts of their function , as their confession it selfe . iesu. catech. lib. . cap. . i tantum relligio potuit suadere malorum . but what would hee have done , if hee had knowne the massacre of france ; or the powder-treason of england ? &c. they make the cause of religion descend , to the execrable actions of murthering of princes , butchery of people , and fiering of states . sir francis bacon . essaie . of religion . hest. . . c 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . . pet . . da mihi christianum , & s●●t quid dico . d 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . . cor. . . g fidi imperator bus manete , sed anie hos deo , propter quem & ijs , quibus commissi a● traditi estis . nazian . orat. . at quî propter deum ? quia si deum m●tuetis , & studiosè dabitis operam , ut eius mandata servetis , fideles his etiam dei causâ eritis . elias . l all vertues turne to vices , when they become the servants of impiety . king iames remonst . pag. . m o the vanity of great men , who thinke it to bee the chiefe fruit of their greatnesse , to abuse their power insolently , to the ruine of their inferiours ! not remembring ( being blinded by their passion ) that they have a superiour over them , to make them yeeld an account of their unjust proceedings , forcing to make restitution with interest . histor. of france . in lewis the tenth . n qui eateros dignitate praestat & authoritate , debet maiori etiam pietate in deum effulgere , quò caeteris exemplosit , virtutem colendi & divina mandata servandi . cyr. alexand . lib. . in ioan. eccles. . . o parete ijs , qui praesunt v●b● & conce●dite : nam ille vigilant pro animis vestr●s ; tametsi prius tam dine dictum est , tamen ne nunc quidem reticebo . huius enim comminationis terror animum mihi concutit . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . de sacerdot . lib. . in princ . nam illi vigilant pro animis vestris , tanquam ratione reddituri . hiccine exiguus tibi videtur comminationis terror ? equidem illum , quantus sit , verbis exprimere non possum . ibid. lib. . ad fin . p 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 primùmigitur persvadeamus , ut iurament ●rum fuga in melius mutationem faciat : etsi enim heri , & nudiustertiùs de hac vobis locutus sum materi● , neque tamen hodiè desistam , neque cràs , neque perendiè eadem persvadere . chrysost. ad pop . antioch . hom. . about the beginning of his homilies upon genesis , hee tells them , that heri , yesterday i handled this , or that ; or to the like sense ; and the same , chrysostome preached in the afternoone : as appeares by these words , hom. . in . ad thess. qúemadmodum si quis lucis lychnaeo aquam aspergeret — aut oleum duntaxat eximeret , lucemexting veret ; ita habet & donum spiritus . hee tooke a resemblance from the lampe that burnt by him , when hee was preaching ; and sayes , you may qvench this lampe , by putting in water ; and you may qvench it , by taking out the oyle , &c. and so did great basil also , as appeares by these words : hexam . hom. . ad fin . facta est igitur vespera , & factum est mane dies unus . sed hi nostri de illâ vesperâ sermones , a● hac vesperâ iàmoccupati , hic orationi nostrae finem imponunt . and so did aust●n , that mighty disputer ; as appeares by these words : in psal . ( as hee counts ) conc . ad reliqua psalmi de quo in matutino locuti sumus , animum intendite . q vnde & episcopum necessecst , in singulos , ut sic dicam , dies sementem facere : ut ipsâ saltem assuetudine doctrinae , sermonem auditorum animi retinere possint . de sacerd. lib. . r sane ! aulica vita per se est status deo placens , interìm tamen est vitae genus lubricum , periculosum , ac varijs lipsious obnoxium ; in quo multa fiunt contra creatore● , propter conservandum humanum savorem : in aulis praecip●e negotiosus est satan ; ob●cit spectra disgratiae & favori● principal●s , ut i●sdem exterriti ●uliciomittant facienda , & faciant omittenda . qui in aulâ constans est in veritatis confessione , & iustitiae observatione , ille candem cum christo experitur sortem , qui in aulâ pontificis & herodis contemptus , illusus & percussus fuit . qui meticulosus est , & in gratiam magnatum à regulā veritatis & iustitiae recedit , is facilimè in abnegationem christi incidit . gerhard . in harmo . hist. evang. cap. . in aulà , quò quis corrup●●or moribus , aut corrumpentior muneribus , còbcatior . satis bur . in policrat . bernard was wont to complaine : that the court received such as were good , but made them 〈◊〉 cu●ia bonos facilius recipere , quàm facere consuevit . plures in eâ defecisse bon●s , quàm malo , profe●issep● chavimus . de consid. lib. . cap. . maiórne esse poterit spes nosira in palatio , quàm ut 〈◊〉 imperator●s simus ? et ibi quid non fragile , plenúmque periculis ? et per quot pericula pervenitur ad grandius periculum ? august . conf. lib. . cap. . hos erim ipsos , ques beavit , perdidit . how gloriously then doth a ioseph , a ionathan , a deniel , a mordeca● , a nehemiah , an hester , an ebed-melech shine in a kings court ? s delectatio occidit & praeterijt , vulneravit & transivit , miserum fecit & abijt , infelicem reddidit & reliquit . august . de temp. serm. . quid permanet in homine , nisi quod quisque aut legendo , aut orando , aut bonae opera faciendo pro animae salute , in thesauro conscientiae suae recondiderit ? infelix enim volupias , infelicior cupiditas atque luxuria , per transitoriam dulcedinē praeparant sempiternam amaritudinem . idem . ibid. serm. . t ista est filioli , vera poenitentia , quando sic convertitur quis , ut non revertatur ; quando sic poenitet , ut non repetat . ibid. serm. . u esto , delicieris , esto , inebrieris ; bodiè & cr●s & annos decem & viginti & triginta , & quinquaginta , & centum etiam , quod est impossibile : imò f●voles , ponamus etiam quid ultra centum ; quid verò lucraberis ? nibil . chrysost. in epist . ad philip. serm. . si quis divitum universum mundum possideret , totque scr●os haberet , qunt nunc in ●rbe terrarum sunt homines , ac ubique terrarum aedes , civitates , gentes suâ ditione teneret , ●ontes ac fluuiy auro sibi pro aquâ fluèrent ; tribus certè obolis huiusmodi hominem , unà cum divitijs suis , nisi ad columasp●●aret , dignum non duceremus . idem . in mat. hom. . s and how that is learned , chemnicius tells us : ordo divinus est , quòd vult quidem evangelizare , sed pauperibus ; vult sanare sed centritos ; vult praedicare dimissionem , sed captivis ; vult educere & liberare , sed vinctos , hoc est , sub peccato conclusos ; vult consolari , sed contristatos , & lugentes ; vult respicere sed ad contritum spiritu : beneplacitum est domino , sed super timentes eum , & in eis , quisperant super misericordiá eius ; vult reficere , sed laborantes & oneratos ; vult coronare misericordiâ & miserationibus , sed caput humiliatum , non turgidum ; vult infundere oleum misericordiae , sed vulneratis , &c. exam. decr. trident. p. . de contrit . cap. . t hilaritatis nostrae omnis rivulus defonte ducendus pietatu ; winton . opuse . posthu . pag . u anima , quae amat , ascendit frequentèr , & currit familiaritèr per plateas coelest●● hierusalem , visitando patriarchas , & prophetas , salutando apostolot , admirando exercitus martyrum & confessorum , &c. august . tom. . p. . pag. . x cor humanum in desiderio aeternitatis non fixum , nunquam stabile potest esse ; sed omni volubilitate volubilius , de alio in aliud transit , quaerens requiem , ubi non est . in his autem caducis & transitorijs , in quibus eius affectus captivi tenentur , veram requiem invenire non valet ; quoniam est tantae dignitatis , ut nullum bonum , praeter summum bonum eisusficere possit . ibid. cùm obiectum intellectus sit omne ens , nunquam eius capacitas explebitur , ac proindè ad ultimam persectionem non perveniet , done● apprehendatur omne ens : quod accidit , cùm apprehenditur deus , qui continet in se perfectiones omnium entium . pauon . disp. . q. . prop. . * lib. . sect. . y quid in hoc mundo stabile ? quid firmum ? quid porrò non breve & incertum , & c●sui non serviens ? quale istud bon●m est , quod semper timeas amittere ? quod vel auferendum a●s te metuas , vel à te relinqueadum scias . nam etsi nullo eripiatur casu , vel morte certè perdendum est . et si vita nostra tendatur per mille annos , & ad extremum illum totius diem aetatis , quotidianâ voluptate veniamus ; quale hoc quaeso diu est , quod sine deletur ? aut quis illius voluptatis structus est , qui statim ut cessaverit , videbitur tibi nō fuisse ? age iam , transactum vitae tuae tempus animo revolve . nonne videbitur tibi umbra quaedam fuisso , quod transijt , & instar somny tenuis incertum esse omne , quod videtur ? hoc idem & decrepitus senex sentire potest : cui convenit dicere cum propheta , dies mei sicut umbra declinaverunt , & ego sicut foenum arui . quòd si baec etiam hîc possumus dicere , ubi quamvis brevis , tamen quia praesens est , vita ista magni penditur ; quid in futuro dicturi sumus , ubi maiori aetatis scientia , transactum omne pro nihilo est . haec tu tecum diligenter revolvens , & brevitatem vitae huius aeternitatis contemplatione despiciens , ipsum quoque contemptum mundi maiori cum virtute contemne ; et ad illum tantū diem para te , in quo mundi gloria finienda est . aug. epist. . notes for div a -e alij scripturae libri , tamet si à spiritu sancto dictati per●ectissimam sapientiam contineant , & scientiam earum rerum , quas sib● proponunt , tamen sapien●ia & scientia , qu● in illis traditur , ra●ò admodùm decerpi & percipi potest , nisi ex mul●orum verborum contextu , & continuatâ serie , ita ut , si in secundo , aut tertio , aut etiam quarto versu saepè substiteris , fructum exilem & perexiguum percepturus &c. in hoc autem libro ( maximè ) cum ●d cap. . perventum fuerit , ex quo , & sequentibus cap. hoc nomen proverbiorum hic liber , sortitus est ) singulis pene versibus , vel versiculis potius absoluta & perfecta doctrina traditur ▪ car● in cap. prov. iam inde à capite decimo , quae hîc sparsim leguntur proverbia , recep●u● est ●●ier theologos absque methodo esse , nec perpetuo tenore scripta , ut priora novem , a salomone . ●inton cone ad clerum . prograd . doct. mihi inprimis itá semper placuit , inter singulas sententias cohaerentiam & nexum aliquem frustrà confingi . sala● . a rom. . . quis autem non est contra nos ? co●●ra nos etenim est ips●●rb● , tyrannt , populi , ●ognati , ciues●ver 〈…〉 contra ●os se●t , tant cognati , abe●t ut 〈◊〉 quenani . ut la sa etiam nobi● , nolint velint , coronarum sint , innumerotumgue bonorumprocuratores , divina saprentia insidias ilior●m ad nostram salutem converteni● b attribut a dei sunt ipsa d●iessentia , seuipse deus . c psalm . . d isa. . . e rom. . . f . kings . g matth. . . . sam . see foxes story of gods punishment 〈◊〉 on persecutors , &c. acts and monumen page . &c. h ruth . . . psalm . . i thus spake blessed bainbam in the midst of the fire . o ye papists behold , ye looke for miracles ; and here now you may see a miracle : for in this fire i feele no no more paine , then if i were in a bed of doune ; but it is to me as sweet as a bed of roses . acts and monuments page . k his maiestie was mooved to interpret and conster the latter sentence in the letter ( alleaged by the earle of salisbury ) against all ordinary sense and construction in grammar , as if by these words , for the danger is past as soone as you have burned the letter , should be closely understood the suddainty and quickenesse of the danger , which should be as quickely performed , and at an end as that paper should be of blazing up in the fire ; turning that word of as soone , to the sense of , as quickely . discourse of the manner of the discovery of a late intended treason , &c. heare king iames his own words . i did upon the instant interpret and apprehend some darke phrases in the letter contrary to the ordinary grammar construction of them , ( and in another sort then i am sure any diuine or lawyer in any vniversitie would have taken them ) to be meant of this horrible for me of blowing us up all by powder . his maiesties speech in the last session of parliament , printed . l a vertuous gentlewoman in this land doubting very often of her salvation , made her case knowne unto a worthy minister of god ; who often counselled her , to take heed of inquiries further then gods word , and trust assuredly that she might conclude her salvation out of gods word , without any further revelations : yet still did the temptation grow upon her , in so much that having a venice glasse in her hand , and the selfe-same minister sitting by her , presently breakes forth into lamentable words ; you have often told me , that i must seeke no further then gods word , but i have bin long without comfort and can endure no longer : therefore it i must be saved , let this glasse be kept from breaking , and so she threw it against the walls . here might the lords hand for this tempting of his maiestie , have left her to the everlasting woes of her distrustfull heart : yet the lord that is rich in mercy , having stamped her with the seale of his election , was content to satisfie the languishing soule with a miracle : the glasse rebounds againe , and comes safe unto the ground ; which the minister having gotten into his hands ; faith , oh repent of this sinne , blesse god for his mercy , and never distrust him more of his promise : for now you have his voyce from heaven in a miracle , telling you plainely of your estate . this was curiositie , and might have brought despaire ; yet it was the lords mercy to remit the fault , and grant extraordinary confirmation of her faith. yates . gods arraignement of hypocrites , page . . m deprecatio , ecclesiae murus , qui rumpi non possit , munimentum inconcussum , daemonibus quidem formidabile . chrysost. de orando deum . lib. . deprecatio , armatura est inexpugnabilis ; ac ●utissimum , nec unquam fallens munimentum , pari facilitate , vel unum repellens militem , vel innumerabilia hostium millia . ibid. lib. n tantarum vir●um est precatio , ut in hominis potestatem creaturas ad unam omnes , & quod mirêris , ipsum creaturarum dominum redigat . sc●l● . de precat . cap. . non in homines tantum est ista precationis vis , sed etiam in bellua● , in daemones , in mundi elementa , in coeli sydera , in deum ipsum . ibid. * feriendi licentiam quarit à mose , qui fecit mosen . bern. o honos miscendi sermonem cum deo angelorum superat maiestatem . de precat . lib. . ios. . , . ion. . , &c. . iud. . . iam. . , . . kings . . . . kings . . chron . , , &c. acts . . . . * upon intelligence of the spanish invasion , a publike fast was proclaimed and observed , anno . * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . iam. . ionah . p faith is onely able to performe ; fulnesse of ioy , and constancy of content , in the midst of the changes , wanes , eclipses and fuls of all externall things ; and that one day , as well as another , throughout the course of a mans life in that latitude & extent , whereof this life is capable . ward . q credenti mundus cum principe diabolo , mors , infernus , peccatumque mera ludibria s●nt , ut dicere possit cum paulo , vbi tuus , ó mors , aculeus ? ubi tua , inferne , victoria ? . cor . . habet enim ipse contra omnia haec , quae caeteris ●orribilia & ●nsuperabilia sunt , victoriam per dominum iesum christum , in quem credit , cui adh●ret & innititur . naogeor . r . ioh. . s matth. . t eph. . . u heb. . . x heb. . . y heb. . . z heb. . . * heb. . . a heb. . . b heb. . . c psal. . da mihi pulchram iustitiam , da mihi fidei pulchritudinem . proc●dat in medium , ostendat se oculis cordis , inspiret servorem amatoribus suis : iam tibi dicitur , frui me vis ? contemne quicquid te aliud delectat , contemne pro me . e●ce contempsis●i , parum est illi — parum est vt contemnas quicquid te dilectabat , contemne quicquiud te terrebat , contemne carceres , contemne vincula , contemne equuleum , contemne tormenta , contemme mortem , haec vicisti , me invenisti — amat , ardet , servet , cal●at omnia quae delectant , &c transit : venit ad aspera , horrenda , truculen●a , minacia ; cal●at ▪ frangit & transit . august . de verbis apostoli . serm. . d 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 luminum ; non 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 luminis . q. d. omnis luminis , elementaris , aetherei , spiritualis & coelestis . par. d 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 luminum ; non 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 luminis . q. d. omnis luminis , elementaris , aetherei , spiritualis & coelestis . par. * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . ioh. . . e lux citò coelum , terras , maria illuminat , & momento temporis sine ullâ comprehensione , relectis surgentis diei splendore regionibus , nostro se circumsundit aspectui . ambros. h●x . lib. . cap. ● . f fides est in christianâ animâ fandamentum omnium virtutum bern li. de ordine vitae . stell 〈◊〉 dixisse virtutes non me poenitet considerantem congru●●tiam similitudinis quo modo nempe stellae in n●ct● lucent , sic vera v●rtus , quae saepe in prosperis non apparet , eminet in adversis . — ergo virtus est sidus , & hom● virtutum coelum . idem super cont. serm. . g 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . eph . . h 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . . ioh . . i 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . . tim. . . k nemo quisquam in ullà historiâ tot tamque gravibus arumnis simul adobrutus fuisse legitur . par. l divitijs dediti , non paupertem tantum contrem●s●un● , sed etiam quantulumque disp●n●dium — mul●●●gitur ex istis etiam a●la neum concurrerunt , nequaquam scil●cet tantum moerorem ferent●s . chrysost. in mat●h . hom. . m iobus ait , se vxorem obsecrásse per prol●m , quam ex illà susceperat . idautem eam minime commovit . ostendit igitur id contra naturam esse , & uxorem suam in eo 〈◊〉 gen●umpro●●disse c●lv . n quod fuerit morbigenus ▪ incer●u● est sunt qui putant elephantiasin , aut lepram fuisse . sed e●●sinal● est l●●ge gravius malum fuisse , & quali forfar nunquam quisquam huminum laborarit , merc iob . & . . . o intimi fuerunt iobi amiet , & familiares ac voluti gregales . beza . h●●on dubium , speaking of iobs friends , quin admiran● sapientia viri fuer●nt , ut ex eorum disputationibus , quae hoc libro inseruntur , videre est : q●ia & insignes probitate & r●ligione , ut ex usdem apertum erit . merc. p nam & beatus iob ille , insianteà praemeditatu● fuisset , non ita in certamine resulsisset , nisi certè erebrò cogi●asset , quâ●●●atione moerorem superaret ; d●xisset omninò aliquid moestum , cum repentè ●●ysse silios r●scisset . nunc vero 〈◊〉 praemedi●●tus , exercitatusque fuer●t , ut ad omnia ing●n●● animo perstiterit ; ad totiu● substantiae , & tam m●●tarum rerum iacturan , ad phorum an arissimum obitum , ad uxoris affe●●um , ad acerb● corporis ulcera , ad iniusta anacorum opprobria , ad ancillarum contemptum atque servorum . chrysost. in mat. hom. . ezek. . . quis non putâsset . luthetū ●●●anto cunctorum odio & invidiâ , cui totus penè mundus insidiabatur , etiam ille , cuius pedibus im●cratores olim cogebantur cervices su●y ere , non mille mortes o●cubiturum ? at forsan concitatis turbis vix s●perfuit , quo minùs potestas ci●● esse pot●it ; im●opertriginta ●ene annos in ac●e perstitit , incolumis à clandestin●s vetitioni●us , ●uious pon●ifex tollere solet homines , quos aperto marte debellare non possit : ac tandem aeger decumbens in lecto , animámque tradens illi , qui de . lit , placidè in christo o●dormivit . brightman cap. . apocal. fuit omninò vir magnanimus , qui talia ausus est , quae totu● miratur orbis , & qui tot gentibus adversus ipsum conspirantibus unum se opposuit . 〈◊〉 ●hronolog . an. christi . . fox in the story of martin luther , pag. . carmina secessum scribentis , & o●●a quaerunt : me mare , 〈…〉 me sera 〈…〉 . * n●w become anti●christian , as 〈…〉 a●●ian . a i was saith he , excessively 〈◊〉 of mony , and accordingly 〈…〉 to get by 〈◊〉 , corrupting iudg●ment by deceite , inventing trickes to d●lude iustice : good causes i either defended de●ceitfully ; or ●ould thē to the adversary perfidiously . 〈◊〉 causes i maintain'd with all my might . i willingly opposed the knowne truth . and the trust committed unto me , i either betrayed or perverted . thus did the care of this world , and the deceitfulnesse of 〈…〉 the good ●eede that was formerly ●owne ; so as fearing hee faints and yeelds to the a●lurements of this present world . i know the doctrine of iustification by christ , but i denied it and abjur'd it to the end , that i might keepe this fraile life from adversity , and my children from poverty : and now behold how bitter is this life unto me ? and god onely knowes , what shall become of this my family . but surely no go●d is like to betide it , but rather daily worse and worse , and such a ruine , as at length , one stone shal● not the le●t upon another . nat. bacon . in the relation of the desperate estate of francis spira , in the yeere . i have the originall relatours of the story ; and finde this excellent translation to answere exactly to them . math. . . math. . . rom. . . math. . . isa . dan. . * cap. . . &c. felicem fuisse , miserrimum . ad pop . antioch . hom . . comm. lib. . cap. . * such as that hee ●aught unto caesar borgia : to imploy men in mischeivous actions , and afterwards to destroy them , when they have performed the mischiefe . to depresse those whom thou hast grieved ; and to destroy those whom thou hast deprest , &c. a extinctis quinque tyrannis dioclesiano , maximiano , maxentio , maximino , et licinio tenet monarch●m solus constantinus . chron. carion . lib. . b dimicârunt enim in utram partem fieret in●linatio ; an deinceps toiꝰ orbis pareret christianis principibus , de●●t●ris e●hnicas religiones : un verò pareret eth●icis deleturis christianos . — fuit igitur causa longè major , qu●m ulli in imperus unquam fuit . ibid. lib. . theor. . * that expedition , i confesse was a devise and invention of the pope , whereby he might come to be in feoffed in the king domes of christian princes . so that on his part the project was pestilent . as king iames hath excellently observed , in his re●●onstrance against perron . pag. . for neere the space of two hundred yeeres , shee , meaning rome , made the force and flowre of the world to fall by millions , in the foolish conqvest of ierusalem . forbes upon the revelat. chap. . the zeale of the holy land , was the popos ordinary colour to con●ure the stormes raysed by the emperours , and in sending them farre off , to have better meanes to compasse their designes at home , without controule . iohn de serres in the life of lewis the ninth . b the historie of the turkes , pag. . tantum ibi bumanisanguinis fusum , ut caesorum corp●ra und● sanguiau impellente , ●atârint , ac stuitârint . chron. bucole . pag. . c appellatus est ful●●neus terror turcorum . fuit enim non modò , ut de dehille homerus inquit , achivorum , sed tollus reliquae europae murus , ●u●us unius virtus & felicitas tyrannorum impetus repressit , velut objecta moles exundans flumen . car. lib. . d hist. of the turkes , pag. . e vno die quinquies cum turcis aperto marte congressus , quinque victorys partis , &c. car. lib. . f tur carii viginti millia caesa , ex vngaris tria circiter millia desiderata sunt . bonfin . leoncla● . g hist. of the turkes , pag. . etseq . h tam clari herois venerati , nobile bustum , ossaque , mar●●● áque in●clum conden●ia corpus abs●derant , sibi quisque in partes secta minutas . tanquam ●● bellica vis & martius ardo● in●sset . p●u . lovins ill●st . virolm eglog . lib. . pag . i history of the turkes , c na●●ant 〈…〉 . d 〈…〉 tantus fuit 〈…〉 . bucole . chron. pag . e quò 〈…〉 & 〈…〉 ●aim primùm deleri oportet , una seges & materia coriū barbarae tyrannidi● 〈…〉 ner 〈◊〉 , orsus , & praecidentur , post . quam a romae nefarijs sceleribus supremâ interne 〈◊〉 eyis 〈…〉 expratus fuerit , ut apocalypsis planu facit . brightm . epist dedie . f ex quibus lu●e clar●us ●onstet , quinam ex occidentalibus in causà sum miserrimae 〈…〉 ex turcis vbi eni● r●periemus hanc idololatriam ? equidem protestantes , ut 〈◊〉 , & reformatae ecclesiae cultum omnem , venerationem , & sacrum honorem imaginum ad inferos relegârunt , unde primum venit . ergo illa , quae se iactat catholicam ecclesiam , 〈…〉 est romanus pontifex , cujus templa fulgent aureis , argenteis , & aeneis 〈…〉 nec lapidearum , & lig●earum venerationem respuit : illa , inquam , 〈…〉 scripturis , corruptis patrum testimonijs , entitis miraculis , & 〈…〉 , fallacijs , i●ololatricam imaginum venerationem ad hunc 〈…〉 flagello non vult experg●s●eri . brightman cap. . apoc. v●rs . 〈…〉 christianos principes ad arma , 〈◊〉 turcam hortari , quem 〈…〉 verò 〈…〉 omnes ●op●ae illi praedae sint ? 〈◊〉 ex ammo praedonem hunc 〈…〉 deos , ex●● sacrilegum tuam primat●m , 〈…〉 quidem omnibus s●cleribus , 〈…〉 momentum quid●m 〈…〉 peccatis 〈◊〉 sed 〈…〉 idem . ibid. ex quibus jam 〈…〉 donec rom● diruta sit . 〈…〉 hoc ●move●●●ur 〈…〉 quam thronus 〈…〉 plusigne fuerit , & 〈…〉 . ide● in cap. . vers . . b in conclusion , having much spoken , ( meaning iulian the cardinall ) of the authoritie and power of the great bishop , he in his name dis-anulled the league whatsoever , by the king made with the turke , and absolved him , with the rest whom it might concerne , from the oath they had given and the promises they had made . historie of the turkes , pag. . c praestitum est ab utraque parte juramentum ; christianis quidem libro evangeliorum , turcis verò codici alcorani , digitos inter jurandum imponentibus . chron bucolc . pag . d certutum est totos dies , noctésque tres , diu fortunâ ancipiti , sed tanto animorum ardore utrinque , tant òque impetu , ut casorum sangvine campi stagn●rint . car. lib . a hist. of the turkes , pag. . rev. . . u potest deus facere multa , qua non facit : immò in infinitum ultra omnia , quae unquam facta sint , alia & alia : idq●e non modò secundum individuas rerum rationes , sed etiam secundum specificas , & generi●as , atque adeò simpliciter ; ut docet thomas hic art. . probatur quia ultra quaecunque facta , sunt ali● possibilia sine ull● fine , &c. greg. de valent. tom. . disp. . q. . punct . . potentia dei est infinita tribus modis . . natur● suâ , & per se ; quia est ipsam et essentia divina . . respectu●ctionis , 〈…〉 au● agere potest . haec enim actio nunquam est ita valida , & int●nsa , quin possit fieri validior & intensior . nam deus extrase , nunquam tam potenter agit , quin si velit potentius opera●● possit . . respectu objectorum , in quae extenditur , 〈◊〉 ager● potest qu● infinita sunt : seu quod idem est , respectu effectuum , quos potes● producere . n●● deus extra se nunquam tam multa agit , & operatur , quin possit pl●ra operari , sivelit . 〈◊〉 lib. . theol. nat. cap. . a miser ego in quantum deberem diligere deum meum , qui me fecit , cum non eram ? — non enim eram , & de nihilo fecit me : non arborem , non avem , nec aliquod de animalibu● brutis , sed hominem me voluti esse : dedit mihi vivere , sentire , & discernere august . lib. de contritione cordis . b quid quòd nostris temporibus , vix sexta pars orbis habitabilis christo nomen dederit ? suffra colleg . pag. . divide the world into sixe parts , and five are not so much as christian . burton of me●●●●h●ly pag . c neque propt●r●à creati 〈◊〉 , ut ederemus , atque biberemus , ●●stque●●●eremur , sed ut pla●● remus deo , & bonis potiremur ●uturis . chrysost. in cap. . m●● . hom. . if a man would sit downe , and call his thoughts together , but for one halfe houre , and consider this seriously : i have but a very little time to live here ; it is another place , where i must live thorow all eternity : as i spend this short time , so shall it be with me for ever : i say , if this were thorowly considered , i wonder that any thing should take up the intentions , and thoughts of a mans heart , but onely to make sure his salvation . the little point of time , we live in this world , is nothing , to the duration before it , or to the eternitie following it : it is therefore most fit , and best wisedome to spend it , were it ten times longer , in those courses which may make the everlasting time to come , endlesly and un-utterably comfortable unto us . if it be so , that there is no difference of the time past , in respect of paines , and pleasures , betweene that fellow , which hath wallowed all his life long , in worldly delights ; and him , who hath beene exercised with variety of afflictions and likesome sufferings : what a prodigious madnesse is it , to preferre the sensuall ease of a vaine life , before the sweetest paine of a mortified course ? especially , sith very shortly , the one ends in endlesse paines : and the other in endlesse pleasures . and also in the meane time , that is true ; that tho the ayre which compasseth adversity , he very a ●●●ure : yet therein wee better discerne god , then in that shining light , which environeth worldly glory ; through which , for the clea●en●sse therof , there is no vanity , which escapeth our sight . * quicquid at at is retrò est , mors tenet . * quis illius voluptatis fructus est , quistatim ut cessaverit , ut debitur tibi non fuisse ? age iam , transactum vitae tuae tempus animo revolve . nonne videbitur tibi umbra quaedam fuisse , quod transijs , & instar so ●nij tenuis incertum esse omne quod vid●●ur ? hoc idem & decrepitus senex sentire ▪ cui convenit dicere cum prophet● , dies mei sicut umbrae declinaverunt , & ego sicut faenum ar●●● . quòd si haec etiam hîc possumus dicere , uli quamvis brevis , tamen quia praesens est , vita ista magni penditur , quid in futuro dicturi sumus , ubi majori aetatis scientiá transactum omne pro nihilo est ? aug. ep. . a si deus diceret damnatis , impleatur terra arenâ minutissimâ , ita ut totus orbis hisce arenae granulis repleatur , à terrâ usque ad coelum empyreum ; & millesimo quoquo anno angelus veniat , demátque ex hoc arenae cumulo unum granulum , cúmque post tot millenarios annorum , quot sunt granula , ea exhauserit , liberabo vos à gehennâ : o quàm exultarent damnati , damnatus se non aestimarent : nunc autem , post omnes hos millenarios restant alij , & alij millenary in infinitum , in aeternum & ultrá . hoc est pondus grave aeternitatis , quod opprimit damnalos . cogita , o peccator , hoc pondus tibi imminere , nisi resipiscas . — qui fit , quòd tam rarò , tam modicè , tam obiter , de eâ cogitemus ? * quin potiùs auferantur , quibus coram malè vivere pudet , qui peccantium frontem 〈◊〉 non verb● , quia 〈…〉 tamen ipso vita 〈◊〉 dissimili feriunt 〈◊〉 verberant . — ergo tanquam ●●elerum & malitia su●●tes●es extirpare funditùs nituntur & tollere , grauesque sibi putant , tanquam vita eorum coarguatur . lactant. lib. . cap . d iob . a caeterum vultu & facie satis valens , mente & intellectu constantissimus , memorià potentissimus : nunquam eadem verba bis repetit : venientes omnes ad se recipit : sermones & doctos & graves ac maturos profert , se iusto dei judicio damna●●● , se jam in inferno esse & inde inenter cruciari optare se in loco iudae & caini esse . gribaldi . epist. de tremendo divini judicij exemplo , &c. pag. . immisit deus ex illà horâ in cor ejus vermem corrodentem , ign●m inextinguibilem , ut horrore , confusione , desperatione , subitò repleretur . qui vermis & ignis nunquam exinde illum dereliquerunt ; ut se longè deteri●ri in statu testetur , quàm si separatâ à corpore animà cum iuda cain , & caeteris damnatis esset : desiderans se loco cujusvis mortui & damnati esse pottus , quàm si in corpore vivere . ibid pag. . b tom. . serm. contra gulam & caeteras corporis volupt producamu● homines duos in medium , quorum alier lasciviae sit & voluptatibus deditus , alter verò prorsus sit his rebus demortuus , &c. adeamus istorum domos . — inveniemus certe alterum , libris incumbentem , vacantem rei divinae , abstinentiae , vel rebus necessarus incumbentem , habentemque cum deoser ●onem● de reb●s coelestibus diss●rentem , & angelum potiùs agentem , quàm hominem . alterum ver● madentem mero-dantem operam lasciviae-debacchantem — delicijs incumbentem , non solùm vivendo 〈◊〉 mortem , sed esse mortuis longè inferiorem , perniciosioremque daemone agitato , & furijs . vbi verò dies illuxit , am●ttit omnem , quam ex lasciviâ ceperat , voluptatem ▪ si ●●dem familiam ob mu●murantem & insectantem se ●urgio conjugem , objurgantes amicos ▪ ●●●micos ludibrio se habentes recognoscit . * quis igitur , qui mentis sit compos , non potiùs optet mille obire mortes , quàm diem unum hanc vitam degere ? * i say [ ordinarily ] . first , because , sometimes 〈◊〉 notorious ones ▪ and yet without all 〈…〉 , may represent , to the eye of un-judicious by-standers , whereby they are 〈…〉 fearefully hardened , a notable shew of dying well . in my time , saith the french a●thor of essaies , three of the ●ost exercr●ble persons that ever i knew in all 〈…〉 , and the most infamous , have been seene to die very orderly , and quietly , &c. i have also my selfe o●served some of higher place notorio●sly wicked , who by their cariage in their last sicknesse , have suggested conceits , especially to those who were willing to be hardned by their deaths , that they made a good end , as they say , whereas they had no true touch in conscience at all , or feeling remorse for their former extreamely sinfull life . which is occasioned sometimes , by the un-skilfulnesse of some spirituall physitions about them , who are ready to dawbe , and draw a skin only over their un-searched sinfull sores , now at their death , as they were to play the men-pleasers , and sow-pillowes under 〈…〉 in their life time ; fellowes as excellent in palliate cures ; as utterly un-acq●ainted with the mystery of comforting afflicted consciences aright , and speaking seasonably to such as lie upon their last bed. heare master marburies censure of such mounteba●ks this intolerable defect , saith he , ( meaning of experimentall knowledge in ministers 〈…〉 it selfe more shamefully , or with greater hurt , then when men have 〈…〉 death , or in time of great affliction : for at such times 〈…〉 want shall to helpe their poore sheepe out of the ditch , are 〈…〉 , and to take some other indirect course ; ( as many use to 〈…〉 in time , to make him mans meate , lest it should be said . he 〈…〉 . . secondly , because , some one of them perhaps , i know not amongst how many thousands , may be ●●ke the thiefe upō the crosse. . thirdly , because , tho meete civil 〈◊〉 utterly estranged from the life of godlinesse all their life long for the most part , may make a calme quiet and peaceable end in the eye and estimate of the world , which was never able to distinguish a secure blockishnesse from an holy security ; observation whereof hardeneth a world of people in their unsaving state : heare green●ams doome of such a death : they dye , saith he , like blockes : and yet the ignorant 〈…〉 such fearefull deaths , say●●● , he departed as meekely as a lambe , he went 〈…〉 shall , when they might as well say ( but for their fether-bed and their 〈…〉 , and per●shed like an oxe in a ditch . i say , tho this sort of men , for the most part die so ; yet i have knowne some such upon the very first thought , they should certainely die , to have fallen into desperation , and could never be recovered . and altho many f●rma●l professours , may goe to hell with many g●od speeches , and lord ▪ lord , in them 〈…〉 appeares in the f●●l●sh virgins , and those in the seuenth of mattheww ; yet i ●ave ●nowne of some of them ; who have died very fearefully indeede , and full of cruely desperate horrour . hos. . . isa. . . deut. . . * inter omnes tribulationes humanae animae , nulla est major tribulatio , quàm conscientia delictorum . namque si ibi vulnus non sit , sanumq●e sit intus hominis , quod conscientia vocatur ▪ ubicunque al●bi passus fuerit tribulationes , illuc confugiet , & ibi inveniet deum . si autem ibi requies non est , propter abundantiam iniquitatum , quoniam & ibi deus non est , quid facturus est homo . quò conf●giet , cum caeperit patitribulationes ? fugiet ●b●gro ad civitatem , à publico ad domum , à domo ad cubiculum , & sequitur tribulatio . a cubiculo jam quò fugiet , non habet nisi interius ad cubile suum . porrò si ibi tumultus est , si fumus iniquitatis , si s●a●nmasceleris , non illuc potest confug●re . pellitur enim●n●e , & cum inde pellitur , à seipso pellitur . et ecce hostem suum inven●● , quò confugerat ; seipsum , quò fugiturus est . quocunque fugerit se , talem trohit post se : & quocunque talem traxerit se , cruciat se. in psalm . . p. . poena autem vehemen● & multò saevior illis . qua● & coeaitius gravis invenit , & roadamanthus ; nocte ●i●que suum gestare in pecture te●●em . * let us not bee scotners , lesters , and deriders ; for that is the uttermost token and shew of a reprobate , of a plaine enemy to god in his wisedome . hom. of some places of scriptures , by which some take offence , p. . ** 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . ▪ th●ssal . . . a shee prefer'd iohn bapt●st● head before the halfe of herod's kingdome , mark. . b 〈…〉 , rurs●s haec in se●psam tr●nssert , & ●llius verba quasi ad ejus ignomin●am ●l●ta exissimans , aliud conetlium episcoporum contra eum cogendum curat . quâ re intellectâ ioannes percelebrem illam concionem in ecclesiâ recitavit , cujus exordiumest : herodias denuò insanire , denuò commoveri , denuò saltare pergi● : denuò ●●put ioinn●s in disco acc●pere quaerit socra . hist. ecclesiast . lib. . cap. . c let none marv●ll why i 〈◊〉 med●le with 〈◊〉 , especially in this time of peace and prosperity of the gospell , as tho it were unnecessary and unseasonable : for aust●● tels us truly : illi maxime perse●●untur ecclesiam , qui ●●●re●●iani , nolunt benè vivere . per hos enim opprohr●um habet ecclesia , & ab his inimicitias sustine● , quando corripiuntur , quando male vivere , non permusuntur , quando cum eis vel verbo igitur , i●si , mala in suis ●ordibus meditantur , & erumpendi occasionem requirunt . in psal. . pag. . those especially persecute the church ▪ who professing christianity will not live graciously , &c. ier. . . . . king. . . . . maccab. . acts . . acts and monuments , pag. . nullus semel ore receptus — pollutas patitur sanguis mansuescere fauces . d cum quotidiè nostram sanctificationem blasphemant , quid aliud blasphemant quàm spiritum sanctum . aug. tom. . par . . pag. . e et nulli nocentiores habentur , quàm qui sunt ex omnibus innocentes . lactant. lib. . cap. . f bonus vir caj●s seius , sed malus tantùm quia christianus . tertul . apol. pag. . g 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . act. . . h . timot. . . ezek. . . i i know the booke is not of divine authority ; and therefore the place quoted , taken only from the hand of an humane historian . and so conceiue of it ; but we see the authors conceite of that wicked man. if any thinke , that god is said to have had no mercy upon him , onely in resp●ct of deliveran●e from his disease : heare what some say in the case . antiochus was ind●ed re●lly and seriously grieved ; and acknowledged that his affliction was for his sins , lib. . cap . ● . . 〈◊〉 was n●t truly penitent for the offence committed against god , and his neighb●●● , 〈…〉 his owne calamity , and misery , and therefore could not obtaine mercy , to remision of 〈…〉 of the punishment : so also the damned in hell , know , and confesse , that they are pan●she● for their sinnes , but have not true repentance , for their offence against god. of this easure and glosse , let the authours render a reason themselues . in antioche , saith cyprian , an●ichr●●us expressus . de exhort . martyr ij . cap. . est quaedam precum omnipotentia . k cùm ▪ arrius constantinopoli in ecclesiae communionem recipiendus esset , alexander e●us urb●s episcopus , to●â nocte in templo prostratus oravit deum , ut ecclesiam praesenti periculo liberaret , & de arrio blasphemiarum poenas reposceret . postridie arrius m●gnâ suorum catervâ in templum deductus , inter cundum corripitur horribilibus ventris torminibus , laxat●que alvo petit latrinam , in quâ sedens vn● cum excremen●is effudit jecur , intestina , impuramque animam , sortitus soedum , suaque impietate dignum exitum . sozom. lib. . cap. . bucol . anno christi . . l when the wicked perish , there is shouting . prov. . . m haec forma praecipuè notat & laxat eos , qui e●ant in aliquâ dignitate seu authoritate : uterant judices , & seniores plebis , qut sedere , & convem●e solebant in loco publicorum judiciorum , ubi de r●p . & rebus sorysageadum erat . iudicia enim exercebantur inportis , ruth . . putatis hoc , fratres , christo tantummodò con●●gi●se ? quotidie illi in membris ejus contingit , quando forte necesse erit servo dei prohi●er●eb ietat●s , & luxurias in aliquo velfundo , vel oppido , ubi non auditum suerit verbum dei. august . in psal. . putatis catholicos defuisse aut deesse posse , qui causâ humanae gloriae paterentur ? si non essent hujusmodi homines , non d●●ere● apostolus , si tradidero corpus meum , ut ardeam , charitatom au●em non habeam , nihil mihi prodest . sci●bat ergò esse posse quosda , q●i hoc jactatione ●acerent , non dilectione . august . in psal. . pag . this humour also haunted the heathen , amongst whom the most wicked did in some sort desire to leave some remembrance of themselves to posterity : witnes that unknowne fellow , who of set purpose did burne the temple of diana in ephesus ; who being demanded wherefore he did it , answere● , that hee determined by some notable villany ( seeing by vertue hee could not ) to leave some memory behind him after his death . hence it was , that sometimes they would adventure desperately , and passe thorow , with extraordinary courage many corporall afflictions , for praise of men ; or to bee any waies famous in following ages . ezek. . isai. ● . . the prophet which telleth lyes is the taile . ezek. . . isai. . . matth. . . many having served their appetites all their lives , presume to thinke , that the severe commādements of the all-powerfull god , were given but in sport ; and that the short breath , which we draw , when death presseth us , if wee can but fashion it , to the sound of mercy , is sufficient : o quàm multi , saith a reverend father , cum hâc sp● ad aeternos labores & bella descendunt . rawl . in the preface to his history of the world. many cōceit as great an efficacy in these five words , lord have mercy upon mee , spoken with their last breath , for their translation of their soules into heaven , as the papists doe of their five words of consecration , for the transubstantiation of their hoste . dike . a osiander . cent. pag. . b epiphan . her. . many of the turkes ●ight by turning christians , have saved their lives , and would not , chusing rather to dye , ( and as i● is reported ) also to kill themselves , then to forsake their damnable superstition . hist. of the turkes , pag. . the assasins are a company of most desperate and dangerous mē among the mahometans , who strongly deluded with the blind zeale of their superstition , and accounting it meritorio●s , by any meanes to kill any great enemy of their religion ; for the performāce therof , as men prodigall of their lives , desperately adventure thēselves unto all kind of dangers . histor. of the turkes , pag. . a vir pius ex perīculis vires majores colligit . eos non vis temporis , non principis terror , non oratio , non invidia , nō metꝰ , no accusator , non calummator , non bellumapertè inferens , non clandestinas insidias struens , non in speciem noster , non alienus , non aurun , hoc est , occultus tyrannus , per quem nunc multa sursum deorsumque , velut in talorum ludo sactantur , non verbo●●m illecebrae , non minae , non diuturna & repetita exilia ( solt enim honorum proscriptioni in eos propter magnas i●as divitias , quae in paupertate sitae sunt , nihil licuit ) non aliud quidpiam absentium , aut praesertium , aut in expecta●ione positorum extulit , aut adducere potu●t , ut detertores fierent — i●rmò contrà ex ipsis periculis vires maiores collegerunt , atque acriori animorum contentione in pietatis studium & defensionem incubuerunt . hu●● smodi enim v●m habet arumna pro christi nomine suscepta , ut ardentiores amori faces subdat , vtrisque in datmi magnitudine praestantibuo ad sequentia certamina quasi arrabonis cujusmodi vicem praebeat . nazian . orat. . habac . . nahum . . hosea . . psal. . . * sed primo intuitu absurda videri posset comparatio dei cum tineâ . quid enim assi●ne habet vermiculo immensa dei majestas ? respondeo , aptissimè davidem hac similitutudine suisse usum , ut sciamus , quamvis non palam ●ulminete coelo deus , non aliter tamen occulatâ ejus maledictione consumi reprob●s , actinea caeco morsu pannum , vel lignum absumit : & simul respicit ad excellentiam , quam duit quasi putredine corrumpi , ubi deus infestus est , sicuti pretiosissimas quasque vestes , suâ tabe con●icit tinea . calvin . a sed franciscus spira mir● sagacitate ad siagula responaebat — q●ae unque adjerebantur , to●que●at , ageb itque●n contraria partem magna violenti● argumentorum , & admirandae orantionis●m pet● . — nihil pot●it adeo ap●e proponi , nihil tama●co ●odate adferri , quod non ille vel refel●eret argutissime , vel elu●●●●et calli dissime , vel dissolveret promptissime . saepè intrà meipsum cogitavi , eum nequaquam f●isse it a perspicacem in●ulicio dogmatum , ita porrò excercitatum in disputationibus theologi●is , cum sanus esset . hist. de francis● . spi●a , p. . . b it is said of the same spira , that in tantis suis malis , hee did , silieris suorū non aliter , vultus & manus , qua tortorū semper exborrescere ▪ ibid. p. . c mentem eripit timor hic , vultum totúmque corporis habitum immutat , cliā in delicijs . in tirpudijs , in symposijs &c. carnisicinam exercet . lemmius li. . cap. . d contra me quaecunque sunt uspiam , in coelo & sub coelo consenser●nt , ut mihi molestiam faciant : coelum , elementa , mundus , deus angeli , homines , diaboli hist. de spira pag . * mul●o saeviorlongeque atrocior est anuni ▪ quàm corporis cruciatus lemmius . lib. . cap. . tan ò poena intolerabilior , quantò spiritus corpore subtilior . ier. . prov . levit. . psal. ● . e sae●e dixit infelicissimus spira se invidere caino , saulo & iudae . ibid. pag. . optate se in loco iudae & caini esse . ibid. p. . ex ill● h●r● im●●sit de●s tu cor e●us ●erm●m c●●r●dentem , ignem i●exting●thilem , ut horrine , con●●●si●ne , d●sp●ratione 〈◊〉 ò repl●retur . q●i vermis & ign●s nunquam ex●ude 〈◊〉 dereliquerant , 〈…〉 deteriori in 〈…〉 quàm si separat● à corpore animà , cum iuda , caino & caeteris damnatis esset : desiderans se loco 〈…〉 mor●ui & damnati e●se potius , 〈…〉 corpore vivere . 〈◊〉 . pag. . asserebat , v●rmem illum rodentem , & ignem inextinctam ita cordis penetralia exedere , & adurere , 〈…〉 sit deterior s●a 〈◊〉 qua vel 〈…〉 iudae , & qui●●em ma●● se ●am mort●●● 〈◊〉 damnati● esse , qu●m in havita 〈…〉 . nicol. laurent . in ale●ipharmaco adversus desperat●onis pestem . pag . f 〈…〉 f●turos post han●●tiam cruciatus acerbiores , aut 〈…〉 s●se quidem , longe duriora , 〈…〉 & 〈…〉 expetere , ac desideraere , 〈…〉 nihil ipsi gravi●s pertimescendum sciret . ibid. pag. . g latomus , cum ex ambitione contra conscientiam , veritatem evangelij atrociter impugnasset , & inquisitor pravitatis hareti●ae factus , christi fideles immanissimè esset persecutus ; in corpore vegeto , & sano , subitâ trepid●tione , & te●roribus , itae est perculsus , ut quos ex amicis no●erat , doctissimos ad s● accerseret , suámque impietatem , in extremâ constitutus desperatione , ultrò fateretur . grave est , inquiens , peccatum meum , qui prudens , sciensque in verbo dei persequ●ndo , & opprimendo , alijs operam meam collocavi . quare adversus spiritum sanctum peccavi , nec ulla v●lin hâc vitâ , vel in aeternâ peccati mei condonatio speranda est sed diaboli & corpore & animâ perpetuum sum mancipium , adeóque in regnum ejus incorporatus : atque ita inter horrendos mugitus mortuus est . alexipharm . adversus desperat . authore nicolao laurentio . h isai. . . quòd autem deum comparat leoni , absurdum videri non debet . — oportet enim flagellis domini effi●aciam iness● , quà humiliomur at que deijciamur usque ad ipsos inferos , & consolatione propemodum destituto omnia horror is plena concipiamus : quemadmodum etiam horrores istos descriptos à davide cernimus , dum ossa sua dinumerata , lectum suum lachrymis madefactum , an●mam suam turbatam , inferos apertos esse dicit . sic enim pios interdum judicio dei t●rreri necesse est , ut bonitatis ejus desiderio magis afficiantur . calvin . i iob . k iob , . . l iob . , . m non quòd de laqueo cogitárit , sed quòd in tantâ mili acerbitate , & inquietudine tam diurn● , quàm nocturnà , s●●lterutri●s detur optio , l●●gè malit laqueum , quà in talem ●i tam●abisane vidoloris anactus hoc dicit sui oblitu● . nam neq●e ho● excusa●i potest . sed ita sibi in suo dolore , & ipse suo dolo●s ind●lget . mere. n psal. . , . o see the discourse of the holy l●fe , and ch●istian death of mistris katherin brettergh . p in the narration of his dreadfull desertion upon his bed of death . r acts and monum . i● the story of master robert glover . p. . s in the fore-cited discourse . t in the above-named narration . u acts and monum . ibid. s o miseri , in quanto errore , versamini . patatisne hunc morbum ejusmod● esse , quipbar●●acis , aut ope humanâ supera●i possit ● credite mihi , aliunu● petenda est medicina . non prodest ad animae agritudines , peccati cognitione , & irae dei pondere prostratae , nec potio , nec cataplasma , nec deductio per pharmacum : sed in hoc genere , medicus christus est , vox evangelij autidotum . hist. de spira , pag. . t tempestivè incipiamus sentire conscientiae horrores , dum ●empus est gratia , quâ vulnerata conscientia sanari potest suavissimus christi promissio●ibus . nam si sensum hunc differamus , &c. rolloc . in loan . pag. . u as if a foolish wretch should chuse rather to starve at the bakers stall , then lay out his penny in bread . so god knowes many a wretched man famisheth his soule to spare his purse ; contented to live in a barren and drie wildernes , where there is neither bread nor water of life ; where there is no vision , no preaching ; rather then to feede his kids by the tents of the shepheards ; that is , to dwell , where hee may heare , or ( which were more charitable ) to procure that hee ▪ with others may heare , where hee dwelleth . s. crooke . u ne , quòd peccans non doles , parvi pendas : sed propter hoc saltem maxime gemas : quoniam peccatorū dolorem non sent is . non enim hoc provenit , quòd peccatum nō mordeat , sed quòd anima peccans s●t insensata . — peccantes non dolere magis eum indignari facit & irasci , quàm peccare . chrysost. ad . pop antioch . hom. . quòd si quis existet , qui diaboli plag is non persentiat ; nimirùmillius norbus ex illâ indolentiâ ingravesett . quemcunque enim plaga una inflicta non mordet , neque attristat , is certè facile & alteram excipit : itemque & hac acceptâ , tertiam : neque enim intermitit ad extremum usque spiritum feriens ●efarius ille , quoties invenit animam supinam , prioresque plagas contemnenten . idem de sacerdotio . lib. . isti quisanos seputabant , multò periculosius & desperatiùs aegrotahant . august de verbis apost . serm. . but satan is not willing to deale so roughly with the unregenerate , if hee could chuse : for hee stands ever in most danger of losing them , when hee carries himselfe towards them , in so hard a fashion : wherefore hee rather flatters , and faunes ; endeavouring to rocke them asleepe still ▪ if hee can , in the cradle of securitie and presumption . neither will hee storme thus , ( to wit , labour to pull them by the strength of utter despaire , as it were , quicke into hell , and to make them kill themselves , or doe some other most grosse and unnaturall crime : ) but when hee sees his advantage , in regard of some bodily crosse , or distemper ; or that hee sees the lord will needs awaken their sleepy consciences . whately , new-birth cap. . qui jugum suscipiunt diaboli , diabolus eos delectat , & decipit , ne discedant à malo impij usque ad mortem suam . incertus author , in mat. cap. . hom. . galat. . . prov. . . a quin & hinc est , ●ur malus non libenter sit solus , nec libenter vivat secum , sed semper consortia quaerat & sodalitia bominum voluptuariorum , cum quibus possit tempus fallere . est enim solitaria vita eipermolesta partim propter recordation●m sceleru : partim propter met um poenarum : partim denique quia scit , quòd secum non consentiat ; & quòd conscientia evigilatura , & ingentem eì moestitiam allatura sit . kecker n. syst. ●th . lib. . cap. . can . quisquis incorde premitur malâ conscientiâ , quomode quisquis abstillicidon exit de demo suâ , out d fume , nonibi sepatitur babitare : sic qui non baber quietumcor , habit ar● incorde suo libentèr non potest . talesfords exeunt à se●psis ani●● intentione , & de hi● quae foris sun● circa corpus delectantur , quietemin nugis , inspectaculis , in luxirijs , in omnibus mal squaerunt . quare for is volueruni sib : benè esse ? quia non est ill●● ini●s bene , unde gaudeans inconscienti● su● . august . in psal. . page . . b beati qui gaudent , quando merant in cors●um , & nihil mali ibi inventunt . attendat sancticas vestra , quomo to noline intrare domus suas , qu● babent malas axores ; quomod● exe●●nt ad forum & gaudent ; caepu hora esse quâ intraturi sunt in domum suam , & contristantur . intraturi sun● enim ad taedia , ad murmura , ad amaritudines , ad eversiones ; quta non est domus composita , abi intervirum & uxorem pax nud a est . et melius illi est furis circumire . si ergò mise●i sunt , qui cum redeunt ad parietes suos , timen ne aliquibus sunrum perturbationibus coertantur : quantò sunt ●●sertores qui ad conscientiam suam redire nolunt , ne ibi litibus pec●at●rum evertantur & ergo ut possis libens redi●e ad cor tuum , munda illud . — auser inde cupiditatumsordes , auser labem avaritiae , auser trabe ▪ superstitionum , aufer sacrilegia , & malas cogitationes , odia , non dic● , adver●●● amitum , sed etiam adversus inimicum . auser ista omnia , intra cor tuum & gaudebis . &c. august in psal. . c those christians have this heaven upon earth , who are come from under the storme and tempest of temptation , and 〈◊〉 in the sweet 〈…〉 and feeling 〈…〉 mercies of their 〈…〉 in christ iesus , sealed unto them by the testimony of the spirit of god. yates . d in the broken 〈◊〉 contrite spirit ; 〈◊〉 the lord will 〈◊〉 despise . a 〈…〉 have his 〈…〉 uprightly 〈…〉 is painefu●ly 〈◊〉 a good 〈…〉 may be● 〈…〉 and troubled . 〈…〉 e hujusmodi 〈◊〉 est instarferae alicujus , quae quamdiu dormit , videtur esse cicur , & neminem l●dit : sed excitata in hominem involat , & dil●cerare con●●●● . diligenter itaque cavenda est ●alie conscientia : qu●ppequae n●nnunquam per totum vitae curriculum quieta manet , & alto lethargo oppressa jacet : se● aegritudine aliqu● graviore , veletiam m●rte appropinquante excitatura deo ▪ & truculentâ suâ immanitate hominem terret . alst. theol. casuum . cap. . in peace there is a totall d●position , both of armes and enmity ; all hostile affections are put off : in a truce , there is but a suspension , and a cessation of armes for a season , so as duri●● the same , there is stil● provision of more fo●●ces , and a preparation of greater strength . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . . cor. . . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . iam. . . d voluptas perpetui vermis nutrix , ad tempus admodùm breve possidentem demulcet . postremò verò ac●●bioris exitum tristitiae sortitur . basil. exhort . ad. baptis●um . e grave siquidem , grave , inquam , & onerosum est peccatum , & omni plumbo ponderosius . chrysost. ad. pop. antioch . hom. . f mortuus est autem peccator , maximè ille , quem moles consuetudinis premit , quasi sepultus lazarus . parùm enim erat qui● mortuus , etiam sepultus . august . de temp . serm. . ephes. . . g neque negari potest , non minoris esse virtutis , immò aliquantò majoris , è morte animas mortuas excitare ac corpora mortua . musc. in evang. ioan. cap. . ier. . . h primum enim divini amoris objectum , est ipsa deitas , ac filius ille dilectus . . res creatae in genere . . angeli . genus humanum . . electi . til. p. . syntag the. . pag . * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . coloss. . . i deo nihil est in odio , nisi malum , hoc est , nihil est ei invisum , o ●iosum , excerabile , nisi malum . hoc autem est peccatum ipsum , & praetereà nihil . zanch. de naturâ dei. lib. . cap . * ephes. . . gal. . . matth. . k 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a●●st . posterio . anal. lib. . text. . l illud , quod maximè videtur deus odissi , scil●ce● diabolum , non odit nisi ratione peccati : & eum amaret , si peccatum non esset , tanquam creaturam suam . v●de sap , . nihil odisti eorum quae fe●isti . quod intelligendum , est nisi propter peccatum adjunctum , quod ipse non secit . peral . m quae omnia peccatores , & apostatae angeli suis artious prodiderunt ; quando ad terrena contagia devoluti , à coel●sti vigore rece●serunt . illi & oculo● circumducto nigrore f●care , & 〈◊〉 m●ndacio rub●ris infi●ere , & mutare adal●erinis 〈◊〉 ; & 〈…〉 & capit 〈…〉 corrupt●lae suae ●●pugnatione 〈◊〉 . cyprian . de habitu virginum . qu●s co●pus 〈…〉 , nisi qui & homin●● spiritum malitiá transfigura●●● ? ille indubitate 〈…〉 ingenta 〈…〉 , ut in nob●s quodam 〈◊〉 manus deo in●erret . quod nascitar , opus dei est . ergo quod ●ngitur , d●aboli n●gotium est . tertull. de cultu foeminarum . tu verò cu●us caput christus est , inventiones satanae comprobabis , nec recordaberis faciem christi — ? quae omnia si memoria teneres , eti●msi valde 〈◊〉 ●mares , non auderes tamen , nec ferre posses pulverem , 〈…〉 faciem tuam impodere . chrys. hom. . in mat. n i meane 〈◊〉 discourse of the ●●●itfulnes of m●ns heart o at , inq●●unt juvenculae , quid mali , si 〈…〉 sponsam 〈…〉 ? non 〈◊〉 , nisi ●●olidum , & vecordem s●●lt . in . cap. ●esai● . p . pet. . . q rom. . . alludit ad hominem , qui tetrum anhelitum ex corruptis spirat extis ; & ad cadaver quod ex sepulchro intolerabilem spirat odorem . buc. r ezech. . their way was before mee , as the uncleannesse of a remooved woman . s iam. . . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . so●des : propriè quae in summis manuum , ac digitorum unguibus colliguntur : aut , secundum alios , illuvies quae distringitur à corporibus ol●o illit●s post sudorem : item genus quoddam ulceris sordidi . apud . diosc. lib. . cap. . scap. t ibid. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . beza reddit , excrementum malitiae , metaphora â digestione naturali , quá qui●quid in ●●bo assumpto non praebet utile nutrimentum corpori , tanquam 〈◊〉 excrementis deputatur . par. u . pet . . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . x ezech. . . y matth . . z . 〈◊〉 . . . a . tim. . b psal. . . ier. . . c 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈…〉 omnia subdita vanitat● . nec sane reparabitur haereditas , donec reparentur haere●●s . bern. d . pet. . . . e the way of the wicked is an abomination to the lord. prov. . . constat sensum genuinum huius proverbij hunc esse : quodque vestigium , & unumquemque pedem , quem improbus ponit , seu unumquodque opus , quod exercet , sive cogitan●o , sive loquendo , seu denique faciendo in his , quae ad proximum referuntur , deo execrabile esse . cartro . f the sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the lord ▪ prov. . . in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 [ sacrificium ] est synecdoche partis procultu dei. grave est , si vanus sit 〈◊〉 cultus . mat. 〈…〉 si deus illum improbat ; sed gravius si odio habeat ; sed gravissimum , si illum non odio habe●●● modò , sed etiam abominetur : gravissimo verò gravius & atrocius est , quod illi abomination● sit ; & illum summe abominetur . quod cum dicit , omnem , gravius & acerbius aliquid dicendi , aditum praeclusit . cartro . g i understand 〈◊〉 in a genera●l notion , and not as restrained unto , or resident in any species . and i know , that divisio m●li , in malum culpae & malum poenae , is not generis univoci in species ; but vocabuli aequivo●i in sua aequivocata . culpa habet plus de ratione mali , quàm poena . et non solùm quàm poen● sensibilis , quae consistit in privatione corporalium bonorum — sed etiam universaliter accipiendo poenam , secundum quod privatio gratia , vel gloriae , poenae quaedam sunt . aquin. p. . q. art. . g duae aliae alae , quibus faciem legehant , satis indicant , ne angelos quid●m sulgorem illum d●i sust●ne●e posse , s●●que ips●s 〈◊〉 dei consp●c●● , ut 〈◊〉 solem splendentem in●ueri volumus . neque tamen ita ●egebant ang●li faciem 〈◊〉 quin aliquo ●ruerentur dei conspectu . calv. in isai. cap. . the most holy angels 〈…〉 of sin in nature and conscience , yet cover their faces , as abashed at 〈…〉 , tho doi●g his will in obeying the voyce of his mouth . throgmorton of faith. pag. . h isai. . i iob . k iob . . l psal. . . m nahum . . . n psal. . . deut. . . . isai. . . psal. . . , psal. . . nah. . . ier. ● . ● . o mors , quae non mod● nos à praesin●t●●s mali● viadicat , veri●m ad supernam quoque vitam saepe traducit , haud s●io an propriè mors appellari queat , ut potè nomine magis quàm re sormidabilis . — vna vita est oculos ad vitam conjectos habere . vna mors , peccatum : animae enim est interitus . navian . de funere patris . p beatè vivere , sivè per vitium , sive per supplicium perdit anima : essentialiter autem vivere , neque per vitium , neque per suppl●●um amittil . a qualitate enim vivendideficit , sed omnimodò subsi●lendi inreritum nec moriens sentit . vt ergo breviter dixerim , & immortaliter mortalis est , & mortaliter immortalis . greg. in . cap. lob cap . anima & mortalis esse intelligitur , & immortal●● . mortalis quippè , quia beatè vivere amittit ; immortalis autem , quia essentialitèr vivere nunquam desinit ; & nature saae v●tam per●dere 〈◊〉 vil●l , nec cum ta perpetuâ suerit morte damnata — quâ ex recogit●rse perut & mortem sine morte , & desectum sine defect● , & sinem sine sine patiatur : quatenusei & mors immortalis sit , & defectus indeficiens , & sines insimtus . idem . dial. lib. . cap. . sic morien●ur damnati ut semper vivant : & sic vivent ut semper moriantur . bern. de dignit . mimae reviviscunt ad mortem , moriuntur ad vitam . q musca sole praestantior s●●arte tur●ata ●●ne q●ererent , num ettam mascae an●mam hui● luci praestare censerem , respon ler●m etiam : in c●ne terreret musca , quòd parva est , sed q●òd viva , firmaret . quaeriturenim , quid ●'la membra tam exigua egete● , quid huc ; atque tilu● pro naturali appetitu taa●ill ●●corpusculum ducat , quid currentis pedes in numerum m●●eat ; quid 〈◊〉 pennulas mo●e●etur , at v●bret ? quod qualecunque est bene considerantibus , 〈…〉 magnum eminet , ut 〈◊〉 ●●algori perstringenti oculos praeseratur . august . lib. de duabas animabus contra manichaeos , pag. . micah . . isaiah ● . . matth. . . r f●st autem peccatum hommis inordinatio , atque perversit as , id est , à praestantiore conditore aversio , & ad condita inferiora conversio . august ad simplician . lib. . q. . pag. . s at inquiunt : sine sine puniri non debet culpa cum sine . iustus ninarum est omaipotens deus : et quod non aeterno peccato commissum est , aeterno non debet puniri tormento ▪ quibus citius respondemus , quòd recte dicerem ; si●udex iustus dist●ctusqu● veniens , non corda hominum sed sacta pensaret . iniqui enim ideò tun● cum sine deliquerunt ; quia cum sine vixerunt . vn●uissent quippe sine sine ●ive●e , ut sine sine potuiss●nt in iniquitatibus permancre . nam magis appetunt 〈◊〉 quam vicere . et ideò hi● semper vivere cupiunt , ut nunquam desinant pec●are , cum 〈◊〉 . ad 〈◊〉 ergo judicis justitiam pertinet , ut nunquam careant supplicijs , quoru● m●ns in hac v●ta nunquam voluit carere peccato ; & nullas detur iniquo terminus ●l 〈◊〉 , qui quamdiu valuit , habere noluit terminum criminis . greg. expos. mor. l. . cap. . in cap. . iob. s tun● temporis d●● luminar●● sac●●●● d●stant●ii●●● . na● s●● erat in gra●● . artetis ▪ & 〈…〉 . 〈…〉 l●q●●● non su● 〈◊〉 ex naturali sol●● del●qu●o ▪ ob●●d ▪ quò 〈…〉 t●mplen●● ▪ 〈…〉 non pote●●● ▪ t cum dicimus ●lium 〈…〉 na●uram . 〈…〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ●●●epto ; v●lpotu●●●●● 〈…〉 quam 〈◊〉 s●se morti nan sab●●●●●e● : sed ji . eternum d●● 〈…〉 sil● , tu●● ex hac hypot●●i 〈…〉 chri●● 〈◊〉 redemptionem hu●n●nam : nam im●o 〈…〉 . davennantius expo● . epist. ad 〈…〉 i●co non 〈…〉 , an d●us alio mo●lo quà●● 〈…〉 &c. respens . anth●● . wall●●●●● censuram ●●an . arnoldi ●orvini . cap. . qu●● 〈…〉 sal●●● homi●●●● ? sed 〈◊〉 v●luit , nec ●●●i hoc . chamie●●● ▪ tom. . ● . . ● . cap. . sect. . u ps. . . my sinne is eve● before mee . x see the life of galeaci●s caracci●lus , containing the story of his admirable conversion from popery , and his forsaking of his marquesdome for the gospels sake : written first in italian , translated into latine by beza ; and into english by mast. cr●sh●● : and the history of franciscus spira , s●t out by severall men ; and thus intituled by the first : francisci spine cicitatulani borrendus casus , qui ob nega●am in judicio , cogni●am evangelij veritatem in miseram incidit desperationem . y see crashaw in his second dedicatory epistle before the booke . z calvin in his dedicatory epistle before his commentary upon the first to the corinthians . non 〈◊〉 ; hominem pr●mariá familliá natum , honore & opibus florentem , nobi●ssimá & caltissimi u●ore , numerosa sobole , domesticâ qujete , & concordiâ , totoque vitae slatu●●atun 〈◊〉 , ut in christi castra migraret , patriá cessisse ; ditio●●fertilem , & onoenam , 〈◊〉 peti●●oniu●a , con●odam non minus , quà voluptuosam balatat●●●m neglexisse : ex●●sse 〈◊〉 domesticum ; patre , conjuge , liberis , cognatis , affinibus sise 〈◊〉 , &c. a quòd si tantum ●o●up● . as esset , quid ●à ●●li●s , quid ●bjectius ? que ●mul e● ve●●● , 〈…〉 , ●●gitque 〈◊〉 quam compre●endatu● : & 〈…〉 chrys●in loan . 〈…〉 quod dele●●● ▪ 〈…〉 manet sine sine quod cruciat . sub mom●nto libin●s impetus transit , & permanet sin ▪ 〈…〉 he● mis●●●●mo , nes●●s , quò 〈◊〉 bore pun●●o vul●●s ac●ipi●●● ▪ 〈…〉 prijt●nam 〈◊〉 . august . ●om ▪ . pag. . b 〈…〉 toties pone 〈…〉 deus 〈…〉 ●●datraditus 〈…〉 zatur ; condemnatur , & 〈…〉 verò contum●lus & 〈…〉 , inter duos 〈…〉 derisus ▪ 〈…〉 per●foratus ; ex omnibus 〈…〉 &c. bern. lib de conse . call to minde , o sinfull creature , and set before thine eyes christ crucified . thinke thou seest his ●●ody stre● h●● out in length upon the crosse , his head crowned with sharpe thrones , his hands and his beete pierced with nailes , his heart opened with a long spea●e , his flesh tent and torne with whips his browes sweating water and blood . think thou hearest him now crying : my god , my god , why h●● thou forsaken me. ? o my brethten , let this image of christ crucified bee alwaies printed in our hearts , let it stirre us to the hatied of sinne , &c. ho●●pon g.f. c nonne dei filius cuns esset in sinu patris , aregalibus sedibus , pro animâ descondit , ut eam liberaret à potestate diaboli ? quam cum vidisset peccatorum ●unibus irretitam , jam jamque daemonibus tradendam , ut morte perpetuá damnaretur , sievit superillam , quae flere se nesciebat . nec solism flevit , sed etiam occidi se permisit , ut pretioso sanguinis su● pretio cam redimere● bern. de dignitate ●●nimae . revel . . . heb. . . . thessal . . . d iniquitates tuae omnibus populis nudabuntur , & cunctis agminibus patebunt , u●iversa scetera tua , non sol●m a●tuum , verùm cogitationum & locutionum . bern. lib. de consc. * prov. . . e pensant sancti viri , quant ailla sit verecundia t● conspectu tunc humani generis , ●agelorum omnium , archangelorumque confundi . f ego sic cense● , sic a●i●uè praedicaho , 〈◊〉 acerbius esse , c●ris●um offendere , quam gehennae mal●● vexa● . in mat. . hom. . g nilin munao , quantum pe●care , timebat . conscientiá meá te ie , non mentio● ; quia saepè ill●m ●●b veritatis testimonio profitentem a●di●imus : quòd si hine peccati horrorem ; hinc ●●serni lolorem corporaliter cerneret ; & necessariò uni corum immergideberet ; priùs infernum , quàm peccatum appeterei . aliud quoque non minùs forsan aliquibus mirum dicere solebat ; videlicet , malle se purum à peccato , innocentem , gehennam habere , quàm peccatisorde pollutum , c●loru● regna tenere . de vitâ anselmi . lib. . in oper . anselmi . h aliu● juveniliaetate s●orentem , in amoenissim●s hortulos praecepit abduci . ibique inter 〈◊〉 candentia , & rubentes rosas ; cum leni juxta murmure aquarum serperet ri●us , & mollifihilo arborum folia ventus perstringeret , super extructam plumis lec●●m re supinari : et ne se inde posset excutere , blandis serico noxibus irretitum relinqui . quò cum recedentibus cunctis moretrix speciosa venisset , capit delicatis constringere colla amplexibus . et quod dictu quoque s●elus eft , manibus attrectare virilia , ut corpore in libidinem concitato , se victrix impudica superjaceret . quid ageret miles christi , & quò se verteret , nesciebut . — tandem coelitùs inspiratus praecisam morsu linguam in osculantis se faciem expuit : ac sic libidinis sensum , succedens doloris magnitudo superavit . hieronym . p. . tract . . epist. . a de utraque apertion● oculorum intelligatur hic locus : 〈◊〉 de conscientià & sensi●i● terne nuditatis ▪ hoc est , amissa imaginis dei , & illi●ò obortae in mente caecitatis , in volu●●ale averstonis , in sensualitate & motibus internis omnimodae pravitatis & 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . de●nde , de aspectu e●i am externae nuditat● , quae prius fue●at d●●o ra , &c. statim audiverunt vocem dei , hoc est , statim hec tristis cogitatio divexavit corū animos : heu quid s●cimus ●●rborem vetitam gustavimus , & despraeciptis contempsimus , diabolo obtemperavimus : tu●●iter decepti sumus : vestem innocentiae amisimus , pudendam nuditatem in nobis cernimus : hoc parum est : deus verax & justus est : dixit : morte moriemini : manetigitur miscros , jam inevitabile mortis supplicium . par. in . c. gen. b concionem gratiae seu veniae omninò praecessit legalis territatio , & fulm●n irae divinae : quod immutabili●èr siquttur pecc●tum , & quonecesse est peccatorem humiliari , & ad gratiam praeparari . de hac seqiatur v. . ibid c hac promissione auditâ parentes pudefacti aspectu turpissimae nuditatis suae , & conscientiá peccati , at que sensu irae dei , neo non metu aeternae mortis , trepidi , atque dejecti haud dubie iterum erecti sunt , ut conceptá fiduciâ gratiae , & remissionis peccatorum propter promissum semen , ( quod caput satanae , hoc est , peccatum , mortem , infernum & diabolum ipsum conte●eret ) deum , qaem prius fugerant , ut j●dicem ; iterum amare inciperent , atque requireren● , ut pe●rem . ibid. d 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 id est , eos , qici sibi justi videntur , sive qui se justos esse somniant , quod fui● pharisaorum dogma : quibus opponuntur peccatores ; id est , q●i suorum peccatorum sensu vulnerati , ad unam dei mise●●cordiam confugiunt . beza . e the publicane was vil● in their eyes : paul after his conversion , a pestilen● fellow , and too precise : them selves the onely men. luk. . ● . f in quo illud ●ireris : si qui tanquam justi se stilerunt coram co , & convenerunt ad condemnandum mulicrem ream , ij , inquam , ●iscesserunt convicti conscien●ijs & condemnati : mulier autem , quae in medio statuebatur , & rea peragebatur , absoluta est . ex quo illud conspicitur , quod alibi dictum legimus in evangelio principibus sacerdotum & senioribus : publicani & meretrices pra eun● vos in regnum coelorum . mat. . . atque id quoque verum est hodierno die . rolloc . in loan . cap. . g vocantur ad christii illi peccatores , qui sensu peccati premuntur , & pro pacificandâ conscientiâ laborant . atque illi soli sunt , qui cum fructu ad christum veniunt . musc. in . c. mat. laborantes & oneratos intelligit christus , qui mortis aeterme reatu conscientias afflictas ha●ent ; & ita suis malis u●gentur , ut deficiant : nam hic descitus nos adrecipiendam ejus gratiam idoaeos reddit . calv. h the word in the origina● i signifieth , to vexe rent , and wound punctually ; e●en every the least part and point of the heart . if the sharpest points of many empo●●● 〈◊〉 daggers , had been all at once fastened in their hearts , in the cruel●est manner could bee devised : th●y had not by the thousanth part so tortur'd them , as did now the fling of conscience f●● their ●innes , and the sense of that horrible guilt of crucifying the so●● o● god. sc●lerum & proditionis sibi cons●●● cum essent , maximè cos pude●at 〈…〉 maximo assi●●● 〈…〉 . buc. 〈…〉 . scap. i which is implyed in these words : in the name of iesus christ baptizari in nomine domini iesu christi , est baptismatis signo sesia●●●e christo credere , ad remissionem peccalorum . k et vide paulum , quamvis cum principe loqueretur , nihil dic●re corū , per quae verisimile erat refocillari animam illius , sed talia , quibus etiam terretur , & menie concutitur . chrysost. hom. . in acta apost . l tanta erat verborum paul● vis , ut & principem torreant . ibid. l tanta erat verborum paul● vis , ut & principem torreant . ibid. m m●gno conatu magnas nugas agunt . n d●●silla foemina libid●nosissima ab azizo ●●●norum rege circumciso ad hunc felicem , pallantis nero●is libe●●l● s●atrem , prosa●●● ho●inem , trans●t . nam hic singulari ejus 〈◊〉 h●●●dine captus 〈◊〉 qu●ndam ind●orum gene●● cyprium sabor ●●vit , q●● suis 〈…〉 eret . both naught . 〈◊〉 ioseph . antiq. lib. . o see ezech . . q●● 〈◊〉 perdideri● ▪ v●● l●p●● rapientibus , 〈…〉 adori●●ti●us , 〈…〉 sed animae propriae j●●i 〈◊〉 facere oportet . c●●ys . de sa●●rdo . . lib. ● . p conscientia non digna 〈◊〉 san●● , si ●ota non est . sed loquer● , praed●a● , 〈…〉 , praeceptu● dei 〈…〉 non quies●● & 〈◊〉 audit , si non 〈◊〉 , si non 〈…〉 dignus 〈…〉 in psal. ● q 〈…〉 securis 〈◊〉 ipsorum reu●●●ane , & aliorum introitu siliorum , & geminatione poe●●● 〈…〉 undique corum duritiam mollivisset , atque ex tot malorum ti●●● ad liberationis desideriam suscit●sset , tum demi●m de christo intu●●● 〈◊〉 . in cap. . mat. hom. . r dues non infanditoleum misericordiae , nisi in vas contritum . s pulcherrima est concio ista prophetae , ad eujus exemplum , qu● docent in ecclesiâ , vel qui alios corrigunt , formare suas debent . primo loco ponit parabolam : ita ecclesiastici doctores locum al●●em sibi ex veter● , vel novo ●estamento delig●nr . deinde adaptant adges praesentes , ut nathan quando dicit , tu es ille vir . mox , peccatum exagitant , pet 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ad beneficia dei hominibus collata , & percatum quod committunt : violare legene , grave est , ac benè de nobis meriti gr●vius — — cousam item percati aperit in hâc suâ methado ; nimirum quòd dauid contempserit deum : & gravia , quae inde secuta sunt , demonstrat , totumque peccatum patefacit . ad extremum comminationes adijcit , ut consternet peccatorem . methodus haec servatur in concionibus , ut ad extremum consolationi locus detur . in . sam. . t ij● solis pro ●ittitur christus , qui mansucfatti sunt , & malorum suorum sensu confusi . in isa ● . u tunc opportune revelatur christus , quando corda mortal um praedicatione poenitentiae compuncta desidri● gratiae christi renentur . in mat. cap. . x 〈◊〉 igitur ad sidem est 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , quoniam cogit vel invitos ad & medicum confugere . annot. in mat. cap. . vers . . see the difference betweene 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 annot. in mat. c . v. . and in act. c. . v. . ●semper enim sunt homines at evangeli●● praedicatione legis p●eparandi . in. . cor. . . y paenitere & res●p●s●ere differunt , sicut apud hebraeos 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 & 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 : apud grae●os 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ill●dest 〈◊〉 ; ho● cor●●s : 〈◊〉 etiam in pi●rum ; hoc non a●s●●●oru●n : quamuis hoc discrimen non semper observatur . hoc sensu poenite ●tia prior est fide & justificatione . atque huc resp●cit scrip●●●a , 〈…〉 . mark. . . &c. qua leg●s concio praemitten●a est doctrinae 〈…〉 . nec obstat , q●òd 〈…〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . e●si 〈◊〉 mutatuo , que ac●i●●i● ess● 〈…〉 tamen 〈…〉 : cor. . ● svntag theol. p c. . z 〈…〉 in iohan. cap. . a b c evangelium generatim , & protolâ doctrina christi , acceptum , est praedicatio poenitentiae & remission●s peccatorum . neque enim ex evangelio addiscere possumus nos in christo esse benedi●●n●os , insi per antuhesin , 〈◊〉 ●●utheros loquitur , simul , agnosia●us nos per legen esse maledictos . — prae 〈◊〉 poenitenti●e 〈◊〉 ●nitionis peccatorum necessario praenitti debet , si fides de reconciliatione locum habere debeat . harmo . evang . cap. . d doctrina legis proponenda est impijs — ad terrorem incutiendum , ad demonstrandam justam illorum damnationem , ni resipiscant , & ad christum mediatorem consugiant . in cap. . ●d coloss. c of the nature and practise of repentance cap. . rom. . . act. ● . . f see isa. . . mat. . . & . . zech. . . g of repentance . sern . . h the preachers 〈◊〉 . pag . . . mat. . ier. . . . cor. . ●● . . ●●g . . . habak . . . prou. . . eph. . . act. . . prov. . . . marke . i in his commentarie upon the revel . c. . mark. . . . luk. . . ioh. . . k the whole armour of god. pag . . m●t. . . luk. . . acts . acts . . & . luk. ● . acts . . act. . . . l yates . 〈…〉 against the 〈…〉 of gods wi●l 〈…〉 . rom. . . m sclater . the sicke soules salve . pag. . n dike of repentance cap. . pag. . o ibid. cap. . p. . . * quid sunt dolores ut parturient●● , nisi dolores p●●●●entis . august . in psal . p hinde , of the o●●ice and vse of the morall law of god in the dayes of the gospell . pag. . hee quotes in the margent . matth. . . . timoth. . . bez. in mat. . . and in act. . . i the rather name this booke , because i could wish all those , who are ignorantly and lewdly tampering and medling about an utter abrogating and abolishing the whole law of moses since the death of christ , would reade it over , and returne unto their right minde . q dike of the deceitfulnes of mans heart . cap. . p. . d. p. r c●lverwell in his treatise of faith p. s throgmorton in his treatise of faith. pag. . d. p. t p. baine in his serm. upon ioh . . p. . u cade in his iustific . of the church of engl. lib. . cap. . sc●● . . x d.s. in his bruised reede . pag. . . . y a 〈…〉 . see ezek. . . . ier. . . . isa. . . . b they are equally transported with admiration , and doting vpon such dawbers ; and , with indignation and heart-rising against plaine-dealers ; holding them out of a wicked and soule killing mis-conceite , to bee too terrible teachers , and their ministery intolerable . * isai. . . &c. c populus nihil adversi sibi nunciari volebat : proptered infestus erat prophetis , quòd dum vitia ejus accusarent , & acr●●èr pungerent , simul propinquae dei vindictae tes●es erant . huc pertinent ejusmodi verba : nolite videre , nolite prospicere recta : non quod ita loquerentur , sed quod ita affecti essent , & moderationem requirerent in prophetis , nec tam acerbas eorum objurgationes aequo animo ferre possint . calv. in . loc . impios vis & efficaciae verb● acuit et exasperat , ut tanquā immanes belluae ferociam & truculentiam suam promant : libenter quidem eluderent : sed velint , nolint , deum loquentem audire , ejusque majestatem reform ; dare coguntur . hanc amarulentiam sequitur odium prophetaerum , insidiae , terrores , persecutiones , exilia , cruciatus , mortes quibus doctrinam cum doctoribus summoneri ac deleri , posse existimant . cupiunt enim homines sibi potiꝰ narrari somnia , & futiles nugas , quam fideliter doceri . ibid. d 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 metaphoricè caementum lateritium sine stramine dicitur , id est , non rectè confectum , & temperatum , quo si quid aedisicetur , structura parum firma sit , & durabilis . pagn . non dubito quin significet arenam absque calce calv. lutum absque paleis quibus firmatur & stringitur ; nil roboris potest praebe●e parieti . hieron . matth . . & . . ezech. . . &c. d sunt etiam apud nos qui bene alioqui , & ciuilitèr vivunt , qui tamèn nullo desiderio verbi tenentur : istos homines nunquam ego sanctificatos di●●rim , neque eorum virtutes esse existimarim , sed virtutum umbras duntaxat , & simulachra , cum sine sanctisicatione & participatione divinae naturae , nulla possit esse vera virtus . rolloc . in ioh. cap. . time hath been , perhaps , when wee have thought civill honesty to be regeneration : god forgive us : it must be more then civilitie that brings to heaven ; more then formalitie that makes a christian , &c. dr. sclater , sicke soules salve , pag. . e . king. . . f . king. . . g . king. . . h acts . . i ioh. . . . haec est sententia concilij sacerdotalis & pharisaici contra plebem à christo pendentem . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 inquiunt , hoc est , sub maledicto sunt : execrabiles — ideoque & excommunicandi ▪ — haec est infamia evangelicae doctrinae , quāfere cogitur apud potentes , ac prudentes hujus seculi , quòd sectatores habeat homines plebeios , obscuros , & imperitos , qui si docti essent , haudquaquam illi adhaererent . musc. k dicimur sceleratissimi , de sacramento insanticidij , & pabulo inde : & post convivium incesto , quòd eversores luminum , canes , lenones scilicet , tenebrarum & libidinum impiarum inverecundia procurent . tertul. apolog. cap. . sed quod omni cruciatu gravius erat , insignia de eis mendacia spargebantur , incusabatur eos humanis c●rnibus vesci , infantes dijs suis immolare , incestibus sese polluere , & nefandissima quaeque perpetrare . ●unc . com. in chron. lib. . l ince●●uosus sum , cur non requirunt ? insanti●ida , cur non extorquent ? — in caesares aliquid comitto ; cur nō audior ? &c. tert. apolog . cap . haec coitio christianorum meritò sane illicita , si illicitis par , meritò dananda , si quis de cā quaeritur , eo titulo quo de sactionibus querela est . in cujus perniciem aliquando convenimus ? hoc sumus congregati , quod & dispersi . hoc universi , quod & singuli ; neminem laedentes , neminem contristantes . cum probi , cum boni cocunt ; cum pi● , cum casti congregantur , non est factio dicenda sed curia . at è contrario illis nomen factionum accommodandum est , qui in odium ●o●orum , & proborum conspirant , qui adversum sanguinem innocentium co●el●●ant , prete●entes sanè ad odij defensionem , illam quoque vanitatem , quod existiment omnis publicae cl●dis , omnis popularis incommodi , christianes esse causam . idem , ibid. cap . m coimus in coetum & aggregationem , ut ad deum quasi manu fact● precationibus ambiamus orantes . haec vis deo grata est . oramus etiem pro imperatoribus , pro ministris eorum , 〈◊〉 potestatibu● , pro statu seculi , pro rerum quiete — coimus ad literarum divinarum commemorationem , si quid praesentium temporum qualitas , aut praemonere cogit , aut recognoscere . certè ●id●m , sanctis vocibus pascimus , spem erigimus , fiduciam sigimus , disciplinam praeceptorum nihilominus i●culcationibus densamus . ibidem etiā exhortationes , castigationes , & censura divina . ibid. cap. . n plinius enim secundus , cum provinciam regeret , damn●tis quibusdam christianis , quibusdam gradu pulsis , ipsa tamen multitudine perturbatus , qu●d de caete●o ageret , consul●●● tunc trajanis imperatorem , allegans praeter obstinationem non sacrificandi , nihil aliud se de sacris corum comperisse , quam coetus antelucanos ad canendum christo & deo , & ad conf●derandam disciplinam : homicidium , adulterium , fraudem , perfidiam , & caetera scelera prohibentes . ibid. cap. . func . comm. in chronol . lib. . bucolc . ann. christi . pag. . o contra christianam fidem querelas impias jactare non quiescunt , dicentes , quod antequam ista doctrina per mundum praedicaretur , tanta mala non paticbatur genus humanum . august epist. . dicis plurimos conqueri , quod bella crebrius surgant ; quod lues , quod fames saeviant , quod que imbres & pluvias s●rena longa suspendant , nobis imputar● . cyp. contra demetrianum , dicentem christianis imputari debere omnia , quibus tunc mu●dus urgeretur . si 〈…〉 moenia ; si nilus non ascendit in ar●a ; si coel●m stetit , 〈…〉 , christanus ad leonem , acclamatur . tertul. apolog. cap . p absit ut dicamus vobis : vivite ut vultis , securi estote , deus neminem perdit , tantummodo sidem christianam tenete : non perdet ille quod redemit , non perdet pro quibus sanguinem suum sudit : et si spectaculis volucritis oblectare animos vestros , ite : quid mali est ? et festa ipsa , quae celebrantur per universas civitates in laetitia convivantium , & publicis mensis seipsos , ut putant , jucundantium , reverà magis perdentium , ite , celebr●te , magna est dei misericordia , quae totum ignoscat . coronate vos rosis antequam marcescant . impleamini cibo , et vino , c● vestris . ad hoc enim date est ista creatura , ut ●â per●ruamini . — haec si dixerimus , fortè congregabimus turbas ampliores : & si sint quidam , qui nos sentiant hoc dicentes , non rectè sapere paucos offendimus , sed multitudinem conciliamus . quod si secerimus , non verba dei , non verba christi dicentes , sed nostra , erimus pastores nosmetipsos pascentes , non oves . lib. de pastoribus , tom. . pag. . q non sunt homiliae , sed nescio quis ità dissecuit opus ▪ erasm. r tolle hoc vitium de clero , ne velint hominibus placere , & sine labore omnia vitia resecantur . ex hoc vitio nascitur ut ne velint inter se meliorem habere , sicut iudaei christum . hom. . ex cap. . in haec verba . omnia autem opera sua saciunt , ut ab hominibus videantur . ] i am perswaded , it was no small motive to enrage the scribes and pharises against christ , because hee taught heaver● . luk. . . but their teaching was heartlesse , cold , frozen , and formall . neque enim dubium est , summo vigore , summaque veritat●s ●● , christi sermones suisse praedi●or ; quum interim scribarum , & ●harisaeorum doctrina ●orpida esset , ●lumb●● , & frigida . apud matlorat . in mat. cap. . . s it seemes by this word , ●●● , ●dhuc , in pharisa●mo videlicet adhuc perseveran● . galat . . . that paul was tainted with this fault , while hee was yet a pharise , and serued the times : but when hee was converted , hee turned his dawbing into downe-right dealing . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . . cor. . . u mat. . . . cor. . * hic autem significat authoritatem , & potestatem spiritus , corda penetrantis ; quae communis est christo , & ve●● ministris , 〈◊〉 non equals mensur● , nam unicuique distribuitur pro mens●●● . buc. y the reasons of the kings directions for preaching and preachers , as i received them from the hand of a publike register . z in the preface to his rem●nstrance against an oration of the cardinall of perron . a quid saceret cum psalterio horatius ? cum evangelijs maro ? cum apostolis cicero ? hieron . b on●● , vel angelorum humeris formidandum . neque enim nobis hic res est , de ducendit militibus aut de regno ●●bernando sed de sunctione angelicae virtu tis indigente . chrys. de sacerdotio , lib. . c . thes. . . . . tim. . . matth. . . . cor. . . acts. . . . . thes. . . . d parete us qui prasunt ●●bi● , & concedite : nam illi ●igilant pro animabus vest●●s . — huius commina●ioni● terror animum mihi concu●i● . ibid. e act. . . f pronunciat sore , ut populus ratione , & intelligentiâ destitut us , pe●eat , nec ullus sit ampli●s remedio locus : & tamen simul admonet , operā prophetae , quamvis exi●ialis sit , ac mortisera iudaeis , sibi gratam fore sacrificium . calv. in isa. cap. . est quidem hoc dic●u aspe●● divinitus prophetam mitti , qui aures obturet , oculos ob●inat , & cor populi obstinet : quia videntur haec minimè competere in dei naturam , ade●que aliena esseé ab ejus verbo . sed absurdum videri non debet , si deus populi malitiam ultimâ ex●●ecatione u●ciscitur . — talis excoecatio atque induratio non proficiscitur ex naturâ verbi , sed accidentali● est , solique hominum pravitati tribuenda . ibid. nec deus , nec verbum , nec prophetae , per se quenquam exc●●●cant : de prophetâ tamen & verbo hic d citur . imm● & de●● su deo. ioh. . . causa ; quia verbum , quod per prophetas concionatus est deus , quibusdam ex accidente sit odor mortifer . lusci●fus clarissi●●à sac● sibi oppositâ magis caetu●i●● : canora vex laede● aures debiliores : cal● . assus â frigidá ess●● ves●et . ●eul in ●undem locum . g dan. . . h et hoc attendite sr●●es , qui● 〈◊〉 carnales medici , quoties ad eos qui in corpore aegrot are videntur , ven●unt , omnia quae eis defectabilia esse vide bantur abse●●dunt : & quod dulce est , ad integrum interdieunt . al●quoties etiam frigidam accipere non permittunt , interdum & amarissi● aspotiones hibere cogunt , & asperrimis serramentis vulnera frequenter incidunt . hoc ergo quod pro sanitate corporum carnales 〈◊〉 diti faciunt , pro animarum salute spiritales medici caercere contendunt . ha● ergo cogitan● fratres charissimi & tam pro meâ quam pro v●strâ salute rationem ni● reddit●●●m esse ante tribunal 〈…〉 ignorans , eligo aspera quide● , sed salubria vobis medicamenta ing●●ere , ut vobiscum posse● in angelorum consortio perpetuâ merear incolumitate gaudere . [ see afterward , in what sense merear is here to be taken . it makes nothing at all for the popish ●otten tenent of merit . ] august , de temp. serm. . i in the preface of his remonstrāce against cardinall perron . k ezech. . . l sanguinem ejus do●inus de manu speculatoris requirit , quia ipse hunc occidit , qui cum tacendo morti prodidit . quibꝰ omne cōsiliū dei annunciare siu ●uit , ab eorum sanguine mundus suit . in quá voce nos convenimur , nos constringimur , nos rei esse ostendimur . — qui supra ea mala , quae propriae habemus alienas quo ne mortes addimus : quia tot occidimus , quot ad mortem ire quotidiè tepidi & ●acentes videmus . gregor . in ezech. . . hom. . m et qui sollicitus esse non studuit , in praedicatione , factus est particeps in damnatione . idem , ibid. benè nostis fratres charissimi , me vobis frequenter suppl●cas●e , & paternâ sollicitudine common●isse , pariter , & contestatumesse , ut illas sacrilegas paganorum consuetudines observare minimè debe●etis . sed quantùm a●me multorum relatione pervenit , apud aliquos parum profecit admonitio mea , quia si vobis ego non dixero ; & pro me , & pro vobis malam sum redditurus rationem in dic judic● ; & vobiscum mihi erit necesse aeterna supplicia sustinere . ego me apud deum absolvo , dum iterum atque iterum admonco pariter & con●es●or , aug de temp . ser. . n ●or the painefulnes of that unprofitable way of preaching , wherein there is ordinarily so much affectation on the one side , and expectation on the other , of such a deale of curiosity , variety of extraordinary conceits , tricks of wit , ostentation of reading , &c. that it puts the pen-man to a great deale of paines , and tortures his wit extremely : then , afterwards , the irkesome tediousnesse of committing it so punctually and precisely to memory ; the fearefulnesse in delivery , and danger of being out ; vaine-glorious , doubting that they shall not bee app●●●ded , as they were wont : feare , lest the next time should less●n their former reputation of wit , reading , &c. i say , such considerations as these , are many times notable 〈◊〉 , to keepe them from appearing too often in the pulpit . o in his godly observations , concerning divers arguments , and common places in religion . cap. . p 〈◊〉 quotidiè nobiscum rationes , quas cum nostro judice habebimus . — 〈◊〉 q●od lucrum deosicimus nos , qui accepto talento abeo ad negotium missisumus . 〈◊〉 dicit : negotiamini dum venio . ecce jam v●nit , ecce de nostro negocio lucrum requir●● . quale e● da●marum lucrum de nostra negotiatione monstrabimus ? quot ejus conspectuian 〈◊〉 m●nipulos de praedicationis no●●rae segete illaturi sumus ? ponamus ante oc●los nostros illum tantae distinctionis diem quo judex veniet , & rationem , cum seruis quibus talenta credidit , pon●t . ecce in majestate terribili , inter angelorum atque archangelorum choros videbitur . in illo tanto examine , electorum omnium & reproborum multitudo dedu●etur , & unusquisque quid sit operatus ostendetur . ibi petrus cum iudaea conversa , quam post se traxit apparebit . ibi paulus converum , ut ita dixerim , mundum ducens . ibi andreas post se achaiam , ibe joannes asiam , thomas i●diam , in conspectum sut judicis conversam ducet : ibi omnes dominici gregisarietes cum animarum lucr●● apparebunt , quisanctis praedicationibus deo post se subditum gregem trahunt . cum igitur tot p●stores cum gregibus suts ante aeterni pastoris oculos venerim , nos miseri quid 〈◊〉 sumus , qui ad dominum nostrum post negotium vacui redimus , qui pastorum , n●men habuimus , & oves quas ex nutrimento nostra debeamus ostender● , non habemus ? hic pastores vocati samus , & ibi g●egem non ducimus . gregor . in evangel . hom . q fo sumus omnes ingenio , ut nunquā velimus quaerere christum , nisi impulsi sensu aliquo miseriae , ac indigentiae nostrae . qui valent , non egent medico , sed male affecti , inquit christus ; venite ad me omnes , qui fatigati & onerati estis , & ego faciam ut requiescatis . quotquot igitur christum praedicant , christi exemplo hoc discant , nempo , quo tempore alliciunt homines ad fidem , propositâ illâ suavitate , quae est in christo , codem tempore extimulandos esse ipsos peccati ac miseriae suae sensu ad christum amplectendum : nam hae duae partes doctrinae semper conjungendae sunt , doctrina miseriae , & doctrina misericordiae in christo iesu. rolloc . in ioan. c. . r let none speak against the preaching of the law , for it is the wholesome way that god himselfe , and his servants in all ages have taken . hee did reprove , convince , and curse adam and eve , and after hee preached , the seed of the woman shall breake the serpents head . — so iohn baptist dealt with his hearers . and our saviour christ saith , hee came to seeke , and to save the lost . peter , act. . . first preached the law , and after the gospell . so paul and silas , act. . the contrary , is the way to make people curse us hereafter , tho it please them for the present ; as if one should heale a sore on the top , and not corrasive it , to draw and eate out the core , it would within a while breake out againe , with farre greater danger : so shall wee find it in this case . rogers of dedham in his doctrine of faith , pag. . . s the law first humbles , then the gospell comforts . the law hath three works : first , it inlighteneth a miserable sinner , in whom god hath a meaning to worke faith , with a cleare , and particular sight of his misery , and wofull estate hee stands in by sinne . secondly , it doth also by the working of the spirit , convince the party , that that is particularly true of him , which before hee used to poste over his head , as pertaining to others , not to him : but now god makes him take this to himselfe , and to apply and appropriate it , as if the minister spoke to him alone by name ; and to thinke the minister knowes all his heart , looketh on him , and speakes directly to him ; though it may bee the minister knew him nor , or not his case , but god makes him so to thinke . thirdly , upon these two , it raiseth terrour , and puts this sinner out of his old , secure , and peaceable course of impenitency , that he went on in . whether it bee the prophane that went on boldly in his sinne ; or the civill man trusting in his owne righteousnesse . — and makes him as one shot into flesh with a crosse , or bearded arrow , which he cannot shake out , nor abide the smart , but stampes as one s●●●ng with an add●r , 〈◊〉 cannot stand his ground , but is wholly possessed with fear● ibid pag. . &c. * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈…〉 . act. . isai. . . ioh . . matth. . . . s matth. . . by that a man hath , is meant sinne , and by selling it , the renouncing and disclaiming of sinne . — now to sell this , is ( as the nature of selling wee know requires ) to part with the right , and title , and interest , that a man hath unto it ▪ the secret and inward loue to it , and the outward and common practise of it . he that would enioy this heavenly treasure , which the lord doth so freely and graciously tender unto us , by the preaching of the gospell , must resolve to make a through sale , and to forsake not some , but every sinne , every corruption , every breach of the will of god , whatsoever . hieron . in his third sermon upon matth. . what must the sinner sell ? all that hee hath . what is that ? his goods , lands , children ? no , these bee none of his owne , god hath but lent him these to use ; and some that would haue christ , and shall , have no goods to sell : what then is our owne ? our sinnes and nothing else . hee that will have part in christ , must part with his sinnes ; hee cannot have christ , and keepe any one of them . rogers in his doctrine of faith. p. . &c. qui volit pro dignitate suâ astimare donum ho● quod ossert christus , quantum sit ; necesse est jam primum de peccatis suis , & miseriâ cogitet ; sic enim si●t , ut pluris ●aciat christum ; quam uni●ersum 〈◊〉 mundum ; eumque avide ad se cripia● , ad justificationem , & salutem suam aeternam . rolloc . in ioan. cap. . pag. . t though a man dares not apply the promise to one , onely terrified by the law , yet to one truly thus humbled by the gospell , and contrite hearted , wee doe no other . rogers , ibid pag. . * heb. . . u h●c ad exilium babilonicum restringenda non esse dixi ; quia patent latissimè , et doct●inam evangelij comprehendunt ; in qua p●●ecipuè est vis i●●a co●solandi . ejus enim ●st , er●g●re ●fflictos & prostiatos , ●●ctios , & serè mortuos recreare : maes●os 〈◊〉 tristitià . calvin . quia captivitas & liberatio illa corporalis 〈…〉 captivitatis , & liberationis spirit●●●is , non in liter● haerendum nobis , sed ad ●●pli●itatis spiritualis sub peccati ●ugo , & aetern●e mortis metu , itemque redemptionis sempiternae per christum factae cogitationem assargendum erit . scult . x de spirituali ierosolymâ loquitur , cujus fundamentum , christus . . cor. . scult . in locum . * in that sense as i teach in my exposition of the last article of the beliefe . faith in the first act , maketh us christs , reconciles us to him , makes us one with him , and by him with god the father . d.d. y rogers of dedham in his doctrine of faith , pag. . z hee makes contrition to fo●low legall terrour , and precede that repentāce which is the daughter of faith , and in order of nature followes after it . see ibid. pag. . . . see also master hookers preface to his booke , added in the second edition . a if any bee troubled , because hee talkes of hope , joy , &c. before faith , let him seeke satisfaction . ibid pag. . . and weigh well his distinction of the gifts of god , pag. . . where hee tells us of three kinds of them : first , some common to el●ct , and reprobate ; as knowledge in scripture , prophecy , tongues , miracles , and such like . secondly , some speciall belonging to the elect onely , as faith , by which wee are justified , a renewed heart , a good conscience , the feare of god , and such like graces . thirdly , some middle ones , wrought in the heart of those , that bee not yet actually the children of god ; yet certainely shall bee ; and which whosoever have wrought in them , shall surely have faith , and cannot goe long without it ; such is this contrition , and such dispositions as bee in men before faith , which yet are wrought by the gospell . these are better then common gifts , yet not actuall graces , and yet gracious inclinations to faith , which are in those that are to bee justified ; and which ( if wee speake properly ) cannot bee wrought in any that shall perish . see master hooker in the preface to the same booke . b as a great divine saith of faith : non ex gradu , aut mensur● fidei dependet justificatio , sed ex ver●●a●e : iustificatiō depends not upon the degree , but the truth of faith. davenantius in expos . epist. ad coloss. pag. . so may wee say proportionably of other graces , in respect of comfort frō them ; and yet that of austin is most true ; si dixisti , sufficit , perijsti : if any say , hee hath grace enough , hee hath just none . minimè certè bonus est , qui melior esse non vult . bernard . c sunt quaedam effecta interna ad conversionem sive regenerationem praevia , quae virtute verbi , spiritusque in nondum justificatorum cordibus excitantur ; qualia sunt , notitia voluntatis divinae . sensus peccati , timor poenae , cogitatio de liberatione , spes aliqua veniae . ad statum justificationis , in quo pacem habemus apud deum per d.n. iesum christum , non solet gratia divina homines perducere per subitum enthusiasm● , sed multis praevijs actionibus , ministerio verbi subactos , & preparatos . hoc videre licet , in illis , qui audi●á petri concione , peccati ●nus sentiunt , timent , dolent , liberationem desiderant , spem aliquam ventae concipiunt ; quae omnia exillis verbis colligi possunt : act. . . quùm haec audivissent , compuncti sunt corde suo ; & dixerunt ad petrum , & reliquos apostolos ; virisratres , quid saciemus ? hoc ipsa rei natura requirit ; nam sicuti in generatione hominis naturali , multae sunt praeviae dispositiones , quae formae inductionem praecedunt ; ita & in spirituali per multas antecedaneas gratiae actiones ad spiritualem nativitatem pervenitur . hoc denique apparet ex instrumentis , quibus utitur deus ad homines regenerandos . vtiturenim ministerio hominum & instrumento verbi . . cor. . . per evangelium ego vos genui . quod si deus immediatè vellet hominem impium regenerare , & justificare , nullà cognitione , nullo dolore , nullo desiderio , nullâ veniae spe praeparatum , nec hominum ministerio , nec verbo praedicato hanc ad remopus esset ; nec ministris verbum dei rectè secantibus , cura incumberet , apte , prudenterque auditorum conscientias primò legis terroribus sauciandi , deinde evangelicis promissis erigendi , ac eosdem hartandi ad poenitentiam , fidemqu● à deo per preces & lachrymas petendam . suffrag . colleg. theologorum magnae britanniae , de quinque controversis remonstrantium articulis , de antecedaneis ad conversionem . thes. . d yates in his modell of divinity , lib. . ca. c neither let any dreame , that these are any productions of free will ; i heartily abhorre popery , pelagianisme , and all enemies to the grace of god : but know , that they are the effects of the word and spirit . sunt quaedam effecta interna ad conversionem , sive regenerationem praevia , quae virtute verbi , spiritusque in nondum justificatorum cordibus excitantur ; qualia sunt notitia voluntatis divinae , sensus peccati , timor poenae , cogitatio deliberatione , spes aliquâ veniae . suffrag . colleg. theologorum mag. britan. &c. de anticedan●is ad conversionem . thesi. . * quod nam sit hoc donum ipse exponit verbis sequentibus , & quis sit qui dicit tibi : donum igitur est ipse christus silius , quem dedit nobis pater . rolloc . in iohan. pag. . zach. . . f vidisti ulcus ? vidisti morbum insanabilem non unius , non duorum , non decem , sed mille ? quidergo dicit posthaec , lavamini , mundi estote ? num peccatum putas habet ? ipse deus dicit , non audiam vos : & dicit , lavamini ; quorum vtrumque utilitèr ingeritur , id , ut terream , hoc , ut alliciam ; sed cos non audis , spem poenitentiae non habent . quòd si non habent poenitentiae spem , quomodò dicit , lavamini ? &c. chrysost. tom . de poenitentiâ , homil . . g besides many other large commentaries , and expositions , downam , and whately are excellent for a more punctuall , cleare , and compendious opening of the law , and ranking in order , and distinct representing of the severall sinnes against it . make use of the twenty considerations before , pag. . &c. and of the three wayes of examining the conscience in my treatise of the lords supper , to helpe to make a man miserable and vile in his owne eyes ; sensible of his sinfull , and cursed state , that thereupon he may be stirred to goe out of himselfe , and make towards christ. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . colos . . . h the wisedome of the blessed spirit himselfe teacheth us to make use of gods mercies , to preach mercy for this purpose . see isai. . . . ●oel . . rebels will farre more willingly come in upon pro●lamation promising mercy , and assuring them of pardon , if they will humble themselves , and returne to obedience ; if there bee no hope of being received to grace , there will bee no desire to returne into the state of grace . ●a est conscientia peccati & irae dei adversus peccatum , ut nisi allecti suavi aliquo misericordiae de●●n christo sensa , nunquam velimus credere in cum , aut ad cum consugere . roll●c . in iohan cap. . vers . pag. . * . kings . . i verba , quae di●i , scripta sunt , & divinis authoritatibus continentur ; quia misericors , & miserator dominus , longanimis , & multùm misericors , & verax ; multùm delectat omnes peccatores , & amatores hujus saeculi , quia misericors , & miserator dominus , quia longanimus & multùm misericors . sed siamas tam multa mitia , time , ibi & ultimum quod ait , & verax . si enim nihil ●liud diceret , nisi misericors , & miserator dominus , longanimis , & multum misericors , quasi jam converteres te ad securitatem & impunitatem , & ad licentiam peccatorum , & saceres quod v●lles , utereris saeo●lo ▪ vel quantum tibi pe●●it●tcretur , vel quantum tibi libido jussisset . et si quis te be●è monendo objurgaret , ●●●ue terreret , ut cohiberes te ab immoderato lux● , cu●do post concupiscentias tuas , & deserendo deum tuum ; inter medias voces objurgantis obsisteres , impudenti quidem fronte , veluti auditâ divinâ authoritate , & legeres de libro dominico : quid me terres de deo nostro ? ille misericors est , & miserator , & multùm misericors . ne talia homines dicerent , unum verbum addidit in fine , quod ait , & verax . et excussit ●etitiam malè praesumentium , & induxit timorem ●●olentium . august . tom. . pag. . k qui malè agere non ●essant , in vanum misericordiam dei expectant , quam recte expectarent , si à malo recederent . bern. de modo benè vivendi . serm. . col. . l vt ex dei parte datur universalis remissio peccatorum , sic debet etiam in nobis esse universalis detestatio peccatorum , atque illud proculdubio verissimum est , in omni homine verè reconciliato , semper repe●iriodium omnium suorum peccatorum , propositum etiam & studium deinceps abstinendi ab omnibus ▪ nam qui remissionem omnium accepit , infusionem graciae simul accepit , qua illum arm●t , & munit contra omnia . frustra , igitur blanditur sibi de peccatis remissis , qui amorem peccati cujuscunque & propositum in eodem permanendi , quasi in sinu cordis sa●s●vet . davenant . expos . epist. ad coloss. in cap. . vers . . pag. . fides & bona conscientia non conveniunt , nec in eodem corde morantur cum proposito peccandi & displicendi deo. ibid. pag. . omnis qui natus est ex deo , peccatum non ●acit . ] notanda vis verborum , non , inquit , peccatum ●acit , quòd patitur potiùs quám facit ; qui natus est ex deo , non potest peccare ; perseverando scilicet in peccato . bern. de nat. & dig. a●oris divini , cap . — whosoever lives in any one knowne sinne , let him know to his face , hee hath no true faith. rogers in his doctrine of faith , pag. . m remissio peccatorum universalis tollit reatum universorum peccatorum nostrorum ; infusio etiam gratiae huic conjuncta tollit dominium universorum . davenant . loco suprà citato . peccatum in hác vitâ quantum ad sanctos attinet , regnum perdit , in aliâ perit . hîc regnum perdit , quandò post concupiscentias nostras non imus , ibi autem perit , quando dicetur , ubi tua , o mors , victoria ? august . de verbis apost . serm. . aliud est , non peccare , aliud non habere peccatum . nam in quo peccatum non regnat , non peccat , id est , qui non obedit desiderijs . august . in expos . epist. ad galatas , cap. . n iust , as in the prophets time ; this is a rebellious people , lying children , children that will not heare the law of the lord ▪ which say to the seers , see not , and to the prophets ▪ prophecy not unto us right things , speake unto us smooth things , &c. isa. . . . o a deo ahaliena , 〈…〉 . basil. ascet . cap. . omnia 〈…〉 qu●e in pote●tite 〈◊〉 obtinere . bernard . multi hominum gehenuam ta●t●ms●●● 〈◊〉 ; ego autem illias gloriae ami●io ●em , g●hennil 〈◊〉 amarioremesse dico . intolerabilis 〈◊〉 , & illa p●●na ; tamen licet quis innumeras po●at g●oemias , tale nil dicet , quale illi fali● ▪ excidere glori● , à christa odio haberi , audire , nesii● 〈◊〉 . chrysost. ad popul . antiochenum . hom. . intolerabilis quidem res est , etiam gehenn●● quis nesciat & supplicium illud herribale ? tamen si mille aliquis ponat gehennas , nihil tale dicturtis est , quale est , à beat aeillius gloriae honore repelli , exosumque esse christo , & audire ab i● . non novi vos . idem , in matth. hom. . * mark. . . matth. . . ioh. . . rev. . . p it was the sonne of god , and lord of life , that dyed for us upon the crosse , but it was the nature of man , not of god wherein hee died ; and it was the nature of god , and infinite excellency of the same , whence the price , value , and worth of his passion grew . field , of the church , lib. . cap. . docet sanguinem christi propter hyposlaticam utriusque naturae in uno chrislo conjunctionem , ●acoque propter communicationem idiomatum , ve●e dici posse , non solum sangutacia silij hominis , sed etiam sanguinem filij dei , atque adeò sanguinem ipsius det. zanch. in . epist. iohan. cap. . vers . . nil certius , quàm ex unione personali naturarum , consequi omnes operationes iesu christi esse totius suppositi ; ac proinde divinas hominis , humanas dei. naminde audimus filium hominis descendisse e coelis , & deum esse mortuum . concedimus etiam satisfactionis dignitatem oriri à personâ satisfaciente ; ideóque satisfactionem christi , maximae , imò infinitae dignitatis esse . chamierus , tom. . lib. . cap. . sect . . christus obtulit ut pontis●x carnem & sanguinem suum , quá homo : sed victimae suae immensam essi●aciam aspirat per spiritum ae●●●nam , qu● deus est . pat. in epist. ad heb. cap. . vers . . q plures ex his , qui oderant c●● islum , compuncti corde , conversi sunt , & tanti sanguinis , tam impie , atque immaniter sasi , indulgentiam perceperunt , ipso redempti sanguine , quem faderant . august . expos. in evangel . iohan. tract . . r i meane with a hearty willingnesse to sell all , to part with all sinne , and with a sincere resolution for after-obedience : to take him as a saviour , and a lord. never did any take iesus christ savingly ; who tooke him not as an husband and a lord , to serve , love , and obey him for ever after ; as well as a saviour , to disburden him of his sinnes , as a king to governe him by his word and spirit , as well as a priest to wash him in his blood . never was any truly justified , who was not also in some measure truly sanctified . s dignitas & amplitudo tum personae filij dei , tum beneficij , ac salutis tantae , per tantam personam comparatae , augebunt suprà modum incredulitatem nostram , ut qui multò meliori laco faissemus , si nihil unquam in vitâ de christo audissemus , quam si audientes neglexiss●mus tamen tantam salutem acquisitam nobis , & annunciatam à tantâ personâ . rolloc . in ioan. cap. . t arguet mundum . tum causam reddens , eò inquit , quòd non credunt in me . peccatum igitur designat incredulitatis nomine , quam 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ita insignit , licet non sit unicum illud incredulitatis peccatum . sunt enim alia peccata varij generis verum peccatum omnium gravissimum est incredulitas , quae secum unà trahit reatum maximum , & condemnationem gravissimam simul & velocissimam . ideò dictum est suprà ; qui non credit in filium , jam condemnatus est . contrà verò fides , justitia potissima est , adeoque sola . nam ea aufert reatum omnium peccatorum , & liberat à condemnatione . nulla est condemnatio ijs qui sunt in christo iesu. atque hinc usurpata est praeclara illa sententia ; nullum peccatum nisi infidelitas ; nulla justitia nisi fides . non quòd sola infidelitas sit peccatum ; sed quòd infidelitate , ut ait augustinus , manente , man●at peccatum omne ; & eâ rursùs decedente , aboleatur , quoad reatum , peccatum aliud quodcunque . et certè peccantibus tam clarâ luce evangelij , quovis modo ▪ sive per adulterium , sive homicidium , sive per surtum , &c. ascribendum est maximè infidelitati , & obstinationi cordis , quâ tantae luci resistitur . rolloc . in iohan. cap. . de peccato quidem , inquit , quia non crediderunt in me ; hoc enim peccatum , quasi solum sit , prae caeteris posuit . quia hoc manente , caetera retinentur , & hac discedente , caetera remittuntur . august . expos. in evang. iohan. tract . . si manifestum est , praeter hanc infidelitatem , alia multa hominum esse peccata , cur de hoc solo mundum spiritus sanctus arguet ? an quia peccata omnia per infidelitatem tenentur , per fidem dimittuntur ? proptereà hoc unumprae caeteris imputat deus , per quod sit , ut caetera non solvantur ; dum non credit in humilem deum homo superbus — cùm dicitur ; arguit mundum de peccato , non alio quam quod non crediderunt in christo . hoc denique peccatum si non sit , nulla peccata remanebunt , quia justo ex fide vivente cuncta solvantur . sed multum interest , utrum quisque credat ipsum esse christum , & utrum credat in christum . nam ipsum esse christum , & daemones crediderunt ; ille enim credit in christum , qui & sperat in christum , & diligit christum . idem , de verbis dom. in evang. secundum iohan. serm. . take all the sinnes that ever were committed , none like to this ; no greater thing can bee laid to our charge , then to refuse the sonne , to refuse the righteousnesse revealed , &c. d.p. atrocitas peccati , quod contemptu evangelij admittitur , notatur particulâ , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , tanta salutis . par. in epist. ad hebraeos . cap. . magnum autem crimen incredulitatis , quoniam vn●genitus ipse sit dei filius . nam quantò praestantius est , quod contemnitur , tanto majoribus , qui spernit , supplicijs subjacebit ; judicatum vero jam ait essem credulum , quod ipse in seipsum , ( quoniam largitorem indemnationis non suscepit ) condemnations intulit sententiam . cyril . in ioan. lib. . cap. . this sinne of unbeliefe is a greater sinne , then the world is aware of . men thinke theft , murther , drunkennesse , to bee hainous , and so indeed they bee ; but unbeliefe is a farre worse : for it is the mother of these , and all other evils . rogers of dedham , of faith , cap. pag. . u quod autem lucrum dari filium ? o magnum & supra humanam mentem , ut omnis qui credit in illum , duo illa lucretur : vnum quidem , quod non perit ; alterum , quod vitam habet , & vitam aterna● . theoph. in io●n . cap. . x the worke is done one christs part ▪ — there is a righteousnesse which god hath prepared , and is therefore called , the righteousnesse of god. nothing is looked for at our hands , but onely to take it , to beleeve it , and apply it unto our selves . d.p. christ is a free gift , and may bee had for the accepting . — humiliation is no further requisite thereunto , then as it is a meanes to bring us to accept , and lay hold of that grace , and life in christ , which is freely offered . d.v. but lest any mistake this taking , heare what resolution before , and conversation afterward , these two great divines , excellently versed in the mystery of christ , speake of : obiect . but some will say , is nothing else required ? must god doe all , and wee nothing , but take the righteousnesse prepared ? answ. it is true ; wee must live a holy , religious , and sober life ; for this end the grace of god hath appeared , &c. d.p. howsoever though thou mayest have him freely , yet notwithstāding , thou must have him as thy lord : thou must bee his servant , hee thy king , and thou his subject , &c. when god h●th inlightened the eyes of a man , that he can see where this treasure is , — hee is so inflamed with the love thereof , that hee resolves he will have it , whatsoever it cost him — yea but there is a price put upō it ; it must cost thee deare ; a great deale of sorrow , trouble , and other crosses . tush , tell mee not of the price ; whatsoever i have shall goe for it , i will doe any thing for it . why , wilt thou cu● be thine a●●ections ? wilt thou give up thy life ? wilt thou bee content to tell all that thou hast , and begge all thy life time , so thou mayest have this treasure ? i will doe it with all my heart ; i am content to sell all that i have ; nothing is so deare unto mee , but i will part with it ; my right hand , my right eye ; nay , if hell it selfe should stand betweene mee and christ , yet would i passe thorow the same unto him . this is that violent affection which god , putteth into the hearts of his children , that they will have christ whatsoever it cost them . although i confesse , all that repent and lay hold on christ shall have mercy ; yet what is this to thee , thou wretched man ? so long as sinne hath dominion over thee , what art thou ? so long we are not only dead , but also rotten in sinne ; so that it may be said of us , as it ●as as lazarus , ioh. . lord , saith martha , hee stinketh already . so wee are not onely 〈◊〉 and rotten in sinne , but even stinke thereof , so long as any sinne or sinnes have dominion over us . d.v. christ receives none , but them that denie themselves ; are willing to take up the crosse , and follow him ; that mortifie the deeds of the body by the spirit . to iustification nothing but faith is required : but this caution must bee added ; it must bee a faith that purifies the heart , that may worke an universall change , that may shew it selfe in fruites , and bring forth fruites worthy amendment of life . d.p. revel . . y see gifford upon the place . alsted . theol. cas. cap. . de pulchritudine omnium pulcherrimâ , quae est iesus christus . — y in christo , tanta bona possidetis : ut domini mundi , & omnium rerum sitis . par. in locum . . cor. . . z ioh . . a hoc verb● [ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ] non voluit dicere apostolus , christum per assumptionem sormae servi , abjecisse forma dei , & desusse quod erat : sed tantùm quòd gloriam illam & majestatem , in quà erat apud patrem , ita abdiderit in formâ servi , ut c● sese penitut evacuasse visus sit : quia nimirùmea gloria in carne non fulgebat , ut ab omnibus conspici posset . b ioh. . c col. . . d omnes poenae à nobis , commeritae toleratae sunt à christo : at poenae animae erant à nobis commeritae . ergò poen●ts animae christus toleravit . chamierus , tom. . de dese●ulu ad inferos , lib cap. . sect. . neither doth hee , or ● meane , that christ suffered in soule onely by sympathy with the body ; but also immediately from the wrath of god for our sinnes . heare him a little after . contra sua sophismata bellarminus tam●n concludit , christum passum animâ et corpore . quod ipsum calvinus contendit , & nos asserimus . quid igitur frustrà laborant sophistae in oppugnand● veritate , quam ipsi tandem , ipsi , inquam , fateri cogantur ? nisi forte in animâ . patiente , nihil aliud considerant , nisi ipsos dolores corporis tantum 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , per assistentiam , & 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , non verò 〈◊〉 & propriè suo sensu . quo quid possit absurdiùs dici ? certè antequàm corpus quicquam pateretur , christus ipse testabatur suam animam esse perturbatam , & quidem usque ad mortem . ibid. sect. . leo it is that first said it ( and all antiquity allow of it ) non soluit unionem , sed subtraxit visionem . the vnion was not dissolved ; true , but the beames , the influence was restrained ; and for any comfort from thence , his soule was even as a scorched heath ground ; without so much as any drop of dew of divine comfort : as a naked tree , no fruit to refresh him within , no leafe to give him shadow without : the power of darknesse let loose to afflict him : the influence of comfort restrained to relieve him. winchesters sermons , pag. . wounded hee was in body , wounded in spirit , left utterly desolate . ibid. pag. . e there are sixe kinds of dereliction , or forsaking , whereof christ may bee thought to have complained : first , by dis-union of person : secondly , by losse of grace : thirdly , by diminution , or weakening of grace : fourthly , by want of assurance of future deliverance and present support : fiftly , by deniall of protection : sixthly , by with-drawing ▪ of solace , and destituting the forsaken of all comfort . it is impious once to thinke , that christ was forsaken any of the foure first wayes . for the unity of his person was never dissolved ; his graces were never , either taken away , or diminished ; neither was it possible hee should want assurance of future deliverance , and present support , that was eternall god , and lord of life . but the two last wayes hee may rightly bee said to have been forsaken . field of the church , lib. . cap. . f exijt , qui ●eminat , seminare , inquit ] semen hic do●trinam suam , arva ce●ò & campos aminas huminum , seminatorem autem seipsum appellat . quid igitur de illo senisne sit ? tribus perditis partibus , una tantummodò salvatur . chrysost. in mat. hom. . hâc parabold discipulos docuit & exercuit , ut etsi plures corum , qui praedicationem apostolonum suscepturi erant , perderentur , non caderent aulmis cum id etiam in domino atque magistro pariter factum recordarentur : neque tamen ipse , quamvis , ita id futurum non ignoraret , semina proijcere neglexit . ibid. vocati ; 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ] scilicet , exlernè perverbum . electi ; 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ] scil . ad vitam aeternam . christus loquitur de vocatione externâ , quá per evangelij pr●dicationem vocantur tam reprobi , quà electi , &c. piscat . in matth. cap. . iste popict●● , qui in medio populi suscepit misericordiam dei , quantium numerum babet ? quèm panc● sunt ? vix inveniuntur aliqui . illisne contentus deus erit & perdet tantam multitudinem ? dicunt hoc , qui sibi promittunt hoc , quod à deo promit●ents non audi●runt . — quot sunt illi , qui vi●entur servare praecepta dei ? vix invenitur unus vel duo , vel paucissimi . ipsos solos deus liberaturus est , caeteros damnaturus ? absit , inqutunt , cum venerit , & videbit tantam multi●udinem , ad sinistram , miserebitur , & dabit indulgentiam . hoc pla●è etiam serpens ille promisit primo homini : nam minatus erat deus mortem , si gastaret . ille autem , ●bsit inquit , morte non moriemini . crediderunt serpenti , invenerant , verumesse , quod minatus est deus , falsum , quod promiserat diabolus . ita & nunc fratres , &c. august ▪ in psal. . pag. . c and justly they find him not , ex l●ge talionis . god himselfe answers them ; nay , their owne hearts answere themselves : go , whom you haue spent your life in seeking , seeke to them now . let them save you , at this , whom yee sought at all other times . as for mee , it shall come to passe , as i cryed , and you would not heare ; so you shall cry , and seek , and shall not find , or bee heard , ( saith the lord ) . yes , they found him ; but with a dore shut betweene him & them . but what found they ? the parable of the ten virgins tells us ; a nescio vos . — hoe knoweth them not : they tooke too short a time to breede acquaintance in . nescio vos they find , that so seeke . profectò ad hoc tonitru &c. at this clap , hee that waketh not , is not asleepe , but dead . winchesters sermons , pag. . i demand ; will any time serue to seeke god ? is god at all times to bee found ? it is certain , not , the very limitation , ( of dum inveniri potest ) sheweth plainely , that other times there bee , wherein seeke him you may , but find him you shall not . idem ibid. pag. . d quanquam deus ipsos mundavit , hoc est , tum verbo suo praecepit , ut se mundarent , & toties ac tamdiu per prophetas , imperavit , . cro. . . iesa . . . tum aquâ & sapone afflictionum abluere , & baculo calamitatum sordes excutere studio habuit : tamen impuri manserunt . iesa . . . & sequentibus ; polan . in locum . e . cor. . . f quid autem est seclidi●m mundum ? quandò contristaris propter divitias , propter gloriam , propter mortuum ; omnia haec secundum mundu● ; id●ò & mortem fa●●t . nam qui propter gloriam contristatur , invi●et , & saepe perire cogitur . qualis erat tristitia cain & esau : hanc tristitiam vo●at secundum mundum , quae trisiibus perniciosa . chrysost. in . cor. cap. . sicut tinea comedit vestimentum , & sicut vermis rodit lignum , ita tristitia nocet cordi . bern. de modo benè vivendi . cap. . it pierceth even to the marrow of the bone , it maketh bitter our whole life , and poysoneth all our actions . char. lib. . cap. . worldly sorrow worketh a change in the body , it brings gray haires on the head , and furrowes and wrinkles in the face . it turnes youth into old age , and strength into weakenesse , and so causeth death . dike of repentance . cap. . g tristitia enim sic est , quomodo stercus . stercus non loco suo positum immunditia est . stercus non loco suo positum , immundam facit domum ; loco suo positum , fertilem facit agrum . — inveni nescio , quem tristem : stercus video , locum quaero : dic , amice , unde tristis es ? perdidi , inquit , pecuniam . locus immundus , fructus nullus , audiat aposiolum ; tristitia mundi mortem operatur . non solum fructus nullus sed magna pernicies . sic & de caeteris rebus ad gaudia secularia pertinentibus ; quas res longum est enumerare . video alium tristantem , gementem , flentem : multum stercor●s video , & ibi locum quaero . et cum viderem tristem , flentem inspexi & orautem . orans , nescio quid mibibonae significationis ingessit . sed adhuc locum quaero . quid enim si iste oraus , gemens , magno fletu mortem roget inimicis suis. etiam sic jam plorat , jam rogat , jam orat ; locus immundus , fructus nullum ▪ — inspexialium rursus , gementem , flentem , orantem ; stercus agnosco locum quaero . inten●di autem orationi ejus , & audito dicentem , ego dixi , domine , miserere mei , sana animam meam , quia peccavi tibi : ge●it peccatum : agnosco agrum , expecto fructum : deo gratias . bono loco est stercus , non ibi vacat , fructum parturit . august . de temp . serm. . h tristitia illa solùm ad peccata utilis est ; quod hinc manifestatur : qui pro amissis divitijs contristatur ; damnum non solvit : qui pro mortuo contristatur , jacentem non excitat : qui propter morbum contristatur , non solùm non curatur , sed etiam auget morbum . qui verò in peccatis contristatur , hîc solùm utilitatis aliquid ampliùs à tristitiâ accepit ; absumit enim & evanescere facit peccata . chrysost. in . cor. cap. . mortem lugere omittens , luge peccata , ut ipsa deleas : propter hoc enim tristitia facta est , non ut in morte , nec in vllâ aliâ re tali doleamus , sed ut ipsâ ad delenda ut amur peccata : et quòd hoc verum sit , exemplosacio manifestum . remedia medicinalia propter illos tantùm morbos , facta sunt , quos toller● possunt , non propter illos , quos nihil ad juvare possunt , &c. mulctatus est quispiam pecunijs , tristatus est , mulctam non emendavit : silium amisit , doluit , mortuum non resuscitavit , nec defuncto pr●fuit : flagellatus est quis , alapis caesus , contumelijs affectus , doluit , non revocavit contumcliam , &c. vides horum nulli prodesse tristitiam . peccavit quis , tristatus est , peccatum delevit . idem ad popul . antiochenum , hom. . i i meane both repentances : legall , which is bred by beleeving the threats of the law , and by accident leades unto christ. evangelicall , which springs from faith in the promises of the gospell , after wee have taken christ. for faith must goe before this repentance , as the ground and roote thereof . in time , faith and evangelicall repentance are both together , but in the order of nature , faith is first . k quid enim quispiam sacere possit , quo genero sum virum cogat contristari ? auseret pecunias ? sed habet in coelis divitias . patriâ eijciet ? sed in coelestem civitatem mittet . vincula inijciet ? sed habet conscientiam solutam , & exteriorem non sentiet catenam . sed interficiet corpus ? at iterum resurget . et sicut cum umbrâ pugnans , & aërem verberans perculere poterit neminem : sic & cum justo pugnans cumumbrâ tantùm pugnat , & vires suas dissolvit , nullam illi plagam valens infligere . itaque da mihi de coelorum r●gno confidere , & s●vis , me hodie jugula ; caedis ? gratias tibi habeo , quòd me celeriter ad illa hona transmattis . chrysost. ad pop. antioch . hom . . l igitur postquàm manifestè oratio demonstravit , quòd neque pecuniarum mulctam , neque contumeliam , neque calumniam , neque flagella , neque valetudinem , neque mortem , neque aliud quid talium inducta tristitia iastaurare posset , sed solùm delere peccatum , & bujus est destructiva ; certum , quò à propter hanc solam causam facta est . ne amplius igitur pecuniarum jacturam doleamus ; sed cum peccamus , tantùm doleamus : multa enum hic ex●ri●●●iâ utilitas . mul●la●us es ? ne doleas ; neque enim proderit . pe●cu●●● dole , utile namque est . ibid. m . sam. . achitophel , ita ratiocinatur : absolom , aut vincet , au● non : sino● vincat , incidam in manus davidis : si vicerit , adhuc ego inglorius vivam , chusat consilio videbitur vicesse . — voluit potiùs mori , quàm inglorius vivere . ●et . mart. in . sam. cap. . n hest. . . . . o quamvis quid tristitiâ molestius ? sed quando secundum deum fit , mundi gaudio melior est . illud enim in nihilum desinit ; haec autem poenitentiam haud poenitendam in salutem operatur . et enim , quod admirabile in ist● , hoc est , quod nullum poenitet sic doluisse , id quod mundanae tristitiae proprium est . quid germanius germano filio ? & quid morte illius majorem dòlòrem infert ? attamen parentes se ipsos prae dolore plangentes impetu luctus , quamvis inde nullam ferant utilitatem , ij tamen post tempus poenitentiā agunt quòd immodicè doluerunt , [ worldly mournig must be mourned for , and such teares unwept , with a new supply of teares ] cum nihil utilitatis inde consecuti sunt , imò & se magis afflixerint : sed non talis est tristitia secundum deum , sed habet gemina commoda : & quòd quis se non incusat ob dolorem ; & quòd tristitia in salutem desinit : ambobus illis commodis ista privata est : chrysost. in . cor. cap. . hom. . sicut enim mundi gaudium tristitiae consortio copulatur , ita etiam secundum dominum lacbryme jugem pariunt , certámque laetitiam . idem , in matth. . hom . . p ier. dike of conscience . cap. . pag. . q concedo quidem illud , in ipso moerore , ac dolore piorum plus gaudij inesse , & verae laetitiae , quàm in risu huius mundi : nam cumsuspirijs inenarrabilibus conjunctum est gaudium ineffabile . rolloc . in iohan. cap. . pag. . dulciores sunt lachrymae orantium , quàm gaudia theatrorum . august . in psal. . pag. . q dolor melancholicus converti debet in dolorem , qui est secundum deum . alsted . theol. casuum , cap. . r quid christo suavius ? — apprehensio cujus est cum suavitate magna , & gaudio incredibili , ut re● planè suavis est ea , quae apprehenditur . rolloc . in iohan. cap. . pag. . r 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , hoc est , à sanandis omnibus morbis . * nulla est in humanâ naturâ vel co●pori● , vel animae passio , quae me●●inam hinc accipere nequeat . quomodo ? dic obsecro . ingreditur quis huc , tristi●●●s & nego●i●rum solicitudine ●u●ratus , & ingressus huc ita mae●ore adeb●utus , statim ut audi●●● prophetam dicent●m , quare tris●is es a●●mamea , et quare conturbas me ? spera in p●um , q●●●uiam confi●bor ●● : salatare vultus mei , & deus meus : susti●tenti consolatione s●s●e●tâ ab●● , etomnem i●la a mentis tristitiam ex●●tit . aliusitem extr●m●● p●●raturinoptâ , gravatim fert , & moeret , videns alios divitijs affluere , & valdè instari , & ●●g●anapparatu , & pompâstipari : aud●t & hic ●undem prophetam dicentem , iacta●●● do●i●● s●licit idinem tuam ; ipse te enutriet . et iterum , ne timeas cum ditatus fuerit homo , 〈…〉 licata fuerit gloria ejus : quia cum morietur non accipiet omnia , &c. est & alius quoque ●uiinsidias & calumnias su●tineus dolet , & insuavem putat vitam , nusquam ●umanum ●● enir● valens auxilium : docetur & hic ab eodem prophetain talibus angustijs non ad hu● 〈◊〉 praesidium confugiendum . audiquidipse dicat . ipsi detrahebant mihi , ego ●utem o●a●●m . — i●s●per abus abijs , quiprius si●i mini●irabant , despicitur , & contemnitur , & ab amic●re● : 〈…〉 , hoc est quod ●●ntem●●●● maximè conturbat , & confundit : sed & hic si huc 〈◊〉 , audit beatum illum dicentem , ami●i mei & proximimei adversum me appropinquia unt , & 〈◊〉 ut , & vim faciebant , qui quaerebant animam m●am : & qui quaerebant ●●lam●● , lo 〈…〉 , & ●i a●dul●ntias totâ die meditabantur — quidergo ille interim , d●● 〈◊〉 , & va●iamstruunt , egit ? ego autem , inquit , quasi surdus non audiens , & quasi 〈◊〉 non aperiensos suum . et factus sum , quasi homo non aud 〈◊〉 , & non habens in ●re 〈◊〉 largutiones . — vidisti quomodo quacunque calamitate humanam naturam , premente , conveniens ex scripturis antidotum acciper●liceat , & omnis vitae hujus repellatur 〈◊〉 , neque ab ull● quod accidit , gracemur . proptercà , obsecro , ut sabinde huc veniatis , & 〈…〉 : non solùm , cum huc venitis , sed & domi divina bib●● 〈…〉 positam , magnosiudio sus●pite . iude enim multum 〈…〉 ref●rmetio : demde anima pennas assumit , & 〈…〉 , perque tempus illud abimmund ●rum cogita●● 〈…〉 multâ quiete , ac tranquilitate fruens . ins●per quod ad augendas vtres corpori 〈…〉 cibus facit , id anime lectio praestat . chrysost. in gen. hom. . a psal. . . b psal. . c psal. . . psal. . . . ps. . . . . . . s 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . basil. in ps. . non dicit , ut inde alij nobis applicent pharmaca , sed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ] singuli ipsi nobis eligamus . t en tibi octo muliercul●s , letam , laetae filiam , paulum huius filiae aviam , atque amitam , demetriadem , salviam , celantiam , marcelcellam , in usque commendatam s●riò scripturarum ●ectionem . addo nonam , eustochiam ; decimam , blesillam ; undecimam , principiam ; duodecimam , algasiam cham. de canonis usu , l. . c. . and amongst the rest , heare how extraordinarily excellent marcella was in knowledge of the scriptures : idem in marcellâ laudat scripturarum ardorem incredibilem , quò fieret ut●● sum hieronymum nunquam conveni●et , quin de scripturis aliquid interrogaret : tantámque sibi eruditionem compararet , ut ●● in aliquo testimonio scripturarum esset oborta contentio , adillam judicem pergeretur ! ita●u ? mul●ere● judicare de scripturis ? o scelus ! o audaciam ! sed apud papistas : apud ca●ballcos ●era pi●tas . idem . ibid. sect. . this should make many of our gentlewomen mightily ashamed , who are old excellent in taking up every new monstrous fashion ; but come infinitely short of this noble christian woman in scripture-knowledge . u par. . tract . . ad gaud ▪ cum autem virgunculam rudem & edentulam jam septimus ata●●suae annus exceperit ; & coeperit erubescere — discat memoritèr psalterium : & usque ad annos ubert ●tis libros solomonis , evangelis , apostolos & prophetas sui cordis the saurum faciat . x ad demetriadem vnum illud tibi natae d●o ; praeque omnibus unum , praedicam , & repetens iterum , iterumque moncho : ut animum tuum sacrae lectionis a●cre occupes . y ad salviam . semper in manibus tuis sit divina lectio . — post scripturas san●●os doctorum ominum traclatus lege . z ad celantiam de institutione matrisfamilias . sint divinae scripturae semper in manibus tuis , & jugiter in mente volvantur . a si ad ecclesiam frequenter venias ; aurem literis divinis admoveas ; explanatione mandatorum capias : sicut cibis & delicijs caro : ita spiritus verbis divinis convalescet ; ac sensibus robustior effectus , carnem sibi parere cogit , ac suis legibus obsequi . nutrimenta igitur spiritus sunt ; divina lectio , orationes assiduae , sermo doctrinae . his alitur cibis , his convalescit , his victor efficitur . quod quia non facitis , nolite conqueri de infirmitate carnis ; nolite dicere quia volumus , sed non poss●mus . super levit. hom. . b hom. for reading of scriptures . c i meane in respect of terrible representations . for i know well from the learnedst physitions , that that humour is originally settled in the spleene . but from thence arise cloudes of melancholike vapours , which annoy the heart , and passing up to the braine , counterfets terrible obiects to the phantasie ; and polluting both the substance , and the spirits of the braine , causeth it without externall occasion , or object , to forge monstrous fictions , and terrible to the conceite ; which the judgment taking , as they are presented by the disordered instrument , delivers to the heart ; which by reason of the sympathy betweene the braine and the heart , the thoughts and affections , and having no judgement of discretion in it selfe , but giving credit to the mistaken report of the braine , is affected proportionably with terrour , sadnesse , and feare . d 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , ephes. . . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , . cor. . . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , revel . . . e haec est ratio , cur aliqui timent non timenda : cur in suspiciones mirabiles & falsissimas cadunt : ita ut credant se aliquan●o quaeri ad mortem , vel ad incarceratione● , vel spoliationem , & inde fugiunt nemine persequente , trepidantes timore , ubi non est ti●or . cognovitalem tempore meo , qui ingeniosissimus erat , & peritus valdè in medicinâ , qui tandem fugit in nemora occulta , nec ultrà comparuit . gerson de passionibus animae consid. . f let a melancholy person upon the sudden heare , or see some fearefull thing , the strength of his imagination is such , that hee will presently fasten the thing upon himselfe . as if hee see , or heare , that a man hath hanged himselfe , or is possessed of a divell , it presently comes to his minde , that hee must doe so to himselfe , or that hee is , or at least , shall bee possessed . in like manner upon relation of fearefull things , presently his phantasie workes , and hee imagineth , that the thing is already ; or shall befall him . perkins . cases of conscience . cap. . sect . . g sic aliquis existimabat se gallum , & more galli cantabat . alius murilegum , & sub lectis mures quaerebat . alius imaginans se habere cornua in fronte , verecundabatur quotiescunque videbat se inspici , & frontem tegebat . alius imaginans se notari de insectione leprae , vel de morbo caduco , omnes fugiebat , & trepidabat aspectus , & sermones . alius imaginans se habere pedes ferreos calcabat validissimè super terram . alius ambulare non audebat phantasians pedes suos esse vitreos . gerson . loco suprà citato . h non siculae dapes , &c. not all king denis dainty fare , can pleasing taste for them prepare : no song of birds , no musicks sound , can lullaby to sleepe propound . when any comes with a troubled conscience for sinne , wee ought wisely to discerne , whether they bee meanely grieved with a generall sight of their sinne , or whether they be extremely throwne downe with the burthen of particular sinnes ▪ if so they bee , then it is good at the first to shew , that no sinne is so great , but in christ it is pardonable , and that there is mercy with god that hee might bee feared : so on the otherside , shewing the mercy to come from god , but so as they are nothing fit to receive mercy , unlesse they feele their particular and pricking sinnes . but if their sorrow bee more confessed in generall things , then it is good to humble them more , and more , to give them a terrour of gods justice for particular sinnes : for experience doth teach , that this is the best way to obtaine sound comfort both to see our sinne , and to bee humbled to see our sinne : — that beeing throughly throwne downe , wee may directly seeke christ , and keepe no stay untill we have found comfort in him , who then is most ready to free us from our sinne , and to comfort us with his spirit when wee are most cast downe with our sins , and most feare them . greeneham . in his grave counsels pag. . k id quidem aud●o dicere , clariorem evangelij christi doctrinam nulli unquam populo ante propositam esse , quam sit ca , quam nos quotidiè audimus in ecclesijs nostris . — si profectò non ba●eremus aliquid aliud ●om sub coelo : exceptá hac tam clará verb●lace , ea debet nos vel sola consolari . quis est , qui non gaudet , & recreatur , cum ex tenebris educit ut in lucemistam solare● ? at nos qui aliquando submersi jacuimus in tenebra● , longè borribilissimis , multò clariorum lucem babemus , solem nimirùm illum iustitia . rolloc . in iohan. cap. . pag. . l per ignorantiae malum à nescientibus innumerabilia perpetrantur mala . aug. tom. . pag. . lib. . contra sulia . palag . m those that have no minde at all to heare , or reade the word , if at any time through the remorse of their conscience which accuseth them , they feele any inward griefe , sorrow or heavinesse for their sins , for so much as they want the salve and comfort of gods word , which they doe despise , it will bee unto them rather a mean to bring them to utter desperation , then otherwise . hom. of repentance , pag. . n how wisely , graciously , and necessarily then did king iames direct , for profitable catecheticall teaching in the after-noone upon the lords day , in all ▪ parish-churches throughout the kingdom ▪ heare the words . so farre are these directions f●om abating , that his maiesty dot● expect at our hands , that it should increase the number of sermons , by renewing upon every sunday in the ater-noone in all parish-churches throughout the kingdome , that primitive and most profitable exposition of the catechisme , wherewith the people , yea , very children may bee timely seasoned , and instructed in all the heads of christian religion : the which kind of teaching to our amendment bee it spoken , is more diligently observed in all the reformed churches of europe , then of late it hath been here in england . i find his majesty much moved with this neglect , and resolved , if wee that are his bishops , doe not see a reformation hereof , which ierust wee shall , to recommend it to the care of the civill magistrates , &c. reasons of the kings directions for preaching , and preachers . as i received them by authority from the hand of a publike register . is it not strange and lamentable , that for all this princely and pious earnestnesse , this soule-murdering neglect should yet every day grow greater and grosser . o cast thy selfe downe ; destroy thy selfe . mat. . . fall downe and worship mee . then which , i thinke , there was never more abhorred injection . v. ● . p i am mo● chatus est eam incorde suo ] hoc est dicere : qui dat operam in venusta corpora curiosiùs intueri , & decoras aucupari facies , talíque animam spectaculo pascere , & obscoenos pulchris etiam vultibus oculos assigere . chrys. in matth. . hom. . q bellarmines death , by c.i. a iesuite , p. . r not much unlike the pharisie , luk. . god i thank thee , that i am not as other men are , extortioners , unjust , adulterers . s if bellarmine was so notoriously holy , how came it to passe , that amongst the rest , hee l●t fall also this speech : for my selfe , i shall thinke it no small fauour to bee sure of purgatory , and there to remaine a good while in those flames that must purge , and cleanse the spots of mine offences , and satisfie the just wrath and justice of almighty god. pag. . i know very well what bellarmine concludeth de purgatorio , lib. . cap. . sect . ult . purgatorium pro ijs tantùm esse : qui cum venialibus culpis moriuntur . et rursum pro illis , qui decedunt cum reatu poenae , culpis jam remissis . but yet sith the pontificians teach ; that veniall sinnes may bee taken away in this life ; by knocking the breast , by the b●shops blessing , by onely entring into an hallowed church , by being sprinkled with holy water : & by other such easie remedies . see azor. tom lib. . c. . sect. quint. quaeritur . cartw. against the rhem. pag. . vsher in his answer to a iesuites challenge , pag. . what extreme madnesse possessed this man , who would not prevent those horrid flames by so many ●ost easie & obvious meanes ? t he said the pater noster and ave maria : and he said distinctly the psalme miserere to the end : and he said the creed all thorow . as though meere saying did sanctifie and save . resting upon opus operatum , the worke wrought , is an horrible popish imposture , empoysoning all their supposed religious services . when it ringeth to the ave maria , saith ledesma , christian doctrine , pag. . wee may obtaine indulgence by saying , at the first toll , angelus domini , &c. at the second toll , ecce ancilla domini , &c. at the third toll , et verbum caro factum est , &c. is not here sweet worke ? prodigious foppery ! when i reade such passages in learned men , i am extraordinarily amazed their strange infatuation , and ever receive satisfaction from that , . thes. . because they received not the love of the truth , that they might be saved . — for this cause god shall send them strong delusion , that they should beleeve a lie . if this curse were not justly upon bellarmine , ledesma , and the rest , it were impossible , that ever they should have made such transcendent fooles of themselves , by writing and beleeving so sottishly , and ridiculously . u the last words of those , matth. . . were lord , lord ; and yet christ in that day shall professe unto them , i never knew you . x for hee fasted , prayed , gave almes , matth. . and tithes of all that hee possessed , which even formall services , would seeme to our ignorant iusticiaries , too much forwardnes , x i knew a man a meere stranger to iesus christ , both in knowledge and practise ; and yet not visibly notorious . who pleasing himselfe many yeeres that he was not noted to bee extraordinarily naught , upon a time was suddenly set upon by some drunken companions , & made drunk . whereupon in cold blood he tooke on extremely , and was very much grieved . as evidently appeared by his not sleeping many nights together , and by the troublednesse of his countenance . hee came to a minister , cryed out against himselfe , and those who ensnared him : that after so many yeeres sobriety , he should bee so shamefully overtaken , &c. hee was counselled upon this occasion to make a full and further search into his heart and life , and so proceede to a sound , and saving repentance , &c. but the ground of his griefe being specially shame of his fact amongst his neighbour● , after the nine nights wonder of his being drunke was over , hee was , where hee was before . now had the minister ministred comfort hand over head at the first sight , and drawne over a skinne , without any further search ; tho the man might bee undone both wayes ; yet by so doing , hee should have been justly liable to that fearefull woe denou●●ed against them , who strengthen the hands of the wicked , that hee should not returne from his wicked way , by promising him life . but dealing faithfully , he delivered his owne soule . y morbilateralis nota sunt , dolor punctorius , difficilis spiratio , febris continua , tussis , pulsus serratilis . piso de morb. cogn . & cur. lib. cap . * indefinita propositio valet universalem in materiâ necessariâ . paulus ab eitzen . lib. . pag. . a some thinke it onely an action . but that phrase , zech. . . of powring the spirit of grace ( meaning repentance ) upon the house of david , and upon the inhabitants of ierusalem , seemes to argue it to be a quality , or infused gift , so as faith and charity are . so also that phrase of giving repentance , act. . . and . . for if god give it , wee receive it . now wee cannot properly bee said to receive an action , which wee doe , but the power , gift or grace , whereby we doe it . that speech also , matth. . . bring forth fruit meet for repentance , shewes , that repentance it selfe is not an outward action , but an inward grace to bee expressed in outward actions . dike of repentance , cap. . b it is the inward and habituall repentance , the inward frame , bent , and disposition of the soule that god respects more , then the outward act ; as wee may see by that of david , psalm . . . i said , i will confesse my transgressions unto the lord , and so thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin . the inward purpose and disposition of davids heart to repent , was sufficient to moove god to forgive his sin , before his outward , actuall , and particular repentance was expressed . prynne of the perpetuity of a regen . mans estate . in his answ. to arg. . c id quod primùm omnium operatur in nobis sitim hanc , ac desiderium hoc gratiae , est sensus peccati , ac miseriae nostrae . rolloc . in iohan . cap. . pag. . d the lord will not part from any drop of his mercy to them , which f●●st have not been swallowed up of his judgeme●ts , which have not laboured , and been heavy laden , which have not been locked up in hell for a season , and felt for a time the fire therof in their bones , which have not been baptised with the baptisme of their owne teares : hee that feeles not these things in some measure here , elsewhere hee shall feele them . gr●●●●ham , pag. . cap. . edis . . e hîc refelluntur , qui peccatorum veniam se consequnturos non dubitant modò unius horae quadrantem , quo deum invocent , nacti fuerint : cum hoc in loco deus se nō ex auditurū dicat , si à mane ad vesperam eum inclamitent . hos etiam toto coelo errare constat , qui putant omnes eos servatos esse , qui moribundi deum invocant . ex hoc enim loco satis liquet , multos quibus in ore est , domine miserere nostri , ad inferos descendere . ergo , dicet aliquis , quo modo constat promissionis illius veritas , salvum fore , qui dei nomen invocaverit , ioel . resp. illud de ijs intelligitur , qui deum verè , & synecrè invocant : . fide , quod isti nequeunt , qui fidem non habent , & sapiusculè , quid sit nesciunt . . cum affectu deum glorificandi : isti verò in clamoribus suis propriam solummodò respiciunt salutem . . di●cedendo ab iniquitate . . tim. . . quod isti non faciunt . cartw. in locum . * non est ●ec●atum quarere deum in calamitatibus , & ab eo opeus & auxilium petere : imò mandatū divinū est , ut in aerumnis , & periculis ad deū consug●amus : sicut dicitur , invoca me in die tribulationis . psal . sed tantum petere , ut sensus mali tollatur , & ut nos molestijs & periculis eximamur , atque intereà perseverare in peccandi proposito , id verò est irridere deum , atque iram ipsius provocare . moller . in locum . f o quàm multi , saith a reverend father , cum hac spe ad aeternos labores & bella descendunt ! g greeneham in his grave counsell and godly observation , pag. . non potest male mori , qui benè vixerit . prorsùs consirmo , audeo dicere , credidi propter quod loquutus sum : non potest male mori , qui bene vixerit . august . lib. de disciplina christ. cap. . h decimo septimo februarij die , lutherus coepit aegrotare gravitis ex pectore : & quanquam erat imbecillior , prandit tamen cum filijs , & familiaribus su●● , atque coenavit . inter coenandum argumentis assèruit sore , ut in alterâ vitâ illâ beatâ alter alierum recognoscat . post caenam sumpto unicornu ex vino pro medicamento , & ad quietem se componens , salutatis amicis qui aderant , orate , inquit , deum , ut evangelij doctrinam nobis conservet . pontisex enim & concilium tridentinum dira moliuntur . haec ubi dixit , facto silentio dormit aliquamdiu ; sed urgente vi morbi , post mediam noctem excitatus queritur de pectoris angustiâ : & praesenticus iam instare sinem , his verbis deum ardenter invocat : pater mi coelestis , deus & pater domini iesu christi , deus omnis consolationis , ago tibi gratias , quòd filium tuum iesum christum mihi revelâsti : cui credidi , quem sum professus , quem amavi , quem celebravi : quem pontifex romanus , & reliqua impiorum turba persequitur ; & afficit contumeliâ : rogo te , mi domine iesu christe , suscipe animulam meam . mi pater coelestis , etiamsi divellor ex hac vit á , licèt corpus hoc mihi sit iam deponendum , certò tamen scio , me tecum esse permansurum in sempiternum , neque possè me tuis ex manibus à quoquam avelli : non multò post eam precationem , ubi spiritum suum in manus dei semel & iterùm commendâsset , tanquam dormiturus , paulatim● vitâ decedit , nullo cum corporis , qui quidem animad verti posset , cruciatu . osiand . hist. eccles. cent. . lib. . cap. . i acts and monum . vol. . pag. . i no more weigh cochlaeus his cursed lyes to the contrary , or of any his fellow stigmaticall knights of the post , as bolsec . &c. then i would doe the barking of a dog , the braying of an asse , or bellowing of a divell . k master iohn holland , a faithfull minister of gods word , l in his sermon intituled , the soules solace against sorrow , pag . &c. o perkins in his salve for a sicke man. m of one reprobate that dyes in this despaire and torment of conscience , there bee millions that dye in presumption of mercy , without sense of sinne , or punishment : the reason whereof is , because satan , who knowes hee hath time little enough in this life to draw men to sinne , and long enough after this life to torment them for it , doth therefore ordinarily reserue the tormenting of sinners to the day of iudgement , and till they be in hell ; left if hee shuld deale so roughly with all sinners in this world , they might , being so pincht with terrours , seeke after the meanes of salvation , as did the iaylo●r , and the ●ewes . act. . , and . . &c. chibald . triall of faith , lib. . cap. . p. . n wee should never bee in such a forlorne condition , wherein there should bee ground of despaire , considering our sinnes bee the sinnes of man , his mercy the mercy of an infinite god. doctor sibbes , brused reede , preface to the reader . o out of the cursed nurcery of such sorts of sinners as these , god doth now and then single out some , and hang them up as it were in chaines , as wofull spectacles of despai●e , for warning to others . rom. . . o in what sense despaire is the greatest sinne : for it is not simply so . ever the more excellent the vertue is ▪ the more pestilent is the opposite vice . hatred of god in it selfe is a greater sinne then desperation ; because the love of god is a more excellent grace then hope . see ● . q. . art . . though aqu●n●● his summes bee a vast dunghill of much rotten superstit●ō , and false divinity ; yet about vertues & vices , lawes and other philosophicall points , he lets ●all some truths . desperat●o m●tor est 〈…〉 ●e●p ratio peior est omni peccato . bern. perpetrare stagitium aliquod , 〈…〉 est . se● disperara est ●escendere in infernum . isid. iudas mag ●ex hoc offendit dominum , q●a se su●pend●t , ●udu● quòd dominum prodidit . hieron ▪ in ●sal . iudam tradito●em 〈…〉 misit , quàm indulgentiae desperatio fecit penitùs interire . august . de●●lit p●nit . quid aliud est desperare , quàm deum sibi comparare ? — qui 〈…〉 comparat , ●inem ●mponit divine virtuli , dans sinem ixfi●uto , & 〈…〉 ause ●ns●●o : cui nihil deest , quodetiam cogitar i non potest . idem de 〈…〉 cap. . but doe not mistake the good father , or upon his word presume ; but heare what hee addes : sunt alij inimici desperationis , qui ad●ò p●aesem●●● , & ●● deo confid●●● , quòd quandam sibi licentiam acquirunt peccandi : & sine poe●temi●●xp●llant ventam : qui credunt , quoniam christiani sunt , non posse damnari : adulantes si●● , eà quòd scriptum est , omnis quicunque invo●averit nomen domini , salvus e●it . ●utan●en●● no●●cu dominita vocare , quo●a●possunt christum credere , & sacramem a ecclesiae samere , non verentes , multos esse vocasos , sed paucos electos . ibid. cap. . q indeed sometimes , and most commonly conscience in many is secure at the time of death . god in his justice plaguing an affected security in this life , with an inflicted security at death . and the lord seemes to say , as once to the prophet ; goe , make their consciences asleepe at their death , as they have made it asleepe all their life , lest conscience should see and speake , and they heare and bee saved . — therefore they die , tho not desperate as saul and ahitophel ; yet sottishly without comfort and feeling of gods love ; as na●al . dyke of conscience , cap. . p whom satan seeth 〈◊〉 of gods favour , whom h●e knoweth 〈…〉 , and 〈◊〉 to bee cast into h●ll fire ; those doth hee ●alsely perswade , that they are out of all danger , and never suffer them so much as to perceive their lamentable estate : but whom ●ee seeth god doth favour , whom hee knoweth to bee christs brethren , and fellow-heires of the kingdome of heaven , those will hee tempt very often to seate , to doubt , yea sometimes even to despaire of their salvation . touchstone for a christian. pag. . q ex hoc l●co satis liquet , multos , quibus in ore est , domine miserere nostri , ad inferos descendere . cartw. in cap. . proverb . sunt quicredunt , quoni●m christiani sunt , non posse damnari : adulantes sibi , eò quòd scriptum est , omnis qui●●nque ●nvoca●●rit nomen domini , salvus erit . putant enim se nomen domini invocare , quoniam possunt christum credere , & sacramenta ecclesiae sumere , non verentes , multos esse voca●ot , sed pauco● electos . august . de verâ & falsâ poenit. cap. . o quà● multi cum hac spe ad aeternos labores & bella descendunt● how many goe to hell with this hope ? * doctor featly . audi dominum : mors peccatoris pessima . quae tibi videtur hona , pessima est , si intùs videa● . vides for●s ●ace●em in let to , nunquid vides intùs ●aptum ad gebe●nam ? august . in ps. . r ostenditur nobis per haec verba , quòd illo in tempore inter angustias diversorum terrorum videntes se peccatores , anxiabuntur & current huc & illuc ad sacerdotes , doctrinam & poenitentiam sibi quaerentes . alij autem interrogantes , quid eos oporteat facere , sed festinante judicio , & necessitatibus alijs super alias venientibus , cum non sit docendi licentia , nec temp●●s faciendae justitiae , aut agendae poenitentiae , festinatio eorum vacua erit . hoc enim & in quotidiano usu videmus fieri . quotidie enim sacerdotes clamant in ecclesiâ : qui peccavit , poenitentiam agat : — neque seducant vos honores , & devitiae temporales ; quia tempus vestrum prope est : et si consummatio vestra tardaverit , mors vestra non tardat , & nemo credit , nemo ob●●●dit : cum autem venerit super illos mors ; festinant , & anxiantur ▪ vocant sacerdotes , poenitentiam volunt agere , quando jam poenitentiae locus non est . itaque dum expo●unt peccata sua , & capitur anima eorum , & vadunt vacui , magis autem ligaci justo j●dicio dei ; quta non propter odium peccatorum displicentes sibi vol●ham poenitentiam agere , sed propter mortis timorem . adhuc enim si vivere po●uissent , non sibi displicuissent . ine●●●tus author . hom. . in cap. mat. . vlulant quidem in cubilibus , id verò doloris impatientiâ faciunt , quē expoenis concipiunt , non quòd peccata sua deplorent . gualt . in cap. hos. fui●●●e● est is se●sus , ea conscientia peccati & miseriae , praesertim verò conscientia tanti contemplus obl●tae l●cis , idque ex judicijs , quibus exercebuntur , ut tum quidem seriò cruc●andi sint de●ide● in christi : non quidem , quòd id desiderium sit ●uturum christi , propter ipsum christum , — aut propter odium peccati , sed propter sensum miseriae , quem ferre non poterunt . rolloc . in cap. . iohan. s and to seeke him then , is not to seeke him ; non quaerebant eum. no : they seeke him not , they dissemble with him ( saith asaph in the next verse ) . for , when god to trie them , reprived them never so little time , they fell to their old byas ; and when as hee ceased killing , their seeking was at an end . so are all forced seekings : like to a bow-string brought to his full bent , but remit you never so little , it starteth backe againe . nay , it is not quaerebant , no kindly seeking ; but a base ignoble creeping to , without all ingenuity , when wee must either die , or doe it . winchesters sermons . pag. . t . maccab. . u doctor vsher in his answer to a iesuites challenge , pag. . x dyke , of repentance , cap. . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . mat. . poenitentia nunquam sera si seria : sed sera rarò vera . agens poenitentiam & reconciliatus ; cum sanus est , & posteà benè vivens , securus hinc exit . agen● poenitentiam ad ultimum & reconciliatus , si securus hinc exit , ego non sum securus . august . hom. . ex . ambros. exhort . ad poenitent . quomodo agit poenitentiam in extremis vitae fi●●bus constitutus ? — poenitentia quae ab in●ir●o petitur , ●nsirma est . poenitentia quae à moriente tantùm petitur , timeo ne ipsa moriatur . august . de temp serm. . c●m venerit super illos mors , ●estinant & anxiantur , vocant sacerdotes , poenitentiam volunt agere , quando iam poenitentiae locus non est . — qu●a non propter odium peccatorum displicentes sibi volebant poenitentiam agere , sed propter mortis timorem . incert . author in mat. hom. . y and thus many deare servants of god are oftentimes grievously perplexed , troubled in spirit , gauled in mind , long seeking and labouring for release ; and finding none , condemning themselves , that they are the very firebrands of hell , and cannot bee saved : nay , many times they doe even die with speeches in their mouthes , which much savour of despaire . hieron in his caveat and comfort for beleevers , pag. . z sed ne fortès charissimi ) aliquem nimis securum saciat , aut remissum tam nova felicitas credulitatis ; ne sortè dicat aliquis in corde suo , non me usque adeò conturbet & cruciet rea conscientia ; non me usque adeò contristet culpabilis vita , video sub momento , video sub exiguo spacio latroni crimina sua donata . — deterreant quaeso nos ab hâc persuasione , innumerabiles populi sub tali securitate nudi & vacui bonis , & malis pleni ex hac luce prae●epti . — immittit diabolus securitatem , ut infera● perditionem , neque dinumerari possi●● , quantos haec inanis spei umbra deceperit . — deinde stul●is●●mum est , ut causa , quae de necess●●atibus agitur aeternis , inutilitatibus vitae deficientis committatur extremis . — o dibile est apud deum , quando homo sub siduciâ poenitentiae in senectatem reservatae liberius peccat . august . de temp. serm. . a greenham , pag. . cap. . edit . . b legi , inquit augustinus , & perl●gi scripturam : & neminem inveni in duobus millibus annorum sal●atum in sine , nisi l●tron : mincruce . nicolaus laurentius adversus desperationem , pag . c that , that may bee said , is this , and it is nothing . true , some one or two of a thousand , and ten thousand , that have . how then ? shall wee not therefore follow our instruction , and seeke him before ? — some going a journey , have sound a purse by the way : it were mad counsell ▪ to advise us to leave o●● money behind , upon hope of like hap in ours , &c. winchesters serm. pag. . si mille homines perussent ex cibi ali●uius ●enenali perceptione , uno duntoxat miraculose servito , 〈◊〉 cibum illum gustares ? harmon evang. cap. . pag. ● . d we digest not them that call on us for the seeking of god , but seek our selves ( as the apostle speakes ) magistros secundum desideria , that may entertaine us with speculations , of what may be done by miracle at the houre of death : that may give us daies , & elbow-roome enough to seek other things , and to shrinke up his seeking into a narrow time at our end ; and tell us , time enough then , winchesters sermons , pag. . e dyke upon repentance , cap. . f inebriatus es ? ventri indulsisti ? rapuisti ? siste iam gradum , verte te in diversum , conficere deo gratiam , quòd non in medijs peccatis te abstulit : ne quaere aliud privilegium , ut malè opereris . multi quum iam alijs dimnum fraudulentèr facerent , subitò periérunt , & ad manifestum iudicium abiérunt . time ne & in hoc patiare inexcusabilis . sed multis , inquis , dedit deus hoc privelegium , ut in ultimâ senectâ consiterentur . quid igitur ? an tibi quoque concedet ? concedet fortasse , inquis . quidais sortasse , & interdum , &c. cogita quòd & d● animâ deliberas , proinde etiam de contrario cogita , & dic , quid autem si non det ? &c. tuni bellum egressus , non dicis , non est opus ut testamentum condam fortassis redibo ; neque de nuptijs deliberans dices , uxorem egentem accipiam multi enim & sic praeter spem ditati sunt ; neque domum extruens , subijciam fundamenta putria , multae enim & sic constitére domus : de anima autem agens , apprehendis magis putria , dicens , fortassis , & sapiùs ●venit , & contingit aliquando , téque incertis tradis . chrysost. hom. . in . ad cor. . g tempore mortes s●euiùs maioríque dolo ●entat & consligit ; s●●ens si tunc defecerit penitùs se frustratum . gerson de temptationibus diver . h iob . . i repentinam & insperatam corum mortem , quâ opprimantur , innuit . merc. in loc. elevati sunt ad modicum & non subsistent ] iniquorum potentia ●oeni ●loribus comparatur : quia nimirùm carnalis gloria dum nitet , cadit : dum apudse extollitur , repentino intercepta sine terminatur . sic aurarum statu in altum stipula rapitur , sed casu concito adima revocatur : sic ad nubila sumus attollitur , sed repentè in nihilum tum●scendo dissipatur : sic ab insimis nebula descendendo se erigit ; sed exortus hanc solis radius , ac si non suerit , abstergit : sic in herbarum supersicie noct●rni roris humor aspergitur , sed diurni luminis subito calore si●catur : sic spumosae aquarum bullae inchoantibus pluvijs excita●ae , abintimis certatim prodeunt , sedeò celeruis diruptae depereunt , quò instatae citiùs extenduntur ; cumque excrescunt ut appareant , cres●endo peragunt ne subsistant . gregor . ibid. k nemo nec post centum peccata , nec post misle crimina de misericordiâ divinâ desperet . sic tamen non desperet , ut sinc ullâ morâ deum sibi repropitiari festinet , ne fortè , si consuetudinem fecerit , etiam sivelit , de diabolilaqueis liberari non possit . august . de t●mpore , serm. . l viste de dubio liberare , vis quod incertum est , evadere ? age p●●nitentiam dum sanus es . sienimagis veram poenitentiam dum sanuses , & invenerit te novissimus dies : securus es . ergo curre ut reconcilieris ; si sic ag●s , securus es . quare securus es ? qu●● egisti poenitentiameo tempore , quo & peccare potuisti . s● autem vis agere poenitentiam ipsam tunc , quando peccare non potes , peccata te dimiserunt , non tu illa . august . tom. . de vere poenitentibus . hom. . ex . ambros . exhort . ad porni●ent . m this time , is the time when all hypocrites , atheists , tagge and ragge come in , and seeke him in a sort : and shall not wee bee confounded to see our selves in their number ? winchesters serm. pag. . n what is our seeking thē ? is it not to lie still on our beds , and suffer a few words to bee spoken in our eares ? have a little opiate divinitie ministred to our soules , and so sent away . winchesters sermons , pag. . is this it ? would wee then seeke him , when wee are not in case to seeke any thing else ? would wee turne to him then , when wee are not able to turne our selves in our bed ? or , rise early to seeke him , when we are not able to rise at all ? or enquire after him , when our breath faileth us , and wee are not able to speake three words together ? — no houre , but the houre of death . no time , but when hee taketh time from us . idem ibid. pag. . o oportet dei sacerdotem non obsequijs decipientibus fa●ere , sed remedijs salutaribus providere . imperitus est medicus , qui tumentes vulnerum sinus manu parcente contrecta● ; & in altis recessibus viscerum virus inclusum , dum servat , exaggerat . aper●endum vulnus est , & secandum ; & putaminibus amputatis m●delâ sortiore curandum . vociseretur , & clamet , lic●t ; & conqueratur aeger impatiens per dolorem ; gratias agit postmodum ; cum senserit sanitatem . cyprian de lapsis . medicus crudelit est , qui exaudit hominem , & parcit vulneri & putredini . august . in psal. . soothing preachers are like unskilfull chirurgions , who softly touch the wound on the outside , thereby making it to fester the more dangerously in the inside . who observeth not , that the smooth tongue of the preacher maketh an impostumed heart of the hearer ? squire in his assize sermon ▪ pag. . out of cyprian . p the true ministers of christ never cure , and comfort the sicke hastily , as wizards and impostors doe . greenham having to deale with divers humbled consciences , hee would mislike them , that would not abide to tarry the lords leisure , but they must needs bee helped at once , even by and by as soone as they heard him speake , or else they would then thinke farre worse of him then ever before , notwithstanding the good opinion conceived of him : for besides , hee that beleeveth maketh not hast ; this is a comming rather , as it were , to a magitian ( who by an incantation of words , makes silly soules looke for health ) then to a minister of god , &c. in his grave counsels , and godly observations . pag. . q greenham in his treatise for an afflicted conscience ▪ pag. . r for mine owne part , saith hooker , i thinke calvin incomparably the wisest man , that ever the french church did enioy , since the houre it enioyed him. in his preface , pag. . tho thousands were debters to him , as touching divine knowledge ; yet hee to none , but onely to god , the author of that most blessed fountaine , the booke of life , and of the admirable dexterity of wit , together with the helpes of other learning , which were his guides . ibid. wee should bee iniurious unto vertue it selfe , if wee did derogate from them , whom their industry hath made great . two things of principall moment there are , which have deservedly procured him honour throughout the world : the one , his exceeding paines in composing the institutions of christian religion ; the other , his no lesse industrious travailes for exposition of holy scripture . — in which two things whosoever they were , that after him bestowed their labour , hee gained the advantage of preiudice against them , if they gaine-said ; and of glory above them , if they consented . ibid. pag. . the more learned and holy any divine is , the more heartily hee subscribes to paulus thurias , his true censure of his institution : praeter apostolicas , post christi tempora , chartas , huic peperereli●r●saeculae nulla parem . besides the holy writ , no booke is like to it . or , no age since christ brought forth a booke of so great worth . no marvaile then , that a learned bishop of london in queene elizabeths time , begun his speech thus against a lewd fellow , which had railed against calvin● : quod dixisti in vir●m dei , calvinum , tuo sanguine non potet redimere , &c. s sit igitur hic primus poenit●tiae gradus , dum homines sentiunt , quàm gravitèr deliquerint : illic non statim curandus est doler , quemadmodum imposto●es deliniunt conscientias , ita ut sihi indulgeant , & se ●allant ina●i●us blanditijs . medicus enim non statim l●niet dolorem , sed videbit , quid magis expediat : fortè magis augebit , quia necessaria erit acrior purgatio . sic etiam faciunt prophetae dei , quum vident trepidas conscientias , non statìm adhibēt blandas conso●●●tones , sed potiùs ostendunt non esse ludendum cum deo , — & solicitant sponte currentes , ut sibi proponant terribile dei iudicium , quò magis , ac magis humilientur . calvin in ioel , cap. . t master rogers of dedham , doctrine of faith , pag. . . . . u in his expos. upon psal. . pag. . x as in the worke of creation , so in the worke of redemption , god would have the praise of all his attributes . hee is much honoured , when they are acknowledged to bee in him in highest perfection ; and their infinitenesse and excellency admired and magnified . in the former , there appeareth gloriously his infinite wisedome , goodnes , power , iustice , mercy , &c. ●nd yet in the worke of redemption , which was the greater , they seeme ●o shine with more ●●eetnesse , amiable●●sse , and excellency . 〈◊〉 in it appeared all the treasures of wisedome and knowledge , &c. and in conveying it to the church , first , his wisedome there appeareth infinite wisedome , in finding out such a meanes for the redemption of mākind , as no ●●eated understanding could possible imagine , or 〈◊〉 of . secondly , 〈◊〉 immeasurably sweet and admirable , in not sparing his owne sonne , the sonne of his loue ; that hee might spare us , who had so grievously transgressed against him. thirdly , his iustice in it's highest excellency ; in spa●ing us , not to spare ▪ his owne onely sonne : laying , as it were , his head upon the blocke , and chopping it off ; renting and ●ea●ing that blessed body , even as the vaile of the temple was rent , and making his soule an offering for sinne , &c. this was the perfection of iustice. y a man , who otherwise would not cry , nor shed a teare for any thing ; despiseth death , and would not feare to meete an host of men ; i say , such an one , now having at the last instant a pardon brought from the king , it worketh wonderfully upon him , and will cause softnesse of heart , and teares to come many times , where nothing else could . hee is so strucke with admiration of so great mercy , so sweet and seasonable in such an extremity , that mee stands amazed , and knowes not what to say ; but many times falles a weeping , partly for ioy of his deliverance ; and partly also out of indignation against himselfe , for his barbarous behaviour towards so pittiful a prince . this was to bee seene in some great men , at the beginning of king iames his reigne , condemned for treason , and pardoned at the blocke . z exaudime domine , quoniam suavi● est misericordia tua : tantundem valet , ac si dixisset , i am noli differre exauditionem , in ta●t â tribulati●ne sun , ut suavis mihi sit misericordia tua . ad hoc enim subvenire differebas , ut mibi dulce esset , quòd subveniebas . august . concione . in psal. . luke . . a christus ●o●ine instat●m terret comminatioue exclusionis è regn● coelorum . nam qui nondùm conversi sunt , ad inferos , iam priui●● detrudendi sunt , ad hoc ut inspectâ poenâ peccati , discant ab co abhorrere , quo tempore naturâ sese oblecta●● . rolloc in iohan. cap. . pag. . b dike of repentance , cap. . c quando peccati , quod divinae legis est violatio , conse●●ntia stimulamur , atque convincimur , intelligimusque nos per peccatum in execrationem , acerbissimum odium , gravissi●●amque divini numinis offensiontem , atque indignationem incurrisse , mercedemque atque stipendium , quod peccatum meretur , esse , ut non solùm omnibus calamitatibus atque miserijs ●uins vitae , morbisque , & morte corporis affic●amur ; verum etiam , ut damnati●●e atque interitu sempiterno mulitemur : simul atque ex lege agnoscimus , nos per peccatum in ●unc condemnator●m statum , quo nibiltetrius cogitari potest , pervenisse : toto pectore , totâ mente , toto corde animo que cohorremus , & contremiscimus , atque ita , ut casum nostrum salutariter doleamus , & ut nosmet nostri poeni●eat , lex , efficit ; impellítque ut peccatorum veniam , iustitiam , & vitam sempiternam , ( quae ex lege adipisci non possumus ) a christo servatore tantùm , & per christum expetamus & expectemus . alex. nowellus inst. christian. pietatis de legis usu . hoc loco docent , poenitentiam esse , quae ex peccatorum & irae divinae agnitione nascitur , quae per legem dei primum dolores & terrorem conscientiae incutiat . scilicet cum verbo dei int●s argu untor peccata , & redditur mens malè conscia sibi , inquieta , praetrist●s , & desperabunda , cor anxium , confractum , & pavidum , ut homo per se nullâre prorsùs erigi possit , aut consolationem nancisci , sed totus afflictissimus est , spiritu deiecto ac trepidante , & ingenti ●orrore concussus à conspectuirae dei , &c. — súnt que sic affectis divinae promissiones 〈◊〉 , &c. harmon . confess . p. . bohaemica confess . art. . pag. . d i grant , the lord , who is the most free agent , takes liberty , and workes as it pleaseth him ; and there is ods , and difference for time , measure , and such things : but for the generall alwaies the same ; by humbling first , then comforting , &c. mast. rogers of dedbam doctr. of faith , pag. . * this legall terror and spirit of feare , is but a common worke of the spirit . such an one , that unlesse more follow , it can afford us no comfort . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in n. t. est resipisientia quae fide est po●●erior & salutaris . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 verò est poenitentia , quae fide est prior , ideoque non semper salutaris . vt docet exemplum iudae , matth. . . poenitétia dicitur m●rsus & vulnus , quod animli sauciat●●tem contritio , qu● sisuerit t●istitia secundum deum gignit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . corinth . . . sin minus , i●er est ad maximum quodque scelus , & tandem ad desperationem ; ut docet exempl●m tudae . interim tamen per catachresin . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 pro 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ponitur . alsted . theol. polem . p. . de poenitent . & indulg . controv . . c si adsit peccatori calamitate ali ●u● presso , vel lethaliter aegrotanti minister dei , annuncians ●i voluntatem dei , & exhortans adresipiscentiam & mutationem vitae in melius , cuiusmodi nunsius & interpres fidus voluntatis dei est rarissi●us , qui indicet non deo , sed homini aequitatem , sen rectitudinem illius nimirùm dei , hoc est , iustissimam , & aequissimā gubernationē dei , quâ ille erga omnes hominès , & inprimis afflictos utitur . polan . in ezech. cap. . * ex 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , asse . ●us 〈…〉 & gaudio ●●●lus ; cum 〈…〉 has : 〈…〉 . tropto ed 〈…〉 latibus lae●antur , ad ipsum diabolum accedunt : and they are as like 〈◊〉 in this p●stilent property , as if hee had spi● them out of his ● oath . f doctor vsher in his answer to a iesuites chalenge . of the priests power to forgive sinnes , pag. . g buckler of the faith. by peter de mou●● against armo●z the iesuite . of a●ticular confession , pag. . h by pardoning here , understand not any soveraignty of remitting sinnes : wee leave that errour to the luciferian pride of that man of sinne , who exalteth himselfe above all that is called god. whom if wee follow , wee must say , that in this high priest there is the fulnesse of all graces ; because hee alone giveth a full indulgence of all sinnes : that that may agree unto him , which wee say of the chiefe prince our lord , that of his fulnesse all wee have received . oportet dicere , in summo pontifice esse plenis ●d●e● omnium , gratiarum ; quia ipse solus confert plenam indulgentiam omnium peccatorum : ut competat sibi , quod de primo principe domino dicimus ; quia de plenitudine ●i●s ●os omnes a●●epimus . de regimine principum , lib. . cap. . inter opuscula thomae , num . . nay , wee must acknowledge , that the meanest in the whole army of priests , that followe●● this king of pride , hath such fulnesse of power derived unto him , for the opening and shutting of heaven before men : that forgivenesse is denied to them , whom the priest will not forgive . negatur remissio illis , quibus noluerint sacerdotes remittere . bellarm. de poenitent . lib. . cap. . i say then , by pardoning , wee must not understand any soveraignty of remitting sinnes : but a declaring and shewing to the true repentant , that they are pardoned , ministerially onely . to which truth , it is so mighty , even some popish writers subscribe . god , saith lombard , the father of the romish schoole , hath given power to priests to binde and unbinde , that is , to shew , that men are bound or unbound . deus sacerdotibus tribuit potestatem solvendi & ligandi , id est , osten dendi homines esse ligato● 〈◊〉 solutos . lib. . distinct . . litera f. whom a great number of schoole-men follow , in 〈◊〉 sent. dist. . nay , our polemicall divines proove it to bee publikely taught from 〈◊〉 time of satans loosing , untill his binding againe , by the restoring of the purity of the gospell in our dayes . for this purpose , these are their authors : radulphus ardens ; the power , saith hee , of releasing sinnes belongeth to god alone : but the ministry ( which improperly is called a power ) hee hath granted to his substitutes , who after this manner doe binde and absolve , that i● to say , doe declare that men are bound , or absolved . ●ot●stas peccata relaxandi solius dei est . ministerium verò , quod impropriè etiam potestas vocatur , vicarijs suis concessit ; qui modo suo ligant vel absolvunt , id est , liga●os , vel solutos esse oftendunt . hom. dominic . . post pascha . both the anselmes , ours of canterbury , the other of laon in france , in their expositions upon matth. . iuo bishop of chartres , epist. . hugo cardinalis , in luc. . & matth. . allissiodorensis , lib. . de generali usu clavium . alex. halensis , sum. part . q. . membr . . bonavent . in . dist. . art. . quaest. . . ockam . in . sent. quaest. . lit. q. argentin . in . sent. dist. art . . michael de bononiâ in psal. . &c . bie● in sent. dist. . q. . & dist . . q. . major in . sent. dist. . q. . & dist. . q. . cond . . hadrian in quodlibetic q. . art . . and others . how rotten and ridiculous then is that impudency of suarez . 〈…〉 sontentia magistri salsa est , & iam hoc tempore er●onea . in thom. tom. . disp. . sect. . num. . i neque enim praeiudicamus domino iudicatur● , quò minùs si poenitenti●m ple●am & iustam peccatoris invenerit , tunc ratum faciat , quod à nobis fuerit hic statutum . si verò nos aliquis poenitentiae simulatione deluserit ; deus , qui non deridetur , & qui cor hominis intuetur , de his qua nos minùs perspe●imus indicet , & servorum sententiam dominus ●●ēdet . ad antonianum . epist. . lib. . k doctor vsher , in his answer to a iesuites chalenge , pag. . l esay . . . m luk. . . iob . . . * the comfort which is ministred to the part● in distresse , must bee allayed with some mixture of the law ; that is to say : the promise alone must not bee applyed , but withall mention is to bee made of the sinnes of the party , and of the grievous punishments due unto him for the same . the reason is , because there is much guile in the heart of man ; insomuch , as oftentimes it falleth out , that men not thorowly humbled , beeing comforted , either too soone , or too much , doe afterward become the worst of all . in this respect , not unlike to the iron , which beeing cast into the fire vehemently hot , and coold againe , is much more hard then it would have been , if the heate had been moderate . and hence it is , that in the ministring of comfort , wee must something keepe them downe , and bring them on by little and little to repentance . the sweetnesse of comfort is the greater , if it bee allaied with some tartnesse of the law. cases of conscience , lib. . cap. . sect. . here remember by the way , that the comforts ministred usually and ordinarily , must not goe alone , but bee mingled and tempered with some terrours of the law , &c. — the ministring of comfort in this distresse would not bee direct and present , but by certaine steps and degrees : except only in the point of death : for then a directer course must be used . i●id . cap. . sect. . matth. . . iames . . prov. . . heb. . . revel . . . psal. . . n proprietates dei essentiales sunt realitèr ip samet dei essentia , & nec ab essentiâ dei , nec inter se reipsâ differunt : non ab essentiâ , quia sic sunt in essentiâ , ut sint ipsa essentia : non inter se , quia quicquid in deo est , unum est : à primâ autem unitate omnis prorsus differentia , omnisque numerus abesse debet . polan . syntag. theol. lib. . cap. . o proprietates dei 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sunt aequales , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 inaequales . alsted . theol. didactico scholast . sect. . cap. . * now wee his ministers , his almoners to distribute his comforts , even as many , as bee in the scripture , dare not lavish them out , and promise them to such lazy indifferents as these : but if wee see any ready to faint for want , saying , give mee drinke , or else i die ; then wee reach the cup of salvation to him , and bid him drinke of it : neither dare wee to give it to any other . rogers of dedham , doctr. of faith , pag. . tit. . ▪ . zech. . . p as concerning sorrow , seeing the causes still remaine , namely , corruption and affliction ; therefore this sorrow must continue to our lives end : tho in a different manner ; now mingled with comfort ; whereas the former before faith could have none . whereas on the other side , the sorrow that quite drieth up , was never sound , as it is to bee seene in many , who beeing once deepely afflicted , and in great heavinesse for their miserable state , afterward comming to some comfort , are growne so secure and senselesse , that having no true griefe , or remorse for their daily corruptions , content themselves , that they were once cast downe : whose lives , as they bee foule , and full of blots ; so their ends bee oft fearefull ; either senselesse or uncomfortable : so dangerous is it to quench the spirit in any pat . culverwell in his treat●se of faith , pag. . . certum est sine sensu peccati & miseriae primùm , deinde ●iberationis in christo iesu ●● eadem illá miseriá , nullam in christo esse veram consolationem . nos quidem hodierno die expectamus non primumillum , sed secundum christi adventum . vt igitur eum cum aliquâ consolatione expectemus , danda nobis opera est in totâ vitâ , ut magis magisque in sensu peccati , & miseriae nostrae proficiamus : alioqui pro●ectò tantum aberit , ab eo , ut cum consolatione & gaudio ●um christi adventum expectemus , ut è contrà cum horroribus a●i●i & conscientiae n●n tam expectemus illum diem , quàm eum aversemur , rolloc . in iohan ▪ pag. . perpetuò resipiscamus ; in perpetuâ luctâ & perpetuâ resipiscentiâ simus . idem . ibid. pag ▪ . some are onely slightly humbled , and having got comfort , are never more grieved : whereas a true beleever , even after faith , grieves still for his daily sinnes : but these thinke it enough that they were once grieved ; and therefore now grieve no more for their foule sinnes . rogers of dedham . doctr. of faith , pag. . cum sèmper nobis agnoscenda sint peccata nostra , & credendum , quòd remittantu● nobis peccat● propter . christum , sen●imus semper etiam in h●c vitâ nobis agendam esse poenitentia● . harmon . confess . p. . wirtenbergica , confess . de poenit . pag. . wee are to note , that repentance is a continuall course of sorrow ; and if wee have this in truth , then may wee boldly seeke for comfort out of gods word , and from his ministers , and looke what comfort they give us on earth , the same shall bee sealed also in heaven . wherefore as it is requisite continually to till the ground , if wee will have fruit ; and daily to eate , if wee will live : so in spirituall things , wee must bee humbled with continuall sorrow , that wee may bee refreshed with daily comfort in christ. greenham , serm. . of repentance . i the rather quote these divines for this point ; to oppose the wicked and ignorant folly of some ill-tong'd anti-nomists , and other peevish and proud phantasticks . q ● . sam. . . hauserunt aquas è pu●eo cordis sui , & abundè lachrymati sunt coram ▪ domino , resipiscentes . chald. paraph. est quadam precum omnipotentia . luth. r — quntum prin●us ego lum . hoc ergo apud beatum paulum siduciae & consolationis accipite fratres , ut ad dominum iam conversos , non nimis cri●ciet praeteritorum co●scientia delictorum : sed tantùm bum●lie● vos , sicut & ipsum . ego sum inquit minimus apostolorum : qui non sum dignus vocari apostolus , qui sum persecutus ecclesiam dei. ita & nos humiliemur sub potenti man● dei , &c. bern. col. . * et si preces quotidiè , quotidiè poenitentiam aga● : quod in antiquis domibus facere solemus , cum fuerint putrefactae , putrida subtrahimus , & supponimus nova , & à continuâ curâ nunquam desinimus . chrysost. ad pop . antioch . hom. . * if any doubt , how godly sorrow and spirituall ioy may consist together at the same time , in the same subiect ; let them take satisfaction even from philosophy : de dolore & gaudio dupliciter loqui possumus : uno modo secundum quod sunt passiones appetitus scusitivi . et sic nullo modo possunt essè simul : eò quòd sunt om●inò contrariae , velex parte obiecti , ( put à cum sunt de eodem ) , vel saltem ex parte motus cordis : nam gaudium est cui● dilstatione cordis ; tristitia verò cum constrictione . et hoc modo loquitur philosophus . eth. . ●●io modo possumus loqui de gaudio , & tristitiâ , secundum quod consistunt , in simplici actu voluntatis , cui aliquid placet , vel displicet . et secundum hoc non possunt bab●●● contrari●tate●● nisi ex parte obiect : , putà , cum sunt de codem , & secundum idem . 〈◊〉 non possunt 〈◊〉 esse gaudium & tristitia : quia non potest simulide●s secundum idem placene & displi●●re 〈◊〉 verò gaudiu●● & tristitia sic accepta non sint de eodem s●●●●dumidem , sed vel de diversis , vel de eodem secundum diversa , sic non est contrarietas gaudij & tristitia . vnde nihil probebēt hominem simul gandere , & tristari : putà ▪ si videamus iustum affligi , 〈◊〉 placet nobis ei●● iustitia , & displicet a●flictio . et hoc modo simul potest alicui displicere quòd peccavit , placere quòd hoc ei displicet cum spe veniae : ita quòd ipsa tristitia sit materia gaudij : unde & augustinus semper dolcat poenitens , & de dolore gaudeat . aquin. pag. . quaest . . art. . ad secundum . as in prophane joy , even in laughing the heart is sorrowfull : so in godly sorrow , even in weeping the heart is light , and chearefull . though sinne grieve us , yet our grieving for sinne pleaseth us . as when wee see a good man wronged , wee grieve at his wrong , but rejoyce in his goodnes . dyke of repentance , cap. . c concedo quidem illud in ipso m●●rore & dolore piorum plus gaudij inesse , & verae laetitiae , quàm in risuhuius mundi : nam cum suspirijs inenarrabilibus coniunctum est g●udium ineffabile . rolloc in ioan. cap. . p. . * quid tristitiâ molestius ? sed quando secundum deum sit , mundi gaudio melior est . in . cor. . hom. . sicut mundi gaudium tristitiae consortio c●pulatur , ita etiam secundum dominu● lachryma iugem pariunt certámque laetitiam . in matth. . hom. . iamque●ste talis , ea quae videntur cuncta despiciens , in compunctione continuá perseverat , largo assiduè flu●●s fonte lacbrymarum , multámque hinc capiens voluptatem . ibid. d hinc semper ●●leat , & de dolore gaudeat . tom. . pag. . de verâ & falsa poenitentiâ , cap. . s beware thou become not a papist , in thinking to merit meerely by thy contritiō , &c. it is not thy contrition , if it had been an hundred times more , could merit pardon of the least of thy sinnes . if the lord iesus had not suffered infinite sorrow and griefe in soule and body for them ; it is not all our grieving could satisfie gods justice for the smallest offence ; no not tho wee should weepe out our eyes , and mourne to death . therefore , tho god hath appointed all , to whom hee will shew mercy , to bee contrite-hearted ; yet not to come to mercy thereby , as by a meritorious meanes ; but as by a convenient and meet disposition , to prepare us to seeke and receive mercy with thankfulnesse . rogers of dea●a● . of faith , pag. . nonin flatibus nostris , non in actions nostris , sedin advocati nostri 〈◊〉 ●●●tione confidamus . gregor . in ezech. hom. . t ad recipiendam gratiam remissionis , necessaria est ex nostrâ parte contritio fidei & poenitentiae verae : sed quod addit , ( bellarminus sc. ) neminem scire an suae fides & poenitentia sit talis , & tanta , quantae à deo requiritur , falsissimum est . non enim ex gradu , aut mensurâ fidei , vel poenitentiae , depēdet iustificatio , sed exveritate . davenant . expos. epist. ad colos . pag. ● . u si dixisti , sufficit , per●sti . august . x and therefore will the lord waite , that hee may be gracious unto you , &c. isa . oh thou afflicted , tossed with tempest , and not comforted ! behold , i will lay thy s●oues with faire colours , and lay thy foundations with saphires . cap. . . hee retaineth not his anger for euer , because hee delighteth in mercy . hos. . . . pet. . . phil. . . . cor. . . y resipiscentia illa non est vera ac solida , quae non virtualiter continuatur , & actu renovatur subinde , à tempore conversionis ad finem usque vitae . amesius medulla . theol. lib. . cap. . * damus , qui hypocriticâ & temporariá fide credunt : eos falli , dum putant se ve●è credere , et non verè credunt . sunt enim illorum instar , qui somniant , se reges esse , cum sint pauperrimi : at negamus illos , qui verâ fide credunt , ignorare , an verè credant , & falti , quum affirmant , & sentiunt , se verè credere . sunt eium instar illorum , qui gemma● m●nu tractant●s , qui● s●nsu praediti sunt , sciunt , & aiunt se illam habere . quod si nemo posset certò n●sse , an verè credat , necu● : cur ait apostolus : explorate vosmetipsos , an sit is in fide ? — as ● quis fidem adhibens alicuius verbis , certò novit se verè illi credere : quantò magis id is n●vit , qui fide verâ donatus d spiritu sanct● , credit evangelio ? zanch. de naturâ dei , lib. . cap. . matth. ● . . a wee beeing taken out of the co●uyti●es of adam ▪ and ingr●f●ted in christ● death , and passion , can no l●ng●r live the life of the world , but the life of christ ; and must now looke upon the world ▪ 〈◊〉 as the world loo●●d 〈…〉 upon us 〈…〉 shall follow his steps , to● it , as upon ●o many abominable , and crucified carcasses . bishop of lincolne , in h. ser●mon before the higher house of parliament , pag . . hee doth not meane here ( to wit , gal●l . . . ) the heavens or the earth , saith saint chrysostome , nor the world in the ● ; but the things of the world , glory , port , riches , greatnesse . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , all that make a shining and glitteri●g in the world. these are all but so many carcasses , and a very abomination to a truly regenerate man. idem . ibid. pag. . . if wee begin to breathe the life of righteousnesse , when the world fawnes upon us with honours , riches ▪ greatnesse , favours , or frownes upon us with hatred , malice , persecutions , oppressions , and the like ; wee must turne our head aside another way with a godly kind of pride ( as picus mirandula was wont to call it ) and no more regard her , then a carcasse crucified . pag. . b et ego mundo ] non tamen deo mundi . mundum enim quantum ad conversationem eius posuit , cui renunciando mutuò transfigimur & invicèm morimur . tertul. adversus marcion . lib. . 〈◊〉 concupiscit apostolus mundi , nihil agnoscit mundus apostoli : ambros. in loc. sunt sicut duo mortui , ex quibus nullus tangit , vel diligit alterum . remig. doctissimo citante episcopo . isai. . . psal. . . psal. . . colloss . . . * dicimus creatura●in deo videri , quialicèt in se ipsis secundum suum esse propriū videantur , videntur tamē , ut quidame effectus dei , at que ut aliquid pertinens ad deum ; ídque eadem visione , quâ deus . gregor . de val. tom. . col. . res naturales veriùs esse habent in mente divinâ , quàm in seipsis . aqu. p. . q . sicut domus nobilius esse habet in mente artificis , quàm in materiâ . ibid. . cor . . . c see forbes upon cap. of the revel , v. . . cor. . . a there are some will say , they have felt terrour of their estate ; but they have out-growne it , it is past : yea ? what have you done with it ? have you broke prison , or did god let you out ? if you have broke prison , you must even in againe , and that worse then before , &c. all the counsell , i can give thee in such a case , is to call after these terrours againe , which thou hast sought to drive away ; and call aloud , ere they bee gone past call ; and call quickly , ere thy heart bee hardened quite , and then it will cost double labour . and pray god to worke them upon thy heart againe . rogers of dedham doctrine of faith , pag. . . a man may have quietnesse after trouble , and yet the house not wonne , to wit from the strong man : hee may also have some kind of reioycing ; and yet the comforter not there abiding . that thou mayst not therefore bee deceived , consider the whole course of thy life , since that time . — for the holy ghost will not governe as the divell did , they are of so contrary a nature . touchstone for a christian , cap. . b by this halfe herodian conversion , they may leave many sinnes , and doe many things , heare the best ministers gladly , respect and count●nance them , &c. and yet for all this , in respect of their owne personall salvation ; as well never a whit , as never the better ; as well not at all , as not thorow-stitch . d ●●fi assyrius veluti ignis fuit , qui suo ardore terram exureret , tamen aliquid longè atrocius exprimere voluit propheta : interius videlicèi tormentū , quo exagitantur impij : conscientiae aculeos , qui retundi non possunt , inextingvibile scelerum incendium , quo cruciatus omnes superantur . calv. in loc. deut. . c some men are pricked , and to put away their sorrow , they will goe sleepe , they will goe sport , they will get to merry company , and passe away the time ; and so , as they terme it , they will purge , and drive away the rage of melancholy : they never goe to any preacher , to aske of the lord , or at the mouth of his spirit : they never respect prayer , nor seeke any comfort in the word of god. but to put away sorrow on this sort , is to call it againe , and to feele it more freshly either in the houre of death , or in hell. greenham , in sermon of repentance . the reprobates in their sorrow runne away from god , even as a dogge from him that whippeth him. iudas in his terrours ranne to the high priests , the enemies of christ , and to the halter . cain to building of cities . saul to musicke , to a witch , and at last to his sword. dike of repentance , cap. . but alas ! the franticke dealing of men in this case is too palpable , and to bee wondred at ; when gods word strikes upon them ; when they feele the keene-nesse of it ; when the threatnings have cut , so that they smart for it ; then they run to dicing , carding , drinking , dancing , &c. as it were of set purpose to drive away the spirit of god , that was comming towards them , to heale their soule . whately , redemption of time , pag. . it is the property of ungodly men , to remoove the discomforts of their heart by worldly delectations ; as saul called for musicke , when he was troubled with an evill spirit . and to this purpose , men that bee afraid of despaire , and love not to be humbled under the mighty hand of god doe , use their wives , their friends , then meat , and their drinke , with all the pastime that can bee devised , to reioyce themselves withall , that they might put themselves out of their dumpes , as they call it . marbur , in his sermon upon psal. . f when they sacrificed their sonnes to this idoll , they did beare upon tabrels and drummes , that the cry of the childe might not bee heard by the father . godwins moses and aaron , lib. . cap. . g contra nos eò vehementius incitator , quo ex corde nostro quast●● iure propria habitatlonic expellitar . greg. in cap. . iob. col . ●● . h multum delectat omnes peccatores , & amatores buius seculi , quia misericors & miserator dominus , quia longanimis & multùm misericors . sed siamas , tum multa mitia time ibi , & ultimum quod ait , & verax . si enim vibil aliud diceret nisi misericors , & miserator dominus , longanimis & multùm misericors , quast iam convertereste ad securitatem , & impunitatem & ad licentiam peccatorū , & faceres , quodvelles , utereris seculo , vel quantū tibi permitteretur , vel quantum tibi libido iussisset . etsi quis te b●ne monendo obiurgaret , atque terreret , ut cobiberes te ab immoderato luxu , eundo post coxcupiscentias tuas & deserendo deum tuum , inter medias voces obiurgantis obsisteres , impudenti quidem fronte , veluti audit â divinâ authoritate , & legeres de libro dominico : quid ni● terres de deo nostro ? ille nisericers est & miserator & multùm misericors ne talia homi●●s dicerent , ●●um verbum addidit in fine , quod , & verax : & excussit letitiam malè praesumentium & induxit timorem dalentium . gaudeamus ad misericordiam domini , sed timean● us ad iudicium domini . parcit dum tacet . tacet , sed non semper tacebit . august . lib. de decem chordis , cap. . nòs perversitate nostra sic volumus deum esse misericordem , ut non sit iustus . idem de temp . serm. . i intuetur inimicus generis humani uniu●cuiusque mores , cul vitio sint propinqui , & illa opponit ante faciem , ad quae cognoscit facililiùs inclinars mentem : ut blandes u● latis moribus sape luxuriam proponat , &c. greg. in cap. . iob. col. . k ier. . l others have overgrowne them , ( hee meanes legall terrors ) by snatching hold of the promi●e of mercy and salvation , ere it belonged to them ; thinking themselves good christians , because they had felt some terrours . — but the promise of salvaiton is not straight belonging to one , that is onely terrified for his punishment , but is contrite-hearted for sinne , which is the worke of the gospell , rogers of dedham in his doctrine of faith , pag. . m psal. . . hos. . . n quemadmodum fratres . si sponsus seccrit sponsae suae annulum , & illa acceptum annulum plus diligeret quàm sponsum qui illl fecit annulum : nonne in ipso dono sponsi adulterae anima deprehenderetur , quamvis hoc amaret , quod dedit sponsus : tamen si diceret , sufficit mihi annulus iste , iam illius faciem nolo videre , qualis esset ? quis non detestaretur hanc amentiam ? quis non adulterum animum convinceret ? amas aurum pro viro , amas annulum pro sponse . august . in epist . ioan. tract . . cave ô anima , ne , quod absit , meretrixdicaris , simunera dantis plus , quā amantis affectum diligis . august meditat . lib. . cap. . o and let not these be weary of the yoke of god and the law , and make over-much haste out of this state , for so may they undoe themselves : for as some withstanding their terrour , have withstood their salvation ; so some have by hastening out , made waste of all ; and beeing impatient of beeing in this case , and over-willing to catch hold of the promise straight , have prooved but loose , unsound and unsavory christians in time , which if they had tarried the lords leysure in it , might have come to sound and true comfort , which would have continued all their dayes . rogers of dedham in his doctr. of faith , pag. . p cùm nunquam graevioribus tentationibus expositi sint hominesquàm dum infirmitati , bus exer●entur , aut aegrotant , morbis cùm animi , tū corporis fracti ; nunquam sanè conven●t pastores ecclesiarum saluti suae gregis invigilare accuratiùs , quàm in huiusmodi morbis & infirmitatibus . harmon . conf . pa. . helvet . conf. cap. . pag. . q vpon psal . pag. . r voisin said unto him , that hee had too much care of his body , which was no more his owne . hee turned to him in choller with an oath , saying ; i will not have him ( meaning the executioner ) touch mee , so long as i shall bee living : if they put mee into choller , i will strangle half the company that is here , and will force the rest to kill me , i will leape downe , if you thrust mee into despaire . history of france , pag. . sicut autem per omnem calamitatem protervè se atque impatientèr gesserat , sic vel tum maximè ; aspecta truci , ac pene s●●ente , v●ce , verbis , deniq●e totogestu animi in pocentiamindicans . 〈◊〉 ad praestandam accincturo sese operam accedere volentem . minis ne se tangeret , abster●●tt ; circumspiciens undique , tanquam gladium , si vidisset , arrepturus . specul . tragi● . pag. . . s siquidem multis presbyteratus committitur dispensatio , se● ron omnes pariter commissae dispensationis inservi●nt ministerio . alius e●uidem commodis praesentibus , que s●a sunc , non quae iesu christi exquirens , inexplebiliter inbiat● alius praepe●●●● 〈…〉 suffocatur ex ignorantiâ , & tamen ignorans ignorabitur : alius ve 〈…〉 , & temp●s explorat , respondet que probati vita , 〈…〉 ministery . ex his vocandi sunt , si noveris peritiores , & cu●●●●ores . si 〈◊〉 morbis corporum medici probatiores exquiruntur , quantò magis spiritalibus animarum putredinibus adhibendi sunt medici subtiliores , & si dici liceat , spiritaliores . august . tom. . p. . de visitatione infirmorum . lib. . cap. . an hundred to one then , these ones of a thousand are never to bee found amongst worldly-minded and ambitious ministers , negligent ministers , or those that are ignorant : but amongst the most skilfull , searching , and spirituall , of such as are faithfull . as appeares by this ancient passage in austin . u spiritualis benedictio duplex est ; una imperfecta & manca , aliera , perfecta & plena , omniáque spiritualia dona comple●iens . ill●i priori multi etiam reprobi donantur . talis enim benedictio , est fides temporaria , aliqua vera dei cognitio , gustus aliquis spiritus sancti , aliquod initium honestae vitae ; & id genus alia dei dona , de quibus apostolus scripsit , ad heb . zanchius in . ad eph. v. . some temporaries besides profession , are mooved at the word , affected with some kindes of griefe at such doctrines , as serve to moove griefe , and joy in that , that mooves joy ; yea , also reforme many things , cut away outward evils , take up many good duties publike , yea , and private , & yet fall short . — men may have great knowledge , assent , profession ; yea , excellent gifts , and shewes of every grace ( and goe a great way , to the deceiving of themselves , and many others ) ; and yet for want of particular apprehension of christ , they are not planted into him , have no sap of grace and sanctification . master rogers of dedham in his doctrine of faith , cap. . pag. . . x matth. . . y heb. . . z thousands lose their soules , by thinking lesse will serve the turne , then wil. if one would buy a iewell of five hundred pounds , and will give but foure hundred for it , hee might as well bid nothing . nay , the doing something in christianity , and not going thorow-stitch , hardens a man by accident . where , were there nothing but notoriousnesse , it might serve to humble us . because satan cannot keepe us quite from religion , hee deales with us , as wee with our children ; when they cry for pieces of gold , wee still them with counters and rattles . dip. many a man loseth a great deale of labour , and his soule too , for want of a little more added ; a small thing parts god and them : many a time they lose heaven for one lust ; as iudas for his covetousnesse : god hath set downe , that hee will not abate a haires breadth of his price , and they thinke they offer faire , and will goe no further ; if this will doe it , they will goe on with their bargaine , else not ▪ &c. — tho the temporary offer faire , yet hee will not come up to the lords price . o bee not so unwise , lose not all this labour you have taken , in hearing , reading , praying , professing ; and it may bee , have been called puritan , and been hated for your well-doing , and yet lose your soule for a little more . master rogers of dedham , doctrine of faith , cap. . pag. . . how neere come some , that yet shall never have christ and salvation ? they lose heaven for some lust ; if they could but yeeld up that one thing that was wanting , it might have been a bargaine ibid. cap. . pag. . exod. . . a as divines affirme , that an hypocrite may have shewes of every grace . see master rogers of dedham , doctr. of faith ▪ cap. . pag. . and doe outwardly all things which true christians doe . see perkins in his treatise ; how farre a reprobate may goe , and feigne , whatsoever gods children doe faithfully . novimus hypocritas ea fingere comnia , quae fideles verè efficiunt . chamier . tom. . lib. . cap. . sect . . so i doubt not , but hee may represent outwardly even the dejections , complaints , and sad behaviours of one truly troubled in conscience . and that so cunningly , that he may for a while deceive judicious ministers . some painters have had such a gift in the lively expressing of the formes of birds and other beasts , that true birds and living beasts have been deceived in taking them for their mates . but the hypocrite puts downe the painter : for by his glozing , and glistering shewes in all outward workes , hee doth so perfectly resemble the true christian , that hee deceiveth , not as the painter , silly birds , but reasonable men ; yea , learned and experienced christians . dike in his discovery of the deceitfulnesse of mans heart , cap. pag. . nay , may hee not therein out-goe them ? as false gold in glistering goes beyond true ; and hired mourners in lamentation beyond the deceased parties owne friends ; and fawning flatterers in outward complements of friendship , beyond true friends themselves : so may hypocrites in outward workes seeme to carry it away from the soundest christians ibid. b revel . . . c hypoc i●a , hoc est histrio , vocatur is , qui in theatro a●enam personam sumit . — sic & in hac vitâ ad suos mores orchestras atque theatrum exerc●nt 〈◊〉 , qui alia corde gerentes , alia exirmsecùs hominibus prae se●serunt . basil. serm. . de ●e junio . d for , peccare , & de dei creatoris clementiâ praesumere , pelago iustitiae eius exponi est . gregor . in . reg. c. . nec putent satis sibi esse , ut sua peccata displiceant , nisi etiam vigilantissimâ deinceps intentione vitentur : nec in eis vitandis vires suas existiment sufficere , nisi divinitùs adiuventur . august . expos . epist. ad rom. inchoat . e nunc incipio discipulus esse , cum nihil expetam visibilium , ut iesum christum assequar . ignes , cruz , ferarum concursus , sectiones , lanionae , ossium discerptiones , membrorum concisiones , totius corpo●is solutio , diaboli tormenta in me veniant , tantummodò ut icsum nanciscar . ignat epist. . ad rom. come fire , come gibbet , come teating with wilde beasts , come crashing of my bone● in pieces , come drawing my foure quarters asunder , come grinding my whole body to powder ; nay , come the torments of the divell , so i may out winne christ. f when a man comes to this passe , with indignation to bee willing to part with his sinnes ; to have no more to doe with thē , ( as hee must that will have part in christ : he cānot have christ , and keepe any one of his sinnes ) that party shall have the pearle . master rogers of dedham , doctrine of faith , cap. . pag. . and surely well worthy is hee to loose his part in christ , and all his benefits , that prefers any lust before him , and the favour of god ; these set too base a price on christ , ever to have any part in him . ibid cap. . pag , . and whosoever lives in any one knowne sinne , let him know to his face , hee hath no true faith. ibid. pag. . sunt plures quos poenitet pecc●sse , sed non omninò , reservantes sibi quaedam , in quibus delectentur : non anìmadvertentes dominum simul surdum & mutum à daemonio liberâsse , per hoc docens no● nunquam nisi de omnibus sanari . si enim vellet ex parte peccata reservari , habenti septem daemonia , manente uno proficere potuerat sex expulsis . expulit autem septem , ut omnia crimina simuleucienda doceret . august . de verâ & falsâ poenit . cap. . scio deum inimicum omni criminoso . quomodo creò qui crimen reservat , de alio recipiet veniam ? sine amore dei consequeretur indulgentiam , sine quo nemo unquam invenit gratiam . ibid. vt exparte dei datur universalis remissio peccatorum , sic debet etiam in nobis esse universalis detestatio peccatorum : atque illud procul dubiò verissimum est , in omni homine reconciliato semper reperiri odium omnium suorum peccatorum ; propositum etiam & studium deinceps abstinendi ab omnibus . nam qui remissionem omnium accepit , infusionem gratiae simul actepit , quae illum armat & munit contra omnia . frust●a digitur blanditur sibi de peccatis remissis , qui amore● peccati cuius cunque , & propositum in codem permanendi , quasi in sinu cordis suisovet . davenantius in expos . epist. ad coloss. cap. a. vers . . pag. . resipiscentia illa non est vera ac solida , quae non avertit bominem ab omni peccato cognito adomne bonum cognitum . amefius medull . theol. lib. . cap. . there is no word of comfort in the whole booke of god intended for such as regard iniquity in their hearts , tho they doe not act it in their lives . their onely comfort is , that the sentence of damnation is not executed , and thereupon there is yet opportunity of safer thoughts and resolutions , otherwise they stand not only convicted , but condemned by the word . doctor sibbes in the preface . there is no more comfort to bee expected from christ , then there is care to please him. ibid. g qui peccata sua ex animo agnoscit , déque commissis verè dolet , is medicum salutis non solum admittet , sed omnium cupidissime expeter : à pristinae vilae delictis & à quibuscunque alys non modò abstinebit ; sed summo studio quasvis illorum occasiones etiam vitabit , imò abborrebit vehementer : & ut anteà turpitudini vi●● , ita iam puritati , innocentiae , & verae pictati singulari diligentiâ invigilabit . musc. in cap. . matth. h omnia ergò illa , quae commemoravit aspera & gravia , frequentiùs & abundantiùs sustinebat ( panlus scilicet ) ; sed profectò aderat ei spiritus sanctus , qui in exterioris hominis corruptione , interiorem renovaret de die in diem , & gustatâ requie spiritali in affluentiâ deliciarum dei , in spe futurae bentitudinis omnia praesentiâ deliniret , aspera & gravia omnia relevaret . ecce quàm svave iugum christi portabat , & quâm levem sarcina , ut omnia illa , quae superiùs enumerata , dura & immania omnis auditor horrescit , levem tribulationem diceret , intuens interioribus & fidelibus oculis quanto precio temporalium alium emenda sit aterna vita , non patilabores externos impiorum , & sinc ullâ solicitudine perfrui aeterná felicitate iustorum ▪ secari & uri se bomines patiuntur , ut dolores non aeterni , sed aliquantò diuturnioris ulceris acriorum dolorum precio redimantur , in langvidâ & incertâ vacationis brevissimae , atque ultimâ uitâ . immanissimis bellis miles atteritur , &c. quibus tempesta●ibus , & procellis , quàm horribili , & tremendâ saevitiâ coeli & maris importuni sunt mercatores , ut divitias ventosas acquirant ? &c. august de temp . serm. . the service of god is the path guiding us to perfect happinesse ; and hath in it a true , though not compleate felicitie , yeelding such abundance of joy to the conscience , as doth easily countervaile all a●flictions whatsoever , though those brambles , that sometimes teare the skinne of such as walke in this blessed way , doe commonly lay hold upon them at such time , as they sit downe to take their case , and make them wi●h themselves at their journeys end , in the presence of their lord , whom they faithfully serve . in whose presence is the fulnesse of joy , and at whole right hand are pleasures for ever more . sa● . rawl . hist. of the world , lib. . pag. . onus hoc est non onerans , sed allevians , sicut alain ave . ames . bellar . enerv . de observ. legis , thesi primâ . i flagellanda igitur hominum perversitas , qui non tantum virtutempost nummos quaerunt ; sed porrò arbitrantur , nullam viam magis compendiosam esse ad mendicitatem , aut infanuam , quàin si pictati , si verae sapientiae animum , applicent . cartw. in loc . k qui● ergo memhra christi sactiestis , admoneovos , ti●●o devolis , non tantùm à paganis , non à iudaeis , non ab haeretici● , quantum à malis catholicu . eligue vobis de populo dei , quos im●ten●●● nam si turbami●itari volueritis , inter paucos angustam viam ambulantes non eritis . august . de temp secui . . l . pet. . . m acts . . n si doles proillo ( patiente scilicet tribulationem ) in corpore ecclesiae constitutus es , si non doles praecisus es . hom. . cx . & sortè iam ideò non doles quia precisus es . si enim ibi esses , sinedubio doleres . ibid. o heare how grievously they cōplaine of us beyond the seaes : non tam dolenda , quā sauguineis lachrymis deploranda venit aperta illa obduratio animorum , ac perfidia tam multorum fucalorum christianorum , ac iudae sociorum , interipsos evangelicos ; quos quidem malailla , quamvis ipsis proxima , & verticibus corum impendentia nondum infestârunt . eorum namque perpauci ( pro● dol●r ! ) sunt , qui contritione iosephi , ac●ratrum suorum exitio , seriò afficiantur : quin imò maximus est eorum numerus , qui brutorum pecoruminstar , suis duntaxat cupiditatibus , voluptatibus , avaritiae & iniustitiae securè indulgent , non secùs ac si cum morte foedus pepigissent , at que cum orco sibi optimè prospexissent . histor. iesuit prae fat . the words sound to this sense : it is a matter to bee lamented , nay , to bee deplored even with bloody teares , to see so many false-hearted protestants , and iudas-like in these fearefull and forlome times , when the same horrible confusions hang over their heads , ready to seize upon them , one of these yeeres ; like so many besotted beasts , to ply their filthy pleasures , profits , preferments , and their owne particulars in one kind or other , secure and carelesse ; suffering the deare servants of iesus christ , and their owne brethren , to sinke , or swimme in blood , and teares , without any fellow-feeling at all , commiseration or succour ! p vbi deum in veritate coeperis quavere , necesse tibi erit super borum vel malorum hominum nequitiam sustinere , quia non sic ab illis colitur christus , quomodo eis quotidiè praedicatur . quoniam & quicquid volunt , quicquid petunt à deo , in luxurijs suis & convivijs volunt consumere , in spectaculis , in nugis , in fornicationibus , in ebrietatibus . in his volunt consumer , quo desiderant abundare , & tunc putant , quòd bonus sit deus , quando illis praestat unde corrumpantur . sed dicet aliquis , ecce tempora aspera sunt , & asperiora crunt . per ista asperiora proficit magis ecclesia , proficiunt illi , qui surfùm cor habent , &c. — omnes mali & amatores mundi quasi torcularia sunt . sie enim in torcularibus , & uva premitur & oliva , ut vinum & oleum reponatur in caveâ ; ita per nequitiam malorum hominum , qui boni & iusli sunt , multis tribulationibus corporaliter fatigantur , ut animae eorum tanquam oleuma● vinum recondi in aeterna tabernacula mereantur . [ note by the way , that mereantur here makes nothing for popish merit , but onely intimates as much , as possint , or valeant . see pareus his excellent castigation of bellarmine , de iustific . lib. . proaem . . modò mereri , patribus idem est , quod posse , valere , &c. . modò est idem quod velle , &c. . plerunque veròidem quod consequi , obtinere , impetrare , etiam gratis , &c. and hee gives severall instances in them all . heare austins cleare judgement about the point in an other place : maluit dicere , gratia autem dei , vita aeterna : ut hinc intelligeremus , non pro meritis nostris deum nos ad aeternam vitam , sed pro suâ miseratione produ●ere . de gratiâ & lib. arb. cap. . hee also speakes to the same purpose , in psal. . conc. . and serm. . de verb. apost . which places are vindicated from iesuiticall cavils by chamier . tom. . lib. . cap. . noli ergò de dei misericordiâ , vel iustitiâ desperare , quoties te videris ab iniquis hominibus fatiga●i , sed considera quò illi , qui te persequuntur , apud deum velut molae & torcularia deputantur . tu verò quasi oliva , & quasi uva legitima parvo tempore pressutam malorum hominum sustinere cogeris . sed posteà illis sine fine remanebit opprobrium , tu felici commutatione transibis ad regnum . august . hom. . ex . . * psal. . . iob . lament . . . ** ioh. . . q quis ergo post buiusmodi vocem ( scilicet beati estis , cùm vos maledicent , &c. mat. . ) tentari se non sinat ? quis ab hominibus persequi se iustitiae causà non optet ? quis non tribulari vellet ? quis se non maledici desideret ? — vtinam ob domini mei nomen , atque iustitiam cuncta infidelium turba me persequatur & tribulet . vtinam in opprobrium meum slolidus hic mundus exurgat , &c. — hominum opprobria detractionésque patientèr & levitèr toleremus , ut domini laudibus digni esse possimus . nam si humanam laudem quaerimus , divinam amittimus . — satis iniquam , & impium est ; si tu tibi pro eius nomine nec detrabi patiaris , qui propter te tanta perpessus est . — ●rubescant ebriosi voraces , iniusti , raptores , adulteri , & quicunque suis gloriantur in malis , quos gebenna ignis expectat , & quibus suppliciae praeparantur aeterna . facientes autem domini voluntatem confundi non debent ; in quibus nulla confusionis sunt opera . o quàm indignum est , at que praeposterum ; ut iusti confundantur in bonis , & peccatores glorientur in malis . videat ergo anima deo devot● , ne insipientium risus ●am , aut stultorum hominum vanissimus sermo confundat , & à suo proposito retrahat ; in quo magis per dies singulos proficere debet in melius . hieron . p. . tract . . epist . . propter deum nimis ista perpeteris , quia scilicet legem eius audisti . hoc verò quo tandem digno honore pensandum est ? quibus diadematibus conferendum ? mihiverò magis proviniet inimicitias sustinere propter deum , atque contemni , quàm velà sunct is regibus honorari . chrysost. in mat. hom. . r misericordia in deo nihil aliud reipsâ est , quàm ipsius essentia , quae una est , & quâ unâ sapiens , iustus , misericors est . zanch. de naturâ dei , lib. . cap. . ● . . deus est misericors suâ aeternâ et simplici essentiâ , non autem qualitate aliquâ , non affectu , non passione . polan . syntag. theol. lib. . cap. . s oppose against the greatnesse of thy sins , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 dei , and against the multitude of them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 dei. as basil speakes . t cogita scintillam si in mare ●eciderit , non poterit stare , aut apparere . quantum scintilla ad mare se habet , tantū hominis malitia ad dei clementiam pietatemque , imò verò non tantum modò , sed & longè suprà : nam & pelagus , tamet si magnum sit , mensuram recipit ; dei verò clementia & pietas mensuram non habet . haec dicam : non quò nos desidiores , sed promptiores reddam . chrysost. tom . . poenit . hom. . colum . . u divina misericordia tanta est , ut si quis universa peccata totius mundi commisisset , & doleret , quòd tam bonum dominum tam superbè offendisset , firmitérque proponeret amplius abstinere , deus talem nunquam damnaret , de quinque partitâ conse . lib. . c. . dei misericordia ma●or omnium peccatorum miseriâ . august . citante laurentio , adversus desperat . pag. . x quamvis sentiamus in nobis peccatum latitans , & spiritui repugnans , tamen si non sit placens & reg nan● , non excludit spiritualem hanc vivificationem . remissio enim peccatorum universali● tollit reatum universorum peccatorum nostrorum , infusio eti am gratiae bui● co●iuncta , tollit dominium universorum . davenant in expos . epist ad colos. c. . vers . . y infinit● dupliciter dicitur , per aliud , vel per se ; per aliud dicitur humanitatis christi meritum & satisfactio & 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 pro nobis persolutum esse infinitae virtulis , quâ virtute infinitâ factum etiam est , vt expiata sint peccata mundi . quomodo verò infinitae est virtutis ? non per & propter humanitatem , sed per & propter infinitam deitatem , cui humanitas christi est hypostatice unita . polan . synt. theol. lib. . cap. . obtulit christus , ut pontifex ; carnem quidem & sanguinem suum quâ homo : sed victimae suae immensam efficaciam asspirat per spiritum aeternum , quâ deus est . par. in epist. ad hebr. cap. . vers . . . kings . . . chron. ● . . &c. vers. . . y aaron author horrendae idololatriae non ahijcitur , nec absorbetur ab ●r à divinâ . moller . in psal. . * all temptations are not sins in the tempted : for then christ should have sinned . this may comfort those , that being vexed with fearefull suggestions of satan , as to thinke amisse of god himselfe , &c. doe thereby thinke amisse of themselves , as if they were therefore most vile wretches . but they must remēber , that this is no more their sinne , if they presently boate it backe , then if a man like thēselves , should wish them to the like . satan must answer for this himselfe . dike of christs temptations , pag. . z psal. . a iob . . . . b cap. . . c isai . . . d oportet flagellis domini efficaciam inesse , quâ humiliemur , atque deijctamurusque adipfo● inferos , & consolatione propemodùm destituti omnia horroris plena concipiamus : que madmodum etiam horrores iftos descriptos à davide cernimus , dumossa sua dinumerata , lectum sucum lachrymis made factum , animam suam turbatam , inferos aper●os esse dicit . sic enim pios in●erdum i●dicio dei terreri ne●●sse est , ut bonitatis eius desiderio magis afficiamur . calv. in loc . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . . pet. . . c no●i ego admodùm pu●● mal● onani picta te , castitate & alijs sexus foeminci virtutibus praestantem , cuias desperationi dignatus est deus , omnis censolationis author , med●●● , per haec prophetica a●●ta : nam sic ait sublimis & elatus , cujus nomen est inhabitans aeternitatem , &c. isai. . inciderat illa post partum in morb●m valde diutur●●●m , & ●●ssicilem , in quo cumpers etuis sata●● tentationibus gravissime impete●etur , tandem post long●m certamen victa succumbit , & veniam desperavit , &c. verum quia sa●anae ignita tela , & irae divinae adversus peccata sensus & metu● intolerahiles cruciatus in conscientiâ excitabant , quaesitam saepiùs occasionem tollendi se emedio tandem nacta , ex alto promontorio in profundum mare se dedit praecipitem , depositis ●●men prius vestimentis omnibus , exceptâ tunicâ intimâ . magno autem dei miraculo , & clementi . ● non solùm ex tam alto casunibil detrimenti sensit : sed etiam in aquis ita mirabilitier suslevitata est , ut submergi non potuerit , licèt aquâ marinâ se repleverit , & nihil non eg●rit , ut in und●s suffocaretur ; & ultra duas horas in pelago iacu●rit . post quam autem singulari dei providenti● , indè vix aegrè extracta fuisse● incolumis , & in●egrum penè annum cum 〈◊〉 desperatione collu●tata , factum est , deo sic disponente , ut inter alia esaiae hot caput . . à mari●o ei perlegeretur . licèt autem invita pr●p●modùm initio ●uscultavit ●●gentem : tamen domin●s cor audientis ( ut quondam lydiae ) aperuit , &c. et spiritus sancti instinctu cogitare coepit . deus promittit se vivi●icaturum & consolaturum co● contritoru● & spiritum humil●●m , nec se litigaturum , aut irat ●m fore perpetuò . ego habeo cor admod●m contritum , & spiritum humiliatum ex cognitione & sensi● peccatorum meorum , & iudicij di●ini adversus peccata . ergò deus fortè cor meum , & spiritum vivificare & consolari dignabitur ▪ ●ec me●um contendet , aut mi●i irascetur perpetuò , &c. ex ●isce initijs per dei spiritum expulsa desperatione & superatis tentationibus , certissimè statuebat non solùm ante à commemoratas , sed etiam omnes reliqu●s dei promissiones ratas sore , seque ●abere redemptionem per christi sangvinem ▪ remissionem nempè peccatorum ex divite ipsius gratiâ . in qu●●ide ( codem qui ●a perat in ipsa hoc bonum opus per●iciente ) constanter multos annos sapers●es persevera verit , donec in ardenti ●ilij dei invocatione 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 consequuta , in coelestem patriam emigravit , anno salutis . alexipharm ▪ adversus desperationem . authore m ▪ nicolao laurentio . pag. . & seq . f tantum quisque habet , quantum credit , iuxta illud . secundum fidem tuam tibi fiat . zanch. in . ad ephes. pag. . non enim ( quod beneficiorum terrestrium mos est ) in capescendo munere coelesti , mensura ulla ▪ vel modus est ; profluens largitèr spirit us nullis finibus premitur , nec coercentibus claustris intra certa metarum spacia refraenatur . manat iugitèr , exuperat afsluentèr , nostrum tantùm sitiat pectus , & pateat . quantum illuc fidei capacis afferimus ; tantum gratiae inundantis haurimus . cyp. epist. lib. . epist. . g argumentūper se est evidens . doctrina insignis ad consolationem nostram . si enim promissiones evangelij sunt testamentum christi : certè ultimam eius voluntatem de nostrâ salute declarant , & immutabilē , quippe testatoris morte obsignatam . dubitare igitur de veritate promissionum & certitudine salutis promissae nec possumus nec debemus . par. in loc . h per quas ? videlicet quòd dicit & promittit , deinde & iuramentum addit promissioni . quoniam enim apud homines hoc videtur certius esse , cui iuramentum interfuerit : proptereà etiam hoc addidit : vides quomodo dignitatem suam non attendit , sed ut hominibus persvadeat , indignáque de se patitur dici ? hoc est satisfacere volens . chrys. in loc . inter homines ad 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sufficit res una immutabilis , jus-jurandum . deus verò ad 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 adhib●●●●on unam sed duas res immutabiles : non solùm promissionem immutabilem , nec solùm ius-iurandum inviolabile , impossibile siquidem deum vel promittendo veliurando mentiri , sed utrumque simul : in quo sanè fuit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ingens . par. k ten●amus nos hoc nostra salutis principium & fundamentum tutissimum , nimirùm dei dilectionem gratuitam : cuius fiduci● quinitantur , ●● demùm in omni tex●a●●one , salut is spem inconcussam , & infallib●l●m retinere poterunt . gualt . in loc . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 misericors à 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quod redditur gracè per 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in n.t. passim , quod significat misericor did cōmoveri summà & vehementi atque ex intimis visceribus profectâ . ** 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 gratiosus , à 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 benefic●● gratuitò conferre : in gratiam recipere , excludit dignitatem , aut meritū . pag● . isai. ▪ . luke . * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 multae misericordiae , vel potiùs multus benignitate , ut optimè nostri verterunt . zanch. nunc igitur si estis porrò exercituri 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 benignitatem . iun. and now if yee will deale kindly , &c. in our last translation , gen. . . ergo filios verò barzillai gilbaditae exerceto 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 benignitatem : but shew kindnesse unto the sonnes of barzillai the giliadite , . king . . h non dico tibi vsque septiès , sed usque septuagies septiès ] mat. . . quâ phrasi numerus finitus pro infinito ponitur . sic vocem mille modificant hebraei , exod. . . servans misericordiam millibus ] beumler . rhetor. lib. . cap. . i 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 pro tolà corruptione naturae , simpliciter accipio . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 actu●lis est quae vis praeva●icatio , & rebellio atque des●ctus . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 peccatum est sine timore , & sine fronte admissum . zanch. de naturâ dei lib. . cap. . sicuti in adolescente decoctore depinxit lucas imaginem primùm peccatoris luxu perditi , deindè peccatoris resipiscentis : ita nunc in parente eius imaginem immensae clementiae & misericordiae dei exprimit . brentius in loc . o non comparatur deus homini simplicitèr : sed ut intelligamus centuplo maiorem esse b●nitatem dei erga nor , & misericordiam . non igitur dubium est , simulatque poenitentiá tacti sumus , quin deus in gratiam suam recipiat . non dubium est , quin sub hac imagine immensa dei bonitas , & incomparabilis indulgentia nobis pingatur ▪ ne ulla scelèrumatrocitas à spe impetrandae veniae nos deterreat . calv. * eò se redactum dicit ez●●●as , ●●t vocem art●●●latam edere non posset , sed consuso quodam modo s●●epere , ut i●q●t ●nimam fere exhal●nt . hunc tamen obs●●ri●● vo●●s so●um à deo 〈◊〉 exa● 〈◊〉 ●ertum est : tame●●sensus omne● no sir● dolore● c●pat● sint , & prae m●●stit●a si●t prae● s●●●●●ces , dominus ●amen con●a nosira praecedet & piasusp●●● ex●●●●t . in● pl●●s essi●ent qu●m e●pre●sae , 〈◊〉 d●●●rtae voces , ●o●ò spiritus adsit , qui excitet in nobis gemitus illos inenarrabiles , de●qu●●● 〈◊〉 paulus . ad . roman , at nemo piorum est , qui non experiatur , ubi maior aliqua 〈…〉 const●●git , se inter orandu vel halbutire vel propemodium obmutescere . calv. in captr . . isai. homo interior , in quo c●●pit habitare christus per fidem , voce suâ , non 〈…〉 affectu cordis cla●at ad dominum . non vbi bo●o audit , ibi deus 〈…〉 onum , & laterum & linguae clames , homo te non audit . cogitatio tua , 〈…〉 . august . in psal. . plerumque hoc negotium pl●●gemitibus , 〈…〉 , plus fletu , quàm affatu . idem . epist. . valentiores voces apud 〈…〉 pet non faciunt verba nostra , sed desideria ? aeternam etenim vitam si o●e● imus , nec●amen corde desideramus , clamantes tacemus . si verò desideramus excorde , tiam cum ore conticescimus , tacentes clamantus . gregor . in . cap. iob , cap. . a the most righteous persons , are their own greatest accusers . greenh . p. . edit . b videas quantoperè placeat deo , vel pauxillum sidei , & quantoperè delectetur precibus ex quantulacunque fide prosectis , etiamsi coniunctam habeant multiplicem imperfectionem . videmus vulgò parentes magis delectari balbutienti infantiâ infantium , quàm universâ eloquentiâ hominum eloquentissimorum . nos omnes quod ad coelestia attinet , insantes sumus , & ut in●antes sentimus , ut infantes loquimur . pater autem noster coelestis magis oblectatur ruditate , ac infantiâ nostrâ , qui sumus eius ●ilij , &c. rolloc . in iohan. cap. . c nos à christo separari non possumus semel illi vere insiti . est autem coniunctio haec spiritualis . spiritualem dico , quīa spirituali modo fit , per vincula nimirùm spiritualia , non per nervos & ligamenta , per quae fit coniunctio ista corporalis : sed per spiritum & fidem . christus prior dimittit è coelo spiritum suum sanctum ad nos : nos deinde vicissim fidem nostram ipsius spiritu excitatam , adeum sursum versus mittimus . dico per spiritum simul & fidem : quia coniunctio haec oportet sit mutua , nósque vicissim eum amplectamur . rolloc . in iohan. cap. . d iam cognito eo , quòd iesus christus idem deus sit , deinde sentimus nos teneri eius manu , sentimus nos pariter apprehendi manu patris , ac dei. cumautem sentimus nos prehendi manu patris , ac dei , tum quidem videmur nobis firmi esse , & extra omne periculum positi , etiam mediâ morte . — nota fundamentum , in quo f●ndata est vita aeterna ; est autem manus illa dei apprehendens nos ; non●tam manus nostra apprehendens deum , quàm dei manus apprehendens nos . idem . ibid. cap. . mal. . . isai. . . e deus bonos non negligit cum negligit . nec obliviscitur , sed quasi obliviscitur . ruff. in psal. non deserit etiam si des●rat , in psal. . abscondit se sponsus cum quaeritur , ut non inventus ardentiùs quaeratur : & differtur quaerens sponsa , ne inveniat : ut tarditate suâ capacior reddita , multipliciùs quandoquè inveniat , quod quaerebat . greg. mor. lib. in . cap. . non est reversus sponsus ad vocem , & votum revocantis . quare ? ut desiderium crescat , ut probetur affectus , ut exerceatur amoris negotium . sanè ergò dissimulatio est , non indignatio . bern. in caut. serm . non deserit , ut descratur . simon . cass. in evang. lib. . cap. . deserit potius , ne descratur . ideo videtur deserere , quia non vult deseri . hos. . ier . . ioh. . . nam dilectio quâ nos persequitur deus , propriè loquendo , non alia est quàm quâ filium suum ab initi● dilexit , ut in eo nos quoque gratos sibi & ●mabiles redderet . calv. in loc. ioh. . . significat non vulgarem dilectionem suam erga ipsos , neque plan● talem , qualis esse solet dilectio à creaturâ promanans , sed talem esse , qualis est creatoris ipsius , & dei ancor . — hoc est infinitus , & incomprehensibilis , cuius longitudinem , latitudinem , profunditatem & altitudinem , ●emo potest comprehendere , et qui superat omnem cognitionem . rolloc . in loc . iob . . psal. . . isai. . . * doct. p. isai . . & ● . vi●git mater se 〈◊〉 , quenum 〈…〉 , in terram deicituram , ut ipse 〈…〉 . simon . cass. in evang. ib. . f si nos qui secundùm nostram fil●os diligimus , satis tamen profectò cos diligimus : multò magis ille diligit , qui diligit ultra naturam . sed etsi obliviscatur mulier infantem , inquit , uteri sui , ego tamen non obliviscar tui , dicit dominus omnipotens . chrysost . in mat. hom. . g perkins in his graine of muster-seed . concl. . h idem in his exposition of the creed , p. . i idem upon the sermon in the mount , pag. . k downam in his christian warfare , cap. . l dyke of repentance , cap. . m t.t. upon psal. . pag. . n 〈◊〉 in his exposition upon the epistle to the colossians , cap. . vers . . matth. . . revel . . psal. . . o rogers of dedham in his doctrine of faith , cap. . pag. . p crooke , serm. . q greenham , pag. . r dyke of selfe-deceiving , cap. . s perkins upon galat . pag. . t broade ▪ pag. . u wilson faith , p. . x ibid. pag. . psal. ● . . iob . ● . * quicunque universum stellarum numerum comprehandisse & conscripsisse iactantur , sicut aratus vel eudoxus , vel si qui alij sunt , eos libri hutus contemnit authoritas . aug. de civit. dei lib. . cap. . isai. . . y but what doe i say ? hee getteth nothing by us of all that wee doe . all is for our selves . our acknowledgement of him maketh him no stronger , wiser , juster , better , &c. then hee is . but in glorifying him , we glorifie our selves , &c. hee was as glorious , powerfull , wise , just , happy , and good before this world was made , as now . d.v. sinne and righteousnesse , are the two paths that wee walke in ; those are all that trouble us ; the sinnes that we commit , and defects of our righteousnesse . saith hee , if thou sinne , what is that to him ? it doth him no hurt . againe , if thou faile in thy righteousnesse , or in thy performances , it is all one , that way : for it reacheth not to him. because hee is blessed for ever ; hee hath all-sufficiency in himselfe , &c. doctor preston in his sermons of gods all-sufficiency , serm. . deus quaerit gloriam suam non propterse , sed propter nos . aquin. . q. . . z gloria dei & glorificatio dei differunt . gloria dei. aeterna est , semper eadem fuit ab aeterno , & ●emper ead●m manet in aeternum , cique nec accedere quicquam , nec decedere potest , deusque perpetuò gloriam suam habuisset , licet nulla res suisset condita . hae gloria deo à nemine da●● , nec minui augeriue potest , sed eadem in ipso fuit , & manet semper . glorificatio verò sit in tempore à creaturis , & est extra deum & sandamentum suum habet in cognitione gloriae dei. polan . syntag. theolog. lib. . cap. . a assuredly , betwixt the unfained desire of the heart to have , and the habituall having of the grace desired , there is no great difference in gods reckoning : no , no more then betwixt the evill desire of a lusting heart , and the reall accomplishment of the carnall act , the former of which , by christs ungame-say-able testimony , maketh guilty of the latter : mat. . by the rule therefore of proportion ; he that groaneth under the burden of his sinne , and hateth the same . he that desireth , and to his desire addeth endeavour not to sin , — is with god reputed what , he would be in his desire , and may in this regard cheare his heart , &c. speght in his briefe demonstration , &c. pag. . vertues in wil● and act are the same in kinde , differing onely in degree , as in vice , lusting after a woman in heart unlawfully , is adultery in him that lusts , tho it come not into act : coveting another mans goods inordinately , is theft , tho he bee hindred from taking them , wil● in his helpes to faith , pag. . . b mat. . . c . ioh. . . * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 p●p●rit . ** 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 e●eu : humanitùs dictum . iun. vt ostendat deus se quodaminodò invitum cogi ad poenas de populo suo exigendas , cum gemitu quodam minatur . quia enim nihil ei magis proprium est quàm benefacere : quoties nob●s irascitur , ac severiùs not tractat , certum est pravitate nostrâ huc adigi , quia eius beneficentiae liberum cursum non permittimus : praesert●m verò propensus est ad suos humanitèr tractandos , & dum videt indulgentiae suae non esse ampliùs locum , quasi tristis ad puniendum accingitur . — mihi magis probatur hoc loco dolentis esse vocem : quia deus soederis sui memor , libentèr electo populo parceret , nisiomnem veniam excluderet obstinatio . calv. in loc . vnde colligimus , quanta sit eius ●●sericordia & benignitas , quùm sententiam serens ingemiscat , & singultis testetur quàm nolit poe●am & mortem peccatoris , sed ut magis convertatur & vivat . ezek. . . o●●olamp . in loc . f optimè sluet contextus , si dicamus , ecce ego constringor sub vobis , quemadmodum si essetis plaustrum plenum manipulis , hoc est , estis mihi intolerabiles . calvin . in loc . g qui lu●m rei est in mund●●ui deus non ●dsit suá providentiâ e● misericordtá , &c. nemo est hominum vel etia● dia●olorum , qui dicere 〈…〉 non esse particip●●a ●isericordiae dei. z●nch . de naturâ dei lib. . cap. . q. . obiect . answ. h aquin. p. . q. . art . . ad tertium . videre deum per essentiam est supra naturam , non soli●m hominis , sed etiam omnis ●●aturae . a q. . art . heare also that in cōparable confounder of all popery ; whō not all the iesuites in christendome shall bee ever able to confute , either in this world , or the world to come . et si omnes homines deus damitar●t●uno excepto : tamen adhuc maior esset misericordia , quàm iudicium . nimirùm , quia nullum sit iudicij divini es●ellum nisi propter merita eorum , qui damnantur : at misericordia nulla invenit merita . chamier . tom . lib. . cap. . * deus non potuit producere creaturam non defectibilem : quia ex nihilo creavit , quia non creatorem : at homines inquis saltem , & spiritus im●●●abiles creâsset . sic hominem , hominem ; angelum , angelum non condidisset . si enim aliter creati essent , velsi immobiles , & immutabiles essent facti ; vel trunco , aut lapidi similes essent facti , vel creatori suo deo : illud fieri non debuit , hoc fieri neque potuit neque debuit : si enim in homine vel angelo immutabile bonum esset , aeternum illud esset ; si aeternum infinitum , si infinitum , non homo , angelus , aut creatura esset , sed deus . deus autem si solus , unus , bonus , infinitus non est , deus non est ; cum de alio , quàm de deo , & uno , infinitum intelligi non possit . nec diminuitur omnipotentia eius , sed astruitur . quî enim ille esset omnipotens , qui sibi aliquid simile , & aequale habere aut sacere posset ? quî autem infinitus , si extra se , non solùm aliquid , sed alia infinita innumera haberet ? immò quinam ille infinitus , qui infinitum faciendo , nihil ulteriùs facere posset , cùm in infinito sintomnia ? et nunquid omnipotens deus in aliud omnipotens , quod potentiâ sibi aequale foret , omnipotentiam suam exercere possit ? in thesi meâ oxon. confirmatâ . peccatum provisum non est causa reprobationis . h ad executionem decreti , quod ita factum in aeternâ praedestinatione , in utramque partem concurrunt me●ia , quae ipsa non possunt , non subijci praedestinationi . hîc ergò vera , & iusta est damnationis causa peccatum : nempè quia nemo , aut damnatus sit unquam , aut damnetur , aut damnandus sit , nisi propter peccatum : ac proinde , re , actúque , praecedente peccato : quod invasit omne genus humanum : ita ut , si libêret , possèt deus absque ullâ , iniustitiae notâ , omnes homines nullo penitùs excepto in aeternum ignem praecipitare . quo iure egisse manifestum in omnes angelos malos . chamier . tom. . lib. . cap. . dicit ei iudas , non ille iscariotes ] . miratur quodammodò , quòd cùm tanta sit gratia domini , is non extendat eam ad universum mundum , sed ad paucos duntaxàt aliquos . sic mirantur homines quotidiè , cùm hoc admiratione sit dignum potiùs , quòd dominus vel unius alicuius mis●reatur , cùmomnes in eodem sint reatu . ipsi angeli admirantur tantam dei misericordiam , dum intu●ntur mysterium salutis humanae ; & pij omnes magis ad id obstupescunt , quòd videant deum ergase misericordem , quam quòd videant & sciant reiectos essè alios complures . rolloc . in iohan. cap. . vers . . philip. . . i i said , or thought ▪ that is , i purposed , i resolved . taylor in his way to true happinesse . pag. . pronunciabo adversum me injustitias meas domine , & tu remisisti impietatem cordis mei ] . non iam pronunciat ; sed promittit se pronunciaturum , & ille iam dimittit . attendite fratres , magna res : dixi pronunciabo , non dixi , pronunciavi , & tu dimisisti . dixi pronunciabo , & tu dimisisti : quia eo ipso quod dixit , pronunciabo , ostendit quòd nondùm pronunciaverat , sed corde pronunciaverat . hoc ipsum dicere pronunciabo , pronunciare est , ideò & tu remisisti impietatem cordis moi . confessio verò mea ad os nondùm venerat . dixeram enim pronunciabo adversum me , ver untamen deus aud●●t vocem cordis mei . vox mea in ore nondum erat , sed auris dei iam in corde erat . august . in loc . remisisti impietatem peccati mei ] . attende quanta sit indulgentiae vitalis velocitas , quanta miseri●ordiae dei commendatio , ut confit●ut ● des●lerium comit●tur ve●● , — a●tè remissio ad e●r per veniat , quàm confe●sio in vocem crumpat . greg. ibid. k desiderare auxil●um gratie est initium grati● . lib. de correptione & gratiâ . cap. . nihil tam ●acile est bon●e voluntati , quàm ipsa sibi , & haec sufficit deo. de te ●p serm. coronat deus totus honam voluntatem , ubi non invenit facultatem . in psal. . l 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . tantummodò voles . 〈◊〉 deus ul●rò 〈◊〉 . serm. de poe●●tentiâ . m beati qui esuriunt & sitiunt justitiam , &c. ● qui esurit , esuri●t ampliùs : & qui desi lerat , abundantius adhuc desideret : quo niam quantum●●mque desiderare pot●erit , tantum est accepturus . imò verò non secundum imperfectionem modúve desiderij , &c. de lectione evangelicâ . serm. . n tom. . pag. . o ibid. fol . p loc. com. par . . * catechis . * si senseris iam te credere in christum , etiam propter christum , aut saltèm si non poteris id statim assequi , ( ut omnes naturâ nobis ipsis sumus addicti ) si senseris velle te credere in christum propter christum , velle te omnia sacere dei gratiâ , & ex animo , habes profectò egregium imprimis argumentum perseverantiae in fide , & fidei quae perpetua sit futura . in iohan. cap. . q in his markes of gods children . r lib. . sect. . s ibid. t acts and monum . in bradsords letter to careles . in the story of careles , pag. . a in a twinge of conscience , or in a fit , when hee is told of heaven , hee could be content to leape out of his skin to get heaven , and to get out of hell : but after this is over , hee cannot away with this confessing of his sinnes in secret ; with this rending of his soule ; with this earnest contending with god ; and with this crossing of his owne nature , and fighting against the lusts of his flesh , even with this labouring for the righteousnesse of god above all things . whately ▪ gods husb. cap. . b longè aberit à siti satietas , longè à satietate fastidium ; quia sitientes saturabimur , & satiati sitiemus . august . de sper. cap. . c then will hee say , i have discerned mine owne misery , my poverty and nakednes , and i have found a treasure , christ iesus and his righteousness● : it shall goe hard but i will get it . yea , but there is a price put upon it . it must cost thee deare ; a great deale of sorrow , trouble , and other crosses . tush , tell mee not of any price , speake not of that : wha●soever i have shall goe for it . i will doe any thing for it . why , wilt thou curbe thine affections ? wilt thou give up thy life ? wi●t thou bee content to sell all that thou hast ? &c. i will doe it with all my heart . i am content to sell all that i have . nothing is so deare unto mee , but i will part with it ; my right hand , my right eye ; nay , if hell it selfe should stand between mee and christ ; yet would i passe thorow the same unto him. this is that violent affection , that god puts into the hearts of those , who seek him in truth , that they will have christ , whatsoever it cost them . d.v. d it is not a poore , faint wishing and woulding , — but a mighty and effectuall desire , that doth bring forth an endeavour . it makes a man put forth himselfe , to effect the thing desired . hee wisheth to obey , as a resolute souldier wisheth victory , so as he will fight for it , and draw his weapon , and meet his enemy in the face , and hazard limme and life , and give and receive blowes , and leave nothing undone , that his wit serves him to thinke of , for the atchievement of victory . whately , gods husb. cap. . e psal . . . . acts . . psal. . . f see the preface written by g. abbot , doctor of divinitie ; before the examinations , arraignement , and conviction of george sprot , notary in ayemouth , pag. . revel . . . isai. . . iohn . . matth. . . u tamet si sensus omnes nostri dolore occupati sint , et prae moestitiâ sint praclusae fauces , dominus tamen corda nostra pervidet , & pia suspiria exaudit . imò plus efficient , quàm expressae & diserta voces , modò spiritus adsit , qui excitet in nobis gemitus illos inenarrabiles , de quibus loquitur paulus ad rom. cap. . ac nemo piorum est , qui non experiatur , ubi maior aliqua tristitia animum constringit , se inter orandum , vel balbutire , vel propemodum obmutescere . calv. in isai. cap. . plerunque hoc negotium plus gemitibus , quàm sermonibus agitur , plus stetu , quàm affatu . aug. epist. . cogitatio tua clamorest ad dominum . idem in psal. . psal. . . x si nos qui secundum naturam diligimus filios , satis tamen profectò eos diligimus : multò magis ille diligit , qui diligit ultra naturam . chrysost. in matth. hom. . rom. . . psal. . . . cor. . . . cor. . . . pet. . . philip. . . . cor. . . a though it bee a truth clearer then the sunne-beames , that a broken-hearted sinner ought to embrace mercy so strongly enforced : yet there is no truth , that the heart shutteth it selfe more against , then this , especially in sense of misery , &c. doctor sibbes , in his preface to the b.k. b vt quisque abiectissimus erit , tantum abest quin desperationis causa sit suae paupertas , ut inde potiùs debeat animum colligere ad christum quaerendum . sed meminerîmus non alios censeri pauperes , nisi qui sibi ipsis tales sunt : hoc est , qui suae inopiae sensu oppressi iacent . musc. in mat. cap. . * mat. . . . c 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , id est , eos , qui sibi iusti videntur , sive qui se iustos esse somniant , quod fait pharisaeorum dogma : quibus opponuntur peccatores , id est , qui suorum pectatorum sensu vulnerati ad unam dei misericordiam confugiunt . beza in loc. d rom. . . e . pet. . . f for our encouragement to a thorow worke of bruising , and patience under gods bruising of us , let us all know , that none are fitter for comfort , then those that thinke themselves furthest off . men , for the most part , are not lost enough in their owne feeling , for a saviour . a holy despaire in our selves , is the ground of true hope . doctor sibbes bruised r. pag. . a quomodò dicit , qui vult ; quum alibi dicat christus ; nemo venit ad me , nisi pater , qui misit me , traxerit cum . ioh. . . et paulus dicit , non est volentu , noque currentis , sed miserentis de. rom. . . resp. sic loquitur iohannes , non quòd in hominis arbitris situm sit propriâ sponte accedere & haurire aquam vitae , sed quia ille idem , qui invitat ad vitae aquas , etiam sitis indit ardorem , animum & vires suppeditat , ut veniamus : imò verò essicit ut ex nolentibus volentes siamus : quò omnis gloria ad ipsum● edeat , non penes nos resideat . — deus est , qui agit in vobis , & ut velitis , & ut efficiatis pro bonâ voluntate : phil. . . marlorat . in loc. christ , together with bidding lazarus come out of his grave , inspired into him power to rise . b whosoever will ] it may bee here said : who is it , that would not bee saved ? men indeed love to walke in wicked wayes , — but they love not damnation ; willingly would they bee saved : how then is it said here ; let him , that will , take of the waters of life freely . surely here is no more , then that hee saith before ; hee will give to him that is athirst , of the waters of life freely , cap . for hee that thirsteth , hath a will ; and hee that thirsteth not , hath not a will. for this yee must know , that the will is not here put for every light desire , or for every wish , that a man doth wish in his heart ; when , as i said before , hee walketh in the way of destruction , and committeth the things that deserve damnation , and yet would bee saved , &c. gissard in loc. c hee that willeth then , even hee that is athirst for the waters of life , let him give all the prayse to god , who hath endued him with that grace ; and let him know , that were it not for the grace of god , hee should never have had any will to come to those waters . idem . ibid. d o quàm stupenda pietas ! quàm intra dei dignatio ! quem rogare debuimus , ut nos recipere dignaretur ; ab ipso rogamur , ut ad cum venire dignemur . gers. de verbis domini , venite , &c. e 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 o , heus vocandi , ies. . . buxtorf . f et est particula exclamandi . zechar. . . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 o ó , fugite è terra aquil●nis . iesah . . . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 o omnis sitiens . pagnin . exclamat propheta , veluticontentâ voce , heus : quia tantus est hominum torpor , ut difficile sit admodùm cos excitari . — stuporem istum magnis clamoribus & assiduis excuti necesse est : quò turpior magísque stupenda est corum pigrities , qui ad hanc exbortationem sur disunt , vel tam acritèr stimulati , torpori suo ad huc indulgent . calv. in loc. f 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 à 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quod est multiplicare . g 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 gratia è coelo tantâ copiâ suit effusa , ut peccatum non aequârit modò , sed etiam infinitis partibus superârit . beza . i see prov. . . . . . k these spaniards being meere strangers , having no natural regard in their government to the maintenance of those countries and people , in their ancient , and naturall manner of their peaceable living , as the most noble and wise emperour char●es ; yea , and as his son philip himselfe had , whilest hee remained in those countries , and used the counsels of the states , and natives of the countries , not violating the ancient liberties of the countries : but contrariwise , these spaniards beeing exalted to absolute government , by ambition , and for private lucre , have violently broken the ancient lawes and liberties of all the countries , and in a tyrannous sort have banished and destroyed , without order of law , within the space of few moneths , many of the most ancient and principall persons of the naturall nobility , that were most worthy of government . and howsoever in the beginning of these cruell persecutions , the pretence whereof was for the maintenance of the romish religion ; yet they spared not to deprive very many catholickes , and ecclesiasticall persons of their franchises and priviledges : and of the chiefest that were executed of the nobilitie , none was in the whole countrey more affected to that religion , then was the most noble and valiant count of egmond , the very glory of that countrey ; who neither for his singular victories , in the service of the king of spaine , can bee forgotten in the true histories ; nor yet for the cruelty used for his destruction , to bee but for ever lamented in the hearts of the naturall people of that countrey . see a booke intituled , a declaration of the causes , mooving the queene of england to give aide to the defence of the people afflicted and oppressed in the low-countries , pag. . . l phalaris , and his fellow tyrants , come far short of these blood-hounds . heylyn . p. . m philip the second of spaine , after many preceding vastations and pressures , did lastly by strong hand , and maine force , attempt not onely to make himselfe an absolute monarch over the hollanders ; but turke-like to tread under his feete , all their nationall and fundamentall lawes , priviledges , and ancient rites . to effect which , after hee had easily obtained from the pope a dispensation of his former oathes ( which dispensation was the true cause of the warres and blood-shed since then ) &c. s.w.r. in his preface . n the king of spaine hath paid above an hundred millions ; and the lives of above foure hundred thousand christians , for the losse of all those countries ; which for beauty gave place to none ; and for revenew , did equall his west indies : for the losse of a nation , which most willingly obeyed him ; and who at this day after forty yeares warre , are in despight of all his forces , become free estates , and farre more rich and powerfull then they were , when hee first begun to impoverish and oppresse them . idem . ibid. o obey the commandement , which commands thee to believe , against all unbeliefe , and above all beliefe , and to hope above hope , that is , in infinite doubtings , to believe ; in all despaires to hope ; and when all reasons , grounds , meanes , and hopes are wanting , yet to believe onely , because god commands thee so to doe . tho nature , reason , sense , and thy owne heart , and faithlesse feares , and all creatures forbid thee so to doe , saying , that thy strength and hope is perished from the lord : lam. . yet obey , and believe none of these , but gods commandement , commanding thee to believe his promise against them all , and so to honour him as god , above them all in power , mercy , truth and faithfulnesse . throgmorton of faith , pag. . p . cor. . q nullum genus insipientiae infidelitate , ( ut sic loquar ) insipient●us . bern. de consid . o dicitur , inquit , deus etiam iurâssè , hoc est , iureiurando interminatus esse , non ingressuros esse in suam requiem . quibusnam verò ? non sanè omnibus : sed solis illis contumacibus : cogitate igitur , & vobis iuratam hanc dei interminationem incumbere , si non obediat is deo , per evangelium vos hodiè vocanti . par. in loc. s the state of mankinde is happy , in respect of the angels which fell ; for none of them are , or shall over bee restored to their former state . — as he , who falleth from a steepe and high rocke into a deepe pit or gulfe , cannot possibly escape death ; whereas one , whose fall is lesse , may have hope of life : so it is with these wicked angels , whose sin we may truly call that unpardonable sin cōmitted against the holy ghost . if it 's objected , that the angels may repent , and so obtaine salvation : we answer , first , that it is impossible , by reason of the nature of their sinne , being the sinne against ▪ the holy ghost , that they should ever truly repent : and secondly , that if they could after some sort ●epent , yet they are altogether uncapable of salvation ; because god hath not taken unto himselfe the nature of angels , as hee hath done the nature of man ; and so joyning it to himselfe , who is life it selfe , made it a living and holy nature . morton , of the threefold state of man , cap. . sect . t hos. . . u isai. . ● . * ward in his life of faith. isai. . . x vivo ego , dixit dominus ienova , &c. ] iurans per vitam suam , id est , deitatis suae aeternam essentiam , omnipotentiam , & divinam maiestatem , ac naturam . quasidicat , quàm certum & immotū hoc est , quod vivam ego & sim verus , aeternus , vivus & omnipotens deus , tam infallibili , támque irrefragabili certitudinis argumento nititur haec promissio . laurent . adversus desperationem . y vt vivo , dictum domini iehovae , non delector morte improbi : sed delector , quum revertitur , &c. iun. piscat . si quaeritur genuinus prophetae sensus , tantùm spem veniae & vitae resipiscentibus facit , sic ut illis non sit dubitandum , quin deus paratus sit ignoscere , &c. polan in loc . z matth. . . a revel . . . b beati sumus , quorum causâ deus iurat , sed miseri & detestabiles ; si ne iuranti quidem oredimus . tertull. * see luke . . a sicut illi , qui morbum nec agnoscunt , nec sentiunt , medicinam nec curant , nec quaerunt , nec applicant : ita gratu●am misericordiam dei , quae in christo proponitur , nemo satis curat , nem● seriò & rect● quaerit & amplectitur , nisi qui agnitione , sen su , & pavore peccatorum , & i●ae dei adversus peccata contritus & perterrefactus est . lex enim paedagogus est , urgens & impellens ad quaerendam gratiam dei , in christo. et ordo divinus est , quòd vult quidem evang●lizare , sed pauperibus ; vul● sanare , sed contritos ; v●lt praedicare dimissionem , sed 〈◊〉 , vult educere & liberare , sed ●●nctos , hoc est , sub pec●atis conclusos ; vult consolari , sed contri●a●os & l●gentes ; vult respicere , sed ad contritum spiritu ; be●e pl●citum est domino , sed super timentes ●um , & in eis , qui sperant super misericordiâ eius ; vult res●ce●e , sed laborant●● & ●n●ratos ; ●●lt coronare misericordiâ & miserationibus , sed caput humiliatum , non turgidum ; vult in●undere oleum misericordiae , sed vulneratis , &c. chemnit . exam. p. . de contrit . b sive meo volueris expol●ri ornatu , sive armis meis armari , 〈◊〉 mea 〈…〉 meis delitiari ; sive iter meum peragere , sive in 〈…〉 art sex & cond●tor ipse sum , sive in regione meà domum aedificare : 〈◊〉 omnia facere potes , ut non modò 〈◊〉 abs te harum rerum omnium mercedem exigam , sed ipse tibi magnae velim esse mercedis debitor , dummodò uti rebus meis non abomineris . quid huic liberalitati aequale unquam inveniri potest ? in cap. matth. . homil . . c as for thy doings , thou must have that power from god after thy believing : therefore believe first , and thou shalt doe after . rogers dedham , doctrine of faith , pag. . — they may not , for any thing they see in themselves , put these promises from them : but rather in admiration of gods wonderfull goodnesse , mercy , and compassion upon such unworthy wretches , to give glory unto god , in believing and accepting this mercy so freely offered : which they must ●oe , before they shall see such a thorow change of heart and life in them , as they earnestly d●sir● , and for want w●●●eof they thinke 〈…〉 not to be 〈…〉 is to such , if 〈…〉 onely , yet 〈…〉 let and 〈…〉 in faith : 〈…〉 son it , by these his 〈…〉 draw them 〈…〉 tho weakly , yet t●●ly to stay 〈◊〉 ●pō gods great 〈◊〉 , so revealed to 〈◊〉 : then assuredly shall they see , and 〈◊〉 this change in their 〈◊〉 , that they know not what to say , or thinke of gods mercy , in pardoning such , as they feele themselves to bee . this cannot but breed an unfained love in them to god , with an earnest desire , and true purpose to glorifie him ; which bee the chiefe ●arts of an holy life , and surest proofes of saving faith : which can no more want these , then true fire can want heate , ( tho too many carnall gospellers thinke otherwise ) and so miserably perish . culverw . of faith , pag. . d . chro. . . e i must bring unto the receiving of christ an empty hand : that it may be of grace , god will make us let f●ll every thing , before wee shall take hold of him : tho qualified wi●● humiliation , i must let all fall , not trusting unto it , as to make mee worthier to receive christ ( as some thinke ) : i say , when thus at first for my justification i receive him , i must let fall any thing i have , to lay hold on him , that so hee may finde mee in my s●●t as it were , in my blood d. o. f matth. . . . ioh. . . revel . . . g thou wilt keepe him in perfect peace , whose 〈◊〉 is stayed on thee , because hee trusteth in thee . isai. . is stayed on th●e or leaneth upon thee : 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 nixus , innixus fuit , incu●uit . buxtorf . fides illa proprie 〈…〉 , quâ incumbimus in christū ad remissionem peccatorum & sal●tem . amesius medal . theolog. lib. . cap. . sect. . credere in deum est credendo 〈◊〉 rere deo , inniti deo , ac qui es●ere in deo tanquam in vitâ ac salute nostrâ omnisuffi●iente . deut . . adhaerendo ●i : nam ipse est vita tua idem . lib. cap. . sect. . [ adhaerendo ] a [ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 haesit , adhaesit . buxtor ] . quòd verò fiducia dicitur fructus fidei : verum id est de fiduci● , pro ut r●spici● deum in futurum & est spes firma : sed pro ut respicit deum in christo , in praesenti● se offerentem , est ipsa fides . idem . ibid. sect. . h many despaire of helpe , because of their owne unworthinesse ; as tho there were no hope of gods mercy , except wee bring in our gift , and pawne in our hands to him : but this were to discredit the lords mercies , and to bring into credit our merits ; and rather to binde the lord unto us , then us unto him : but if our sinnes bee great , our redemption is greater ; tho our merits bee beggerly , gods mercy is a rich mercy , &c. greenham in his grave counsels , pag. . * ioh. . . ephes. . . ioh. . . & . . a faith , and the purpose of sinning , can never stand together . perkins , graine of muster-seed , conclu . . b si tùm pendeat ex nudo quast dei verbo & promissione , sanè quàm potest maximè deum honorat ; id quod ●ecisse abrahamum legimus , qui contra spem subspe credidit , deum , quod promiserat , potuissè etiam sacere , ac proindegloriam deo tribuisse dicitur . — voluit hominem ex sensu imperfectionis , ins●mitatis ac miseriae suae , perpetuò , per fidem christi , confugere ad gratuitas ili . ●● promissiones in christo iesu , & ab illis prorsùs pendere ; eâ quippe re existimavit sese quàm maxime glori●icari . — i●llitiailla christi aeterna nobis imputata , maior est iustitiâ hominem & angelorum omnium : & vita , quae est ex iliá n●stitiâ , maior est vitâ c● , quae fuisset ex institiâ operum , si fing as adamum perstitisse in illo statu innocentiae , in quo tumprimùm creatus est . rolloc . in iohan. cap. . c impios extremae blasphemiae reos facit , quia deum mendacij arguunt . certè deo nihil pretiosius est , quàm sua veritas : quare nùlla illi atrocior iniuria fieri potest , quàm dum hoc honore spoliatur . ergò ut nos ad credendum incitet , argumentum à contrario sumit . nam si deum facere mendacem horribilis est , & execranda impietas , quia tunc quod illi maximè proprium est , eripitur : quis non horreat fidem evangelio derogare , in quo deus unice verax & fidelis vult haberi ? — mirantur aliqui , cur tantoperè deus fidem commendet , cur tam severè damnetur incredulitas . atqui hîc vertitur summa dei gloria . nam cum praecipuum veritatis suae specimen in evangelio edere voluerit , nihil illi faciunt reliquum , quicunque oblatum illic christum respuunt . calv. in loc . insignitèr deum iniurijs & contumelijs afficiunt , qui de verbis eius dubitant , & credere morantur . — magnus dei cultus , fides : magna in deum blasphemia , incredulitas . naogeor . ibid. d deus est misericors suâ aeternâ & simplici essentiâ , non autem qualitate aliquâ , non affectu , non passione . polan . syntag. theol lib. . cap. . quia deus naturaliter diligit clementiam , ideò tam facilis est ad ignoscendum peccatoribus . calv. in michaeam , cap. . e misericordia dei melli , iustitia verò aculeo comparatur . bern. f cogita scintillam , si in mare ceciderit , non poterit stare , aut apparere . quantum scintilla ad mare se habet , tantum hominis malitia ad dei clementiam pictatémque ; imò verò non tantum modò , sed & lonè suprà . nam & pelagus , tamet si magnum sit , mensuram recipit : dei verò clementia & pictas mensuram non habet . haec dicam , non quò vos desidiores , sed promptiores reddam . chrys. tom. . de poenit. g credo in deum patrem omnipotentem . vide quàm citò dicitur , & quantum valet . deus est , & pater est : deus potestate , pater bonitate . quàm felices samus , qui dominum nostrum patrem invenimus . credamus ergò in cum , & omnia nobis de ipsius ●●sericordiâ promittamus . quia o●nipotens est , ideò in deum patrem omnipotentem credimus . nemo dicat , non potest mihi dimittere pe●●ata . quomodo non potest omnipotens ? sed dicis , ego multum peccavi , et ego dico , sed ille om●ipotens est . et tu , ego ta●a peccata com nisi , unde liberari & mundari non pussum . respo●●ieo , sed ille omnis ote●● est . — ad hec nobis est erus omnipotentia necessaria . august . de temp . scrip. . h quemadmodum igitur si quis in car●eris cus●odiam 〈◊〉 nammos ob d●●ed●●entem conijcia● , neque ●osum solum , sed cum illa , & propter illum . sim●l●●orem , liberos & f●m●los , v●m●is verò aliu● qui ●ptam , qui non solu sol●at dicem illos numm●● , s●●t & i●●●mera 〈◊〉 talenta largiatur , vinct●mque in reg●lem au●am inducat & in 〈…〉 hono●●● 〈…〉 is ●●ene●ator 〈…〉 ●●gere : i●a & 〈◊〉 factum 〈…〉 siquiten 〈…〉 debeamus , christus pronobis solvit , tantoque plura , quanto gutt●h●m exig●am p●l●gus excilli ●m ensum . noli itaque dissidere , o homo , cùm 〈◊〉 honorum a●r●●ias vtae●s n●que sol●●tas inquiras quomodò scintillula illa mortis atque peccati , to●tosit donorum s●perinducto ma●i soluta & extincia . chrys. hom. ● . in . and rom. satanta inaequalitus prelij & redemp●● , quanta immensi maris & umus guttulae : quorsùm supplemtatum meritorum , & c ? chami●● . tom. . pag. . i concedimus satisfactionis dignitatemori●i à personá satisfaciente : ideo ●ue satisfactionem christi maximae , imò infinitae dignitatis esse . idem . ibid. pa. . philip. . . . pet. . . . cor. . . * master rogers of dedham . k sed videte qualis debet esse poenitentia , quia multi assid●è se du●nt esse peccatores , & tamen adhuc illos delectat peccare . professio est , non emendatio . accusatur anima , non sanatur . pronunciatur offensa , non tollitur . poetentiam certam non facit , nisi odium peccati & amor dei. quandosi● poe●●tes , ut tibi amarum sapiat in animo , quod ante dul●e fuit in vitâ , & quod te prius oblectaba● in corpore , ipsum te cruciat in mente , &c. august . de temp. serm. . * quantū inter tranquillissimū interest portum , & mare tempestuosum atque incommodum . chrysost. ** who is among you that feareth the lord , that obeyeth the voyce of his servant , that walketh in darkenesse , and hath no light ? let him trust in the name of the lord , and stay upon his god : isai. . here it appeares , that one which truly feares god , may walk in darkenesse , and have no light of co●fort : and that such an one may bee certainely saved , by staying upon ●is god. by leaning upon him , as one leanes upon a sta●fe . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 niti , inniti , incumbere , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 incumbebat hastae suae , nitebatur super hastam suam . sam. . . b●xtor . l those that are afflicted in conference , because they want assu●rance of salvation , have no cause of despaire , or of discouragement , as long as with an heavy loaden soule , hungring for mercy , they trust in christ ; and cast themselves wholly upon his merits for salvation , according to the gospell . for the condition of the gospell , required of sinners to salvation , is not a comfort , but a duty ; not an assurance that they are saved , but a trust in christ , that they shall be saved . so that , as long as they rest on christs merits , seeke to no other meanes , but with such an heart , as hath been said , to seeke to christ for salvation ; as soone as they have believed in christ , they are justified sinners , tho they doe not presently feele by the witnesse of the spirit , a full assurance that they are saved . chibald , in his triall of faith , lib. . cap. . pag. : wherefore comfort yourselves , o ye , that are tender-hearted , and troubled-minded christians , because you feele not the assurance of your salvation ; in as much as the condition of the gospell is not ; that hee that believes in christ , shall bee assured of salvation , but that hee shall bee saved : so that though thou never have in thine owne soule a feeling of assured perswasion , that thou art saved ; yet as long , as with a heart mourning after christ , and gasping for him , as the barren land for water ; thou casts thy selfe upon him , and hangs on him still for salvation , with trust unto the merits of his death and obedience , thou shalt in the end and event , certainely bee saved . idem . ibid. pag . there bee that doe truly believe in christ , and that to salvation , if they should then die , that yet are not come to bee perswaded , that christ is theirs , &c. rogers of dedham in his epistle to the reader , pag. penult . m exultemus in domino , gaudeamus cum fletu ; memores simus dignationis divinae & captivitatis nostrae . august . de temp . serm. . * see the properties of a saving thirst be●●●e . pa. . lin . , &c. a in desiderio illo pij animi suspiria inenar●abilia & gaudium ineffabile mirisi●è coadunantur , suspiria inquam , & gaudium , quae ne ipse quidem , qui ea sentit , potest plenè enarrare . rolloc . in iohan. cap. . pag. . . pet. . . d many are still questioning of their beginnings ; and though they came to faith and comfort by these steps , yet are still fearing , that they have not begun in truth , or that they are not in the right way , or took comfort , ere it belonged unto them . and this , because their corruptions bee so strong , and that they cannot doe as they would . but corruptions felt , hated , and striven against , are no markes that wee are not the lords ; but the contrary . it is the subtilty of satan , to keepe them ever at the beginning , that they may never get forward . true , it is good to bee very carefull in laying the foundation of our house ; but if we be ever pulling up , after it is laide , wee shall never finish the building . moster rogers of dedham , doctr. of faith , cap. . pag. . for a true christian to denie the work of gods grace in himselfe — doth no good to him ; but interrupts his prayers , hinders his humiliation , estrangeth him from god , and turneth godly sorrow for his sinne , into desperate : sorrow for the punishment of sinne . master whately . gods husbandry , cap. . e take heed of false reasoning ; as because our fire doth not blaze out , as others , therefore we have no fire at all ; and by false conclusions to sinne against the commandement , in bearing false witnesse against our selves . the prodigall would not say , hee was no sonne ; but that hee was n●t worthy to bee called a sonne . wee must neither trust to false evidence , nor deny true ; for so wee should dishonour the worke of gods spirit in us , and lose the helpe of that evidence , which w●uld cherish our love to christ , and arme us against satans discouragements . some are so faulty this way , as if they had been hired by satan , the accuser of the brethren , to pleade for him , in accusing themselves . doctor sibbes , bruised reed , pag. . f homil. of repentance , pag. . g dike of repentance , cap. . h secundum conscientiae molem exhibenda est poenitentiae magnitudo . ambr. ad virg. ●orr . cap. . i qui culpam exaggeraverit ; exaggeret etiam poenitentiam . idem . de poenit. lib. . cap. . k quàm magna deliquimus , tam graviter des●eamus . cypr. de lapsis ad sin . l vniuscuiusque mens tantum poenitendo cōpunctionis suae bibat lachrymas , quantum se à deo meminit aruisseper culpas . gregor . pastor . curae . pag. . cap. . tantò arctiori manu poenitentiae men à pollutione tergenda est , quantò se per consens●m conspicit sordidiùs inquinatam . idē in . cap. iob. m gravia peccata gravissi nis lamētis indigent . aug. ad fratr . in eremo . n greenh . grave couns p. * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , pungendo penetro . punctìm caede . scap. a multò minùs requirere putandus deus est , ut doleamus de peccato , dolore simplicitèr summ● , qùo nullus intensior esse possit , ut hadrianus requirere videtur . tom. . disp . . qu. . de contritione punct . . b dolor est summus appreciativè , quando voluntas plur●s aestimat detestationem alicuius mali , quàm cuiuscunque boni consecutionim , aut alterius mali evitationem . de poenit . lib. . cap. . art. secunda propositio . c if any cavilling romanist except , and say , that this doctrine may open a way to sloth ; let him heare his owne man , e●ius : doctrina haec benè intellecia non sovet ignaviam poenitentium , sed dubias conscientias magis consolatur & in spem ●rigit , dum tradit sceundum scripturas omnibus peccatoribus synce●è conversis ad deum & peccatum ex animo detestant : bus — patcre reditum in gratium cum deo. in . sent. dist. . §. . art. ad extren●um ] . d vtilissimum tamen est , peccata singula amarissimè , et longo tempore it a destere , ut con tritio non solùm appreciativè , sed etiam intensivè , & extensivè , utsic loquamur , summa dici possit . c poenitens si non cognoscatur habere sufficientem dolorem , doleat se talem non babere , & proponat in posterum non peccare , & absolvatur . f gratianum lombardum , camestorem , fratres fuisse ex adulterio fama obtinuit : & eorum matrem in extremis confitentem negâsse posse sibi displicere peccatum ; quum filios videret esse lumina ecclesie : hinc confessorem , si non habes , inquisse , tantum dolorē , quantum exigit tam horrendum scelus , de hoc tam●n doleas , quòd non potes dolere . referente chamiero , tom. . de satisfac . proprijs lib. . cap. . g quidam adcontritionem requiri dicunt summum conatum hominis , ideóque dolorem debere esse iuxta vires hominus quàm maximè intensum . alijcertum quendam gradum intensionis , itémque certam quantitatem extensionis seu continuationis in contritione requirunt . alij aliter opinantur . verùm hac opinionum varietate omissâ , &c. and so hee comes in with a new one of his owne . esti . in . dist . . §. . h attritio virtute clavium fit contritio . romani correctores gloss. gratiani de poenit . dist. ● . in princ . attritus virtute sacramenti fit contritus . navar. man. cap. . num. . itaque omninò sentiendum est in proposito , christum per institutionem clavium voluisse infirmita●i hominum it a subvenire ; ut cum ij alio qui non possent remissionem peccatorum , nisi per veram contritionem , quae difficillimè babetur , obtinere ; alium praetereà haberent modum , quo etiam absque ciusmodi contritione divinam gratiam certò consequerentur solâ attritione , beneficio potestatis clavium in usu sacramenti . greg. de valent. disp. . q. . de contritione , punct . . art. atque haec nimirùm ] & alij passim . some later schoolemen labour in vaine , to make this point appeare not so extremely absurd , by mincing , nay , by beating into powder ( & confusum est quicquid in p●lverem sectum est ) this poore word attritio , utterly unknowne to scriptures and ancient fathers , as their owne man , ●●lius , confesseth [ attritionis nomen scripturae & patribus incognitum , ● scholae doctoribus distinctionis & doct●inae causà excogitatu , &c. ] by vexi●g , and violent distinctions , of which it is utterly uncapeable : and then lose themselves in the mists of them . es●tus is glad to distingvish so long , untill he flatly make attrition , contriton , [ caeterùm postremi generis attritio vera contritio est . in . dist . . § . ] which , how ridiculous and absurd it is , every childe may judge . and how will hee an●wer aquinas his argument to the contrary ? which runs thus : quorum principia sunt diversa omnin● , corum unum non potest fiert id quod est alterum : sed attritionis principium est timor servilis ; cont●itioni● autem timor silialis ; ergo attritio non potest fieri contritio suppl . . p. q. . art. . h attritio virtute clavium fit contritio . romani correctores gloss. gratiani de poenit . dist. ● . in princ . attritus virtute sacramenti fit contritus . navar. man. cap. . num. . itaque omninò sentiendum est in proposito , christum per institutionem clavium voluisse infirmita●i hominum it a subvenire ; ut cum ij alio qui non possent remissionem peccatorum , nisi per veram contritionem , quae difficillimè babetur , obtinere ; alium praetereà haberent modum , quo etiam absque ciusmodi contritione divinam gratiam certò consequerentur solâ attritione , beneficio potestatis clavium in usu sacramenti . greg. de valent. disp. . q. . de contritione , punct . . art. atque haec nimirùm ] & alij passim . some later schoolemen labour in vaine , to make this point appeare not so extremely absurd , by mincing , nay , by beating into powder ( & confusum est quicquid in p●lverem sectum est ) this poore word attritio , utterly unknowne to scriptures and ancient fathers , as their owne man , ●●lius , confesseth [ attritionis nomen scripturae & patribus incognitum , ● scholae doctoribus distinctionis & doctrinae causà excogitatu , &c. ] by vexi●g , and violent distinctions , of which it is utterly uncapeable : and then lose themselves in the mists of them . es●tus is glad to distingvish so long , untill he flatly make attrition , contriton , [ caeterùm postremi generis attritio vera contritio est . in . dist . . § . ] which , how ridiculous and absurd it is , every childe may judge . and how will hee an●wer aquinas his argument to the contrary ? which runs thus : quorum principia sunt diversa omnin● , corum unum non potest fiert id quod est alterum : sed attritionis principium est timor servilis ; cont●itionis autem timor silialis ; ergo attritio non potest fieri contritio suppl . . p. q. . art. . i matth. . . k in his answer to the iesuites chalenge , pag. . and . l receptissimum est aliorum omnium theologorum axionia , quòd sacramentum suppleat ex opere operato defectum contritionis . disput. . q. . de contritione punct . . m . cor. . . n odèrunt pec●are bon● virtutis a more . ho● . lib. . epist. . n fatemur enim perfectum odium peccati esse illud , quod ex amore dei iustitiaeque procedit ; & ideò dolorem sive odium ex timore poenae conceptum non contritionem sed attritionem nominamus . bellarm. lib. . de poenit . cap. . art. respondeo , si admit teremus ] . o id. ibid. p argumentum rectè probat ●os , qui timorem servilem habent , inor dinatos & malos esse , &c. id. ibid. art. respondeo , argumentum ] . q i grant , the lord , who is the most free agent , takes liberty , and workes as it pleaseth him ; and there is oddes and difference for time , measure , and such things : but for the generall , alwayes the same ; by humbling first , then comforting , &c. master rogers of dedham , of faito cap. . pag. . r david , psal. . beeing put in minde by his sicknesse of gods wrath against sinne , was full sorely afflicted in soule : so that hee cries ; there is no soundnesse in my flesh , because of thine anger : neither is there any rest in my bones , because of my sinne . for mine iniquities are gone over mine head : as an heavy burden , they are too heavy for mee . — i am troubled , i am bowed downe greatly ; i goe mourning all the day long . — i am seeble , and sore broken ; i have roared by reason of the disquietnesse of my heart . — my sorrow is continually before mee . s but how may this re●●●si●ation , with as great , if not greater 〈◊〉 than at first tur●ing unto god , 〈◊〉 which ● rom. . . 〈…〉 received the 〈◊〉 it of bo●dage againe to ●●ar● , which seemes to i●port thus much ; that gods child● recei●e● the spirit of bondage no more , after hee hath once received the spirit of adoption ; revealing , and evidencing ●nto him , that hee is a sonne and that god is his father ? in answer : the same spirit produceth these contrary effects : by the 〈◊〉 , feare , and terrour ; by the gospell , peace , and prayer . [ ●acit du●s spiritus 〈…〉 & adoptionis , & his contraria tribuit effecta , ùon quò . t●●t 〈◊〉 spirits 〈◊〉 ●●quod ●ias●em spiritus diversa & contraria sint effecta , per legem & per evangelium . ●er lege● 〈◊〉 spiritus sanitus arguit mundum de pecca●o , de i●â ▪ dei , & maledi●●●oce ater●●● &c. par. in ●oc ] now at the first taking a man in hand to turne him unto the 〈◊〉 the spirit of bondage by the worke of the law , doth testif●e unto the soule , that it is in a wretched , and lamnable state , bound over in the guilt of it's owne sinne , and god●●●ry wrath to d●●th and hell , and damnation for ever ; that so it may bee driven to iesus christ for release and pardon . but after the plantation of faith , and presence of the 〈…〉 ● never testifies so againe ; because it would be an untruth . it may afterward work● an apprehension , that god is angry ; but not , that he is not a father . the hiding of gods face , which may often befall his childe ; the darknesse of our owne spirits 〈◊〉 , which may revive all the old guilt againe , and the divels cruell pressing 〈…〉 ●pon such advantages , raise these hideous mists of horror i have in hand 〈…〉 after-tempests , which are so terrible . of which , our onely-wise , and all-power 〈…〉 makes excellent use , both for our selves and others , and attaines thereby his owne most glorious , secret , and sacred end ; as appeares in the following passage . t 〈…〉 est ●word di●●re 〈…〉 , qui pat●●batur , non ut puniretur , sed ut ●robaretur . august . tom. . p. . pag. . a . prima & generalior causa afflictionum sunt peccata vel nostra , vel aliena . . altera , ut exerceamur , probemur ; & ne peccemus cauti reddamur , . tertia ut declaretur in nobis gloria potentiae ac bonitatic dei. musc. in ioan. cap. . docet christus ut maximè omnes homines peceatores sint : non tamen omnes afflictiones propter peccatorum merita contingere . nam deus habet in homines , quos affligit , diversos respectus : alterum impeccata , alterum in suam gloriam . — si gloriam suam respiciat affligit , non propter peccatum , sed ad gloriam manifestandam . sic afflixit iosephum , israelitas in aegypto , &c. brentius ibid. b now whether a mā , after hee is in state of grace , may feele this wound bleed afresh , is a question with some , through their weakenesse ; tho if we consult with scripture and experience , the question is out of question , loe , all these things ( saith elihu truly ) worketh god oftentimes with a man , that hee may turne backe his soule from the pit. examples are frequent , &c. sclater in h●● s.s.s. * . cor. . . c it is not unknowne in lancashire , what horses , and cattell of her husbands were killed upon his grounds ▪ in the night most barbarously , at two severall times , by seminary priests ( no question ) and recusants , that lurked there abouts and what a losse and hindrance it was unto him , being all the stocke he had on his grounds , to any purpose . in the story of the holy life and christian death of mistris katherin brette●gh , pag. . d ibid. in mast. leyghs postscript to papists . c et sipeccatum in quibuscunque calamitatibus causae locum semper habeat , nempe efficientis & originalis : tamen non semper peccati poena finis est is , quem intuetur deus . &c. f si deus peccata respiciat , & iniquitatis merita , nullam est adeò ingens supplicium , quo non merito affligamur omnes , quotquot origin●m nostram ex . adamo ducimus . si enim deus , iniquitatem observauerit , quis sustinebit ? psal. . . brent . in iohan. cap. . . chron. . . g gods children are bruised reeds bef●re their conversion , and often times after : before conversion , all , ( except such as being bred up in the church , god hath delighted to shew himselfe gracious unto , from their child hood ) yet in different degrees , as god seeth meet ; and as a difference is , in regard of temper , parts , manner of life : so gods intendment of imployment for the time to come : for usually hee empties such of themselves , and makes them nothing , before hee will use them in any great services . doctor sibbes , bruised reed , pag. . h quan vis resipiscentia dolorem semper secum adferat de peccatu ●raeteritis & praesentibus ; non tam proprie tamen aut ●ssentialiter consistit in dolore , atque in aversatione , & odio peccati , & in firmo proposito hom prosequendi . amos . . . odio habete malum & amate bonum . amesius medull . theol. lib. . cap. . sect. . i n●n nocent peccata prae●e●●ta , si non pla● c●t pr●sentia . august . de temper . serm. ● . cap. . peccata non n●cent , si non placent . ide● . k it thou be truly , and unfainedly g●iev●d , for this , that thou canst not ●ee grieved , thy humiliation shall bee accepted . perkins , case of conscience , 〈◊〉 cap. . scit . . case . dulcat qu● quia peccavit , quia deum off●ndit ; aut sal●e doleat , quia 〈…〉 dole●cisae , 〈…〉 ●it , ut deo magis placeat , & homini utiliu● sit velle esse 〈…〉 . s●atire contritionem aut de●otionem : quta velle habere & non habere general afflictunen . ●o●dis : ita●● dot , & trascere tibi ipsi , atque damnabilem te iudica , quò 〈…〉 non delea● quan●●● debeas . de consollat pusillan . ad dolorem 〈◊〉 , pertin●t etiam hoc 〈◊〉 , qu●d non ●ossumus de peccato satu doi●re . remissio 〈…〉 ex magnitidine sufficientiá & merito contritionis , sed ex obedientiâ ● s●tisf●ctione christ● , fide app●chens● chemn . exam. de contrit . defecius tristitiae , cut delorum appe●●● s●nsit●vo , non est certum indicium in poenitentiae , mul●o que minus defectus 〈…〉 . nam cum hac virtus in volu●tate sit , potesi absque motu appetitus 〈◊〉 . exerceri : quod etiam saepesit , 〈◊〉 , . propter sei sus alioqui hebetudine● ; vel , propter spirituale● ▪ delectationem , qua● ex diviná contemplatione in ipso etiam dolore de peccatis quandoque bomo perci it , &c. quin etiam salutare est , praesertim incipientibus buius●●●ti tristitiam , quantum eniti possunt , in sese excitare . those who are so happy , as by the be ●esit of r●ligious parents , a g●●ly family , good ed●cation under powerfull meanes , have never entred upon any noto●●ousnesse , but by gods blessing upon those meanes have suckt-in grace in their younger yeeres , as is said of timothy ; and such also , as after a prophane course have been turned unto god , somewhat more easily , then ordinary ; and so both complaine of the want of that testimony of terrible pangs in their conversiō , which they heare others take of ; yet i say , beeing now upright hearted , and in the holy path : they may take comfort by comparing themselves with , and casting their eyes upon a world of unregenerate people about them ; from which by the mercies of god , they differ as farre , as living men from a number of rotten dead carions , and so may assure themselves of soundnesse . ** altus est deus , humilit est christianus . si vuli ut altus : deus 〈◊〉 tur illi , ●le humilis sit . magna mys●eria fratres , deus super omnia est : erigis te , ●● uanillum ta●●gis : ilu●ilias te , & ipse ad te descendit . august in psal. . l daniel dyke , in his treatise of repentance , cap. . * . pet. . . non est cor integrum , nisi sit scissum . o tretatio desertionis est omnium gravi●sima : & diet solet s●●pensio gratiae , agon conscientiae , auxietas infernalis . alst. theolog. cal. cap. . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 cr●ciatuum insernali●m . p but how is it possible , that hee should entertaine any such conceit ; sith he knows in his owne conscience , that hee hath formerly made conscience of all sinne to avoide them ; and laboured to please god in all things ; infalliable notes of a new man ? answ. in height , and heate of temptation , hee may thinke , that all the good hee did , was in pride and hyprocrisie : so did m. p. and that hee forbore sinne , onely for slavish feare : so did g. w. and yet the darkenesse of his horrour and errour disperst , hee comes againe to himselfe , and sees clearely , that tho with much weakenesse , yet hee did both the one and the other in syncerity : as did both these blessed saints of god afterward . q see an heape of them coucht together in austin : sed ne ti●eas , o sponsa , ne desperes , ne existimes te contemni , si paulisper tibi subtrahit sponsus faciem suam . omnia ista conperantur tibi in bonum , & de accessu , & recessu lucrum acquiris , tibi venit , tibi & recedit . venit ad consolationem , recedit ad cautelam , ne magnitudo consolationis extollat te , ne si semper apud te sit sponsus , incipias contemnere sodales , & hanc continuam visitationem non iam gratiae attribuas , sed naturae . hanc autem gratiam cui vult , & quando vult sponsus attribuit , non iure haereditario possidetur . vulgare proverbium est , quòd nimia familiaritas parit contemptū recedit ergò ne fortè nimis assiduus contēnatur , & absens magis desideretur , desideratus avidiùs quaeratur ; diù qua situs tandē gratiùs inveniatur . praetereà quae est praesens vita ? quae respectu futurae gloriae , quae revelabitur in nobis , aenigmatica est , qua● nunc ex parte cognoscimus . nam hic civiintem manentem non habemus , sed inquirimus futuram . ne ergò exilium deputemus propatriâ , arram pro pretij summâ ; venit sponsus , et recedit vicissim , nunc consolationem afferens , nunc universum statum nostrum in infirmitatem commutans . pau●●sper nos permittit gustare , quàm suavis est , & antequam plenè sentiamus , se subtrabit ; & ita quasi alis expassis supra nos volitans , provocat nos ad volandum : quasi dicat , ecce parùm gustâstis , sum dulcis : sed si vult is plenè saturari hâc dulcedine , currite post me in odorem ungventorum meorum , habentes sursùm corda , ubi ego sum in dextrâ dei patris , ubi videbitis me , non per speculum in aenigmate ; sed facie ad faciem , & ubi plenè gaudebit cor vestrum , & gaudium vestrum nemo tollet à vobis . tom. . p. . pag. * i meane ; he being gods deare childe . r in sanctorum cordibus iuxta quasdam virtutes , semper permanet spiritus : iuxta quasdam verò recessurus venit , & venturus recedit . — in his virtutibus sine quibus ad vitam minimè pervenitur , sanctus spiritus in electorum suorum cordibus permanet . in his verò , per quas sanctitatis virtus ostend●tur , aliquando misericorditèr praestò est , & aliquandò misericorditèr recedit hom. . super ezech. in his donis sine quibus ad vitam perveniri non potest , spiritus sanctus sive in predicatoribus suis , sive in electis omnibus semper manet . idem . mor. lib. . cap. . s heare theo ▪ hilact upon the same theame , in peters case . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , rogavi dicit christus , ut non deficiat sides tua . etsi enim pòst paulò concutiendus es , habes tamen insita semina fidei . et quantumvis folia deturbârit ventus insultantis , [ for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is here more truly , and properly rendred ventus , then spiritus , as it is ordinarily translated ] tamen radix vivit : neque deficiet fides tua . in um lucae . t mansisse semen dei in davide lapso , res ipsa testatum facit : id enim suscitatum nathanis concione : tu virille mortis : mox eum in confessionem criminis , doloris , & resipiscentiae prorumpere , & exclamare fecit : peccavi : malum feci : miscrere mei deus secundum magnitudinem miserationum tuatum . id semen precatur sibi non auferri : spiritum tuum sanctum ne auferas à me : ergò spiritum sanctum non amiserat penitùs , quoad omnia dona : alioqui necita precari , nec resipiscere potuisset . parcus adversus bellar. de amiss . grat . & slat . pecc . lib. . cap. . davids heart could not pray for cleannesse , if it were , not somewhat cleane . estey upon psalm . . u deus suorum peccatis verè iras●itur , & se eis iratum intùs terroribus , foris flagellis declarat . tunc ergò fugit ex corde gratiae sensus , evanescit laetitia . interim deus peccantes filios non penitùs abijcit , non odit , non abdicat electionis 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , sed castigationibus in viam revocat , corrigil , reconciliationis sensum & laetitiam paulatim reddit procantibus . si enim nemo pater terrenus hoc facit , ut filium gravitèr delinquentem mox domo eliminet , exhaeredem faciat : quantò minus id pater coelestis facit filijs , quos anto iacia mundi fundamenta in christo elegit , adoptavit ? par. ibid. sect. ad tertium . ] a creating , to speake properly , is to make of nothing : but is used here improperly , the prophet speaketh according to his owne feeling , and present iudgement of himselfe , as tho hee had lost all , and had no goodnesse in himselfe . no doubt the prophets heart was in part cleane , tho not so much as hee desired . estey . ibid. b et spiritum fanctum tuum ne auferas à me ] est enim spiritus sanctus in confitente . nam ad donum spiritus sancti pertinet , qu●al . bi displicet quod fecisti . immundo spiritui peccata placent , sancto displicent . quamv●● ergò adhuc venam depreceris , tamen ex aliá parte , quâ tibi displicet malum , quod commisisti deo , coniungeris . hoc enim & tibi displicet quod & illi , — nec ait , spiritum sanctum tuum da mibi : sed ne auseras à me . august . in psal. . c renati prorsùs non excidunt à sanctitate & adoptione . suffra . colleg. de art. . thes. . . v●de syn. dor●●echt . but what say you then to ●rt .. ? answ. when the article saith , wee may depart ●●em gr●ce , the meaning of it is , that the elect of god called according to purpose , may swerve f●om the directions of gra●e in some particular things ; and fall into grievous sinnes , out of which they are to be raysed by repentance ; and not , that they totally fall from it . doctor field , append. p. . ad fin . pag . in fidei articulis in hybern●●e regno authoritate regiâ promulgatis exp●nitur : neque total●er , neque finaliter posse fiers . epise sarisburiens . in thoms . diatribam , cap. . d about the same time , one bertius , a schole● of the late armimus , who was the first in our age , that i●●ected ●ey●en with heresie , was so impudent as to send a letter to the arch bishop of canterbury , with a booke intituled , de apostasiâ sanctorum . — the title whereof onely were enough to make it worthy the fi●e . king iames in his declaration against vorstius and a little after thus : what need wee make any question of the arrogancy of these heretikes , or rather atheisticall sectari●● amongst you , when one of them at this present , remaining in your towne of leyden , hath not onely presumed to publish of late , a blasphemous booke , of the apostasie of the saints ; but hath besides been so impudent , as to send the other day , a copy thereof , as a goodly present to our archbishop of canterbury , together with a letter : wherein he is not ashamed ( as also in his booke ) to lie so grossely , as to avow , that his heresies contained in the said booke , are agreeable with the religion and profession of our church of england . ibid. e spiritus sanctus de●ituit in davide , cum admisit adulterium , & homicidium , sicut vita in plantâ tempore hyemali . et si suas vires non exeruit , nec tamen prorsus f●it o●ios●s : impedijt enim quò minus david toto ani●i studio in haec incumberet horrenda slagitia . doctor holland , divinity professour in oxford , moderating in this question , holden negatively . an●usti fides potest ad tempus ami●●i , aut finaliter desincre ? the lords chosen may fall from their outward prerogatives , and from the fruites : but that divine nature still abideth in them : and it is onely with their grace , as it is with the ●inde in distempers of melancholy and phrensie ; with the sunne in ecclipses ; with the tree , when leaves and fruites f●ils its with the naturall life , when it mooveth not , ne yet breatheth sensibly ; which in diseases of the mother is often discerned . their ●aith i● a never-failing faith ; their life an eternall life ; their seede , a seede abiding in them . p. baine , triall of a christians state , pag. . f petrus cum peccavit charitatem non amisit , quta peccavit pot●us in veritatem quàm in charitatem . — sic & david cum peccavit , charitatem non peratdit , sed obstupuit quodammodò in eo charitas , ad vehementem tentationis ictum : et charitatis in eo nequaquam facta est abolitio , sed quasi quaedam soporatio , quae mox ut ad vocem arguent●s prophetae ●v gilavit , continuò in illam ardentissimae charitatis confessionem ●rupit : peccavi domino . de nat . & dignit . amoris divini . cap. . h vna causa , cur de peccatis suae pueritiae loquatur , est , quòd in illâ aetate vehementiores sint cupiditates , propterea dicitur in psalmo , quinam diriget adolescens viam suam ? si custodiat verbum tuun . cur de iuvenibus potiùs quàm de alijs sit mentio ? nempe quia natura human● , quae semper est vistosa & prava , tunc maxime ebullit , &c. calv. conc. . in iob. * psal. . . i he ( meaning christ ) makes as tho hee heard not ( to wit , the woman of canaan ) , that the precious graces lockt up in the cabinet of her heart , might bee brought forth to light . doctor worship in his sermon upon mat. . . &c. pag. . k iam. . . * iob . . isa● . ● . if christians had not somtimes dead harts , they would have proud hearts . hart. pag. . iam. . . cant . . vers. . * let no christian then afflict his soule with any catking , or vexing fore-thought of fiery times . assure thy selfe , if god call thee to suffer in that kinde ; hee will graciously give unto thee a martyrs faith , a martyrs patience , and a crowne of martyrdome . act . . a in hac cogitatione non dubium est primum 〈…〉 qui suo 〈…〉 critatem 〈…〉 mortem , 〈…〉 t●●tm con●●●●●at : & tamen receptus est ille ia gratiam , & restitutu● . — posteà reliqua etiam exempla li●erationum conquirebat : u● quod solus noc cum suà familià servatur in diluvio : quòd p●pulus israeliticus ingenti miraculo educitur ex-aegypto , & servat●● in marirubro : quòd aaron autor horrendae idololatriae non a●ijcitur , nec absorbetur ab irâ livinà : quòd populus israeliticus morae impatiens & fremens in d●serto adversus deum , et eius ministros , non totus consumitur in deserto , sed tandem introducitur in terram promissam . postremò suas quoque liberationes ▪ in quibus antehaec praesentiam & amorem dei erga se conspexerat , me●oriâ repetivit . moller . in psal. . recogitavi di●s antiquos ] priorum tuorum , inquit , beneficiorum memoriam renotavi , cogitavìque quan ta sint à te maiores nostri beneficia consequnti , quomodò è servitute aegyptiacâ liberati sint , quomodò mare rubrum transierint , & quomodò terram promissam acceperint . a in the story of tho. whittell , first , recanting , and then repenting the same . b god suffered mee to faint , & faile through humane infirmitie , by the working of the arch-enemy in his sworne souldiers , the bishops and priests : in whom so lively appeareth the very visage and shape of satan , that a man ( if it were not prejudice to gods word ) might well affirme them to bee divels incarnate , as i by experience do speake . acts and monuments , pag. . a nedicus est , adh●● putrehabes nescio quid , clamas ; sed adbuc secat ; & non tollit manum , nisi secuerit quantum videtur . etenim medicus crudelis est , qui exaudit hominem , & parcit vulnera & putredini . matres quomodo sricant in balneis ad salutem filios ? nonne parvuli clamant inter manus earum ? illae ergò crudeles sunt , ut non parcant , non exaudiant lachrymas ? nonne plenae sunt pretate ? et tamen clamant pueri , & non eis parcitur . sic & deus noster plenus est charitate : sed ideoò vi●etur non exaudire , ut sanet , & pa●●a● in sempiternum . august in psal. . lethargic● excitantur , ph●enetica ●eantur s●d tamen utrique amantur . idem . in psal . si malum morb●so●●us creveri● , maiora remed●a ●●eruntur , & pro 〈◊〉 ●ominis 〈…〉 potus 〈…〉 error . gentil . 〈…〉 . * foxe , in the story of master robert glover , and of iohn glover his brother , pag. . * in his sermon upon habac. . . of the certainty and perpeta●y of the faith in the elect. in this wee know , wee are not deceived , neither can wee deceive you , wh●● wee teach , that the faith , whereby wee are sanctified , cannot faile ; it did not in the ●●●phet , it shall not in you . ibid pag. . they which are of god , doe not sinne , either 〈◊〉 , or in any thing , any such sinne , as doth quite extingvish grace ; 〈…〉 christ iesus ▪ because the seede of god abideth in them , and do●● thie●● 〈◊〉 from ●●●eiving any irr●mediable wound . their faith , when it is at 〈…〉 weake , 〈…〉 when it is at the weakest , so strong ▪ that utterly it 〈…〉 ●●together , no , not in them , who thinke it utterly 〈…〉 . pag. ● . * tamdiu non relabimur retrò , quamdiu ad priora contendimus . august . epist. . c non deserit , etiamsi deserere videatur . non deserit etiamsi deserat . august . quosdam deserit , quosdam deserere videtur . ambr. in psal. . deus bonos non negligit cùm negligit . nec obliviscitur sed quasi obliviscitur . rustin in psal. psal. . * ex ae privat . & 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , d●mo . quòd nullis ictibus cedat . ** palma non cedit ponderi , sed quò magis rami illius premuntur , eò assurgunt altiùs . hinc apud veteres fuit victoriae insigne , ut apparet ex apocal. . v. . alst. psal. . . . psal. . . . cor. . . habbak . . rom. . . galat. . . heb. . . rom. . . d heus don●ine deus , ●●ra hora , & brevis mora . sapit quidem svavissimè , sed guslatur rarissimè . bernard . psal. . . rom. . . iohn . . malach. . . * semelelectus , semper dilectus . a renatus non denascitur . side deo conceperis , certus crit partus tuus , non erit aborsu● . august . rom. . . . b de quo sanctissimus ille vir , & alij in sacrâ scripturâ , certò considere potuit ; ae ●o etiam alij sancti viri certò confidere possunt & dehent : ratio : quia ommum sanctorum sides codem fundamento promissionum divinarum nititur , idémque spiritus omnes inhabitat , licèt diversâ mensurâ . de gratiâ propriâ & remissione peccatorum , iob , david , paulus , certò considere potuerunt , ut est demonstratum : decídem igitur & alij sancti certò considere possunt , at debent . par. adversus bellande iustisicat . lib. . cap . sect. statigitur . c ergò , inquam , irascitur deu● inter dum suis , id est , iustes . at non deserit . imò & deserit . isaiae quinquage simo quarto ; ad punctum in modico dereliquite : & in miserationibus magnis congregabote . psalmo vigesimo secundo , deus meus , deu●meus , quare dereliquisti me ? haec manifesta . tantùm distingvendum , ira● d●i alias reprobationis esse , quae adversus iustos nulla sit unquam : alias correptionis , quae omnib●● communis : non s●eleratis-tantùm , sed etiam iustis : utrisque tamen propter peccata . e●dem modo , & d●sertio iudicanda : temporalis , an t eterna . illa , quae homines permittit ad tempus luc●ari cunt malo , interdum culpae , saepitis poenae : haec , quae ijsdem laxat habenas , ut à peccatis in peccat a delopsi , poenas dent tandem aeternas . hoc modo iustos , idest , fideles nunquam d●serit deus : 〈…〉 chamier . tom. . lib. . cap. . sect. . d vt fides certiùs niti promissioni possit , deus iureiurando foedus suum sancit , atque imbecillitati naturae consulit . valdè enim difficile est in hac carnis nostrae imbecillitate , & in hac peccatorum & aerumnarum mole , quibus oppressi sumus , retinere hane fidem , quòd simus in gratiâ apud deum , et quòd i●●e animum suum erga nos non mutet , etiamsise in poenis irasci nonnunquam ostendat . sed excitanda est fides in hac luctâ , consideratione inrisjurandi , quo deus promissionem confirmat . maius enim à deo praestari non potest , quàm quòd sacrum suum nomen adhibet , illúdque tanquam pignoris vice promissioni adijcit . moller ▪ in locum . e accidit interdùm , ut christum in nobis sentiamus , qui sensus illi●ò nullus sit ; residet tamen in nobis , ut anima in corpore dormientis , licèt nec ipsa nec ulla eius operatio sentiatur . spin. de justir . christi . f mulier foetum conceptum non semper molitantem sentit : ubi tamen semel , & iterum sensit , praegnantemse esse non ambigit . idem . ibid. * of which , see my directions for a more comfortable walking with god , pag. . a deus efficaciter electos vocando indit ●psis principium aeterna durationis , quod in ijs solis reperitur : hoc in scripturis vocatur radix insita , matth. . . semen manens , . ioh. . . & immortale , . pet. . . vnctio manens , . ioh. . . sermo insitus , iam. . . spiritus inhabitans , . cor. . . fons aquae salientis in vitam aeternam , ioh . . ames . coron . art. . cap. . iob . ● . h chrysostomus alicubi docet ; satius esse longe in carcere detineri obscurissimo , teterrimo ; quàm in theatris versari . quispiam saepè ingreditur carcerem superbus , exit demisso animo ; ingreditur suribundus , exit mansuetus ; ingreditur delicatus , exit patiens miseriarum , &c. versà vice , se res babet in theatris : ingrederis modestus , exis lascivus ; ingrederis mitis , exis in furorem proiectus & tragoedias ; ingrederis animo moderato & virili , exis dissolatus in delicias & vanitates , &c. i am sure i retaine chrysostomes sense . a pares esse possunt in charitate coram deo : & ille qui spirituali consolatione per●unditur , & ille , ●ui eâ privatur . imò si dili●enter pensetur , magis pericli tari poterit , qui devotionis dulcedine fruitur , quàm is cui haec denegatur . ratio . quia si consolatione hui●smodi fungens de gratiâ tali confidat & sut impersectum exinde considerare negligat ; suâ devotione erit deo potiùs remotior , quâm propinquior propter suam presumptionem & satuam confidentiam . gers. tract de remed . contra pusillan . psal. . . . b subtraxisli sensum favoris & benevolentiae tuae , ita ut quocunque me verterem , nihil nisi deum iratum cernerem , ita tandem excussus est mihi ille veternus , quo mens antea erat sopita , & incidi in magnam consternationem , & horrendos dolores , in quibus luitari me oportuit cum desperatione , cum sensu mortis & inserorum , &c. haec enim est illa consternatio , de quâ hic loquitur . moller . in loc. c desperati● duplex : . temporaria , quam sily dei interdum experiuntur , cùm doloribus in●erni circundantur & terribili maximarum tentationum luctâ , perpetuóque impendentium calamitatum onere premuntur , & quasi exanimantur : quam tamen mox auxilio gratiae divi●●ae ac spiritus sancti , & per consolationem scripturarum , fide vivâ superant , laetámque catastrophen sortiuntur : sicuti davidis , psal. . . . & . . & . , &c. & aliorum electorum exemplo comprobatur . . finalis , nihil aliud est , quàm peccata sua maiora & graviora aestimare , quàm gratiâ divinâ , & merito filij dei remitti & expiari queant — non expectare gratiam , veniam & alia benesi●ia credentibus promissa sed horribili sensuirae dei & metu suturae abiectionis in aeternas poenas & mortem trepidare , & cruciari conscientiâ atque deum ●anquam crudelem & tyrannum exhorres●ere , ●disse , & blasphemare . alexiphar . adversus desperat , pag. ▪ &c. d psal. . . ostendi● , quales f●erint cogitationes a●●mi luctantis cum irâ dei , & cum desperatione : cùm enim dolor non ●emi●teret , etiamsi multa , quae ad eum sedandum factura videbantur , animo colligeret , sed subindè magis intenderetur & cresceret : tandem penè fractus magnitudine & morâ calamitatis , ●rumpit in has voces , an in secula repellet ? haec epitasis est huius certaminis , in quâ parum absuit à desperatione . videbat nullis remedij , bactenus sedari potuisse dolorem . ideò diabolus immittit e● has cogitationes ; frustra cum respicere ad gratiam & misericordiam d●●●nam : quia ira de●●ta accensa , & essusa sit , ut sedari aut exting vi posthac non possit : nec restareal●ud , quàm tristem damnationis sententiam , quae expectanda sit . moller in locum . e psal . . non ab externâ aliquâ calamitate , quae tolerari ac vinci nonnunquam , praesertim à pijs potest , erant his dolores ; sed à sensu irae & iudicij divini , qui sensus initium & quasigustus est mortis aeterne . — a signo magnitudinem sui doloris ostendit , quòd perpetuò suerit non tantum facie , sed animo consternato , anxio & dubio , ut nesciret quid ageret , aut quò sese verteret ; at que ut fides huc illuc agitata semper in metu versatur , ne mox inter suos dolores exting veretur . id enim propriè significat verbum no. idem in loc. f acts and monuments , pag. . g the christian life and death of mistris brettergh , pag. . h discourse of master peacocks desertion . i ibid. * see doctor andrewes sermon upon this text : behold and see , if there bee any sorrow like my sorrow . and that nothing might bee wanting to make his sorrowes beyond measure sorrowfull , his father withdrew from him that solace hee was wont to finde in god. field of the church , lib. . cap. . his father , by divine dispensation , shewing no comfort . maxey of christs agony . b in a gloomy day there is so much light , wherby we may know it to bee day , and not night : so there is something in a christian under a cloud , whereby hee may bee discerned to bee a true believer , and not an hypocrite . there is no meere darkenesse in the state of grace , but some beame of light , whereby the kingdome of darknesse wholy prevaileth not . do●tor si●bes bruised reed , pag. . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . c aridus & spiritualis dulce dinis vacuus , attamen pro devotione lahorans , & id quod in se est faciens ; licet corde quasi frigido & spiritu repido debitum suum deo solvens cumsui ipsius vilificatione , & divinae miserationis magnificatione , poterit propter sui humiliationem deo multò fore acceptior . gers. trac . de remed . cont pusillan . saepenumerò sit ut deo magis placeat & homini utilius sit , velle esse contritum , aut devotum , quàm se●tire contritionem aut devotionem , quia velle habere , & non habere generat afflictionem cordis . — haec contritio tametsi sensibilis non sit , licèt interim cor patiaris durum , aridum & siccum sussicit ad salutem . ego enim ( inquit deus ) vestram attendo miseriam , vestram imbecillitatem , vestram paupertatem , nec ullo modo bonae voluntati desperandum est , quantumlibet cordis sentiat ariditatem seu frigiditatem , quando vellet se non peccâsse , stat uítque propter me , posthac nolle peccare . lansper . apud blos . de consolat . pusillan . * ioh. . . d dilectio , quâ nos prosequitur deus , propriè loquendo non alia est ; quàm quâ filium suum ab initio dilexit , ut in eo nos quoque gratos sibi & amabiles redderet . — inaestimabile fidei privilegium , quòd scimus dilectum fuisse christum à patre nostrâ causâ , ut eiusdem amoris essemus consortes , & perpetuò simus . calv. in loc. e iob . . * or at least , vertuall power of heating . e at first , ioseph was strange , and rough unto his brethren , to make them remember their fault : but in the meane time hee gave them foode without money , & afterwards comforted them , gen. . so at the first doth christ , by touch of conscience , without feeling of assurance of mercy , at an instant humble us : but in the meane time , bee in love gives us secret grace freely , that wee despaire not , till wee get the feeling of sol●d comfor● . . cor. . moses unvailed . . ioseph . f lutherus vir sanctus anno . in hu●us tentationis paroxys●o constitutus sudavit , & animo & corpore tristissime decubuit . qui postea dicere solitus e●● : se malle in profundissimo carcere captivum ●eneri , per totam vitam suam ; quàm ad horam cruciatus istos denuò sustinere . casm . tent. sch. . cap. . g nos non tantùm poenas corporeas eramus commeriti : syllogismus . omnes poenae à nobis commeritae , toleratae sunt à christo : at poenae animae erant à nobis commeritae : ergo , poenae animae christus toleravit : certè , antequam corpus pateretur , christus ipse testabatur suam animam esse perturbatam , & quidem usque ad mortem . chamier , that great glory of france , and the whole christian world ; in whose hands , bellarmine , that goliah of rome , is but a very childe . tom. . lib. . cap. . quis tam caecus , ut nunc saltem non videat huius argumenti certitudinem ? si christus , naturali illo sensu magis horruit mortem ▪ quàm ullus unquam hominum : tum vel mollior fuit reliquis omnibus : vel in morte apprehendit aliquid praeter mortem : at ille vehementius horruit : & tamen non fuit mollior reliquis , imò verò constantier : ergò apprehendit in morte suâ aliquid gravius morte corpored . idem & ibid. cap. . * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , col. . . h iram in silium ne nos quidem dicimus ; nisi per accidens : sed iram inpeccata , pro quibus se pati christus sentiebat . iram quidem non meruit christus , perfectè iustus , proindéque innocens : sed effecta tamen eius irae sensit , ut vadem peccatorum oportuit . ibid. cap. . * here was an amazed feare ; for millions of men to despaire , was not so much , as for him to feare . — never man was so afraid of the torments of hell , as christ ( standing in our roome ) of his fathers wrath . hall in his passion sermon , pag. . i christ was not forsaken any of these foure wayes : first , the essence of the god-head was never severed , or excluded from christ the man , but it dwelt in him at all times fully , coloss. . . secondly , the personall union of the two natures was never dissolved : and so the person of the sonne never forsooke the humanity of christ. thirdly , the power of the god-head also was alwayes present with him , enabling him to beare the full viall of gods wrath . fourthly , the gracious assistance of gods spirit was never wanting , inabling christ without the least impatiency , distrust , &c. to beare , whatsoever was inflicted upon him for our sinnes : but hee was forsaken , first , positively ; in that god the father poured upon him the infinite sea of his wrath , which hee now felt . secondly , privatively : in that hee was berest , and forsaken of all comfortable presence ; the god-head for a season , shadowing it selfe under the cloud of gods wrath , that the man-hood of christ might feele the intolerable burden thereof : and thus christ being destitute of consolation , complaineth that hee was forsaken . but christ being thus forsaken , hee sustained the wrath of god , strived with it , and subdued it ; that is , he delivered both himself and us from it , and so perfectly finished the worke of our redemption . the bright morning starre , pag. , &c. k . deus existimatur à nob●● recessisse nósque deserüisse , &c. . hinc proiecti sumus in abyssum irae & iudicij divini , quam sentientes terremur , quasi planè simus irae & iustitiae divinae fluctibus atque procellis demergend ▪ & horribili velut voragine absorbendi . . ex hac abysso praecipitamur in profunditatem dolorum conscientiae , quae propter peccata & irae divinae sensum nos contra testatur , accusat , flagel●at , torquet , & damnat mole poenarum obruta . causas habet conscientia dolorū multas : prospiciens aeternas poenas doloribus certè excru●iatur . inde ipsi abyssus & vorago formidabilis . . ex hac demùm profunditale in aliam diabolicam abyssum dilabimur , telis sugati , & vulnerati diaboli ignitis ; quibus solicitamur ad deum blasphemandum , fugiendum , abnegandum . inde prosiliunt ab quàm profandae & in imis animi sedibus latitantes cogitationes , quas satan instillat , ut impellat miseros homines ad blasphemiam & desperationem , ad odium dei , ad fremitum adversus deum . casm . schol. . cap. . pag . . l could hee indure the scorching flames of the wrath of his father , the curse of our sinnes , those tortures of body , those horrours of soule ; and doth hee now shrinke at his thirst ? no , no , &c. the now bishop of exe●er in his passion-sermon , pag. m hee saw the burden of all particular sinnes to bee laid upon him : every dram of his fathers wrath was measured out unto him , ere he toucht this potion : this cup was full ; and he knew that it must bee wring'd ▪ not a drop left . idem . ibid. pag. . n that , what the infinite sinnes of almost infinite men , committed against an infinite majesty , deserved in infinite continuance ; all this in the short time of his passion did hee sustaine . ibid p. . o non est ergò indignum redemptori nostro quòd tentari voluit , qui venerat occîdi : iustum quippe erat ut sic tentationes nostras suis tentationibus vinceret , sicut mortem nostram venerat suâ morte superare . greg. hom. . in evangel . p metaphorica est descriptio victoriae christi de satana . in capite serpentis est virus , robur & vita . ergò caput serpentis notat dia●oli potentiam , saevitiam , & regnum , &c. par. in locum . * psal. . . q quantò districtiùs non exhibet membra sua , arma iniquitatis peccato , tantò strictius buiusmodi spiritu quatitur & pulsatur . bern. lib. de conse . de multip . variet . cogitat . q huius nequissimi hostis est illa vel prima caelliditas , & ars doli plena , ●atigare cogitationibus rudes animas , & novellis in proposito mentibus de ipsâ interdum conversatione afferre moerorem , ut facilè ab huius rei profectu deterreatur animus ▪ cuius initia amara cognoverit . itáque solet tam sordidas nonnunquam & impias cogitationes inferere menti ; ut , qui tentatur , dum suum illud putat esse quod cogitat , deteriorē se per spiritum immundum proposito suo arbitretur effectum : multóque puriorem animam habuisse se credat , cùm adhuc res seculi amaret : vult enim ijs , quibus invidet callidissimus inimicus , horrorem propositi ex desperatione sacere sanctitatis : ut eos obsidente tristitiâ , et si à proposito non revocat , certè retineat à profectu . august . epist. . * cogitat homo plerumque terribilia de fide , horribilia de divinitate , & per phantasmata corporearum imaginum transrotatus , illa sentit , quae vel in confessione evomere peccator on●ratus exhorret . bernar. loco suprà citato . revel . . . coloss. . . r blasphemous thoughts not consented to by us , are not our sinnes , but the divels . men must not feare those kinde of thoughts over much — because , though indeed they bee their crosses , yet are they not their personall sinnes , for which they shall incurre the wrath and displeasure of god. perkins cases of conscience , lib. . cap. . sect. . wee are to know and consider , that they are not our owne thoughts , but satans suggestions ; and therefore they shall not bee laid to our charge , as being our sinnes ; but shall bee set upon satans score , unto whom of right they doe appertaine , together with the punishment due unto them . — if wee withstand and abhorre them as wicked , and diabolicall , shewing no kinde of liking of them , they shall never bee imputed to us , as our sinnes , but unto satan , who is the authour of them . downam . christ. wars . lib. . cap. . this may comfort those , that being vexed with fearefull suggestions of satan , as to thinke amisse of god himselfe , &c. doe therefore thinke amisse of themselves , as if they were therefore most vile wretches . but they must remember , that this is no more their sinne , if they presently beate it backe , then if a man like them , should wish them to the like . satan must answer for this himselfe . daniel dyke in his michael and the dragon , at his doct. all temptations are not sinnes in the tempted . the true believer detests so the divels motions , upon the sudden injection sometimes , that hee is without taint of sinne by them ; yet it is an affliction with victory , as it was with our saviour tempted by the divell , to whom god sent angels for his comfort ; yet our corruption considered , it is a rare thing . wilson in his helpes to faith , pag. . in illis cogitationibus , quae repugnanti & invito animo suggeruntur , quibus mens cum horrore quodam renititur ac resistit — non est peccatum sine consensu mentis . august . epist. . cùm ille insatiabilis homicida ab exteriore sensualitate se videt exclusum , interiora collectis viribus aggreditur . sed spiritualis homo , qui omnia iudicat , illius astutias non ignorat . reprimit quod potest : quod autem non potest reprimere , tolerat : quia●t silatratum canis sustinet , morsum non timet . latrat enim cum s●ggerit : tunc verò mord●t , cùm ad consensum pertrahit : sed cùm non ●ngerit , quod suggessit , tunc non vulnerat , sed coronat : quia eisi sentientem crucial , nonobligat no● consentientem . bernard . lib. de consc. cap. de multip . variet . cogitat . huiusmodi cog●●ationes exe●r●ndae blasphemiae non sunt ho●inis , sed di●boli eas suggerentis , unde nec imputabuntur homini ad demeritum , &c. quic quid nempe homine af●fligit con●ra suā vol●ntatem , et non placet , nec de●ectat , non facilè in talibus tentator nocere potest . gers. tract . de remed . contra pusilan . placuítne unquam tibi ista turpis cogitatio ? absit , inquit ille : nam maximè mihi semper displicuit . et ait sanctus pater : manifestum est ergò , quòd tu eam non agis , sed pateris , antiqu● hoste procurante , & te ut decipere tandem , pe● desperationem pusset , itafatigante . idem de modo se habendi contra malas minis . quòd si externis h●s●e & adven ●●ijs cogitationibus non assentiamur , nonsunt nostra peccata reputanda , sed diaboli , qui illas suggerit . alsted . theolog. caf. cap. . a pious soule is no more guilty of them , then bentamin of iosephs cup , put into his sacke . doctor sibbes , bruised reede , pag . s in the powder treason it was the papists plot and purpose , after the stroke , to lay the fault ( if gods mercy had not prevented their malice ) upon the puritanes , ( as now they have gotten a tricke for their advantage , to nicke-name even good protestants ) , and accordingly they had drawne a proclamation to that effect , ready for the presse . wherein they charged the puritanes ( meaning hereby , all honest men , that are not like them ) with that odious and execrable fact ; and with this draught they were found , and taken in the manner , beyond retracting , or shadowing . digit . d. pag. . i heard a professour in the vniversitie avou●b from the chaire ; that he saw with his owne eyes a spanish booke , which reported ; that the puritanes were the contrivers of the powder-plot . t doctor white in his sermon at p.c. p. . u doctor tynley in his sermon at p.c. pag. . x doctor king in his sermon at white-hall , pag. . y sir edward philips , in the proceedings against the late traytors . z sir edward coke . ibid. a the earle of northampton . ibid. at sas est odisse viros facinúsque nesandum , immane , horrendum , quo non crudelius unquam ulla tulit tellus , nec par ausuve secundum , quodque attentatum vix aetas postera credat . — non hanc sabrina lituram , non hanc oceanus , quo toti claudimur orbi , abstulerint nobis . in quò perduxerit anglos , paucorum rabies , scelerísque iniuria tanti ! in homines nefarios , qui scelere ausúque immani parliamenti jampridem habendi domum , pulvere bombardico evertere sunt machinati s●il . quinto novembris , . pag. . . facinus tam tetrum , tam foedum , tam dirum , & diris omnibus devovendum ; ut superet penè fidem nostram , qui tamen ipsi vidin ●s : posteritas quidem certè ( credo ) vix fidem adhibebit , fuisse unquam in specie humanâ tales ex infimâ usque abysso locustas , qui tam in fanda cogitarent . winton . opus● . posthu . pag. . b these very words were forced , by fury of temptation , from one tempted in this kinde . c nonnun quam alicuius mentem plurimum conturbat hostis , in illam magnam foedarum ac turpium cogitationum multitudinem immittendo , ut hic se continuò peccare credat . dicet enim horrendum essèscelus ; cùm legendo & deo obsequendo hae cogitationes adveniunt . — at qui non cùm impiae mentem cogitationes tangunt , peccamus ; — sed duntaxat , cum eis consentimus : idest , quando illis voluntas nostra favet ; quando eas ipsa cum delectatione complectitur ; quando eas adesse gaudet : quamdiù verò hae si●i displicent , sibique sunt horrori ac odio , nullum est noxaeperi●ulum . gerson de diver . tempt . d transitorio hic verbere affliguntur electi , ut á pravitate flagella corrigant , quos paterna pietas ad haereditatem servat . nunc etenim flagellatur iustus , & verbere disciplinae corrigitur , quià adaeternae haereditatis patrimonium praeparatur . in suis autem voluptatibus relaxatur iniustus , quia tantò ei temporalia bona suppetunt , quantò aeterna denegantur . iniustus ad debitam mortem currens , effraenatis voluptatibus utitur , quià & vituli qui mactandi sunt in liber is pastibꝰ relinquuntur . at contrà iustus à delectationis transitoriae i●cunditate restringitur , quià & nimirùm vitulus ad laboris usum vitae deputatus sub iugo retinetur . negantur electis in hac vitâ bona terrena ; quia & aegris quibus spes vivendi est , nequaquam à medico cuncta quae appetunt conceduntur . dantur autem reprobis bona , quae in hac vità appetunt ; quia & desperatis aegris omne quod desiderant , non● negatur . gregor . in . cap. iob , cap. . e quietè ●oriuntur . transigunt in voluptate & suavitate dies suos , vitam agunt , & traducunt suavem & iucundam ad mortem usque . at ubi mors advenit , feliciter etiam & suaviter moriuntur , ut vixerant . ad felicitatem emmetiam mortis conditio requiritur . — sic de illis di●it , psalm . . neque enim sunt vincula morti ●orum , &c. merc. in iob cap. . * iob . f id simpliciter hoc loco significat , non quod alij volunt , & momento ad inferna descendunt , quasi in locum supplicij . nihilenim de futurâ vitâ hîc iob dicere voluit , sed omni ex parte felicitatem impiorum adversum socios ostendere , quibus ad cumulum solicitatis , quâ vitam totam transegerunt , hoc insuper accedit , quòd suavissimè moriuntur . idem . ibid. interim improbi exultant , robusti sunt , & pleni vigoris : quando verò ad mortem veniunt , quasi ex vot● videntur illam obire , tum quasi cubitumire . calvin . in loc. * heb. . . g deus unicum habet silium sine peccato , nullum sine flagello . aug. symbolum fidelibus datum : sivis regnare mecúm , crucem meam porta tecum . gers. * pag. . e and yet i know some horribly afflicted in this kinde , and yet in some respects , as outwardly miserable , as can bee imagined : but then know , that the mercifull power of god is mightily improoved for extraordinary support . f onerosas cogitationes in animá iusti ill as accipe , quibus resistere vult , & tamen non potest , sed velit , nolit irruit in oculos mentis muscarum aegyptipestilentia , & prestrep●nt ran●e in penetralibus cordis eius . bern. lib. de consc. de multip . variet . cogit . g let none take this terme ill ; for our church hath set this brand upon such ale-house haunting companions in these words : if wee lacke christ ; that is to say , the saviour of our soules and bodies , wee shall not finde him in the market-place , or in the guild-hall ; much lesse in the ale-house , or taverne , amongst good-fellowes , as they call them , &c. hom. of the right use of the church ▪ p. . pag. uli . * . cor. . . h vitâ verò de●un●iis quemnam quaeso in modumea à nobis forentur , quae tum ferenda erunt , quum nos videlicèt pro●ijs sigillatìm omnibus , qui nobis concrediti fuerint , rationem reddere cogemur ? neque enim dedecoris tantùm , atque ignominiae poena , sed etiam aeterni supplicij mul●ta nos illic expectat ? illud enim ; parete ijs qui praesunt vobis & concedite : nam illi vigilant pro animis vestris , tame●si priùs iam à me dictum est , tamen ne nunc quidem reticebo , huius enim comminationis terror animum mihi concutit . de sacerdotio , lib. . princ . i rogatus quoque à nonnullis in corum temporalibus causis epistolas ad diversos dabat . sed hanc suam occupatio . nem tanquam angariam deputabat , svavem semper habens de ijs , quae dei sunt , vel allocutionem , vel collocutionem fraternae & domesticae familiaritatis . possidonius de vitâ augustini . k tentatio illa gravis & turpis blasphemiae seu quaecunque alia , quae in solà cogitatione adhuc versatur , vincitur ut communiter meliùs eam contemnendo , oblivioni tradendo , & se de eâ excutiendo , et ad alia sortiter me●●tem retrahendo ; quàm multùm cum ipsâ litigando , repugnando & disputando . gers. de modo hab . contr . mal. immiss . l ratio efficax est huius . de quanto enim nititur , quis suffiando fortitèr extinguere magnum ignem ampli●ùs : de tanto ignis instam mescit vehementiùs , & augetur citius , &c. — nihil ergò consultius , nisi ut transeatur sacilitèr in his , & non nimis immobil●tèr , & quasi ex directo eis repugnotur , sed quasi ex adversoper indirecturm , alia videlicèt in cogitatu fortiter apprehende●do . idem . ibid . m here , if thou answer : yea , but in the meane time it is better to spend the remainder of my few and evill dayes , upon earth , then in hell ; he will reply : but so thou shalt increase thy sinnes here , and by consequent thy hellish paines hereafter ; to which if thou rejoyne : but the hainousnesse of selfe-murder , and horriblenesse of despaire may appeare more vile and execrable in the eyes of god , then all the other sinnes i may commit to the last period of my naturall course : he may then hideously roare : but so thou mayst both go on to increase thy sinnes , and make away thy selfe at last ; and where art thou then ? &c. i know him to have thus throwne his fiery darts into trembling hearts , one after another , with extreme subtilnesse and cruelty . and therefore in these cases , doe not admit of any dispute , or conference with him ; but upon the very first assault ( for who would heare him talke , that will tell never a true word , and is thy sworne bloody enemy ? ) bee ever sure presently to lay hold upon the word of god , that weapon of proofe ; which serves like a sword , not only for defence , as all the other pieces of armour , but also for offence . beate backe with undaunted resolution and confidence this divelish da●t ; and stop for ever the mouth of the tempter with the contrary charge of the most holy , and all-powerfull god : thou shalt not kill . numb . . . o non est aliqua cogitatio tam turpis , tam abominabilis , mala , & execranda , quam non inveniat otiositas . nam cor vacantis otio est ad inst●r molendini , quod cum non habet ad molendum bonum frumen●u ▪ quia●n continuo motu est , molit & consumit seipsum , etiam ad totalem sui consumptionem & destructionem , nisi prohibeatur alicuius diligentiâ . et aequè citò molit advolantes foedas muscas sicut granorum electorum adipes : praesertì● , cum suum sit continuo molere & non qui●scere ; nequaquam verò quod molat , sive bonum , sive malum discernere & eligore potest , nisi regentis providentia alitèr curet disponere . gers. de modo habendi se contrà mal . immiss . * eccles. . . ioh. . . a articles of religion , art. . b exod. ● . . deut. . . psal. . ● . mal. . . . cor. . . c psalm . . . . cor. . . d . chro. . . ier. . ioh. . . . thes. . . e psalm . . . . . da● . ▪ . f psal. . , &c. ioh. . . . cor. . . . sam. . . hos. . . g ezeck . . . . cor. . . revel . . . h . tim. . . rom. . . psal. . i psal. . . & . . k by his owne word , and by this visible world , is god perceived of men ; which is also the vnderstood langvage of the allmighty , vouchsafed to all his creatures ; whose hieroglyphicall characters , are the un-numbred starres , the sun and moone , written on these large volumes of the firmament : written also on the earth and the seas , by the letters of all those living creatures , and plants , which inhabit , and ●eside therein . raw ▪ hist. of the world , lib. . cap. . a intendant quoque pusillanimes scrupulosi , quòd inimicus humani generis , cùm impugnat hominem stercoribus turpissimarum cogitationum , veluti in obsidione urbium vel castrorum fieri consuevit cum stercoribus cloacarum ; aut ●ùm terret repentino strepitu quempiam , vel horrorem immitt●t , quasi inopinatè , prout similitor bombardarum to●●●ruo impugnatores munitionum agere consuever●nt : & quemadmodum ioculatores & tr●fatores pueris horrorem inus●●at is suis gestibus incutere novêrunt : intendant inquam , quòd talia non curent , neque mul●um , cum his litigent , sed potiùs irrideant ; dicentes cum illo patre in vitis patrum , in talibus experto : immunditia tua super te daemon : dominus mihi adi●tor , non te tim●bo . quia enim , immundus spiritus es , immundi●ia opus tuum est . item terrores tuos non timeo , qu●a ●um , qui ventur●s est iudicare vivos & mortuos , & seculumper ignem , defensorem hab●o . g●rs . remed . ●ontr . pusill . si autem nec sic , infernales tales mus●ae pungitivae pacem permiserint ; optimum remedium est , ut homo nihil de eis ampliùs curet , sed sub divina confiden●iâ patie●●iam habeat , & sit securus , quòd non ei nocebunt . idem de modo se h●ben . cont. mal. 〈…〉 frequentèr hae cogitationes meliùs vincuntur , si eas nihili pendimus , aut cu●amus , sed alijs in rebus occupamus animum , quàm si eas vinitamur propellere . idem de diver . tentat . p est autem h●ec sors sanctorum , ut no● is in singula mom●nta tentatto●ibus exerceant●r : neque illis i●ducias long●s permittit satan , qui ex nostra perditione maximum vul●ptatem capere ●●nsu● vit . et quamvis non ign●r●t , ●●cclorum finem omninò everti non pusse , iucundum ●amen illi est , si ●os aliquá ex parte t●rreri & labascere videat . gvalt . in luc. cap. hom . . q if your atheist will not believe his owne eyes , beholding the strange judgements of god in others ; but will rather give his owne senses the lie , then acknowledge the truth of the godhead : let him but by some injurious deed , or contumelious word , provoke some witch of endor ; that hath the temporary power over some spirit , upon condition , that hee shall have eternall power over her ; and it is like enough ( hee being voyd of all faith , and sense of god , and so out of his protection ) that hee shall feele to his cost , and conf●sse to his shame , that there is a power over , and besides the ordinary course of nature . gent. indeed these atheists that deny god doe also deny , that there is either divell or angell ; and i thinke will confosse them all , as soone , as any one . morton of the nature of god , cap pag. . i quote this onely , to inferre , that when satan doth thus clea●●ly ●●s●over himselfely accident and consequent , hee banishes all thoughts of atheisme : or offers at least , to any understanding man , an evident argument against it . r cum cogitatio huiusmodi mala , horrenda , grossa , t●●pis & nefaria importune occurrerit ; non terreatur , nec triftetur persona devota proptereà nimiùm ; neque credat se propter talem à deo derelictum — sed maiorem siduciam se pertinendi ad deum , inde accipiat . gers. de mod . se habendi contr . mal . immis . quidam putant se esse desertos à deo , quia non dat eis quietem à tentationibus : quùm potiùs tentatio signum divini amoris sit . multiplicatio tentationum signum est , quòd aliquis de manibus daemonum evaserit . dum aliquit est in carcere , unicum habet custodem , vel duos : si verò evaserit , omnes eum insequuntur . sic dum aliquis captus est à diabolo , non tantùm eum daemones per sequuntur , quantùm , quum ovaserit . gregor . quis pertinens ad christum non varijs tentationibus agitatur , & quotidiè agit cum illo diabolus & angeli eius , ut pervertatur qualibet cupiditate , qualibet suggestione ; aut promissione lucri , vel terrore damni vel promissione vitae , vel terrore morti● , aut alicuius potentis inimicitijs , aut alicuìus potentis amicitijs ? omnibus modis instat diabolus , quemadmodum deijciat . august . in psal. . hostis noster adhuc in hac vitâ nos positos , quantò magis nos sibi rebellare conspicit , tantò amplius expugnare contendit . eos enim pulsare negligit , quos quieto iure possiderese sentit . contra nos verò eò vehementiùs incitatur , quò ex corde nostro qu●si exiure propriae habitationis expellitur . hoc enim dominus sub quadam dispensatione sig●guravit , qui diabolum non nifi post baptisma se tentare permisit : ut signum nobis quoddam futurae conversionis innueret , quòd mombra eius post quam ad deum proficerent , tunc àcriores tentationū insidias toleranent . post primā igitur vicem moeroris atque laetitiae , quam unusquisque per studium conversionis agnoscit , haec secunda suboritur : quia ne securitatis negligentiâ dissolvatur , impulsu tentationis efficitur . et quidem quisque in ipso conversionis init●o magnâ plerùnque excipitur dulcedine consolationis , sed durum laborem post modùm experitur probationis gregor . in cap. . iob. ex quâ re nobis factus est adversarius diabolus , nisi ex hac , quia videt hiberos , quos tenebat antè captivos : quia videt sanos , quos suis iaculis prostraverat valneratos ; qui videt vestiri dennò immortalitate , quos nudaverat propinando iniquitatem , quia muscipulâ eius comminutâ & nos eruti sumus ? august . de symb . ad catechum . lib. . cap. . quod ad sanctorum gloriam proficit , malignis spiritibus crescit in damnationis augmentum . — de omni quidem malitia suâ daemones in aternâ poenâ ●unientur . in congressione quidem occulti certaminis , quando electi vincunt mala , quae repellunt , suis hostibus tribuunt : quia isti tanquam aurum in fornace probantur , illi verò pro reprobâ suggestione puniuntur . greg. in . reg. cap. . helpes to humiliation bolton, robert, - . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a stc . estc s ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) helpes to humiliation bolton, robert, - . [ ], p. by t. cotes, for peter whaly, dwelling in north-hampton, printed at london : . 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ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng repentance -- early works to . humility -- christianity. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images - judith siefring sampled and proofread - judith siefring text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion helpes to hvmiliation . iames . . humble your selues in the sight of the lord , and he shall lift you vp . printed at london , by t. cotes , for peter whaly , dwelling in north-hampton . . to the reader . i here commend vnto thee christian reader a table of repentance , now put into a little tract , collected from that graue , learned , and godly diuine , mr. robert bolton . i could haue beene content to haue stayed the publishing thereof , vntill such time , in which the author might haue beene preuailed with to print it ; for there cannot but want much beauty and lustre which it might haue had , if it had beene set forth or perused to be fitted for the presse by him that first gaue life vnto it ; but being inforced to it by the importunity of many well affected , both farre and neere ; and i vnwilling to haue such a pretious fountaine sealed vp , considering the good that might redownd to many in the meane time by it . i resolued by the authors leaue no longer to ingrosse the same to a priuate vse , but to impart it to a publike good , especially considering , first , how few are acquainted with the right nature of humiliation , no more than nicodemus was with regeneration : that though many boast of it , few haue it , when alasse it 's plaine , without true repentance there is no saluation . now this table hauing so perspicuously vnfolded the nature of this grace : those that haue a beginning of it , may from hence adde an increase to their store ; and they that want it , may here see the way and meanes of obtaining it . secondly , the extraordinary exercise of fasting and prayer , a duty of pretious account amongst gods children , which hath alwayes beene wonderfully blest with a happy successe , in so much as albeit their ordinary prayers returne not empty without a blessing , yet respectiuely to those prayers which are ioyned with fasting , they seeme barren and blasted , which otherwise are fruitfull and full eared . how then could i withhold this which by experience and the iudgement of iudicious christians , cannot but bee of speciall vse and helpe vnto such a blessed and successefull ordinance ? thirdly , these times call for it , to fast and pray and cry mightily vnto god by our prayers , that wee may stand in the gapp , and make vp the breach : and from this table wee may receiue much helpe in this particular . wherefore i hope i shall neede no further perswasion for thy gracious acceptance , than that hereby if the fault bee not thine owne , thou maiest receiue much good and comfort to thy soule : which if thou findest , giue god the glory , the author thy thankes , and me thy prayers . i. s. helps to hvmiliation . acts . . now when they heard this , they were pricked in their heart , and said vnto peter , &c. in these words here is : first , a compunction and a thorow wounding their hearts . secondly , a consultation what to doe . thirdly , peters holy counsell ; amend your liues , and be baptized . from the first , in that these men when they had heard of the greatnesse of their sin , were thus wounded at the heart , obserue : that contrition in a new creature ordinarily is answerable to his former vanity . manasse , chron. . . mary magdalen , luke . augustine a great sinner , wrote . bookes of repentance . to whom much is forgiuen , they loue much : and this is a fountaine of euangelicall repentance . as a traitor condemned to dye would wonderfully breake his heart to thinke hee should bee so villanous to so gracious a prince : so is it with a christian that beholds gods mercy to him . christians after their conuersion desire to see their sinnes to the vtmost , with all the circumstances that make them hatefull , as the obiect , nature , person , time , and age , &c. in which or how they were done , that so they may bee more humbled for them . if it be not so ( as it may be otherwise , for god is a free agent and is not tyed to any proportion of sorrow ) then such troubles as these vsually seaze on them . first , they are often afflicted with this , that their conuersion is not through and sound , and so do not with such heartinesse and chearefulnesse performe the duty of godlynesse . secondly , they are many times haunted with listlessnesse and coldnesse in their progresse of christianity . thirdly , they are visited with some crosse or other that sticks by them : to make them lay a greater load vpon sin . fourthly , they are more subiect to bee ouertaken with their sweete sinne , because because they haue no more sorrowed for it . for the lesse it is sorrowed for , the more it insnares men . fiftly , some of them haue beene assaulted vpon their bed of death with sorrowfull and strong temptations : not that men should conceiue this is alwayes the reason of it ; for god hath ends in all his workes , knowne onely to himselfe ; but this i haue knowne , some haue beene troubled , and this may bee in great mercy to make a weake conuersiō more strong . least any christian should bee troubled at it , take notice in contrition : there must bee sorrow of heart because of sinne . there must bee a dislike of it in the will. there must bee a transmutatiō or strong reasoning in the mind out of the word of god against sin . this is the sinew of repentance as austin had against playes , that all men could not draw him to it . there must bee a resolution and striuing and watching against it , as iob with his eye . iob. . . there must bee a greiuing that hee is not excellent in all these , and herein make vp what thou wantest in the former . these bee in some measure in all christians ; some are more eminent in one part , some in another , as ioseph had little sorrow , but a strong resolution , because hee had so strong a temptation , and withstood it ; hee had strong reasons beyond nature to resist sin , and resolue against it , so that it is not so much the measure , as the truth of euery part that is required . but if they bee not in an excellency in great sinners , they are to mourne for the want of them . to help herein , obserue these tenne degrees or acts of repentance or rather helps to humilation . get sight , and suruey , and full apprehension of all thy vilenesse , iniquities , transgressions , and sinnes , the number and nature of them . get a right apprehension of gods wrath and fiery indignation , and the pure eye of god against sinne . get a sense of the vnspeakable misery thou art lyable to by reason of sinne . get a base esteeme of thy selfe . get an inward sorrow of heart and bleeding of soule . get an outward bewailing with hart-peircing confession . get an hatred and auersion in thy will from sinne . get a strong reasoning in thy minde against sinne . get a sincere opposition in thy life , of sinne . get a sincere greiuing that thou canst do these things no better . now for the first act ( viz. ) get a sight & suruey , and full apprehension of all thy vilenes , iniquities , transgressions and sinnes , the number and nature of them ; for which purpose take these three helps . first , keepe the eye of thy naturall conscience cleare . secondly , bee acquainted with all the wayes thou canst possible to anatomize thy sinne . thirdly , take notice of the guilt of originall sinne , because a christian may haue his heart locked vp more at one time then at an other . for the first of which ( viz ) the keeping of the eye of the naturall conscience cleare , obserue : first the rules of the heathen that neuer did know christ. secondly the indowments of the heathen . thirdly the common notions of nature which were in the heathen . for the first ( viz ) the rules of the heathen that neuer did knowe christ , as instance in : lying besides the word of god which banisheth it from heauen , by the light of naturall reason aristotle saith , a lye is euill in it selfe , and cannot bee dispensed withall ; and the reason of it is this : we haue a tongue giuen vs to expresse the truth ; now if our tongue tell more or lesse then our mind conceiues , it is against nature . ribald talking , of which many make a sport , and rather then they will lose a iest , they will venter to damne their soules . epictetus saith , it s dangerous to digresse into obscenity of speech . cowardize in good causes , thinking it good sleeping in a whole skin , aristotle ethic. . cap . that in some cases a man had better lose his life then bee cowardly . drunkennesse ; the daies bee so drowned in impiety , that if a man bee drunk euery day , yet he will take it in a great disgrace if he be not counted an honest man ; whereas seneca saith it is but a raging madnesse , and if hee should behaue himselfe so but two or three dayes as hee doth then , men would count him mad . mourning immoderatly for losse of wife or children , passions of anger , morall philosophers haue many excellent rules , the which if a naturall man would take notice of , hee would neuer bee so passionate : for they say it ariseth first , from a great weaknesse of spirit . for were he manly , hee would passe by those thinges with scorne : whereas hee shews himselfe to bee of an effeminate spirit and impotent affections . from selfeloue . from an ouer delicacy and too much nicenesse in suffering wrong . from a passing proud nature , being affraid to bee contemned . from too much credulity , so that if one or two do whisper hee thinkes they speake somthing hurtfull of him , and is ready to breake out into rage : for which passions they giue these rules . that thou containe thy body and tongue in quiet . that thou say ouer the greeke alphabet before thou say any thing in rage . that thou looke thy selfe in a glasse , and thou shalt see what an vgly creature thou art in that rage ; for saith homer , his eyes sparcle like fire , his hart swels , his pulse beates . &c. so that if in this moode he should see himselfe in a glasse , he would neuer againe be angry . secondly , obseruing the endowments of the heathen . for instance , regulus the romane , being taken prisoner of his enemies the carthaginians , & vpon promise of returne if he sped not , obtaining to go home to rome to treate with the senate for a commutation of captiues , carthaginians for romanes , of whom himselfe was one : comming to the senate , he gaue weighty reasons to dissawde them from commucation ; so as chusing rather to abide the certaine cruelty of his enemies , then to breake his faith and promise ; he returned , where he was most cruelly vsed of them ; by whose example christians might bee ashamed that make no matter of breaking their promises . fabricius attained to that height of excellency , that it was said , a man may as soone pull the sunne from its spheare , as that man from his honest and iust dealing . cato was so excellent , that it is said , hee did not good for feare , shame , profit , &c. but because goodnes was so incorporated into him , that hee would not do otherwise . cambyses stood so stricktly against bribery , that a iudge being taken in that crime , he flayed him , and set his skinne in the seat of iustice , and let his son leane thereon that hee might hate that vice . zaleucus king of the locrians , made a law for adultry , that whosoeuer was taken in that fact should haue his eyes pulled out ; now his owne sonne being taken in that fault first , because hee would not violate his owne decree , pulled out one of his sonnes eyes , and one of his owne . thirdly , obseruing the common notions of nature which were in the heathen . all good is to bee done . all evill is to be avoyded . kinde is to be propagated . doe as wee would be done by . god is to be honored , from whence ariseth this obiection , namely : is not this notion extinguished in them that deny god ? not vtterly , but it generally dwels in them ; so farre onely they haue vse of it , as to leaue them without excuse rom. . . . a mans life is to bee preserued : now selfe preseruation is so ingrafted into the blood and veines ; that therefore the selfe-murderer sinnes : against god the father . against god the son. against god the holy ghost . against the light of nature . for the first , ( viz. ) thou sinnest against god the father , who commandeth , thou shalt not kill , and so thou sinnest : against the image of god , in that thou destroyest it . against his soueraignty ; for , hee hath appointed thee to worke in his vineyard , and thou wilt rather dye , &c. as if he were a hard master , that thou darest stay no longer in his seruice . thou dishonourest him , and gratifiest his enemy . hee hath planted thee as a tenant at will in this earthly tabernacle , and thou beatest it about thy eares . thou sinnest against god the sonne ; for , thou art none of thine owne , thou art bought with a price : this will helpe thee against the diuels temptations , for when hee comes to tempt thee to that sinne , say , thou art an others and not thine owne . thou maymest christs body in taking away a member of it . thou sinnest against god the holy ghost ; for , thou pollutest thy soule with blood ; and , it is the office of the spirit to dwel with us : and it is the office of the spirit to inuite vs to taste of the good blessings of god , as esay . oh! but my soule is blacke with sinne , &c. this is the action of the spirit to reueale this vnto thee . thou sinnest against the light of nature most cowardly , and against fortitude ; thou sinnest against the kingdome ; against thy neighbour , thy family , and thy selfe ; and puttest thy selfe among the sorrowes of the diuels , which is a bedlam madnesse . be acquainted with all the wayes thou canst possibly , how to anatomize thy sinnes ; for which purpose take these methods and helps . bee perfect in the law of god , & looke thy selfe in the pure christall glasse thereof : be throughly catechised in the commandements , , as in the fourth commandement ; wherein consider , preparation . celebration . preparation , which consists , in praying : publiquely with thy familly ; priuately with thy selfe . in examination . in renewing thy repentance . in couenanting with thy thoughts to spend that whole day in holy things . celebration . it may bee for scandalous sinnes in thy life thou hast beene sorowful , but thou hast passed it with many wandrings ; for which thou hast not beene humbled : all these are to bee brought to thy minde with much bleeding . an vtter cessation or abstinence , from thoughts , words , and deeds ; of calling , recreation ; more then for necessity , mercy , comlinesse . take suruey of all the wrong which we haue offered to all things in heauen and earth ; all things are the worse for a wicked man , so far as his sinne can add hurt vnto them . take a perusal of thy selfe from top to toe . the sinnes of thy eies : each thing thou lookest on , not making a holy vse of them , is a sin of omission : consider then how many there are euery day , and , if in one part so many , what are there in the whole body ? consider all the commissions , and omissions as thou standest in seuerall relations . as a creature , how thou hast caried thy selfe to thy creator . as an husband , to thy wife . as a father , to thy children . as a master , to thy family . as a neighbor , to them without , or to gods children . as a subiect , &c. take notice of all thy failings in al these , and thou shalt finde sufficient matter for a day of humiliation . labour to get ( as i am perswaded euery christian hath ) two catalogues of thy sins , before conuersion , and since . of gods mercies , spirituall and temporall . take notice of the guilt of originall sin . now because a christian may haue his heart locked vp more at one time than at another , let them in case of barrennesse , consider these sixe quickning points . looke to the seede and sinke , and naturall inclination of thy heart to all manner of wickednesse : for suppose by the mercy of god thou wert able to say , and that truely , that thou couldest not possibly finde any actual sin within thee : yet looke back to the corrupt fountaine , & there thou shalt finde that thou and the most holy christian on earth , whilst thou liuest in this house of flesh and tabernacle of clay , thou hast it in thy nature to sinne against the holy ghost , to kill iesus christ to commit sodomy ; & what hindereth but gods free mercy ? this then throughly considered ▪ is sufficient matter to humble thee , to consider with thy selfe , what a wretch am i yet , that haue this seede still in my bowels . consider & throughly weigh the circumstances of all thy sins , of thy vnregeneration , at what time , in what place , with what scandall , &c. as austin saith of him selfe , hee did wonderfully weepe in reading the fourth booke of virgill when dido was killed what a damn'd soule had i ( quoth hee ) that could weepe for her misery , and not for my owne ? so when he listened to musicke and to the tune in singing of a psalme in the church , rather then kept his heart to goe along with the matter : and for being much addicted to stage plaies , & many more , but especially for robbing an orchard , which he aggrauates by many circumstances ; that great renowned father left this example to all posterity ; where as if a young man now adayes should but cry out of robbing an orchard , hee would bee thought simple and too precise . looke the second booke of his confessions , where see his sinne aggrauated , by these ten circumstances . saith hee , this theft which i committed was not onely in the booke of god forbidden , but i had it in my heart daily . volui , feci i resolued with free will to doe it , and i did it . fastidio aequitatis , i did not doe it for want , but in disdaine of goodnesse , and out of an eager desire to doe wrong . i had aboundance of the same kinde and better at home . i did steale them , not so much to inioy the thing , as mine owne theft , that it might bee said of my old companions , that i robd an orchard . there was a num of desperate swaggerers and incarnate diuels with me . nocte intempestiua , at midnight : which he aggrauateth with another circumstance when wee had beene sporting and dancing we did it . we carried all away . we carried so many away , that they were a burden to vs. when wee came home wee gaue them to the swine : and then at the conclusion , hee cryes , oh my god , behold my heart , ecce cor meum deus . if we would looke backe on such a sabbath breaking , how in such a place , at such a time , so inflamed with lust ; if drunkards , whoremongers , vsurers , &c. would take this course , they might finde such aggrauations , that by the mercy of god , might terrifie them from their euill courses . in case of barrennesse consider , we had our hands in the sinne of adam , & so brought all the sorrow , sinne , and damnation vpon all that shall bee damned , and we are guilty of all the horrors of conscience ; if we had not hearts of adamant , or hewne out of a rocke , or had sucked the brest of wolues or tigers , we would bee moued at this , which is able to breake a thousand adamants . i speake aduisedly , it is able to open a wide gap of penitent teares in the most flinty soule of the most bloody sinner . cut off all sinne both originall and actuall that thou hast taken notice of , and doe but consider the imperfections that follow the best actions , the innumerable distractions of thy most holy prayer that euer thou madest ; the sinnes of the last sabbath , thy deadnes , fruitlesnesse , &c. remoue all personall sins , yet consider how many wayes we haue our hands in others sinnes , which ( it may be ) they haue carried to hell with them . wee haue a world of matter from hence to breake our hearts : for we may bee guilty of others sins wayes ; there is none but are guilty of some of these wayes . for the first , by incouraging them , as those prophets which cryed peace , peace , when there is no peace , when they are but formall or ciuill professors , those that sow pillowes vnder mens elbowes , that heale the wounds of the people with faire words , when there is nothing towards , but tumbling of garments in blood , and vengeance , and deuouring with fire . aske all those ministers that reueale not the whole counsell of god , who sent them to incourage ; it shall all fall to nothing ; but you of this place are inexcusable , for wherin haue i hid any thing from you ? no , i dare not bee guilty of any mans blood that way , for the damnation of his soule . by prouoking ; as iob's wife said to him , curse god and dye : so , fathers prouoke not your children to wrath , for they then are guilty of their sinnes . by familiarity with sinners , with company keeping . if thou vouchsafest thy company to alehouse haunters , to prophane persons , to idolaters , to gods enemies ; looke for that sharpe checke which the prophet gaue to iehosaphat for associating himselfe with wicked ahab , saying , shouldest thou countenance the vngodly , and loue them that hate the lord ? therefore is wrath vpon thee from before the lord. or as psal. . . when thou sawest a theese , thou consentedst with him , and hast beene partakers with adulteres . therefore as moyses said to the people , separate your selues from the tents of corah , least ye perish with them . and , come out of babylon , my people , haue no communion with that whore , least yee perish in her sinnes , and be destroyed with her plagues , reu. . dauid saith , i haue not dwelt with vaine persons , nor will i haue fellowship with the vngodly odi ecclesiam malignantiū . and who would vouchsafe to let their loue runne on such in this life , that must bee separated in the world to come ? but for workes of thy particular calling , as buying , selling , salutations , &c. wee must haue these , or we must out of this world , as cor. . . . by participation , thy princes are rebellious , and companions of theeues : so magistrates which execute not their office , are guilty of all the sins which the people commit within the compasse of the time of their gouernment , and they are all set on their score , without repentance . by silence , when thou hearest a good man traduced , and sayest nothing ; especially dumbe dogges ; euery sabbath is a bloody day to them , for their silence is cause of all the iniquity done that day , & all these things which they do amisse , whether by swearing , ale-house haunting , &c. all are set on his score : so all those that are faint and cowardly for gods glory and truth . by defending , woe to them that call darknesse light , and light darknesse ; therefore if any by quicknesse of wit will labour to maintaine vsury , bribery , &c. they are guilty of those sins . by counselling , as iesabell counselled her husband to kill naboth . or as those say , come , let vs crowne our selues with rose buds before they be withered , let vs all bee partakers of our wantonnesse , &c. by commanding , as dauid commanded vriah to be set in the fore front of the battell , and therefore guilty of his death . by commending , as those that commended herod for his oration , saying , it is the voyce of a god ; they were guilty of his sinne in taking honour from god. by conniuency , as ely winked at his sons ; for which you may see what a fearefull iudgement fell vpon that house for forbearing them . if we had no other sins in a day of humiliation , it were able to breake the hardest heart ; but especially for maisters of families , who winke at their parents and seruants swearing , sabbath breaking , &c. if these bee not guilty of the former sinnes , yet they are guilty in not praying with them and bringing them to extraordinary exercises . by consenting ; as paul bewayled that he carried the cloathes of them that slew stephen when he was stoned . by not sorrowing for them : dauid shewes what christians ought to doe . by not praying against them , for the suppressing of them . consider the sinnes of the times : dauids eyes gusht out with teares to see men transgresse the law. so lots heart was vexed daily with the sinnes of the people amongst whom hee liued , . pet. , . and blessed are they that mourne , so math. . . obserue these seuerall branches wel , and thou shalt finde sinnes enow to mourne for . now for the . act. viz. a right apprehension of gods wrath and fiery indignation , and the pure eye of god against sin . now the christian oftentimes complaines , that hee cannot apprehend gods wrath sufficiently . let him take these helps . the seuerity of gods iudgement against sin ; for which he threw downe the angels from heauen to be diuels for euer ( which might haue done him abundance of glory ) and that , as some thinke but for a thought . for but eating an apple , which some count a small fault , hee cast adam out of paradice , and sent a world of misery vpon him & his posterity . hee drown'd the world ; which shewes the infinite purity in god not to abide sinne . hee burnt sodom for those very sinnes now reigning amongst vs. hee reiected the iewes which were his most deare people : for they so prouoked god , that they are now no nation , and his wrath hath so fiercely seized on them , that they are most cursed vagabōds , and so haue beene a thousand sixe hundred yeares . consider , hee hath created horror of conscience which is a hell vpon earth for the punishment of sinne ; but aboue all , the torments of hell , that woefull place and state prepared for the wicked , where the greater part of the world shall bee howling for euer . consider how hard a thing it is to get pardon for sinne , in that the iustice of god , was hard to bee satisfied . imagine all the world were turned into a masse or lump of gold , the stones of the streets into precious pearles , and the sea and riuers all flowed with liquid streames of most pure gold : they would not satisfie the wrath of god for the least sinne : if all the angels and creatures in heauen and earth had ioyney together & made one feruent prayer for mans sinne , nay if that they had offered them selues to bee annihilated , it could neuer haue beene effected ; nay if the sonne of god himselfe should haue supplicated his father with most earnest intreaties , could he haue beene heard , vnlesse he had taken our flesh vpon him and suffered what diuels and men could imagine to inflict vpon him ? which well considered , there is infinite cause to bring vs to a sense of gods wrath , that hee should lay , and suffer such infinite torments to bee on him , that hee cryes out vnto god , my god , my god , why hast thou forsaken mee ? though he loued him infinitely as himselfe , yet he would haue his iustice satisfied . the vnresistable comming of god against sinners , though he is wonderfull ready and easie to be intreated whilst hee vouchsafeth a day of visitation ; but if men will withstand the day , then hee comes in deuouring rage ; and his wrath being once kindled shall burne to the bottome of hell ; then his arrowes shall drinke blood and eate flesh , hosea . . then will he meete them as a beare robbed of her whelpes , and teare in pieces when there is none to helpe , psal. . . and esay . . is set downe the manner of his comming , with fire and chariots like a whirlewinde . gods holinesse , which opposeth sinne , and is contrary to it , that hee lookes not on the least sinne with the least allowance . get a sense of the vnspeakable misery thou art liable vnto by reason of sinne ; for which purpose consider all thy sinnes with their circumstances , as of times , past , present , and to come . looke backe vpon all thy sinnes past that euer thou committedst , all thou hast beene guilty of euer since thou wast borne , originall , or actuall , known , or vnknown , of thought , word and deede ; they are written with a penne of iron , and with the point of a diamond , not to bee raced out : they are all vpon record , and now lye as so many sleeping lyons , gathering strength and vigor against such time as the lord shall awake the conscience ; and then they will appeare and rent thy soule in pieces . i say , let naturall men consider of this point , and they shall see themselues miserable ; for there are some for small sinne put to such frights , as they could not bee comforted in a long space ; as some who hauing an adulterous proiect , without any actuall pollution ; and others who hauing found a trifle , and made no conscience to restore it by light of naturall conscience , knowing they did not as they would be done by , was put into vnspeakable horror ; and some who hauing an vnworthy thought of god , these were put into such amazement , that they wisht they had neuer beene . if these for such small things ( in mens account ) haue come to such a passe , that they tooke no delight in any earthly thing , but are put to their wits end , ready to make away themselues , wishing themselues annihilated ; then what tearing of haire , what horror of conscience will seize vpon thee on thy bed of death ; with what a gashly countenance wilt thou looke vpon that blacke and hellish catalogue of all thy sinnes ? as lies , oathes , railings , scoffings at gods people , rotten speeches , bedlam passions , goods ill gotten , time ill spent , prophanation of sabbaths , and killing christ at euery . sacrament , as all naturall men doe : these shall be summoned before thee ; and charged vpon thy conscience by the iust god ; then consider in proportion what horror will bee in thine heart ; no heart can conceiue it , nor tongue of men and angels vtter it . now then attend , and let none blesse themselues and say , i neuer felt this misery , therefore it shall neuer hurt mee ; i tell thee ; it is the perfection of thy misery , that thou art insensible of it : to be soule-sicke and feele it not , is the complement of misery ; and the reasons why thou canst not see it , are these seuen . the diuell , while thou art his , will not trouble thee ; hee is a politician of almost sixe thousand yeeres experience , & knowes if once thou see thy sinnes , hee shall loose thee ; therefore hee blindes thee . thy conscience is lull'd asleepe with carnall pleasure , and worldly contentmēts . a bucket of water is heauy on earth , but in its owne place it is not so . when men are meerely naturall , sinne is in its owne place , and the weight is not felt . the conscience of a naturall man is like a wolfe in a mans body , while it s fed with carnall friends , good fellowship , some great busines of the world , &c. it s quiet ; but take this away , and then it s felt . a naturall man is spiritually dead , and a dead man feeles no weight you know . he lookes on sinne through false glasses , as vpon couetousnesse and vsury , through the glasses of good husbandry ; so prodigality through the glasse of liberality . for want of consideration ; if we would by our selues consider when the minister presseth sabbath breaking , or any other sin , and say , this is my case , but now by the mercy of god i will be humbled ; this would much helpe vs to see our misery . thou hast had thy hand in murthering many a soule ; all thy drunken companions , thy brethren in iniquity , many peraduenture with whom thou hast cōuersed are dead , and in hell long agoe ; thou art guilty of the damnation of their soules . cain was a cursed man , and had a brand vpon him for killing but a man ; then how will the murthering of so many soules affright thee , if thou hast beene a meanes to set them to hell ? as . for thy wife ; thou shouldst haue liued with her as a man of knowledge . for thy children ; thou shouldst haue catechized them , and brought them vp in religion . for thy seruants ; it may bee thy example hath made them swear , lye , &c. how will this soule curse thee in the pitt of hell , and curse that time , that euer they first saw thee ? but no carnall man will beleeue this till they feele it . thou hast beene the slaue of sathan , worse then a turkish gally-slaue all thy life ; for when thou mightest haue bene gods freeman , & wouldest not , the diuill hath bid thee lye , sweare , breake gods sabbaths , &c. and thou hast obeyed him , and beene the diuels drudge . the turkish fetters are but cold yron at the worst , but thine bee inuisible chaines of eternall damnation : he scourgeth thy naked soule with inuisible scorpions , feeds thee euery day with fire & brimstone ; when thou art out of the turkish slauery , thou mayest bee a man againe : but here sathan scourgeth thee and thou seest it not ; hee feedeth thee with poyson , and thou tastest it not : and shortly hee will locke thee vp in perpetuall torments , where thou shalt neuer bee freede from diuels . first , now thou art in health , thou thinkest all is well ; but know to the contrary , whilst thou art but naturall , and vnconuerted : thou dishonorest god in a high degree , thou prouokest the glory of his pure eye euery day by euery sinne thou committest . thou tramplest vnder foote the blood of christ in euery sacrament , if thou beest not a conuert . the spirit puts good motions into thy heart ; as at this time it may be , thou resoluest by the mercy of god to leaue all thy former waies , and bee gods seruant : but presently thou triflest it away by worldly talke , and thy old companions . the angells offer to guarde thee , but thou refusest their attendance , and denyest to be vnder their protection , while thou wandrest out of thy wayes . to gods children thou art as a goade in their sides . thou drawest wife and children , neighbors and all thou canst to hell , by thy ill example , &c : the creatures thou art mercilesse vnto , for thy sinne adds to their misery which they groane vnder ; and thou yet addest to their burden by thy siune . thou art liable to all the ill that a man vnconuerted may indure , or to any sinne that a man destitute of diuine grace may commit : as , to spirituall hardnesse of heart , blindnesse of minde , slauery vnder thy lusts , searednesse of conscience , or committing the sin against the holy ghost . to temporall ; any thing that may befall any man , as to be possessed of the diuell , &c. i wish euery naturall man seriously to consider this ; for thou dying in thy naturall estate , art certainly damned , and for any thing thou knowest thou mayest dye the next moment , and then all things are thine enemies ; death , which is certaine : but how , when , or where , thou knowest not . caluin saith , a man may dye a thousand wayes in one houre . some physitians say , there are three hundred diseases in the body , all mortall : besides , new sinnes haue begotten new diseases , and thou mayest dye suddenly by an impostume : thy house may be fiered & thou consumed by it ; thy horse may stumble , and so destroy thee ; a tile may fall as thou art walking , and so kill thee ; an adder vnder the grasse or hearbes may sting thee . canst thou promise thy selfe to see the sun againe when it s once sett , though now thou bee in perfect strength ? but howeuer , nature will end at length , sathan then is ready to come with his vtmost malice , when thou art faint and loath to depart ; then he will lay open all thy sinnes , and then the very next step is , the iudgement seat of gods tribunall , where god will declare what mercy hee offered thee , and the diuill will pleade to haue thee . then comes the eternall separation from god and possession of those torments which are easelesse , endlesse and remedilesse . oh the tearing of the heart , and the gnashing of the teeth , that this will produce , especially when you consider god euery sabbath stretched out his armes to imbrace you , and you would not ; christ offered to make a plaster of his hearts blood to cure you , but you trampled it vnder your feete : the holy ghost put good motions into your heart , but you reiected them ; the minister he pressed hard to haue you yeild , but you withstoode him . oh the hellish cries that these will fetch from such an heart . wherefore let this betimes beget in thee a base esteeme of thy selfe ; consider , thou art worse then a toad ; nay a toad is a faire amiable creature in comparison of thee . for a toad following the instinct of nature , serues the creator in its kinde , it suckes vp the venom of the earth , which otherwise would poison vs : but thou art a degenerate creature and traitor , who drinkest poyson out of gods mercy , to sin more against him . thou art a sworne friend to his most deadly enemy , and breakest all his commandements . secondly , the venom of a toad kills but the body : the poyson of thy sinne kils both body and soule . when a toade dyes its misery is ended , but then thy woe begins ; then thou wilt wish thou hadst beene any thing , but a man. if thou hadst looked vpon that man in mat. . possessed with a diuill , who dwelt among the tombes , went naked , chaines would not hold him , the diuell was so powerfull in him : thou wouldst haue thought him a dreadfull spectacle of most extreame misery ; to haue a legion of deuils by computation . but i tell thee thou hadst better haue a thousand legions , then one vnrepented sinne ; for the deuill hee can haue power but ouer the body , and foe hee may ouer a saint , and had ouer christ to carry him to the top of a pinnacle : but neuer sinne , like thine of obstinate & finall impenitency , was found in a sanctified man. sinne made the diuell so vgly as he is , being else of an angelicall nature ; onely sin makes him odious ; therefore it is worse than a thousand diuels , yea worse , than either the tongue of men and angels can expresse . all the diuels in hel in thy body , cannot doe thee one pinnesworth of hurt for the saluation of thy soule : but one sinne wilfully vnrepented , and so vnpardoned , will damne it ; so that it were better to bee possessed with a thousand diuels , then one sinne vnrepented of , and vnpardoned . get an inward wounding of thine heart and bleeding of soule ; where take these helpes . first , thy heart that hath beene the fountaine , or rather sincke from whence haue issued many foule streames , where all ill hath beene forged , all euill words , rageing passions , and wicked thoughts ; now then by the rule of proportion , let thy heart bee a fountaine of sorrow for sinne ; if christ open a fountaine of mercy for mourners , let not vs be excluded for want of sorrow . consider the heart of christ , hee had no heart of flesh , but for sinne , which for thy sake was killed with that singular depth of sorrow and griefe , that if all the godly sorrow of all the christian soules from the beginning of the world to the end thereof , in heauen or in earth , dead or aliue , were collected into one heart , they could not counteruaile the depth of his anguish . shall then his blessed soule fall ▪ asunder in his blessed brest , assaulted with all the wrath of god , and the second death ? shall his soule bee like a scorched heath , and so pressed with the flames of gods reuenging wrath , which wrung from him those bloody droops and ruefull cryes , my god , my god , why hast thou forsaken me ? the wrath of god so fierce on him , that ( i say ) dropps of blood fell from him : and shall thy heart bee as stone within thy brest , and neuer bee moued ? oh prodigious hardnesse , and worse then the heathenish ingratitude . if thy heart be not wounded in some measure truely , it shall hereafter be filled with such endlesse horror , that would grieue and breake hearts to thinke on it . is it not better then to mourne a little here for sinne than to haue our hearts inlarged to indure vnto all eternity the horror of hell ? is any man so senselesse to thinke he shall goe to heauen as in a bed of downe ; and neuer bee touched for his sinne , which is as impossible as for thee , to reach heauen with thy hand . when hezekiah a man perfect in all his wayes , complained & chattered like a crane : dauid roared al the day long : psal . . iob complayned , the arrowes of the almighty are within me , the venom whereof doth drinke vp my spirit . nay christ himselfe cryed out in the agony of the spirit . if thou get this broken heart into thy breast , thou shalt bring downe the glorious maiesty of heauen , god almighty with his chayre of state to sit in thy soule ; for he hath two habitations : . in heauen . . in an humble heart . get this , and get all . thou gettest true title and interest vnto the passion of christ , and all the comforts in the booke of god , the promises both of this life , and of that to come . get an outward bewayling with heart-piercing confession : where consider , first the practise of the saints of god. they powred out teares as men water out of buckets . mary washed christs feete with her teares . the publican struck on his brest with a sorrowfull acknowledgement of his sinnes . consider secondly , thy hands and eyes and tongue and heart haue beene instruments of gods dishonour , therefore by rule of proportion , thou shouldst haue the workes of thy hands instrumentall demonstrations of repentance ; thy eyes fountaines of teares ; thy tongue should vtter , and the heart suffer griefe . consider , that for outward things men will weepe teares , as for deiection from high places , losses , crosses , in wife , or children , as dauid for absolon : so it is with many ; what wringing their hands , tearing their haire , bitter crying , &c. then the losse of christ , who is infinitely better than husband , wife , child , or any thing in the world ; this , this , how should it breake thy heart ! if all iobs troubles were on thee , and could wring one teare from thee ; then one sinne should wring blood from thy heart . get a hatred and auersion in thy wil from sinne , considering what sinne is in it selfe . how god is prouoked with it . sinne in it selfe is fouler than any feind in hell , because it made that so , as fire is hotter then water that is heat ▪ it s extreamly ill , nothing comes neare it . i consider of sin here in the abstract , so it s a greater ill , than the damnation of a mans soule ; for when two ills fight together , that which conquers must needs bee the greater ; now when a man hath lyen in hell ten thousand yeares , he is as far from comming out as euer ; for the eternall duration in hell cannot expiate sinne . it s most infectious , it s compared to a leprosie ; for the first sinne that peeped into the world stayned the beuty of it ; no sooner sinne was committed by adam , but the stars seemed impure in gods sight , the beasts were at variance , the earth full of brambles , and all things cursed . secondly , it sowred all naturall , religions , and ciuill actions . thirdly , if a man in authority bee sinfull , all vnder him will bee infected . sinne is most filthy , compared to the most vile things that can be named ; to menstruous raggs , the vomite of doggs , &c. nay not any dirt , or filthy thing can staine a sun-beame but sinne staines a more glorieus creature , which is the soule of man. sinne is of that hellish nature , that it takes in to it selfe the wrath of god. sinne is full of cursed consequences . priuatiue : positiue . priuatiue , losse of gods fauour ; the blood of christ ; the guard of angels ; peace of conscience , &c. positiue , it brings all misery spirituall ; hardnesse of heart , blindnesse of minde , horror of conscience , despaire , &c. with all temporall losses and crosses here , and hereafter eternall torments of soule and body . god is prouoked with it . each sinne is the onely obiect of gods infinite hatred . his loue is diuersified to himselfe , his sonne , the angels , the creatures : but his hatred is confined onely to sinne . what infinite of infinites of hatred hast thou on thy soule , with all thy sinnes , when each sinne hath the infinite hatred of god vpon it ? each sinne is against the maiesty of that dreadfull lord of heauen and earth , who can turne all things into hell , nay heauen and hell into nothing by his word . now against this god thou sinnest , and what art thou , but dust and ashes , a bagg of filth and flegme , and all that 's naught . and what is thy life , but a span , a bubble , a dreame , a shadow of a dreame ? and shall such a thing offend such a god ? euery sinne strikes at the glory of gods pure eye ? sinne is that which killed his sonne ; the least sinne could not bee pardoned but by christs carrying his hearts blood to his father , and offering it for sinne . each sinne is an offence to all his mercies . this aggrauated the sinne vpon eli , sam : . : dauid sam . . &c. mercy is the most eminent attribute of god , and therefore the sinne against it is the greater . what therefore are our sinnes in the time of the gospell ? consider how thou art hurt by it : for each sinne kills thy soule which is better then the world . each sinne , bring it neuer so much pleasure in the committing , leaues a threefold sting : naturall . temporall . immortall . natural , after worldly pleasure comes melancholy : properly either because it lasted no longer , or they had no more delight in it , &c. that as all waters end in the salt sea : so all worldly ioyes are swallowed vp in sorrowes bottomlesse gulfe . temporall : ther 's labour in getting , care in keeping , & sorrow in parting with wolrdly goods . immortall : god will call thee to iudgment for it . each sinne robbs thee of aboundance of comfort . what a vast difference do we see in conquering sinne , and being conquered by sinne ? as for instance in ioseph and dauid : the one raised after his conquest to much honnour ; the other , scarce enioyed one good day after hee was conquered ; but as ezekias , walked heauily in the bitternesse of his soule all his days . as some diuines haue said of guliacius & spira , the one is honor'd in caluins epistles for euer ▪ the other after his backsliding liued a while in exquisite horror , and after dyed in despaire . thy owne conscience wil accuse thee one day for euery sinne , though now it seemes hid to thee ; and thy conscience is more then a thowsand witnesses ; therefore thou wilt certainely be ouerthrowne . for the sinnes which peraduenture thou liuest now in , & accountest but petty and veniall , many poore soules are at this instant burning in hell for ; what misery and hurt then attends on thee for the same ? get a strong reasoning in thy minde against sinne : as first , these three grand reasons . the horror of hell ; therefore christians wrong themselues , that will not vse this as a motiue ; the vnquenchable wrath of god shall feed vpon thy soule if thou committest this sinne . the ioyes of heauen ; i shall dwell with god for euer , if beleeuing , i make conscience of euery sinne , as an euidence and fruit of sauing faith . and aboue all , the glory of god : if gods glory and the damnation of our soules were in a ballance , his glory should preponderate and preuaile , while we preferre gods glory aboue our owne saluation ; although we cannot seeke it , but in and by our saluation , as the meanes is subordinate to the end . from euery line in gods booke : his attributes , as his iustice , his mercy . his iustice to terrifie sinners . h●s mercy to allure vs to him . his iudgements . his promises . thirdly from logical places : see rogers on meditations , as the definition . the division . the causes . the effects . the subiect . the adiunct . the comparison the contrary . fourthly , from places of scripture . from examples in scripture : how shall i do this , and so sinne against god ? saith ioseph . from your former estate , ye were darkenesse , but now yee are light , &c. from the end of all things , seeing all things must bee dissolued , what manner of men ought wee to bee ? fiftly , from thy selfe . thy soule is immortall , all the diuels in hel cannot kill it . thy body is fraile , all helps cannot long vphold it . sixtly , from christ. looke vpon him weeping , nay bleeding on the crosse , and saying this , sinne brought me from the bosome of my father to dye for it . seuenthly , from the incomprehensible excellency of god , against whom thou sinnest . get a sinceere opposition in thy life of sin . helpes thereto . when any bait of sathan , or old companions would allure thee to sinne , take this dilemma : either i must repent , and then it will bring more sorrow than the pleasure did good ; or not repent , and then it 's the damnation of my soule . consider thy madnesse , which layest most desperately in one scale of the ballance heauen , the fauor of god , the blood of christ , and thine owne soule : in the other , a little dung , pelfe , base lust &c. and lettest this ouersway , which bringeth rottennesse to thy bones , perhaps losse of thy good name &c. and that thou maist yet be further armed to with stand the assaults of thy three grand enemies , the world , the flesh , and the diuell , which daily seeke the destruction of thy soule : consider these twelue antidotes : consider the shortnesse of the pleasure of sinne , length of the punishment , the one for a moment , the other euerlasting . consider the companions of sinne : for one sinne neuer goes alone , but being once entertained , it sets all the faculties of the soule also in a combustion ; and so procures a spirituall iudgment , if not temporall , vpon estate and person . consider , thy life is but a span , a breath , a blast soone gone : now if we had all the pleasure in the world , yet being so soone to lose it , it s not worth esteeming . consider , sin causeth vs to lose a greater good than that can be , as the fauour of god , interest in christ , a guard of angells , right to the creatures &c. consider the vncertainety of repentance ; thou maist neuer haue motion to repent after thou hast sinned , and so art damned . consider the nearnesse of death to thee ; some haue liued out aboue halfe their time , others almost all of it ; young and old dye suddenly many times . consider , one moment in hell will bee worse then all the pleasure in the world did good , though it should haue lasted a thousand yeares twice told . so on the contrary , one moment in heauen doth more good than all the hardnesse and paines in good duties , or persecution for them did hurt . consider the dignity of thy soule ; it 's more worth then a world . lose it not then for any sinne . consider the preciousnesse of a good conscience which is a continuall feast . this thou losest by sinne . consider thou sinnest against a world of mercyes , which god hath sent to thee , as to soule , body , good name , estate , and others , that belong to thee . consider nothing can wash away any sinne but the blood of christ. and wilt thou now pollute thy selfe againe , as it were to haue him kill'd afresh to wash away thy sinne ? consider , the ancient martyrs and worthies chose rather to burne at a stake , than they would sinne ; and thou so easily bee drawne to it or rather run to it ? anselme said , if the flames of hell were on the one side , and sinne on the other side , i would rather lye in those flames than sinne . and others would rather be torne in pieces with wilde horses . wee haue as precious meanes as they , and if our hearts were as good wee should haue the like affections . get a sinceere grieuing that thou canst do these things no better ; as considering , though thou hadst a thousand eyes , and could weepe them all out , and shed riuers of teares ; and a thousand hearts to burst ; yet all were not sufficient for the least sinne or vanity , either of the eyes or heart : how much more when our hearts are barren & dry , had we neede to labour for this sorrow ? considering when thou hast made the best prayer , or watched most diligently ouer thy selfe , for the right and due sanctification of the sabbath , or spent thy selfe in a day of humiliatiō ; thou hadst need to cry and burst thy heart againe for the imperfections and failings thereof . in this sorrow , that thou canst performe good duties no better . and thus to weaue vp the web , what 's lacking in any of the rest , here make it vp ; and to incourage thee , thou hast this happinesse ioyned with it , that though thy griefe bee small , if it bee true , to cause thee to sell all : how much more in the first place , to part from euery sinne for christ , and to take him as a husband , and a lord , both for protection , & gouernment ? then by the consent of all diuines it is godly sorrow , and certainly accepted in christ. finis . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e luke . . . notes for div a -e point . instan . reas. . reas. . act. reuel . . . quest. ans. helpe . quic : point . quic ▪ point . chap. . quic : point . quic : point . quic. point . esa . . eze. . . ier. . . iob . . ephe. . chron. . . esay . esay . . wis. , . , sam. . . act. , . acts . . psal. . . psal. . . mar. . quic. point . act. helpe . gen. . eze. , . helpe . mic. , . helpe . helpe . act. . reas. . reas. . reas. . reas. . reas. eph. . . . reas. . reas. for present time . act. act. esa. . . iob . . esay . . act. . sam. . act. mat. . . act. reas. reas act. helpe . helpe . helpe . act. certaine devout prayers of mr. bolton upon solemne occasions. published by e. b. by m. boltons owne coppy bolton, robert, - . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; 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(eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) certaine devout prayers of mr. bolton upon solemne occasions. published by e. b. by m. boltons owne coppy bolton, robert, - . gouge, william, - . bagshaw, edward, d. . [ ], , [ ] p. printed by george miller dwelling in black-fryers, london : . e.b. = e. bagshaw. "epistle to the reader" signed: w. gouge. reproduction of the original in the british library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and 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in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng prayer-books -- early works to . - tcp assigned for keying and markup - aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images - judith siefring sampled and proofread - judith siefring text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion certaine devout prayers of mr. bolton upon solemne occasions . published by e.b. by m. boltons owne coppy . london , printed by george miller dwelling in black-fryers . . to the reader . among treatises fit to be published and read , treatises of devotion are most fit : as being freest from offence , and fullest of divine matter . if comparison may bee made betwixt parts of sacred scripture , the psalmes of david have an excellency in that they consist of matters of devotion . answerable to the stile of his name , is the stile of his book . the stile of his name was , a man after gods owne heart . for such was his piety and sincerity as god was well pleased therewith , and tooke much delight therein . the rather because his devotion towards god incited him to doe what god required to be done . so the booke of psalmes , may well carry this stile , a booke after gods owne heart , in that nothing is more acceptable unto god , nothing wherein hee takes more delight then devotion . and no booke of sacred scripture fuller of devotion then that booke . most of the psalmes wholy consist of prayers or praises : very few , if any at all , wherein there are not some divine raptures , and such heavenly ejaculations , as manifest an heart full of devotion . for devotion is a pious and humble affection to god-wards . humble through conscience of a mans owne infirmity . pious through a due consideration of the divine clemency . such devotion is never more fully and to the life manifested then in prayers and praises . for in these divine duties , if rightly performed , the soule presents it selfe before god , and that in a speciall manner , being after a sort even rapt out of the body . then , if ever , doth the soule , so farre as it is capable , with an holy admiration apprehend the divine majesty , purity , justice , wisdome , power , yea mercy , goodnesse , and other excellencies wherwith god is decked . then , if ever is the soule brought throughly to discerne its owne infirmity , impurity , basenesse , vilenesse and cursednesse . for contraries paralleld , or laid together doe most lively set forth each other in their owne proper colours . he that liveth in a darke dungeon , will be enamoured with the bright shining of the sun , when hee can have liberty to see it . and hee that hath long lived under bright sun-shine , more thorowly discernes the horrour and dammage of darknesse . now god and man are in many respects directly opposite each to other : this opposition is best discerned in our most serious contemplations of gods excellencies and due consideration of our owne manifold infirmities , which is most to purpose done in acts and exercises of devotion . in this respect this present treatise is worthy of all acceptation , even for the subject matter whereof it consisteth , which is divine devotition . herein you shall observe god most highly advanced ; and man most lowly dejected . god advanced above the highest heavens ; man dejected below the lowest parts of the earth . god magnified in his mercies , and justified in his judgements ; man judged and condemned according to his just deserts . if the author of a worke add any thing to the worth of a worke , the author of this worke must needs add much to the worth of it . for he was a man of a profound judgement , and a zealous spirit : which endowments are most fit for matters of devotion . devotion must have fire in it , in which respect a zealous spirit is very requisite . devotion hath an especiall reference to god , in which respect solid judgement is also requisite . as all the true genuine workes of this author give evidence of his more then ordinary spirit , so this modell especially . by it you may perceive what kinde of fire fired the sacrifices which hee offered up to god. wee reade in the law ( levit. . . ) that there came a fire out from the lord , and consumed upon the altar the burnt offering . that fire which once came from the lord being continually preserved , all things which required fier in the tabernacle were to bee fired therewith , as all manner of sacrifice , and incense . such a fire , a celestiall , a divine fire , which must needs come from the lord , set on fire the spirituall sacrifices , and sacred incense which this priest of the lord , the author of this treatise , offered up to his god. we ought therefore to give the more earnest heed heereunto : and to helpe our owne devotion , and to quicken and enflame our own spirits thereby . without all question the modells of some eminent persons devotion , may be a singular helpe to others devotion . every one that hath this divine fier of devotion in his soule , cannot alwaies readily bring fit fuell to make it flame forth . but when fuell is brought by others , it will soone take , and quickly flame out . neither is this ( as some too weakly , though very violently cavill ) to stint the spirit of supplication . for the worke of the spirit consists not so much in the words and phrases whereby the matter of devotion is expressed , as in the intention of the heart , and in the intirenesse and earnestnesse of the affection , wherin the very forme , soule and life of true devotion consisteth . otherwise , the spirit of all gods people in all publicke liturgies , and formes of prayer would be stinted : yea by this reason the spirit of every one that joyneth with another in prayer ( except his spirit onely who conceiveth and uttereth the prayer ) would be stinted . and if so , then away with publick assemblies for prayer : away with family meetings to call upon god : away with all meetings of two or three together in christs name , notwithstanding christs promise of being in the midst of them ( mat. . . ) but rather away with such proud and preposterous conceits , which cleane crosse the tenour of sacred scripture , and commendable custome of gods church in all ages . sacred scripture records sundry prayers conceived and uttered by one , but assented to by sundry others , wherby they became also the prayers of those others . the . psalme beares this title , a prayer for the afflicted when he is overwhelmed and powreth out his complaint before the lord . this title apparently sheweth that the prophet who first penned this psalme , did it in the persons and for the use of any poore distressed servant of god. so as we thereby are taught what to pray when our sins lie heavy upon us , or when we are in any other distresse . it is expressely said that iohn taught his disciples to pray , luke . . this questionlesse was done by prescribing unto them a forme of prayer . whereupon when a disciple of christ said unto him , lord teach us to pray as john also taught his disciples , he said unto them , when ye pray , say our father which art in heaven , &c. as iohn had prescribed a forme to his disciples , so christ doth to his : and so teacheth them to pray , as iohn did his . sundry formes of prayers were by the ancient fathers composed for the churches in their daies . in like manner have all christian churches in succeeding ages , had their particular formes . never had any age , or countrey more pious , pithy formes then ours , some for publick , others for private use , among which the forme here tendered unto thee hath its excellency . as it is lawfull to have such helpe , so may such an helpe be very usefull . w. govge , the contents . a prayer upon a solemne occasion . page . a morning prayer for a family . p. . another morning prayer . p. . a generall forme of prayer and praise . p. . an evening prayer . p. . a prayer before a sermon . p. . a prayer before sermon . p. . a grace before meate . p. . a prayer before sermon . p. . a prayer after sermon . p. . an evening prayer most usefull in time of warre or invasion . p. . the preachers prayer . p. . a thankesgiving for the kings returne from spaine and a prayer for his prosperity . p. . a prayer for wholesome and seasonable weather . p. . in visitation of the sicke . p. . a prayer when any drawes neare unto death . p. . a prayer in time of plague . p. . & . a prayer for confession of sin p. . a thankesgiving . p. . the authors private prayer . p. . errata . page . line . 〈…〉 reade stirring . pag ▪ . l. . for bodies reade soules ▪ a prayer upon a solemne occasion . o eternall god , most holy and most glorious , which dwellest in the highest heavens , and with righteousnesse and truth swayest the scepter of the whole world , thou that art unto the wicked and rebellious wretches a terrible judge and a consuming fire , but to the humble and repentant sinners a strong tower of defence , and their exceeding great reward . we the most miserable and wretched of all thy creatures , though the most noble by creation ; for they in their kinds and severall conditions doe thee honour and service , but we whom thou hast plac'd in this world for a more singular and extraordinary glorifying of thee ; have not onely made our selves more vile then the basest creatures , and more sencelesse in thy service then the beasts that perish ; but have even combin'd with satan , with hell and with all the powers of darknesse , to blaspheme and dishonour thy great name , to profane thy sabbaths , to breake all thy holy lawes & commandements . o lord wee thus sinfull and unworthy , are here ashamed and confounded in thy presence ; for our iniquities are increased over our heads , and our trespasses are growne up unto the heavens , so that if now in thy just judgement , thou shouldst come against us , as wee have many times , and doe daily most justly provoke thee , it had beene farre better for us wee had never beene borne ; satan would challenge us for his , we should never see thy face againe , nor the heavens , nor the earth , nor all the goodnesse which thou hast prepared for man. from the foule pollution of originall sinne , which hath universally infected and possest all the powers and parts both of our soules and bodies as from a filthy puddle , have issued all kindes of impurities , many workes of darknesse and fearefull transgressions , both in our thoughts , words and actions . much profanesse and hardnesse of heart , pride and hypocrisie , contempt of the power of godlinesse and godly men , a sencelesse neglect of thy word and judgements , of the way to heaven and the salvation of our owne soules . even the best of us before our calling , wearied our selves in the vaine pleasures and sinnefull fashions of this wretched world , being detain'd by the policies of hell , either in notorious sinnefullnesse , or onely formall hypocrisie . wee walked with boldnesse in the way of darknesse and of death , after the devices and desires of our owne wicked hearts , in much bitternesse and malice against thy children and their sincerity . nay and since it hath pleased thee to illighten our understandings with saving knowledge , and to pull us by the power of thy good spirit out of the slaverie of sinne and satan into the glorious liberty of thy children : our best actions and thy good graces in us , have beene fouly stain'd by privie pride and secret hypocrisie ; wee many times stay thy blessings from us by our dullnesse and untowardnesse at religious exercises , and by reason wee doe not faithfully those good things which wee know , wee have the knowledge of many evill things kept from us which wee unadvisedly commit . and whereas heretofore in our new birth , the sins of our unregeneration have wofully vext and disquieted our consciences ; yet such is the wretchednesse of our corrupted nature , that wee have sometimes looked back upon them even with delight , if we have escap'd relapse and backsliding , we doe not with that thankfullnesse and cheerefullnesse , as we ought , embrace in this happy time of grace and peace , those good meanes which thou hast ordained for our comfort and salvation ; so that indeed wee walke not worthy of that blessed vocation whereunto wee are called , but by our many slips , imperfections and carelesnesse , wee bring much discomfort upon our soules , disgrace to our christian profession , dishonour to thy majesty , and offence to our brethren . o lord wee beseech thee for thy holy names sake , and for thy rich mercies in christ jesvs to pardon us all these our offences , and to forgive us all our sinnes knowne and unknowne , howsoever , or whensoever committed , since or before our calling , and to bury them in the death and passion of our blessed saviovr , and to hide them in his righteousnesse for evermore . there is no comfort to be expected to our conscience wounded with the terrour of sinne , either in heaven or in earth , in angell , saint , or mortall man , but onely in the spotlesse justice of thy deare sonne . perswade therefore we beseech thee , upon a good ground , with plentifull assurance every one of our soules , that his precious blood was shed for our sins in particular , that wee may sensibly feele the forgivenesse of our sinnes and rejoyce in the hope of eternall life . and for the time to come wee humbly intreate thee , to mortifie in us all sinfull affections , unruly lusts , and unlawfull desires , to subdue in us the power of sinne , and every corruption whereby satan keepes us any way in his slaverie , or at any time gets the dominion over us . save us we beseech thee from idlenesse , worldlinesse , profanesse , security and all occasions whereby thy good spirit is grieved in us , our graces weakned , and thy great name dishonoured . vouchsafe us the spirit of judgement , that wee may discerne betwixt the short span of this wretched life , and the length and breadth of immortality , that we never preferre the pleasures of sinne for a moment , and a little glory and preferment in this world , before the testimony of a good conscience , and that excellent waight of glory laid up in heaven for all thy children . make us faithfull and conscionable in our callings , zealous and sincere in all religious duties and services , and wisely resolute to stand for thy honour and truth against all opposition either by divels or wicked men . and so direct , we beseech thee , and sanctifie all our courses , that for a few and evill daies in this vale of teares , wee may so store our selves with spirituall comfort , with a sound heart , with a strong faith and a good conscience , that we may stand firme and sure at the day of our visitation , and when upon our deaths bed we shall bee set upon , by the weakenesse of our owne flesh , the terrors of death , the fearefullnes of the grave , and the firiest darts of satan , we may comfortably passe thorow them all , in the name and power of thy son , and be receiv'd with joyfulnes & triumph into those sacred mansions , which he hath already made ready in heaven for all those that truly love and feare thee . in his blessed name we powre out our soules in thankfullnesse , for all those many blessings and comforts which thou hast vouchsafed us , both upon our soules and bodies , both for this life and a better . for our health , wealth and liberty , our peace , plenty and prosperity , our food , apparell and preservation from our infancy to this very hower , and for all the good meanes of all these . for the free passage of thy glorious gospell now so many yeares amongst us . but amongst all other temporall blessings of our times , let us never forget , nor we , nor all our posterity for ever , how it pleased thee in our daies miraculously to magnifie the glory of thy mercy in our wonderfull deliverance from the most secret , bloody , and fiery plot of the gun-powder treason , that great astonishment of men and angels . all these outward comforts both publicke and particular are excellent and pretious ; yet they are such as wee have common with the reprobates and those that shall never see thy face with comfort , but after a short time spent in the miserable pleasures of this vaine world , shall bee turn'd to hell and everlasting fire . wee therefore more especially magnifie thy great name for the more speciall pledges and tokens of thy infinite love , for that it hath pleased thee to confirme and seale unto us by our effectuall calling , and the earnest of thy good spirit , our election to eternall life from all eternity , our particular redemption from the powers of hell by the death of thy sonne , and an undoubted assurance of the joyes of heaven in the world to come . increase in us good lord , wee beseech thee , daily more and more this blessed assurance , which we infinitely esteeme more deare then tenne thousand worlds , by making us to grow in repentance and faith , and spirituall wisedome , and framing us to the obedience of thy sonne in all knowledge , love and obedience . furthermore gracious father , wee humbly intreate thee , with the bowels of thy tenderest compassions to be mercifull unto thy whole church and every member thereof . fence it mightily wee pray thee with the spirit of truth , knowledge , and zeale and constancy , that in these worst and last daies it may make a strong resistance against the great maine floods of popery , schisme , profanesse and atheisme . be gracious unto this sinnefull kingdome , and enter not into judgement with the horrible and crying sinnes , and the many fearefull provocations thereof . in the same looke downe with the speciall eye of providence and protection upon our dread soveraigne james , by thy grace king of great brittaine , france and ireland , defender of the truly catholike faith , and in all causes , and over all persons ▪ next and immediatly under thy sonne christ jesvs in all his dominions supreme governour . o lord as thou hast enlarg'd his royall heart even as the sand which is on the sea-shore for understanding , learning and wisedome , so wee beseech thee to continue unto him a proportionable measure of holinesse , zeale and sanctification for the execution of that great place wherin thou hast set him , and the enlargement of thy kingdome here on earth . settle his crowne fast upon his head , that he may long and religiously raigne over us in despight of all his enemies both at home and abroad . vouchsafe all the graces of thy good spirit unto his gracious queene , plant the true feare of thy great name in the princely heart of his sonne , and let thy watchfull providence and thy loving mercies for ever rest upon all that royall family . inspire his honourable privie counsell , his nobility , gentry , and magistracy with spirituall wisedome and heavenly understanding . leade them all into thy sanctuary , and teach them out of thy holy word , first and chiefly those things which concerne thy honour and glory , the good of the people which depend upon them , and lastly the comfort of their own soules at the dreadfull day of judgement , when they shall give an account of their stewardships . enrich we pray thee with thy best graces all the reverend bishops and ministers of this land , endew them plentifully with knowledge , zeale , sincerity and discretion , that by their faithfullnesse and conscionable discharge of their duties , the many multitudes in this land that lie in darknesse , ignorance , profanesse , popery and schisme may be brought to the knowledge of thy truth , into a holy obedience to thy heavenly gospell to their owne everlasting salvation . blesse and be mercifull to both our universities , oxford and cambridge . comfort all thy distressed children wheresoever , or howsoever afflicted , whither with pestilence , warre , famine , banishment , sicknesse , poverty , imprisonment , disquietnesse of minde , vexation of conscience , want of spirituall comfort , or what other crosse or calamity soever it pleaseth thee to exercise them with . give them in the meane time a sure faith in thy promises , and inward comfort in thy blessed spirit , and in thy good time a happy deliverance , whither by life or death , as it shall be best for thy glory and the good of their owne soules . lastly , gracious father for this sacred businesse wee have now in hand , wee humbly beseech thee to blesse and sanctifie unto us at this time the preaching and hearing of thy holy word , it is the ordinance of thy owne infinite wisedome , it is the glorious instrument which thou hast appointed for the conversion and salvation of the soules of men . but unto us miserable wretches it hath beene many times thorow the barrennesse of our hearts , the secret and deceitfull corruptions of our nature , much sleepinesse and drowsinesse , but as water spilt on the ground , and even the breath of thy ministers scattered in the aire . forgive us deare father all our former untowardnesse , irreverence and unprofitablenes in these holy exercises ; and now at length before we goe downe into our graves , into black and cruell habitations , from whence we must never returne to praise thee upon earth ; let us feele thy divine finger working in us effectually at the preaching of thy word . let us have the sence of thine omnipotency in conquering our corruptions and temptations , that we being thorowly sanctified both in our soules and bodies , forsaking all our knowne sinnes , and labouring with sincerity to please thee in all things , may have our fruit in holinesse , and the end everlasting life . heare us , &c. a morning prayer for a familie . o lord our god , we pray thee bee mercifull unto us , stirre up we beseech thee our dull hearts , out of a true sence of our sinnes and miseries , and a lively faith ▪ in christ jesvs , and his pretious deservings , to lift up our soules in prayers and praises unto thee . o lord how are we bound to magnifie thy great name , for all the loving kindnesse and great mercies vouchsafed us ; for preserving us this night past from the ills ▪ and dangers , which no doubt have befallen many of our brethren , as good by nature as our selves ; for refreshing our fraile bodies with quiet rest and sleepe , and bringing us in health , in strength , and vigour of body to see the light of this day ; for that it hath pleased thee to reveale unto us the mysteries of godlinesse , and some measure of saving truth , which thou hast hid from many thousands of the greatest and wisest of the world ; for that thou hast preserv'd us from many fearefull transgressions and excesses of iniquity , to which our corrupt nature would otherwise have led us . for giving us the being of reasonable creatures , and being borne in this blessed time and part of the world , when and where thy glorious gospell is on foot , for the continuance of our health and strength of body , for the usefullnesse and vigour of the powers of our soules and sences , of which for abusing them , we have deserv'd ere this , to have beene fearefully deprived . for our ingenuous and godly education , for our christian company and good counsell we have many times by thy mercies enjoyed . for thy word and sacraments , the glorious meanes of our conversion and continuance in grace . for many gracious mercies , by which thou hast laboured gently and fairely to draw us unto thee . for those judgements which thou hast sent to humble us , and to bring us to repentance . for the inlarging of our time for storing our selves with grace , and comfort against the day of our visitation . for our freedome from many miseries , crosses and vexations which befall other our brethren better then our selves . for that it hath pleased thee by thine everlasting decree out of thine owne boundlesse goodnesse and blessed pleasure to save us from many thousand others which perish everlastingly , and to make us heires of endlesse happinesse , as we are verily perswaded , in the world to come . for preventing and following us with thy saving graces . o lord , we pray thee , to open our eyes daily more and more , to see and acknowledge these thy great and undeserved mercies upon us ; and to enlarge our hearts sincerely and feelingly to magnifie thy great name for the same . and as wee humbly intreate thee upon the knees of our soules for pardon and remission of all other sinnes , so especially for our monstrous and harefull ingratitude for thy great and many mercies towards us most wicked and sinfull creatures . we are ashamed and confounded that so much favour , and mercy , and long forbearance should bee extended to such rebellious and carnall wretches as we are . for besides that naturall pollution we drew from the loines of our sinnefull parents , wee have heapt up a great measure of actuall sinnes , since we had the use and exercise of reason , and power and ability to sinne . o lord our god , wee humbly beseech thee to give us a full sight of them all , and a true sence of thy great wrath & indignation against them . let us have remorse and compunction in our hearts and consciences for them all , in our affections a perfect hate and detestation of the least corruptions and infirmities . and bee thou pleas'd , gracious father , thorowly to purge and wash our soules with the precious blood of thy deare sonne , deliver us quite , wee beseech thee , from the guilt , horrour and damnation due unto them . and grant that hereafter wee may walke conscionably and carefully in all our waies , that we suffer no more our poore soules to bee stained with these foule pollutions we have formerly delighted in . wee confesse and acknowledge to our shame and confusion , that wee have many times vowed betwixt thee and our owne soules , that wee would watch more carefully over our owne hearts , least they should breed and nourish profane , idle and wandering thoughts and imaginations ; over ourtalke , least wee should offend with our tongue , that wee would be more zealous and faithfull in the duties of our calling , in sanctifying thy sabbaths , receiving thy sacraments , hearing thy word , in christian conference , company , meditation and all other holy duties : but alas , all these good purposes have beene but as the morning dew , we have even in short time broken our vowes , growne cold againe , dull and formall , to the much greefe of thy good spirit , and discomfort of our owne soules . now lord wee pray thee deale mercifully with us in this point , forgive our many frailties and infirmities herein ; and at length thorowly sanctifie us , draw our affections from the false glory and sinfull pleasures of this vaine world , and fasten them there , where true , sound and lasting comfort is to be enjoyed . give us wise and understanding hearts , that we may see and perceive those things that belong to thy glory and the salvation of our own soules , and sanctified wills and holy affections to follow and pursue them with all earnestnesse , zeale and fervency of spirit . let us even this day get some ground against satan , and forwardnesse in the course of sanctification . let us store our selves with some new godly purposes and holy resolutions to doe thy will , and keepe thy righteous commandements . fill our hearts daily more and more with all saving graces and the virtues of christ jesvs . cause us perpetually to keepe in minde , and consider that we are but as pilgrims and strangers here in this world , that wee must shortly depart hence , and never returne againe , but presently come to judgement , and receive an everlasting reward according to our workes . weaken wee beseech thee daily more and more the power of sinne in us , let us feele it decay and loose its hold and haunt in us , and strengthen in us the power of grace , the new man , and all spirituall comforts . neither pray wee for our selves onely , but for all thy deare children , fellow heires with us of everlasting happinesse in what part of the world soever they be . lord we pray thee to be continually present with them with all thy comforts and mercies , let thy good spirit leade them into all truth , let the wings of thy providence and protection stretch over them all . and such as yet lie in profanesse and under the shadow of death , hasten their conversion , reveale unto them the glorious comforts of grace , and let the powers of darknesse hold them no longer . lord be mercifull unto this sinnefull kingdome wherein we live , and enter not into judgement with the horrible rebellions and fearefull abominations thereof . stay the rage of prophanesse that fearefully overflowes in all places , to thy great dishonour and griefe of thy children . stop the crying sinnes of the time , and recover thine owne glory out of the hands of thy creatures whosoever they be . glorifie thine owne selfe , and refresh and cheere up thy children . prosper thy gospell amongst us , grant it a free and comfortable passage , send it where it is not , keepe and prosper it where it is , let thy blessings ever follow it , and thy mighty power uphold it . oppose thy selfe against them that oppose against it , and let them know , that it is thine owne glory that is in hand , and that they set themselves against the mighty god of heaven and earth . disburden thy church wee pray thee of all ignorant , factious and scandalous ministers , and plant in their roomes men of care and conscience , sensible of the great charge they have undertaken , truly fearing thee , and holding it their greatest comfort in this world to save the soules of men . blesse we pray thee our prince and people , magistrates and ministers , all degrees and estates from the highest to the lowest . sanctifie and furnish every one of them with all needfull graces fit both for the faithfull discharge of those particular places wherein thou hast set them , and that they may doe thee the best and utmost service they can possibly . direct and guide with the spirit of wisedome all his counsellors , that they may chiefly and principally advise those things , which may make for the advancement of thy glory , and comfort of thy children . be mercifull to all christian families , to this familie here present , continue thy grace and mercy upon it , and let thy loving kindnesse and comforts of salvation never depart from it . remember in mercy and love all mourners in sion . comfort all those that are any waies afflicted , binde up the broken and contrite heart with thy sweetest comforts . give strength and life of grace to those that are babes in christ , recover those that are fallen , preserve those that stand , uphold those that are declining , continue all in their first love , &c. and increase in every one of them daily more and more christian resolution , zeale and forwardnesse , that they may glorifie thee in all their courses farre more then ever they have done heretofore . lastly , we pray thee be mercifull to all those , whom thou hast made , in more speciall manner , the instruments of thy goodnesse and favour unto us , all that thou hast bound unto us with any bond of nature of friendship , or any way made deare unto us , those who remember us in their prayers , or commend themselves to our most unworthy supplications ; lord we pray thee bee mercifull unto them , let the light of thy countenance shine upon them , put religion , thy feare and love every day more and more into their hearts and soules , and let the comforts of godlinesse ever rest upon them . and grant that wee may all with one minde , heart and soule , love , feare , reverence and glorifie thy great name ; that so after a few daies , spent religiously in this vaine and wretched world , wee may live and raigne with thee everlastingly , in the glorious and endlesse pleasures of the life to come , heare us , &c. another morning prayer . o lord we beseech thee gratiously to accept this our morning sacrifice of prayers and thankes-giving , that we poore wretches offer unto thee the god of all glory and majesty . lord take from us all dullnesse of heart , all wicked and wandring thoughts ; put into our soules the spirit of prayer with affection , zeale and fervency , that wee may rightly and reverently call upon thy great and glorious name . o eternall god , most mighty and most fearefull , which dwellest in the highest heavens , and with thy wise providence directest all things ●o an excellent end ; thou which art to the wicked and rebellious wretches a terrible judge and consuming fire ; but to the humble and repentant sinners a strong tower of defence , and their everlasting reward . we the unworthiest of all thy creatures , though the most noble by creation ; for they in their kindes and severall conditions doe thee honour and service , but wee whom thou hast plac'd in this world for a more excellent glorifying of thee , have not onely made our selves more vile then the basest creatures , and more sencelesse in thy service then the beasts that perish , but have even conspir'd with hell , satan and all the powers of darknesse to blaspheme and dishonour thy great name , to profane thy sabbaths , to breake all thy holy lawes and commandements . wee o lord thus wretched and unworthy are here ashamed and confounded in thy presence , for our iniquities are increased over our heads and our trespasses are growen up unto the heaven , and so grievous are they that if thou shouldest require but the least of them at our hands , satan would chalenge us for his , and we should never see thy face againe , nor the heavens , nor the earth , nor all the goodnesse which thou hast prepared for man. the thoughts of our hearts rise up in judgement against us ; for whereas they should be meditating of thy mercies and goodnesse , of honouring thee in our vocations , whereas they should be knit fast unto thy blessed word , o lord , they are for the most part idle , wicked , entising , and full of the corruption of our raging concupiscence . the vanity of our talke condemneth us , for whereas our words should be spent in defending thy honour and truth , in reprehending the horrible sinnes of those amongst whom wee live , in giving grace to those that heare us , they are for the most part full of profanesse , worldlinesse and lying . the wickednesse of our deeds cry continually for vengeance and curses upon us ; for besides our many and grosse sins , even our best actions are fearefully infected with privy pride and hypocrisie , whereas they should wholy and principally bee directed to thy honour and glory , they are fouly stained and corrupted with by-respects of credit , pleasure or profit . in hearing thy blessed word , which wee should count the very crowne and garland of all our delights , we feele in our selves great want of due preparation , reverent attention , meditation and practise . in our prayers that inestimable comfort of a regenerate soule , wee are grievously vexed with dullnesse , wearinesse and by-thoughts . in all other good duties of obedience to thy holy commandements , we want that courage , zeale and spirituall wisdome , which those excellent mercies thou hast vouchsafed us require at our hands . o lord for thy great mercies sake forgive us these great sinnes . when we looke upon the vilenesse of our soules , by reason of these many transgressions , we see nothing before our eyes but thy heavy wrath , and everlasting curse , the torments of hell and endlesse confusion ; but yet herein standeth our comfort , wee know that to them which truly thirst after thy kingdome , which is righteousnesse and peace and joy in the holy ghost , which faithfully desire to serve thee in sincerity , though they bee encompassed with many weakenesses , thou art a father of infinite mercies and everlasting compassions , and wilt passe by many infirmities of thy deare children . wee humbly therefore beseech thee , most gracious father , to bury all our sinnes both before and since our calling in the grave of christ jesvs , and hide them in his righteousnesse for evermore . there is no helpe or comfort to be had either in heaven or in earth , in angels , saints , or mortall men to our wounded consciences , but onely in the spotlesse justice of thy deare son. give assurance therefore we beseech thee to every one of our soules , that his pretious bloud was shed for our sinnes in particular , that wee may sensibly feele the forgivenesse of our sins , and rejoyce in the hope of eternall life . in his blessed name we give thee all possible thankes , for those many mercies and comforts which thou hast plentifully bestowed upon us most unworthy wretches . we thanke thee deare father for our health , wealth and liberty ; for our peace , plenty and prosperity ; for our food and apparell ; for our preservation from our cradle to this howre , and all the good meanes of these ; but more especially for the more speciall tokens of thy great love ; for these we have common with the reprobates , and those which shall never see thy face with comfort , but after a short time spent in the miserable pleasures of this vaine world , shall be turn'd to hell and everlasting fire . we thanke thee for chusing us before all worlds to be heires of heaven and citizens with thy saints . we thanke thee for confirming unto us our election by our effectuall calling . o happy be that blessed time , when thy good spirit put the first motions into our hearts to become thy children . this is the blessing wee infinitely esteeme before al worldly comforts , and wherein is the preciousnesse of all true joy and contentment . o most loving and gracious father , we beseech thee goe forward with the worke of this our new-birth that thou hast begun in us , and never take away thy hand unto the day of jesvs christ . thou hast promised , that whom thou hast loved once , thou wilt love for ever , and thou art without all shadow of change , and sooner shall the mountaines bee cast into the sea before one jot of thy gracious promise fall unto the ground , or one title of thy word be unaccomplisht . take from us therefore wee beseech thee all privy pride and hypocrisie , all vanity and vaine-glory , all dullnesse , backwardnesse and security in thy service , which hang so fast on , which cleave so close unto our soules , and fearefully hinder us in the course of godlinesse , but above all things let us never fall backe againe into the grosse and horrible sinnes of our unregeneration . reveale unto us we beseech thee all our sinnes , give us tender consciences and a continuall increase in spirituall wisedome and heavenly understanding , untill we come unto that happy strength by which the world is crucified unto us and wee unto the world , and bee able to say out of the powerfull feeling of thy goodnesse upon our soules , with thy blessed servant david , god is our hope and strength and helpe in troubles ready to bee found . therefore will we not feare though the earth bee mooved , and though the mountaines fall into the midst of the sea. though the waters thereof rage and be troubled , and the mountaines shake at the same . good lord bee mercifull with the bowells of thy fatherly compassions unto thy church , and every member thereof . be gratious unto this sinnefull kingdome , and enter not into judgement with the horrible sins thereof . and in the same looke downe we beseech thee , with the speciall eye of providence and protection upon the excellent instrument of thy glory our most gracious soveraigne . give him the spirit of zeale , wisedome and governement , that he may long and religiously raigne over us in despight of all his enemies both at home and abroad . blesse all his counsellors , both our universities , oxford and cambridge , the nobility of this land , the gentry , all inferiour magistrates , all judges and justices of peace , those that are imployd in fighting thy battells either by land or sea. give to every one a spirit to his calling . leade them all into thy sanctuary , and teach them out of thy holy word first and chiefly those things which concerne thy honour and glory , the good of the people that depend upon them , and lastly the salvation and comfort of their owne soules at the dreadfull day of judgement , when they shall give an account of their stewardships . enrich wee beseech thee with many graces of zeale , faithfullnesse and sincerity the ministers and preachers of thy holy word ; blesse their labours that some good may come of them , increase their number , place over every congregation a faithfull and religious watchman , that may go in and out before thy people in soundnesse of doctrine and uprightnesse of conversation . touch the hearts of the many multitudes of this land , that at length they may turne unto thy truth , and so be delivered out of the tyranny and power of satan , to the freedome of thy deare son christ jesvs our lord . give successe , good lord , and prosper all those which in their good purposes seeke the preferment of thy truth by good and lawfull meanes . blesse all them that thou hast joyned unto us with any bond of love , kinred , or acquaintance , all those whose hearts thou hast stird up to doe us good any manner of waies ; and those also which wish and worke us evill if they belong unto thee . comfort o lord with thy sweetest comforts all thy children which are vexed either in soule , or body , whether by pestilence , famine , warre , poverty , imprisonment , sicknesse or banishment : trouble of conscience , vexation of spirit , disquietnesse of minde , want of spirituall comfort , or whatsoever kinde of affliction of body , or mind thou dost try them with . give them in the meane time faith in thy promises , and comfort in thy spirit , and in thy good time a happy deliverance , whether by life or by death , as it shall be best to thy honour and glory and good of their owne soules . but especially as we are bound at this time , we humbly intreate thy loving kindnesse and tender mercies , for our poore afflicted brethren and sisters here about us in london , oxford , and many other places of this land. o lord stay thy revenging hand ; though wee bee but wormes and dust , yet thou art our creator , and we the worke of thy hands . thou art our father , and wee thy children , thou art our shepheard , and we thy sheep , thou art our redeemer and wee the people whom thou hast bought , thou art our god , and we thine inheritance . forget not therefore o lord to be gracious , and shut not up thy loving kindnesse in displeasure ; turne thee againe at the last , and bee gracious unto thy servants . and grant wee beseech thee that these great judgements may effect and worke that for which they were sent , even true humiliation , and undissembled repentance , that we all turning unto thee in truth and sincerity , thou maist turne unto us with thy mercies and everlasting compassions . and whereas we whom of thy great goodnesse thou hast thus long time spared , are as deepe as those whom the plague hath consumed . wee beseech thee make us wise by their afflictions , and so informe us in thy feare , that we may frame the rest of our life in all holy obedience according to thy will. lastly most gracious lord , wee humbly beseech thee to take us this day under the shadow of thy wings . let thy omnipotency be a brazen wall unto us , let thy mighty hand and stretched out arme encompasse us , let thy carefull providence watch over us , and thy blessed angels pitch about us . and sith wee now enter into the affaires of this day , let not we beseech thee the delights , benefits and honours of this life ensnare our soules , or make a breach into our consciences : for these weake and carnall comforts will never follow us unto the darke places , but when wee shall sit downe in the dust , and say unto corruption thou art our father , and to the worme thou art our mother and sister , then they will all leave us ; nay they will turne to worme-wood and bitternesse . sanctifie we beseech thee our thoughts , knit them fast unto thy holy word , and the necessary businesses of our vocation . keepe , we pray thee , in a sanctified moderation all the affections of our hearts , and stirre our passions that none of them breake out upon us either to dishonour thy majesty , disquiet our owne consciences , or disgrace our christian carriage . let all our words be seasoned with grace , religion and charity . let every action into which we shall enter this day or ever hereafter , be just and lawfull , and in them blesse us with sincerity of heart , with a godly end and good meanes . o lord , we beseech thee give us the spirit of judgement , that wee may discerne betweene the short span of this wretched life , and the length and breadth of immortality , that wee never esteeme the pleasures of sinne for a moment , before eternall and everlasting joyes , but even count the best things of this world as dung , as vanity and nothing , nay as worse then vanity and lesse then nothing , for the winning of christ jesvs , and that excellent waight of glory laid up in heaven for all thy servants . worke in our hearts wee beseech thee a perfect detestation even of our sweetest and lest sinnes ; let us ever looke upon them in their true nature , and greatest ouglinesse , as accompanied with thy heavie displeasure and fearefullest judgements ; that wee may loath them as a serpent , and so cease for ever to offend thee in them . and whereas wee are every day afresh to enter combat , not with flesh and blood , but with the prince of darknesse , the rulers of the ayer , the spirituall craftinesse and pollicies of hell ; vouchsafe us wee beseech thee the compleate armour of true christians . the brest-plate of righteousnesse , the helmet of salvation , the sword of the spirit ; but above all the shield of faith , that wee may manfully fight against our corruptions , that we may quench all the fiery darts of satan , tread the malicious serpent under our feete , and at our last and greatest fight in godly triumph and through the might and merits of our captaine jesvs christ , may say with gladnesse and joy , o death where is thy sting , o hell where is thy victory . and in the meane time , for as much as every day wee step neerer our grave , and approach neerer unto thy presence , and that great and fearefull judgement before thy throne , even for our idle words and wandring thoughts , give unto us we beseech thee every day a new grace , a new strength in the course of regeneration , more full assurance of the remission of our sins , till with a wise heart , we have such a feeling of the glory of god , and of eternall life , that wee make up our account with the world , and bee at a point with all that is under the sun. and sith at that day we must answer not onely for the sinnes of our owne persons , but for many sins of those that depend upon us , if we labour not to bring them unto god ; for sinnes committed by our ill example ; for sinnes that we have seene and heard in others , and have not grieved & religiously reprehended them . lord we beseech thee give us an exact and precise care over all our waies ; over our generall calling of christianity and those particular callings wherein thou hast placed us . and let us never be hindered or discouraged in any good thing by the profane and malicious reproaches of wicked and carnall men , and the many oppositions of satan ; and the rather because to us it is a blessed marke that we are translated out of darknesse into light , and that we will not runne with them unto the same excesse of ryot : but to them it is a token of perdition . for why should we , good lord , for the vaine and unjust censures of mortall wretches turne from thee for this little inch of time , and hereafter receive everlasting confusion . a generall forme of prayers and praise . lord prepare our dull and unprepared soules to powre out our petitions with humility , zeale and reverence unto thy great majesty . lord make our hearts as mountaines of myrrhe and incense to send up prayses and thankes-giving to the sanctuary where thy honour dwelleth . most mighty and most glorious god , thou that inhabitest eternity , and dwellest in the light that no man can attaine unto ; at whose terrible presence the mountaines melt away and the angels hide their faces , yet our most gracious and mercifull father in christ jesvs , vouchsafing from the height of heaven to looke upon us vile wormes and dust with the eye of tender compassion , wee thy wretched and sinnefull servants , heires of corruption , children of wrath , sonnes of disobedience ; doe in the name and mediation of thy deare sonne our blessed saviour prostrate our selves before thy throne of grace and mercy-seate , begging and craving at thy hands pardon and remission for all our sins . lord they are most grievous and manifold , most horrible and intollerable . to the originall corruption of our sinfull nature , wherein we were conceived , we have added all kindes of actuall transgressions . all the time before our calling wee gave our selves to wantonnesse , to worke all uncleannesse even with greedinesse , we drunke up sinnes like water , and fed upon iniquity as the horse-leach on corrupt bloods , we drew iniquitie with cords of vanity , and sinne as with cart-ropes . all our thoughts , words and deeds were menstruous , filthy and abhominable , nothing but a slavish service of the world , the flesh and the divell ; since our calling when we should have beene most pure , sincere and sanctified , we have sinned grievously , although not notorious to the world , yet horribly before thine eyes in privy pride , hypocrisie , dullnesse , security , want of zeale and forwardnesse in thy service ; nay lord we have had many fearefull backslidings into our grossest sinnes , &c. so that now they are become as many in number as the starres in heaven , as great as the mountaines , as red as scarlet ; for christ jesvs his sake , for thy infinite mercies sake , and for thy holy names sake , bury them all in the blessed and bloody wounds of our deare saviovr , that they never rise up at the dreadfull day of judgement to give testimony against our soules to our utter confusion . hide them all in the bottomelesse ocean of thy endlesse mercy that they die out of thy remembrance everlastingly . and send we beseech thee into every one of our soules that happy and heavenly assurance of the remission of our sinnes , whence springeth joy and contentment most precious and unvaluable , infinite more worth then ten thousand worlds . lord wee blesse , praise and magnifie thy great and glorious name , for all those great mercies , benefits and comforts , which out of thy immeasurable bounty thou hast plentifully bestowed upon us . first and chiefly wee humbly thanke thee , for that it hath pleased thee of thy meere favour and love to elect us before the foundation of the world , to be heires of thy immortall kingdome , for creating us after thine owne image , for redeeming us with the precious blood of thy deare sonne , for calling us into the glorious liberty of thy sons , for justifying us , for sanctifying us with thy holy spirit , for the joyfull hope of glorification in the world to come . confirme unto us we beseech thee these great and incomparable blessings with the sacred testimony of thy holy spirit . let thy blessed spirit tell our spirits that we are thy elect. let our sweet saviour christ jesvs say unto our soules i am your salvation . seale our salvation unto our soules with the pledge , seale and earnest of thy holy spirit . furthermore most gratious father we humbly thanke thee , for that extraordinary and universall blessing vouchsafed this land by our gracious and religious king it is the greatest that ever the face of this earth enjoyed , that ever thou bestowedst on thy dearest children . for when wicked men and all the world , as thou knowest , expected that this land should have beene clothed with fiery persecutions , bloody warres , and all manner of calamities as with a garment ; thou that sittest in heaven , and laughest the vaine plots and devises and wicked men to scorne , against all expectation hast covered it with peace , joy , plenty , prosperity , the free passage of thy gospell , as the seas are covered with water . put we pray thee into the heart of every one in this land a true and continuall thankfullnes , a godly and religious resolution to serve thee in holines and righteousnes all the daies of their life . and lord we beseech thee continue that good worke that thou hast begun , and let him and his posterity in thy feare and true religion , if it be thy blessed pleasure , sit upon the throne of this land , so long as the sunne and moone endureth . let his scepter long flourish in his hand , and set his crowne fast upō his head . o mightily preserve him from all the sonnes of violence and mischiefe . let all those that with forraine invasion attempt the destruction of his person , and desolation of this land become like iabin and sisera that perished at endor , like zeba and zalmunna that became as the dung of the earth . let all unnaturall practises , and home-bred conspiracies perish as the untimely fruit of a woman and never see the sun. inflame his royall heart with true zeale , and love of thy blessed truth , and as thou hast enlarged his kingdomes , so give him a princely and religious courage to enlarge thy kingdome , and utterly to confound all heresie , schisme and the kingdome of antichrist . blesse all his privie counsellors with wisedome from above , that they may put these things into his heart , which chiefly concerne thy honour and glory , the good of thy church , the safety of his person and quiet of this land. blesse with severall graces all inferiour magistrates , that they may all faithfully and religiously discharge the severall places wherein they stand . blesse all his people with religion and loyalty , the ministery with learning , zeale and sincerity . o lord go out with his captaines and men of warre that fight thy battels . we thanke thee also deare father for blessings more particularly concerning us , for delivering us from popery , idolatry , and superstition , and illightning our understanding with thy blessed truth . confirme it we beseech thee unto us daily more and more , that if need require , we may confirme it with our dearest bloods . we thanke thee for giving us a taste of the powers of the world to come . crucifie we beseech thee unto us continually the lusts and corruptions of our sinnefull flesh , that the graces and comforts of regeneration may daily receive in us strength and perfection . we thanke thee for remooving from over our heads those heavie judgements and violls of thy wrath , that our crying sins have continually called for from heaven ; even all diseases and infirmities of body , all terrours and vexations of conscience , all civill deaths and torments , all shame and confusion ; even that the earth should have opened his mouth and swallowed us quick , the water drowned us , the fier consumed us , vengeance from heaven overtaken us , thy other creatures devoured us . grant we beseech thee that hereafter by sound and undissembled repentance , and by agodly life wee may abandon them and the feare of them for evermore . an evening prayer . vve thanke thee most mercifull father for our health , wealth , food , raiment , preservation from our cradle to this hower ; for thy releeving us in all our needs and necessities , for comforting us so fatherly in all our tribulations and distresses , for sparing us so long a time of repentance and for infinite more blessings which neither our hearts can thinke , nor tongues expresse . now one thing deare lord will we beg at thy hands , and that will we crave for evermore , that thou wouldst give us grace and power by thy blessed spirit to direct and dispose all these excellent blessings both eternall and temporall , chiefly and principally to the honour of thy great name , to the salvation of our soules , and the good of thy church . and to this end roote we beseech thee out of our soules all pride , malice , envy , covetousnesse , selfe-love , hypocrisie ; take from us all swearing , lying , vaine and unprofitable talking , al thoughts of atheisme , infidelity , uncleanenesse , all the menstruous filthinesse of our abhominable nature . and plant we beseech thee and ingraft deepely into our soules the true feare of thy glorious name , true humility , true zeale and devotion , true sorrow and repentance for all our sinnes , true spirituall wisdome and heavenly understanding , true hope and charity ; but above all things a true , strong and a lively faith truly to apprehend the death and passion of our deare saviour , and in particular and effectually to apply it to our sinfull soules . lord make it ever powerfull and invincible , but especially in all times of our crosses and afflictions ; but lord make it most triumphant and glorious even at the hower of death , at our last visitation , when the divell shall set before the eyes of our soules the blacke and ougly catalogue of all our sins , and when hee shall prepare his firiest darts to wound our soules to death , o then let the light of thy heavenly countenance shine upon us , o then let ▪ thy blessed spirit comfort us with his sweetest comforts , let the fresh bleeding wounds of our deare saviour appeare gracious and effectuall to our distressed soules . blesse good lord , protect and defend thy church wandring farre and wide over the face of the whole earth . let thy mighty hand and stretched out arme encompasse it , let thy omnipotency bee a brazen wall about it ; leade it we beseech thee into all truth , concord and sincerity ; save it from all schismes , errors and heresies ; mightily fence it from bloody tyrants , hellish atheists and mercilesse polititians . comfort we beseech thee all those that bee comfortlesse , and distressed with sorrow , need , sicknesse , imprisonment , banishment , slanderous tongues , or any other crosse or calamity . especially good lord , speake comfortably unto them in whose soules are the arrowes of thine indignation , and the venome thereof drinkes up their spirit , those that groane under the burthen of a vexed conscience , and those that suffer persecution for the testimony of thy truth . lord give them faith , patience and constancy to abide their triall , and a joyfull issue to all their temptations . and as at this time we are bound wee humbly intreate thy tender mercies and loving kindnesse for all those in this land that thou hast heavily visited with the plague of pestilence . for christ jesus sake if it be thy blessed pleasure command thy angell to cease from striking , put up the sword of judgement , which in great wrath and indignation thou hast drawne out against them . and lord in the meane time give them joy and comfort in thy holy spirit , that howsoever they be strangely and fearefully tormented in their body in this life , yet they may be assured of eternall happinesse in the life to come . and teach we beseech thee both them and us by thy holy spirit to take a right view of all our sins , the true causes of thy wrathfull displeasure , and faithfully to repent for the same . and so much the rather o lord , because the reprobate and such as thou forsakest cannot praise thee nor call upon thy name , but the broken heart , the sorrowfull mind and a conscience hungring after righteousness shall ever set forth thy praise and glory . lastly most loving father we beseech thee take us into thy defence and protection this night , let thy carefull providence watch over us , let thy blessed angels pitch about us , preserve us from all perills and dangers , from all the assaults of satan , from vaine , idle , and wicked dreames . grant unto our bodies comfortable rest and quiet sleepe , but let our soules continually watch for the comming of our saviour in the clouds to end these last and worst daies . amen , even so come lord jesvs , that we with thee and the rest of thy elect may joyfully and triumphantly ascend unto the heavenly jerusalem , there to enjoy fullnesse of joy and pleasures at thy right hand for evermore . our father which art in heaven , &c. a prayer before a sermon . o lord prepare our dull and unprepared hearts with feare and humility to enter the presence of thy great and glorious majesty . o most gracious god , our loving and mercifull father in christ jesvs . we thy poore and sinfull servants most humbly beseech thee , at this time to blesse , and sanctifie unto us the hearing of thy holy word , it is the glorious instrument which thou hast appointed for the conversion and salvation of the soules of men . but unto us miserable wretches and full of pollution , it hath beene many times through the barrennesse of our hearts , the secret and deceitfull corruptions of our nature , but even the breath of thy ministers scattered in the ayre , and as water spilt upon the ground . whereas it might be unto some being humbly and reverently received , as a two edged sword , that would enter through even unto the dividing asunder of the soule and the spirit , and of the joynts and the marrow , that would breake in peeces their hard hearts , and strike their conscience with terrour and remorse for their sinnes , a necessary step to regeneration . and whereas it might be unto others a pretious restorative to repaire the ruines of their conscience , and to put life into their dead zeale and affections , graciously to enforme them in all the parts of their callings ; it is but even as a witnesse of our coldnesse , sencelessenesse and unthankefullnesse , registred in the booke of our conscience against the day of our visitation . lord wee beseech thee out of thy tender compassions to forgive us all our former untowardnesse , irreverence and unprofitablenesse in these holy exercises . and now at length before wee goe downe into our graves , into black and cruell habitations , from whence wee must never returne to praise thee upon earth , let us feele thy divine power working in us effectually at the preaching of thy word , let us have a sence of thy omnipotency in in conquering our corruptions and temptations , let thy powerfull spirit stirre up our hearts , and quicken our affections to embrace the power of religion and true godlinesse , that so being freed from sinne by the blood of christ , and forsaking all our knowne sinnes , and labouring sincerely to please thee in all things , wee may have our fruit in holinesse , and the end everlasting happinesse . a prayer before sermon . most mercifull father we humbly beseech thee to give every one of us grace to let these things sink deeply into our hearts . blesse we beseech thee our wills and affections with sanctified desires to entertaine them , our memories with faithfullnesse to retaine them , our mindes with serious meditations to digest them , our hearts with fervency and prayer for thy blessings upon them , our lives with practise and piety to profit by them . lord we see clearely that all our pleasures shall die and perish , that our honours shall be laid in the dust , that our gold and silver shall canker , and the rust of of them shall be a witnesse against us at the last day , that outward performances of religious duties without inward sanctification , shall have their portion with hypocrites in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstrone . where then shall appeare the lyar , the swearer , the drunkard , the profaner of the sabbath , the uncleane person , the proud , the idle , the malicious , the carelesse in his calling , even without timely and sound repentance , in the bottomelesse pit of the lowest hell . o then we beseech thee , gracious father , to vouchsafe us in time wise and understanding hearts , the spirit of judgement to discerne betweene the short span of this miserable life , and the length and breadth of eternity . let us now at length make a through and deepe search into the state of our soules and consciences , and if wee find that we be not yet possest of that inward sincerity and true happinesse ; let us for ever hereafter , with greatest fervency , earnestnesse and contention of spirit hunger and thirst , labour and strive after saving grace , the power of religion and true godlinesse , that so for a few and evill daies , we stand wisely and resolutely for thy honour and truth , and with comfort and courage running the race of sanctification , may bee provided and furnished with assurance of glory , clearenesse of conscience , strength of faith against the day of our visitation , that when we shall lie downe upon our deaths-bed , and wee know not how soone , we may be able to meete with the fearefull temptations of our sinnefull flesh , the fiery darts of satan , to encounter with the pangs of death , and terrours of the grave , and so passe with joyfullnesse and triumph to those glorious mansions of light and blessed immortality with thee in the highest heavens . lastly gracious father , for this present holy businesse we have now in hand ; we humbly beseech thee to let thy blessings bee mightily upon thy word at this time , that it may pierce and enter through to the dividing asunder of the soule and the spirit , of the joynts and the marrow , and to discover the very thoughts and intents of the heart . keepe we pray thee out of our hearts and heads all troubles , cares , wandrings , humours , passions , prejudice , distractions , deadnesse or whatsoever other cursed let shall be suggested by the divell , or our owne wicked hearts . so sanctifie unto our soules this holy ordinance of thine , that we may handle and heare it with all feeling power and reverence as the word of thee the true and everliving god , and as that by which we must be judged at that last dreadfull day . make it to be a word of conversion and enlargement to all them that are yet in the snares of the divell & waies of death : but of strengthening , encouragement and comfort to those that are already thine , that so by thy mercifull blessing it may prove unto every one of us , the savour of life unto life , and thy mighty power unto us for salvation , and that for the lord christ jesvs his sake : in whose glorious name and mediation we beg these and all other needfull blessings , concluding in his owne prayer , our father , &c. o lord heare us in these our weake requests , and grant them unto us , and all other things necessary for us , for our bodies , our soules , our callings , or this present action , and for every member of thy church ; wee beg them all in the name and mediation of christ jesvs thy sonne and our onely saviovr , to whom with thee and the holy spirit , be all praise and power , and might , and dominion and thankesgiving ascribed at this time and evermore hereafter , amen . blessed are all they that heare the word of god , beleeve it and doe it . the grace of our lord jesvs christ , and the love of god the father in him , and the most comfortable fellowship , helpe and communion of god the holy ghost , be with us all , blesse us , preserve us and keepe us , and every member of his church in faith , a good , quiet and peaceable conscience , the rest of this day and evermore hereafter . grace before meate . lord god who hast created all things for the use and comfort of man , and man for thy owne glory ; make we beseech thee these thy creatures wholesome for our bodies , and us thankfull for them for christ jesvs his sake . a prayer before sermon . most holy and righteous lord god , we humbly and heartily thanke thee for our preservation this night past , pardon wee beseech thee unto us the sinnes thereof ; and now prepare and sanctifie us , for a right and comfortable serving of thee in this morning sacrifice , and holy duties we take in hand . illighten our mindes and inlarge our hearts by thine owne good spirit , that wee may rightly conceive of the great mystery of grace and true meaning of thy holy word , that we treasure it up in our memories with an holy greedinesse , and after walke by the strength thereof , with all fruitfullnesse and power in all thy waies , all the daies of our life , and that for thy christ his sake . a prayer after sermon . o lord our god , thou clearely seest and beholdest from heaven , what hearts we now bring into thy glorious presence from the businesse of this day , how full of earthlinesse , deadnesse , listlesnesse and unfitnesse to speake unto thee . wee pray thee for christ his sake to possesse , quicken and sanctifie them by thy blessed spirit , that they may bee ever feeling and fruitfull in these holy exercises . make us every day more and more wise , with all thy saints and elect children unto our eternall salvation in the right understanding , beleeving and obeying of thy blessed word , and great mystery of godlinesse , in jesvs christ our lord . an evening prayer most usefull in time of warre or invasion . o lord our god , high and mighty , great and fearefull , which dwellest in the highest heavens and light that no man can attaine unto , which by thy great power hast created heaven and earth and all things therein contained , and by thy wise providence directest every thing unto an excellent end . if thou shouldest deale with us in justice , wee deserve to bee plagued with all the horrible and fearefull plagues of egypt in this world , and hereafter to be perpetually damned , both in body and soule in the lake of hell fier , where there is nothing but endlesse woe , weeping and gnashi●g of teeth . if there bee any sinne we have not committed , it was because we wanted meanes , opportunity , enticement , temptation , or something , not for want of a sinfull disposition in us . if thou shouldest deale with us , as we have dealt with thee , wee should bee presently damned eternally . if thou shouldest be as carelesse of us , as we have beene of thee , and the salvation of our soules , we should never see thy face in heaven . o lord fright our heart with a true sight and sence of all our sins . o lord perswade our hearts , that since thou didst not curse and damne us , when we lay wallowing in horrible sinnes , thou wilt not now cast us away when wee are converted , &c. thou wilt rather pitty us for our infirmities then condemne us for them . perswade our soules by that good experience we have had of thy goodnesse that thou wilt be our god for ever . let us not so much feare and abhorre the punishment and guilt of sin , but also the power and tyranny , whereby we are enforced to offend so loving and so gracious a father . give us soundnesse of knowledge , purity of heart , holinesse of life , contempt of the world , conquest over our sinnes , the comforts of thy blessed spirit , a joyfull expectation of our deliverance from sin and sorrow . the spirit of meeknesse and wisedome , the spirit of courage and constancy , the spirit of love and joy , and of a sound mind . let us be just in our dealings , conscionable in our callings , mercifull , courteous . let us so comprehend the glorious state to come , that we may bee willing to bee dissolved and to bee with christ . lord grant that in the middest of a darke world , we may see the brightnesse of thy heavenly kingdome , and in this weake tabernacle of small continuance , we may know the dwelling place , which wee shall have for ever in the resurrection of the just . thou that hast the issues of death in thy hand , i beseech thee in mercy set before mine eyes alwaies the remembrance of thy judgement seate , and my last end , whereby i may be daily stirred up to consider in what great danger i stand through the horrible punishments due unto my sins . set before us the shortnesse of our owne life , the vanity of all things we enjoy , the excellent waight of glory prepared for all those that love thee , the plagues of the wicked , that great account we must make at our death , that great and terrible day , that having these things in our sight wee may not put our hands to any iniquity . o lord at this time goe out with the armies of thy saints , and that fight thy battells in the whole christian world . pardon we pray thee and passe by all their and our sinnes : helpe us to repent , to renew covenant with thee , and to feare before thee , that they may more cheerefully , couragiously and successively defend their righteous cause . but infatuate we beseech thee the counsells , and strike faintnesse into the heart of al them , that lift their hearts or swords against the kingdome of jesus christ. and now find out and call to account the blasphemies , idolatries , cruelties and insolencies of thine and our adversaries , and all the blood of the martyrs of jesvs christ which they have spilt as water upon the ground . and if they will not returne unto thee , returne it now o lord god of recompences into their bosomes in fury and in jealousie . make them like a wheele , &c. psal. . . thou hast promised ever to helpe thy people in the needfull time of trouble , even now lord is the season for thy succour . and therefore we pray thee for jesvs christ his sake to stirre up thy selfe like a man of warre against all those boisterous and railing rabsakees , that band and combine themselves to put out the glory of israels , or any of thine anointed . and give us lord in the meane time pittifull , compassionate and fellow-feeling hearts over the wofull calamities and miseries of thy people in these parts , that we may powre out our hearts more fervently unto thee , and give thee no rest untill for thine owne names sake thou become glorious in giving deliverance and victory unto thy poore humble servants , that trust in thee alone , and call upon thy name . o lord of hosts , god of israel , which dwellest betweene the cherubims , thou art very god alone over all the kingdomes of the earth , thou hast made the heavens and the earth , encline thine eares o lord and heare , open thine eyes o lord and see the blasphemies and bloody desolations which thine and our enemies have cruelly brought upon thine owne people . o lord put on the garments of thy just indignation for clothing . o lord tread downe our enemies in thy wrath , and make them drunken in thine indignation , and bring downe their strength to the earth . o lord we are all as an uncleane thing , and all our righteousnesse as filthy rags , and wee all do fade as a leafe , and our iniquities like the winde have taken us away . rise up o lord , and let thine enemies be scattered , and let them that hate thee , flee before thee . returne o lord to the many thousands of israel , numb . . . let thy people eate up the nations their enemies , and bruise their bones , and shoote them through with their arrowes , numb . . . that in our songs of praise and solemne thankes giving hereafter thy whole church may joyfully sing and say , it was not our owne arme or our own sword , o lord god of hoasts , that did save us , but thy right hand , and thy holy arme , and the light of thy countenance , because thou didst favour them , psal. . . o lord , though our iniquities testifie against us , deale with us according to thy name : for our rebellions are many , we have sinned against thee . o thou hope and holy one of israel , the saviour thereof in the time of trouble , why art thou as a stranger in the land , as one that passeth by to tarry for a night , &c. ier. . . see daniels prayer , dan. . . &c. o lord god destroy not the people of thine inheritance . o lord our god , thou art god of gods and lord of lords , a great god , mighty and terrible , which accepteth no persons nor taketh reward , &c. deut. . . &c. with all reverence and lowlinesse of spirit , we acknowledge , adore , and onely rely upon thy greatnesse , thy mighty hand and stretched out arme , deut. . . and finally we most humbly thanke thee , for that it hath pleased thee to keepe us this day , and all the daies and times of our lives ; beseeching thee that thou wouldest receive us this night into thy holy keeping , that we may have quiet rest , not of bodies alone , but of our bodies also resting from all those things , that are contrary to thy most holy will , attending whilst thou raisest us up in the morning , to doe all those things that thou hast appointed us . grant that we laying our bodies downe to rest , may be thereby put in mind of our long rest of death : that as we do now lay downe our bodies in bed , so we may be thereby admonished , that hereafter they shall bee laid downe in the grave , to be consumed to dust , earth and ashes , from whence they were taken ; that we having this before our eyes may bee stirred up in mind warily to walke in this our pilgrimage , not knowing when the time shall be of our departure , but alwaies to be found ready with our lamps of pure faith clearely burning , that we may be accepted to meere the bridegroome , when our saviour shall call us to judgement at the last day . lord we deserve that thou shouldst leave us to the vilenesse of our owne hearts , and to the corruptions we nourish in them , and sith wee have so often neglected and abused those good meanes which thou hast ordained for our comfort and salvation , wee even deserve that thou shouldest take them quite from us , or turne them to be curses unto us ; we deserve that thou shouldest say to the ignorant , be ignorant still , to the filthy , be filthy still , to the malicious be malicious still , &c. till we have fild up the measure of our iniquiries ; so that at length thou mightest have a full stroke at our destruction , &c. the preachers prayer . grant that thy word may bee delivered according to the true meaning of thy word , as it is left unto us by thy holy prophets and apostles , that it may be divided with conscience , wisdome and discretion ; with all plainenesse and evidence , to the capacity of those that are most simple amongst us . and blesse we beseech thee our conceptions and memories that we conceive a right use of those things that shall be delivered , and retaine them in our mindes with full purpose of heart to put them in practise , &c. o lord bee mercifull unto us , pardon and forgive us all our sinnes , our many abuses of thy great benefits and mercies , especially of thy holy word , passe by we beseech thee our many infirmities and weaknesses . sanctifie unto us at this time our hearing , reading and conferring of thy sacred word . blesse our conceptions and memories , that we may rightly conceive it , and reteine it in our minds with full purpose of heart to practise it in our lives and conversations . range into order our worldly and wandring thoughts , that we may with reverence and attention receive it , meditate of it and lay it close unto our hearts , that so by thy good blessing wee may bring forth much and good fruit . a thankesgiving for the kings returne out of spaine , and a prayer for his prosperitie . and as we are specially and extraordinarily bound at this time , wee humbly and heartily thanke thee , for the safe and comfortable returne of our gracious prince charles . it hath beene from thy great mercy and goodnesse , that thou hast gone in and out before him , and walkt by him in his most dangerous journey , and kept him in all his waies . that thou hast beene a brazen wall and fiery pillar about him , both by land and sea , and preserv'd him , from every hurtfull snare both of soule and body , and broughtst him with peace and comfort againe unto his fathers house . blessed and bountifull lord god , we heartily praise and magnifie , we humbly admire and adore , the length , and breadth and height and depth of thy free grace and love therein to thy church and gospell and all that are true of heart . enlarge our hearts , we pray thee , with all heartinesse and truth to blesse thy great and holy name , the fountaine of all blisse , the author of all our good , the well-spring of immortality and life wherein we live and move and have our being , both naturall , spirituall and eternall . and good lord goe on with that glorious and happy worke of blessing him still , so settle and establish the feare of thy great name and truth of our blessed religion in his princely heart , that he may stand therein like mount sion , and never be removed . so guide and direct , by thine own mercifull hand all those great affaires , which any waies concerne him , and with wisdome from the brest of the everlasting counsell of the lord jesvs , that hee may hereafter prove a glorious and renowned instrument for the advancement of the gospel of jesvs christ that the heavenly lampe of thy blessed truth may shine faire and pure upon us all our daies , and afterwards upon our children , and childrens children to the worlds end , and the comming of jesvs christ the second time . a prayer for wholesome and seasonable weather . stay thy wrath most gratious father , wee humbly intreate thee in this heavie judgement that is growing upon us by this unseasonable weather . thou hast richly loaden and crowned the earth with abundance of thy goodnesse and bounty . add this mercy we pray thee , to give a convenient season season to gather it in comfortably . we confesse and acknowledge before thee , we farre rather deserve that thou shouldst raine downe fire and brimstone upon our heads for our many horrible sinnes , that great one the contempt of thy word , which makes us worse then sodomites , then that thou shouldest answer us in this our desire . but wee beseech thee in mercy make us first sensible of thy just displeasure , to be humbled to the heart root , to part from all our evill waies , and to seeke thy face and favour extraordinarily , and then returne unto us in thy wonted compassion and love . in visitation of the sicke . we confesse unto thee , mercifull lord god , that out of the consideration of our owne many pollutions and imperfections , and the glorious purity of thy holy nature , wee finde and feele our selves most unworthy , and very fearefull to speake unto thy majesty , either for our selves or others : yet because it hath pleased thee to give us a commandement and charge to performe this duty of praying one for another , and having a gracious promise annexed of prevailing with thee , if our prayers be faithfull and fervent . we are bold here upon the knees of our soules , with all the instancy and fervency our poore dull hearts can possibly to intreate thy favour and mercy , for thy servant our deare christian brother that lies here amongst us upon his bed of sicknesse under thy visiting hand . oh blessed lord , we humbly beseech thee for thy christ his sake , thy holy names sake , thy infinite mercies sake , thy covenant sake to looke downe from heaven upon him with the eye and affection of tender-heartednesse & love ▪ let the loving countenance and cheerefull face of jesvs christ shine comfortably upon him , let the powerfull presence of thy sanctifying spirit possesse his heart wholy with all the graces of salvation , and blessings of heaven , let the word of thy grace put quickning life and sanctifying power into his soule , that it may be rais'd from earth and sin to rest and peace in the bosome of thy compassions . deale with him , we pray thee , as thou usest to deale with those whom thou fashions and frames for the joyes and pleasures of the life to come . sanctifie o lord unto him this present sicknesse , let it by thy blessings upon it breake and plow up his heart soundly and thorowly to search and to try his waies , that so out of the abundance of his feeling , he may powre out a most plentifull and sincere confession of his sinnes before thee , and groanes and sighs and desires unutterable for pardon and remission of them all in the blood of thy sonne . let it we pray thee beget and bring forth in him those blessed effects and happy ends , which in such cases thou art wont to worke upon the soules of holy men and women . let him upon this occasion bee truly humbled under thy mighty hand , with sight of his owne vilenesse , frailty and sinfull miseries , that from thence may spring in him an unfained and longing desire after christ , and comforts of salvation . let him shake off all carnall security , dependance or confidence upon the arme of flesh , or upon any glory and vanity in this life . let his repentance upon this occasion be performed unto thee with more sincerity , universality and thorownesse then ever heretofore . a prayer when any drawes neere unto death . o mercifull lord god , upon the knees of our soules , and from the ground and bottome of our hearts we humbly beseech thee , that wherein soever satan hath any waies blinded him , or his own heart deceived him , or how farre soever the image of christ hath beene defaced and decayed in him . all his omissions of good duties , all his defects and wants in faith , repentance , prayer , obedience , &c. or whatsoever , i say wee most humbly beseech thee to forgive and pardon them all for the passions sake of thine onely sonne . whatsoever at any time since hee had his being , he hath either thought , or said , or done amisse , doe it away deare lord , as though it had never beene , and drowne it for ever in the bottomelesse sea of thine owne mercy . thou hast promised by thy prophet isa. . . that thou wilt put away the transgressions of thy people like a cloud , and their sins as a mist. now we pray thee let the inflamed heate of thy everlasting love shed thorow the bloody wounds of thy son , and shining through the sonne of righteousnesse upon his soule , disperse and dissolve into nothing all his iniquities , transgressions and sins . thou hast promised by thy prophet micah . . that thou wilt cast them all into the bottome of the sea. now blessed lord god , we pray thee , as that mighty host of pharaoh sunke into the red sea like a stone , so that neither sonne of man , nor sun of heaven ever saw their faces any more ; so let all his sins bee swallowed up for ever in the red sea of christ jesvs his blood , that they never show their faces againe to his shame , discomfort or confusion . thou hast told us with thine owne mouth , that thou inhabitest eternity , and dwells in the high and holy place , and yet with him also , that is of a contrite and humble spirit , to revive the spirit of the humble , and to give life to them that are of a contrite heart ; we humbly intreate thee for christ jesus his sake , that thou wouldest make good this promise to this thy servant , to the utmost sweetnesse and comfort thereof . o blessed lord god , let thy glorious presence shine into his heart with all those sweet refreshings , with which thou art wont to fill those happy soules which depart in thy favour and at peace with thee . let the pretious deservings and saving blood-shed of christ jesvs appeare fresh unto the eye of his faith : and let the blessed angell ministring spirits to thy chosen , at thy appointed time carry his soule with peace and comfort into the bosome of thy glory . o lord he is now going the way of all flesh , and his habitation is remooving from him like a shepheards tent . helpe now lord in this time of need . comfort him , wee beseech thee , with all the strength of heaven . thou hast within the rich treasury of thy mercy , thine own tender hearted bowells of compassions , the unvaluable blood shed of thy deare sonne , the unutterable comforts of thy good spirit , the pretious promises of life , and all the joyes of heaven , and he hath a poore soule that hungers and thirsts and longs for thy mercy and favour , before all the world . o lord our god wee humbly pray thee crown that soule of his with them all . let thine own omnipotent hand encompasse him , let the strong arme of the sonne of god mightily protect him from all infernall power , let the spirit of all comfort raise in his heart those heavenly raptures and sweet exultations of spirit , which are wont to fill the soules of them which are ready to lay hold upon a crowne of life , let thy blessed angels at thine owne time , carry his soule into the bosome of abraham , there to raigne with thee in rest , and joy thorow all eternity . a prayer in time of plague . o lord our god , remember us wee pray thee in mercy concerning that heavie and sore judgement of the plague of pestilence that fearefully walketh in darknesse , and wasteth at noone day , which thy just wrath hath kindled in the chiefe city of this kingdome . wee pray thee , good father , to blesse us with care and wisedome to meete thee now at first with truly remorsefull and repentant hearts , both for our own personall sinnes , and the crying abhominations of the times : let us seeke thee with fervency and truth in daies of humiliation and fasting , and cry mightily unto thee that so turning al unto thee with unfained repentance and sincere resolution to amend , thou maist in mercy heale our kingdome , and turne thine indignation away from us . a prayer in time of plague . most gratious god , sith by thy good providence we are met together at this time solemely to humble our selves , and afflict our soules in thy glorious presence , and before thy pure eye , we humbly beseech thee to give unto every one of us spirituall ability , and the saving assistance of thy holy spirit , that we may all doe it unfainedly , fruitfully , effectually , in the name of jesvs christ . o most mighty , and blessed lord god , our ever loving father in jesvs christ . we poore wretches , thy unworthiest servants , do heere humbly prostrate our selves , our soules and bodies before thy throne of grace , acknowledging from our hearts , that we are the vilest of all thy creatures , by reason of our manifold , and hainous sins , we are defiled and polluted in every power and part both of body and soule , to the very heart roote , and from the beginning of our being , we laid at first a bloudy foundation with adam in paradise , which utterly undid all mankinde , and had our hands in that horrible rebellion , which brought all mischiefs and miseries , all sinne and sorrow upon all the sonnes and daughters of adam from the creation to the end of the world , yea and all those hellish woes and tortures which shall lie upon damned soules everlastingly . o lord strike our hearts with remorse for this sin , of which we take so little notice , that we may bee humbled for it , all the daies of our life ; wee came into this world very sinkes of all impurity , concupiscence , and filth , we brought with us understandings starke blinde in all heavenly things ; wills stubborne , froward , rebellious to every good word and worke : memory sinfull and defiled : hard and stony hearts , raging and bedlam passions , earthly and sensuall thoughts and imaginations , dead and guilty consciences ; eyes full of adultery , wantonnesse , and wandrings , eare open to all rotten and ribald talke , tongues set on fire by hell , hands full of iniquity , feete ready to carry us to all manner of villany , and vanity : even bodies and soules ingrafted into the cursed communion of the divell , and wicked spirits , by reason of that originall corruption , and crookednesse which we drew from the loines of our sinfull parents . and this hereditary masse of naturall filth , lurkt in our natures like venome and poison , which made us odious and abominable in thy sight before wee were able to sin : when wee had power to serve the divell , it broke out upon us into as many fearefull transgressions and abominable lusts , as could possibly proceed from so empoysoned a fountaine . and since that time , good lord thou knowest we have borne our selves like traytors and rebells against thy holy majesty : we have actually transgrest all thy blessed lawes and commandements , every manner of way , in thought , word , and deed : fearefully wounding our consciences , greeving thy good spirit , and treasuring up wrath against the day of wrath . o lord wee have grievously sinned against thee , by contempt of thy word , the crying sinne of this place : by atheisme , ignorance , profanenesse , unbeliefe , distrust of thy providence , carnall security , pride , hypocrisie ; by fearelissnesse , and forgetfullnesse of thy great majesty , love of this world , and putting from us the evill day : by impatiency , discontent , inward idolatry in preferring some creature before the mighty lord of heaven and earth : by the grosse neglect , or wicked abuse of all the parts and kinde of thy divine worship : pretious and powerfull are those heavenly ord●nances of thine . thy word preached or read , prayer , meditation , conference , vowes , fasting , use of good bookes , good company and the like , some of those have been utterly neglected by us , others quite mard by formality and sloth . we have highly dishonoured thy majesty , by taking thy great name in vaine : in want of due esteeme , and an holy use of thy titles , attributes , ordinances , creatures , workes of justice and mercy abroad in the world . we have fearefully polluted thy sabboths , and profaned all thy ordinances upon those blessed daies . and as we have thus wickedly neglected thy worship and service in the first place , so wee have beene justly given over to beare our selves wretchedly , and unworthily towards our brethren : we have behaved our selves unthankfully to our superiours : proudly to our equals , unmercifully to our inferiours . though it may bee we have kept our hand from the grosse act of murder : yet lord thou know'st our tongues have beene swords , and our hearts full of blood . we have beene defiled with all manner of abominable lusts in our inward parts . our noble spirits that can never die , have been basely chained downe to the earth ; and kept in a wicked and dunghill slavery , and bondage to the world and worldly things . in our tongues we have beene guilty of a world of wickednesse . but above all , our hearts have beene restlesse fountaines of all ill : innumerable litters , and swarmes of vaine , vile , filthy thoughts , affections , and desires have continually bred in them ; very thorough-faires have they beene for satans impure suggestions , to walke up and downe in : in regard of malicious thoughts , very slaughter-houses ; in regard of uncleane lusts , very stewes , and brothel-houses ; in regard of the heate of boyling concupiscence , very hot-houses , and as the prophet hos. . . speakes , like a bakers oven . and lord our god , these are but the heads of our sins : the branches , streames , and particulars are infinite , able to sinke us into the bottome of ten thousand hells : and that which makes our sinnes a great deale more sinfull , wee have wretchedly and stubbornely committed them against many meanes of sanctification ; against the ministery of thy word ; against many sermons and gratious invitations ; against the motions of thy spirit , the checks of our conscience , the light of our knowledge ; against our vowes , and promises , thy many fatherly corrections , great mercies , and miraculous patience . good lord wee beseech thee to open our eyes , that wee may see the length , and breadth , the height and depth of this our wofull misery : the least of all our sins without repentance may justly bring upon us all manner of plagues and judgements in this world ; dispaire and horror upon our beds of death , and everlasting misery and torment in the world to come . what height of horror then , and depth of hell doe all our fearefull pollutions , and provocations all our life long deserve at thine hands ? now good lord our god helpe us , and for the blood of christ give unto every one of us before thee this day , true , and saving repentance , unfained godly sorrow for them all . let them all now come into our mindes , and be represented to the eye of our conscience , as so many fiery scorpions , out of which , except we take as it were the stings , by turning from them , while it is called to day ; they will sting hereafter with everlasting horrour . let us looke upon them , as upon so many foule feinds , ( sin made the glorious angels damned spirits ) how foule then doe they make us , who are sons and daughters of adam : let us behold them as so many foule and bloody instruments of christ his death , and cruell cut-throats to our owne soules , &c. let us cast our eye also upon thy pure eye , and infinite indignation against sin : by considering how in thy fierce wrath thou threwest downe so many glorious creatures from heaven . how thou cast adam and eve for eating the forbidden fruit out of paradise , drownedst the whole world , cursedst sodome and gomorrah as it were with hellish flame upon earth into ashes , cast off thine owne people who had beene so deare unto thee : puts sometimes a guilty enraged conscience even into an hell above ground , and hast created and provided the never dying worme , and unquenchable fire , even all the torments in hell , for impenitent sinners . o lord let these considerations , of the foulenesse of our sinnes , and the fearefullnesse of the curse due thereunto ; but above all the beholding of jesvs christ , dying and bleeding upon the crosse ; make every one of our hearts to breake and burst and bleede within us for them all : that wee may heartily , and abundantly mourne over him whom wee have pierced with them . and then most mercifull father we humbly beseech thee be graciously pleased to open upon us the blessed fountaine for sin and for uncleanenesse , even the blood of that immaculate lambe jesvs christ the holy and the righteous : breake thine own sweete name which is to forgive iniquity , transgression and sin , as a sweete perfume upon our broken hearts , and let our poore soules cast themselves for ever , with a lively and fruitfull faith into the armes of jesvs christ for everlasting safety , and for ever cleave to all the promises in thy blessed booke , as to the surest rocke , and let the soundnesse of the truth of this our cleaving unto christ , be hereafter testified , and manifested , by an hearty abandoning of all sin ; by all the workes of piety , justice , mercy , and truth , by a sincere respect to all thy commandements , by a fruitfull partaking of all thy holy ordinances , by a spirituall performance of all christian duties , by a constant growing in all heavenly graces ; and comfortable going on in the path that is called holy unto our dying day . and lord our god , we being thus sincerely humbled , truly comforted and reconciled unto thee in the face of christ ; we humbly beseech thee to enable us by thy might , to cry mightily unto thee for pardon , and reformation of the sins of this kingdome , which are many and hainous , and have provoked thee many a yeare ; and to prevaile with thee in christs name , for favour , and mercy upon all our deare brethren and sisters that are now groaning under thy visiting hand . good lord wee beseech thee upon this occasion , and blessed opportunity strike through the heart of every one in this land with a true remorse , and godly sorrow , both for his owne personall sins , and all the crying abominations of the time : that so we all turning unto thee with unfained repentance , and sincere resolution to amend , thou mayest in mercy command thine angell to cease from striking , heale our land and turne thine indignation away from us . it is a heavy judgement , and horrible sicknesse , which devoures now and eates up thy people in our chiefe city : and is fearefully scattered in many places abroad : it is called thine hand , thy sword , the stroake of thine angell , the snare of the fowler , the noysome pestilence , the terrour by night , the arrow that flieth by day , the destruction that wasteth by noone-day , and walketh in the darknesse . o lord our god , let us be humbled proportionably to the extraordinary terror of thy heavie hand . thou lord art acquainted with the anguish of all hearts , with the griefes , and groanes , the necessities , and wants of all distressed ones . and all those poore soules that are still afflicted under thy mighty hand , with the grievous pestilence in any part of this kingdome ▪ lie in a most rufull , comfortlesse , and desolate state , ordinarily they are destitute of all outward comforts ; they want the physitions both of soule and body , the presence , and comforts of their friends , neighbours , and all those who are dearest unto them . they are vexed with the rage of a horrible disease , assaulted with the fearefull sight of all their sinnes , the pangs of death , and terrour of thy dreadfull tribunall , we humbly beseech thee most mercifull lord , to ease , comfort , succour , and relieve them all , farre above that which we can either thinke , or speake in their behalfe . especially holy father , we pray thee blesse every one of them , with a right , and holy use of this thine heavy hand upon them , give them saving sorrow , and true repentance , the blood of thy sonne , pardon of all their sins , perswasion of thy love , peace of conscience , patience to endure their great extremities ; and a full recompence of all their outward desolations , with the sweete , and inward consolations of thy blessed spirit . and so sanctifie good lord this sore judgement to the whole kingdome , that we may all come from under thy visiting hand , as gold out of the furnace , refined from the drosse of our corruptions , and filth of sin , and so fitted and sanctified for the more sincere and glorious service of thy great majesty unto our dying day . o lord our god , thou beholdest now from heaven , what hearts we bring now into thy glorious presence , how full of deadnesse , earthly-mindednesse , listlesnesse , and unfitnesse to performe any holy duty with heavenly minds and spirituall affections , we pray thee to stirre them up , and quicken them by thy holy spirit , that they may bee ever feeling , and fruitfull in the use of all the ordinances , give every one of us spirituall ability , and helpe from heaven , to goe through it with life , and power effectually and pleasingly to thy great majesty in the name of christ . an other prayer for confession of sinne . o eternall god , great and fearefull , strong and mighty , yet mercifull , and gratious , long-suffering , abundant in goodnesse , and truth : keeping mercy for thousand , forgiving iniquity , transgression and sin : we poore wretches , vilest creatures doe heere humbly cast downe our selves , at the foot of thy great and glorious majesty , acknowledging from our hearts , that we are most unworthy to come into thy presence , or to call upon thy dreadfull , and holy name . for thou art a god of infinite majesty , and glory , and dwellest in light that no man can attaine unto , and we are vile wormes , dust , and ashes , dwelling in houses of flesh , and tabernacles of clay , wherein we can doe nothing but sin . thou art a consuming fire , and we are even as stubble before thee , ready to bee devoured by thy fierce wrath , if thou shouldest deale with us , as we have deserved . thou art a god of pure eyes , and canst not behold iniquity , and we are encompassed , and laden with all manner of pollutions and sinfullnesse . beside that bloudy rebellion with adam in paradise , and cursed leprosy of originall sin , which hath universally corrupted all the faculties ▪ and powers of body and soule , filling them with all hellish poyson , confusion and pronenesse to ill , the whole world hath beene worse for us , since wee came into it , there is nothing in heaven or in earth , but so farre as in us lay , we have polluted , wronged , dishonoured and abused it one way or other . . we have villanously stroke at the apple of thy pure eye ; holy father , many and many a time , with filthy thoughts , abominable lusts , and fearefull provocations , we have pressed thy mercies , even as a cart is pressed which is full of sheaves , we have shamefully abused the riches of thy goodnesse , forbearance , and long-suffering , leading us to repentance . . we have dishonoured thy deare sonne , by despising him in his ministery , neglecting his many gratious invitations , persecuting him in his members , and shedding his bloud in the sacrament . . we have grieved thy good spirit , by putting backe his holy motions , or smoothering them by worldlinesse , lusts , and earthly delights . . we have vexed thy blessed angels , so much as in us lies , besides many other waies , even in this house of thine , with unreverence , drowsinesse , sleepinesse , and the like , where they are beholding with delight the misteries revealed in the gospell . . we have wofully abused all thy creatures , they should have ministred to us continuall matter of heavenly meditation upon thy greatnesse , and goodnesse , power , and providence , &c. but our earthly minds have made no such holy use of them , but wee have covetously and sensually abused them to our owne ends , and carnall contentments . . even this kingdome , gratious father , wherein we have beene borne , and bread , and enjoyed many good things , hath beene much worse for us ; for we have had our hands lord thou knowest in pulling downe upon us , this horrible sicknesse of the plague of pestilence , and other judgements , both temporall , and spirituall : and without true , and timely repentance , are likely enough to hasten the destroying sword , and besome of destruction to make an end of us . . we have abused all thy fatherly corrections , and chastisements laid upon us in love , and for our good , they should have brought forth in us the peaceable and glorious fruits of righteousnesse , but they have rather begot murmuring , impatiency , and discontentment . . we have abused thy mercies , which have beene heaped abundantly upon us above measure , and without number , even to increase our security , and presumption and forgetfullnesse of the evill day . . we have abused the most gracious , and glorious day of visitation that ever any people enjoyed upon earth : passing over it very unprofitably , like sons , and daughters of confusion , not gathering any such stock and store of grace , against our ending houre as we might plentifully have done . . we have abused all thy blessed ordinances , those heavenly conduits of all spirituall blessings , grace , and comfort : by our unpreparednesse before , irreverence in the use of them , fruitlesnesse , and want of practise afterward . . we have wretchedly abused our owne bodies , and soules , by abandoning them to the service of satan , and making all our members instruments of unrighteousnesse to sin . fearefully were they infected with originall sin at first , but we have made them much more sinfull by our actuall transgressions ever since ; we have added a great deale of folly in respect of the mystery of christ : every way lord thou knowest we are become exceeding sinfull . we humbly intreate thee in the name of the lord jesvs to illighten our mindes , and open our eyes , to see the length , and breadth , the height , and depth , of this our sinfull misery , for which thou mightest justly bring upon us all the curses in thy booke , and all the torments in hell , and in the meane time plague us with giving us over to more hardnesse of heart , blindnesse of minde , deadnesse of conscience , slavery under our lusts , a reprobate sence , and to be finally sealed up with the spirit of slumber against the day of vengeance , which are farre worse then all the plagues of egypt . . thou mightest holy father even thine owne selfe for our many dishonours , and disobedience against thee draw that sword against us , that would eate flesh and drinke blood : suffer that wrath to be kindled in thy bosome against us , which would burne unto the bottome of hell : come against us as a beare robbed of her whelps , and rent the caule of our hearts , and teare us in peeces like a lyon when there is none to helpe . . thine owne deare sonne might for ever deny us his pretious bloud , to wash away the least staine from our sinfull soules . . thy holy spirit might never more put any motion into our hearts . . thy blessed angels might take no more charge over us , or be ministring spirits unto us for our good , but leave us as a prey to that roaring lyon , and his damned angels . . all the creatures might come justly armed against us , with their severall stings and rage to make an end of us , for rebelling against thee their creator . . this kingdome wherein we live , might justly fall into the mouth of some horrible confusion , and we inwrapt in the miseries and desolations thereof . . all crosses , afflictions , and thine angry visitations upon us , might be unto us the very beginnings of hellish paines . . thy many mercies unto us which should leade us unto repentance , might onely serve to far us against the day of slaughter . . the day of our gratious visitation might end , and the sun set upon the prophets . . all thy blessed ordinances might bee unto us the savour of death unto death . . our bodies and soules might bee most justly cast into the bottome of hell , there to be tormented with the damned for ever and ever . o lord our god , we humbly beseech thee for the lord jesus his sake , let a serious consideration of this our sinfullnesse and cursednesse breake our stony hearts into peeces , make them burst and bleed within us , and good lord our god , we being thus sincerely humbled , let us get faster hold upon the lord jesvs , with a sound and fruitfull faith then heretofore ; by a stedfast looking upon him , and all his sufferings , and satisfactions , from his comming from thy bosome untill his returning unto thy right hand againe : by survaying all the promises of of life sealed with his blood : by cleaving to his sweetest name : which is to forgive iniquity , transgression and sin : and resting our selves with a thankfull , and joyfull acknowledgement upon that blessed mystery of his free grace , which reacheth from everlasting to everlasting , &c. a thankesgiving . most mighty and most glorious lord god of heaven and earth , our light and life , our sun and shield : the strength of our hearts , and our portion forever . thou art the author of all our good , the fountaine of all our blisse , the well-spring of immortality and life , wherein we live , and move , and have our being , even our naturall , spirituall , and eternall being . and therefore to thy great and glorious majesty , we render from the bottome of our hearts , all possible praise , and thankesgiving , for all those glorious mercies , and richest favours which thou from time to time , hast abundantly and plentifully vouchsafed unto us most rebellious , unthankfull , and undeserving wretches . we thanke thee for the well-head , and first fountaine of them all , thy love towards us , and of all our good every way , even the good pleasure of thine own good will , thy free grace , and that mercy that reacheth from everlasting to everlasting . we thanke thee for putting us into this world in the best , and blessed part and time thereof . we might have beene borne , and lived in the time of the flood , and so beene drown'd and damn'd , or within the compasse of that almost foure thousand yeares betweene the creation and the comming of christ , out of the partition wall , and so have had no meanes or ordinary possibility of salvation . but have lived , and dyed in cursed paganisme , and heathenish idolatry ; we might have lived in that darke and damned mid-night , and have beene choakt with the doctrine of divels : wee might have lived at this time of the world , but amongst turks , pagans , infidels , where wee should never have heard savingly of jesvs christ : it 's thy infinite mercy wee have beene borne , and bread , and brought up in this happy time of the world , and blessed corner of the earth , this illightned goshan , where we have enjoyed or might have enjoyed , the glorious gospell of our blessed god with such purity , power , and peace . we thank thee blessed god for making us reasonable creatures , capable of grace and immortality . thou mightest have let us lie for ever in that abhorred state of being nothing , and wee should never have dishonoured thee : thou mightest have made us of those angels that are become wicked spirits , and then we had beene irrecoverably lost : thou mightest have made us toads , or tygers , vermine , or any vild thing : and we should never have prooved such traytors , and rebells against thee as we have beene . o lord , we praise thee , that thou hast made us of thy noblest creatures , and given us understandings like the angels of god , so that if we be not cursedly cruell to our owne soules , they may be saved everlastingly by the meanes that we enjoy . we blesse thee holy father , for thy fatherly care of us , being yet in our mothers wombe , wonderfully , and fearefully made : for that miraculous mercy in bringing us into this world , and giving us leave to see this light . for thy gratious watching over us while wee hung upon our mothers breasts , since that time for thy mercifull continuance to us of our life , health , liberty , outward meanes , the use of our wits , limbs , senses ; for all the good wee have had by good yoake-fellowes , good parents , good children , good servants , good neighbours , good governours , or any of thy good creatures , for every step we have made upon this earth , every bit of bread we have put into our mouthes , for every draught of aire we have drawne into these fraile bodies , and blessings more then heart can thinke , or tongue tell , and which we can neither possibly remember or expresse . above all , we of this place are bound to praise thy goodnesse most mercifull god , for that most incomparable jewel , that ever this world had , or sons of men enjoyed , the ministery of the word , and meanes of salvation , the discovery of the mystery of christ , and revelation of all thy blessed counsells . by the power whereof so many amongst us , as have truly tasted how gratious and glorious thou art in christ , doe blesse , magnifie , and admire , the bottomelesse depth , and infinite height of thy free grace , for our happy conversion from satan to the living god , for our change from nature to grace , a greater and more glorious work then the creation of the world , wherein thou hast improved thine owne infinite mercie , the unvaluable merit of thy sonne , and the mighty worke of the holy ghost , to make us of limbs of the divell members of christ , o blessed be that happy time , that ever we were so new borne . wee thanke thee for pardoning all our sins , the least of which would have damned us everlastingly : for renewing upon our soules the blessed image of the lord jesvs , the least glimpse whereof is infinitely more worth then the whole world . we thank thee for the lord jesvs , and every drop of his pretious blood , and all other sweetnesse wee finde in him ; for thy good spirit , and his gratious presence and residence in our soules ; for thy blessed selfe , and all the sweete communion we have with thy holy majesty ; for the prayers of thy children , communion of saints and the intercession of jesvs christ . we thanke thee heartily for any power or conquest thou givest us at any time over our sins ; for all our ability to doe thee any service , in any part or kinde of thy worship ; for all those afflictions and temptations which thou hast sanctified for our spirituall good ; for all the sweete and heavenly dewes of spirituall joy , which thou hast at any time shed into any of our hearts , from the throne of grace by the influence of thy holy spirit . blessed god , wee thanke thee infinitely for those glorious mansions of rest , for our everlasting blessings and peace purchased for us , with the blood of christ : for every moment of eternity in the highest heavens ; where wee shall fully and for ever enjoy pleasures without end and past imagination . o blessed joyes ! o blessed eternity ! o ever-blessed god ! furthermore gratious father , wee heartily praise thee for all those publique favours and blessings , which in great mercy thou hast from time to time vouchsafed unto this kingdome , wherein we have had a large and comfortable part . we thanke thee good father for the happy deliverance of this kingdome from the fiery and bloudy times of queene mary ; for raising up queene elizabeth , who raised religion as it were by a miracle from the dead : for all her miraculous deliverances from the cruell conspiracies of the bloody papists , especially that in . for all her blessed daies , wherein so many holy saints were sent to heaven . we thanke thee mercifull god , for delivering us from the rage and bloud of that day so long looked for by the papists , at queene elizabeths death ; for the quiet and happy succession of king iames of blessed memory , and all the peace and prosperity , and freedome from popery , and the destroying sword , especially the powder-plot . we thanke thee , father , most heartily , for the gratious setling of king charles in the royall throne , for his life and safety , and the happy daies we enjoy under his blessed raigne : and that thou hast put into his royall heart to give us this blessed liberty , and glorious opportunity , thus to humble our selves , and afflict our soules in publique before thy glorious majesty . we humbly intreate thee in the name of christ let every one of us receive at thy bountifull hands grace and power to doe it unfainedly , effectually , and savingly . for that purpose let thy blessings fall abundantly from heaven upon every soule here present , by the ministery of thy word , settle fast we pray thee by the finger of thy holy spirit in our memories , judgement , affections , hearts and consciences , all those points of holy truth with which wee have beene acquainted with this day , that by thy mercifull blessing they may prove thy arme and power to every one of us for our salvation , for the conversion of those who are yet uncalled , and the setting forward of those that are already thine , in the waies of life , all holy conversation , and neerer communion with thy blessed majesty . at last we cannot but reflect with compassionare hearts upon the grievous miseries and bleeding sorrowes of all our brethren and sisters afflicted with the plague of pestilence . thou art a pitifull god , full of tendernesse , meltings , and compassions ; thou art the father of mercies , and god of all comforts ; now we humbly intreate thee for thy deare sonnes sake , for thy infinite mercies sake , for thy holy names sake , of all thy loves unto the lord jesvs , and that with all the earnestnesse and fervency our poore dull hearts can possibly : that thou wouldest bee pleased to cast downe thy compassionate eye upon them all , stay the hand of thy destroying angell , spare them good lord , destroy not the people of thine inheritance , put up we pray thee thy arrowes into thy quiver , and thy sword into the sheath , now at the joynt supplications of all thy deare children who are in this kingdome , who are even now wrastling with thee with all fervency of spirit , let our poore prayers , and all theirs , even now meeting at the throne of grace , bee mightily strengthened and tendered unto thee by the intercession of the lord jesvs , and pull downe speedily upon us this mercy and gratious deliverance , that we may praise thee for evermore . lastly blessed lord we humbly beseech thee to pardon in mercy all those corruptions , infirmities , faylings , defects and imperfections which have beene mingled with these holy duties , sprinkle all our services , sacrifices and persons with the blood of that immaculate lambe jesvs christ , the holy and the righteous : accept them and us gratiously in him in whom thou art well pleased , in whom thy soule doth infinitely delight . and so good father we put our selves under the wings of thy gratious providence , for our safety and preservation , and our soules into the hands of the holy ghost for our further sanctification , and finall salvation in the name of jesvs christ , to whom with thee and the holy ghost , even to thee holiest father , to thee dearest saviour , to thee sweetest spirit , be ascribed eternity , infinitenesse , and everlastingnesse of glory and praise world without end . the authors private prayer . o my good and mercifull lord god , most holy and deare father in jesvs christ , i the vilest of all thy creatures and the worst that ever thou madest , by reason of mine owne horrible sins , doe here come unto thee upon the bended knees of my bleeding soule to intreate thee and beg at thy hands with all the instancy and fervency my poore , dull , cold heart can possibly for pardon , grace and mercy , for favour , compassion and abundant forgivenesse . o lord my god , thou knowest me full well , and thorowly , even to the bottome of my heart and beginning of my being : for besides that i came into this world loaden with an heavie burden and confused babell of crookednesse and corruption , in every part both of soule and body : thou knowest what a cursed confluence of all manner of pollutions , filthinesse , uncleanenesse , strange abomination , abominable lusts , and every villanous corruption that is wont to spring out of our impoysoned nature , made my poore soule a very sinke and sodom before i was converted . reckon up here unto god particulars , out of abundance of feeling , with a plentifull and sincere confession , and then goe on . thus o lord thou knowest , when thou very mercifully at the first didst call and knocke at my heart by the ministery of thy word , with what stubbornenesse , reluctancy and delaies i withstood the worke of thy blessed spirit for the salvation of my owne poore soule . how loath i was to open the eyes of my understanding to let in the heavenly light of that holy truth , which onely could make mee gracious here and glorious in thy kingdome hereafter . and when thou hadst something conquered the hardnesse of my heart , so that in some measure i saw the hatefullnesse of my sin , and felt the horror of thy wrath for them . o lord thou knowest i did not so grieve , sorrow and take on , as so great and grievous a sinner ought to have done , i did not mourne for them as the mourning of hadadrimmon in the valley of megiddo , i was not sorry for them as one is sorry for his first borne . i was not throwne downe into the dust , and into the place of dragons , and into that depth of humiliation which the villany and variety of my many most horrible transgressions , farre as much as the sins of the vilest wretch that ever lived upon earth , required at my hands . nay , and when after the sence and acknowledgement of my vile and damnable estate , i saw the blood and merits of my blessed redeemer to be the onely meanes to save me from out of hell , i did not feele in my selfe that hunger and thirst , that panting and longing , those groanes , supplications and strong cries for that soveraigne and saving plaister to heale my wounded soule , as mine owne misery and the excellency of my christ should have moov'd me unto . and when at length it pleased thee upon thy owne free mercy to offer unto my sorrowfull and sinnefull soule thy deare son , and all his pretious sufferings , my unbeleeving and naughty heart did not embrace , and lay hold upon him with that fastnesse and faithfullnes as the certainty of thy promises , the truth and sweetnesse of thy mercy most plentifully revealed in thy word doe straitly enjoyne mee . thus lord even every step of my passage out of nature into grace , out of corruption into christianity , and the snares of the divell into the kingdome of christ , was , as thou knowest , fearefully hindred with the hardnesse of my own corrupt heart , and fowly polluted with the lusts and rebellions of my sinfull nature . nay , and that which grieves me the most , and should justly make my heart even to bleede within me , since i gave my name unto religion , came into the communion of saints , and entred the waies of new obedience , i have beene dragd back by the cruell pollicie of satan , and the accustomed yeeldingnesse of my sensuall dispositions into some vile and hatefull abominations of the daies of my vanity , and time of unregeneration : and also overtaken with some new knowne scandalous sins , to the grieving of thy good spirit , the grievous wounding of my conscience , and the disgracing of my profession . i have beene very slack and slow , and faint-hearted in promoting thy glory , furthering good causes and performing holy duties . i have beene very dull and cold , cowardly and formall in all the waies of godlines , and my christian warfare , in respect of many christians , who have not neere beene so great sinners before they were converted , or receiv'd the thousand part of those favours from thee , as i have done . i have beene too heavie , heartlesse and uncomfortable in my profession , conferences , godly exercises and practises of grace ; i have not so rejoyced , as i ought , in all the good things which thou hast done for me , i have not walked so cheerefully towards a crowne of life , as formerly towards the damnation of hell . nay , lord , and even in those things , wherein i should have the greatest comfort , when i examine my naughty and deceitfull heart , i finde nothing but confusion of face . even my prayers , hearing and reading the word , receiving the sacrament , meditations , conferences , &c. are so mingled with temptations , worldly thoughts , by-respects , deadnesse and drowsinesse of spirit , so mard with privie pride , and secret hypocrisie , that i cannot remember them without griefe of heart ; neither dare i thinke upon them without prayer for the pardon of their imperfections . i finde great matter of humiliation in the best of them , and i know thou mightest there also finde much matter of damnation , if thou shouldest deale with me as i have deserved . o lord my god , this is my state , nay and indeed a thousand times worse and more wofull yet then i or the tongue of an angell can make it . and i have nothing in the world to say for my selfe , i have none to goe unto either in heaven or in earth , but onely to intreate my blessed redeemer to speake unto thee in my behalfe , to make intercession for me with his glorious merits and pretious blood-shed : and to flee unto those melting bowells of thy fatherly compassions and tender-heartednesse , with which thou art wont to meete and fall upon the neck of every humbled , sorrowfull and broken-hearted sinner . i do therefore beseech thee , mercifull lord , upon the bowed knees of my sin-grieved heart to pardon and put away all my many horrible , hainous and abominable sins in the pretious blood of thine own deare son. it is onely the pretious blood of that spotlesse lambe which hath power and force to turne the deepest staine of scarlet and crimson sins into the whitenesse of snow & wooll . and there was never poore , sinfull wretch had more need of the multitude of thy mercies , and abundance of that saving blood to doe away the multitude of my sins , and to wash & purge and rinze my filthy and polluted soule . i pray thee therfore for christ jesus his sake , for thy holy names sake , for thine infinite mercies sake , and for thine own covenants sake , to make good unto me the true sweetnesse , & utmost comfort of all those gracious promises of life , which ere flowed from thy free mercy , through the passion of thy son upon any poore soule , who sought thee with truth of heart , & truly lov'd the glory of thy name . i strangely deceive mine owne heart if i doe not hunger and thirst for thy favour and pleased countenance more then for all the treasures of the earth , & the glory of the whole world make mine heart i pray thee , as thou wouldst have it , and then be a sun & shield unto it , and crowne it with al the comforts of heaven , as thou hast promised : then seale unto it for ever the sure mercies of david , & the salvations of the life to come . and i beseech thee also , to be so loving and mercifull to my longing spirit , so tender-hearted and kinde to my trembling heart , that i may feele in my conscience the sprinkling of the blood of thy son , for the appeasing of it , & that my poore soule may sensibly know what great things thou hast done for it , and that thou art reconciled unto it for ever in christ jesus . above all things fill my heart with the joyfull feeling of thy mercies in the pardon of my sins ▪ that so my quieted soule may sweetly sleepe , and solace it selfe everlastingly in that peace which passeth all understanding , and in the bosome of thy compassions . and for the time to come , i pray thee , to help me more and more to renew & increase my repētance , to better & inlarge my obedience : and put to thine owne holy hand to strengthen every grace thou hast given me . o lord my god , i could never yet get neere that hand & hatred over my sins , as i have infinitely desired . i beseech thee now at length let mee feele thy speciall comfortable power mightily assisting me in this holy businesse . the sins of my youth have beene most hatefull , execrable and abominable , both to god and man , nay and i have been guilty of many horrible villanies , which have beene only knowne to thy all-seeing eye and mine owne corrupt conscience . i pray thee blessed lord , for thy christ his sake , to worke in my heart godly sorrow , true loathing , sound repentance and humiliation for them all , in some good measure answerable and proportionable to their heighnousnesse and excesse . oh grant mee that happinesse , that i may look back upon all those fowle pollutions , and sinfull vanities of my unregenerate time without either sensuall delight , or slavish horror ; even with a sincere hatred and heavie mourning . let me see them without any despairefull feare , being assured they are done away with the blood of thy son , as though they had never been : & without any secret delight , lest i renew and multiply their guilt & grievousnes upon my poore soule , which they have too fearefully wounded already . and lord i pray thee also , put quickning life , power and feeling into my heart and affections in the performance of every holy duty , which is the very heart and soule of a pleasing sacrifice and service unto thee . increase in me an holy feare , reverence & respect to all thy commandements . cause and continue in me a sincere , universall , and constant obedience unto them all , & that not from any slavish feare , private end or by-respect , but for conscience sake , a soule-like feare of thee and love of thy glory . and if at any time , as it is ordinary with gods children , it shall please thee to exercise me with any crosse , disgrace , slander , discoūtenance , losse of goods , disease of body , terror of soule , or the like , i pray thee ever sweeten & sanctifie them unto mee by thy blessing : & grant that i may ever obediently with all peace of heart , & patience of spirit submit to thy will & wisedome therein ; being fully assured that to me , which am in christ , the sting , curse and poyson of them is most certainely pulled out by the passion of thy son. and resting ever upon thy sweet & pretious promises , that thou having given me christ jesus , will never deny me any truly needfull and and comfortable thing , while the world stands . and that all things , even the rage of satan , the malice of men , the miseries of this life , nay even the sins of my soule , in an holy sence , by thy blessings shall turne unto my everlasting good . add i pray thee , daily more and more strength and life , and new degrees unto all these graces , which it hath pleased thee in some measure to plant in my soule of thy owne free mercy , and for the mediation of ▪ thy son. increase my knowledge in the great mystery of grace , my reliance and trust in thee , as one most powerfull , mercifull and true ; my hope and patient expectation of thy presence , and assistance in all things that are to come ; my love of thee , thy word , thy children and all things that belong unto thee ; my zeale & courage for thy glory and truth & good causes and good men ; feare of thy great name ; humblenesse and lowlinesse of minde . the spirit and power of prayer ; patience and contentednesse in all troubles and trials , &c. or what other holy virtue thou hast in great mercy vouchsafed unto me . grant i pray thee and give me grace to imploy and improove them all to the utmost & for the best advantage in procuring thee glory , good unto thy church and comfort unto mine owne soule . blesse i pray thee and be mercifull to all creatures , and to the whole world . draw , if it be thy blessed pleasure turks , infidels , jewes , to the light and acknowledgement of thy saving truth , and the salvation of their soules . blesse our king specially and principally , and all his dominions . roote out of them wee pray thee , all ignorance , profanesse , popery , pride , oppressions and all the workes of the divell . purge we humbly and earnestly beseech thee this church and kingdome wherein wee live , and that mightily and speedily from all disorders , sedition , faction & corruptions , which any way dishonour thy majesty , vex thy children or hinder a free and glorious passage of the gospell of thy sonne . blesse the people committed to my charge , my owne family , my friends , my goods , house , cattell and all things that any waies belong unto mee . remember i beseech thee with speciall love and tender-heartednesse all thy deare children whersoever they be , especially those who desire my prayers for them , and have made the troubles of their soules knowne unto me . i pray thee for thy christ his sake , let them fare the better for the poore prayers of thy weake and unworthy servant . gratious lord , i praise and magnifie from the ground and bottome of my heart , thy glorious name , and the sweetnesse of thy mercy for that golden chaine of comfortable providence , which thy mercifull hand hath linkt together for my good ever since i was borne . thou gavest mee a most loving and kinde father , a very skillfull and learned schoole-master , worthy and ingenuous education , &c. thou preservedst me mightily and almost miraculously from mayming or suddaine death . thou followedst mee bountifully with thy favours at the university ; and didst infinitely above all hope and expectation , raise up variety of meanes from time to time for my maintenance there , &c. thou broughtst me at length fairely , easily and uncorruptly into this place and pastorall charge i now injoy . thou hast given me out of thine own free , immediate mercy a deare and loving wife , incomparably the fittest for me that could have beene found upon the face of the whole earth . but above all , the comforts which thou hast brought unto my poore soule by my booke have beene most unspeakeable and glorious . blessed for ever be thy glorious name therefore , &c. in a word , i am verily perswaded there was never wretch upon earth , that receiv'd so many mercies , favours and comforts from thee , and return'd so little thankefullnesse , service and obedience unto thee . o lord my god , forgive i pray thee the infinite disproportion of thine immeasurable bountifullnesse to me , and my most weake imperfect and sinfull obedience & service unto thee . o forgive it , forgive it for christ jesus his sake , &c. finis . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e sam. . ● . acts . ● . juxta cor ●●um . q. d. qui praeceptum divini consi●●● exequi●ur virtute devotionis greg. mag. expos lib. . in reg. cap. . devotio ▪ est pius & humilia affectus in devm humilis ex conscientia infirmitatis pro priae : pius ex consideratione divinae clementiae aug ▪ de spir. & anima cap . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 dixit arist. rhet lib. cap. . ●lloigne qu● divinitùs ad altare venerit deinceps custodito omnia erant accendenda quae in tabernaculo accendi oportebāt . aug. quest. super levit. lib. . ● . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 lxx oratio pro pau●ere . tremel . & ●un . i●te psalmus in principio vocem prophetae continet ex persona peccatoris hier. quod slen●es dica●●s nos qui pro peccatis 〈◊〉 his ver●iculis ●do●emur . arnob. some generall directions for a comfortable walking with god deliuered in the lecture at kettering in northhamptonshire, with enlargement: by robert bolton ... bolton, robert, - . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a stc estc s this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) some generall directions for a comfortable walking with god deliuered in the lecture at kettering in northhamptonshire, with enlargement: by robert bolton ... bolton, robert, - . the second edition: corrected and amended; with a table thereunto annexed. [ ], , - , [ ] p. imprinted by felix kyngston, for edmund weauer, and are to be sold at his shop at the great north doore of pauls church, at london : . the last leaf is blank. running title reads: generall directions for a comfortable walking with god. reproduction of the original in the british library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng christian life -- early works to . - tcp assigned for keying and markup - apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images - mona logarbo sampled and proofread - mona logarbo text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion some generall directions for a comfortable walking with god : delivered in the lectvre at kettering in northhamptonshire , with enlargement : by robert bolton , preacherof gods word at broughton in the same county . the second edition : corrected and amended ; with a table thereunto annexed . printer's or publisher's device at london , imprinted by felix kyngston , for edmund weauer , and are to be sold at his shop at the great north doore of pauls church . . to the right honorable , and trvly noble , edward lord mountague of boughton , a fruitfull increase of all heauenly graces ; and all watchfull preparation for the glory that shall be reuealed . much honored and noble lord ; although the eminency of your other personall worth , great wisdome , and noble parts , a sufficient attractiue to euery honest heart , by reason of the particular interest it hath in the common state of goodnes ; or your speciall bounty to my selfe , which ought to stir vp an ingenuous minde , to apprehend any opportunity of due and deserued acknowledgement ; or your publike deportment in the face of our country , so worthy , and honorable ; and managed with such true honesty , graue moderation , and noblenesse of spirit , which cannot but draw from euery heart truely sound to our great lord in heauen , and his royall deputy our highest soueraigne vpon earth , a great deale of reuerence & loue ; i say , though any of these seuerally , might exact from me , a more exact and able demonstration of the thankefull deuotions of my heart : yet my lord , ( and you may beleeue mee ) there is another thing besides all these , which was the strongest , and most predominant motiue to quicken mee to this duty , and dedication ; euen your sincere and inuincible affection to the gospell of iesus christ , his faithfull ministers , and most precious wayes . and this , to tell you the truth , is farre the fairest , and most orient flower in the garland of all your goodnesse ; and incomparably aboue all your greatnesse , were you aduanced euen to desert ; nay , to the highest top of all earthly felicities , and mortall honour . for howsoeuer , the world euer beside it selfe in point of faluation , and starke blind in the right apprehension of heauenly things , doth ●…ote vpon guilded miseries , stinging vanities , golden setters ; and wickedly deemes a pursuite of purity , the height of folly : yet i can assure you in the word of life and truth ; the richest , and rarest con●…luence of all humane happinesses ; the most exquisite excellencie , and variety of the greatest worldly pompe and splendour , that euer the sunne saw , since the first moment of its creation , or shall looke vpon while it shines in heauen , is but dust in the ballance , to one graine of grace ; it is but b dung to an humble minde , sauingly illightened with a forecast , but of the least glimpse of that incomprehensible , endlesse glory which shall shortly be reuealed : it is all in the true valuation , but as a vaine c smoake ; which doth not onely vanish , as it riseth , and vtterly looseth it selfe at the highest ; but also drawes teares frō a mans eyes ; nay , at last , wrings the very heart-strings of euery impenitent soule , with that extremest euerlasting horrour , which would burst ten thousand hearts , seriously and sensibly to thinke vpon before-hand . it is not onely vanity , but also vexation of spirit . let worldly wisdome say what it will , and hold them melancholike , and d madde , who by the helpe of the holy ghost hold a constant counter-motion to the course of the world , and corruptions of the time , that they may keep a good conscience , the richest treasure , and dearest iewell that euer the heart of man was acquainted with ; who infinitely desire , rather to be religious , then rich ; to bee good , then great ; to enioy the fauour of god , then the soueraignty , and pleasures of all the kingdomes of the earth : yet assuredly , when all is said , and truely summed vp ; it is onely the true feare of gods blessed name ; a zealous forwardnesse for his glory , goodnesse , and good causes ; at this day , vnhappily , and to the ruine of infinite soules , called by the world , pragmaticalnesse , and , too much precisenesse , which can truely beautifie , and adorne both all other personall sufficiencies ; and indeed sanctifie and blesse all publike imployments and seruices of state. for the first : a professor euen something popish , doth yet truely teach , that e heroicall nobilitie is an illustrious eminency shining in a man by the heauenly infusions of supernaturall grace , whereby he is made by adoption the sonne of god , the spouse of christ , the temple of the holy ghost ; without which , all other nobilities are nothing ; not worth a button . suppose a faire and goodly horse to the eye , as exquisitely featured , colourd , paced , as that fained by bartas , to be managed by cain ; yet if he wāted mettle , he were worth nothing to a man of spirit . giue me the most magnificent glorious worldling , that euer trod vpō earthly mould ; richly crowned with all the ornaments , and excellencies of nature , art , policy , preferment , or what heart can wish besides ; yet without the life of grace to animate and ennoble them , hee were to the eye of heauenly wisdome , but as a rotten carkasse stucke ouer with flowers , magnified dung , guilded rottennesse , golden damnation . and that which is more dreadfull ; when the sunne of his short summers day is set , the hot gleame of transitorie prosperity past , and the bitter tempestuous winters night of death approacheth ; from which all the gold and pearle of east & west can no more deliuer him , then can an handfull of dust ; i say , then shall bee powred vpon his head , that terrible showre of snares , fire and brimstone , and an horrible tempest . his soule sinkes immediatly in a moment into the depth of remedilesse misery , and is desperately plunged for euer into the bottome of the burning lake . his body descends into the graue , as into a dungeon of rottennesse & horror , arrested , as it were , by the second death , in the deuils name , and at length haled and dragged vnto the terror of that great and last day ; where no creature can rescue him , no mountaine couer him , from that vnquenchable wrath , & neuer-dying worme , which shall euer lastingly , day and night feed vpon his soule and flesh . wheras now , on the other side , that poore neglected one , who hath in truth giuen his name vnto christ and his gainefull seruice , perhaps by the world most disdainfully and contemptuously trampled vpon euen into the dust , with the feet of cruelty and pride ; at least most certainly , euer made extremely vile , and contemptible by the villany of f tongues , and g cruell mockings ; yet is such an one as the world is not worthy of : in the meane time , in the meaning of the holy ghost , h a crowne of glory in the hand of iehouah , as beautifull and amiable , as the bloud of christ and his righteous roabe can make him ; crowned full gloriously with i gods owne comelinesse which hee hath put vpon him ; designed from all eternitie in due time , ( for so his sanctification now assures him ) to weare an euerlasting crowne of blisse . and when his pilgrimage is past , death is to him the day-breake of eternall brightnesse . vpon his last bed , his blessed soule shall finde that fresh-bleeding fountaine for sinne and for vncleannesse set wide open vnto it , by the hand of faith , ready now at its departure , to raze out the last sinfull staine : it may confidently , in the name of christ cast it selfe into the open armes , enlarged bowels , and dearest embracements of the father of all mercies : it may feele the glorious presence of the sweetest comforter , presenting vnto it a foretaste of heauenly ioyes : it shall haue the last sweetnesse , and triumphant truth of all the promises of life , able to confront and confound the vtmost rage , and very powder-plot of all the powers of darknesse , made good vnto it : a mighty guard of blessed angels shal attend vpon it ; waiting with longing and ioy to beare it triumphantly into the bosome of abraham . his bodie shall goe into the graue , as into a chamber of rest , and bed of downe , sweetly perfumed vnto it , by the sacred body of the sonne of god lying in the graue ; locked there full fast with the barres of the earth , and fenced with the omnipotent arme of god , as a rich iewell in a casket of gold , vntill the resurrection of the iust . and then , after their ioyfullest meeting , and glorious re-vnion , they shall both bee for euer filled with all those vnmixed pleasures , blessed immortalities , & crowned ioyes , which the dwelling place of god , the glory of heauen , and the inexhausted fountaine of all blisse , iehouah himselfe blessed for euer , can affoord . now let the scornefullest opposite to the power of godlinesse , tell me in cold blood ; whether that honorable wretch ; or this honest man bee more truely noble and happy ? for the second : so naturall , saith g hooker , is the vnion of religion with iustice , that we may boldly deeme , there is neither , where both are not . for how should they be vnfainedly iust , whom religion doth not cause to be such ; or they religious , which are not found such by the proofe of their iust actions ? if they , which imploy their labour and trauaile about the publike administration of iustice , follow it onely as a trade , with vnquench able and vnconscionable thirst of gaine , being 〈◊〉 in heart perswaded that iustice is gods owne worke , and themselues his agents in the businesse , the sentence of right , gods owne verdict , and themselues his priests to deliuer it ; for malities of iustice do but serue to smother right , and that which was necessarily ordained for the common good , is through shamefull abuse , made the cause of common misery . full well did this learned man perceiue , and rightly apprehend , that the purity and power of religion alone , doth truely honour all honours , dignifie all dignities , actuate with acceptation and life all morall vertues and endowments of art , sweeten all gouernment , strengthen all states , settle fast all imperiall crownes vpon princes heads : that it is no humorous conceite , but a matter of sound consequence , that all , either personall duties , or imployments of state , are by so much the better performed , by how much the men are more religious , from whose abilities the same proceed : that when heauen is made too much to stoope to earth ; piety to policy ; publike good , to priuate ends ; there authoritie is embittered , inferiours plagued , and too often , law and iustice turned into wormewood and rapine . he truly intimates , what a deale of hurt is done ; what a world of mischiefe is many times wrought , insensibly and vnobseruedly ; when a wicked wit , and wide conscience weld the sword of authoritie . for it is easie , and ordinary for a man so mounted , by legall sleights ; putting foule businesses into faire language ; and by a dissembled pretence of deeper reach , to compasse his owne ends ; either for promotion of iniquity ; or oppression of innocency : especially , sith he knowes himselfe backt with that principle in policy : it is not safe to question or reuerse transactions of state , though tainted perhaps with some impressions of miscarriage & error : and that it is holden a solaecisme in state-wisdome , and vnseemely , for priuate innocency to contest too busily with passages of publike tribunals . these things i thus discourse , and declare vnto your lordship , to represent vnto you the vanity of that honour , which is not directly and sincerely subordinate to the honour of god : ( at the best , it is but a breath , and yet not able to blow so much , as one cold blast vpon vngodly great ones , when being suddenly carried from their stately and sumptuous dwellings , they shall bee cast into vnquenchable flames . ) to let you see the excellencie , and worth of those happy wayes , to which it hath pleased the lord of heauen , out of his speciall mercy , to bend the eye of your noble minde : and that you may know what it is alone hath had power , and the prerogatiue , ( and shall for euer , in whomsoeuer takes gods part ) to make you , both more truely honourable in your selfe , and more faithfully seruiceable to our king and state ; both to cast a diuiner lustre vpon your personal vertues , and to make your managing of publike businesses ( many times most vnworthily swayed awry , by that foule fiend , faction , partialitie and priuate ends ) worthy , conscionable and iust . for which , euery honest eye in our countrey that lookes vpon you , blesseth you ; and shall mourne most bitterly for your absence from amongst vs , when you shall be gloriously gathered to your fathers . so let all that truely loue the lord iesus , his blessed gospell , and seruants , bee as the sunne , when he goeth foorth in his might , and at last full sweetly set in the boundlesse ocean of immortall blisse . in these wayes of life , my noble lord , which in the sence and censure of truth it selfe , are wayes of pleasure , and paths of sweetest peace ; it is the infinite desire of my heart , and drift of this treatise i now offer into your honours hands ; that you would still aduance forward , and doe more nobly still . that you would improoue to the vtmost , the height of your excellent vnderstanding to a further , and more full comprehension of the mysterie of christ ; which though it bee a sealed booke , to the sharpest sight of the most piercing humane wisedome ; yet reueales to euery truely humble , spirituall eye , the rich and royall treasures of all true sweetnesse , contentment and peace . that you would hold it your greatest honour and happinesse , as it is indeed , to grow still in fruitfulnesse a in euery good worke ; in b feruency in spirit , in c puritie , in d heauenly-mindednesse , in e precise walking , &c. with singular watchfulnesse , and the more punctuall , and frequent search and perusall of your spirituall state ; both because the depths and delusions of satan are most intricate and infinite : and because not many noble , &c. . cor. . . that you would hold on in that valiantnesse for the truth , and all good causes ; which ordinarily gathers vigour and puissance proportionably to the swelling fury of all aduersarie , either mortall , or infernall powers : euer patiently passing by with generous magnanimitie , and braue contempt , all the vile f raylings and contradictions of satans reuellers , and popish insolencie ; ( for vainely to affect the acclamations , and applause of worthlesse men : or to bee deiected vnmanlily with their vniust accusations and anger ; are both equally ignoble , and most vnworthy a man of honour , and vertuous g resolution . yours shall bee the crowne and comfort , when all popery and prophanenesse shall lye buried in the dust , and dungeon of hell. in a word , the thirstie longing of my heart , and heartiest prayer shall euer be ; that you may shine euery day , more and more gloriously in all personall sanctitie , plantation of godlinesse in your owne family , and where you haue any thing to doe ; and in an holy zeale for setting forward the affaires of god , when , and wheresoeuer you haue any power or calling . that when the last period of your mortall abode in this vale of teares , which drawes on apace , shall present it selfe : you may looke death in the face without dread ; the graue without feare ; the lord iesus with comfort ; and iehouah blessed for euer , with euerlasting ioy. thus let all the sauing blessings of our most bountifull heauenly father , through iesus christ , by the holy ghost , be plentifully and for euer vpon your honourable selfe , and all your sweet and noble children . your honours most truely in all seruices for the saluation of your soule , robert bolton . a table of the generall heads as they lye in order in the booke . seruants of god singular from others in sanctitie , puritie , &c. pag. gods free grace the 〈◊〉 of all our good . p. his wonderfull mercies to vs , our horrible ingratitude . p. personall goodnesse brings comfort and blessings vpon posteritie . p. true sauing grace neuer lost . p. c●…tions and meanes of perseuerance . . gods seruants must no●… s●…ue the times . p. euery christians duty to walke with god. p. . the reasons . to the performing of this there are . generall preparatiues . . abandon resoluedly thy beloued sinne : see . what it is . . what thine is . . thine owne imposture in exchanging it . . hat●… hypocrisie . . many here guilty , meere pretenders to religion . ibid. particular calling not to be left . . build thy resolutions on that mai●… principle . selfe-d●…iall . . liue the life of faith 〈◊〉 in all 〈◊〉 . . settle in thine heart a right conceit of the substance , power and materials of christianitie . . fortifie thy spirit against the canker of worldly-mindednesse . . be infinitely rauisht with the loue of god. the motiues . . prize inualuably the fruition of gods pleased face . . watch ouer thy heart and keepe it in a spirituall temper . . meditate on thy future blisse . . . obser●…e 〈◊〉 duties , and our carriage after them . . vse well thy solitari●… seasons of meditation . . and thy company . . here danger of prop●… company . how to conuerse with friends vnconuerted . . continually ply thy heart by . captiuating it to grace . . watchfull guard ouer it . ●… ▪ 〈◊〉 it toward heauen . ●… . labour to represse thy raging passions : as anger , the 〈◊〉 , morall . religious . feare : the vanity , tyra●…y of it . 〈◊〉 . ●… . order religiously thy tongue by christian reproofe : a duty . here 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it . . who dogs & 〈◊〉 . directio●… i●… it . extremes fainthearted silence . 〈◊〉 zeale . reasons e●…orcing it . holding silence . from vncharitable 〈◊〉 , differenced from the censures of holy men . . s●…dering false accusing . . vnsauourie communication . hereof hea●…enly discourse . . manage consc●…bly e●…ry action thou vndertakest . ( circumstances requisite i●… a comfortable action ) ●…b . particularly . . thy recreations : see they be not costly . cruell . wasting of time most precious . incr●…aching vpon heauenly comforts . ( differences betweene ioy spirituall , and carnall ) . visitations of great ones vnsanctified dangerous . herein cautions . . naturall actions , thus against gluttony . drunkennesse . excessiue sleepe . . ciuill affaires . generall . here doe as thou wouldest be done by . abhorre wrongfull and vnconscionable dealing . desire not , delight not immoderately in any earthly thing . for this is thy bosome sinnes parent . thou wilt finde thy selfe insatiable , vnsatisfiable . particular for marriage . . enter vpon it conueniently . . vse it comfortably : here are duties common to both . peculiar to the husband . wife . . workes of mercy as well spirituall , as corporall . motiues to almes-deeds . ( gods children often falsly charged with co●…etousnesse , worldlinesse , occasions of this imputation . earthly mindednesse infinitely vnbecomming an heire of heauen . ) . spirituallestate : where carefully auoide two extreames : . self-admiration , proud o●…er-prizing of our owne graces . here , . the mysterie of selfe-deceit opened . . worke of grace in the true conuert . . sanctified men may be assured of their spirituall safety . . and how . . sound perswasion distinguished from delusion . . preseruatiues against ouerweening . . deiected , distrustfull vndervaluing of gods mercies , our graces , the promises of life . here against the heauy , sad , pensiue walking of some saints . reall causes and motiues of their ioy . conceits , and occasions of discomforts , remoued . finis . some generall directions for a comfortable walking with god. gen. . , . . but noah found grace in the eyes of the lord. . these are the generations of noah : noah was a iust man and perfect in his generations , and noah walked with god. in this dreadfull and dismall story of the old worlds degeneration and destruction , falling away , and final ruine , here stands in my text a right orient and illustrious starre , shining full faire with a singularitie of heauenly light , spiritual goodnes , and gods sincerer seruice , in the darkest midnight of satans vniuersall raigne , and amidst the horriblest hell of the strangest confusions , idolatrous corruptions , cruelties , b oppressions and lust , that euer the earth bore . noah i meane , a very precious man , and preacher of righteousnesse , to whose family alone , the true worship of god was confinde , when all the world besides lay drowned in idolatrie and paganisme , ready to bee swallowed vp into an vniuersall graue of waters , which was already fashioned in the clouds by the angry , vnresistable hand of the all-powerfull god , who was now so implacably , but most iustly prouoked by those rebellious and cruell generations , that hee would not suffer his spirit to striue any more with them ; but inexorably resolued to open the windowes or floudgates of heauen , giuing extraordinarie strength of influence to the stars , abundance to the fountaines of the great deepe , commanding them to cast out the whole treasure , and heape of their waters ; & taking away the retentiue power from the clouds , that they might powre downe immeasurably ; for the burying of all liuing creatures which breathed in the ayre : noah and his family excepted . from whence by the way , before i breake into my text , take this note . doctr. the seruants of god are men of singularitie : i meane it not in respect of any fantasticalnesse of opinion , furiousnesse of zeale , or turbulencie of faction , truely so called : but in respect of abstinence from sinne , puritie of heart , and holinesse of life . reasons : . gods holy word exacts and expects from all that are new-borne , and heires of heauen , an excellency aboue c ordinary , pro. . . matth. . . & . being taken forth as the precious from the vile , ierem. . . by the power of the ministerie , they must not onely goe beyond the hiest d ciuill perfections of the exactest morall puritane amongst the most honest heathens , heb. . . but also exceed the righteousnesse , and all the outward religious conformities of the deuoutest pharises , whose sufficiencies , luk. . , . many thousands in these times come short of , and yet hope to be saued : or they can in no case enter into the kingdome of heauen . but lest any bee proudly puft vp with sence of this singularitie , and excellencie aboue his neighbour ; let him know , that humilitie is euer one of the fairest flowers in the whole garland of his supernaturall and diuine worth ; and that selfe-conceitednesse would impoyson euen angelicall perfection . . they must vpon necessitie differ from a world of wicked men ; by a sincere singularitie of abstinence from the e course of this world ; the f lusts of men ; the * corruptions of the times ; g familiaritie with gracelesse companions ; the h worldlings language , prophane sports ; all wicked wayes of thriuing , rising , and growing great in the world , &c. . they make conscience of those duties and diuine commands , which the greatest part of men , euen in the noonetide of the gospell , are so farre from taking to heart , that their hearts rise against them . as , to bee hot in religion , reu. . . to be zealous of good workes , tit. . . to walke * precisely , ephes. . . to bee feruent in spirit , rom. . . to striue to enter in at the straite gate , luke . . to plucke out their right eyes ; that is , to abandon their bosome delights , matth. . . to make the sabbath a delight , isa. . . to loue the brotherhood , . pet. . . with an holy violence , to lay hold vpon the kingdome of heauen , matth. . . . experience , and examples of all ages , from the creation downeward clearely prooue the point . at this time , as you see , the saints of god were all harboured vnder one roofe , and yet not all sound there . suruey the ages afterward : the time of abraham ; who was as a brand taken out of the fire of the chaldeans : the time of elijah , when none appeared to that blessed man of god : the time of esaiah , who cryed , chap. . . who hath beleeued our report ? the time of manasseh , who built altars for all the host of heauen , in the two courts of the house of the lord : the time of antiochus , when he commanded the sanctuarie , and holy people to bee polluted with swines-flesh , and vncleane beasts to be sacrificed , the abomination of desolation to bee set vp vpon the altar : that darksome time , when the glorious day-star , christ iesus himselfe , came downe from heauen to illighten the earth : the time of antichrist , when all the world wondred after the beast : our times , wherein , of sixe parts of the earth , scarce one of the least is christian. and what a deale of christendome is still ouer-growne with popery , and other exorbitant distempers in point of religion ? and where the truth of christ is purely , and powerfully taught , how few giue their names vnto it ? and of those who professe , how many are false-hearted or meerely formall ? . me thinks worldly wisdome should rather wonder that any one is wonne vnto god ; then cry out , and complaine ; is it possible , there should be so few ? sith all the powers of darknesse , and euery diuell in hell oppose might and maine the plantation of grace in any soule : sith there are moc snares vpon earth , to keepe vs still in the inuisible chaines of darknesse and sinne , then there are starres in heauen : sith euery inch , euery little artery of our bodies , if it could , would swell with hellish venome to the bignesse of the greatest goliah , the mightiest gyant , that it might make resistance to the sanctifying worke of the holy ghost : sith our soules naturally would rather die , and put off their immortality and euerlasting being , then put on the lord iesus : in a word , sith the new creation of a man is holden a greater worke of wonder , then the creation of the world . . lastly , let vs set aside in any country , citie , towne , family : first , all atheists , papists , and distempered exorbirants , from the blessed truth of doctrine taught in our church : secondly , all whoremongers , drunkards , swearers , lyers , i reuellers , worldlings , vsurers , and fellowes of such infamous ranke : thirdly , all meerely ciuill men , who come short of cato , fabricius , and other honest heathens , and wanting holinesse , shall neuer see the lord , heb. . . fourthly , all grosse hypocrites , whose outsides are painted with superficial flourishes of holinesse and honesty , but their inward parts filled with rottennesse and lust ; who haue their hands in godly exercises , when their hearts are in hell . fiftly , all formall hypocrites , who are deluded in point of saluation , as were the foolish virgins , and that proud pharise , luk. . . sixthly , all finall back-sliders , of which some turne sensuall epicures , and plunge themselues into worldly pleasures , with farre more rage and greedinesse , by reason of former restraint by a temporarie profession ; others become scurrill deriders of the holyway ; some , bloody goads in the sides of those with whom they haue formerly walked into the house of god , as friends . seuenthly , all vnsound professors for the present , of which you would little thinke , what a number there is : i say , let these and all other strangers to the purity and power of godlinesse be set apart , and tell mee how many true-hearted nathaneels wee are like to k finde ? vses : . trie then the truth of thy spirituall state by this marke of a sober and sincere singularitie . if thou still holdest correspondence with the world , and conformitie to the fashions thereof ; if still thou swimmest downe the current of the times , and shiftest thy sailes to the sitting of euery winde ; if thine heart hanker still after the tastlesse fooleries of goodfellowship , and follow the multitude to doe ill ; if thou be carried with the swinge and sway of the place where thou liuest , to vphold by a boisterous combination , lewdnesse and vanity , to prophane the lords day , to scorne profession , oppose the ministerie , and walke in the broad way ; in a word , if thou doest as the most l doe ; thou art vtterly vndone for euer . but if with a mercifull violence thou bee pulled out of the world , by the power of the word , and happily weaned from the sensuall , insensible poison of all bitter-sweet pleasures ; and fellowship with vnfruitfull workes of darknesse ; if by standing on gods side , and hatred of all false wayes , thou art become the drunkards song , as dauid was , and a by-word amongst the sonnes of belial , as was iob ; if the world lowre and looke sowre vpon thee for thy looking towards heauen , and thy good-fellow companions abandon thee , as too precise ; if thy life be not like other mens , and thy waies of another fashion , as the epicures of those times charged the righteous man , when the booke of wisedome was written ; in a word , if thou walkest in the narrow way , and be one of that little flock , which liues amongst wolues , and therefore must needs bee little ; so that by all the leopards , lions , and beares about thee , i meane all sorts of vnregenerate men , thou art hunted for thy holinesse , as a partridge on the mountaines , at least by the poison and persecution of the tongue ; i say , then thou art certainly in the hie way to heauen . . if the saints of god bee men of singularitie , in the sence i haue said ; then away with those base , and brainelesse cauils , against those who are wise vnto saluation : what ? are you wiser then your fore-fathers ? then all the m towne ? then such and such learned men ? then your owne parents ? are you wiser then your head , may the husband say , &c. n nay further , to noah it might haue been said by the wretches of those times , art thou wiser then all the world ? ( he out of the height of his heroicall resolution , easily endured and digested the affronts and indignities of this kinde from millions of men . ) but take thou these spitefull taunts , and binde them in the meane time , as a crowne vnto thee , and aduance forward in thine holy singularitie with all sweete content and vndauntednesse of spirit , towards that glorious immortall crowne aboue ; and let those miserable men , whose eyes are hood-winkt by satan , and so blinded with earthly dust , that they cannot possibly discerne the inuisible excellencies and true noblenesse of the neglected saints , follow the folly of their worldly wisdome , and sway of the greater part , to endlesse woe ; and then giue losers leaue to talke . . let euery one , who in sinceritie of heart seekes to be saued , euer hold it a speciall happinesse , and his hiest honor , o to be singled out from the vniuersall pestilent contagion of common prophanenes , and the sinfull courses of the greatest part ; and to be censured as singular in that respect . neither is this a singular thing , that i now suggest ; but it hath been the portion of the saints in all ages , to be trod vpon with the feete of imperious contempt , as a number of odde despised vnderlings , whereas indeed they are gods iewels , and the onely excellent vpon earth . behold , saith isaiah , chap. . . i and the children whom the lord hath giuen me , and for signes and wonders in israel , i am as a monster vnto many , saith dauid , psalm . . . i am in derision dayly , euery one mocketh mee , saith ieremy , chap. . . we are made , saith paul , a spectacle vnto the world , and to angels , and to men , . cor. . . we are made as the filth of the world , the off-scowring of all things , v. . in p austins time , those that made conscience of their waies , durst not plunge into the corruptions of the times , and play the good fellowes , were scornefully pointed at , not onely by pagans , but euen by vnreformed professors , professors at large , as we call them , as fellowes that affected a precisenesse and purity aboue ordinary and others : they would thus insult and scoffingly fly in the face of such an holy one : you are a great man , sure , you are a iust man , you are an elias , you are a peter , you come from heauen , &c. in q after-times , if a man were but meerely ciuill , ingenuous , chaste , temperate , hee was made a by-word and laughing stocke to those about him . they presently said ; hee was proud , singular , beside himselfe , hypocrite , &c. thus it was , is at this time , and will bee to the worlds end , that euery stigmaticall whoremonger , beastly drunkard , ignorant lozell , scoffing ismael , and selfe-guilty wretch will haue a bitter gird , a dry blow , as they say , a scurrill gibe , to throw like the mad-mans fire-brand into the face of gods people , as though they were a company of odde humorous fellowes , and a contemptible generation . this , i say , euer was , and euer will bee the worlds opinion of the wayes of god. the children of darknesse euer harbour such conceits , and peremptorily passe such censures vpon the children of light . it is strange ! men are content to be singular in any thing , saue in the seruice of god , and saluation of their soules . they desire , and labour too , to be singularly rich , and the wealthiest in a town ; to be singularly proud , and in fashion by themselues ; to be the strongest in the company to powre in strong drinke . they would with all their hearts be in honour alone , and adored aboue others . they would dwell alone , and not suffer a poore mans house to be within sight . they affect singularitie in wit , learning , wisedome , valour , worldly reputation , and in all other earthly precedencies ; but they can by no means endure alonenesse , and singularity in zeale , and the lords seruice . in matters of religion , they are resolued to doe as the most doe , tho in so doing they certainly damne their owne soules , math. . . basest cowardlinesse , and fearefulnesse fit for such a doome ! reuel . . . they are afraid of taking gods part too much ; of fighting too valiantly vnder the colours of christ ; of being too busie about the saluation of their soules ; lest they should bee accounted too precise , fellowes of an odde humour , and engrossers of more grace than ordinarie . it is one of satans dreadfull depths , as wide as hell , and brimme-full with the blood of infinite soules : to make men ambitious , and couetous of singularitie in all other things ; but in godlinesse , and gods seruices ; not to suffer it in themselues , and to persecute it in others . now in this story of noah , so highly honoured with singularity of freedome from the sinfull contagion of those desperate times , and happily exempted from that most generall , and greatest iudgement vpon earth that euer the sunne saw , an vniuersall drowning ; gloriously mounting vp vpon the wings of saluation and safety , both of soule and body , when a world of giant-like rebels sunke to the bottome of that new sea , as a stone , or lead , i consider , . the cause of such a singular blessed preseruation ; which was the free grace and fauour of god : but noah found grace in the eyes of the lord , vers . . . the renowne , and honour of noahs name : in that he stands heere as the father of the r new world , holy seede , and progenitors of iesus christ : these are the generations of noah , verse . . the description of noahs . personall goodnesse : . preseruation : . posteritie . these two latter follow . his personall description stands in the end of verse . noah was a iust man , and perfect in his generations , and noah walked with god. where wee finde him honoured with three noble attributes , which make vp the character of a compleate christian : . honestie . . vprightnesse . . pietie . and they receiue much excellency and lustre from a circumstance of time : in his generations : s which were many and mainly corrupt . without any further vnfolding my texts coherence and dependance vpon either precedent or following parts , ( for historicall passages are plainer , and doe not euer exact the length and labour of such an exact resolution , as other scriptures doe , ) i collect from the first point , wherein i finde gods free grace to bee the prime and principall cause of noahs preseruation , this note : doct. the free grace and fauour of god is the first moouer and fountaine of all our good . consider for this purpose such places as these , ier. . . hos. . . deut. . , . rom. . , , . ioh. . . ios. . , . ephes. . . and it must needs bee so . for it is vtterly impossible that any finite cause , created power , or any thing out of himselfe , should primarily mooue and incline the eternall , immutable , increated , omnipotent will of god. the true originall and prime motiue of all gracious , bountifull expressions and effusions of loue vpon his elect , is his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . his merum beneplacitum : the good pleasure of his will. and therefore to hold , that election to life is made vpon foresight of faith , good workes , the right vse of free-will , or any created motiue , is not only t false , and wicked ; but also an ignorant and absurd tenent . to say no more at this time , it robs god of his all-sufficiencie , making him goe out of himselfe , looking to this or that in the creature , vpon which his will may bee determined to elect . the schoole-men tho otherwise a rotten generation of diuines , yet are right in this . . that distinction which i learne from my * master , in his heauenly sermons published since his death , doth leade vnto aright , and truely inlighten this head-spring of all our good . . some actions of gods loue vnto vs , saith he , are so in christ , that they are wholly suspended on him , and his merits are the onely procuring cause of them : for example , forgiuenesse of sinnes , is an action of gods loue vnto vs , and yet this wholly depends vpon christ , and his merits ; so that his precious blood must either procure this mercy for vs from god , else they will neuer bee forgiuen ; and this , and the like loue of god , is both in christ , and for christ. . there are some other actions of gods loue , which arise meerely and onely out of the absolute will of god , without any concurrence of christs merits ; as the eternall purpose of god , whereby hee hath determined to chuse some men to saluation ; this is an action of gods loue meerely rising out of his absolute will , without christs merits . for christ is a mediatour , and all his merits are the effects of his loue , not the cause of it . and yet this loue , though it be not for christ , yet is it in christ , ephes. . . according to the eternall purpose , which hee wrought in christ iesus our lord : that is , in regard of the execution of it ; for euen this eternall purpose , and all the actions of gods loue , which arise from his absolute will , are effected , and brought to passe in and through christ. . wee may take an estimate of the absolute , and infinite frankenesse of this vnconceiueable loue of god to his , which reacheth from euerlasting , to euerlasting , by looking vpon that goodly , faire , sweete , amiable creature described , ezechiel . in the beginning of the chapter , shee lies most filthy and foule , tumbling in her owne blood , pittied by no eye , abhorred of all ; which loathsomnesse should rather haue begot loathing , then loue : auersion and hate , then affection , and liking : yet god himselfe doth there professe , out of a melting pang , and ouer-flowing abundance of his free grace , that , that time was vnto him the time of loue : hee spred his skirt ouer her , and couered her nakednesse . in a word ; after she was dressed , and adorned with gods most skilfull mercifull hand , she became a most louely thing : first , washed with water , cleansed from blood , anointed with oyle ; then cloathed with broidered worke , shod with badgers skinne , girded about with fine linnen , couered with silke , decked with ornaments of siluer and gold ; with bracelets vpon her hands , a chaine on her necke , a iewell on her forehead , earerings in her eares , and a beautifull crowne vpon her head ; fedde with fine flower , honie and oyle ; so that she became exceeding beautifull , and renowned through the whole world , for her perfect comelinesse , euen mine owne comelinesse , which i put vpon her , saith the lord god. uses : . all praise then is due vnto iehoua , the author of all our good , the fountaine of all our blisse , the well-spring of immortalitie and life , whereby we liue , and moue , and haue our being ; our naturall being , the beeing of our outward state ; our gracious being , the euerlastingnesse of our glorious state . were the holiest heart vpon earth enlarged , to the vast comprehension of this great worlds widenesse ; nay , made capable of all the glorious and magnificent hallelu-iahs , and hearty praises offered to iehoua , both by all the militant , and triumphant church ; yet would it come infinitely short of sufficiently magnifying , admiring , and adoring the inexplicable mysterie , and bottomles depth of this free , independant mercy , and loue of god , the fountaine , and first moouer of all our good ! we may , and are bound , to blesse god for all the meanes , instruments , and second causes , whereby it pleaseth god to conferre , and conuey good things vnto vs : but we must rest principally , with lowliest thoughts of most humble and heartiest praisefulnesse , at the well-head of all our welfare , iehoua , blessed for euer . wee receiue a great deale of comfort , and refreshment from the moone and starres ; but wee must chiefly thanke the sunne : from the greater riuers also ; but the maine sea is the fountaine . angels , ministers , and men may pleasure vs ; but iehoua is the principall . let vs then imitate those lights of heauen , and riuers of the earth ; do all the good wee can with those good things god hath giuen vs by his instruments ; and then reflect backe towards , and returne all the glory and praise vnto the sunne of righteousnesse , and sea of our saluation . the beames of the moone and starres returne as farre-backe to glorifie the face of the sunne , which gaue them their beauty , as they can possibly , vntill they be reflected , or determine by necessarie expiration , the sunnes eiaculatorie power being finite : let vs semblably euer send backe to gods owne glorious selfe , the honour of all his gifts , by a fruitfull improouement of them , in setting forth his glory , and by continuall feruent eiaculations of praise , to the vtmost possibilitie of our gracious hearts . and here i cannot hold , but must needs most iustly complaine of the hatefull , intolerable vnthankefulnesse of vs in this kingdome , the happiest people vnder the cope of heauen , had we hearts enlarged to conceiue aright of gods extraordinary loue , and such miraculous mercies , as neuer nation enioyed ! walke ouer the world : peruse the whole face of the earth , from east to west , from north to south , which is aboue one and twenty thousand miles about both wayes ; and from one side of heauen to another ; thou shalt not finde such another illightned goshen , as this iland , wherein we dwell . of sixe parts of the earth , fiue are not christian ; and in christendome , what other part is so free from the reigne of popery , the rage of schisme , or the destroying sword ? or where besides doth the gospell shine with such glory , truth and peace ? or in what nooke of the world are there so many faithfull soules , who cry vnto god day and night , against the abominations of the times ; for the preseruation of the gospell ; that gods name may bee gloriously hallowed , his kingdome come , his will bee done in euery place , and themselues serue him with truth of heart ? and yet we are too ready , if wee haue not the height of our desires , and our wils to the ful , in stead of patience , teares , and prayers , which best become the saints ; to embitter all other blessings , and to discouer most horrible vnthankefulnesse for them , by repining , grumbling , and discontent ; i am sure , by not reioycing ( as we ought ) in euery good thing , which the lord our god hath giuen vnto vs ; and by not improouing the extraordinarinesse of his mercies , to our more glorious seruice of him , and more humbly and precisely walking before him. giue me leaue therefore in short , to reuiue and refresh your memories , with representation of some generall heads onely of those innumerable speciall fauours , with which gods mercifull hand hath crowned this kingdome , for the stirring vp , and enlarging our hearts , to the entertainment and exercise of this most necessarie , and most neglected dutie of praising iehoua . and here , wee of this nation may a great deale more iustly , and rightly say , then the french chronicler , in the preface to his story , that we haue liued in a time of miracles : our posteritie will hardly beleeue the wonders done in our dayes . was it not a miraculous mercy , that such a glorious noone tide of the gospell , as wee haue enioyed all our life long , should spring out of the darkest mid-night of damned popery , which vnhappily seized vpon the face of this kingdome , in the time of queene marie ; especially watched extraordinarily , and most strongly guarded by all the policie of hell , and power of the pepe ? that the blood of those blessed martyrs should bring forth since , such a world of gods sincere worship , and so many thousands of gracious soules , who are alreadie crowned with euerlasting blisse ? that queene elizabeth , that matchlesse princesse , and pearle of the world , should in those fierie times bee preserued in safetie , as a sweete harmelesse lambe , amidst so many mercilesse romish wolues , who implacably thirsted for her precious life ? was it not a wonder , that the sacred hand of that selfe-same crowned blessed lady , next vnder gods almightie one , should in despite of all the powers of darknesse , and popish rage , raise our true religion , as it were by miracle from the dead , a thing which the world so little hoped to see ; that euen they , which beheld it done , scarcely beleeued their owne senses at the first beholding ? that afterward , the siluer line of her much-honoured life should be hid in the endless maze of gods bottomlesse mercies , from the fierce assaults of so many popish bulls , such a prodigious varietie of murdrous complotments against her sacred person ; and all those desperate assasins of rome , who all her life long hunted full greedily after her virgin blood ? * and was not our deliuerance in eightie eight a miracle , when the sea fought for vs , and her proud waues enlarged themselues , to swallow vp quick their prouder burden ? there was a day , as many of vs may remember , which the papists called , the long-lookt-for day ; the day which should pay for all : they meant the day , when queene elizabeth should die . about which , their false prophets were so confident and hopefull , that they expected vpon the blood of that day , to haue built their idolatrous babel againe : for they would needs foretell , that it would bee a bloody day . y by the vncertaintie of the next heire ( said one of them in the late queenes dayes ) our countrie is in the most dreadfull , and desperate case ; in the greatest miserie , and most dangerous termes , that euer it was since , or before the conquest ; and farre worse then any countrie of christendome , by the certainty of most bloody , ciuil , and forren warres : all our wealth and felicitie whatsoeuer , depending vpon a few vncertaine dayes of queene elizabeths life . clouds of blood ( saith z another ) hang in the aire , which at the death of queene elizabeth will dissolue , and raine downe vpon england , which then is expected as a prey to the ambition of neighbour-nations . i am sure , the false prophet spake to this sense . and what comes of all this , when the day came ? god , euen wrought a miracle of mercy for the comfort of this kingdome , and further confusion of such tellers , and foretellers of lyes : for the sunne set , and no night followed : the same mercifull hand at the same time crowned queene elizabeth with immortall glory , and set the earthly crowne of this kingdome vpon king iames his head , without sheading so much , as one drop of blood . and was it not a miraculous mercy to haue such a king , after such a queene ? who hath alreadie , next vnder that mighty god , by whom kings reigne , continued the gospell vnto vs , and preserued vs from the destroying sword now full twenty yeeres : and what do you thinke , were twenty yeeres peace , and the enioyment of the gospell , worth , were it to be bought ? who hath ennobled this kingdome for euer , by his excellent writings , in the cause of religion against antichrist , which would haue created a great deale of honour to a priuate man , minding nothing else : how illustrious then doe they make our king ? the child vnborne will blesse king iames , for his premonition to all the princes , and free states of christendome ; and that royall remonstrance , against the rotten , and pestilent oration of the french cardinal , to the vtter , and triumphant ouerthrow of it ; penned in that stile , that none can possibly reach , but a learned king : his golden pen hath giuen such a blow to that beast of rome , that hee will neuer be able to stand vpon his foure legs againe : hee hath shot out of his royall bow such keene arrowes , taken out of the quiuer of gods booke , which will hang in the sides of that skarlet whore , and make her la●…e as long as she liues . did hee not seale vs an instrument of his hand , as it were , to testifie his inuincible cleauing to the truth , which he hath so excellently , and vnanswerably defended with his pen , the same day hee gaue the noble princesse , a second elizabeth , to the palatine ? hath he not most happily and seasonably stopped the hasty torrent of the arminian sect , & the domineering rage of bloody duels , & c ? and was not the discouery and deliuerance from the powder-plot , that great astonishment of men and angels , one of the most vnparalelled and mercifull miracles , that euer the church of god tasted ? is it not admirable in the eyes of all christendome , that the only daughter of our king , vnworthily hunted vp and downe like a partridge in the mountaines , should with such heroicall height of spirit passe thorow so many insupportable dangers , difficulties , and indignities , impossible to be forced vpon ladies by generous spirits , and as impossible to bee borne and ouercome , but by an inuincible spirit ; and that shee and all her royall little ones should bee still safe in the golden cabinet of gods sweetest prouidence ? and to crowne all with a wonder of greatest astonishment , doe not we all , that are the kings faithfullest subiects , almost feare still , lest we be in a dreame , that prince charles , the flowre of christendome , should returne home so ! to say no more : away then with all sowre , melancholike , causelesse , sinfull discontent . and , praise ye the lord , sing vnto the lord a new song , and his praise in the congregation of the saints . let israel reioyce in him that made him : let the children of zion be ioyfull in their king. for the lord taketh pleasure in his people : hee will beautifie the meeke with saluation . let the saints be ioyfull in glory : let them sing aloud vpon their beds . in a word , let vs of this iland , as we haue iust cause , aboue all the nations of the earth , and aboue all ages of the church , from the very first creation of it , praise iehoua most heartily , infinitely , and for euer . . neuer hit any in the teeth with deformity of bodie , dulnesse of conceit , weaknesse of wit , poorenesse in outward state , basenesse of birth , &c. for who makes thee to differ from another ? either , in naturall gifts , as comelines of body , beauty , feature , stature , wit , strength , &c. see iob . , . psal. . , , . in ciuill endowments , or any artificiall skill ; vntill it come euen vnto matters of husbandry : see esay . . in outward things , see psalm . . more particularly , in preferment , and promotion , see psal. . , . in children , . sam. . . psal. . . in a good wife , see prou. . . in spirituall things , see ezech. . * in any thing thou canst name . we are all framed of the same mold , hewed out of the same rocke , made as it were , of the same cloth , the sheares , as they say , onely going betweene ; it is therefore onely the free loue and grace of god , which makes all the difference . whereupon , it was an excellent speech of the last french king , as his chronicler reports : when i was borne , there were a thousand other soules more borne : what haue i done vnto god , more then they ? it is his meere grace and mercie , which doth often bind me more vnto his iustice : for the faults of great men are neuer small . let none then , i say , ouer-looke , disdaine , or brow-beate their brethren , by reason of any extraordinarinesse of gifts , eminency of parts , singularitie of gods speciall fauour , or indulgence towards him in any good thing , which he denies to others . especially , thy selfe being vouchsafed the mercy of conuersion ; neuer insolently and imperiously insult ouer those poore soules , who are beside themselues in matter of saluation , who like miserable drudges , damne themselues in the deuils slauery , and suffer their corrupt nature to carrie them to any villanie , lust , or lewd course . alas ! our hearts should bleed within vs , to behold so many about vs , to imbrew their cruell hands in the bloud of their owne soules , by their ignorance , worldlinesse , drunkennesse , lust , lying , scoffing at profession , hating to be reformed , &c. what heart , except it be hewed out of the hardest rocke , or hath suckt the brests of mercilesse tygers , but would yerne , and weepe , to see a man made of the same mold with himselfe , wilfully , as it were , against the ministery of the word , a thousand warnings , and gods many compassionate inuitations , to cast himselfe body and soule into the endlesse , easelesse , and remedilesse miseries of hell ? and the rather should we pittie , and pray for such an one , who followes the swinge of his owne heart , to his owne euerlasting perdition , because , as i said before , there went but the sheares betweene the matter whereof we were all made ; onely the free mercy , goodnesse and grace of god makes the difference . if he should giue vs ouer to the vnbridled current of our corrupt nature , wee might be as bad , and run riot into a world of wickednesse , as well as he : if the same god visit him in mercy , he might become euery way as good or better , then we . . if the free loue of god , bee the fountaine of all our good ; away then with that fained fore-sight of faith , right vse of free-will , good workes , which should mooue god to elect before all eternitie ; and that luciferian selfe-conceite of present merit , a fit monstrous broode of that beast of rome , who opposeth and exalteth himselfe aboue all that is called god. for workes meritorious fore-seene , are equally opposite to grace , as workes meritorious really existing . here you must cal to mind those eight considerations , which i opposed against that wicked tenent of merit , which doth iustly merit neuer to taste of gods free mercy . from the second point in these words ; these are the generations of noah ] whereas the fame and memoriall of all the families vpon earth besides , lay buried and rotting in the gulfe of euerlasting obliuion , as their bodies in the vniuersall graue of waters ; the family of noah , a righteous and holy man , is not onely preserued in safetie from the generall deluge ; but his generations registred and renowned in the booke of god , and conueyed along towards the lord iesus , as his progenitors and precedent royall line ; i obserue this point : doct. personall goodnesse is a good meanes to bring safety , honour , and many comfortable blessings vpon posteritie : see deut. . . exod. . . psal. . . prou. . . and . . psal. . , . act. . . reas. . parents professing religion in truth , make conscience of praying for their children , before they haue them , as did a isaac , b hannah : when they are quicke in the wombe , as did c rebeckah : when they are borne , as did d zachariah : in the whole course of their life , as did e iob : at their death , as did f isaack . and prayers , we know , are for the purchasing of all fauour at the hands of god , either for our selues , or others , the most vndoubted soueraigne meanes we can possibly vse . . godly parents doe infinitely more desire to see the true feare of god planted in their childrens hearts , then , if it were possible , the imperiall diadem of the whole earth set vpon their heads . and therefore their principall care is , and the crowne of their greatest ioy would bee , by good example , religious education , daily instruction , louing admonitions , seasonable reproofes , restraint from wicked company , the corruptions of the times , &c. by all dearest meanes , and vtmost endeauours , to leaue them gracious , when they goe out of this world . and godlinesse , saith paul , hath the promise of the life that now is , and of that which is to come . it giues right and full interest to all the true honour , blessings and comforts which are to be had in heauen , or in earth . . children are ordinarily apt , out of a kindly instinct of naturall louingnesse , from many and strongest motiues , to imitate , and follow their parents , either in basenesse , or better carriage , to heauen , or hell. . a father that truly feares god , dare not for his heart heape vp riches , or purchase high roomes for his children , by wrong-doing , or any wicked waies of getting ; whereupon , both he and his fare farre the better , and happily decline the flaming edge of those many fearefull curses denounced in gods book , against all vnconscionable dealers . such as that , ecclesiast . . , . there is a sore euill which i haue seene vnder the sunne , namely , riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt . but those riches perish by euill trauell , and he begetteth a sonne , and there is nothing in his hand . and habac. . , . woe to him that coueteth an euill couetousnesse to his house , that he may set his nest on hie , that hee may bee deliuered from the power of euill . thou hast consulted shame to thy house , by cutting off many people , and hast sinned against thy soule . vses : . wouldest thou then haue thy little babes thou louest so dearely , blessed vpon earth , truly noble , gods fauourites , meete thee in heauen ? be holy thy selfe . men are very carefull and curious to haue their seed-corne , and breed of cattell choise , and generous ; and will they not endeauour to nurture , manage , and conduct the immortall soules of their children with grace , by godly education , to the highest aduancement of which those noble natures are capable , euerlasting blisse , fruition of all heauenly ioyes , world without end ? . this may also serue to reprooue , and correct those couetous bedlams , that labour more to haue their children great , than good ; rich , than religious . it is a madnesse of that kinde , which wanteth termes to expresse it : that a man should goe to hell himselfe , and fit his children to follow him , in seeking to establish his house , and raise his posteritie , by sacriledge , simony , bribery , vsury , oppression , depopulation , or any other course of cruelty , and wrong . for so they lay their g foundation in fire-workes , which is able to blow vp themselues and their posterity , body and soule , roote and branch . . let this fill the heart of the dying christian with sweetest peace . for whereas the bloody knife of prophane mens vnconscionable and cruell negligence in training vp their children religiously , doth sticke full deepe in their soules ; and leauing this life , they bequeath vnto them the curse of god , together with their ill gotten goods : he haply finds his conscience , by reason of his former thirsty desire and sincere endeauour to doe his children good spiritually , freed from the horrour of such bloud-guiltinesse , and leaues them to that comfortable outward estate , which no iniury or vsurie hath impoysoned , and to that neuer-failing prouidence of our heauenly father , which then is wont to worke most graciously , and bountifully for vs , when wee , renouncing the arme of flesh , the fauour of man , riches of iniquitie , and all such broken staues of reede , depend most vpon it . if wee will needs bee our owne caruers for things of this life , either by right or wrong , fraud or faire dealing , all is one , so that wee may thriue and grow great in the world ; then are we iustly cast off from all mercifull care ouer vs , and exposed to ruine and curse . but if wee rest sincerely for our selues and ours vpon the all-powerfull prouidence , it will neuer faile , nor forsake vs , but euer exercise , and improoue its sweetnesse and wisedome , for our true and euerlasting good . in the third point , a description of noahs spirituall state , which is the compleate character of a true christian ; consisting of three attributes : . h iustnesse . . i sinceritie . . piety . i collect from the first this note : doct. euery truely religious man , is also a righteous , and true-dealing man. from the second , this : doct. sinceritie is the sinew , and touch-stone of true christianitie . but these two , i haue so often pressed in the course of my ministery , that i will p●…sse by them at this time . looke what kinde of honestie to men that is , which is not accompanied with religion towards god ; the same is that religion towards god , which is not attended with honestie to men . unhonest religion , irreligious honesty , vnsincere religion and honesty , are all in one predicament , as they say , and all out of the right path . if thou haue respect onely to the commandements of the first table , and outward performance of religious seruices ; but neglect duties of the second , and conscionable carriage to thy brethren ; thou art but a pharise , and formall professour : if thou dealest iustly with thy neighbour , and yet be a stranger to the mysterie of godlinesse , canst not pray , sanctifie the lords day , submit to a sincere and searching ministerie , &c. which the first table enioynes ; thou art but a meere ciuill man : if thou put on a flourish , and outward face onely , of obedience and conformitie to both , and yet be true-hearted in neither , as did the pharises , math. . , . thou art but a grosse hypocrite . beare thy selfe holily towards god , honestly towards man , and true-heartedly towards both , or thou art no body in christs kingdome , but still in the gall of bitternesse , and bond of iniquitie . put on righteousnesse , and true holinesse in this life , or thou shalt neuer put on a crowne of glory in the life to come . in his generations ] which were many , and mainely corrupt . in that then noah stood out , and stucke vnto god thorow so many k ages ; and against so l wicked a world ; we may learne , doct. that constancie is euer an inseparable attendant vpon true christianitie . but because a double constancie is heere implyed : . one in respect of continuance of time : . another in respect of opposition to the corruptions of the times ; i may obserue two points . doct. . grace once truely rooted in the heart , can neuer be remooued . see for this purpose , rom. . . mat. . . . ioh. . , . ioh. . . rom. . . luk. . . . cor. . , . ephes. . , &c. reasons may be taken , from . the dearenesse , strength , constancie , inuiolablenesse of god the fathers loue vnto his children . it is dearer then a mothers to her sweetest babe , isa. . . it is stronger then the mountaines , esa. . . it is as constant as the courses of the sunne and moone and starres ; of the day and of the night , ier. . , . and . , . it is as sure , as god himselfe , psal. . , &c. . christs triumphant session and intercession at his fathers right hand . which may for euer , with sweetest peace , and freedome from slauish trembling , assure vs of our rootednesse in christ , constancie in grace , and euerlasting abode with him in the other world. hee that will rent vs from christs mysticall body , being once implanted into him by a liuely fruitfull faith , and blessedly knit vnto him by his spirit , as fast as the sinewes of his precious body are knit vnto his bones , his flesh to his sinewes , and his skinne to his flesh ; must pull him out of heauen , and remoue him from the right hand of his father . what so furious or infernall power can or dare lay a finger on vs in this kinde ! hee hath taken the poisoning power out of euery thing , that should hurt vs , or hale vs backe to hell . he hath conquered , captiuated , carried in triumph , and chained vp for euer all the enemies of our soules , and enuiers of our saluation . they may exercise vs in the meane time for our good ; but they shall neuer be able to execute their malicious wils , or any mortall hurt vpon vs , either heere , or in the next life . . the irreuocable obsignation of the blessed spirit , eph. . , . & . . and who or what , can or dare , reuerse the deede , or breake vp the seale of the holy ghost ? heere then , as you see , the blessed trinity is the vnmooueable ground of our going on in grace . . the lasting and immortall power of the word , once rooted in a good and honest heart , luke . . . pet. . ●… . . the certainety and sweetnesse of promises to this purpose , ier. . , . zech. . . ioh. . . . sam. . , . psal. . , &c. . the force and might of faith , . pet. . , , , . . the efficacie of christs prayer , luk. . . ioh. . , . rom. . . . the durable vigour of sauing graces , ioh. . . rom. . . . the inabilitie , nay , impossibilitie of all causes , or creatures to plucke out of gods hand , ioh. . . or to draw any of his to a totall or finall falling away . . it is not the diuell himselfe can doe it , . iohn . . . it is not the world , . ioh. . . ioh. . . . it is not the concurrent fury , and vnited forces of all the powers of darknesse , math. . . . it is not sinne , . sam. . , . psal. . , &c. . it is not weakenesse of faith , and other graces , mat. . . esa. . . . it is not the imposture of false prophets , matth. . . . it is no creature , or created power , rom. . , . vses : . this point thus confirmed , doth confound that forlorne tenent of the popish doctors , which tels vs that a iustified and sanctified man may fall finally and totally from grace . in which i haue heretofore vpon other occasion in your-hearing , punctually refuted those which i conceiued bellarmines best arguments . i wil not then trouble you now with his sophistry againe . . this sweet and precious truth may crowne the hearts of all those that are truly christs , with ioy vnspeakeable and glorious . let new conuerts and babes in christ , who are woont to bee very fearefull and much troubled , lest they should not hold out , because vpon their first entrance into the wayes of christianitie , they are cunningly and concurrently encountred with so many oppositions : from the deuill , which then rageth extraordinarily : from the world , which then tendereth moe and more alluring baites : from the flesh , which naturally is very impatient of any spirituall snaffle : from carnall friends , who cannot endure their forwardnesse : from their old companions , who cry out , they are turning puritanes : from the times , which lowre and looke fowre vpon their zeale : sometimes from the father which begat them ; from the mother which gaue them suck ; from the wife which lies in their bosome ; from a world of enemies to grace : i say , in such a case let them graspe in the armes of their faith , the proofes and promises in the present point , and ride on , because of the word of truth . let them sweetly , with full assurance , and vnconquerable resolution , repose vpon that euerlasting encouragement , for the finishing of their spirituall building , which zerubbabel receiued from the mouth of god himselfe , for successe of the materiall , a type of this : not by might and power , but by my spirit , saith the lord of hosts . who art thou , o great mountaine ? before zerubbabel thou shalt become a plaine , and hee shall bring foorth the head stone thereof with shoutings , crying , grace , grace vnto it . and that they may more comfortably and constantly go on , let them cast their eyes betime vpon these and the like cautions , at their very first giuing their names vnto christ. . propose such interrogatories as these to thine owne heart : art thou content to abandon thy bosome sinne ; the sensuall froth of former m pleasures , hereafter to delight in god , as thy chiefest ioy ? canst thou take vp thy crosse , and follow christ his truth and holy tracke , amidst the many by-paths that leade to hell , and different opinions of multitudes of men ? art thou willing to suffer aduersitie , disgrace , and discountenance with the righteous , and contemned godly ones ? canst thou endure to haue things laid vnto thy charge , thou neuer didst , thoughtst , or dreamdst on ? to become the drunkards song ; a by-word to those that are vil●…r then the earth ; musicke at the feasts of those that sit in the gate , & c ? in a word , for christs sake to deny thy selfe , thy worldly wisdome , naturall wit , carnall friends , old companions , pleasures , profits , preferments , ease , excellency of learning , acceptation with the world , outward state , liberty , life , or what else thou canst name dearest vnto flesh and blood ? if thine heart answere not affirmatiuely , ( i meane , out of the resolution of a well-aduised regenerate iudgement ; for i know , the flesh will grumble and reclaime : ) thou wilt certainly f●…ll away , or end in formality . . looke to thy repentance ; that it be sincere , vniuersall , constant ; from the heart-roote , for all knowne sinnes , to thy dying day . . if some worldly crosse be the continued principall motiue : . or the humour of melancholy : . if it bee confusedly onely for sinne , and in generall : . or for some one speciall notorious sinne onely : . or for some lesser sinnes , with neglect of greater , as for tything mint , &c. . if it be onely legall : . but for some sinnes , of what kinde soeuer ; leauing but so much as one knowne sinne not taken to heart : . or but for a time : all will come to naught . a foundation of godly sorrow , leasurely , aduisedly , and sincerely laid at first , will be for euer after a comfortable encouragement to faith , spirituall ioy , well-doing , and walking with god. . take the touch-stone of fruitfull , powerfull , and speciall markes , to discerne and difference iustifying sauing faith , from all false and insufficient faiths . for a temporarie may goe farre . . let knowledge and affection , like two indiuiduall twins , grow vp together in thee ; and mutually transfuse spirituall vigour into each other . presume not vpon any knowledge , without an humble inflamed affection ; neither build too much vpon the heate of zeale , without the light of knowledge : either of these may be single in some , and that in singularitie , who after may fall away shamefully . . aboue all , looke vnto thy heart . if thy change were angelicall , in words , actions , and all outward carriage , and yet thy thoughts still the same and reserued : thou art but a guilded tombe , and cannot bee n saued . let a man take a wolfe , beate him blacke and blue , breake his bones , knocke out his teeth , cut away his clawes , put vpon him a sheepes skinne , yet still hee retaines his woluish nature : let a man become neuer so harmelesse outwardly , yet without a new heart , all is naught . . incorporate thy selfe into the company of gods people , by all engagements and obligations of a profitable , intimate , and comfortable fellowship in the gospell . there is a secret tie vnto constancie in the communion of saints . hee is not like to walke long , that walketh alone , especially , if he might enioy good company . shunning society with the godly , is too shrowde a signe of a temporarie . . consider well , ( for the contrary is a notable discouerie of counterfeits ) that thy calling to grace must settle thee more surely in thine honest particular calling ; and make thee therein more faithfull , conscionable , and painefull . let christians also of longer standing , and more strength , in their assaults about perseuerance , haue recourse vnto this tower of truth , and labour to preuent that which they feare : . by constancie , in a carefull vse of all the meanes ; the word , prayer , conference , meditation , sacraments , &c. to which , let them preserue appetite : and practise that they heare , without omission or delay . hee that giues way to a heartlesse neglect , or customarie hardnesse of heart , in the vse of the ordinances , may iustly suspect his neerenesse to some fearefull sinne , or fierce temptation ; to some heauy iudgement , or dangerous apostacie . . assoone as they discouer any spirituall weakenesse , or decay ; assault , or temptation ; let them complaine betime vnto the throne of grace , and mightily oppose with the feruentest prayers of extraordinarie priuate humiliation . . let them keepe perfection still in their eye , and aime ; and towards the attainment thereof , acquire and acquaint themselues with rules of holy life , daily directions , courses of most mortified men , &c. . let them watchfully decline all occasions of falling backe : spirituall pride , knowne hypocrisie , desire to bee rich , vnder-valuing & declining the most searching meanes , forme , and perfunctorinesse in religious duties , discontinuance of intimatenesse with the godly , neglect of distractions vpon the lords day , &c. . let them consider that all is lost which is past , if they fall off , . ioh. . this former point of constancie in grace , did arise from consideration of blessed noahs continuance in goodnesse through so many ages : now in that hee did not conforme to the iniquities of the times , but did stand vnstained , amidst the wickedst generations that euer dwelt vpon earth ; i collect the necessitie of another constancie , and that is in respect of opposition to the corruptions of times . doct. the seruant of god must not serue the times . or thus : the true christian ought to stand at staues end with the corruptions of the time . reason . hee is bound vnto it by his baptisme . of such as prophaned themselues , being christians , with irreligious delight in the ensignes of idolatry , heathenish spectacles , showes and stage-playes , o tertullian , to strike them the more deepe , claimeth the promise which they made in baptisme . hee is not of the world , ioh. . . his life is hid with christ in god , colos. . . there is a secret heauenly vigour infused into euery gracious soule , by the sanctifying spirit , which deads it to the world , and makes it delight in god. he ought to shine in the world , as a light in the midst of a crooked and peruerse nation , phil. . . light and darknesse cannot endure one another ; neither the power of grace , those workes of darknesse in which the world lyes drowned . hee is by no meanes to bee conformed to this world , rom. . . nor to runne with the wicked to the same excesse of riot , . pet. . . he is now new-borne , and become a child of eternity ; whereby his heart is fal●…e in loue with new and euerlasting delights ; and the eye of his soule turned from the dung of this world , towards the glory of the second life . as the worldling cannot rellish the sweet ioyes of gracious exercises : so neither can the christian , the frothy pleasures of good-fellowship . you can as hardly draw the sound professor to a conuenticle of swaggering companions ; as a good-fellow to a day of humiliation . vses : . howsoeuer then , thou mayst seeme to stand on gods side , by an artificiall acting of some affected formes in religion , by countenancing the ministerie , if thou beest a great man , and outwardly conforming to the ordinances ; yet , if in thy practise thou beest plunged into the corruptions of the present , and thine heart hanker still , and hunt in secret after youthfull delights , the lusts of men , most applauded fashions of the greater part , thou art not a christian in truth , but a true counterfeite . assure thy selfe , if thou swim downe the current , and saile with the tide of the time , thou mayest iustly looke euery moment , to fall vpon the sudden , perhaps in the height of thy temporall happinesse , and hottest gleame of thy worldly glory , into the irrecouerable and euerlasting lake of brimstone and fire , &c. . let euery one , who hath giuen his name vnto christ , euer hold it his crowne and comfort , to hold a strong and vnconquerable counter-motion to the courses of the world . let him still discouer the true noblenesse of his christian spirit , and of a mind spiritually generous by gathering vigour , and growing inuincible , from the very oppositions of the wicked , and villanies of the time . see psal. . , . . king. . . . thes. . . it was the saying of a morall heathen ; that to doe well , where was no danger , was a common thing ; but to doe well , where was both perill and opposition , was the peculiar office of a man of vertue : much more , say i , of a man of god. and noah a walked with god. ] walking with god , is the top and flower of all noahs excellencies , and spirituall felicities vpon earth . whence note , doct. that walking with god , is the crowne of the christians character . it is the dutie and propertie of euery true christian , to walke with his god. by walking with god , i meane , a sincere endeauour , punctually and percisely to manage , conduct , and dispose all our affaires , thoughts , words and deeds ; all our behauiours , courses , carriage , and whole conuersation , in reuerence and feare , with humilitie and singlenesse of heart , as in the sight of an inuisible god , vnder the perpetuall b presence of his all-seeing , glorious , pure eye ; and by a comfortable consequent , to enioy by the assistance and exercise of faith , an vnutterable sweete communion , and humble familiarity with his holy maiestie : in a word , to liue in heauen vpon earth . proofes . gods couenant and commandement to abraeham , and in him , to all the faithfull vnto the worlds end , requires it , gen. . . the practise and protestations of the saints and seruants of god , seale vnto it . enochs walking with god , chap. . was an happy preparatiue to his extraordinary translating to glory . the lord , before whom i walk , saith abraham , chap. . . will doe thus and thus . i will walke before the lord in the land of the liuing , saith dauid , psal. . . o lord god of israel , saith salomon , . chron. . . there is no god like thee in the heauen , nor in the earth ; which keepest couenant , and shewest mercy vnto thy seruants , that walke before thee with all their hearts . i haue walked before thee in truth , and with a perfect heart , saith hezechiah , . king. . . and herein doe i exercise my selfe , to haue alwaies a conscience voyde of offence toward god , and toward men , saith paul , acts . . which sounds the same way . let their money perish with them , who esteeme all the gold in the world , worth one dayes societie with iesus christ , and his holy spirit , c said that noble marquesse of vico , well skilled and experienced in an heauenly conuersing with his god. reas. . and it must needs be so : for howsoeuer naturall men and worldlings , out of their obnoxiousnesse , and secret terrors , slauishly retyre , doe not willingly , neither dare they draw neere to that god , which to them is a consuming fire ; yet all those , who haue truly tasted how gracious and glorious he is , shall find their hearts , out of a secret sence of gods loue vnto them first , kindlily inflamed with infinite desire to liue vnder the comfortable influence of his pleased countenance , to enioy his holy maiestie with constant peace , and an humble spirituall accesse and acquaintance continually . his spirit of prayer , infinite loue , exercise of repentance , temptations and troubles from satan ; pressures and oppressions from the world , losse of inward peace , faintnesse of faith , want of spirituall strength , assault of some speciall sinne , sweetnesse of meditation , daily fauours showred downe vpon him without number , and aboue measure ; sore-thought of the great and last account , motions of the blessed spirit , spirituall desertion , &c. but aboue all , the inexplicable bless●…dnesse , goodnesse , and excellency of that highest maiestie it selfe , driues him to his god many times a day . . all gods loues vnto vs ; his louing kindnesses , protections , preseruations , bounty , patience , diuine illuminations , spirituall blessings : in a word , euery linke of that golden chaine of mercy , grace and glory , farre thicker set with sweetest blessings in all kinds , then the heauen with starres , which our happy soules haue , doe , or shall enioy from the first springing of it vp ( if euerlasting could haue any beginning ) out of the adored fountaine of his free grace , to the last moment of eternitie in highest heauenly blisse , ( if eternitie could possibly euer determine ) should be so many keene spurres , deepest obl●…gations , strongest chaines , to draw our hearts most greedily to this infinite delight in him , and thus with an humble familiaritie to conuerse with his holy maiestie . . consciousnesse of our former walking comfortably with god , sanctified by the life of faith , will mightily and incredibly support our spirits and courage in the times of confusions and feare . the d hearts of sensuall worldlings , for want of reconcilement , and acquaintance with god in calme and comfortable times , sinke and tremble in the day of distresse , and gods dreadfull visitations , as the heart of a woman in her pangs , and fall asunder in their brests like drops of water . but that happy c one , who in his prosperity hath made god his portion , and walked humbly in his presence , shall in the time of trouble stand like a strong vnmoueable mountaine , impregnable against the rage of wind and weather , against the cruell incursions of all aduersarie power : when the wicked shall tire the mountaines with bootelesse cries to couer them ; he shall be able to say with dauid , the lord is my refuge and my strength , &c. therefore will i not feare , though the earth be moued , and the mountaines fall into the midst of the sea. he shall by the mercies of god , and humble dependance vpon his omnipotent arme , encounter , and entertaine the terrours euen of the euill day , of the houre of temptation , of the king of feare , and last iudgement , with confidence and peace . . thy walking with god , will make thee extraordinarily powerfull , and mightily preuaile in prayer ; one of the greatest blessings , and sweetest comforts , which can be named , or enioyed in this life . as the kings fauourite , who stands still in his presence , and vnder the immediate , and gracious influence of his royall eye , doth farre sooner , and much more easily obtaine both his owne and friends suites , then those who are more estranged from the court : so it is in this case . . but aboue all , that which should most quicken , and keene vs to this duty , is that particular interest we haue by iesus christ , in iehoua himselfe , blessed for euer . a mysterie , which if i should offer to open and enlarge , i should be endlesse , and yet come infinitely short . oh then , let vs infinitely loue , and learne exactly the most sweete and heauenly art of walking with god! for a more comfortable illightning , and guiding vs wherein , before i come to giue some generall instructions , giue mee leaue to premise these quickning preparatiues . . looke that thou lyest not in any one knowne sinne against thy conscience , hating to be reformed : do not cherish , allow , or goe on in any lust , corruption , or lewd way in thine heart , life , or calling : suffer not any worke of darknesse , or seruice of satan to reigne , and domineere in thee . for if so , thou art so farre from abilitie , or possibilitie of walking with god , or delighting in him , that thou wearest the diuels brand , and art yet most certainely one of his . see and search the true meaning of such places , as these ; a . ioh. . . , , . iames . . ezech. . . psalm . . . and . , . ezech. . . matth. . , . . cor. . . sutable hereunto is the concurrent iudgement , and doctrine of our best diuines , and worthiest writers , graciously instructed vnto the kingdome of heauen . these are their seuerall assertions to the same sense , in their owne words : . a man can haue no peace in his conscience , that fauoureth and retaineth any one sinne in himselfe against his conscience . . a man is in a damnable state , whatsoeuer good deeds seeme to be in him , if he yeeld not to the worke of the holy ghost , for the leauing but of any one knowne sinne , which fighteth against peace of conscience . . so long as the power of mortification destroyeth thy sinfull affections , and so long as thou art vnfainedly displeased with all sinne , and doest mortifie the deeds of the body by the spirit , thy case is the case of saluation . . a good conscience stands not with a purpose of sinning ; no , not with an irresolution against sinne . . the rich and precious boxe of a good conscience is polluted , and made impure , if but one dead flie be suffered in it . ( he meanes , any one knowne sinne , lyen and delighted in impenitently . ) . where there is but any one sinne nourished and fostered , all other our graces are not onely blemished , but abolished , they are no graces . . most true is that saying of aquinas ; that all sinnes are coupled together , though not in regard of conuersion to temporall good ; for some looke to the good of gaine , some of glory , some of pleasure , &c. yet in regard of auersion from eternall good , that is god ; so that he that lookes but toward one sinne , is as much auerted , and turned backe from god , as if he looked to all . in which respect saint iames sayes , he that offendeth in one , is guiltie of all . . euery christian should carry in his heart , a constant and resolute purpose , not to sinne in anything : for faith , and the purpose of sinning can neuer stand together . thou seest then , if satan keep possession , but by one reigning sinne , it g will be thine euerlasting ruine . thou shalt then bee so farre from euer enioying any humble holy acquaintance with our god , that thou art gone body and soule for euer . one breach in the walles of a citie , exposeth it to the surprize of the enemy : one leake in a ship neglected , will sinke it at length into the bottome of the sea : the stab of a penknife to the heart , will as well speed a man , as all the daggers that kild caesar in the senate-house : if thou hedge thy close as high as the middle region of the aire in all other places , and leaue but one gap , all thy grasse will bee gone : if the fowler catch the bird , either by the head , or the foote , or the wing , she is sure his owne . it is so in the present case : if thou liue , and lye with allowance and delight , in any one knowne sinne , without particular remorse , or resolution to part with it ; thou as yet carriest the diuels brand , he hath thereby markt thee out for his owne . as obedience is vniuersall and catholike , if sincere ; so repentance , if true , is also generall . it s●…rips vs starke naked , as a worthy diuine saies well , of all the garments of the old adam , and leaues not so much as the shirt behind : in this rotten building , it leaues not a stone vpon a stone . as the flood drowned noahs owne friends and seruants : so must the flood of repenting teares drowne our sweetest , and most profitable sinnes . the premonition therefore i tender in the first place , is this : thou canst neuer possibly be fitly qualified , either for the right vnderstanding , or sauing practise of this sacred and sweetest art , of walking with god ; except thou resolue , to stand for euer sincerely at the swords point against all sinne . euen thy bosome sinne must be abandoned , if thou look for any blessing in this kinde : thou must put off the shirt from thy sinfull soule ; for as the shirt is to the body , so is the beloued sinne to the soule ; it sticks closest and neerest , and is done off with most adoe . and because this darling-pleasure , minion-delight , peccatum in delicijs , as the fathers call it , is satans strongest hold , his tower of greatest confidence and securitie , when he is driuen out elsewhere , and so by consequent most powerfull and peremptorie to keepe a mans heart estranged with largest distance , and incompatible auersion from all holy acquaintance with god ; i will in short labour to illighten , and dis-intangle any one , who vnfainedly desires an vtter diuorce from this bosome-deuill ; by telling him , first , what it is : secondly , what his is : thirdly , how he may be deceiued about it . . as in euery man , there is one element , one humour , and ordinarily one passion predominant ; so also one h worke of darknesse , and way of death . and it is that which his corrupt , and originall crookednesse , vpon the first electiue suruay , and prospect ouer the fooles paradise of worldly pleasures , fleshly lusts and vanities of this life , by a secret sensuall inclination , and bewitching infusion of satan , singles out , and makes speciall choice of , to follow and feede vpon , with greatest delight , and predominant sweetnesse : afterward , by custome and continuance , growes so powerfull , and attractiue , that it extraordinarily endeares , and drawes vnto it the heate of all his desires , and strongest workings of his heart , with much affectionate impatiencie , and headlongnesse : and at the height , by an vnresistable tyranny , it makes all occasions and occurrences , friends and followers , the deepest reach of policie , and vtmost proiects of wit , religion , conscience , credit with the world , the vniuersall possibilitie of body , soule , outward state , seruiceable , and contributarie vnto it , as the captaine , and commanding sin ; as to the deuils vice-roy , domineering in the wasted conscience . in some , it is worldlinesse , wantonnesse , ambition , opposicion to godlinesse , vsurie , pride , reuenge , or the like : in others , it may bee drunkennesse , the swaggering vanitie of good fellowship , gluttony , pleasures of play-house hanting , gaming , scurrill iesting , &c. obstinate insatiablenesse in allowed recreations , idlenesse , or such like . . thou mayest discouer it by such markes as these : . it is that , which thy truest friends , thine owne conscience , and the finger of god in the ministerie , many times finds out , meetes with , and chiefely checks thee for . . it is that , which if it breake out into act , and be visible to the eye of the world , thine enemies most eagerly obserue , and obiect , as matter of their most insultation , and thy greatest disgrace . . that which thou art lothest to leaue , art oftenest tempted vnto , hast least power to resist , and which most hinders the resignation and submission of soule and body , of all thy courses and carriage , heartily and vnreseruedly to the word and will of god. . it is that which god oftnest corrects in thee , euen in the interpretation , and guiltie acknowledgement of thy selfe-accusing heart . it may be , at seuerall times thou hast bin afflicted with some heauy crosse in thine outward state , losse of a child , some fits and pangs of bodily paine , terrours and troubles of mind , or some such proportionable visitations : now in all these , and like afflictions , vpon the first smarting apprehension , thy conscience , if any whit awaked , on its owne accord seized vpon that sinne we now seeke for , as the principall achan and author of all thy misery . . if euer thou wast so sicke , as out of extremitie to receiue sentence of death against thy selfe , and despaire of recouerie ; if thy conscience was stirring , this sinne afrighted thee most , and gaue the deadliest blow to driue thee to finall despaire . and if thou shouldest die in it without repentance , which god forbid , it would infuse most hellish vigor , and venome , into the neuer-dying worme , which would thereby more mightily gnaw vpon thy conscience , thorow all eternitie . if euer the sword of the spirit shall cleaue it from thy bosome , which is infinitely to bee desired , and strike thorow thy sensuall heart with true remorse , it will cost thee the bitterest teares , most sighes , and deepest groanes . . it is that , which thou art lothest , and wouldst least be acknowne of . if it were possible , thou couldest be well content , that no iohn baptist should euer heare of thy herodias . and therefore thou bearest thy braines , and improouest thy wit , to deuise ( if it be capable of dawbing ) distinctions , euasions , excuses , extenuations , whole cart-loades of fig-leaues , to colour and cloke this soule fiend , though fauourite to thy bewitched soule . . that , which thou art in a bodily feare , the minister will meddle and meete with , when thou art going towards a conscionable , and searching sermon . for thou thinkest with thy selfe , if this day he disclose my bosome , i shall both be disgraced amongst my neighbours that know it , and cast also into dumps , and melancholy by his denouncing of terrour against it . . thoughts , plots , and proiects , about it , a thousand to one , ordinarily seize vpon thine heart , with first and most acceptable entertainement at thy very first waking ; if they haue not broken off thy sleepe , and troubled thee in thy dreames . . the cares , pleasures , and appurtenances of it , are woont to thrust , and throng vpon thee on the lords day , with extraordinary eagernesse , importunitie , and vnresistablenesse . for the deuill that desires to haue thy mind most distracted vpon that day , makes choyse of the fittest , and pleasingest baites , to draw away and detaine thy heart , and the most alluring obiects , for diuersion . . in the darkenesse , and discomforts of the night , if thou beest suddēly awakened with some dreadfull thunder , lightning , or terrible tempest , the guilt and accusations of thy beloued sinne is wont to come into thy minde in the first place , and with greatest terrour . thirdly , a man may be deceiued , in conceiuing , that hee is vtterly diuorced , and quite deliuered from his bosome sinne , and yet it bee but a meere exchange , or some other mistake . this grosse , affected selfe-imposture , may be seene in such cases as these : . he may change onely the outward and visible forme of it . for instance : whereas the same sinne of couetousnesse doth vtter and expresse it selfe by vsury , simony , sacriledge , bribery , grinding poore mens faces , crushing , and vnmercifully keeping vnder the poorer of the same trade , stealing , ouer-reaching by tricks of wit , all manner of wrong-doing , all kinds of oppression , detaining ill-gotten goods without restitution , &c. he may insensibly glide out of one gulph of griping crueltie , into another ; he may fall from one of these , being a more notorious , & cursed trade of hoarding , to some other of them lesse obserued , and odious in the world , & yet still abide in the chambers of death , and vnder the tyranny of a reigning sinne . the soule sinne of vncleannesse doth actuate it selfe by fornication , adultery , selfe-pollution , brutish , and immoderate abuse of marriage , and such other abborred impurities . now , hee may passe from one of these pollutions , more crying and abominable , to some other of them , not affrighting the conscience with such grislinesse & horror , and yet still lye in the impenitent and damnable shares of lust . . he may surcease , and refraine from the outward grosse acts of such hatefull villanies ; and yet his inward parts bee still defiled with insatiable sensual hankerings after them , delightfull reuoluing them in his mind , & contemplatiue commission of them . for instance : he may hold his hand both from the crying violence of oppressions and wrong , and the closer conueiances of cunning and fraud ; and yet couetousnesse may still reigne in him , by the earthly exercise of the heart . he may forbeare the externall acts of vncleannesse , and ye●… lie and languish abominably in speculatiue wantonnesse , and adulteries of the thought ; the visible executions of reuenge , and yet nourish in his distempered affections , the hellish vipers of heart-burning hatred , and spite ; all indirect ambitious climing into high roomes , and yet be passingly proud , and ouer greedie of precedencie . . nay , he may change the kinde of his bosome sinne , in respect of matter , forme , obiect , euery way ; and yet vpon the matter , it is but the exchange of one foule fiend for another . for instance : wantonnesse may bee his sweete sinne in youth , and worldlinesse in old age : reuelling in his yonger yeeres ; downe-right drunkennesse in his declining time : prodigalitie may sway in some part of his life ; pinching in some other : hypocrisie may raigne at one time ; apostacie at another : furious zeale for one while ; prophane irreligiousnesse for another . . when the blasting frosts and feeblenesse of old age , haue with a sott●…sh deadnesse and listlesnesse emasculated and wasted the ambitious vigour of his minde , and the boisterous heate of his affections , haue dried and drunke vp the milke in his brests , and marrow in his bones ; his darling sin may then at length bid him adieu , without any penitent discharge , and he may say vnto it , i haue no more pleasure in thee . whereupon hee may falsly conclude a mortification , and finall conquest ouer it ; a secure deliuerance from the guilt and curse of it . . he may vnsoundly please himselfe with an vnuoluntary , and enforced cessation from it ; when there is no want of good will , as they say ; but onely , of matter , meanes , opportunitie , entisement , company , prouocation , or something for the full and free acting and enioyment of it . so want of money may restraine a man , but full sore against his will , from strange apparell , gaming , ale-house haunting , buying of benefices , offices , high roomes , &c. . hee may for a time pull his necke out of this strongest yoke of satan , onely out of melancholicke pang of slauish terrour , serious fore-thought of death , and lying euerlastingly in hell , true apprehension of the impossibilitie of being saued without abandoning it ; vpon some desperate horrour of bringing againe his beloued sinne in his bosome to the communion , after so many causefull prouocations of diuine iustice ; obseruation of some remarkeable vengeance seized vpon his fellow-delinquents ; or sensible smart of some terrible blow from gods visiting hand in one kinde or other : i say , vpon some such occasion , he may for a time forbeare his bloudy oathes , vsury , drunkennesse , gaming , play-house haunting , selfe-polluting , walking in the blacke and darke night after the strange woman , or what other sinne soeuer doth reigne in him , and retaine him strongliest in the deuils slauerie . but because it is not the worke of the word , humbling him soundly vnder gods mighty hand , planting faith , and infusing mortifying power , he is not able to hold out long ; but the vncleane spirit returnes , and rules in him againe farre more imperiously , and sensually , out of indignation of its discontinuance , and proportionally to the parties new-collected strength , and eagernesse , to recommit it , after his extraordinary , and impatient forbearance . i know , it is not impossible , but that a man , after his conuersion , by the sudden surprizall of some violent temptation , and cunning traine of satan , may bee haled backe to commit his sweete sinne againe ; especially if it bee of some nature , ( though it be a very heauy case , and to bee lamented , if it were possible , with teares of blood : ) yet hee neuer doth , nor can returne to wallow in it againe , or allow it . after such a dreadfull relapse , his heart bleeds afresh with extraordinarie bitternesse of penitent remorse , hee abhors himselfe in dust and ashes , as exceedingly vile , cries more mightily vnto god in a day of humiliation , for the returne of his pleased countenance , repaires and fortifies the breach with stronger resolution , and more inuincible watchfulnesse , against future assaults , and all assayes of re-entry . but now the temporarie i talke of , after his formall enforced forbearance , engulphs himselfe againe , with more greedinesse , into the pleasures and sensualitie of his bosome sinne , lies , and delights in it againe , as the very life of his life , and hardens himselfe more obstinately in it , as a thing impossible to leaue , and liue with any comfort . vpon his returne , the vncleane spirit r●…ges more then before . thus to lend thee some light , for a more full discouerie , and thorow disintanglement out of its pleasing snares ; i haue intimated briefly what a beloued sinne is ; what thine may bee ; and how thou mayest bee deceiued about it . for if thou wouldest truely taste how gracious , and glorious the lord is in a sweet communion with his blessed maiestie ; if thou wouldest be intimately acquainted with the mystery of christ , wherein are hid infinite heauenly treasures , and such pleasures , as neither eye hath seene , nor eare heard , neither hath entred into the heart of man ; if thou wouldest euer bee fitly qualified to walke humbly with thy god in the way which is called holy ; as thou must fall out for euer with all finne , so must thou principally and impartially improoue all thy spirituall forces , and aide from heauen , vtterly to demolish and beate to the ground the deuils castle ; to dethrone and depose from its hellish tyrannie ouer thee , that grand impoisoner of thy soule , and strongest barre to keepe out grace , all acquaintance , and sweetest entercourse with god ; thy bosome sinne . take notice by the way , that sith wee concurrently , and constantly teach , that iustifying faith doth purifie the heart from the raigne & allowance of any lust , or lewd course , and plants by the power of the holy ghost , a sincere vniuersall new obedience , and regular respect to all gods commandements , to all good workes of iustice , mercy , and truth ; and that wee neither doe nor dare giue any comfort to any man of his being iustified and assured of gods loue , that goes on impenitently in any one knowne sinne against his conscience , hating to be reformed ; i say , sith it is thus , take notice how vnworthily , & wrongfully , the antichristian doctors , hauing receiued foreheads from the whore of babylon , deale with vs in this point . heare them speake : so that their iustification , ( meaning ours ) saith a fitzh●…rbert , may according to their opinion , stand with all wickednesse . these words , saith b arnoux , ( meaning of the french confession ) are set downe to assure the wickedst man that is , of the righteousnesse of the sonne of god. by the application of christs satisfaction by faith , saith c lessius , he ( meaning the protestant ) is reputed iust before god , though he finde no change of will at all within . the skarlet fathers in the trentish conuenticle , d say , that luther from iustification by faith alone , collected , not onely that good workes are not necessarie , but also that a dissolute libertie in obseruing the law of god , and of the church , will serue the turne . bellar. e also comes in , with his videntur . they seeme , saith he , altogether to thinke , that a man may be saued , although hee doe no good workes , nor obserue gods commandements . which hee there onely seemes and assayes to proue , but indeed playes the calumniating sophister . the iustifying faith of the aduersaries , saith f hee in another place , takes clearely away prayer , sacraments , good workes , and whatsoeuer god hath instituted for our saluation . the protestants , saith g stapleton , will haue certainty of grace to be in a man , not onely without any respect , necessitie , consequence , presence , or conueniencie of good workes , but also whatsoeuer sinnes being present . the h rhemists also most slanderously affirme , that wee condemne good workes , as vncleane , sinfull , hypocriticall . i arnoldus also swels with malicious popish poison , and the rancour of a slanderous spirit , when hee fathers vpon vs such falshoods as these : as though we should teach , that all men are bound to beleeue , that they are elected to eternall life : that we bid all wicked men be secure , as those who can fall from saluation by no villanies . now the lord rebuke thee , satan , who ●…ittest with such extreme malice & falshood in the foule mouthes of the popish proctours , and rabshakehs of rome , that they should with such prodigious lies and villanous slanders , reuile the lords champions , and traduce the glorious heauenly truth of our most holy and righteous religion . but to my purpose , and to conclude the point ; thou must either with a resolute and euerlasting diuorce abandon , and abominate thy bosome sinne , thy darling delight , to the pit of hell , whence it hath formerly receiued much enraged sensuall poison , to the wofull wasting of thy conscience , and the stronger , and longer barring thee from grace ; or else thou must continue an euerlasting stranger from all communion and conuersing with god ; thou shalt neuer be able to meet him in his ordinances with true reuerence and delight , or looke him in the face with comfort at the last day . ii. scorne with an infinite , and triumphant disdaine , to serue the mighty lord of heauen and earth , seruilely , slauishly , or formally ; for by-respects , priuate ends , or any thing , saue his owne sweet , gracious , glorious selfe . hate hypocrisie from the very heart-roote : which foule fiend painting her selfe more vnobseruedly in the warme sun , and shining prosperitie of the gospels flourishing estate with an outward gilt , and superficiall tincture , doth with greater varietie , and stronger imposture , deceiue both mens owne soules , and others , in the glorious noone-tide thereof : nay this great agent for the prince of darknesse , is so politicke and pragmatical , that he preuailes too much many times , euen in the declination of that glorious sunne , in the disacceptation and dampe of profession and forwardnesse . for though at this day , professours of the gracious way bee in greatest disgrace with the most ; and a drunkard , a swaggering good-fellow , an vsurer , a sonne or daughter of belial , shall finde more fauour , applause , and approbation with the world , then a man which makes conscience of his wayes ; so that it may seeme the greatest madnesse that may bee , to make profession of religion hypocritically : yet euen in these times there are some causes , in which the deuill takes occasion to cause some to play the hypocrites notoriously . . some there may be , who being weake and worthlesse , yet vaine-glorious , and ouer-greedy of reputation , finding , that they finde no such acceptation and applause with worldlings , by reason of their worthlesnesse , and that naturall men entertaine them not with that estimation and account proportionable to their proud expectation ; and conceiuing also , that by their association , and siding with the saints , ( who in preciousnesse of regard , and dearenesse of loue , euer infinitely preferre the poorest christian before the proudest nimrod ) ( for one larke is worth a thousand kites ) they shall be prized aboue vulgar esteeme , and ordinary valuation , purposely put on a vizour of outward conformity to the courses of christianity , that thereby they may procure and purchase some speciall credit , and remarkable respect , and with some at least , bee accounted some body in the world . . others there are , who seeing they cannot so easily and excessiuely satisfie and glut their greedy humours , by their commerce , dealings , and mutuall negotiations with naturall men ; for such are well able with equall cunning , to counter-mine against their craftie and coozening vnderminings ; their consciences will serue them to encouhter & retalliate their vnconscionablenesse , with like ouer-reaching retributions of circumuention and wrong ; they can well enough sound and fathome with the crooked line of their owne deceitfull hearts , the inuisible depths of their machiuellian proiects and plots and knaue●…y ; i say , others there are , who vpon such occasion , that they may thriue in the world , and grow in wealth more easily , and vnobseruedly , put on a cloke of outward profession , and in policie onely and hypocrisie draw towards the better side ; mixe and ioyne themselues with gods children , hang vpon , and adhere vnto true christians ; because they pitch vpon them , make speciall choice of , and single out such vpon purpose , as those , from whom , by reason of the singlenesse and simplicitie of their hearts , vnsuspiciousnesse of their charitie , the equitie , and conscionablenesse of their dealings , in these coozening , supplanting , and vndermining dayes , they may most fairely and easily sucke out the greatest aduantage , and prey vpon most plentifully , with the deuouring teeth of couetousnesse and craft , guilded ouer only with a vaile of seeming , and vernish of hypocrisie . . some there may be , whom onely the very terrours , and sting of slauish feare , and fore-thought of the wrath and torment to come , may driue , and restraine from the execution of grosser villanies , excite and enchaine to the outward exercises of holy duties , and many actual religious conformities . for instance , some may repaire to the house of god vpon the lords day , not for any such great loue vnto gods truth or conscionable ministerie ; but for feare , that being then alone , or walking idlely abroad , their guilty consciences should worke more fearefully and fiercely vpon them ; and that thoughts of their sinnes , death , hell , damnation , and other such terrible considerations would come into their mindes , with affrighting griesly formes , and apparitions of horrour . some , it may be , for feare they should bee iustly censured , and marked out by men acquainted and experienced in the mysterie of grace , and wayes of god , with the odious deserued brand of prayerlesse , and atheisticall * wretches ; or lest they should bee seized vpon with some remarkeable iudgement , in their owne persons , families , or goods , by fire , robbery , tempest , ill successe , death , horrour , despaire , or other fearefull accident , dare not for their liues , but continue a course and formall taske of prayer euening and morning in their houses . some also , in times of trouble and terrour especially , as of extraordinarie thunders , impetuous tempests , dreadfull apparitions in the ayre , &c. flie into the company and communion of christians , driuen thither by the fearefulnesse of their spirits , and hope to receiue protection of their guiltinesse , and preseruation from wrath , by the prayers , presence , and acceptation of such holy ones . wee see in mens carriages to humane lawes , that euen feare of them restraines many from many lawlesse outrages , and constraines to many ciuill conformities , against which their sensuall hearts and humours doe infinitely rise and reclaime , with much distaste and auersion . doe you not thinke , that many drunkards would as well liue in murther , and vpon the spoile , as in their present abominable swinishnesse ; did they not hold it a more horrible thing to be hanged , than to pay fiue shillings , or sit in the stocks ? would not many at sermon time , rather be in the ale-house , than in the house of god , were not the constitutions of men a curbe vnto their corruptions ? would not some desperate wretches as well strike thorow at once , and quite dispatch those they hate , as kill them all the yeere long , with their cruell thoughts and bloody malice ; were not thought free , and actuall murther death by the lawes of men ? would not many malicious papists , thinke you , as well speake traiterously of the king , as teare gods glorious name with their oathes , and blasphemous tongues ; were they not terrified with feare of tyburne ? it may be so proportionably in mens behauiours towards diuine lawes , the holy statutes of heauen , and that highest tribunall . but as in the former we ought to be subiect , not onely for wrath , but also for conscience sake : so in the latter much more , not onely for terrour of gods iudgements ; but also for loue of his truth . a worthy diuine summes vp all i would say in this point , thus : sometimes , saith he , the feare of gods iudgements , as of the racke of an accusing conscience , of the torments of hell ▪ fire , &c. holdeth men in a slauish obedience . i feare me , there are too many abroad in the world , especially great ones , who by forbearance of other grosse sinnes , to which their sensuall affections are not so endeared , outward performance of some holy duties , formall presence at religious exercises , countenancing , and patronage of godly ministers and good men , hope to make amends , as it were , and to purchase protection and dispensation , for the vengeance due vnto the sinfull pleasures of some bosome and beloued lust wherein they secretly lie . and therefore their outside conformitie in other things , is caused by feare of being horribly and remarkably plagued for that close darling-delight . others there are , who by reason of awefulnesse , vnto correspondence with , dependance vpon , gainfull expectation from some gracious great one , christian friend , reuerend pastour , patrone , land-lord , or gouernour , religious rich kinred , &c , or other such by-respects , conforme to the outward formes of religion , and liue ●…seruedly vnder the canopie of a counterfeite profession . the false and hollow hearts of men , harbour many times , many priuate ends in their outward seruices of god , and howsoeuer they openly pretend religion , yet they secretly intend , and plot the satisfaction of their humour , and seruing of their owne turnes , by an artificiall , enforced , temporarie taking part with the better part . such seruile professours as these , ordinarily in the meane time stand at a stay in an externall conformitie to christian courses ; for no spirituall ▪ life warmes their affections , no roote of grace growes in their hearts : formalitie in this kinde , is euer voide of all vitall vigour , vegetation , and actiuitie ; constant onely in an heartlesse plodding course and coldnesse ; and many times , at length , when the motiue of their religious representations and shewes is remooued , and the end compassed , for which they counterfeited , they put off their vizours , and appeare againe plaine carnall men , and downe-right good-fellowes , as they were before . the play being done , they are rogues againe ▪ . some there may be , who out of a greedy pursuite of a generall applause from all sorts of men ▪ and ambitious hunting after a promi●…uous reputation , and equall acceptance , both with professours of religion , and men of this world , put on a show of religious deportment , at least , in the company of such as are ready and forward to commend their cōformitie and forwardnesse that way , and by relation abroad , to enrole their names amongst the number of those who are noted to be on the best side . in a word , such fellowes as these , out of a base and vnblessed ambition to be well spoken of by all , though a woe waites vpon such , luke . . furnish themselues , both with a forme of profession to content christians , and flourishes of good-fellowship to please the prophane . . others there are , who may gloriously pretend , and protest with great brauery and confidence , their assent and assistance to the best and holiest courses ; put on a temporary counterfeite profession , and fashionable conformity to the communion of saints ; that thereby they may passe more fairely and plausibly , out of one calling into another : from a baser , lower , more neglected , and toilesome trade , into some other of more liberty , acceptation and ease : or else breake out of all callings ; and so , by the vnhallowed mystery of a sacred coozening , if i may so call it , liue vpon their profession ; and by amusing the tender consciences of weake christians , with the controuling and countermanding tyrannies , as it were , of an affected furious zeale , sucke out of them no small aduantage , and prey too plentifully vpon the people of god. such as these , are ready to pretend , and intimate , that such base , earthly , and worldly imployment , and spending of their time , is disgracefull , and derogatory to the prouidence of god , and their christian liberty : that with vnworthy detainments , and auocations , it interrupts them in the pursuite of their generall calling ; disables and hinders them in the discharge of holy duties . but let them know , that christianity , if sound and true , doth not nullifie , but sanctifie our particular callings . thou oughtest to continue with conscionablenesse and constancy in that personall calling , wherein thy calling to grace did finde the●… , if it be warrantable and lawfull . see . cor. . . * no comfortable change of a calling , but in case of . priuate necessity , or . common good : and that truly so , not hypocritically pretended , or for by-respects . if any man then , vpon giuing his name to religion , shall grow into neglect , distaste , or dereliction of his honest particular calling ; wee may euer strongly suspect him of hollownesse and hypocrisie . it is the confident conclusion of a very learned and holy diuine : though a man bee indued with excellent gifts , and bee able to speake well , conceiue prayer , and with some reuerence to heare the word , and receiue the sacraments , yet if hee practise not the duties of godlinesse within his owne calling , all is but hypocrisie . . what sonne or daughter of adam can challenge and plead exemption from that common charge laid vpon them by the lord of heauen : in the sweat of thy face shalt thou eate bread , till thou returne vnto the ground ; either by trauaile of body , or toyle of minde , or both ? . diligence in a ciuill calling , is necessary for a comfortable prouision of earthly necessaries . . hee is a cursed drone , a child of idlenesse and sloth , the very tennis-ball of temptation , most vnworthy the blessings and benefits of humane societie ; who doeth not one way or other cooperate , as it were , and contribute to the common good , with his best endeauours in some honest particular calling . . a seasonable imployment in a ciuill calling , is a soueraigne preseruatiue , and curbe for preuention of infinite swarmes of idle , melancholike , and exorbitant thoughts ; and for restraint from many wicked and vnwarrantable medlings and miscarriages . . an honest calling , is a schoole of christianitie . in which a man performing duties for the lords sake , may daily profit in the practise and increase of many heauenly graces ; faith , obedience , patience , meekenesse , constancie , truth , fidelitie , inuocation , thanksgiuing , experience of gods prouidence , &c. a true conuert therefore is so farre from casting off his personall calling ; that after his calling to christianitie , he is woont to discharge the duties thereof with farre more care and conscience , though with a better minde , more moderate affections , and for a blesseder end . . some there may bee , who seeing the iniquity of these last , and worst times , lying in weight for the surprize and suppression of forwardnesse and zeale ; and that they may gaine , or grow into credit with the world by some speciall seruice against the forwarder sort , serue themselues , in the meane time ( plausiblenesse of profession taking away the sense of their intrusion ) into the company and communion of the most noted religious people ; that at length they may doe them the more mischiefe , and driue to the head the bitternesse of their lurking malice , with a more desperate and deadly sting . these are men of great imposture and cunning in their carriage . they informe themselues thorowly , and exactly , in the wayes and zealous behauiour of profession ; and so with great satisfaction and contentment , apply and accommodate themselues for a time to their desires and deuotions . but if once they pry into a point of seeming aduantage , which by their wresting & outfacing , may create matter of molestation , and spy their supposed season , to winne by betraying ; they turne turkes and traitors to those which are true of heart , to serue their owne turnes . . many there are , who out of a fond and groundlesse conceit , that onely an outward conformitie to the word , sacraments , and other religious exercises , will serue their turne for saluation , giue their names to profession , and so walke on plodding in the comfortlesse vnzealous formes of a frozen outside christianity , many times euen vnto their dying day . these men marre , and vnsanctifie themselues , by making moderation in religion a saint : and vndoe their soules , by adoring discretion as an idoll . moderation and discretion truly so called , and rightly defined by the rules of god , are blessed and beautifying ornaments to the best and most zealous christians ; but being tempered with their coldnesse , and edged with their eagernesse against forwardnesse , and ferue●…cy in spirit , which the apostle enioynes , a rom. . . become the very desperate cut-throates to the power of godlinesse , and pestilent consumption of the spirits , heart , and life of true zeale . these fellowes are most insolent , and confident in their pharisaicall brags , spirituall security , and hopes for heauen . they admire , and applaude with much selfe-estimation of ther singular skill , and rare felicitie , in pitching iust vpon the golden meane , as they conceiue , betweene prophanenesse and precisenesse ; infamous notoriousnesse , and persecuted strictnesse . but that prouerbe , in the meane time falls pat vpon their pates : there is a generation that are pure in their owne eyes : and yet is not washed from their filthinesse : and at length most certainely , the iust execution of that terrible commination , reuel . . . will crush their hearts with euerlasting horrour , confusion and woe . but i should be endlesse in the discouery of this hidden and hellish gulph of hypocrisie , wherein thousands are swallowed vp , euen in this glorious mid-day of the gospell . for a man may assoone find out the way of an eagle in the ayre , the way of a serpent vpon a rocke , the way of a ship in the midst of the sea , and the way of a man with a maid , as to tracke the cunning and crooked footsteps of this foule fiend in the false hearts of satans followers . only take notice , that thou canst neuer possibly delight in god , or euer comfortably come neere him , if thou giue any entertainment vnto it , in what forme soeuer it represent it selfe , or whatsoeuer vizor it offers vnto thee , though neuer so fairely varnished , and guilded ouer with the deuils angelicall glory . iii. build , and erect all thy resolutions and conclusions for heauen and gods seruice , vpon that strong and purest pillar , that maine , and most precious b principle of christianitie , selfe-deniall . no walking with god , no sweete communion , and sound peace at his mercy-seate , except for his sake , and keeping a good conscience , thou be content to denie thy selfe , thy worldly wisdome , naturall wit , carnall reason , acceptation with the world , excellencie of learning , fauour of great ones , credit and applause with the most ; thy passions , profit , pleasures , preferment , neerest friends , ease , libertie , life , euery thing , any thing . and feare no losse ; for all things else are nothing , to the least comfortable glimpse of gods pleased face . from this principle sprung all those noble resolutions , and replies of gods worthiest saints and souldiers : that of hester for the preseruation of the people of god : well , saith she , i wil goe in vnto the king , which is not according to the law , and if i perish , i perish . that of micaiah , sollicited strongly by the messenger to temporize , in managing his ministery with sutablenesse , and conformity to the kings pleasure , and plausiblenesse of the false prophets : as the lord liueth , what the lord saith vnto mee , that will i speake . that of nehemiah ; should such a man as i flee ? as if he should haue said ; tell not mee of fleeing , my resolution was pitcht long agoe , if need require , to lay downe my life , and lose my blood in the lords battels . that of paul , when his friends were weeping , and wailing about him : what meane you to weepe , said hee , and to breake mine heart ? for i am ready , not to be bound onely , but also to die at hierusalem , for the name of the lord iesus . that of ierome : if my father stood weeping on his knees before mee , and my mother hanging on my necke behind me , and all my brethren , sisters , children , kinsfolke , howling on euery side , to retaine me in sinfull life with them ; i would fling my mother to the ground , despise all my kinred , run ouer my father , and tread him vnder my feet , thereby to run to christ when hee calleth me . that of luther , dealt with , earnestly , and eagerly , not to venture himselfe amongst a number of perfidious , and blood-thirstie papists : as touching me ( saith he ) since i am sent for , i am resolued , and certainely determined to enter wormes in the name of our lord iesus christ ; yea , although i knew there were so many deuils to resist me , as there are tiles to couer the houses in wormes . that of a most renowned italian marquesse , galeacius carracciolus , tempted by a iesuite with a great sum of money , to returne from gods blessing at geneua , to the warme sunne in italy : let their money perish with them , who esteeme all the gold in the world , worth one dayes societie with iesus christ , and his holy spirit . that of george carpenter , martyr : my wife and my children are so dearely beloued vnto me , that they cannot bee bought from mee , for all the riches and possessions of the duke of bauaria : but for the loue of my lord god , i will willingly forsake them . that of kilian , a dutch schoole-master , to such as asked him , if he loued not his wife and children ; yes , said he , if the world were gold , and were mine to dispose of , i would giue it to liue with them , though it were but in prison ; yet my soule and christ are dearer to me then all . iv. exercise thy selfe continually , and bee excellent in that onely heauen vpon earth , and sweetest sanctuarie to an hunted soule , the life of faith . which to liue in some good measure , is the duty and property of euery liuing member of christ iesus . loue therefore , and labour to liue by the power of faith , the life of saluation , sanctification , preseruation . . of saluation , thus : let thy truely-humbled soule , grieued and groaning vnder the burden of sinne , throw it self into the meritorious , and merciful armes of iesus christ , wounded , broken , and bleeding vpon the crosse ; and there let it hold , and hide it selfe for euer in full assurance of eternall life , by vertue of that promise , ioh. . . hee that beleeueth on the son , hath euerlasting life . for hauing thus laid hold vpon him , he by his spirit doth communicate first himselfe vnto thee ; then both the merit of his death for remission of thy sinnes ; and of his actiue obedience for thy right to saluation and happinesse ; and withall , the power of his spirit , to quicken thee to the life of grace in this world , and to raise vp thy body to the life of glory at the last day . . of sanctification : if thou keepe thy faith , the fountaine , roote and heart , as it were , from which all thine other graces spring , in life and vigour , thou shalt pray more comfortably , bee more couragiously patient , heare the word more fruitfully , receiue the sacraments more ioyfully , passe the sabbaths more delightfully , conferre more cheerefully , meditate more heauenly , walke in all the wayes of new obedience with more strength , and conquest ouer corruptions . for ordinarily , euery christian shall finde the exercise of other graces to bee comfortable , or cold , according to the liuelinesse , or languishing of his faith . . of preseruation , both temporall and spirituall . in crosses , afflictions , and all gods outward angry visitations , by the power of such promises , as those , psal. . . and . . heb. . , , . . thes. . . act. . . luke . . isai. . . in the course and carriage of thy particular calling : the duties and workes whereof , if thou discharge with conscience , diligence , and prayer , thou mayest goe on with comfort , contentment , and freedome from that torturing and racking thoughtfulnesse ; from those restlesse and cursed carkings of carnal worldlings , wherein they basely languish , and lose their soules ; and leaue the successe , issue , and euent of all thy labours and vndertakings vnto the lord , whatsoeuer it may bee , resting sweetly , and euer relying vpon that gracious promise , heb. . . i will neuer faile thee , nor forsake thee . in ordering and guiding the affaires of thy family , depend by faith vpon gods blessing , the strength and sinew of all sound comfort , and true contentation that way . see psal. . in the losse of outward things for thy loue , and seruice vnto god ; by beleeuing that man of god , . chron. . . the lord is able to giue thee much more then this . nay , in the losse of all earthly things in euery kind : see habac. . , . although the fig-tree shall not blossome , neither shall fruit be in the vines : the labour of the oliue shall faile , and the fields shall yeeld no meate , the flocke shall be cut off from the fold , and there shall be no herd in the stalles : yet i will reioyce in the lord : i will ioy in the god of my saluation . consider also for this purpose , iobs patient blessing of god vpon the surprize and concurrence of an vniuersall misery , iob . . in pangs of the new-birth , spirituall infancy , weakenesses of faith , prayer , godly sorrow , and other graces ; by those cordiall refreshing promises , reu. . . math. . . isa. . . and . . and . . in oppositions against the raising or restauration of spirituall buildings by the ministery of the word : or in temptations against a mans personall progresse , and holding out against gods waies vnto the end ; by renouncing our owne strength , disclaiming the arme of flesh , and crying in euery encounter : not by might , nor by power , but by my spirit , saith the lord of hoasts , what art thou , o great mountaine , & c ? in languishings and tremblings after relapse into some old , or fall into some new sinne ; by such precious places as these : . ioh. . . luk. . . . sam. . . . iohn . . from this last place a reuerend diuine collects this comfort : if we see our vnworthinesse , and with broken hearts acknowledge it , god is faithfull and iust to forgiue it , bee it neuer so great . but this is a iewell fit onely for the eare of a sincere christian , when out of the fearefulnesse of his distrustfull spirit , he puts off all comfort , though truely humbled , after ensnarement in some more speciall affrighting sinne . let no swine trample vpon it . in all kindes of temptations , by the power of that promise , . cor. . . nay , euen amidst varietie of them by obeying that precept , iam. . . my brethren , count it all ioy when you fall into diuers temptations . in spirituall desertion , by refreshing , and resting thy sinking soule , in the meane time vntill the lord returne , vpon that surest rocke , isa. . . blessed are all they that waite for him . most blessed , deare , and sweetest sanctuary ! if the christian die in that waiting state , he shall be certainely saued : for the holy ghost pronounceth him blessed . in the deepe , and almost despairing apprehensions of thine extreme vilenesse , and , as it were , nothingnesse in grace , by apprehending that most mercifull promise from gods owne mouth , isa. . . in thy perplexed and troubled thoughts about returne after backsliding ; by those comfortable encouragements , ier. . , , , , . hos. . , , . in doubts of losing the loue of god , and life of grace ; by consideration of those passages in gods booke , where it appeares , that the loue of god vnto his child , in respect of tendernesse , and constancy , is infinitely dearer then that of a most louing mother to her little one , isai. . . stronger then the stony mountaines , and rocks of flint , isa. . . as constant as the courses of the sunne , and of the moone , and of the starres , and of the day , and of the night , ier. . . and . . nay , as sure , as god himselfe , psal. . , , . in the haile ▪ stormes of slanderous arrowes , and empoysoned darts of disgrace , by cleauing to most glorious promises , . pet. . . mat. . . in the valley of the shadow of death ; by an assurance of gods mercifull omnipotent presence , psal. . . in the extremitie & depth of such desperate distresses , and perplexities ; wherein in thy present feeling , thou canst see , and find no possibilitie of helpe from heauen or earth , god or man ; but art both helpelesse and hopelesse , as the church complaines , lam. . . by such like places as those , isai. . , . . chron. . . gen. . . exod. . . psal. . . in euery thing , or any thing that shall , or can possibly befall thee ; prosperitie , or pouertie ; crosse , or comfort ; calmnesse of conscience , or tempests of terror ; life or death , &c. by extracting abundance of vnconquerable patience , and peace of soule , from those three heauenly golden conduits of sweetest comfort , rom. . ver . , , . thus in any trouble of soule , body , good name , outward state , present , or to come ; thou mayest by the soueraigne power of faith working vpon the word , not onely draw out the sting , and expell the poison of it ; but also create a great deale of comfort to thy truly-humbled soule , and maintaine it in despite of all mortall or infernall opposition , in a constant spirituall gladnesse . for all those promises , whereupon thy heauy heart in such cases may repose , and refresh it selfe , haue their being from the blessed name iehoua : see , exo. . . and therefore are as sure , as god himselfe : they are sealed with the bloody sufferings of his onely sonne , and therefore as true , as truth it selfe : and , if thou be in christ , are all as certainely thine , as the heart in thy body , or blood that runnes in thy veines . nay , and a little more for thy comfort , the glory of gods truth is mightily aduanced , and himselfe extraordinarily pleased , by thy more resolute , stedfast , and triumphant cleauing vnto them . what a blessed , sweete , and heauenly life then is the life of faith ? v. apprehend in thy minde , and settle in thine heart , a true estimate , and right conceit of the substance and power , marrow , and materials of christianitie . which doth not consist , as too many suppose , in outward shewes , profession , talking : in holding strict points , defending precise opinions , contesting against the corruptions of the times : in the worke wrought , externall formes of religious exercises , set-taskes of hearing , reading , conference , and the like : in some solemne outward extraordinarie abstinences and forbearances , censuring others , &c. but , * in righteousnesse , peace , ioy in the holy ghost : in meekenesse , tender-heartednesse , loue : in patience , humilitie , contentednesse : in mortification of sinne , moderation of passion , holy guidance of the tongue : in workes of mercy , iustice , and truth : in fidelitie , painfulnesse in our callings , conscionable conuersing with men : in reuerence vnto superiours , loue of our enemies , an open-hearted reall fruitfull affectionatenesse , and bounty to gods people : in heauenly-mindednesse , selfe-deniall , the life of faith : in dis-esteeme of earthly things , contempt of the world , resolute hatred of sinne : in approouing our hearts in gods presence , a sweete communion with him , comfortable longing for the comming of the lord iesus , &c. yet mistake me not ; thou must make a shew , professe and talke , if thou wouldest haue christ iesus to owne thee at that last and dreadfull day , mark. . . it is therefore an idle and brainelesse cauill of some lewd ignorant lozels , to say ; we can by no meanes endure these shewes ; cannot a man bee religious to himselfe , except he hang out his flag , and let all the world know it ? for where the power of religion is , there will bee the shew also . painted fire shines not , ascends not , heates not : but true fire is euer inseparably attended with these properties . we cannot put a candle in a lanthorne , but the light will shew it selfe thorow the hornes : if true grace bee planted in the heart , it will shine forth in our words , gestures , actions , all carriages , and our whole conuersation . he that will take shewes from the substance of religion , let him take brightnesse from the sunne , glistering from gold , breathing from a liue-body . shew and profession of christ before men , is commanded , as well as the substance and soundnesse of heart , rom. . , . thou must bee a patrone , and in some good measure , a practiser of precise points , if euer thou wilt haue true peace and assurance of walking in the narrow path , that leades vnto life : as , of walking precisely , ephes. . . being feruent in spirit , rom. . . striuing to enter in at the strait gate , luke . . selfe-deniall , . . surpassing the righteousnesse of the scribes and pharises , mat. . . laying violent hands and hold vpon the kingdome of heauen , mat. . . in a word : of the way which is called holy , and yet so spoken against euery where , act. . . for i meane only that precisenesse , which is commended vnto vs , and commanded by the blessed spirit in gods pure and holy word . i know , all passages of sanctification are too precise ; and paradoxes , intolerable and burdensome to flesh and blood , and in the interpretation of worldly wisedome , which notwithstanding are easie and sweet to mortified men . thou must stand at the staues end , against the sinnes of the times , and like the eagle , prune vp thy selfe against a storme , or else thou art a temporizer . outward exercises of religion , are as it were the bodie , without which , the soule of christianitie hath no existence . thou must be content to abridge , and confine thy christian liberty at any time , according to opportunities , and exigents , for the enlargement of gods glory , the building vp of thy brother , and snaffling thine owne rebellious nature . thou mayest , and must iudge by the fruits . it is christs rule , matth. . if therefore thou seest the abominable and vnsauory fruits of lying , swearing , drunkennesse , sabbath-breaking , vsury , scoffing at religion , &c. hanging out in the fight of the sunne ; thou mayest iustly censure the tree to be rotten , and for the present , fewell for the fire of hell. thou mayest iudge no man rashly , nor of his finall estate : ( if we see a malefactour cast , and condemned for some grieuous crime , yet reprieued vnto the next assize ; no man can say , he shall be certainely hanged , because a pardon may be procured , and come from the king in the meane time : it is so in the present case . ) but thou mayest call a spade , a spade ; a drunkard , a drunkard ; an vsurer , an vsurer . otherwise , if thou dawbe and dissemble , how shalt thou euer be able to escape liablenesse to that abomination , prou. . . he that iustifieth the wicked , and he that condemneth the iust : euen they both are abomination to the lord ? and to the sting of that woe , isai. . . woe vnto them that call euill , good ; and good euill ; that put darkenesse for light ; and light for darkenesse ; that put bitter for sweete , and sweete for bitter . yet know , that speaking the euill thou certainely knowest by another , must be seasonable , charitable and discreete : not out of humour , spleene , imperiousnesse , at thy pleasure ; but for gods honour , the good of the party , thine owne discharge , vpon a warrantable calling , &c. according to those rules i shall hereafter deliuer for guiding the tongue . my meaning then in this point is ; that those greater matters be dearliest prized , and principally plied proportionably to their worth and waight : and yet these lesser things not neglected . it is too true , that those who are more fierce , and forward about the ceremonials , and circumstantials , then truly hot and zealous in the essentials , and substantials of christianity , prooue too often vaine-gloriously , and proudly mounted vpon that foule hellish fiend , hypocrisie , and posting apace towards some fearefull apostacy , or anabaptisticall phrensie . vi. let thy spirit , mindfull of its owne heauenly birth , immortall nature , and euerlasting home , euer generously fortifie it selfe with victorious resolution against worldlinesse , the canker and cut-throate of all heauenly-mindednes , and hearty conuersation aboue . of all the foule fiends , that haunt the hearts of carnall men , there is none that holds a stronger opposition , and counter-motion to walking with god , then couetousnesse . ambition , sensualitie , and other wayes of death , cut off their slaues with an accursed disacquaintance , and estrangement farre enough from all comfortable accesse vnto the throne of grace : but affections nailed and glued to the earth , haue this pestilent precedency , that they hold the remotest point of declination , from the warmth and influence of any sweete communion with the sunne of righteousnesse , and gods glorious face . all earthly-minded men ordinarily , howsoeuer they may be outwardly restrained and reserued , are secret deriders of the power of godlinesse , holy strictnesse of the saints , and mysteries of grace . and the pharises also , saith luke , chap. . . who were couetous , heard all these things : and they derided him : euen mockt , and made themselues merry with the searching , and heart-piercing sermons of the sonne of god. their hearts , and hopes are wholly anchored vpon the earth , and lockt vp in their chests : and therefore they dreame of no other heauen , then their golden hoards , heapes of wealth , and present temporall happinesse . whereas notwithstanding , one refreshing glimpse shining , and shed into our hearts from gods pleased face , and well-grounded assurance of being his , is infinitely more worth then all the gold that euer the sunne made , or shall make while it stands in heauen . vii . let thy holy affections bee euer thorowly warmed , and rauisht a extraordinarily with the loue of god. to which , there are infinite inflaming motiues and obligations . hee being absolutely considered , is immeasurably louely . the most attractiue obiects of insatiable loue , and al amiable excellencies , are eminently and transcendently triumphant in him eternally ; beauty , glory , worth , wisedome , greatnesse , goodnesse , holinesse , puritie , any thing , euery thing that is any wayes admirable and loue-worthy . . or consider him in relation to thy selfe ; and shouldest thou euery moment thorow an interminable time , lay down ten thousand liues for his sake , thou couldest neuer come neere the requitall of the least inch of his infinite loue towards thee , which reacheth from euerlasting , to euerlasting . . he bore thee in the bosome of this his free loue from all eternitie , and that so dearely , that from the same eternity , he decreed that his owne deare sonne should die for thee . . hee brought thee out of the abhorred state of being nothing , into the ranke of his reasonable and noblest creatures . . hee bought thee againe , when thou hadst wilfully lost thy selfe , with the hearts-blood of his onely sonne . . he preserues thee euery day from a thousand dangers , a thousand deaths , which might seize vpon thee , both from within , and from without . ▪ he will shortly crowne thee with euerlasting life , fulnesse of ioy , and pleasures at his right hand for euermore . . thirdly , confider the vnquenchable impatiencie of christs inflamed loue vnto thee , now washed with his blood , and beautified with his grace , cant. . . thou hast rauished my heart , saith he to the church , and by consequent to euery true christian , my sister , my spouse , thou hast rauished my heart with one of thine eyes , with one chaine of thy necke . now loue is of that alluring nature , that many times it will draw loue from a man , when there is no louely part in the partie louing . what a deale of loue then doth the soueraigne lord of all goodnesse , the well-spring of all beauty , excellencie , and sweetnesse exact at our hands ? especially sith wee are his meere creatures , in respect both of our naturall being , outward state , gracious state , and state of glory ? see how his spirituall amiablenesse is shadowed by outward beauties , cant. . . viii . prize the fruition of gods pleased face , a neerer communion and acquaintance with his blessed maiestie , the loue and light of his countenance ; and thereupon a free and frequent accesse , with an humble boldnes , vnto the throne of grace , at a far higher and more vnualuable rate , than heauen and earth ; as a very reall fruitfull fore-taste of eternall ioyes . for to say no more at this time ; if thou hold an holy familiaritie with thy god , and he looke pleasedly vpon thee , thou shalt graspe iesus christ more sweetly and feelingly in the armes of thy faith ; partake more plentifully of the ioyfull freedome , presence , and communication of his comforting spirit ; be garded more strongly and narrowly by his glorious angels ; sucke more sweetnesse and heauenly manna out of the ministerie , and other his blessed ordinances ; walke in safetie amongst the creatures , like an vnconquerable lyon : thou shalt bee in a league with the stones of the field , and the beasts of the field shall be at peace with thee : when thou goest , thy gate shall not be straite ; and when thou runnest , thou shalt not fall : when thou sleepest , thy sleepe shall be sweet ; thou shalt dwell safely , and none shall make thee afraid : thou shalt neuer more be afraid of any euill tidings , or of destruction when it commeth : when thou passest thorow the waters , thy god shall bee with thee ; and thorow riuers , they shall not ouerflow thee : when thou walkest thorow the fire , thou shalt not bee burnt ; neither shall the flame kindle vpon thee , &c. and if at any time thou bee seized vpon with any crosse or calamitie from any of the creatures ; any trouble or temptation , from man or deuill ; any lowring or crueltie from the iniquitie of the times , or persecuters of the truth ; yet the refreshing beames of gods pleased face shining vpon thy heart , through the darknesse of such discomforts , will sweetly mitigate , reuiue , and infinitely make amends for all . the poyson and curse of them shall neuer come neere thy soule . the lord in the meane time , like an eagle flutttering about her nest , will most tenderly defend and protect thee , esa. . . and at length most certainly come like a yong lyon roaring on his prey for thy rescue and glorious enlargement , isa. . . ix . labour by a constant watch to keepe thy heart in a spirituall temper still , and still sweetly content , and fruitfully conuersant in the mystery of christ , and secrets of his kingdome , which thou shalt more easily doe ; if thou first reioyce in god , his word & graces , as thy chiefest ioy , and greatest aduantage . . by all earthly things , be drawne to the loue of heauenly . for though god hath appointed but one sabbath in seuen dayes for his more solemne publike worship , yet to a christian , euery day is sanctified to be a rest from all the deeds of the flesh , wherein he is to walke with his god , and shew forth the religious keeping of his heart and good conscience , in euery action of his whole life ; so making euery passage of his particular calling , a part of christian obedience , and dutie vnto god. . let the noblenesse of thine inlarged spirit , as infinitely disdaine to be any wayes , vpon any termes , in bondage to the corruptions of the times ; so finde a farre sweeter rellish , and take incomparably more contentment in the seruices of thy lord , and his holy ordinances , then in all his outward benefits , and fauours of this life . for as the best of these abused , will most certainly at the barre of god , turne scourges and scorpions to the worldling ; conscience ; and in the meane time , there is no man so assured of his honour , of his riches , health , or life ; but that hee may be depriued of either , or all , the very next houre , or day to come ; so the other will prooue vnto the christian , hauing beene conscionably and constantly exercised in them , as a rich stocke , to bring in comfort , patience , and inward peace , in his most neede and greatest extremity . . assoone as thou discouerest any spirituall weakenesse or decay , any extraordinarie assault , temptation , deadnesse , &c. complaine betime , cry mightily vnto god , giue him no rest ; neither giue ouer seeking , vntill hee returne vnto thy soule , with power , and life againe . if ordinarie meanes will not preuaile , presse vpon him with extraordinary : if then he doe not reuiue thee with woonted quickning vigour , waite with a patient wakefull longing of all the powers of thy soule ; and then all this while thy soule is still in its true spirituall temper , and a most blessed state . see isa. . . . decline watchfully all occasions of falling from thy first loue , feruencie , and heauenly-mindednesse : as spirituall pride , knowne hypocrisie , desire to be rich , discontinuance of thine intimatenesse with the godly , neglect of thy particular calling , or dayly watch ouer thy heart ; vngodly company , forme in religious duties , coldnesse and customarinesse in the vse of the meanes , &c. . suffer not thine affections to bee chained downe , and set too much vpon those things which the common sort and greatest part of men seeke after insatiably , and slauishly sinke vnder ; praise , profit , credit , acceptation with the world , fauour of great ones ; mirth , pleasures , ease , feare , sorrow , earthly contentment , preferment , wealth , long life , or any worldly thing : but debase , and dis-esteeme all other delights in respect of doing gods will ; which should euer bee vnto thee meate and drinke , thy chiefest and choisest recreation , and onely paradise vpon earth . x. let thy soule full * often so are aloft vpon the wings of faith , vnto the glory of the empyrean heauen , where god dwelleth , and bathe it selfe before-hand with many a sweet meditation in that euerlasting blisse aboue . oh thinke with thy selfe , ( though it farre passe the reach of any mortall thought ) what an infinite inexplicable sweetnesse it will be , to looke for euer vpon the glorious bodie of iesus christ , shining with incomprehensible beautie ; and to consider , that euen euery veine of that blessed bodie bled to bring thee to heauen : and that it being with such excesse of glory hypostatically vnited vnto the second person in the trinity , hath honoured and aduanced thy nature , in that respect , far aboue the brightest cherub ! to say nothing of the beauty and brightnesse of that euer-blessed place , that vnapprochable light , which besets gods dreadfull throne , the walking arme in arme with the angels of god , that euerlasting ioyfull communion , and conuersing with the dearest christian friends , and all the crowned saints , and innumerable felicities moe , which infinitely surpasse in excellencie and sweetenesse , the comprehension of the largest heart , and expression of any angels tongue : contemplate principally the fountaine of all thy blisse ; how the mighty iehovah , god blessed for euer , will powre out of himselfe , by the influence of beatificall vision , as they call it , perpetuall riuers of vnutterable ioyes , and pleasures vpon thy glorified body and soule , thorow all eternity ; euen as the sunne powres out his beames and shining euery day af●…esh vpon the world , without emptinesse or end : and with such variety , ( for hee is infinite ) that they shall bee vnto thee , as fresh , as new , as sweete , as rauishing , millions of yeeres after thou hast dwelt in those mansions of rest , as they were , the very first moment thou enteredst that blisfull place . such fixed considerations as these , of things aboue , will serue as notable helpes to draw and keepe thy heart heauen-ward , and may mightily moue thee to delight in god , and to hold it the sweetest life vpon earth , to walke with him in the wayes of puritie and peace . methinkes , if a man doe but once a day seriously and solemnly thus cast vp the eye of his faith , vpon that neuer-fading crowne of life , which after an inch of time , shall eternally rest vpon his head , the goodly splendour thereof , and beames of that incomparable ioy , should be able to dispell those mists of fading vanities , and hurtfull fumes of honours , riches , and earthly pleasures , which this great dung-hill of the world , heated by the fire of inordinate lust , doth euaporate , and interpose betweene the sight of the soule and celestiall blisse : so that hee might with more affectionate freedome , and contempt of earth , haue his conuersation aboue ; and turne the current of all his delights , loue , and longings , with more resolution and constancie towards his heauenly home . these preparatiues thus premised , i proceed to some generall directions for a more comfortable walking in the way that is called holy. . first , and before all other things , haue a speciall eye and attendance to a sincere , constant , and fruitfull performance of holy duties , gods seruices . and to say nothing punctually and particularly at this time , of priuate * reading the scriptures , publike hearing the word , personall prayer , and with thy yoke-fellow , if thou liue in that estate , singing of psalmes , meditation , conference , dayes of humiliation , &c. of which thou must proportionably make conscience in their due place , obseruing also in them the ensuing cautions : for a knowne grosse , customary neglect of any holy dutie , religious exercise , diuine ordinance , in its season , may bring a dampe vpon the rest , and a consumption vpon the whole bodie of christianitie ; i say , to leaue these and the like , in their courses and turnes to bee performed also with all good conscience and following cautions , i onely at this time purposely aduise , for the better sanctifying thy selfe and all about thee , to a more comfortable and successefull managing of all affaires , businesses , and vnder-takings , either spirituall or ciuill ; that thou beeing master of a family , for i single out such an one for instance , bee euer sure to glorifie god amidst thy people , by a morning and b euening sacrifice of prayers and praises to his heauenly highnesse . in the discharge of which maine dutie of christianitie vtterly neglected by the most , and empoysoned to many , by their resting only in the worke wrought , take heed of growing into forme , customarinesse , c perfunctorinesse , which will most certainely draw the very life-blood and breathing out of those holy businesses ; being euer the canker and cut-throate of all true godlinesse , and gracious acceptation with god. labour therefore by a reuerent recollecting all the powers of thy soule , and fresh renewing and strengthening thy watch at euery seuerall time , to preserue heart and spirit in those daily deuotions , and family-duties . which thou shalt the better doe , if thou looke to , . a right disposition before : . a spirituall behauiour in the doing : . an holy carriage afterward . . for the first : . come not before god with any sinne lying vpon thy conscience vnrepented of , or delighted in , see psal. . . . neither with passion , wrath , or heart-burning against d any . . stirre vp and quicken the actiuenesse , and particular apprehensions of thy e faith , about the things desired and deprecated . in a word , in the apostles words , for that is my meaning ; * lift vp holy hands without wrath and doubting . bring , . resolution against all sinne , in respect of god : . peace and appeased passions , in respect of men : . assurance to be heard , in respect of thy selfe . or thus : before thou fall vpon thy knees , shake off three empoysoning and heauy hindrances , which will clog and clip the wings of thy prayers , that they will neuer be able to ascend vp vnto heauen : sinne , anger , distrust : and possesse thy heart of three excellent helpes , and inflaming furtherances : . a right apprehension of gods dreadfulnesse , puritie , power , &c. . a true sence of thy owne vilenesse , abominablenesse , nothingnesse , &c. . a heartie suruay of the infinitenesse , and vnexpressablenesse of gods bountie , blessings , and many compassionate forbearances towards thee . . for the second , . repell with an vndaunted spirit , and resolute contempt , satans blasphemous d iniections , if he be busie that way ( and he is ordinarily most spitefull against the best businesses , ) and the rather , because if they be heartily abominated and abandoned with heart-rising and loathing , they are put vpon the deuils score , and are onely thy crosses , not thy e sinnes . . watch ouer the world with all care and timely opposition , that if it be possible , not an earthly f thought may creepe into thy heart all the while . . striue to hold thy heart in heate , as well in confession as deprecation ; in deprecation as petition ; in intercession as for personall blessings ; as well for puritie of heart , as pardon of sinne , thorowout ; though there may bee difference of heate , and crying vnto god , according to the necessitie and neerenesse of the passage in the prayer , to our particular , or the more vniuersall good desire . prayer is the creature of the holy ghost , euery part whereof , we should heartily wish , and earnestly wrastle , that he would proportionably animate as it were , and thorowly enlyue , euen as the soule doth the body . for the third , with all intention and watchfulnesse , pursue and presse after the things prayed for , by a timely apprehension , fruitfull exercise , and vtmost improuement of all occasions , ordinances , helpes , and heauenly offers , which may any wayes concurre to the compassing of them . for instance : thou prayest for knowledge : walke then , when thou hast done , with a constant indeauour , in the strength of this prayer , thorow all the meanes , reading , hearing , conferring , practising ( for euen that also is a meanes to increase knowledge , ioh. . . especially experimentall ) catechizing , &c. for the storing of thy vnderstanding with all sacred illuminations and holy sences of gods sauing word . let no opportunitie passe , be violent in catching all occasions , for the enriching thy braine with such heauenly stuffe , and hoarding vp in thine heart such hidden treasures . if thou cryest after knowledge , saith salomon , and liftest vp thy voyce for vnderstanding , chap. . . there is the prayer ; if thou seekest her as siluer , and searchest for her , as for hidden treasures , vers . . there is the endeauour : then shalt thou vnderstand the feare of the lord , and find the knowledge of god , vers . . there is the blessing : see psal. . . againe , thou prayest to be preserued out of ill company : thou doest well : but when thou hast done , doest thou make conscience of that counsell of salomon , prou. . , . and by the power and impression thereof , confront and oppose the cunning inticements , & cursed importunities of thine old companions , and brethren in iniquitie ? enter not , saith salomon , into the path of the wicked ; and goe not in the way of wicked men . auoide it , passe not by it ; turne from it , and passe away , &c. he that makes prayer the end of prayer , prayes only to pray , and rests in his prayer , thinking when that holy duty is done , that there is no more to bee done , prayes to no purpose . there must be good doings , as well as good duties . he that doth not earnestly , and in good sadnesse afterwards set himselfe against sinnes deprecated , and pursue with zeale and conscience the graces and good things petitioned , his prayer is not worth a button . ii. decline idlenesse , the very rust and canker of the soule , the deuils cushion , pillow , chiefe reposall ; his very tide-time of temptation , as it were , wherein hee carries with much ease , and without all contradiction , the currnet of our corrupt affections , to any cursed sinne . and be diligent with conscience and faithfulnesse , in some lawfull , honest , particular calling ( a good testimony , if other sauing markes concurre of truth , and true heartednesse , in thy generall calling of christianitie ) not so much to gather gold , and engrosse wealth , as for necessary and moderate prouision for family and posteritie : and in conscience and obedience to that common charge , laid vpon all the sonnes and daughters of adam to the worlds end ; in the sweate of thy face shalt thou eate bread , till thou returne vnto the ground . . but euer goe about the affaires of thy calling with a heauenly mind , seasoned , and sanctified with habituall prayer , eiaculatory eleuations , willingnesse , if god so please , to bee dissolued , and to bee with christ ; pregnant with heauenly matter and meditation , pickt out of the passages of thy present businesse . for instance ; let the husbandman in seed-time , collect this sacred soliloquie , and heauenly thought ; if i now take not the season , i shall haue no haruest , but starue in winter . so proportionably ; if i gather not grace in this sun-shine of the gospell , and day of my visitation , i shall find nothing but horror vpon my bed of death , and burne in hell for euer hereafter , &c. . in all the ciuill businesses of thy personall calling , let thy eye and aime be vpon gods glory , as the prime and principall end of all thy actions , . cor. . . and in them seeke and serue that glorious end of gods honour , not so much in procuring thine owne , as the good of church , common-wealth , neighbours and family , &c. . by earthly imployments , do not become an earth-worme . in vsing the world , grow not a worldling , and such an one as findes more sweetnesse and pleasure in worldly dealings , and the comming in of thy profits , then in thy heauenly traffick and treasures through the practise and trade of christianitie . iii. in thy solitarie seasons : . single out some speciall profitable choyce matter to meditate on all the while ; thereby both to preuent the ordinary intrusion of many vaine , foolish , noy some thoughts , impertinent wandrings , and wofull trifling out thy precious time ; and also to keepe thy spirits , and the powers of thy soule aworke , lest as milstones wanting grist , grate and grind one another , they waste themselues in a fruitlesse barren melancholy . when canst thou bee alone , and not haue iust cause , either to busie thy mind about some lawfull affaires of thy calling ; or wrestle with some corruption , which troubles the peace of thy conscience , or breake out into the praises of god , or some other holy passages of heauenly meditation , whereof there is so great varietie and store ? . watch and withstand , with all godly iealosie and care , two dangerous euils : . thoughts of pleasures g from thy youthfull sinnes , and vnregenerate time , which at such times are ready to make re-entry , and very eager , being aided by the deuils cunning and hearts-corruption , to re-infect and pollute thy soule againe with sensuall filth , and renewed guiltinesse . and in this point , take heed lest the deuill delude thee in the glory of an angel , or by the flashes of his counterfeite light , cast into thy heart his secret wild-fire , and sparkes of lust . for in thy solitary musing , thou mayest resume into thy memory , the h abominations of thy former life , especially of that sinne , which was thy minion-delight , and darling-pleasure , vpon purpose to bewaile and detest them ; and yet without a very vigilant eye , the deuill in sinuating some secret ticklings of woonted sinfull sweetnesse ; that which was intended for an exercise and increase of repentance , may cursedly end in the iteration and re-inioyment of old filthy pleasures . . take heed also at such times of acting any new sinnes , vpon sensuall suppositions , and imaginary plots : as of worldlinesse , lust , speculatiue wantonnesse , ambition , reuenge , dishonouring gods prouidence by an vnnecessarie distrustfull forecasting of fearefull accidents vpon thy selfe , family , goods , posteritie , the state , &c. some sonnes of belial there are , who make no bones , as they say , of acting all manner of vncleannesse ( horrible impuritie in the inward parts ! ) by the meere worke of imagination . when they cannot compasse and attaine the reall accomplishment of their furious and filthy proiects in outward acts , and vpon obiects abroad , their abominable desires rebounding as it were , with an impetuous and vnsatisfied rage vpon their heated and enuenomed passions , act and execute any kinde of villany , vpon the inuisible forge of a cursed i contemplation . it is strange to consider , how many , who carry a counterfeit heauen in their outward behauiour , should harbour such execrable hells in their hearts ! . let not passe such a golden opportunitie for thy spirituall good , without some sweet comfortable conference with thy god in secret . call and cry out towards heauen for some speciall graces , by which thou mayest bee most inabled to glorifie god most , and to keepe in thy brest a chearefull and heauenly spirit , as for precious and incomparable iewels to be purchased with the losse of ten thousand worlds , but not to bee parted with for as many worlds as thou hast haires vpon thy head . begge with greatest earnestnesse , and extraordinarie intention of spirit , mortifying grace , and spirituall strength , for the crushing and conquering of those speciall lusts , and vnruly passions that most hant thee , and hurt the peace of thy conscience . let a sorrowfull suruay of all thy sinnes draw from thee some hearty groane , and feruent eiaculations for mercy and pardon : or a summary view of gods blessings and fauours towards thee , fill thy heart with many ioyfull , lowly , and most thankfull thoughts , &c. thus , or in the like manner , let some part of thy solitarie time be sure to be seasoned with holy musings , and talke with god. iv. concerning company , i aduise , i. that thou neuer cast thy selfe into wicked company , or presse amongst the profane , especially vpon choice , voluntarily and delightfully ; and abide no longer with them at any time , vpon any occasion , then thou hast sound warrant , and a calling thereunto . it is vncomely , and incompatible with good conscience ; it is not for the honour or comfort of gods children , to keepe company , or familiarly conuerse with gracelesse a men . in which point to preuent , misconceits and mistakings , consider there is a double fellowship : . common , b cold , and more generall . in treading , bargayning , buying , selling , saluting , eating and drinking together ; and in other passages of humanity , and entercourse of ciuill society ; to which charity , nature , necessity , or the exigents of our generall , or particular calling doe warrantably lead vs. . speciall , deare , intimate : in consultations and counsels about matters of speciall secrecy , greatest weight , and highest consequence . in spirituall refreshments , religious conferences , prayer , marriage , all manner of neerest engagements . in a free vnreserued communication of their soules , mutuall exchange of the thoughts of their hearts , faithfull reuelations of the spirituall state of their consciences one vnto another , and in such like blissefull pangs and passages of christian loue , and ardent sanctified affection . the former of these the christian must of necessitie entertaine , and exercise sometimes with the men of this world ; except he will goe out of the world , . cor. . . but the second fellowship is the saints peculiar the christian is bound out by the booke of god , the law of heauen , vpon his alleageance to his lord and soueraigne , and by the common charter of gods children , from conuersing with delightfull intimatenesse , and from the exchange and exercise of those speciall passages of dearest acquaintance with profane men , children of darkenesse , and enemies of god. for these and the like reasons , . he thereby incurres a double hazard : the one , of infection with sinne : the other , of infliction of punishment . . he that toucheth pitch , saith the wise man , shall be defiled therewith ; and hee that hath fellowship with a proud man , shall be like vnto him . can a man take fire in his bosome , and his clothes not be burnt ? can a man goe vpon hot coales , and his feete not be burnt ? prou. . , . neither can any familiarly and intimately conuerse with a profane man , but he shall be corrupted . there is a strange attractiue , and imperious power in ill company , to empoyson and peruert euen the best dispositions : . by holding familiar correspondence with lewd companions , there first steales vpon a man a secret and insensible dislike of his former sober courses : hee begins within himselfe to censure , and renounce his former wayes of innocency , and harmelesse conuersation ; as too restrayning and distastfull to the ordinary liberty of youth , and common frailty of flesh and blood ; and as too much dissweetned , and straitned with vnnecessary strictnesse and abridgement . . secondly , there slyly insinuates into his heart a pleasing approbation , and delightfull assent to the sensuall courses , and sinfull pleasures of his lewd companions . . thirdly , there followes a resolued , and habituall change of affections and conuersation , a transformation into the manners and conditions of those with whom he doth so familiarly conuerse . . fourthly , he growes ill-affected , and disconceited towards good men and godly exercises , because in their prophane , boysterous , and furious conuenticles of good-fellowship , hee heares them dayly rayled vpon , iested at , belyed , and slandered ; and not a man amongst them to take their parts , and to stand on gods side . and therefore by little and little , hee himselfe is also transformed into a scoffing ishmael , a breathing-deuill , and so becomes at last , as much the child of hell , as any of that gracelesse company and damned crew . thus , and by such steps and degrees as these , many , many times especially in the uniuersities , and innes of court , of good nature , honest disposition , and perhaps religious education , are by little and little caught and fearefully corrupted , and at length brought to horrible and vtter confusion both of reputation and outward state , both of soule and body , by the infectious villanies of lewd and naughty companions . but ordinarily gods children are not in such danger from notorious sinners , and from men of such desperate and reprobate conuersation . for who in his right wits will runne vpon a man which he cleerely sees hath the plague sore running vpon him ? what christian in his right minde spiritually , hauing any feare of god in his heart , life in his soule , or tendernesse in his conscience , will delightfully thrust himselfe into the company of swearers , drunkards , scorners , filthy talkers , prophane iesters , or any fellowes of such infamous ranke ? especially sith the soule is a thousand times more capable of the contagion of sin , then the body of any infectious disease ? the hurt which the christian doth take in this regard , is most from meerely ciuill men , as such as onely professe in forme ; who being more tolerable and plausible comp anons , and yet disacquainted with the great mystery of godlinesse , vnseasoned with the power of inward sanctification , and vnpractised in the wayes of sincerity , doe secretly and insensibly infuse , if not a notorious infection with some scandalous sinne ; yet many times a fearefull defection from zeale , forwardnesse , and feruencie in the wayes and seruices of god. throw a blazing fire-brand into the snow , or raine , and its brightnesse and heate will bee quickly put out and quenched : let a christian but for a while abandon his holy conference , and comfortable communion with gods children , and plunge himselfe into the company of those who are but cold and carelesse , lazie and luke-warme professors ; and he shall in very short time find his zeale to be very much cooled , his forwardnesse abated , the tendernesse of his conscience too much qualified with worldly wisedome ; much dulnesse of heart , deadnesse of spirit , drowzinesse , and heartlesnesse in his affections to holy things , and an vniuersall decay of his graces insensibly to grow vpon him . in this respect many christians doe themselues much wrong , and afflict their soules with many vnnecessary spirituall miseries . for they doe sometimes vnaduisedly , by reason of kindred , for old acquaintance , aduantage , and carnall contentment , because of the worldly wisedome , immunity from grosse sinnes , and other good parts of the parties , hold a too neere , intimate , and delightfull correspondence with such as are but onely ciuill men , or pharises at the best , with whom spending most of their time , and they wanting both heart and skill to vphold any holy conferences , or to affoord any reciprocall or mutuall helpe , in the feeling passages of sanctification , are occasions to put gods children out of vse and vre with the language of canaan , from the embracement of many ioyfull considerations , and exercise of those comfortable meditations , and holy conuersation aboue , which christian company would occasionally and seasonably put into them , and keepe fresh and working in their mindes ; and by consequent , bereaue them thereby of much zeale , comfort , feelings of gods fauour , ioyfull springings of heart , boldnesse in their wayes , cheerefulnesse in the exercises of religion , and that comfortable fruition of other prerogatiues of christianity ; which many other of their brethren doe , and they , by the benefit of religious companions , and delightfull conuersing with the saints , might plentifully enioy . apprehend this passage aright : i say , a christian may be much worsened and weakened in his graces , by companying too much , and conuersing delightfully with the meere ciuill man , or whited tombes : for he may spend with such men whole weekes , nay , moneths and yeeres , and haue not one word of sanctified discourse , and holy talke ministred vnto him . scarce a word to bee had from them of the word of god , and way to heauen ; no conference of the secrets of sanctification , of perplexities of conscience , of their euerlasting abode together in the mansions of heauen . motions that way would bee very irkesome and tedious vnto them : such talke would quickly beget silence , melancholy , sadnesse , and a desire to breake off company . now the christian by this meanes , neither hauing his tongue exercised , nor his eares much acquainted with edifying christian discourse , growes neglectiue of storing his memory with holy things , vnzealous , and cold in the apprehensions of heauen , dull and heartlesse to godly duties . if thus ; what infection then from notorious and lewd companions ? but aboue all , in this point the fellowship of the papist is most pernicious ; for by him a man is in danger both of hauing his vnderstanding and iudgement corrupted with heresie ; and his life and conuersation infected with impiety . there are two steps and passages , as it were , out of the state of prophanenesse , into the paradise of christianitie . . illumination of the vnderstanding with sauing knowledge . . sanctification of the heart with speciall grace . now the papist labours to peruert and impoyson both . for commonly you shall finde the papist to be stigmatized , and branded with a double marke : hee receiues one immediately from the beast , a brand of idolatry : and satan commonly fastens vpon him another speciall marke , some notorious and scandalous sinne in his conuersation ; as swearing , lying , vncleannesse , the vanities of good-fellowship , sabbath-breaking , or such like . for we must know , that antichristianisme cannot produce sanctification ; and therefore you shall commonly finde euery papist to lye in some raigning sinne ; howsoeuer formall deuotion is the highest perfection attainable in that antichristian state . by popish company then a man is in danger of corruption , both in his vnderstanding , and conuersation : by the lewd , which yet make profession of gods trueth , of infection with notoriousnesse in conditions : by meere ciuill honest men , and formall professors , of defection from zeale , and forwardnesse at the least . . as the christian incurres by the company of prophane men , euident hazard , either of infection with their sinnes , if they bee notorious ; or defection from zeale , and forwardnesse , if they be something more tolerable and formall : so he is euery houre which hee is in their company , without a warrantable calling , and iust dispensation out of the word , and from a good conscience , in great danger of being inuolued within the flames of the iust confusions , and inwrapt within the compasse of those outward curses and plagues which gods indignation inkindles and inflicts vpon wicked men . all prophane men , being vnreconciled to god , are euery moment liable to all those miseries and fearefull iudgements , which either man or deuill , any of gods creatures , or his owne immediate hand can bring vpon them : they are onely respited and reserued by gods mercy , and deferred onely vnto those opportunities and seasons , which seeme best and fittest to his holy wisedome . now , if when they light vpon them ( as they may iustly at any time ) any of gods children bee found amongst them vnwarrantably and delightfully , it is righteous with god , that he receiue his portion amongst them at that time , and bee fearefully infolded within the fury of the greatest temporall visitation . it is righteous with god , that if his owne child will needs bee vnwarrantably familiar with his enemy , that he also bee partaker of any temporall plague , especially with his enemy , euen to the losse sometimes of his naturall life . take then i beseech you the holy counsell of the blessed apostle , eph. . . bee not therefore companions with them : and let his reason fright you out of their company : let no man deceiue you ( saith he ) with vaine * words : for , for such things commeth the wrath of god vpon the children of disobedience . [ for such things ] to wit , fornication , vncleannesse , couetousnesse , filthinesse , foolish talking , iesting , and such like . take heed therefore of conuersing with the practisers of these vncomely things . . secondly , there must very shortly bee an euerlasting separation betweene the christian and prophane men : at the farthest , they must part vpon their death-beds , and neuer see one another againe vnto the day of iudgement : and then they must shake hands for world without end . for there is set betwixt them , by gods immutable and irreuocable decree , a vast and immeasurable gulfe , which stands as fast and vnremooueable , as god almightie in his throne of maiestie ; so that they can neuer possibly meete . betweene vs and you , saith abraham to the rich man in hell , there is a great gulfe fixed , so that they which would passe from hence to you , cannot ; neither can they passe to vs , that would come from thence . if it be so then , that after an inch of time , there must bee betwixt them an endlesse diuorce , and an vnpassable distance through all eternity ; it is best for the christian to begin this separation and disacquaintance in time , and not to repose his speciall loue , the sweetest and noblest of all his affections , vpon an obiect where it must not eternally rest , nor intimately conuerse with him , whose company he shall not haue heereafter in heauen euerlastingly . let him euer onely affoord the dearest pangs of his kindest affection vnto gods children , and conuey the swetest meltings of his heart , and the most passionate embracements of his soule into their bosomes alone : for he shall be sure to meete them in heauen , and there the lesser streames of their former christian loue shall grow into a mighty torrent , and falling into the great and vniuersall confluence of the vnited zeales and seraphicall feruours of all the saints and angels , runne with a sweete and euerlasting current , into the bottomlesse and boundlesse sea of all loue and louely excellencies , god himselfe , blessed for euer . . thirdly , a good man conuersing with those which be gracelesse , doth very foully distaine and obscure , if not quite lose his christian reputation and credit with good men ; for a man is still reputed to bee of their humour and conditions , with whom he doth ordinarily and intimately conuerse . all flesh , saith the wise man , consorteth according to kinde , and a man will cleane to his like . what fellowship hath the wolfe with the lambe ? so the sinner with the godly . now it is a most disgracefull and discomfortable thing , to bee iustly cast out of the conceits and good opinions of iudicious and vnderstanding christians . i would haue a christian neuer much trouble himselfe , or labour with too much curiositie and intrusion , too anxiously , vexingly , and sollicitously to giue the world satisfaction , for the vniust censures , and disconceites of witlesse and worthlesse prophanenesse ; ( only he may thence take occasion to examine his heart more narrowly , to walke more warily , to liue more holily , and pray more heartily . ) let prophane men rage , and swell , and burst , in despight of gall , i would haue him sweetely and calmely to enioy those blessed comforts , which gods compassionate hand hath put into his heart . but me-thinks , he should much take to heart , and be very sorry for the iust dislike and disconceit of true christians , or for any scandall taken vpon good ground , from vnaduisednesse and aberration in his carriage and conuersation . as the christian then desires to be dearely esteemed of the godly , and tenders the preseruation of his good name with good men ; which is rather to be chosen than great riches , prou. . . than precious ointment , eccles. . . and maketh the bones fat , prou. . . which indeed is the most inestimable iewell he possesseth in this life , next vnto his owne crowne of christianitie : i say , as he would maintaine and vphold a good opinion and conceit of him , in the hearts and consciences of christians , let him flye the company of prophane men : for there is no reason hee should bee reputed gods friend , who conuerses familiarly with his profest enemies . . no prophane man can heartily , and directly loue , and affect a christian for his zeale and spirituall graces ; nay , naturally and ordinarily he disconceits and hates all holy impressions , wrought vpon him by gods sanctifying spirit : . partly by reason of that euerlasting vnreconcileable , and implacable enmitie and antipathy betweene the seed of the woman , and the seed of the serpent ; betweene light and darkenesse ; christ and belial ; grace and prophanenesse : . partly also , because euery vnregenerate man , though furnished with the best perfections and excellencies attaine●…ble in that state , thinkes , that his lukewarmenesse , and formalitie is censured and condemned by the zeale and forwardnesse of the true christian ; and that if those gracious endowments and holy strictnesse be reall , and necessarily required , they plainely proclaime the damnablenesse of his estate , which he securely reposes vpon , as sufficient for saluation . dauid , a man after gods owne heart , and of a sweet and louing disposition , yet was most heauily prest and pursued with much causelesse spite , and this hatred euen for his goodnesse : they that hate me without a cause , saith he , are more then the haires of my head : they that would destroy mee , and are mine enemies falsely , are mighty ; so that i restored that which i tooke not , psal. . . and in another place saith hee ; they that hate me wrong fully , are many : they also that reward euill for good , are mine aduersaries , because i follow a goodnesse . but yet vnderstand this further in the point . the expression and exercise of this hatred of the forwardnesse and zeale in the christian , which naturally and ordinarily lurkes in the heart of euery prophane man , may bee sometimes restrained for aduantage , and in policy ; by accident , and for by ▪ respects . the sting and furie of it may be weakened , and lessened by the ingenuousnesse of the vnregenerate man , or by other good naturall and morall parts in the christian. nay , i doe not see , but that sometimes it may bee , as it were , quite dasht , and confounded by the extraordinary innocency , and heroicall height of spirituall excellencies in a good man : as moralists say of vertue , that though it be ordinarily attended by enuy , as the body with a shadow , yet it may grow so incomparable and glorious , that enuy is glad to hide its head , and flie away like a weake mist from the sunne shining in his strength . assoone as vertue , say they , is growne out of ignorance ▪ she entreth by and by into enuy , till mounting aloft , as the sunne being verticall abateth all shadowes ; so she in the top , and height of perfection , all enuie . why may it not be so in zeale and pietie , that though it be ordinarily persecuted with extreme hatred ; yet sometimes it may attaine that extraordinarinesse , incomparablenesse and excellency , that hatred may euen hate it selfe , for opposing such vnreprooueable sanctitie ? but to my purpose : if it bee so , that a prophane man cannot possibly loue a christian heartily for his christianitie and grace , but rather maliciously and mortally hate him ; what heart can a christian haue to conuerse intimately and delightfully with a prophane man ? who would euer vouchsafe his company , and afford the best of his time , and dearest of his affections , to a fellow , which disdaines and despises the most precious iewell hee beares about him , i meane , his religious zeale ; and labours powerfully , though insensibly , to dimme the brightnesse , and distaine the glory of it ; either by the contagion of his notoriousnesse , or at least , by his formalitie , coldnesse , and vnzealousnesse ? . fiftly , no christian ought to enter league , or entertaine fellowship with the enemies of god. it is absurd , that a member of christ should exercise familiaritie , and intimate passages of loue with a limbe of satan . what earthly prince could endure with patience , to haue one of his neerest seruants , and of chiefest trust , to bee conuersant continually amongst profest rebels , and open traitors to his crowne and dignitie ; or to conuerse intimately with his deadliest enemie ? would any great man in the state , retaine any as a speciall fauourite , who should bee inward with his greatest counter-factionist ? what ingenuous child would delightfully digest that company , wherein hee should heare his father in a foule and shamefull manner disgraced and rayled vpon ? how then should almighty god hold him his friend , who is familiar with strangers to the life of god , and enemies to his grace ? how can that man looke for the prerogatiues , and protections of a child of god , who haunts such company with delight , where he heares daily his almightie father foulely , and shamefully dishonoured , perhaps , with oathes and blasphemies , with obscenities and raylings ; at least , with many idle and prophane speeches ? . sixthly , conuersing with prophane men , doth crosse and ouerthrow a common christian dutie , which is this ; in all companies , either doe good , or take good , or both . for in this case , the christian both takes hurt , and doth hurt : he hurts , . himselfe , because he throwes himselfe vpon temptation , and hazard of being infected with notoriousnesse , if his companions be very lewd , and prophane ; or at least , with formalitie and coldnesse ; if they be but only ciuilly honest , or formall professors . . he hurts also others : . hee hardens his companions in their vnregenerate courses , because they thinke , he would not so familiarly conuerse with them , except hee were well conceited of their spirituall state ; and so they rest with securitie and confidence in their vnregeneration . . hee is a stumbling blocke to the weake christian , who by looking vpon his example , may bee led awry from the straight path of his profession , and by taking thereupon libertie of imitation , may haue his young beginnings of grace choaked and smothered by the delightfull vanities of good fellowship , in the presse of prophane company . . he grieues also strong and vnderstanding christians , to see him so far forget himselfe , and disgrace his profession , as to conuerse with the enemies of god , and by his practise to perswade the world , that the base fooleries of good fellowship , are more sweet and tastefull , then the glorious pleasures of the communion of saints . . there is another reason , which though it be not very obuious to mens apprehensions , or much taken notice of ; yet in my vnderstanding , it should be very powerfull , and of very great weight , to driue christians out of the company of vnregenerate men , & to restrain them from a familiar and delightfull correspondence , and conuersing with them ( except they haue a warrantable calling , and the testimonie of their consciences to conuerse with them for their conuersion and spirituall good . ) it is this : when an vnregenerate man obserues , that a christian presseth into his company , desires to spend time with him , and is well enough content to exchange mutually many offices of intimate kindnesse ; hee presently conceiues and concludes , that sure hee sees in him matter worthy of christian company , and endowments sufficient to ranke him amongst the saints ; else hee could not take such contentment in his conditions and conuersation . whereupon hee is fearefully hardned in his present courses , and settles with resolution , confidence , and security vpon the plausible deceitfulnesse of his vnregenerate state ; and thinks himselfe well , that hee may both enioy the pleasures of the present , and also a good testimony and hope of his rightnesse in the way to heauen ; because it is well knowne and acknowledged , that his companion both knowes , and walkes in the right path . and sith he hath one to take part , he takes it not much to heart , that other christians are more vnfamiliar , and strange vnto him ; for hee imputes it onely to their sowrenesse and vnsociablenesse . assuredly , there are many christians very faulty this way , and haue very much to answer for in this kind . they familiarly conuerse with vnregenerate men ; and because they would not displease and bee distastefull , they say nothing vnto them of the cursednesse of their condition towards god , and of the fearfulnesse of their case , in respect of saluation . hereupon they grow into a conceit , that they are well conceited of their spirituall state , and so walke farre more resolutely and confidently towards hell , by reason of the societie and silence of their christian companions . i thinke verily , that prophane men doe not onely sometimes desire the company of christians , to win reputation from the better sort , and to guild ouer the rottennesse of their conuersation with some little tincture , and lesser splendour reflected from the glory of their christianitie ; but also to purchase some counterfeit comfort to their consciences , and false hope vnto their hearts , that their case is the better towards god , because gods children vouchsafe to keepe company , and conuerse more familiarly with them . . but aboue all , for this purpose peruse often , and ponder well , . the effectuall prohibitions in gods booke : . the protestations and practise of the saints , . and punishments inflicted for familiaritie with the vngodly . for the last , see . chron. . . and a . . for the second , see psal. . , . ier. . . . king. . . for the first , see . cor. . . ephes. . . prou. . . . thes. . . where he solemnnely commands them in the name of our lord iesus christ , that they withdraw themselues from euery brother that walkes inordinately , &c. hee aimes specially in that place at idle persons ; by consequent then , and good proportion , at more notorious fellowes . if wee must withdraw our selues from those , who haue leasure to bee for all companies , at all times , vpon all occasions , and are therefore accounted the onely companions : how fast must wee runne from lyers , swearers , whoremongers , drunkards , scorners , reuellers , and fellowes of such infamous ranke ? prou. . . where iteration of the same sence in variety of phrase , argues the necessity of the dutie and earnestnesse of the diuine penman to perswade ; enter not , saith he , into the path of the wicked ; and goe not in the way of euill men . auoide it , passe by it , turne from it , and passe away . deepe apprehensiuenesse of the excellencie and worth of the matter , or extraordinarie seruencie to impresse and perswade the point , doth many times in scripture clothe the same thing with diuers formes of speech , and varietie of phrase . . now in a second place : if thou desirest to conuerse with some of thine vnconuerted kindred , friends , neighbours , old acquaintance , &c. for their spirituall good , obserue these three rules : . let there bee good probabilitie , proportionably , of more power of grace , knowledge , sanctification , spirituall wisedome , christian resolution , &c. in thee to conuert them , then poison of vnregenerate stubbornnesse , sensuall malice , sinfull wit , worldly wisedome , satanicall sophistrie in them , to peruert thee . . see that thy heart be sincere , and that in the singlenesse thereof , thou seeke truely their conuersion , and not thine owne secret contentment : for in this point , thine owne heart will bee ready to deceiue thee . thou mayest offer thy selfe into such company , with pretence and purpose to sollicit them for saluation , and preuaile with them about the best things ; and yet before thou be aware , bee plunged and insnared in the woonted vnwarrantable delights of good fellowship , pleasant passages of wit , idle and impertinent follies and familiarities , which thou wast accustomed to exchange and enioy with them in thy vnregenerate time . so that in stead of the discharge of a christian duty , thou mayest both hurt thy selfe , and harden them . . as physicians of the body arme and animate themselues with strong repercussiues , preseruatiues , and counterpoysons , when they visit contagious and pestilentiall patients : so in such cases , be thou sure to furnish and fortifie thy selfe before-hand with prayer , meditation , the sword of the spirit , store of perswasiue matter , strength of reasons , and vnshaken resolution , to repell and beate backe all noysome insinuations of spirituall infection . . into christian company , which thou shouldest prize thine only paradise and heauen vpon earth ; the very flowre and festiuall of all thy refreshing time in this vale of teares , euer bring . a cheerefull and lightsome heart . me-thinks , though thou shouldest come amongst the saints with a sad heart , and something ouer-cast with mists and clouds of heauinesse and discomfort ; yet the presence and faces of those , whom hereafter thou shalt meet in heauen , and there , with incomparable ioy behold for euer , clothed and shining with eminencie and eternitie of glory , should disperse and dispell them all , and infuse comfortable beames of heauenly lightsomnesse and spirituall mirth . i know them , who being cast sometimes full sore against their wils , amongst profane company , are quite out of their element all the while , strucke dead in the place , as they say , as solitary as in the silentest desart . but let them come amongst christians , and they are quite other men , as full of lightsomnes and life , as full of heart and heauen , as if they had the one foot in the porch of paradise already-sadnesse is not seasonable , where such precepts as these haue place ; be glad in the lord. and reioyce , yee righteous , and shout for ioy , all yee that are vpright in heart . . a fruitfull heart , full as the moone with gracious matter to vphold edifying conference , and sanctified talke . being forward and free without any hurtfull bashfulnesse , or vaine-glorious aime , both to communicate to others the hidden treasures of heauenly knowledge , which thou hast happily digged out of the precious quarry , as it were , of the great mystery of grace , & also by moouing of questions , and ministring occasion mutually to draw from them with an holy greedinesse the waters of life , for a reciprocall refreshing and quickning of the deadnesse and vnheauenlinesse of thine owne heart . and here it will bee a profitable wisedome , to take notice of , and obserue each others singularitie of gifts , and seuerall endowments , and thereafter with wise insinuations , to prouoke and presse them , to powre out themselues in those things , wherein they haue best experience and most excellency . some are more dexterous and skilfull in discussing controuersed points : others in resoluing cases of conscience ; some , in discouering the deuils depths , and treading the maze of his manifold temptations : others , in comforting afflicted spirits , and speaking to the heart of mourners in zion , &c. i am perswaded many times , many worthy discourses lie buried in the brests of vnderstanding men , by reason of the finfull silence , i think i may say so , and barrennesse of those about them . and therefore christians ought to be more forth-putting , actiue , and fruitfull this way . . an humble heart , ready and reioycing to exchange and enioy common comforts , soule-secrets , heauenly consultations , with the poorest and most neglected christian. if thou bee haunted with the white deuill of spirituall pride , it is likely thou wilt bee either too prodigall and profuse , and so ingrosse all the talke , which is sometimes incident to new conuerts or counterfeits ; or else too reserued and curious , and so say no more then may serue to breed an applause and admiration of thy worth ; which is a very filthy and fearefull fault . there is no depth of knowledge , no height of zeale , no measure of grace ; but may be further inlarged , more inflamed , blessedly encreased by conference with the poorest faithfull christian : see rom. . . and . . how paul , that great learned and diuinely inspired doctor of the gentiles , stood affected in this point . v. but aboue all , bee most busie with thy heart : for it is the roote that either empoysons or ensweetens all the rest ; that is the fountaine , which causes all the streames of thy desires , purposes , affections , speeches , and the whole current of thy conuersation , to runne either muddy or cleere . ply therefore amongst others , these three points of speciall and precious consequence for the present purpose , with all seriousnesse and zeale . . captiuation and conformitie of the thoughts and imaginations of thy heart , to the soueraignty and rules of grace . if thy change in words , actions , and all outward carriage were angelicall ; yet if thy thoughts were the same , and vnsanctified still , thou wert still a limbe of satan . purity in the inward parts , is the most sound and vndeceiuing euidence of our portion and interest in the power and purity of christs sauing passion and sanctifying blood-shed : see ier. . . isa. . . now , that thou mayest the better conquer and keepe the thoughts of thy heart in subiection and obedience vnto christ , be perswaded and acknowledge . the pestilencie of that wicked prouerbe , thoughts are free . it is true , the immediate inuisible productions and proiects of the heart , lie not within the walke of humane iustice , neither are liable to the censure of earthly courts and consistories . but there is an all-seeing and omniscient eye in heauen , to which , the blackest mid-night is as the brightest noone-tide , psal. . . which sees our secretest thoughts afarre off , ver . . and sets them in the light of his countenance , psal. . . hence it is that many humble soules , sensible of their secret prouoking the glory of gods pure eye , are more grieued ( setting aside the ill of example and scandall , ordinary attendants vpon open and visible miscarriages ) for the rebelliousnesse of their thoughts , then the exorbitancie of their actions . for the sting of these is something eased and lessened , as they thinke , by the absence of hypocrisie , and because the world sees the worst . but concerning the other , it cuts them to the very heart , that they are not as well able to preserue their inward parts in puritie toward the all-searching eye of that god , who stretched foorth the heauens , and laid the foundations of the earth ; as their words and actions in plausiblenesse towards man , who shall die , and the sonne of man , which shall be made as grasse . whereas then the naturall man is woont to let his heart runne riot and at randome into a world of idle imaginations , without remorse or restraint ; doe thou make thy sanctification sure vnto thy selfe , by this infallible signe , that thou sufferst the consideration of gods all-seeing eye , the curbe of the last commandement , and checke of a tender conscience , to range thy thoughts into order , to confine and keepe them within a holy compasse from their vaine and impertinent vagaries . . that thou must be accountable and answerable for euery wandring thought , as well as for idle words and wicked actions . now consider what numberlesse swarmes of imaginations passe the forge of thy phantasie euery day ; and therefore , if thou be not extraordinarily and exactly vigilant & eye-full ouer thy heart , thou mayest iustly feare , that vpon the opening and illightning of the booke of thy conscience , at those two dreadfull dayes , of death , and the last iudgement , innumerable armies of exorbitant thoughts , which haue lyen in ambush as it were , in the secret corners of thy deceitfull heart , will charge vpon thee with a farre heauier account then perhaps thou art aware of , or hast seriously thought vpon heretofore . . that gods glory must aswell shine in thy thoughts , in the inuisible workings , intentions , desires , and eleuatious of the heart ; as in thine outward conuersation . as god exacts and expects honour and seruice from his children , in words and workes ; so there is also a thought-seruice , a thought-worship , that i may so call it , which is very pleasing and precious in his eyes , as springing more immediately from the heart , wherein he principally delights ; and because the secrecie of it is attended with more sincerity . remember therfore to render with all reuerence and zeale vnto the father of spirits , and lord of thy soule , the dayly tribute of thy thought-seruice , as well as the tongue-seruice and handseruice . and the rather and more plentifully : . because opportunities , abilities and meanes may faile for outward performancee , but the heart is euer at leasure and libertie to thinke nobly . no times , no tyrants , no wants or restraint , can hinder it from an inuisible fruition of gods owne selfe , with thoughts of sweetest rapture and reuerence , of loue , and lowliest adoration ; from bathing it selfe in the meritorious blood of the immaculate lambe , with thoughts of inexplicable peace , ioy , and triumph ; from cleauing to the promises of life , and diuing into the mysterie of grace with extraordinary dearenesse , purest delight , & victorious faith ; from being as a mountaine of myrrh and incense , sending vp a spirituall sacrifice of praise-full thoughts , infinitely admiring and magnifying the glory and goodnesse of that mercifull hand , which writ thy name with the golden characters of his endlesse loue , in the booke of life from all beginnings : suffered the dearest and warmest blood in his sonnes heart to be spilt as water vpon the ground , for the washing of thy body and soule from sinne ; and after a span of time , will set a crowne of eternitie vpon thy head , composed of all comfort , rest , and peace , ioyes , pleasures , and felicities , &c. and also because , besides gods more speciall acceptation , and more certaine sinceritie of this inward inuisible seruice , it is ordinarily full of more spiritualnesse , intention , and life , by reason that it is neerest and most immediate to the obiect of adoration . the best man , though he may labour to doe his best euery way , yet he shall find a difference and degrees in his ability to discharge , and the executions of his duties , deuotions , and seruices towards god. his workes doe not euer answere with that exactnesse to his words : his words cannot expresse so to the life , the thoughts of his heart : the thoughts of his heart come infinitely short of the excellency of god. those streames which are next to the well-head , are strongest and purest : the thoughts of a sanctified heart , laying hold vpon , with immediate apprehension and neerest imbracements , that most amiable , holy , and glorious obiect , god himselfe , blessed for euer , and his sweetest attributes , giue him his due and reuerent attributions , with more heartinesse , life , and heauenlinesse , then his words or actions are woont ; though all a mans best and vtmost , in thought , word , and deed , falls too fearefully short of that which we owe and ought to doe . . a continuall excubation and narrow watchfull guard ouer thy heart . it is like a citie , liable euery moment both to inward commotion and outward assault . the fountaine of originall impuritie , though its mayne streame and bloodie issue bee stayed , and in some good measure stopt , by the sanctifying power of christs sauing blood ; yet it doth still lesse or more bubble vp rebelliously . the world doth labour continually with her three great battering engines , of pleasures , riches , and honours , to lay it waste , and rob it of all heauenly treasures . the deuill watches euery opportunity to hurle in his fiery darts , to cast all into combustion , and thereby further to enuenome and inrage the already too much impoysoned viciousnesse and impetuousnesse of our corrupt nature . precious therefore , and worthy all practise , is that precept of salomon : keepe thy heart aboue all keeping . prou. . . which thou mayest doe with more successe and comfort ; if first thou watch ouer the windowes of thy soule , the sences , as the worthies of old were woont with extraordinarie ward ; see iob . . psal. . . it is incredible what a deale of pollution and ill the deuill conueyes insensibly through these flood ▪ gates of sinne , into their bosomes who are carelesse and watchlesse this way . to instance in the eare and eye : what balles of wild-fire , as it were , doth many an obscene and filthy tongue set on fire of hel , throw thorow their eares into mens hearts , with rotten and ribald talke , which after begets within , worlds of speculatiue wantonnesse , and flames of lust ? many false reports drop from the slanderers mouth into the eare , which after in the heart becomes the cursed seed of heart-burning , spite , and mentall murder at the least . and such wicked weeds cannot but fructifie very rankely , in such a naturally sinfull soile . a tale-bearer tells thee , that such an one said of thee so and so , when as in truth it was neither so nor so . thou presently thereupon conceiuest thoughts of vnkindnesse , displeasure , and it may be , of rage , against that man that neuer thought the ill . heere thou spillest innocent blood , for thy heart may kill as well as thy tongue and hand . it is fit therefore for euery honest face to furnish and fill it selfe with frownes of distaste and indignation at the approach of any tale-teller . as the north wind driueth away raine , so doth an angry countenance a back-biting tongue , pro. . . concerning the eye , dauids wofull example may warne the holiest men to the worlds end , to bee very watchfull with a most restlesse and eye-full iealousie ouer that wandring sence . an idle glance vpon bathsheba , was like a theeuish boy thrust in at a rich mans window , which lets in a number of villanous desperate cut-throats , to ransacke and robbe the house ; it being not resisted at the first , drew after it such a blacke and bloody traine , that robbed his royall heart of much heauenly wealth , and wounded his soule as deepely and dangerously , as perhaps any of gods seruants euer since . . resist and crush euery exorbitant thought , which drawes to sinne at the very first a rising . encounter it with this dreadfull dilemma : say vnto thy selfe ; if i commit this sinne , it will cost mee vnvaluably more heart-breake and spirituall smart , before i can purchase assurance of pardon and peace of conscience , then the sensuall pleasure is worth : if i neuer repent , it will bee the death and damnation of my soule . see what a world of misery man brings vpon himselfe , by giuing way to the first wicked thought , disc. of true happinesse , pag. . . entertaine euer with all holy greedinesse , and make exceedingly much of all good motions put into thy heart by the blessed spirit howsoeuer occasioned , whether by the ministery of the word , mindfulnesse of death , christian admonition , reading some good booke , some speciall crosse , extraordinary mercy , any way , at any time . feede ; enlarge , and improoue them to the vtmost , with meditation , prayer , and practise . so thou shalt preserue thine heart in a soft holy comfortable temper , and heauenward , which is a singular happinesse . . eleuation , and often lifting vp of the heart towards heauen . what christian heart can indure to discontinue its sweet familiaritie and humble entercourse with god for one day ? let thy broken heart therefore euery day , besides solemne and ordinarie eiaculations , euening and morning , and vpon other speciall occasions , bee sure . to bathe it selfe deliciously in the blisfull depths of gods boundlesse mercies in christ , that it may bee happily kept , spiritually merry , thankefull , and in heart to all holy duties . . to kisse sweetly the glorified body of our crucified lord , with the lips of infinitely dearest , and vnexpressably affectionate loue ; though the distance bee great , yet the hand of faith will bring them easily together ; that it may be preserued in peace , puritie , and reuengefull opposition vnto sinne ; for as the application of his meritorious blood is a soueraigne plaister to heale the wounded conscience , to turne crimsin and scarlet into snow and wooll ; so me-thinkes a serious and compassionate commemoration of the deare effusion thereof , should bee both a precious corrosiue to eate out the heart of corruption , and a speciall preseruatiue to keepe from sinne ; sith sinne was the principall in slaughtering the lord of life . . to cast the eye of hope vpon the glory , euerlastingnesse , and vnutterable excellencies of that immortall shining crowne aboue ; which after this life ( and this life is but a bubble , a smoake , a shadow , a thought ) shall be set vpon thy head by the hand of god : a very glimpse of the goodly splendour and rauishing beauty whereof , is able both to sweeten the bitterest villanies and basest wrongs from the world and wicked men ; and to dispell those mists of fading vanities and hurtfull fumes of honours , riches , and earthly pleasures , which this great dunghil of the world , heated by the fire of inordinate lusts , is wont to euaporate and interpose betwixt the sight of mens soules and the blisse of heauen . vi. be very watchfull ouer thy most predominant and troublesome passion ; whether it be feare , sorrow , loue , anger , &c. all of them are vnruly and raging enough , but yet commonly one ouer-rules all the rest , and playes rex ( as they say ) in the vnregenerate man ; nay , too often offers to rise in rebellion euen against the most sanctified soule . whatsoeuer it be , . in thy priuate morning sacrifice , be sure to lay on loade of deepest groanes and strongest cries for mortifying grace against it , and comfortable conquest ouer it . let that period and passage of thy prayers bee enforced and enlarged with an extraordinarie pang of feruencie , and feelingly sealed , as it were , with the most seraphicall selah . . cut off all occasions , whatsoeuer it cost thee , which may any wayes stirre , awaken and kindle it . withdraw the fewel that ministers food vnto that passionate flame , though it should bee as painefull vnto thee , as the plucking out of thy right eye , or the cutting off of thy right hand . assuredly , the pleasures of inward quiet , and sweet spirituall calmnesse of thy so vnderstanding soule , will infinitely recompence any paines in oppositions and resistances in that nature . . consider seriously before-hand , what a deale of disturbance and vnsettlednesse the visible exorbitancy and breaking of it out , will breede and bring vpon thy inward man. it will be like a dead flie in a boxe of precious oyntment , disgrace all thy graces , and full foully darken the glory of thy profession . it will be like fire in the thatch , and for the while cast into combustion , as it were , the whole frame of thy spiritual building , and turne the heauenly peace of thy appeased conscience , into a bitter tempest . tell mee whether after a lawlesse transgression of those bonds of moderation , to which thy christian resolution hath confinde it ; and that it hath preuailed against thee with any notorious excesse ; i say , whether at night thou finde not thy spirit quite downe and much deaded to the exercise of prayer , or any other euening duty ? and if vpon thy waking in the night , there should be any terrible winde , dreadfull thunder , or other affrighting accident , whether thy heart would not smite thee vpon that occasion , with much more feare and apprehensions of horrour ? i will suppose , thy raigning , or rather rebelling passion ( for i speake to the christian ) to be choler and anger : and then first listen to the counsell which the very morall ▪ sages minister against this spirituall maladie , and to the rules and remedies which the light of reason leades vs vnto . . cut off ( say they ) the causes , and the effect wil vanish . quench the firebrands which enrage this fury , and thou shalt be at quiet : they are such as these : . weakenesse of spirit , vnmanlinesse of minde . hence it is that old men , infant●… and sicke folkes are commonly more cholericke then others . impotency and excesse of passion euer argues the disgrace and inferiority of the vnderstanding part , the noblest power of the soule . and therefore if we would be armed against the sallies and assaults of this domineering raging distemper , we must suffer the hiest and heauenliest part of our soule to know and exercise its place and strength . wee must not make our vnderstandings vnder-lings , but giue reason his right and regiment . . selfe-loue , a foolish doting vpon and adoring our selues , which springs from the cursed root of selfe-ignorance , and quite puts out that light of natures law in our consciences ; doe as thou wouldest be done by . if before thou lose the reines to that short phrensie , thou wouldst suppose and set thy selfe in the place of the party , with whom thou art angry ; and then say and doe no more then if thine owne person were the patient , it would bee a notable meanes to curbe thy choler , and keepe the credit of dipassionatenesse and moderation , and make thee patiently suffer that which perhaps thou hast often confidently offered to others . . an ouertendernesse and delicate nicenesse in bearing wrongs : an impetuous impatiencie for being abused : ( whereas insensibilitie and contempt would better become a great spirit : ) an effeminate facilitie to bee mooued and toucht with euery trifle . a spot or wrinkle vpon their garment , a dish misplaced vpon their table , some errour in their dressing ; a bird , a dogge , a glasse , &c. or some lesser toy will turne some kinde of people quite out of tune , and put them out of their humour , into a pelting chafe , as they say . great mindes and victorious ouer this furious arch-rebell , are not moued but with great matters . it is a speciall point of manly wisedome , to passe by many petty prouocations to wrath , without notice or acknowledgement , without wound or passion ; and to digest many times the brawlings and indiscretions of hasty men , with the same patience that surgeons do the iniuries and blowes of mad men , when they let them blood . . credulitie , lightnesse in beleeuing whatsoeuer comes first to the eare : that is the high way to hold choler still in combustion . for so the tongues of slanderers , tale-bearers , whisperers , pick-thanks , will prooue as so many bellowes blowne by the deuill himselfe , to keepe this fire in height and fulnesse of flame . . curiositie , an itching humour , and needlesse inquisitiuenesse to know euery thing that is done or said . if a man will needs bee so meddling ; he shall finde matter inough to fill his gall . some men , out of this humour , are eager to know what is said against them , in such and such company , listen to heare what their seruants talke concerning them , and if a letter fall into their hands wherein they thinke themselues to bee mentioned , they will make no bones , against the lawes of humanitie , to breake it open . busie-bodies in this kind neuer want wrath and woe . antigonus , as it is said of him , was wise to abandon this vanitie . for when he heard two of his subiects speaking ill of him in the night neere his tent , willed them to goe further off , lest the king should heare them . . couetousnesse , the cut-throate of grace , and canker of the soule , like an eating insatiable wolfe , will either still feede vpon gaine , or else gnaw vpon the heart with fretting : and therefore the very losse of a penny , sometimes the omission of a good bargaine , the miscarriage of some domesticall trifle , the death of a beast , &c. will presently put a couetous man into choler : for his eyes are so earthly , that they looke onely vpon the secondary , not vpon the supreme cause . . a conceit of being contemned by others in word , deed , countenance . many are so weake this way , that if they spy but any secret smiling , two whispering together in the company , or any talking , especially with their eyes now and then cast towards them ; they presently thinke , that themselues certainely are their aime , and obiect of their scornefull obseruation ; and so grow sowre , out of tune , and vnfit for company all the while after . such as these are extremely troubled , and take on to themselues , if they haue not the chiefe place , and vpper hand at meetings , respect and resalutation from those that they salute , exact obseruance , and obeisance from their inferiours , the wall from all commers , if they be not begun vnto in matters of complement and seruices of humanitie , &c. a riddance and restraint of these and the like maladies of the minde , will bee a notable meanes to preuent and hinder the assaults and surpriz all of this furious and foule fiend . . but if at any time thou feele this viper to receiue heate in thy bosome , and that occasions of choler are offered , then say they : . containe thy bodie in quiet , and tongue in silence . the stirring and agitation of thy bodie , by stamping or flinging about , inflames the blood and humours , and the walking of thy tongue keepes both the passionate heate in thine owne heart , and many times sets on fire those that thou art angry with . the barking of one dogge sets all the curres in a towne a bawling . thy breaking forth into raging termes , may raise the spirit of rauing in others : and therefore silence is a singular cooler to this cholericke distemper . if the swelling and boisterous waues rebound from the soft and euen sands , there is no great adoe ; but if they encounter a rocke , they returne with great turbulencie , and turne into foame . silence or a soft answer stops the ouer-flowing of the gall on both sides ; but if fury be set vpon with rage , they grow both almost starke mad for the time . . giue reason leaue to interpose and resolue . it was good counsell which was giuen to augustus ; that when the obiect and occasions of choler were in his eye , hee should not bee moued , before hee had pronounced ouer the letters of the alphabet . it is as absurd for a passion to vsurpe and domineere ouer iudgement , as for an intemperate scold to iustle a reuerend iudge out of his place ; and there to take on in her talkatiue and scurrill manner . if thou giue the swinge and reines vnto it at the first rising , it will presently quite banish reason and iudgement , and bee like a man that puts the master out of the house , and sets it on fire , and burnes himselfe aliue within : or like a ship that hath neither sterne nor pilot , nor sailes , nor oares , exposed to the mercy of the waues , windes and tempest in the midst of a furious sea. . diuert to some other businesse , company , place , pleasant imployment , thoughts of content , &c. these are notable coolers , and very conuenient to flake this passionate fire , when it first begins to burne in thy bosome . . habituate thy heart , and keepe it exercised and seasoned with considerations : . not onely of melancholy , a ferall passion , and other bodily distempers , which it naturally breeds , by stirring choler , heating the bloud , and the vitall spirits ; but also , euen of the brutish deformities and vgly distortions with which this rage disfigures those which are transported with it ; as the fierinesse of the eyes , inflamation of the face , furiousnesse of the lookes , extraordinary panting of the heart , beating of the pulse , swelling of the veines , stammering of the tongue , gnashing of the teeth , a very harsh and hatefull intention of the voice , & many other extremely impotent and vnmanly behauiours . hence it was , that angry men were anciently counselled in the heate of their fit to looke themselues in a glasse . the monstrous representations of that deformed fury , were able for euer to fright them out of their cholericke humour . . of the sweete louelinesse , and amiable acceptation of a milde vnpassionate spirit . it is the sinew , as it were , and cyment of all delightfull society , the flower of humanity , the very sweetenesse of ciuill conuersation . as it is a singular preseruatiue to keepe a mans owne heart in much calmnesse and quiet ; so it s also an attractiue load-stone to draw vnto him the hearts and loues of others . . of the aime and aspirations of morall wisedome which labours to draw a mans heart to that vnshaken , constant and comfortable temper ; that beautifull and noble disposition , which resembles the highest region of the aire , where there is no ouer-shadowing clouds , nor tempestuous thunders , but perpetuall fairenesse , serenity , and peace . i haue the longer insisted vpon these morall instructions , purposely to make christians ashamed , who besides the honest extractions of purerreason , haue also rules of religion , & heauenly remedies ; and yet are too often ouertaken with this mentall drunkennesse , as some call it . for you must know , that all this while i meane hasty , vniust , and exorbitant anger , which misses in measure , obiect , end , season ablenesse , or other circumstances . for there is a sinlesse and holy anger , and therefore saith paul , ephes. . . be yee angry , and sinne not . vpon the describing and limiting of which , it is neither incident nor seasonable for me at this time to insist . now then in a second place , for religious directions , and more immediately drawne from diuine learning , consider : . that all thy wrongs and vnworthy vsages , all thy iniuries and indignities , crosses and vncomfortable accidents , that shall euer any way befall thee , are fore-appointed , ordered , and disposed by gods wise and mercifull prouidence , and that to thy spirituall and euerlasting good . this very one thought , that god is euer the principal agent , kept fresh and on foote in thy mind , will be of soueraigne power to coole and beate backe any intemperate heate , which might either rise in thine heart , or rage in thy tongue against his instruments ; and cause thee many times when thou art cha●…ing ripe , and ready to raue , to lay thy hand vpon thy mouth , and say vnto god sweetly with dauid , psal. . . i was dumbe , i opened not my mouth , because thou didst it . and not like a child , to beate the place that hurt it ; but rather to walke more heedfully : or a foolish curre , to snarle and snatch at the stone , neuer looking after the thrower : or a mad man , to bite the sword that sticks in his flesh ; but rather to pull it out softly , and get to the surgeon . there was matter and malice enough in the mouth of shemei , to haue made dauids royall heart naturally to rise with implacable indignation against that dead dogge : vnkindnesse and crueltie enough in the hearts of iosephs brethren , to haue made him for euer vnreconcileable : wrong and villany enough in the carriage of the caldeans , to haue set iob on fire with rage and reuenge against them : but these holy men by practise of the present point , and from the strength of this consideration which i now commend , for the restraint of choler , procured a great deale of sweete peace and patience to their owne hearts , pleasednesse and acceptation with god , admiration and example to posteritie : for they glanced by the meanes and the men , and fastened their eyes vpon their maker , and the first moouer . ioseph lookt beyond his brethrens barbarous dealing with him , and said , the lord sent me before you : iob beyond the caldeans lawlesse outrages , and said , the lord hath taken away : dauid beyond shemeis dogged rancour , and said , the lord hath bidden him : iesus christ himselfe , blessed for euer , looked beyond the pharises , priests , iewes , iudas and the souldiers , to his fathers cup , ioh. . . this cup which my father hath giuen me , shall i not drinke ? when he commanded peter to sheathe his sword . this christian counsell passeth that which was giuen to augustus : when the obiects and occasions of choler are in thine eye , or eare ; when thou art any wayes wronged , belyed , rayled vpon , spurned at , or trampled vpon by the feete of honoured insolency , or dunghill malice , before thou inwardly fret , or break out into any impatient behauiour , say first seriously and feelingly in thine owne heart , this is from god , for my good : or with old eli ; it is the lord , let him doe what seemeth him good , . sam. . . and let it for euer snaffle , nay , sweetly compose the hastinesse and sowrenesse of thy corrupt nature in case of choler . ●… . let the wonderfull patience of that mighty lord of heauen and earth , who is able with one word to cast all the creatures in the world into hell ; nay euen with the breath of his mouth to turne hell , and heauen , and earth , and all things , into nothing ; i say , let his patience against the infinite intolerable , and endlesse prouocations of his owne most obliged creatures , who like so many desperate traitours , liue and lye continually in open rebellion against so great a maiestie , bee a a patterne and precedent vnto thee a silly worme , dust and ashes , earth , or any thing that is naught ; of proportionable forbearance ( if there could be any proportion betweene infinite and finite ) towards thy fellow-creatures . how many blacke and blasphemous mouthes are vncessantly open against his blessed maiesty ? with what damned oathes doe they teare , and re-crucifie the precious body of his glorious sonne , which sits at his owne right hand ? with what lyes and slanders doe they reuile his ambassadours , and vilifie his chosen ? how many gracelesse wretches doe wilfully and obstinately prophane his sabbaths , pollute his sacraments , and turne their backes vpon his word ? how many doe dayly turne themselues into beasts , by their swinish drunkennesse , to the great reproch of mankinde , and dishonour of their reasonable nature ? how many inclosing nimrods , and cruell landlords , doe grind the faces of the poore ; nay , plucke off their skins , teare their flesh , breake their bones , and chop them in pieces as for the pot , and eate the flesh of gods people ? in a word ; how many incarnate deuils doe march vp and downe the earth , with hearts and hands as full as hell , with all manner of mischiefe , lewdnesse and rebellion ? so many , and with such extreme insufferable audaciousnesse and impudency , that , as a learned diuine speakes , if but any tender-hearted man should sit but one houre in the throne of god almighty ( if it be fit so to suppose ) and look downe vpon the earth , as god doth continually , & see what abominations are done in that houre , he would vndoubtedly in the next set all the world on fire , and not suffer his wrath to be pacified , or the fire to be quenched . and yet for all this , our gracious god in the meane time , though hee be armed with his owne vnresistable omnipotencie , and a thousand charets in the whirlewinde ; though he haue euer in a readinesse all the angels in heauen , all the diuels in hell , all the creatures in the world ; nay , the very hands and consciences of prophane wretches , and all that prouoke the eyes of his glory with their pollutions , to be the instruments and executioners of his iust wrath vpon their sinne ; yet , i say , our gracious god opposes his infinite patience against all these restlesse outragious prouocations . hee sweetly and fairely tempers and moderates in the meane time his most iust & causefull indignation , to see if the bountifulnesse of his forbearance & long-suffering will leade them to repentance . be thou then for euer ashamed to take on for euery trifle ; to breake patience vpon euery triuiall prouocation ; to turne lyon in thine owne house , and which is common in carnall worldlings , to rage with extreme folly and basenesse against thy wife , children , seruants , cattell , or any thing that comes in thy way , for euery crosse accident , worldly losse , domesticall miscarriage : nay , many times to torture thine owne heart , and trouble others in this kinde vpon meete mis-takings , groundlesse surmizes , and misconstructions : but rather take this gracious lesson from the lord iesus his owne mouth , math. . . learne of mee , for i am lowly of heart ; and an example of patience from his first martyr , act. . . lord , lay not this sinne to their charge . . let the sweet experience of gods patient and mercifull dealing with thee , soften thine heart with a compassionate sence of other mens weakenesses , and a melting forwardnesse to forgiue . if hee out of the riches of his mercy hath remitted vnto thee ten thousand talents , what a base wretchednesse were it to fly in the face of thy fellow-seruant , and to take him by the throat for an hundred pence ? if he intreated thee of all loues , and with all long-suffering , to come into his stretched out armes of mercy , when thou layst wallowing abominably in the gore-blood of thy many scarlet and crimsin sinnes ; foughtest on the deuils side , to the losse of the very life-blood of thy soule ; and euery time thou camest to the lords supper , shedst the precious blood of his blessed sonne : what a shame is it vnto thee to fall a raging , and swell with anger , for the meere ouer-sight , many times , vnwilling miscarriage , and vnpurposed errour of those , perhaps , which otherwise obserue thee with obsequiousnesse and loue ? . if a man will not bee mooued with more faire and ingenuous motiues , to master and mortifie this bedlam rage ( i speake in this passage to him that hates to be reformed : ) let him bee amazed , and amend for shame ; sith the holy ghost hath charged euery man , not to meddle , or make any league of friendship with him , while he nourisheth , and giues the reines to this bosome-rebell . make no friendship with an angry man : and with a furious man thou shalt not goe , pro. . . what a monster is a man of anger , that salomon should set such a brand vpon him ; whereby euery one is warned to beware of him , and fly from him , as from a nettling , dangerous , vnsociable creature ? a word or two of another passion , before i passe out of the point , and that is feare , which i had not toucht at this time , had it bin only a rack , wheron the hearts of couetous , ambitious , and carnall men are wofully rent , and torne , & tortured all their life long ; and not also a cruell engrosser of too much golden time euen from gods children , not without impressions of much fruitlesse sadnesse , and vnnecessarie discontent . the vanitie and tyrannie of this passion is specially seene and exercised : . in putting all reall stings into imaginarie euils , and drawing true and bitter sorrowes , from supposed sufferings . . in an ouer-greedy apprehension and anticipation of sorrowes to come , so that a man by too much forethoughtfulnesse , and painefull preconceit , doth suffer them many times , before they seize vpon him . . for the first , who feeles not the phantasticalnesse of opinion to forge , and fasten vpon him many dreadfull obiects ; which of themselues haue no vigour to vexe , because no reall being and existence , yet truely torture and afflict , by the onely strength of imagination ? thus one eates his owne heart with griefe for losse of those riches , and that superfluous wealth , which if hee had euer still possessed , hee would neuer haue vsed . another lies vnder the continuall slauerie of restlesse feare , lost fire or robbery , some alteration in the state , or desolation of warre , should disperse his hoard , or hazard his temporall happinesse . one is haunted with much thoughtfulnesse and carking , what shall become of his children after his death ; what men will say of him when hee is gone ; lest his wife should marrie after his departure . ( for naturally our minds are so vaine , that besides the abundance and burden of present cares , they will transport our desires and affections beyond our selues and being . ) another frettingly feares , that hee shall be vndone in a deare yeere , or the next rot of sheepe , and tires himselfe with varietie of plots for commings in , for many yeeres to come , when many times he dies in the meane time . some take vp too much precious time , from present and more profitable meditations , by troubling their hearts , lest , if the times turne , they should not be able to endure the fierie triall ; whereas afterward , perhaps , they end their life in the peacefull noone-tide of the glorious gospel . others vpon thought , or talke of death , are ready to entertaine fearefull apprehensions , lest they should disgrace their christian life with an vncomfortable end , and by some extraordinarie temptation , rauing , furious carriage , lye open to the worlds interpretation , sinister censures , & misconstructions of their former courses ; when as after , it may be , they conclude their dayes calmely , in good memory to the last gaspe , without any storme , or cloud of feared horrour and discomfort ; ( except former distrustfull feares iustly bring vpon them that which they feared . ) for sith euery one , whose life hath been consecrated to gods glory with truth of heart , doth certainely passe thorow those dreadfull pangs and last paine , into pleasures endlesse and vnspeakeable ; hee ought also to submit with all patience and quiet , to glorifie him , and to be seruiceable to his secret ends , with what kind of death he please ; whether it be , . glorious , and vntempted : . discomfortable , by reason of bodily distemper , and by consequent , interpretable by vndiscerning spirits : . mingled of temptations , and triumphs : . or ordinarie , and without any great shew , or remarkeable speeches , after extraordinarie singularities of an holy life , which promised an end of speciall note and obseruation . . for the second , besides these vtterly vnnecessarie and meerely imaginarie miseries ; many fearefull spirits especially haunted with the humour of melancholy , will not suffer also certaine and ineuitable euils , which at length must needs befall them , to sleepe , and keepe in their stings , vntill the time appointed : but many times awake them by the cry of feare , like so many sleeping lyons , and cowardlily prouoke them with timorous expectation to rent their hearts , and sting terribly before the time . thus our vaine mindes torment vs more with the feare of euils , then with the euils which we feare ; spurre vs on with much vnmanly folly , to meete in the mid-way ; nay , to ouertake , out-run sorrowes to come , and make vs a thousand times miserable with one indiuiduall misery . for instance : thou hast a child , and , perhaps , but one which thou louest most dearely ; for that affection which would be seuerely strong towards ten , or how many soeuer , is vnited in it alone . thou enioyest a wife , whose death would be vnto thee , as the losse of halfe thy heart ; and so proportionably of any worldly comfort . now certaine it is , thou must at length part from all these , or what else soeuer most deare and desireable things in this life , they must be taken from thee , or thou from them . in this case then , if thou giue way and forth vnto this faint-hearted tyrant , and malicious passion , it will wound thine heart many and many a time with sence of their losse , before thou loose them : and mingle amidst thy dearest and most doting apprehensions of their sweetnesse and worth , many bitter thoughts of the day of diuorce , and stings of much worldly griefe ( for such onely i meane ) from a torturing preconceit of painefull heart-breake at parting . but the most tormenting racke in this kind , vpon which this tyrannicall passion doth much terrifie and teare the hearts of carnall men specially , is death : it is called , the prince of terror , by reason of its owne extreme ineuitable pangs ; and to them also it is a certaine passage to torments without end , and past imagination : and therefore if their consciences be not desperately seared , and sealed vp securely with the spirit of slumber against the day of vengeance ; they are woont to dye almost euery day , by a slauish feare of death : see heb. . . o death , saith the wise man , how bitter is the remembrance of thee , to a man that liueth at rest in his possessions , vnto the man that hath nothing to vexe him , and that hath prosperitie in all things ! oh how the heart of such a man doth shrug together for horrour , quake like an aspen leafe , and die all the while , when this feare doth represent vnto it in the glasse of his imagination , the griesly formes and ougly face of death , with those other dreadfull circumstances , as the wailings and out-cries of wife , children and friends about his last bed , parting from all worldly pleasures for euer , rotting in the graue , dragging to the tribunall and terror of the last day , & c ! besides these imaginarie sufferings , and vntimely sorrowes , take notice of three other base pestilent effects and mischiefes , which this naturall , slauish , distrustfull feare ( for that i onely meane in the whole point ) puts vpon a man. . it may bring vpon him the thing which he feares : by fearing to become miserable , he may become that he feares , and so turne his vaine feare into certaine miseries ; according to that of salomon , prou. . . that which the wicked feareth , shall come vpon him . and that of isai. . . i will bring their feares vpon them . thou hast a wife , a child , an outward state , an hie place , which thou art immoderately afraid to loose ; now this very distrustfull feare derogating from the glory of gods mercifull prouidence , which sweetly and wisely disposeth all things , may iustly prouoke him to depriue thee of them , whereas other wise , thou mightst haue enioyed them still . . it robs and bereaues thee of the kindly rellish , and comfortable inioyment euen of good things . a man can take no delight in the fruition of that good , which hee feareth to loose . life it selfe is loathsome , if a man slauishly feare to dye . that good breeds the truest present contentment , against the losse whereof we are alwayes prepared . and therefore those who liue in continuall feare to loose their child , goods , libertie , life , or any other thing that is deare vnto them , loose a great deale of that honest ioy and allowed pleasure they maight haue , euen in these outward things . . it deiects and debases his noble nature , below the miseries and basenesse of beasts in this point : for they are fenced from this folly and vanitie , by the benefit of their weakenesse , and want of reason ; neuer re-afflicting themselues with euils past , or fearing any to come ; but thorow their whole life enioy intirely and with full securitie , all contentments and pleasures incident to their natures , saue onely when they are pinched with sence of present paine . what a shame then is it to man , who being honoured with the excellencie of an vnderstanding , reasonable , and prouident spirit , whereby hee out-shines all other creatures , like an angell vpon earth , should by the abuse and mis-imployment thereof , make it a meanes vnto himselfe , to become more miserable in this respect then a brute beast ? now many and sweete are the places and promises in gods booke , which may serue as precious counter-poisons , and cordials , against this carking venome , which haunts with too often insinuations , euen the most heauenly minde ; but eates continually like a canker into the carnall heart : they are such as these ; i will neuer leaue thee nor forsake thee , heb. . . shouldest thou fall into the fiery tryall , assuredly thy mercifull god would either supply thee with a supernaturall and extraordinary power and patience ouer that most exquisite paine ; or else , abate & lessen the rage of the flames for thy sake . all things worke together for good , to them that loue god , rom. . . sin , in it own nature , is the deadliest and rankest poyson to the soule ; and in it selfe , the greatest euill that is or can be ; yet gods infinite power and wisedome , which at first drew light out of darknesse , as a skilfull apothecary deales with poyson , so orders and tempers it to his , that by accident it proues medicinable : much more doth he turn to their good , crosses , disgraces , losses of earthly things ; pouertie , want , life , death , any thing , euery thing . god is faithfull , who will not suffer you to bee tempted aboue that you are able ; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape , that ye may be able to beare it , . cor. . . it is gods childs peculiar , in the case of afflictions and all future troubles , to expect supportation in them , benefit by them , deliuerance out of them . he that spared not his owne sonne , how shall hee not with him also freely giue vs all things , rom. . ? if iesus christ be ours , it is infinitely absurd to feare slauishly , either hurt by ill , or want of good . hee is incomparably more worth then ten thousand worlds , were they all extant . if thou enioyest then such a iewell , what a cursed vanity is it to torture and teare thy heart with feare of any earthly losse , or of euer being preuailed against by any created power ? take yet more spirituall armour and heroicall resolution , against the assaults of this cowardly tyrant , which doth so vnworthily afflict the spirits of men , not onely with imminent ills , but also with those which are not , and perhaps shall neuer be , nay sometimes , which cannot possibly bee , out of those two sweetest psalmes , for promises of future protection , . and . esa. . . but the speciall preseruatiue , which at this time i would commend vnto you , against this distrustfull hearts-poyson , may bee extracted from christs owne words , mat. . . after many strong and precious arguments against thoughtfulnesse and carking , our heauenly doctor concludes , take therefore no thought for the morrow : for the morrow shall take thought for the things of it selfe : sufficient vnto the day , is the euill thereof . whence i collect and counsell , that the christian ought , in respect of any torturing care , or carking forecast , to vnite and confine his thoughts , the workings and agitations of his spirit , to the managing of the affaires , and mastering the miseries of the present day . the strongest minde and best composed , is weake enough to sustaine the brunt and encounter of euery dayes crosses . temporall troubles , or spirituall temptations , fightings , without , or terrours within , are the certaine portion of the saints in this vale of teares . and what day so faire comes ouer the christians head , wherin he scapes scot-free , as they say , herein ? sith therefore euery day brings foorth sorrow sufficient for the exercise of the retiredst presence of the most recollected spirit , and the heartiest man shall haue his handfull , in passing patiently and profitably thorow present troubles , which many times fall as thicke vpon him , as one waue in the necke of another ; what a base and vnworthy weakenesse is it , to vnfit and disable our already too weake minds , for a comfortable dispatch , and digesting of dayly vncomfortable occurrents , by such needlesse , sencelesse , fruitlesse distractions , vagaries of vanity , and vtopian peregrinations ? as either . to loose them in the endlesse maze of imaginary afflictions : . or to waste them by vntimely wrastling with certaine euils to come : . or wound them with a painefull remembrance of sorrowes already past . for some there are so ouer-greedie of grieuing themselues , and transported with the tyrannicall vanity of their owne mindes , that besides their trouble with present , fained , and future miseries , collect also matter of mournefulnesse from time past . for instance : thou hast lost thy dearest child , which is one of the extremest earthly crosses , and goes neerest the heart , but long since , so that if reasons from reason and religion asswaged not the immoderation and excesse of thy sorrow ; yet time hath worne out , and wiped away thy teares , and made thee weary of weeping : but notwithstanding , thy vaine minde will not suffer that griefe , which euen length of time hath buried long agoe , to lie quietly in the graue , but drawes into consideration , and remembers for the nonce , its speeches , fauour , pretty behauiour , and other louely circumstances , to make thy heart bleed afresh , and wring from thine eyes new torrents of teares , &c. soueraigne therefore against these harpies and deuourers of the heart , is that counsell of christ , which i haue commended vnto you from his owne mouth ; seconded also by the apostle , philip. . . be a carefull for nothing : that is , with tearing and torturing the heart , with carking , thoughtfulnesse , anxiety , fretting , impatiencie . doe not waste and weaken thy minde , immoderately , vnseasonably , imaginarily , vntimelily , with distrustfull anguish , pensiuenesse , and base prostitution of the flower and sinew of thine immortall spirit , to fruitlesse and endlesse impertinencies and mis-imployments . for by the way , we must take notice and acknowledge , notwithstanding what hath beene said against carking , and other needlesse distractions and exorbitancies of vaine mindes ; that a moderate , christian , prouident care and fore-cast , is both conuenient , and commanded ; both for prouision of things necessary , and preuention of dangers . but this is not distressefull , but delightfull , because enioyned by god : see . timoth. . . ( for a performance of gods commandement , and the very act of obedience with sincerity , should beget much spirituall sweetnesse , delight , and ioy in the heart . ) and a faire , easie , vnangry prouidence for things needfull and time to come , sweetned with the life of faith , and a patient relyance vpon gods wise and mercifull disposing all our affaires , and their successe , is one thing : and a restlesse carking , and pursuite after things vnnecessary , imaginary , and sometimes impossible , embittered with many slauish feares of fained or future euils , is another . it is profitable also to gather matter from time past , by contemplation of youthfull pollutions , crosses , and corrections for sinfull courses , companions in iniquity , or any other aggrauating circumstance , for the increase of godly sorrow , and hatred of sinne . but this is ioyfull , and easeth the heart : for howsoeuer carnall ioy and sorrow can neuer consist together at the same time ; yet that which is christian , b sweetly ought , and may , of what sort soeuer the sorrow be . for first , causes of it , from without , as reproches , persecutions , shame , crowne the christians head with aboundance of glory , his heart with ioy , his soule with blessednesse , . pet. . . acts . . matth. . . secondly , if it bee inward , for sinne and corruption , there is great matter of much ioy ; for it sweetly signifies the sof●…ning and melting of the heart , and by consequent , the presence of gods sanctifying spirit . such teares as burst out of a heart opprest with griefe for sinne , are like an aprill showre , which though it wet a little , yet it begets a great deale of sweetnesse in the herbes , flowers , and fruites of the earth . a great man guiltie of high treason , comes to the blocke to loose his head : in the very nicke , when hee is ready to lay downe his necke , a gracious pardon is shewne from the king , whereupon he bursts out abundantly into teares , springing partly from an angry indignation against himselfe , for his trayterous carriage towards so tender-hearted a prince , partly from an inexplicable ioyfull sence of his owne safety . it is proportionably so , when wee mourne for him whom wee haue pierced , and in euangelicall repentance . ( god hath so mercifully ordered all things for his , that if they be not wanting to themselues , they may be euer merry , and finde continuall matter of reioycing : see . thes. . . for he well knowes what great need their poore hearts haue of this ioyfull affection ; both to sweeten their outward sufferings and bitternesse from the world , and also to season their spirituall sacrifices and seruices vnto himselfe : ) and besides , it is one thing , to rake with our remembrance into the graue of buried griefes , for sharpning the teeth of worldly sorrow , to eate our hearts : another thing , to make our memories minister matter from former times , of more humiliation vnder gods mighty hand , deeper detestation of our abominable vilenesse , and to make our hearts many and many a time melt againe , and bleed afresh with comfortable softnesse , and godly sorrow for youthfull sinnes . vii . prize and ply , as a most sweet excellency , and comfortable perfection in christianitie , a right and religious ordering of thy tongue . it is very materiall , and of speciall importance , for preseruation both of outward and inward peace . originall corruption hath naturally put vpon euery mans tongue an empoysoned fierie edge , whereby like a sword in a bedlams hand , it kils and slayes on all sides , wofully wounds his owne conscience , infects and enuenomes mortally the soules of the present , mangles the good names of the absent with deadly malice , and so bathes it selfe remorselesly in continuall bloodshed ; ( for there is heart-murther , and tongue-murther , as well as hand-murther ) vntill the attainment of this grace , and mortifying circumcision of such an vnruly euill . that it may therefore neither be vnseasonably idle , nor sinfully exercised , besides many other caueats , and constant watchfulnesse , take notice of , and to heart and practise : i. that much and generally neglected duty of christian reproofe . by reason of that generall and common fellowship , whereof i gaue a taste and touch before , ( of his arbitrary and intimate company , euery christian makes conscience of better choyce ) which thou must sometimes entertaine and exercise with the men of this world , except thou wilt goe out of the world ; thou shalt meete now and then vpon vnauoydable necessitie , and by the exigencie of thy calling , with men of intolerable conuersation , and very scandalous discourse ; and at vnawares , and vnwillingly fall amongst such companions , as will sweare , blaspheme gods name , talke filthily , slander the ministery , rayle against good men ; besides many other scurrill , base , and prophane speeches ; much froth and folly in this kind . now in this case ordinarily , prophane men meddle not . they hold it a point of precisenesse to marre the mirth , and cast the company into dumpes of melancholy , by calling sinne into question . they loue not ( as they say in their hearts ) to bee displeasing and vnplausible , where themselues gaine nothing , and perhaps doe no good to the partie . they are commonly old-excellent in rayling vpon , and slandering a good man in his absence ; but they are starke-naught , and no-body in reproouing a notorious wretch vnto his face . if they open their mouth this way , it is commonly in iest , in brauerie , in forme , in derision , for some ones sake in the company , who , they know , cannot endure it ; or at best , out of a ciuill detestation of outragious villany , and furious blasphemies of gods glorious name . but in such cases , the christian is truely sollicitous and zealous ; very much troubled , and carefull how to frame and hold a serious , wise , and seasonable contradiction to the language of hell , which consisteth in oathes , lying , slandering ; in obscenities , raylings , contemptuous insolencies against the ministerie and wayes of god , defence of poperie , and in such rotten and bedlam talke . hee dares not many times in such company , for his heart hold his peace , lest thereby he be guiltie in some degree . . of the parties going on in sinne . . of betraying gods glory , by a cowardly and vnchristian silence : and . for feare of wounding his owne conscience . the omission of the discharge of this dutie , will somtimes very much vexe the conscience , and grieue the heart of the true-hearted professour ; when hee is departed the place , and considers that by his basenesse and frailty he hath failed in so holy a dutie , and beene faint-hearted in the cause of god. for this kinde of reproouing then , and such censuring of the words and workes of darkenesse , the christian is not to bee censured too censorious and precise . conscience , charitie , and gods commandement calles and cries vpon him for the performance of this needfull dutie ; whensoeuer vnauoydable necessitie , or the exigencie of a warrantable calling shall haue cast him vpon prophane wretches , and imprisoned him for the while amongst fellowes of lewd discourse and gracelesse carriage . except they bee dogs , or swine : christ himselfe hath commanded , that pearles and holy things shall not bee cast away vpon such . giue yee not , saith hee , that which is holy vnto dogs , neither cast yee your pearles before swine , matth. . . see also , prou. . . and . . the ground of this commandement of christ , i take to be two-fold : . a deare , compassionate , and tender-hearted care of god , euen ouer the temporall liues of his children . besides the glorious ministery , and continuall guard of the blessed angels for their preseruation , that they hurt not their foote against a stone ; his own also all-seeing & all-pittying eye , doth euer graciously watch ouer them , to keepe them as dearely as the apple of his owne eye ; and therefore hee forbids them to cast themselues desperately into the mouth of a barking dogge , or vpon the paw of a reuengefull and blood-thirsty lyon : that is , he would not haue his child to vouchsafe so much as a reproofe to any blasphemous wretch , or desperate swaggerer , that would furiously flie in his face for offering him a pearle . . an holy iealousie ouer the glory and maiestie of his owne blessed word . it is that holy wisedome , which issued immediately out of his owne infinite vnderstanding . it is farre more pure and vnspotted then siluer tried in a furnace of earth , fined seuen-fold . it is a sacred pearle , framed and fashioned by his owne almighty hand in the palaces of heauen , which onely by an inuisible and inspired power can raise those which are dead in sinnes and trespasses , to spirituall life ; stop the bloody issue of originall corruption , and preserue the soules of men in euerlasting health . in a word , it is the word of god , and therefore most vnworthy to be troden vnder foote , or trampled in the mire by any sensuall swine : that is , no wayes to be vouchsafed to those hatefull and swinish wretches , who out of a malicious sottishnesse entertaine so glorious a message from the mighty god of heauen with contempt and scorne . these two reasons of the commandement lye the text : giue ye not , &c. lest they trample them vnder their feete , and turne againe and rent you . whence wee haue also some light to discerne who are dogs , who are swine . . by dogs , we see , are meant obstinate enemies , that maliciously reuile the ministery of the word , the doctrine of god , and the messengers thereof ; who doe not onely tread the words of instruction and reproofe vnder foote , but also turne againe , and all to rend the teachers , and furiously flie in the face of those who fairely tell them of their faults . consider this and tremble , all yee that are become scornefull and furious opposites to the power and purity of the word , and bloody goades in the sides of the faithfullest ministers . alas , poore wretches , forlorne caitifes , you cast your selues desperately into that accursed and horrible condition , that euery good man is bound in conscience not to affoord you so much as an admonition , or reproofe , or a caueat to preuent those curses which are comming vpon you . and you wilfully draw vpon your owne heads that most fearefull doome from gods spirit , and from the church of god ; he that is filthy , let him be filthy still . he that is a swine , let him bee swinish still . he that rayles against the power of grace , let him continue still a mad dog. he that sets himselfe maliciously against the ministery of the word ; let that man receiue no comfort or benefit by the word of life . if hee will needs , let him roare still , swagger , be drunke , despaire , die , and be damned . . by swine , are meant those sottish scurrill wretches , who doe scornefully and contemptuously trample vnder foote all holy instructions , reproofes , admonitions , tendred vnto them out of the word of truth . . some of these are swine , as it were , only in practise : they do not say much , or keepe any great grunting against good men ; but they feed vnsatiably , though silently , vpon the drosse and filth of sensuall pleasures and carnall contentments : and if at any time a pearle bee cast in their way ; i meane , a seasonable reproofe ministred vnto them , they trample it in the mire , and with a bruitish basenesse tread it vnder foote ; because indeed they hate to be reformed , and are sottishly and stubbornly resolued , not to exchange these worldly pleasures which they haue in present possession and pursuite , for the glory of an hundred heauens , which preachers so much talke of , but they cannot taste of , or tell when to come thither . . other swine there are , as it were both in practise and profession ; who besides their hating to bee reformed , and obstinate resolution not to forgoe their present pleasures , or forsake their former wayes , are also possessed with a spirit of scoffing . these are rather wild boares : for with a furious and giant-like insolency and outrage , they prouoke , and challenge the mighty lord of heauen , about the truth of his iudgements and promises , making a mocke of them . let all sensuall and swinish wretches consider this , and tr●…mble ; who with sinnefull greedinesse feed vpon earthlinesse , and epicurisme , and hate to be reformed ; who wilfully wallow in the mud and filth of vanishing pleasures , and will not be washed ; who many and many times come vnto , continue at , and depart from the house of god , with a settled purpose and resolution , not to suffer their hearts to bee mastered by the power of the ministery , or to change their old fashions , say the preacher what he will : but to liue , and end their dayes , in their ordinary former courses of prophanenes and good-fellowship . they may reade their doome and vengeance that dogs them at the heeles , psalm . . , . cursed also is the condition of all you that are scoffers at godlinesse and good men . you haue wearied your selues so long in walking and standing in wicked wayes , that you are not set downe at rest in the chaire of scorners . and therefore all those that stand on the lords side , are commanded by christ , there to leaue you in your damned case , and to disquiet you no further . and what an horrible depth of spirituall misery is this ; that you runne furiously towards the pit of hell , and must haue no body to stay you ; not a man to call and cry vnto you , to tell you , that the fiery lake is a little before you ? though we haue thus much light from the natural properties of dogs and swine , to descrie and delineate those fellows , to whom , by christs commandement , pearles and holy things , admonitions and reproofes are not to be vouchsafed ; yet christians are sore troubled many times how to behaue themselues , whē to speake , when to hold their peace , whom to repute dogs and swine , whom not ; when vpon some vnauoidable necessitie , or by the exigency of their calling , they are vnwillingly , and vnawares plunged into the company of prophane wretches , whose ordinary talke is the language of hell ; oathes , scurrill iests , iesting vpon the holy conuersation of the saints , slandering good men , disgracing the wayes of sinceritie , and such other base , and bedlam-discourse . but i do not see , how any constant rules , or immutable direction can be giuen for christian carriage in this case ; it is so variable , and clothed with such varietie of circumstances , and constancy of alterations . the aduice which i would giue in this point to the christian , is this : when he is perplext , what to do in this regard amongst prophane company ; let him consult with these bosome counsellours , looke vnto his spirituall wisedome ; to his heart ; and to his conscience . these must bee his guides , and informers in these cases : and they are counsellors euer at hand , he carries thē in his bosom . . his spirituall wisedome is to guide him in a right apprehension and discretion of circumstances , and to define the opportunitie and seasonablenesse , when hee is to interpose , and in what manner to oppose against their furious and rotten speeches . it must tell him secretly , and suggest vnto him , when the cause of god , or the innocency of a good man calls specially vpon him for an apologie , and at what time he hath a calling thereunto . it must informe him how he must reprooue : whether directly and downe-right , or by intimation , and indirectly ; whether personally , or in the generall ; whether in a faire and milder manner , or with a more bold and resolute spirit ; whether presently vpon it , and in hot blood , as it were , or afterward to take occasion to censure the same sinne , with aggrauation of the odiousnes and damnation of it ; whether only by discountenance , or discourse ; by a silent disapplause , which i think , may be sufficient for some men , at some times , in some companies , or with solemne protestation , & a professed opposition and dislike , &c. . let him also looke to his heart : that his reproofe spring not from any imperious humour of censuring , and medling with his brethren ; from a proud veine of contradicting , and controlling others ; out of a scoical sowrenesse , and commanding surlinesse ; from any purpose to disgrace , and grieuethe partie ; from a formall affectation of pharisaicall seuerity from a secret ambitious desire of purchasing an opinion and reputation of forwardnesse , by being forward in finding faults ; or from any other by-respect : but from an heart truly humbled with ●…ight and sence of its owne infirmities , zealously thankfull vnto god for preseruing him from the like outrage , and excesse in sinne ; graciously resolued into compassion and commiseration of the offender ; lifted vp in a secret supplication for the pardon of its owne sinne , successe of the reproofe , and saluation of the party all at once vnto the throne of grace , &c. . his conscience must guide , and hold him in the right path , and golden meane betweene two extremes , which ordinarily in these cases men are very apt to incurre : i meane , faint-hearted silence , and furious zeale . . men many times , by reason of a sinfull irresolution , and vnchristian cowardlinesse , would gladly make all such offenders , dogs and swine ; that thereby they might challenge the priuiledge of exemption from the discharge of that christian dutie of reproofe . though their eares be filled with the oathes and blasphemies of those that are about them , and grated vpon with gracelesse raylings against good men , and foule disgracements of the wayes of god ; yet they neuer open their mouth ; as though there could bee any nobler obiect , or exercise of their best eloquence , and greatest courage , then the iust defence of gods glory , and christians innocency . oh! these are vile cowards in good causes , and a kind of traitors to the state of christianitie . by such sinfull silence , they labour to purchase a name of no-meddlers in other mens matters ; of mercifull men to their brethrens infirmities ; of plausible companions ; of wiser and more moderete christians . but let them know , that such no-medling is a kind of soule-murthering ; such mercifulnesse is crueltie ; such plausiblenesse is pernicious ; such wisedome is not that of the serpent , commended by christ ; but the wilynesse of that great red dragon , suggested by hell. nay , some men are so strangely lewd and gracelesse , that they can heare , and digest with patience and silence , the oathes and rotten speeches of their seruants , and , perhaps , their a sonnes , without any contradiction , or correction . in their owne families , some , perhaps , sweare , others talke filthily , some raile against the ministry , others iest vpon the sinceritie of the saints , &c. and yet the wicked gouernor ●…ayes neuer a word . but in this point my purpose is principally to counsel christians ; i meddle not at this time with such synagogues of satan , and dennes of atheists . . some others , it may be , but they are not neere so many , may runne into the other extreme , and out of a spirituall foole-hardinesse , as it were , and furious zeale , with an imperious , and vnwarrantable boysterousnes flie in the face of some desperate swaggerer , with an vndigested and vnseasonable reproofe : whereby they both incurre the guilt of giuing an holy thing vnto a dog , and vnnecessary danger from the gracelesse fury of the partie . or else for want of spirituall wisedome , and an holy discretion of circumstances ; they may tender an admonition to some such contemptuous swinish wretch , which will passe ouer , and put by the precious seuerity of the word of truth with a scurrill iest ; or with a dull , and scornefull sottishnesse trample vnderfoote that sacred pearle . though it be no constant character of dogs and swine , yet commonly those desperate wretches , to whō by christ ▪ s commandement we must giue no holy things , are fellowes of dogged , sowre and contracted countenances , especially towards true christians ; and haue a kinde of desperate furiousnesse impressed vpon their foreheads , which is then most visible , when they are crost in their villanies , and heare of any contradiction , or condemnation of their gracelesse courses and contemptuous carriages . and those swinish gadarens , before whom we must cast no pearles , are fellowes of a ●…leering , gibing and scornefull carriage , especially towards good men , and godly exercises : they are so drowned in sensualitie , and glued to the earth ; that they doe not onely despise , but also deride the precious things of heauen . as i take it , sensualitie , and earthly mindednesse , mingled with a great deale of atheisme , begetteth in men this sottish swinishnesse , and brutish contempt of the blessings of grace , and directions to euerlasting blisse . these premonitions and cautions premised , and obserued , euery christian ought to addresse himselfe with resolution , and conscience to discharge this christian duty of reproouing , when a iust occasion , and a calling thereunto doe require and exact it at his hands . for these reasons : first , in respect of the party offending , . a seasonable reproofe , mingled and sanctified with the spirit of inuocation and compassion , may , by the blessing of god , be an occasion of conuersion to the offender . and let him know , that he which conuerteth the sinner from the errour of his way , shall sa●…e a soule from death , and shall hide a multitude of sinnes . and it is the most glorious worke in the world , and the noblest imployment vnder the sunne , to haue an hand in the holy businesse of sauing a soule . let hope then of doing spirituall good to thy brothers soule , be the speciall aime , and a principall motiue of performing this dutie . there is a law , exod. . , . that if a man meete his enemies oxe , or asse , going astray , he must bring him againe ▪ if he see his enemies asse lying vnder his burden , hee must helpe him vp againe : how much more deare and precious in our eies should the immortall soule of our brother be , then the asse of our enemie ? if we must turne backe the straying oxe of our enemie , and lift vp his asse , when he is crusht vnder his burden ; with what eagernesse and zeale ought wee to labour , to stop the furious course of a reasonable creature towards the pit of hell ; and to put our helping hand to raise vp that silly foule , which by reason of the heauy weight of its finne , is full sorely bruised and bleeding , ready euen to breathe out it last , and sinke into the misery of endlesse horrour ? speake then boldly in the cause of god , when thou hearest thy brother blaspheme his name , iest with his word , talke filthily , raile against holines , slander good men , pleade for prophane pastimes , &c. for they are so many mortall stabs into his owne poore soule ; besides the naturall infectiousnesse of rotten speeches , which may doe much mischiefe to the standers by . though thy reproofe preuaile not at the present ; yet thou knowest not what impression and working it may haue afterward vpon his hard heart , whereby perhaps he may happily thinke vpon a new course , and of conuersion to god ; and so thou be a blessed instrument of sauing a soule . . but if it haue not so happy a successe vpon his soule , yet it may be , thou mayest thereby tame and take downe his insolency ; so cut his combe by a seasonable contradiction , that he doe not carry it away brauely ; so coole and confound his swaggering humour , that he doe not glory in his villany , that hee doe not pride himselfe in his blasphemies , and bloody oathes , in his contempt of grace , and other outragious carriages . answer a foole , saith salomon , according to his foolishnesse , lest he be wise in his owne conceit : lest hee bee too proud . if a desperate and prophane wretch will needs sweare , and swagger , and raile against the seruants and seruices of god ; yet let him know , that all the while , hee fights against god , damnes his owne soule , and pleases none but deuils , drunkards , and deuilish men . if he will needs labour to be famous , by a surious opposition to the ministery , and wayes of god ; let him know , that his name shall rot after him as vilely , as his carkeise in the graue , and himselfe burne in hell euerlastingly ; if hee hold on in that humour without timely repentance and reformation . . thirdly , at the least , thou shouldst thereby increase , and aggrauate his inexcuseablenesse , and so glorifie the tribunall of gods iustice ; when it shall there appeare , that besides many other meanes afforded , and offered vnto him by gods mercies ; thou also diddest lend him thine hand , to haue puld him out of the fire , & gauest him one call to haue stayed him in the furious and wilfull pursuit of his owne damnation . but because he still hated to be reformed ; because varietie of meanes for his amendment , made him more malicious , and obstinate in his owne wayes ; and that contradiction , and counsell to the contrary inflamed , and set on fire the lustfull viciousnesse of his corrupt nature , to hunt more greedily after forbidden pleasures ; therefore i say , hee will bee more and more fearefully ashamed , and confounded at that great and fearefull day : and the moe occasions he hath had of his conuersion , the iuster cause then will he see of his deserued confusion ; and by consequent more glory will accrew vnto the glorious tribunall of gods iustice. secondly , in such cases the christian must speake in respect of himselfe . . when the aire is impoysoned with any infectious vapour , men vse to fill their sense with some pomander , or other sweete perfume , and so they may declaime noysomnesse of the smell , and repell the contagious insinuation : so when any prophane wretch hath let fall any rotten speech , the christian with a present counter-poyson as it were , of a seasonable reproofe , should stop his owne apprehension , lest any baser infection insinuate , & staine the soule ; and to preserue in heat and life , a fresh and strong opposition of the heart and affections to all such lewdnes and scu●…ility . . silence at such a time will seeme to bewray either thy cowardlinesse in the cause of god ; or hypocrisy in thy profession . for it will seeme strange , that thou which makest shew of standing on the lords side , and professest thy selfe to bee a party in that glorious communion of saints , shouldst heare the name of god prophaned in a base and blasphemous manner , and the innocency sometimes of a good man carried in triumph by the slanderous tongues of wretches , and trampled vpon , as it were , euen vnto dust , by the feete of pride and malice ; and yet neuer open thy mouth . as thou therefore desirest to preserue the glory of thy christian reputation entire and shining , and hold it thy crowne and honour to bee champion vnto the mighty lord of heauen , a proctor in his spirituall causes , and the protector of the good names of good men ; be euer ready to open thy mouth , when a iust apologie in any of these respects is needefull and required at thy hands . . if thy conscience be inlightened , awake , tender , and rightly informed , it will smite , and checke thee after the omission of such a duty ; when afterwards thou considerest with thy selfe , that by thy cowardly & vnseasonable silence , thy soule is entangled in the guiltinesse , and hath incurred an accountablenesse for that sinne . as thou then wouldest keepe all in quiet at home in thine owne bosome , and still possesse the paradise of a peacefull heart , suffer not blasphemies , obscenities , raylings , and other such ribald , and rotten talke passe vncensured , and vnsorrowed for . nay , and in so doing , besides the vnualuable comfort of a peacefull conscience , thou shalt also purchase vnto thine heart a sound testimony of that gracious tender-heartednesse , which is wont to melt , and resolue the hearts of gods children into compassion and commiseration in such cases ▪ and which they vse to expresse , and exercise euen towards the lewdest wretches , and such as haue no pitty vpon the spirituall miseries of their owne poore and wofull soules . see . sam. . . and . . ier. . . phil. . , . . cor. . . luk. . , , &c. it was the dogged , and damned voyce of cruell and cursed cain , to say , am i my brothers keeper ? but euery true and tender-hearted christian doth grieue to see so many of his brethren sticke fast in the clutches of that roring lyon , and betweene the teeth of that red dragon ; and therefore labours by all meanes hee can , to rescue them ; to see so many about him runne as fast and furious as they can , to drowne themselues in the pit of endlesse perdition ▪ and therefore as occasion serues , cals and cryes vnto them to stay their course , before the hellish gulfe of confusion and horrour hath shut her mouth vpon them . thirdly , in respect of those which be present . . by thy speaking in such a case , thou mayest lay , as it were , the spirit of profanenesse for that time ; so that it doe not rage , and ouer-rule in the rest , as otherwise it would . for wee may sometimes obserue , that a seasonable reproofe passing from a man of vnderstanding , with resolution and authority , vpon a fellow that so behaues himselfe as though swearing were his profession , and traducing the saints , his trade , doth so quell and confound the swaggering humour of the rest of the same crue in the company , that they are quite put out of their humour , as they say , perhaps hang downe their heads all the while , and thinke in their hearts , if once they get out , they will come no more amongst such precise fellowes which cannot abide an oath ; or where they cannot haue their fling and forth in their profane villanies and cursed reuelling . . thou mayest hereby hold in the weake , that they be not scandalized . . thou mayest hold vp the hearts of stronger christians , that they be not grieued and cast downe with the domineering of prophanenesse , and out-swaggering rage of satans reuellers . fourthly , in respect of god himselfe : . that , though the dayes wherein we liue , be strangely prophane , and desperately naught ; for this old age of the world is pestred with all the pollutions , and abominations , which the course and current of all former ages haue conueied and carried into it ; though iniquity mightily abound with much tyranny and triumph , and fearefully preuaile in all places ; yet i say , that it may appeare , that god hath some to speake for him. that though satan , more is the pitty , hath innumerable swarmes of knights of the post , as they say , that are ready at a becke to doe him any desperate seruice ; yet , notwithstanding heere & there god hath a champion , who fearelesse of the face of man , dare with an vndaunted and holy resolution , defend his wayes , and stand on his side . . but aboue all , let that strict charge from gods owne mouth , ( a leuit. . . thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart : thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour , and not suffer sinne vpon him : ) fright and fire euery one of vs out of our sinfull silence and cowardlinesse this way , and keene vs with resolution and forwardnesse , to a seasonable discharge of this holy duty . take notice of a three-fold duty , which lies vpon euery christian in his carriage towards men in their presence , and before their faces : . christian admonition : . christian reproofe : . christian silence , and forbearance in such cases . . if a brother bee ouertaken with a fault , or some lesse offence , we are to admonish him in the spirit of meekenesse , b gal. . . . if hee offend more grieuously , wee are freely to reprooue him ; and not to suffer sinne to rest vpon him , leu. . . . if hee be a sonne of belial , a scoffing ishmael , a dog , or a swine ; wee are commanded by christ to say nothing ; matth. . . neither priuate admonition , nor brotherly reproofe is to be vouchsafed to desperate sinners or prophane ruffians , who would entertaine it with crueltie or scurrilitie . ii. obserue a sanctified silence ; from . rash censuring , which is seuerely censured by christ himselfe , and set as a visible brand vpon the face of the hypocrite . let it euer bee onely the peeuish property of those who are naught , and most obnoxious themselues ; of pharises and false-hearts , to bee the greatest finde-faults ; vncharitably to entertaine causlesse disconceits , and to passe rash censures against those , who are farre better then themselues . which they will ordinarily doe : because , . they were neuer truely humbled with sight and sence of their owne sinfull and accursed state . they neuer trembled , nor were thorowly frighted with the wrathfull countenance of god , for their infinite pollutions and prouocations of the eyes of his glory . their consciences were neuer awaked out of their dead sensuall sleepe , by the trumpet of the law , nor receiued any speciall and particular illumination from the sanctifying spirit . in a word , they haue no terrour , no trouble , no worke or businesse at home about their owne finnes , in their owne consciences , and therefore they haue leasure enough to looke about them , and are full enough of sinfull curiositie , and vnnecessarie medling , to pry and enquire into other mens courses and carriages ; of malice and spitefulnesse , to mistake and misinterpret ; of pride and peremptorinesse , to proclaime many times with great noise , and selfe-applause , their owne idle malignant forgeries and fancies , for faults of those , who are much more righteous thē they . when they looke forward , or any wayes about them , they are very sharpe-sighted into the fashions and failings of others ; most exact in obseruing their neighbours wayes ; eagle-eyed , to pierce beyond the moone ; to spy the least moate in the sun , i meane , the smallest infirmity in the most glorious saint : nay , they are of such a refined and sublimated eye-sight , that they can discerne some errours and exorbitancies , especially in professours of religion , which neuer had any existence . but when they should reflect vpon themselues , and turne their eyes to contemplate and consider their owne corruptions , there lyes a great beame of hypocrisie betweene them and themselues ; so that they cannot possibly fee so much , as those huge mountaines of many crying sinnes , which full heauily presse downe their owne soules towards hell ; those vnnumbred swarmes of beastly lusts , which rage remorslesly within their owne bosomes . . it is a point of their hypocriticall policie , cunningly , and confidently to impute those sinnes vnto others , which are grosly predominant in themselues ; that thereby they might purchase an opinion of a supposed innocencie , and freedome from the like faults . for when they cry out with great noise and clamour vpon other men , they thinke they still the cry , and stop the mouth of their owne sinnes ; and labour to fasten a perswasion vpon their owne hearts , that sith they , with such confidence , and bold faces reprooue and censure others , others will not , out of the congruity of a charitable ingenuousnesse thinke them so shamelesse , as to bee iustly liable to the same imputations ; except some few wiser , and more iudicious christians , who are able by spirituall experience , to discouer the depths and mysteries of their hypocrisie ; and for such they care not much : for in point of reputation , they rely most vpon the common sort , and greater part . . it is the naturall humour of an hypocrite , to bee supercilious and censorious . pride is no where more naturally bred , so proudly seated , and highly enthroned , as in his heart . and therefore it is his common practise to hunt after estimation , by disgracing and disabling others . sith hee wants worth in himselfe , he labours to shine by darkening others , misconceiuing that euery detraction from other mens reputations , is an addition to his owne . . they hold it a point and proofe of forwardnesse , to be forward in finding faults . as though the flame of an holy zeale were enkindled in any mans heart , onely to giue him light , for the discouery of other mens sinnes , and not as a sacred fire , to burne vp the noysome lusts which boyle in his owne brest . thus , and vpon such grounds as these , it is the hatefull propertie of hypocrites and selfe-guiltie ones ; and a common marke of their cruell seueritie , to wade deepely into the search and censure of other mens wayes , and to gore verie bloodily into the consciences of others , whereas they neuer purged their owne . but true zeale euer casts the first stone at a mans selfe , and plucks the beame out of his owne eye , that he may better discerne and draw the mote out of anothers eye : i meane , a sincere heart is euer most censorious and seuere against it selfe ; most searching into , and sensible of its owne sinnes ; prying with speciall curiositie and inquisitiuenesse , into the endlesse maze of its owne wicked windings and depths of guile . though it heartily and vnfainedly detest all sinne in whomsoeuer ; yet it s owne iniquities and pollutions sticke closest , and goe neerest , and beget in it a more particular and extraordinary impression of remorse and loathing . the reason is , it hath truly tasted the terrors of a wounded conscience , been scorched with the secret sence of gods angry face , and formerly full sorely crusht vnder the most grieuous burthen of innumerable sinnes . it knowes right well , by wofull experience , what bitternesse of spirit , and anguish of soule springs naturally from the retired suruey of scandalous transgressions in cold blood . it feeles from time to time , deadnesse of heart , lessening of graces , losse of comfort to ensue vpon euery grosse relapse , or willing fall . it findes too often , to its much griefe , that if it foster and nuzzle in it selfe any sensuall corruption or secret lust , the lord will not heare its prayers . it is full well acquainted with the vnualuable preciousnesse of a peacefull conscience and gods fauourable countenance , which it cannot possibly enioy , if it lie delightfully in any one sinne against its knowledge , &c. this being the experience , exercise , and constitution of an vpright heart ; it is most angry and displeased with , most eagle-eyde and watchfull ouer , most strict and seuere against its owne sinnes . which home-imployment happily hinders and moderates a man from too much medling abroad . this world of worke within , about his owne soule , in discouering , opposing , and mortifying his owne vnruly lusts and rebellions , ties his tongue from being so busie in censuring other mens faults . as therefore thou wouldest haue a true testimonie of taking thine owne sinnes to heart , and of hauing beene sincerely humbled vnder gods mighty hand thy selfe , keepe a constant and narrow watch ouer thy tongue : be very sparing in speaking the euill which thou knowest by others : iudge no man rashly , out of spleene , humour , passion , pride , preiudice , pharisaisme , &c. or of his finall state . for all sound conuerts and truely mortified men desire , and labour to be very charitable , mercifull and seasonable in their censures . consciousnesse of their owne corruptions , makes them compassionate towards others in this kinde . obiect . yea , but will some say , howsoeuer you put it vpon prophane men and hypocrites ; yet it is well knowne , your professours are the onely shrewd censurers , very sightfull , and seuere about other mens faults , and are still ready vpon all occasion , by their peremptory iudging , to send all others vnto hell saue themselues , and those of their owne sect , as they speake : ( and so was the way to heauen stiled many a yeere agoe . ) answer . this i grant , is many times the prophane mans censure of the true christian , and therein he discouers himselfe to be a true hypocrite : for with much bitternesse and malice hee censures sincere-hearted men , to be censorious , when himselfe is the only vnconscionable criticke and cenfurer . hee reprooues gods faithfull ones for reproouing , when himselfe full often amongst his companions , out of a pang of imperious choler , and implacable hatred to holinesse , condemnes for counterfeits , without all ground , or truth , those whom the lord himselfe iustifies for true-hearted nathaneels , and passes sentence of guiltinesse and grosse hypocrisie , after they bee cast by a iury of ale-knights , vpon those , whom the highest tribunall doth mercifully acquit . to illighten a little , and rectifie thy iudgement in this point of priuate iudging ; conceiue with me ; . first , that all iudging and censuring is not censurable and condemned : but that , when a man with an euill minde iudgeth amisse and vncharitably of others for some euill end . we may iudge the tree by his fruit . if wee see a fellow constant and incorrigible in his lewd rebellious courses , euidently infamous for rotten fruits , hanging out in the open fight of the sunne ; as drunkennesse , swearing , vsury , whoredome , persecuting the power of godlinesse , scoffing religion , vnrighteous dealing , &c. wee may , leauing his finall doome to the searcher of all hearts , iudge and censure him for the present to be gods enemy , and in a most wretched estate . but in such cases , besides iust cause , be sure of a warrantable calling , conscionable a end , and no beame in thine owne b eye . . secondly , let vs take notice of some differences betweene the true professours , and prophane mans censuring . it differs , in respect , . of the obiect . the principall aime and obiect of carnall mens cruell disconceits , and bitterest censures , is the zealous professour . dogged they are enough many times amongst themselues , about worldly affaires , and maliciously enter-teare one another like wild beasts ; mutuall brawlings about earthly things , wrongs , encrochments , vnderminings , coozening , ouer-reaching , ambitious contentions , &c. fill their hearts with much gall and greedinesse of reuenge , their mouthes with mutuall barking at and byting one another . but to the people of god , in their bedlam fits , they are not only dogs , but euen enraged deuils , and swell with the very venome of hell , the ouerflowing whereof doth drowne all priuate discords . herod & pilate behaued themselues before , like two angry mastiues one against another ; but when opportunitie was offered , they pursued christ with reconciled malice , and vnited forces . put vp an hare before two greyhounds , snarling about a bone , and they will both doggedly concurre in the pursuite of that harmelesse beast . it is iust so with gracelesse men against gods child : and euer the more forward he is in the narrow way , the more furiously is he persecuted by the spite of tongues . the most resolute for gods glory , and in good causes , is ordinarily most rayled against , and reuiled . the foule spirit of good-fellowship , as they call it , is still foaming out against gods chiefest fauourites , the foulest censures : that they are hypocrites , humorists , factionists , traitors , pestilent fellows , and all that naught is . dauid was so charged by saul and his courtiers : ieremie by the prophane nobles : the godly iewes by haman : nay , christ himselfe by the scribes and pharises : paul by tertullus : the prim●…tiue christians by the heathens : and all that will ▪ liue godlily in christ iesus , must looke for the same portion , the same persecution amongst the men of this world ; euen to be most vile , and contemptible in their conceits and construction . there is no creature that euer god made , not satan himselfe excepted , which is more maliciously set against and censured , then good men . neither should any haue so bad a name as they , could the hellish mists of virulent tongues obscure and staine the glory of their reputation . if sentence should passe vpon the godly at that last and great day , according to the verdict of them that are not friends or parties , wee should certainly all be cast and condemned , not a man freed and acquit . but blessed be god , the searcher of all hearts , the almightie protectour of all innocencie , who to the shame and confusion of all spitefull opposites , will witnesse for vs at that highest tribunall ; and then at the furthest before men and angels , will bring forth our righteousnesse as the light , and our iudgements as the noone-day . oh that i had some to heare me ! saith iob : behold my signe that the almightie will witnesse for mee : though mine aduersaries should write a booke against mee , &c. and in this itching humour of mis-censuring the seruants of god , the wicked are so wilfull and eager , that rather then they will want matter , they will most basely , and vnworthily snatch it from the enuenomed tongue of a tale-bearer ; from the slanderous folly of some seurril iester , the frothy rauing of a greasie drunken ale-house-haunter , nay rather then faile , forge it out of a suspicious selfe-guiltinesse in their owne prophane fancies , and suck it , as they say , out of their owne fingers . but let them know , that when a son of belial censures a sincere professor , it is as if the darkest nooke in hell should finde fault with the moone , that great light of heauen , for those little spots in her face , whereas otherwise shee is a faire and goodly creature : as if the most loathsome dunghill should challenge the fairest garden for vnsauourinesse , because there is here and there a weed amidst varietie of other : fr●…grant flowers : as if a worthlesse lumpe of drosse should censure an angell of gold , for want of a graine or two in weight : as if a fellow almost eaten vp with the filthy french disease , * should cry out of the danger of a growing ague in another . for in this case , hee who as yet is nothing but an accursed lumpe of sinne and lust , damnation and hell , loades with censorious lyes that happy soule , which in the fountaine of christs meritorious blood , is made farre whiter then the snow in salmon , and fairer then the wooll of the sheepe comming vp from washing , though some spots and staines of infirmities and frailties cleaue vnto it , while it yet dwels in an house of flesh , and tabernacle of clay . but now on the other side , the ordinarie obiect of the christians censure , is according to christs rule : those trees which discouer themselues to be stark naught , by the rotten fruits , which hang vpon them in the sight of the sunne . and yet that also must bee seasoned with charitie , discretion , seasonablenesse , freedome from spleene , humour , passion , personall hatred , insolencie , or any other exorbitant distemper . those professours prooue too often , either vtterly vnsound , or not so thorowly humbled , who vnmercifully insult either ouer the damnable estate of those which are without , or vncharitably blaze abroad the infirmities and failings of the brethren , which they ought to conceale ; and as the hand 〈◊〉 a salue vpon any sore part of the body , and then couers it ; so to apply a plaister of a gentle and milde reproofe , that it may secretly heale , and the world be neuer the wiser . ordinarily , so farre as some men are fierce , boysterous , and master-like in searching out , censuring , and secret insulting ouer the falls , fraileties , difference from them in some indifferent things , of their fellow-christians ; so much many times come they short in mortification , holy wisedome , humility , selfe-deniall , faithfulnesse in their callings , &c. and that of those , perhaps , whom they so imperiously disable and vnder-value . commonly , too busie-bodies this way , are either dangerously proud , or sinfully politike : proud , and therefore endeuour to raise their owne , vpon the ruines of other christians reputation , better then themselues : or politike ; for , themselues being censurable for some grosser infirmities , or scandalous walking , they labour cunningly to find answerable errours in more noted professours , that themselues may goe more vnnoted . . in respect of the order . the true christian euer casts the first stone at himselfe , and first , the beame out of his owne eye ; that is , begins with himselfe , searcheth his owne heart , rips vp and ransacks his owne conscience , censures his owne wayes , condemnes and crucifies his owne corruptions , and abandons all his knowne sinnes ; and then hee may with a more comfortable calling , matth. . . with more sinceritie and successe censure a others . but hypocrites , and those who hate to bee reformed , first begin with others , are most prying into other mens carriages , perusing other mens liues , thirstily hunting after , perhaps , by the helpe of many dogged spies , and fawning spaniels , the falls and faults especially of professors ; ( for there is the kindly triumph : ) euer tampering and medling with their motes ; but haue neuer any leasure or pleasure to looke into their owne rotten hearts , and rebellious courses . the reason of this difference may be this : euery godly man , together with the power of grace , puts on an holy bashfulnesse , an ingenuous modestie ; that hee would bee fouly ashamed , and could not with any face charge others with those crimes , which he should allow in himselfe . but hypocrites weare maskes , vizors and whorish foreheads ; they will hardly blush , or be ashamed at any beastly carriage , especially bringing in pleasure or profit ; much lesse for seeming holy by their strictnesse and seuerity against other mens faults , though as full of lewdnesse and lust themselues , as the skin will hold . how often may wee heare imperious pharises mangle and martyr a good mans good name , for some lesser infirmitie , who neuer learnd to mourne for , or mortifie any one of those many grosse corruptions , and secret villanies , which reigne in themselues ? . in respect of the manner . selfe-guilty pharises are woont peremptorily to passe their rash censures vpon the more righteous then themselues , with much malice , pride , scornefulnesse , and prophane insultation : but the seasonable censures of truely humbled christians , ought euer to bee mingled with much mercifulnesse , commiseration , sensiblenesse of their owne infirmities , and loue . . in respect of euidence and truth . prophane mens censures of gods seruants are many times not onely groundlesse , causelesse & false ; but also prodigiously absurd , and vtterly impossible , without any shadow or show at all of likelihood . the enemies to christs ministry confidently censured him to haue a deuill , in whom notwithstanding the fulnesse of the god-head dwelt bodily . tertullus iudged paul to be a pestilent fellow , when he was the most precious man vpon earth . elijah was accounted a troubler of israel ; who was in truth the very charrets and horsemen of the same . the princes suggested to the king , that ieremy was a traitor to the state ; from which he was so farre , that hee desired his head to be turned into waters , and his eyes into springs of teares , that hee might weepe day and night for the desolations of it . proportionable for monstrousnesse of falshood , are many and many censures passed vpon professors at this day . opposites to the power of godlinesse are so impudently peruerse , that they commonly cut conditions vnto others , out of the cursed corruptions of their owne rotten hearts . but now on the other side , gods people must be very carefull and tender , what conceits they entertaine , and what censures they passe vpon others . they are bound by the lawes of diuine loue , to conceiue and speake the best of euery one , vntill his words , ordinarie carriage , open prophanenesse , and fruits of the flesh , clearely conu●…nce the contrary ; to construe and interpret all things in the better part , so farre , as they may with a good conscience , without preiudice to the truth , or impeachment of gods glory . they ought to bee so farre from greedy apprehension of imaginarie matter , or violent wresting of mens words , actions and behauiour to the worst sence ; that if matters be but probable , poyzd with equall circumstances , and with euen weight of reasons interpretable both wayes , they are euer to suffer their conceits and censures to be carried the more charitable way . they ought to be so farre from censuring others without ground , truth and proofe ; ( which is the ordinarie practise of most men ) that they should neuer speake the ill they too certainly know by their brethren , but with fearefulnesse , as it were , and some kinde of enforcement . . in respect of the end . the ends why pharises and good-fellowes , as they call them , entertaine many groundlesse disconceits , and thereupon exercise such censoriousnesse against holy men , are such as these : . to binde vp their bleeding soules in the meane time with a palliate cure , as they call it ; to procure some temporarie ease to their hearts , against the checks and bitings of their guilty consciences , for when consideration in cold blood of their impenitent courses , and of their certaine walking in the broad way , by reason of their own sensuall libertie , and much company , doth sting them with remorse , they haue recourse to the ill opinions they haue conceiued of the best men ; and thereupon thinke within themselues , and take occasion to say vnto others ; what need we take these things so much to heart , or trouble our thoughts with necessitie of more strictnesse ? are not those , who goe for the godliest , and are accounted the prime professors , such and such men ? haue not they also their infirmities and follies , though they guild them ouer with goodly showes , and pretence of zeale ? hereupon they somewhat asswage the secret slauish smart of their now and then wounded consciences , and walk more merrily towards their eternall perdition . for a settled disconceite of a christian harboured and applauded , is a strong naile to fasten an vnregenerate man to his owne wayes , and a mighty barre to keepe him out of a gracious state . sensualists are so strangely bewitched by satan , that hee first causeth them to forge in their owne braines , or take vp from a spitefull tongue , some lying tale of a good man , and then after makes it his meanes to keepe them with securitie and contentment in the kingdome of darknesse , and to stand in euerlasting opposition to the wayes of sincerity , and saluation of their soules . . to make , by an affected liberty and seueritie in censuring others , the maskes of their owne hypocrisie , lesse markable . for by their fained triumphs , and imperious insultations in this kinde , especially vpon fresh newes of some professours scandalous fall , they would haue the by-standers to conceiue , that howsoeuer they bee not so precise and forward , or make so great a show as others ; yet they are fully as honest men as they , and may , perhaps , step into heauen before them . . to wreake their spite vpon the children of light ; who are euer eye-sores and heart-sores to all sorts of sinners , hee , meaning the righteous man , ( saith the author of the booke of wisdome , though apocryphal , yet ancient ) is grieuous vnto vs , euen to behold : for his life is not like other mens , his wayes are of another fashion . and it angers them at the very heart-roote to consider , that whereas , they hope , and hold themselues sufficiently qualified for heauen ; yet the righteous mans forwardnesse , zeale and liuing of another fashion , if ingenuousnesse dispell the mist of preiudice , clearely remonstrates to their owne consciences , and proclaimes aloud to all spiritually vnderstanding men , that in truth , and vpon tryall , they are in the state of wretchednesse , and of the family of hell. hereupon it is , that they labour might and maine , with many disgracefull censures , to dimme the glory of his goodnesse ; and , if it were possible , by publishing their owne malicious surmises , others slanderous tales , or spitefully aggrauated frailties , to pull him backe , at least , in opinion of their fauourites and dependants , to the same measure of infirmities , and pitch of impietie with themselues . but now the ends , which humble christians propose vnto themselues of iust dislikes , and seasonable censures of vnsanctified men , are briefly such as these : . to preserue their thoughts innocent from accessarinesse to sinne , by a secret inuisible allowance of it in other men ; and their tongues from cowardly silence , when they haue a calling to disgrace it . . left a knaue goe for an honest man , and hypocrites deceiue true-hearted nathaneels . . left the power of christianitie , wherein gods glory is highly interessed , suffer , and be vnderualued . for instance : thou hearest sometimes a fellow notoriously branded with some infamous sinne , yet so spoken of by some dawbers with vntemperate morter , or at least by ignorant worldlings , as though his present condition were tolerable towards god , and hopefull in respect of saluation , by reason of some other good parts , for which they praise him : in this case , if the vnderstanding christian hold his peace , the by-standers may be so farre scandalized and mistake ; as to conceiue and collect , that a man may lye in a sweet sinne , and yet liue in gods fauour ; that the pleasures of the world , and peace of conscience may consist together , which are as incompatible as heauen and hell. and why should not that silence be sinful , which suffers an open knowne prophane man , to carry away the reputation of one in the right way ; ( if there be time and place for a seasonable , wise and charitable contradiction , ) as well as that , which suffers one which is true of heart , to bee charged with hypocrisie ? . secondly , be silent from slandering , backbiting , falsaccusing : heere i will say nothing of downe-right forging , and fastning a false crime vpon an innocent , which is the most pestilent and palpable , and other grosse kindes of this very foule sinne : ( for so it is indeed , howsoeuer to a carnall eye looking vpon it , painted with the colours of commonnesse and selfe-loue , thorow the false glasse of these corrupt times , it appeares not so ougly . the very casuists and schoolemen , none of the precisest diuines , i am sure , doe deseruedly vilifie it with a brand of hainousnesse , farre aboue theft ; as they may well , both for a greater breach of loue , preciousnesse of obiect , vnrecompensablenesse of losse , difficultie of restitution , concurrence of many sinnes , consequence of much ill , &c ) i say , i will bee heere silent of the grosser sorts of slander , because of them , gods children are for the most part more easily sensible , and ordinarily watchfull : but let mee a little aduise and awake thee to further inspection of the present point , lest sometimes euen in telling the truth , thou bee intangled in the briars of this base sinne , and iustly incurre the fault of a false accuser , which thou maist many wayes : ( for detraction , to speake logically , doth not formally consist in the diminution of the truth , but in the denigration of a mans good name . ) . by discouering secret infirmities , which loue , that couereth a multitude of sinnes , would haue concealed . it is a base ambition , and most vnworthy the noble magnanimitie of a christian heart , to hunt after , and purchase an opinion of precedencie in graces , and zeale , by the disgrace of another , perhaps euery way , saue onely in the censurers owne ouer-weening conceit , better and more worthy then himselfe . when thou hearest a man worthily magnified , for eminencie of parts and spirituall worth , bee it farre from thee , or any that euer tooke sinne truely to heart , to come in with a but ; onely because out of a pang , or rather predominancy of priuie pride , thou wouldest gladly bee noted for a none-such , and passe for the matchlesse professour . let it euer bee the property and veine of vaine-glorious pharises , to raise their reputations , and sometimes themselues , but with execrable villany , vpon the imaginary ruines of good mens innocencies ; and to hold euery insolent detraction from other mens sufficiencies , and addition to their owne . . by drawing out of other mens words , actions , and behauiours , vpon the suspicious racke of a busie wit , aimes , insinuations , and intentions , which the author neuer dreamed on : and by fathering vpon them such enforced sinister sences , and wrested crooked constructions , which an ingenuous impartiall expositour could neuer possibly extract . it is the easiest thing of a thousand , for a malicious minde , to soile the glory of the brauest and most beautifull actions , with ill and wrong interpretations and surmises of by-ends . ( for the pride of a mans owne disdainefull nature , and the deuill himselfe , are ready mid-wiues at such monstrous conceptions and bastard births . ) there is some truth in that hyperbolicall speech of him , who said ; let any man present mee with the most excellent and blamelesse action , and i will oppose it with fifty vicions and bad intentions , all which shall carry a face of likelihood . vpon this very point , tribunals of iustice , which hold more vpon policy than piety , especially of priuate spleene embitter their iudiciary power against the party , too often strangely blinde the common peoples eyes , and doe a great deale of wrong . a wicked wit , and wide conscience , mounted on horsebacke amongst a number of princes , walking like seruants vpon the ground ( the epidemicall disease of these worst and most vlcerous times ) vpon this aduantage , many times worke a world of reuengefull villany . but how soeuer it bee easie , and too ordinarie , for blacke tongues to blast and staine by wresting and wier-drawing the beauty of the best actions , with malicious misconstructions ; yet it is villanous and base . to let lawes of diuine loue alone ; euen the light of reason led wise men to this resolution , as appeares by their * rules of law ; that in doubtfull things , we must euer pitch vpon the more fauourable construction . wee are to be so farre from a greedy hunting after a spitefull misinterpretation of mens speeches , and violent wresting of their actions and carriage to the worst sence ; that if matters be but probable , poized with equal circumstances , and with euen waight of reasons interpretable both wayes , wee are euer to suffer our conceits and censures to be caried the more charitable way . . by adding vnto the truth , or detracting from it , or intermixing false adulterate glosses , or some impertinent parenthesis of a mans owne . christs false accusers were deepely and damnably faulty this way . and in this kinde , many , who are their crafts-masters , as they say , in malice , will first of all giue good men in their absence their due and deserued attributions , with many magnificent and plausible speeches ; * but afterward at the cloze , premising some formall counterfeit protestation and pharisaicall preface , as , i am very sorry to heare it : i would it were otherwise , come in with a but , steept in very gall and vineger , which bites most bitterly , and cuts like the sharpest razour . as thus : a man of very good parts , great worth , extraordinary endowments ; but something proud . hee is one , that is very well reformed of late , of much knowledge , and growne marueilously forward in religion ; but a little couetous . and thus they speake , not out of any loue vnto the party , impartialitie of censure , or that the imputation is true : but out of a cunning tricke , to bring their owne credit to their owne doore ; a peruerse humour of measuring another by their owne foote ; an enuious impatiencie of being surpassed in any sufficiencies ; or rather than all this , from a base , an irregular and dung-hill desire of hauing the best men , especially euery forward professour , branded with one notorious but or another . for hypocrites , and enemies to gods grace , would , rather then their liues , haue the liues of all gods people stained with some grosse sinne . rather then faile , they will fasten vpon them many a lewd slander that way , hammered onely vpon the forge of falshood , and by the midwifery of malice in their own crafty pates ; or broched vpon an ale-bench , or snatcht from the distempered tongue ▪ of some pedling tell-tale , whence they may supply themselues with imaginary matter , both of insolencie , and triumph against forwardnesse and zeale , and also nourish a pharisaicall perswasion , that howsoeuer there may bee a profession , and showes to the contrary , yet others are as corrupt & censurable as themselues . . by relating all the truth , the whole truth , a and nothing but the truth : but b either with a c malicious and spitefull heart towards the partie ; or in a contemptuous , scornefull , and insulting manner ; or to a lewd end , and vpon purpose to bring into hatred and disestimation ; or some way or other , without any warrantable and comfortable calling thereunto . heere therefore it will be seasonable , for help and direction against this more plausible , but also pestilent kinde of slandering , to tell you , that telling the euill that is true of another , in his absence , doth brand you with the guilt and staine of back-biters , saue in such cases as these : . first , of profit , and good to the partie absent . for instance ; thou informest thy friend of a third man ; telling him , that hee begins to breake out into bad courses , ill companie , infamous haunts and houses ; and so proceedest to a more particular and punctuall discouerie of his lewd pranks and exorbitant carriage : but all this purposely for the benefit of the partie . and therefore thou intreatest thy present friend , that he would interpose , ingage , and improoue the vtmost of that power and interest which he hath in his affections , dependance , or some neerer relation , for his reclaiming and amendment . . of expediencie for him that heareth : when he is any way in danger of iniurie or infection , from the cunning , or corruption of the partie spoken of . for instance : thou discernest and obseruest some slie , smooth companion , vnder a cloake of profession , and formall colour of conformitie to the best things , to insinuate into liking and acceptation with thine vsuspecting christian friend : whereupon thou foreseest , that if hee goe on without notice and discouerie , and get once within him ; a thousand to one , at length hee will either cunningly prey vpon him , or cursedly betray him . now in this case , thou maist lawfully lay out such a counterfeit in his colours , and for preuention of the mischiefe which might ensue vpon such a dangerous insinuation , disclose vnto thy friend his hollownesse and halting , and that lewdnesse and knauerie which he guilds ouer in the meane time , with a vaile of seeming , and vernish of hypocrisie ; but is woont , when once hee hath attained his end , or acted his villany , to throw away his vizor . for such fellowes there are abroad in the world , who purposely mixe and ioyne themselues with gods children , hang vpon , and adhere vnto true christians , as men from whom by reason of the singlenesse of their hearts , and charitable vnsuspiciousnesse , they may either directly or by accident sucke out the greatest aduantage . . of necessitie for him which speaketh : that hee may be preserued from guiltinesse and accessarinesse to the sinne , which by silence and saying nothing , hee should incurre and bring vpon himselfe . for instance : there comes to thy notice some notorious villanies , which concealement and impunitie would mightily animate , and easily transport to further excesse and outrage ; but seasonable aduertisement giuen to authoritie , as to a magistrate , minister , tutor , father , master , gouernour of family , might bee a meanes to cut the knot and heart of such cursed good-fellowship , and stay the torrent of that scandalous insolencie : in this case , thou hast a calling to reueale , informe , and implore superiour assistance for suppression of sinne . and therefore those of the house of cloe did well to certifie paul , of the disorders and dissentions amongst the corinthians : and pauls sisters sonne , to acquaint the chiefe captaine , with that deuillish plot of desperate conspiratours against paul. otherwise , both thou and they , by cowardly and cruell silence in such cases , might in some sort , iustly incurre the guilt and accountablenesse euen for other mens sinnes so vnhappily concealed . . fourthly , when a seasonable , warrantable occasion is giuen thereby , of performing some christian duty , as . of instruction , and forewarning to others ; thus , or in the like manner : thou hast a friend , whom thou seest , and fearest is entring a licencious course , which at length is like to breed his confusion : whereupon thou tellest him , that such or such a man , iust as he begins ; from contempt of the word , profanation of the sabbath , disobedience to parents , fell fearefully into a desperate knot of lewd companions , then to alehouse hanting , after , to gaming , at last , to the gallowes : and therefore thou aduisest him to take heed in time : to let such wofull precedents of sinne and shame stand still in his eye , to stay him from breaking his necke at the bottome of the same staires : for if he continue the reines but a while longer vpon the necke of his rebellious nature , and still hold on so desperately with such wilde colts , the deuils dromedaries to the ●…ame excesse of riot , hee shall finde no more power in himselfe to stay , vntill from the height of sin , he fall into the bottome of hell , then a man hauing begunne to run down the steepest hill , can stop before he comes at the bottome . he that layes his foundation with fire-worke , must look in the end to be blowne vp : he that premises prophanenesse and rebellion , shall bee sure to conclude in cursednesse and confusion . . of praising god for the ruine , and rooting out of some implacable impenitent a persecutor ; thus , or in the like manner : a remarkeable vengeance hath seized vpon such a scornefull caytife , who hath been a perpetuall bloody goade in the sides of the saints all his life long . vpon which occasion thou discouerest vnto thy friend many passages and plots of his cruelty and hate against the kingdome of christ and his precious people , and that purposely to minister matter also vnto others , of more heartily magnifying the glorie of gods iustice ; which at length hath happily strooke downe antiochus with an incurable , and inuisible plague ; eaten vp herod with vermine ; made pashur a terrour to his friends ; zedekiah to run from chamber to chamber to hide himselfe . for you must know , that the hearts and tongues of all good men , and friends to the gospell , are woont to be filled with much glorious ioy , and heartiest songs of praise , at the downefall of euery dogged opposite ; when the reuenging hand of god , not without speciall terror , hath tumbled from the top of malice and pride , any antichristian and enraged enemy . so the iewes feasted , after haman was hanged . but in such cases looke vnto thy heart with extraordinarie watchfulnesse and search : that he be an enemy indeed , i meane , to christianity : that thou doe it not out of spleene , humour , faction , personall enmity , for the destruction of the creature or the like : but simply and sincerely out of zeale to the glory of gods iustice , prosperitie of the gospell , and peace of the church . otherwise , in stead of a christian dutie , it will prooue to thee a cursed cruelty . . of prayer , thus , or in the like manner : thou art acquainted with the secret plots of some plausible tyrant against the people of god , whose words perhaps may bee as soft as butter , or oyle , and outward deportment promise faire ; but his thoughts and inuisible intendments against the better side , composed all of blood & bitternesse , of gall and gunpowder ; whereupon , as occasion is offered , thou vnmaskest his malice amongst thy christian friends , to the end that they may communicate , and contribute their prayers for the confusion and infatuation of all his deuilish depths and deuices of hell . teares , patience , and prayers , were euer the defensiue weapons of gods people . let powder plots , parisian massacres , inuincible armadoes , slaughtering of kings , and such like horrible and hellish combustions , brand with an euerlasting staine of cruelty and blood , the popish religion and persecutors of heauenly truth : but let the sonnes of the gospell be euer content to confront and beate backe the implacable rage of all gods enemies , and haters of sincerity and grace , onely with the cutting edge , and sharpened poynt of feruent prayer . which weapon they may discharge : hree wayes : . indefinitely , against all desperate enemies to god , his church , and gospell , without intimation , so much as by thought , of any particular persons . so dauid , psalm . . . let them all bee confounded and turned backe , that hate zion . deborah , iudges . . so let all thine enemies perish ▪ o lord : but let them that loue him , be as the sunne when hee goeth forth in his might . . conditionally , when they perceiue some insulting shebnaes , and insolent hamans to persist and hold on in persecuting the saints , and opposing the power of godlinesse ; they may entreate the lord , if they belong vnto him , to humble them in their places , and giue them repentance : but if hee purpose to giue them ouer finally to a reprobate minde , and to the impetuous rage of their owne cruell dispositions , to cut them off , and vtterly confound them , that they bee no longer a burden to the church , and vexation to his people . . abstractiuely ; against their extreme oppressions , and malicious plots , without any relation at all ●…o their persons . so dauid , . sam. . . o lord , i pray thee , turne the counsell of achitophel into foolishnesse . or thus : thou obseruest some one to haue continued long a worthy and noted professour , but now vnhappily begins to fall off from his former forwardnesse , to grow flacke and negligent in family duties , cold and cowardly in good causes , heartlesse , and hanging downe the head in godly company ; to dis-regard , and vnderprize the powerfull meanes ; to entertaine but ordinarie affections , if not some kinde of strangenesse towards other professours , especially of greater eminencie and acceptation for their grace ; to suffer immoderate imployment and entanglement in the world to waste his heauenly-mindednesse ; so that in all likelihood god will shortly giue him ouer vnto some scandalous fall , as a punishment of his back-sliding : whereupon thou discouerest vnto thy christian friends his declining state , onely that they may ioyne with thee in prayer , that the lord would bee pleased to stay him in time , and re-establish him in his first loue ; lest by his further falling , the credit of the gospell also receiue a bruize and blemish , profession bee ill spoken of , and the enemies of sinceritie blaspheme . . of vindicating the power and truth of religion from the mistakings of ignorants , and vnder-prizers . thus , or in the like manner ; thou art in company where thou hearest a meere ciuill man , or a formall professor at the best , whom the church neuer discouered , or acknowledged to bee any of hers , and thy selfe canst auerre out of thy certaine particular knowledge , that hee neuer set himselfe to seeke god with any conscience or constancie ; but is vtterly vnacquainted with the mysterie of godlinesse , family-exercises , sanctification of the sabbaths , contributions to the saints , exercises of mortification , selfe-deniall : i say , thou hearest such a man commended for his religion , forwardnesse , and the feare of god ; which commendation , if hee carry away without contradiction , the rest of the company may be very greedy to apprehend such a precedent , and resolue not to passe his pitch of profession , as vnaccompanied with such paine and precisenesse ; and yet approoued by wise and vnderstanding men , as hopefull and comfortable . now in this case , it may concerne thee , but with as much wisdome , discretion , and charitie as thou canst possibly , to disroabe such a fellow of his vndeserued attributions , and the reputation of that holinesse which he neuer had ; lest both the by-standers bee hartened to come short of heauen , and the power of christianitie bee disparaged by an ignorant and hurtfull vnder-ualuation . . thirdly , bee silent from all vnsauoury communication ; as lying , swearing , prophane , foolish , filthy a iesting ; iesting out of scripture , mocking and making gods people as * musike at feasts , merry meetings , and cursed conuenticles of good-fellowship ; and such other rotten , ribald and bedlam talke : which , because they are the knowne and proper language of the sonnes of belial , the dung , froth , and damned euaporations of drunken wits ; christians , whom alone i labour to direct in this poynt , are not in such danger of , and therefore i haue nothing to doe with them at this time . iii. pray for , and practise an holy and discreete dexteritie , to diuert and draw from prophane and wicked , or too much worldly and ordinarie talke , to more sauoury conference , and heauenly discourse . me thinks , it is great pitty , that professours should euer meete without some talke of their meeting in heauen , or of the blessed meanes and wayes that leade thereunto , before they part . yet many times , ( such a deadnesse and dampe of zeale , and heauenly-mindednesse , haunts euen the holiest hearts in these vnhappie dayes of securitie and forme ) worldly matters , talke of others , or some more remarkeable accidents and affaires abroad , speculatiue curiosities , some ceremoniall vnseasonable controuersies , or other such like impertinencies in one kinde or other , take vp and ingrosse , euen from gods children , too much of many golden seasons , which might preciously serue , by their mutuall diuing with more christian edifying discourse into the great mysterie of godlinesse , and walkes of christianitie , to nourish and increase amongst them much spirituall warmth , comfort , and resolution against all vngodly oppositions , and to build vp one another in their most holy faith , acquaintance with temptations , experimentall knowledge , more comfortable walking with god , &c. to confront this common mischiefe and mar-conference at christian meetings , come vnto them prepared , as i aduised before ; page , . but if the company bee contrary-minded , and vn-inured to the language of canaan , exercise and interpose all thy wit , courage , authoritie , and eloquence , to draw them from the dunghill of rotten talke ; and by a wise plausible diuersion , and modestly ouer-ruling transition , carry the current of their present discourse , all thou canst , towards some heauenly good , and spirituall end . . to which end , obserue , and apprehend all opportunities and occurrences , which may minister matter of digression into diuine talke ; and acquaint thy selfe with the arte of abstracting sacred instructions from the booke of the creatures and businesses in hand . it was the practise of our blessed sauiour : vpon mention of bread , matth. . hee prest vpon his disciples , a disswasion from the leauen of the pharises : when he obserued , iohn . a number of people to throng about him for more miraculous bread , hee digressed into a most heauenly discourse of the food of life . vpon occasion of drinke being denied him by the samaritane woman , iohn . hee forgetting his wearinesse , hunger and thirst , labours to allure her to the well head of euerlasting happinesse . . haue euer in a readinesse some common heads , of more stirring and quickening motiues to minde heauenly things : as the cursed condition of our naturall state , the incomparable sweetnesse of christian wayes , the vanity and vexations of all earthly things , the vncertainty and miseries of this short life , the euerlastingnesse of our second state in another world , the sudden executions of gods fierce wrath vpon some notorious ones euen in this life , especially those , which are freshest in memory , and lateliest done ; the terrors of death , the dreadfulnesse of that last and great day drawing on apace , the horrors of a damned soule , &c. mention of these things , many times will strike full cold to the heart of the most swaggering and sensuall belshazzar , the most raging and roaring companions , and driue the most confident and domineering worldling into his dumps . talke then of these terrible things , may by gods blessing prepare and soften sometimes the hardest hearts for some thoughts of remorse , and more heauenly impressions . . but aboue all , get into thine own heart an habit of heauenly-mindednesse by much exercise , entercourse , and acquaintance with god , in powring out of thy soule euer and anon before him , in renuing and recouering thy peace , and comfortable accesse vnto him vpon euery fall and checke of conscience , in often contemplation and foretaste of the inexplicable sweetnesse , glorie , and eternitie of those mansions aboue ; in diuing into the secrets of his kingdome by the helpe of humblenesse and godly feare ; vpon the most sweet and soule-fatting dayes of humiliation , mortifying visitations of troubled and afflicted consciences , often conferences with humblest and best experienced christians , &c. by priuate imployment of thy soule in solemne reflections vpon it selfe ; fruitfully recounting with what varietie of traines it was long detained in the state of darknesse ; with what delayes and tergiuersations , lets and assaults it met in its way to light ; what bitternesse and terrors it passed thorow in the pangs of its new-birth ; the tentations incident to its infancie in grace , progresse and growth in seuerall graces , and the whole body of christianitie ; relapses , desertions , their discoueries , recoueries , with all the meanes and circumstances : in a word , by a punctuall obseruing how god deales with it euery day . be , i say , thus blessedly busied at home in thine owne heart , and thou shalt finde thy selfe much more pregnant and plentifull in holy talke when thou commest abroad . wee are most apt and readiest to powre out our selues in publike , according to our priuate prouisions , and the most predominant discourses and contemplations of the minde . the conferences of free and vnreserued spirits are ordinarily nothing else , but the cloathing of their ordinarie mentall conceptions , and heart-secrets with familiar formes of speech . men for the most part , speake most and most willingly of those things they minde most . i aduise thus in this point , that thou mayst be habituated and heartened with resolution and delight , in the art and exercise of putting forward good talke ; or of diuerting and drawing towards better in case of the contrarie . otherwise , thou shalt neuer bee able to hold out with constancie and courage , to crosse many times the generall mirth of the company , to put worldly-wisemen out of their element of all earthly talke , to draw worldlings , which goes most against the haire , to heare of heauenly things . viii . suruey thorowly before hand with the glorious lampe of the word of life and truth ; watch ouer , narrowly with the illightened eye of a tender conscience , and euer punctually manage , and conduct with the particular light of spirituall prudence , euery action thou vndertakest , or that shall at any time passe thorow thy hand ; of what kinde soeuer it be , whether naturall , recreatiue , ciuill , of mercy , religion , &c. to which particulars , before i descend , let me commend vnto thee , and premise this principle concerning actions in generall . euery truly commendable and comfortable action , consists of an absolute integritie of all concurrents and requisites . or thus : that which is good and lawfull , must be entire . i meane it in that sence , as our diuines speake of sanctification , which if sauing , say they , must be perfect and entire , though not in respect of degrees , yet in respect of parts . euery part and power of body and soule must haue its part of sanctification , though no part his full perfection and all degrees , before the dissolution of our earthly tabernacles . proportionably in the present point ; though some mixture of infirmities and imperfections will cleaue vnto the face of the fairest action ( an absolute and vnstained purity is incompatible with this vnglorified state of mortalitie ; ) yet notwithstanding , euery seuerall ingredient must bee attended , and tempered with its owne particular goodnesse and honestie , and seasonable conformitie to the whole ; or else the whole action , howsoeuer right in other respects , is vtterly robd and disroabed of all true splendour , acceptation and grace . a little heauen sowres the whole lumpe : one noxious hearbe brings death into the pot : the goodliest deed or dutie is quite peruerted and empoysoned , by the enormitie of any one particular requisite . we say truely in the schooles ; the conclusion euer followes the worst part : semblably in morality , the iniquitie , defect , and exorbitancie of any one ingredient , denominates the whole action naught . in euery one of thine actions and vndertakings , looke euer , if thou looke for comfort , that euery concurrent bee iustifiable , that euery ingredient be gracious , 〈◊〉 bring his probatum est . for instance : . it must be good in its owne nature , and warrantable out of the word ; by which all things must be sanctified vnto thee , . tim. . . as a good seruant will venture vpon nothing , but what he knowes will please his master . otherwise , let the person be neuer so pleasing vnto god , his intention neuer so good , his heart neuer so zealous , the meanes , circumstances and end neuer so excellent , yet all is naught . worshipping christ in a crucifixe is naught in its owne nature , abominable , idolatrous , condemned in gods law , exod. . , &c. and therefore , bee it done with neuer so great deuotion and good meaning , with neuer so much popish dawbing , or goodly pretence whatsoeuer , it is still cursed and damnable . . the obiect , whereabout the action is exercised , must be qualified according to the rules of religion . almes-deeds , and doles of charitie , are sweet and acceptable sacrifices vnto god. but amongst other cautions and considerations to season them , the parties , that are to be made partakers thereof , are to bee singled out with all godly discretion . . the true wants of a religious professor , should in the first place bee the principall and most moouing obiect , to draw bounty from a truely charitable heart : according to that , galat. . . as we haue therefore opportunitie , let vs doe good vnto all men , especially vnto them who are of the houshold of faith . . in the next place , the lame , the blind , the sicke , the aged , the trembling hand , or any that god hath made poore . . any whosoeuer in a case of true necessitie and extremitie , whatsoeuer the partie hath been before : for there not the man , as it were , but the common state of humanitie is relieued . but now , if for such a purpose , thou makest choise of a sturdy begger , idle * rogue , canting companion , the shame and plague of this noble kingdome ; thou doest not only depriue thy selfe of the comfort and honour of a truely charitable deed ; but thereby incurrest a great deale of guilt , by incouraging and nourishing idlenesse , filching , many strange vnknowne villanies , nay , euen an execrable irreligious paganisme in such lewd , lazy drones , vnprofitable burdens of the earth , and intolerable caterpillers of the common-wealth . for such ( saith a worthy diuine ) as turne begging into an art and occupation , they are by order to be compelled to worke for their maintenance , which is the best and greatest almes . the obiect of thy speciall , intimate , and dearest loue , must bee the christian , euen the poorest professour of religion , not the compleate carnalist , or most magnificent worldling . . thou must also looke vnto the matter , else all may bee mard . for instance : the matter of thy bounty and beneficence , must bee thine owne goods got lawfully , not formerly hoarded by vsury and wrong ; otherwise it will but prooue , in respect of diuine allowance , but an abominable sacrifice a : for many times , that which is highly esteemed amongst men , is abomination in the sight of god , luke . . . the person must bee pleasing ; the actor acceptable vnto god : otherwise , his best and most bountifull deeds , are at the best but beautifull abominations ; seruices most sacred in their owne nature , as prayer , hearing the word , receiuing the sacrament , &c. are from him , and the altar of his vnsanctified heart , but as the offering of swines blood . if thou be not iustified by faith , and accepted through christ , all thy actions , naturall , ciuill , recreatiue , religious ; whatsoeuer is within thee , or without thee , the vse of the creatures ; all thy courses , wayes , and passages , are turned into sinnes and pollutions vnto thee , enlarge and aggrauate thy woe and damnation : euen the sacrifice and whole way of the wicked , is an abomination to the lord , prou. . , . the pharise , luk. . was not a button better for all his prayers , fastings , &c. nay , by accident more accursed ; i meane , in respect of any gracious entertainment with god , who was not pleased with him , in him , in whom hee is well pleased . . the heart must be sincere , else euen the noblest duties of religion are nothing . b iudas gaue his name to christ , preached , and wrought miracles ; and yet all the while was a desperate hypocrite , a very incarnate deuill ; because his heart was rotten , drencht in the gall of bitternesse , and snared in the bond of iniquitie . the israelites humiliation seeking god , returning , and inquiring earely after him : bespeaking him with all termes of dearenesse and dependance ; our rocke , our high god , our redeemer ; was all but temporarie and vnsound , because their heart was not vpright . when hee slew them , then they sought him : and they returned , and inquired dearly after god. and they remembred , that god was their rocke : and the high god , their redeemer . neuerthelesse , they did flatter him with their mouth : and they lyed vnto him with their tongues . for their heart was not right with him , psal. . , , , . . the meanes must be good . otherwise , be the end neuer so excellent ; let there bee neuer so exact and absolute concurrence of all other causes ; yet the glory and comfort of the action is quite darkened , and desperately empoisoned to the man , that willingly , and against the cry of an illightned conscience , imployes and puts his hand to any wicked meanes for the atchieuement . suppose that by a lie , thou couldest saue a mans life , his a soule , the soules of all the men vpon earth ; nay , winne thereby vnto god as much glory , as accrewes vnto him by all his creatures ; yet for all this , on thy part all were b naught . for it is a sacred principle , sealed vnto by truth it selfe ; we must doe no ill , that good may come , rom. . . . the circumstanes must bee seasonable . for instance : personall and priuate prayer , is a right precious sacrifice and seruice : but let it bee seasonable for the circumstance of place , or else it may loose its sweet-smelling sauour in the nostrils of god , and bee tainted with * pharisaisme . the closet , or some retired place , is fit for this exercise , which the more secret , the more sincere ; not the c synagogues , and corners of the streets , which was the pharises vaine-glorious woont , who sought more for d praise of men , then pleasing of god. meditation vpon diuine mysteries , and quickning spirituall points , is an excellent , and acceptable exercise , so it keep its owne turne , and be confinde to a fit time : but in the heate of the preachers powring out his soule for vs in prayer at the throne of grace , it is sinfull , because vnseasonable . calling to minde seriously some speciall passages formerly heard , or read , to presse them with more life and power vpon the conscience , is a right needfull , and religious dutie : but so to doe at a sermon , in singing a psalme , or when wee ought to bend all the powers of our soules , and best attention to the present , is but one of satans tricks in the glory of an angell , to make vs guilty of the contempt , and rob vs of the comfort of the ordinance in hand . . the end also must bee answerable in goodnesse ; and by its excellency and attractiuenesse , inspire amiablenes and allurement into all the means leading thereunto , though they should be in their owne nature painfull and vnpleasing . in all thy enterprizes and vndertakings , thou must haue in thine eye principally , that vniuersall aime of all our actions , gods glory ; other wise , let the whole affaire bee carried neuer so fairely in the eyes of men ; be cloathed with neuer so goodly a show , and glorious outside ; yet in respect of acceptation with god , or true comfort to the partie , it is no better then the cutting off a dogs necke . iehu did right noble and worthy seruice , by his resolute rooting out , and couragious cutting off that bloody and idolatrous house of ahab : and sweet in the nostrils of god , was that great sacrifice of baals priests : he marched furiously in this holy businesse , and was very zealous to execute gods charge in that regard exactly . and yet for all this , all these outward glorious visible conformities to gods commandement , were to him , but as the killing of a man ; because his eye was not vpon the right end , gods glory . hee principally aimed at the secure settling of the crowne vpon his owne head , by an vtter extinguishment of the kings family . had his aime been right , his heart had beene as well set against the golden calues in dan and bethel , as his hand and sword against the idolatrous house of baal ; but it was not so , . king. . . now i come to some particulars ; and . first , concerning recreations ; which howsoeuer , they ought to be very moderate and sparing ; and in that respect , me thinkes , i should rather spare my labour , and not spend many words ; yet because they are not onely insatiably pursued and plunged into by men of this world ; but also too much looked after , and lyen in , euen by some who looke towards religion , i shall be somewhat the longer ; and aduise , that they be not . costly . to curbe and confine thine affections to a seasonable and sanctified moderation herein , consider . how the backes and bowels of many c poore members of iesus christ , and distressed saints call , nay , cry euen with teares of blood for reliefe and compassion from thine abundant and ouerflowing abilities . . that thou must be called vpon , and accountable with seueritie , and exactnesse at that last and dreadfull tribunall for euery farthing ; how thou gotst it ; and with what warrant thou keptst it ; vpon what thou spentst it . . the iudgement of austin , that great and renowned father of the church , who , as diuines report ( for i must confesse , i take it at other d mens word , not knowing where it is in his workes ; but it is a saying worthy so excellent a man ) would haue all things gotten by play , taken from the winner , and neuer restored to the looser , but giuen to the poore ; that both the winner might want , what so greedily hee gaped for , and the looser not to recouer , what so foolishly he parted with . . the resolution of that graue and profound diuine of these latter times : but some say , saith e he , they can take no pleasure in play , except they play for money , but we are to know of them ; how they would haue the money bestowed ? perhaps they will say , vpon a common feast . and why not rather vpon the poore ? but i say , it is much better , and more safe , that no money bee laid to the stake : for although it may bee , that thou art not toucht with greedinesse of winning , yet he with whom thou playest , may bee tainted that way . let occasions of ill be taken away , which are too many at all turnes . ii. cruell . bathe not thy recreations in blood : refresh not thy tired minde with spectacles of crueltie : consider , . how god himselfe out of tendernesse and pittie , would not haue his people feede vpon the flesh of beasts with the f blood , lest thereby they should be flesht to crueltie , and inured to behold rufull obiects without horrour . and doest thou thinke then , hee will allow thee to feede thine eye and fancy , with their bloody torturing and tearing one another in pieces ? . with what brutish sauagenesse thou deiectest and debasest humanitie , below the immanitie of beasts . no beast , they say , takes contentment in the hurting of any other , except in the case of hunger or anger . they satisfie their appetites and rage sometimes with cruelty and blood ; but their eyes and fancies neuer . . that men bloodily minded towards harmelesse beasts , discouer our naturall propension to cruelty , which is further manifested , . by the multitudes many times , thirsting and thrusting after the curiositie of wofull spectacles , and their impatiency to tarrie the beholding of the lamentable executions of guiltie persons . . and in that they take no delight to see wild beasts play , and sportingly to make much one of another ; but are well pleased to see them bloodily encounter , mangle and enter-teare each other . these seeds then , or rather weeds of crueltie , originally implanted in our hearts by the curse of nature , are too ranke and luxuriant of themselues ; they need no manuring with barbarous inhumanities , and sports of blood . . that rule which diuines giue about recreations , we must not make gods iudgements & punishments of sinne , either vpon man or beast , the matter and obiect of them . now , best diuines hold , that enmitie amongst themselues , was a fruite of our rebellion against god , and more generall iudgement inflicted vpon the creature after the fall . which miserie comming vpon them by our means , should rather break our hearts and make them bleed ; then minister matter of glorying in our shame , & vexing those very vexations , which our impiety hath put vpon them . alas , sinfull man , what an heart hast thou , that canst take delight in the cruell tormenting of a dumbe creature ! is it not too much for thee to behold with dry eyes that fearefull brand , which only thy sinne hath imprest vpon it ; but thou must barbarously also presse its oppressions , and make thy selfe merry with the bleeding miseries of that poore harmelesse thing , which in its kinde is much more and farre better seruiceable to the creator then thy selfe ? yet i deny not , but that there may bee another lawfull vse of this antipathy , for the destroying of hurtfull , and enioying of vsefull creatures ; so that it be without any taint , or aspersion of cruelty on our parts , or needlesse tormenting of the silly beasts . . ingrossers of time . thousands there are , who plunge themselues ouer head & eares in courses of pleasure ; which they call recreations , wherein they very vnworthily and wofully waste the fat and marrow , as it were , of deare and precious time , the flower of their age , the strength of their bodies ; emasculate and melt the vigour of their spirits , into effeminatenesse , sensualitie , and lust ; drowne the faire and goodly hopes of their education , the honour of their families , the expectation of the countrey , the improouement of their parts , in froth and folly : as though they were placed vpon earth , as leuiathan in the sea , onely to take their sport and pastime a therein . louers they are of pleasures , mirth-mongers , men of this world , sworne vassals to carnall loosenesse and riotous excesse . they haue their fooles paradise heere , and therefore in the equitie of a iust and holy proportion , must with the rich man looke for their payment and torment hereafter . but gods children must make conscience of meddling at any time with recreations , without true cause and a iust calling thereunto , and hold them of the same account and consequence , with sleepe and other temperate refreshings , which serue onely to quicken the minde , reuiue the body , enlarge the breath , that wee may returne with more lightsomenesse and alacritie to our worke and callings . the season then of comfortable recourse vnto these repaires and restoratiues is , when wee haue truely wearied our bodies with some honest imployment , or tired our minds in worthy and noble exercises , or both . and as we must not presse vpon them at our pleasure , and preuent true need , out of an hankering humour after sportfull vanities , old haunts , good-fellow meetings , conformitie to the times , or some such sensuall and inordinate attractiue : so in the entertainment of them , wee must receiue them , as men doe honey , with the tip of the finger , not with a full hand . by no meanes ought we to engage , and as it were , to engulfe our affections into their excesses and immoderation ; not suffer them so to insinuate , as to steale away our hearts into a pleasing insensible thraldome ; so creating necessities of recreations ; which is an extreme misery , and intolerable slauery ; wherein , notwithstanding many truly vnworthy and vnnoble gallants miserably languish , and come to nothing ; prooue onely vnprofitable burthens of the earth ; and in stead of a blessing , the very bane of the countrey that bred them . let such considerations as these serue as so many curbes , to restraine vs from an vnseasonable intrusion vpon them : and so many keene spurres to poast vs out of them , before we be limed and entangled by them . . time is short . our life is but a span long , a bubble , a thought , a smoake , a shadow , a dreame , the very dreame of a shadow ; or if you can name any thing more fading and fraile : and yet vpon this moment depends eternitie . as wee behaue our selues heere vpon earth , either in conformitie to the wayes of god , walking with him , selfe-denyall , &c. or in fashionablenesse to the world , seruing the times , and our owne turnes , &c. so shal we fare euerlastingly in another life : and either become most glorious and happie creatures , crowned with an exquisite confluence and quintessence , as it were , of sweetest vnmixed eternall pleasures ; a very shadow whereof , not the largest naturall hearts of deepest vnderstanding men , from the creation , to the last day , were they all vnited into one exactest height and excellency of conceit , could possibly comprehend ; nay , in this one circumstance , at the least , the saints shall surpasse euen angelicall felicitie ; they shall behold , with incredible ioy , their owne nature , in that respect , honoured and aduanced aboue the brightest cherub , shining for euer with infinite beauty and glorified splendour , in the sacred person of the sonne of god : or else fall irrecouerably into the mouth of inexplicable and remedilesse horrour , and so become the forlorne and wofull obiects , vpon which shall bee exercised and executed the vnquenchable wrath of god , and fiercest torments in hell , with extremitie and euerlastingnesse ; nay , and in this point , more vnhappy than the very deuils : for since their apostacie , there was no meanes or possibilitie vouchsafed vnto them of recouery and returne to those euerlasting mansions of glorie ; but the sonnes and daughters of adam , since their fall , haue had the very sonne of god himselfe , with the deare and vnualuable cry of his owne hearts blood , to meditate vnto , and sollicite the father of all compassions and mercy , for restitution into fauour and plantation into the angels roome . and therefore as this thought , oh what vnhappy and accursed creatures were we , who being crowned with the matchlesse transcendency of all felicities and glory , would not hold our station and haue shined still ! i say , as this thought will endlesly haunt the damned angels with vnconceiueable byting and anguish ; so , not onely an answerable selfe-fretting torture from this conceit ; alas , that wee kept not paradise ! will rent and teare the wofull hearts of the wicked in hell : but also a further sting of that neuer-dying worme , not incident to the apostate angels , will extremely enrage them with restlesse gnawings of conscience and gnashing of teeth ; when out of the horrour of their hideous wofull yellings , they shall cry out against themselues ; what wretches ? what beasts ? what madded deuils were we ! who when the glorious blood of christ iesus was so mercifully tendered vnto vs in the ministery of the word , all our life long , we turned our backes against such blessed and bleeding imbracements ; and cruelly cut the throates of our owne poore soules , by impenitent continuance in sinne : so loosing for a few bitter-sweet pleasures in this vale of teares , for an inch of time , fulnesse of ioy at gods right hand , thorow all eternitie . . time is precious . if all this great massie bodie of the whole earth , whereupon we tread , were turned into a lumpe of gold , it were not able to purchase one minute of time . and were there no other circumstance to set an impression of high valuation vpon it , yet this very one doth much ennoble it ; that all these faire and shining bodies aboue our heads , and principally the prince of all the lights of heauen , that glorious and mighty giant , the prime and crowne of all corporall creatures , doe tire & waste , as it were , their celestiall vigours , with the incredible swiftnesse of endlesse reuolutions , to beget and giue vs time ; i say , vs , who for the sinne of euery moment in it , deserue eternity of punishment . but that our hearts may bee more sensibly wrought vpon , and more effectually affected with the dearenesse and preciousnesse of it ; let vs suppose that the lord , by diuine and extraordinarie dispensation , should giue leaue to a damned soule to come into this life againe , and would vouchsafe him but one houre of a new triall , as it were , and a second time of gracious visitation : oh how highly would hee prize , how eagerly would hee apprehend , with what infinite watchfulnesse , endeauour , and diligence , would hee improoue that little short golden season ? and if therein he might haue but the happinesse to heare a sermon ; oh with what affectionate inflamed attention would hee listen vnto the word of life ! how would his heart breake and bleed within him , and fall asunder in his brest , like drops of water , to heare gods iust wrath and holy indignation thundred out and threatned against sinne ! with what insatiable grasping and deare imbracement would he labour to lay hold vpon christ iesus and his gracious promises ? in a word , he would think , that in demonstration of thankefulnesse for gods fauour , might hee be so happy as to haue it , the spending of euery moment of all that great body of time , which lies betweene the creation and the worlds end , if hee might liue so long , in as holy , pure , strict , precise , heauenly manner , as euer did the most mortified martyr vpon earth , were farre too little . shall we then triflingly passe and play away the time that is so precious ? and in my supposition , the damned soule should bee sure of an houre : but none of vs can possibly purchase securitie for very one moment , after i haue spoken this word . the time present is our onely time ; wee haue no more power and command ouer the time to come , then ouer the time past . euen the next minute thou mayest be cut off by the stroake of death from all further time of repentance , acceptation , and grace for euer . nay , yet further , were it possible that any vncomfortable passion were incident to a glorified saint in heauen , he would be sorry and transported with extreme anger and indignation against himselfe ; that hee was not a more greedy ingrosser , as it were , and improouer of time , for doing excellently vpon earth ; and that euery houre after his cōuersion was not crowned with some rarer and more remarkable exploit ; with some more speciall and noble seruice , for the glorifying of that most bountifull , and euer-blessed god , who hath now honoured him with such vnspeakeable glory , and that crowne of ioyes , so infinitely transcendent to the vtmost expectation of the most enlarged heart . howsoeuer therefore men of this world , for the most part , except they be continually exercised in variety of pleasing imployments , and still entertained with fresh successions of new pleasures , are sore troubled with time , and tediously perplext how to passe it ; which is the reason that they deuise so many passe-times ; with much sollicitous and sensuall forecast , plot and proiect to themselues aforehand , many and many a merry meeting , idle visitations , feastings , mutuall entertainments of meere complement and vanitie , iouiall reuellings , as they call them , &c. that they chaine together , as it were , by the art of epicurisme and with linkes of liberty , continued occasions of company keeping , and good-fellow meetings , from the one end of the weeke to the other : ( for solitarinesse and selfe-conuersing , is a very torturing racke , and the tide-time of melancholy , to the waking consciences of gracelesse and guilty men . ) though , i say , this bee the custome and carriage of satans reuellers ; yet all christians ought to haue time in deare and high esteeme , in euery moment whereof should they lay downe ten thousand liues for his sake that pardons their sinnes ; and also doe him all the glorious seruice of all , both the militant and triumphant saints , it were infinitely too little for his loue . wherefore no marueile though well-aduised and watchfull , they feele themselues rather pincht with want , then prest with plenty of her golden offers and opportunities to doe good , and bee euer addrest to entertaine and welcome euery houre with speciall attendance , as a gracious indulgence of his patient loue , and long-suffering , and suffering them to doe him yet more honour , ( for which cause alone they long to liue ) before they goe downe into the pit and be seene no more . and they should be so farre from being afraid of solitarinesse , as to hold their time alone , the only time for sweetest contemplations , heauenly commerce , neerer conuersing and communion with god. . we that are earthly angels by the noblenesse of creation , though by voluntarie degeneration incarnate deuils , were put into , and planted within the compasse and comforts of this great and curious frame round about vs , the goodly workmanship of gods owne almightie hand , wherein we haue the sunne to serue vs ; and wee of this kingdome by matchlesse and incomparable fauour , the heauenly and healing beames of the sunne of righteousnesse , to shine vpon vs through his glorious gospel , i say , we were placed in this world , not to serue our owne turnes , to please our owne hearts , to follow our own wayes , to eate , drinke , and sleepe ; to temporize , reuell , or roote in the earth ; to play the epicures , libertines , machiauelians ; to climbe into high roomes , by all meanes lawfull and vnlawfull ; by briberie , simonie , flatterie , base insinuations , following the times ; or some fouler meanes , and thereto domineere and tyrannize : in a word , to serue the deuill for a few and euill dayes , to die , and so to be damned . no , no , a nobler taske and more excellent end is appointed and apportioned for the prince and principallest of all earthly creatures . our being vpon earth this little inch of time , is for businesse of another nature , and for a farre more important affaire , and of dearest consequence ; euen with humblenesse and truth to know & obey our god , to serue our brethren in loue , and to saue our owne poore soules in the day of christ. this is that one necessarie thing , in respect of which , all other things , though otherwise honest and excellent , are but respectiuely necessarie , and so farre as they further , and are warrantably and comfortably subordinate and contributary to this end : nay , to this the exquisite quintescence and concurrence of all other , the dearest and most desireable things vnder the sunne , are to be accounted but drosse and dung . and yet for all this , many of vs , while wee yet abode in the darknesse and damnation of our naturall state , spent many yeeres , some twenty , some thirtie , some perhaps fortie , wholly vpon hell , in base and vnblessed courses , quite crosse to the end of our creation . all that time ( a misery to be lamented euen with teares of blood ) was vtterly cast away vpon the kingdome of darkenesse , fearefully lost vpon our owne lusts , sinfull fashions , and pride of life ; slauishly and wofully wasted in the deuils seruice . nay , all that while , abominable and beastly wretches that wee were , wee set our selues with sensuall rage , against the very face of heauen , lay in actuall high treason , and bore armes in open rebellion against that dreadfull maiestie , which might most iustly euery moment of that wofull time haue arrested vs with death , arraigned vs at the barre of his iustice , and throwne vs down into hell . what manner of persons then i pray you ought wee to be , in the short remainder of those few and euill dayes which are behind ? euen to imploy and improoue the vtmost possibilitie of all our naturall acquired and gracious parts , our credit , calling , outward state , all our power , means , occasions , aduantages , to win and worke out glory vnto god , enlargement of christs kingdome , confusion to the deuils dominion , conuersion of others , comfort vnto our owne poore soules against our ending houre . a fellow that hath loytered a great part of the day in his iourney , or businesse , and yet must needes reach home and finish his taske , will toile and sweat at it towards night , double his paines , and put all his strength vnto it : so we hauing not only been slacke in our businesse about gods seruice , and slow in the way to heauen , but euen for many yeeres , perhaps , runne in a quite contrary course , and done the deuils worke , must now towards the night of our naturall life , and the conclusion of the short span thereof , spare no paines , double our diligence , presse hard to the price of the high calling , quit our selues like men , and be strong , with an holy violence lay hold vpon the kingdome of heauen , with all zeale , courage , and resolution , labour to redeeme the time past , for the dayes are euill ; and our particular doome for eternitie of ioyes , or woes ; pleasures or paines , drawes on apace , and is euen at the doore . and as consideration of former time cursedly misspent ; so a fore-conceit also of dreadfull times to come , may iustly cause vs to make much of , and husband well euery moment wee haue presently in our hands ; for treasuring vp an heauenly hoard of grace , comfort , patience , and courage , against the euill day . though the times , as yet , bee faire and calme , happy and halcyonian ; and the candle of god shines still vpon this kingdome , with extraordinary prosperitie and peace ; there is no carrying into captiuitie , or crying in our streets , but euery man is quietly reposed vnder his owne vine ; and there refresheth himselfe with the riches and comforts of a good and pleasant land ; yet as sure as the night followes the day , a change will come . if the glorious and triumphant times of the daughter of ierusalem , that men called , the perfection of beauty , the ioy of the whole earth , the glory of all lands , were turned into a day of trouble , and of treading downe , and of perplexitie , by the lord god of hosts , in the valley of vision , breaking downe the walles , and crying to the mountaines : what may wee of this land looke for , if we still turne the grace of god into wantonnesse ; but at length to bee turned out of our houses of peace , as the vnthankfullest and vnworthiest people that euer the sunne of heauen saw , or the sunne of christs glorious gospell did shine vpon so faire and so long ? but howsoeuer the kingdome fare , and god deale with vs in publike : ( onely let me tell you by the way , that in the meane time wee stand by a miracle of gods mercy , and a prop of his extraordinarie patience ) yet euery one of our particular day and doome cannot bee farre off . as yet , perhaps , the almighty is with vs , his prouidence protects our habitations , no remarkable affliction hath taken hold vpon vs ; so that there is no mourning , or spectacles of miseries in our families ; no crying , o my father abraham , and o my sonne isaac ; o my sonne absalom , my sonne , my sonne , absalom ; o absalom , my sonne , my sonne ! and these houses of flesh , it may be , wherein wee dwell for a few and euill dayes , are as yet in reasonable good repaire ; and it is euery way with vs , as it was with iob in the dayes of his youth , when he washed his steps with butter , and the rockes powred him out riuers of oyle ; yet wee may build vpon it , as a principle which neuer failed sinfull mortalitie , that dayes of danger and distresse will haue their turne and time also . sorrow and sicknesse , perplexitie and feare , temptation , disertion , trouble of conscience , the destroying sword , a fierie triall , striuing vnto blood ; marian times of most abhorred memory , or some dreadfull visitation in one kinde or other , may seize vpon vs , we know not how soone . but howsoeuer we escape in the meane time , sure i am , these fraile bodies of ours , after a short while , will fall in funder , and moulder away into rottennesse and dust ; and our naked soules must stand at the iust tribunall of the euerliuing god , countable with exactnesse and truth , for all things done in the bodie . farre bee it from vs then , and euery one , that at that last and great day would not cry to this rocke and that mountaine to couer him , like sonnes and daughters of confusion , to trifle away time in this heate of our spirituall haruest ; but rather with doubled and extraordinarie resolution , let vs gird vp the loynes of our mindes , and with all fruitfulnesse and power , improoue euery houre of this faire day of our gracious visitation ; to treasure vp peace to our poore soules against the stormy winter night of death , towards which euery winde driues vs , and both sleeping and waking we are posting apace , though we perceiue it not . . wee must bee countable for time . at the dreadfull barre of that last tribunall , as wee must bee exactly answerable euen for wandring vaine imaginations , idle words , and euery the very least errour of our whole life ; nay , for not improouing all our gifts , goods , and graces , to the best aduantage for gods glory ; for misimployment of our wit , vnderstanding , memory , affections , health , strength , courage , learning , libertie , authoritie , policie , or any other power or possibilitie which god hath put into our hands : so must wee also giue vp a strict account for the expence of euery moment of time . now tell mee at that great and generall audit , whether of these two summes will sound more sweetly in our eares ? item , so many dayes in recreation , or so many dayes in humiliation ; so many houres in prayer , or so many houres in playing at cards ; so many weekes in iouiall reuellings and merry meetings , or so many weekes in watching ouer our wayes , and walking with god , &c. a serious fore-conceit of the vnconceiueable comfort of the one ; and how cold the other will strike vnto our hearts , might make vs easily grow into blessed bradfords care and practise this way , of whom it is reported , that he counted that houre not well spent , wherein he did not some good ; either with his pen , study , or in exhorting others , &c. and not to rush vpon recreations vnseasonably , without necessity and warrantable calling . . the holiest hearts of the most worthy saints are wofully haunted with too many distractions and violent intrusion of idle , vaine , and impertinent thoughts , euen in holy duties , religious exercises , and solemne vse of the ordinances : which without extraordinarie watchfulnesse , and wrastling on their parts , would vtterly bereaue and robbe them of all the sweetnesse , power and profit of those blessed meanes , and by little and little quite transforme them into forme and perfunctorinesse . if in the best then and heauenliest businesses , the vanity of our owne mindes , and malice of the deuill presse vpon vs with such importunitie and restlesse assaults ; with what furious and impetuous incursions and vastations of conscience are they like to oppresse vs in our idle houres , ill spent time , and pursuit of pleasures ? consideration whereof , me thinkes , should cause christians , who alone are truely sensible of the interruption and discontinuance of their sweet communion and societie with christ , and smart many times for the estrangement of their thoughts and affections from god : onely to haue recourse to recreations in case of true neede ; for necessitie , i say , and seasonably , euen as they vse physicke ; so may they expect gods gracious protection from the hurtfull preuailing of those sensuall distempers and licentious ranging of their thoughts , which are wont to enrage and empoyson the mindes and affections of carnall men , all the while : and to make account so often as they are haled by the cunning ensnarement of old companions , the tyrannie of former custome , or vnmortified yeeldingnesse of their owne deceitfull hearts , to immoderation and excesse in this kinde ; so often to expose their hearts by gods iust permission , as a prey to temptation and vanitie . whereby they may bee in continuall danger , either by little and little to bee drawne backe and drowned againe in the froth and fooleries of their disauowed pleasures , which were an horrible thing ; or else at least , to bring vpon themselues , from time to time , as they transgresse in this kinde , much vnnecessarie discomfort and dissettlednesse in their christian course , dis-rellish in religious exercises , deadnesse of heart , disacquaintance with heauenly comforts , losse of that dearest thing , and earthly paradise , peace of conscience , which perhaps they shall hardly with much adoe recouer a long time after . . sixthly , consider chrysostomes precisenesse against wasting time this way . the present time , saith he , is not for melting into 〈◊〉 ; but for lamentation and mourning . and yet doest thou vainely mis-spend it in merry conceits ? the deuill gnasheth the teeth , roares , and foames , and flashes out fire against thy saluation ; and doest thou sit still and iouially iest it out ? doe wee play and sport our selues , beloued ? wilt thou learne the conuersation of the saints ? heare what paul saies , act. . . by the space of three yeeres i ceased not to warne euery one night and day with teares . . cor. . . out of much affliction and anguish of heart , i wrote vnto you with many teares . . cor. . . who is weake , and i am not weake ? who is offended , and i burne not ? . cor. . . for we that are in this tabernacle , doe groane being burdened . and the apostle desiring , that i may so speake , euery day to depart this life ; doest thou laugh and play ? our time here is a time of warre , of fight , of watch and ward , of harnessing , of standing in the face and fury of the enemy ; and doest thou demeane thy selfe like a dauncer ? doest thou not see the faces of souldiers in the fight ; how sad they are , how contracted , how terrible with frownes , how full of horrour ? doest thou not behold the austore piercing intention of their eyes , an extraordinarie excitation of heart , leaping and panting in their brests ? &c. his meaning imports thus much : doth an ordinarie souldier in the field against a mortal man & earthly enemy , recollect and vnite all the spirits and powers of body and soule with all efficacie , and earnestnesse , for the encounter : and shall a christian souldier that wrastles not against flesh and blood , but against principalities , against powers , against the rulers of the darknesse of this world , against spirituall wickednesses in high places ; who is euery moment furiously assaulted and hunted euen like a partridge in the mountaines , by the deuils open rage , the ambushment of the world , and the endlesse treacheries of his owne false heart , trifle away his time , and turne aside to toyes ? . no incrochers vpon heauenly comforts ; no diminishers of our delight in god ; no deuourers of spirituall ioy . for this is a very deare and diuine thing , to bee prized and preserued as a sweet and celestiall iewell , far more worth then heauen and earth ; which the world can neither giue , nor take from vs ; neither must any stranger meddle with it . wee may take an estimate of its excellency , by casting our eyes vpon . the intolerable bitternesse of the contrary ; i meane , spirituall horrour , which , we see , sometimes by wofull experience , doth enrage the guilty consciences of some forlorne wretches , with such restlesse furies , and vnutterable anguish , that at length , ( extremest , i know not whether madnesse or cruelty ! ) they lay violent and villanous hands vpon themselues , in which case , such an hell vpon earth is horrour of conscience , they care not a button for the sweetnesse of life , the rufull cries of their owne deare children , the heauy lookes of their yoke-fellowes , the abhorred infamy they bring vpon their owne names , families , kindred , buriall , posteritie . oh how they spurne at with a vile , disdainefull contempt , pleasures , riches , honours , crownes , kingdomes , worlds of gold , any thing , euery thing , as miserable comforters ! nay it is so stinging , that they will rather venture vpon that other hell , to which they are posting in a coffin of blood , a thousand thousand times more horrible , then endure it any longer . if sence then of diuine indignation , taking secret vengeance vpon the guilty conscience of an impenitent rebell , puts him as it were into hellish flames aboue ground ; what an heauen vpon earth is a sweet feeling of gods reconciled face , and his euerlasting mercies through christ , sealed and set on by the holy ghost , and testimonie of a good conscience ? and how deliciously doth an humble soule , so honoured with a foretaste and first-fruits as it were of eternall ioyes , graspe the lord iesus in his ordinances , and blisfully sunne it selfe in the loue and light of his countenance ? . the practise of the prophane in their insatiable restlesse pursuite of false ioyes , and painefull pleasures , which at best are but as crackling of thornes vnder a pot , and flashes of lightning before euerlasting fire . they hunt after them euen into hell , and light a candle at the deuill for lightso●…nesse of heart ; by haunting ale-houses , tauerne●… , brothel-houses , play-houses , conuenticles of good-fellowship , sinfull and vnseasonable sports , a thousand kinds of vanities and fooleries , which are nothing but the deuils wakes , and reuellings of hell. and all this little poore carnall mirth , is purchased many times with much shame , losse , misery , beggery , rottennesse of body , discredit , damnation . at what an high rate then , and with what eagernesse and thirst is that true , sweet , vnmixed , glorious ioy springing out of the fountaine of comfort in an honest and holy heart , to bee set and sought after ? . the differences betweene spirituall and carnall ioy : in respect , . of lastingnesse . a spiritually merry heart is a continuall feast , saith salomon ; whereas the ioy of the hypocrite is but for a moment . iob chap. . . carnall ioy is like lightning , spirituall like the light of the sunne . while the play lasts , the sensualist laughs ; but hee falls into his dumps when all is done . the drunkard is merry , whilest hee reuels it amongst his pot-companions in the ale-house ; but when he comes home , there is many times wofull worke . whilest the gamester is at play , he is well enough pleased ; but when hee hath made away all , hee is ready to make away himselfe also . a cunning and prosperous worldling , i confesse , by gods permission may patch together his pleasures all his life long : but at furthest , at death comes the deadly and euerlasting dampe : whereas hee that walkes with god , is contented and comfortable all the day ; and death is the day-breake to him of euerlasting brightnesse . carnall ioy , i say , is like lightning , a flash and a away ; b leaues the minde in more extreme and deeper darknesse ; blasts the heart and affections with all spirituall deadnesse and desolations , with many boyling distempers , much raging wild-fire , and vnquenchable thirst after sensualitie , earthlinesse and epicurisme ; and first or last , it is euer certainly followed with renting and roaring of the spirit , spirituall terrours , thunders , darknesse and damnation . but godly ioy is like the light of the sunne , which though it may for a time bee ouercast with clouds of temptations , mists of troubles , and persecutions , darknesse of melancholy ; yet it ordinarily breakes out againe with more sweetnesse and splendour , when the storme is ouer : but howsoeuer , it hath euer the sunne of righteousnesse , and fountaine of all comfort , so resident and rooted in the heart , that not all the darknesse and gates of hell shall euer be able to displant or distaine it , no more then a mortall man can pull the sunne out of his sphere , or put out his glorious eye . . of puritie . the edge and rellish of carnall ioy , is euer much rebated and imbittered with many sowre sauces , and enuenomed mixtures ; impatiencie of delay , difficulty and danger in attainment , vnanswerablenesse to fore-conceits and expectation , many secret terrours , fretting iealousies , discontented indignations against their discontinuance and vanishing , &c. and besides , those three ensuing indiuiduall stings , which to an illightned conscience as inseparably and sensibly dogge them at the heeles , as a shadow the body in the sun-shine ; cut the very throat , and burst the heart of all worldly pleasures . . one of them is , as it were , naturall , immediately attending all earthly mirth ; more melancholy and heauy-heartednesse afterward . for as the riuers of sweete water runne their course to die in the salt sea ; so the hony of all earthly pleasure , euer endeth in the gall of griefe . voluptuousnesse euen in her dearest minions , ordinarily expires with anguish and anger that it is gone . the transitorie flashes of sensuall delight , are like the light of a candle , which leaue at the cloze a noisome vexing snuffe behinde . and that sweetenesse which sensualists swallow downe so greedily , turnes to grauell in their guts , and at farewell fills their spirit with the returne of a more heauy melancholicke humour , then before the receite . . the other i call a temporarie sting : for all the wayes of worldly a pleasure are strowed also with needles and nettles , that i may so speak , which euer and anon pricke and sting her darlings , as they plucke her fading flowres . so that at best they are but like beares robbing a waspes nest , who rauenously rifle the combes , and with much adoe sucke out a little hony , but in the meane time , are soundly stung and swolne about head for their painefull pleasure . in their seuerall walkes of a fooles paradise , they hunt both vnreasonably and vnseasonably after transitorie delights ; but they are euen pained , and payed home with a witnesse in the very pursuite . for instance : the couetous man accounts worldly wealth , and an ●…oard of gold , his heauen vpon earth ; but in heaping it together , his heart is wofully rent and torne asunder with carking , thoughtfulnesse , restlesse rooting in the earth , anxious and endlesse casting about and forecasting : in a word ; with much care in gathering , more feare in keeping , and most griefe in parting from it . so that for feeding his greedy eye vpon a little vanishing heape of yellow earth , his heart is continually haunted with such vexing harpies , i meane , wasting cares and false feares , that dry vp euen his vitall moisture , and cut his very heart-strings in a pieces . good-fellow meetings and ale-house reuellings are the drunkards delight : but all the while hee sits at it , hee is , perhaps , in a bodily feare of the puritane-constable : when towards night he goes grunting homewards , hee becomes a gazing and * laughing ▪ stocke to children in the streets ; no sooner comes hee reeling into his own house , but he wrings fresh cries , and teares of shame and griefe from his wife and family ; for the reproach , beggerie and miserie he brings vpon them . and as hee goes on in this drunken good-fellowship , and takes a pride and pleasure in powring in of strong drinke ; there many times insensibly grow vpon him many loathsome diseases and deformities of body , rheumes , dropsies , palsies , a fearefull face , spuing , falling , and neuer rising againe ; sometimes not euen out of a little gutter , that would scarce choake a child . the lasciuious wanton that wanders in the twilight , in the euening in the black and darke night , after the strange woman ; besides the dart which sticks fast , and ranckles in his liuer ; meetes in the meane time with rottennesse in his bones , a consumption of his marrow , a wound , and dishonour , and reproach , that shall not bee wiped away . the boisterous aspiring nimrod , out of a gluttonous desire of grasping offices and honors , scrues himselfe vijs & modis , into some high place as his onely paradise ; and when hee is gotten vp , dances full merrily in golden fetters vpon his slipperie standing : but couldest thou see into his inside , thou shouldest behold his heart miserably fretting and vexing it selfe ; raging with many passionate distempers , for the indignation of good men ; contempt of inferiours ; thwarting of competitors ; enuie of compeeres ; vnderminings of counter-factionists ; iealousies of princes , &c. how many great mens hearts haue burst with the blasting frownes of a kings forehead ? nay , and which is a bedlam misery vpon the ambitious man ; hee is many times more grieued for an affront of some grand opposite ; because hee cannot haue his will of this or that man , that stands in his way ; or for the neglect of some expected complementall respect and obseruance , then pleased with all the other brauery and iollitie of his high roome . this is cleare in haman , though hee was encompassed and crowned with much vndeserued and extraordinarie precedency and pompe ; yet this one little thing , to wit , because mordecai would not bow the knee , and doe reuerence vnto him at the kings gate , did vtterly marre and dissweeten all the other excellencies and extraordinarinesse of the kings fauour : see hester , chap. . vers. , , , . and haman told his friends and wife of the glory of his riches , &c. but all this , saith hee , doth nothing auaile me , as long as i see mordecai the iew sitting at the kings gate . . the third is an eternall sting , which to a waking and working conscience ariseth out of a serious consideration , and sence of gods causefull , iust and holy indignation reuealed in his booke against impenitents in such kindes . whereupon it is no maruaile , though many times their hearts hating to bee reformed , and hearing their seuerall doomes denounced against them from gods owne mouth , in that word , by which they shall be iudged at the last day , be full sorely smitten with inward bitter gripings , and secret guilty stings , the very hellish flashings and foretasts of that neuer-dying worme , which hereafter without timely repentance , will gnaw vpon their consciences with full rage and vnquenchable horrour world without end . the worldling therefore may iustly tremble and roare when he reades that cutting commination , iam. . , . goe to now , ye rich men , weepe and howle for your miseries that shall come vpon you . your riches are corrupted , and your garments moth ▪ eaten : your gold and siluer is cankered , and the rust of them shall bee a witnesse against you , and shall eate your flesh as it were fire : ye haue heaped treasure together for the last dayes . the wanton , when he well weighs that flaming place , heb. . . so full of vengeance against him : but whoremongers and adulterers god will iudge . the drunkard , when hee finds himselfe in the cursed catalogue of that damned crue , . cor. . . be not deceiued , neither fornicators , nor idolaters , — nor drunkards , &c. shall inherit the kingdome of god. the ambitionist , when he casts his eye from the top of his vsurped honours , vpon that dreadful a downefall , obadiah . though thou exalt thy selfe as an eagle , and though thou set thy nest among the starres , thence i will bring thee downe , saith the lord. but now on the other side , spirituall ioy , which springs out of the wells of saluation , and is a ray and representation , as it were , of the sunne of righteousnesse , and that eternall fountaine of soundest and lasting comfort , is all sweete , pure , shining , calme , hearty , vnspeakeable , vtterly free from those fore-grumblings and reluctations of conscience ; enuenomed mixtures and slauish apprehensions ; after-repentings , stings and melancholike dumps : though it may be assaulted , and something dimmed with some doubts , distrusts and weakenesse of degree , by reason of our vnglorified state of mortalitie ; yet in respect of its creation , substance , truth , and blissefull issue , it is a very glimpse of heauenly glory , a pure taste of the riuers of life , and first fruits of euerlasting ioyes . thus the blessing of the lord maketh the heart spiritually merry with incomparable sweetnesse , and he addeth no sorrow with it . . of dignitie and diuine temper . carnall ioyes haue for their foundation the fading arme of flesh , and the fashion of this world , fraile and fleeting as themselues : earthly power and policie for their prop and support : for their obiect , the garbage of the earth , gold and siluer , foode for swinish worldlings ; noble captiuities , guilded fetters , i meane , vndeserued dignities , honours , offices , greatnesse , and high roomes , the onely ayme of ambitious shebnaes ; the filth and froth of brutish pleasures , fewell for sodomiticall flames , and such like trash , pelfe , and vanity : for their companions , feares , iealousies , guilty gripings : the sences for their seate : time for their limit : for their end , endlesse griefe and horrour of heart : for all earthly pleasure determines in heauinesse , as the sunne sets in darknesse . but now on the other side ; spirituall ioy is the blessed spirits sweet and louely babe , grounded vpon the sure couenant of euerlasting loue , mercie , and peace in iesus christ : the matter of it , is the light a of gods countenance , the garments of saluation , the precious robe of christs righteousnesse , interest in his dearest blood , and all the rich purchases of his passion ; looking vpon our names in heauen through the glasse of sanctification , gods holy image renued vpon our soules , and the illustrious beames of heauenly graces shed from the throne of grace & shining there ; euery sweet promise in his blessed booke : in a word , iehoua , isa. . . habakkuk . . . phil. . and that glorious name proclaimed , exod. . , . a well-spring of vnspeakable refreshing to euery truely broken and bleeding heart ; being well opened by a feeling and a fruitfull meditation : for measure , it is immeasurable , without bound or stint , and passeth all vnderstanding , no stranger doth intermeddle with it , neither can any man possibly conceiue it but he that enioyes it . it is , as it were , the amiable splendour and sparkle of that white stone in the reuelation , chap. . . which only shines vpon heauenly hearts , with delight vnspeakable & glorious : for seate and certainty ; it is engrauen by the finger of god with an heauenly sun-beame , as it were , shining from the face of christ in the very center of the heart ; which not all the powers of darknesse or hellish mists can finally dimme or dispell ; the world neither giue nor take from vs , neither man , nor deuill , nor shadow of death euer raze or roote out . it is honoured with that supernaturall singularitie and sacred temper , that vtterly against nature & all naturall possibilitie , it extracts sweetnesse and life out of ordinary causes of deiection and sinking . troubles , persecutions , and reproaches , doe fortifie it , and serue as fewell to enlarge its lightsomnesse . see act. . . & . . acts and monum pag. . where the glorious martyr woodman speakes thus : when i haue been in prison , wearing otherwhile bolts , otherwhiles shackles , otherwhile lying on the bare ground , somtime sitting in the stocks , sometimes bound with cords , that all my body hath been swolne ; much like to be ouercome for the paine that hath been in my flesh ; sometime faine to lye without in the woods and fields , wandring to and fro ; few , i say , that durst to keepe my company , for●…feare of the rulers ; sometime brought before the iustices , sheriffes , lords , doctors , and bishops ; sometime called dogge , sometime deuill , heretike , whoremonger , traytor , thiefe , deceiuer , with diuers other such like : yea , and euen they that did eate of my bread , that should haue been most my friends by nature , haue betrayed me●… : yet for all this , i praise my lord god , that hath separated mee from my mothers wombe ; all this that hath happened to me , hath beene easie , light , and most delectable and ioyfull of any treasure that euer i possessed . for duration , it is a very glimpse of heauenly glory , which springing vp in a sanctified heart , out of the wells of saluation , and carried along with addition of the fresh comforts , from the word and sacraments , thorow a fruitfull current and course of a christian life , is at last entertained into the boundlesse and bottomlesse ocean of the endlesse ioyes of heauen . . of vnconquerablenesse against all created 〈◊〉 and assaults of earthly discomforts . an o●…ce of sorrow 〈◊〉 a whole sea of worldly mirth . the boisterousnesse and brauery of all carnall ioy vanisheth quite away , and expires euen as a flowre when the heate riseth that is sent vpon it , vpon the very first approach or presence of any either outward trouble , or inward terror . a prick of a needle , much more a pang of the stone , or fit of the gout , is able to depriue a man of the pleasure of the worlds monarchy . one serious thought of death , or the sight of one finne armed with gods anger , will put the proudest ni●…rod , the greediest engrosser of all earthly delights , into belshazzars shiuering . but now let the christian , whose heart is sweetly reposed vpon the rocke of eternity , be vtterly stript of all outward comforts ; let heauy accidents fall vpon him as thicke , as one waue in the necke of another ; which befell blessed iob : yet he is still where hee was ; he hath made god his portion , his onely iewell and ioy which he hath in heauen , or on earth ; his heart is fixed , trusting in the lord ; and therefore when all earthly stayes and staues of reede , shrinke in the wetting , and are shattered to nothing , he cleaues with an vnshaken and triumphant tranquillitie of minde to his sunne and shield , psal. . . to his light and life ▪ ioh. . . to his strong tower of defence , and exceeding great reward , gen. . . heare his sweete and noble resolution in this case , hab. . , . although the figtree shall not blossome , neither shall fruit be in the vines : the labour of the oliue shall faile , and the fields shall yeeld no meate , the flocke shall be cut off from the fold , and there shall bee no herd in the stalles : yet i will reioyce in the lord : i will ioy in the god of my saluation . while iehoua is in heauen , his heart is in the hauen , though neuer so many stormes or tempests of the troublesome sea of this world beate vpon his house of clay . rob him of all earthly refreshments and lightsomnesse of this life , and let but the light of gods countenance shine vpon him , which no darknesse ▪ nor dungeon , nor deuill in hell can intercept ; and he is incomparably more merry , then the worlds choisest minion , pleasures dearest fauourite , or the brauest belshazzar vpon earth , in the very top and ruffe of his most iouiall reuellings , and swaggering sensuality . but it is not so with the earthly-minded man : for howsoeuer he may digest with reasonable patience , and carry well enough away , all crosses and contradictions to his other worldly comforts , while he doth yet wallow without interruption and disquiet in the sinfull pleasures of that selected way of death , vpon which the more headstrong current of his corrupt nature hath cast him ; and the naturall bent of his carnall affections hath singled ou●… , and made speciall choise of , to follow and feede vpon with greatest delight ; which the fathers call peccatum in delicij●… , a mans bosome sinne ; yet cut him once short of the free and full enioyment of this his sensuall idoll , and earthly god , and you kill his heart quite , and plunge him presently into desperate distractions . for instance : the couetous man , while his heart may nessle securely vpon his golden heape , will passe by without any great wound or passion , the curses of the poore , the grumblings of his conscience , the comminations of the ministry , the cry of the whole country against his oppressions , vsury , sacrilege , and sinfull wayes of hoarding . when hee comes home , and finds his bags and bonds safe ; he blesseth himselfe in his heart against all threatned iudgements , horrors , curses , confusions . thogh iesus christ himselfe should preach and presse them vpon him , luke . . with his golden wedge hee easily cuts asunder all scruples , doubts , exceptions , reasons , arguments , obiections , which any wayes oppose his couetous and cruell courses . hee pleases and applaudes himselfe against all censures , and contradictions whatsoeuer to the contrary . but let gods angry hand in his iust iùdgement , by fire , robbery , or some secret consumption , snatch away his wealth ; and he is likely enough to goe out of his wits , and in great hazard of hanging himselfe . while the ambitious man is proudly mounted , fits fast vpon the seate of honour , and is idolized , as it were , and adored aboue others ; hee can easily enough ouerlooke with an imperious disdaine , the indignation of good men , emulation of great ones , the reproaches of the multitude , and all other petty and priuate crosses : but throw him downe from his high place ; turne him out of his offices and honours ; and how weary is he of the world ? how ir●…esome to himselfe ? how prodigall of his life ? how impatient of the company of men ? while the wanton wallowes in the brutish pleasures of his abominable filth ; hee beares well enough away the weakening of his bodie , the wasting of his goods , the shame of his sinne , losse of friends , staine of reputation : but beate him backe , and b●…rie him from the house of the strange woman , and you breake his heart ; banish him from his minion , and hee is ready to make away himselfe . woe , sorrow , contentions , wounds without cause , rednesse of eyes , vndoing of wife and children , houting at in the streets , will well enough downe with the d●…unkard ; while hee may domineere vpon the ale-bench : but cut off the new wine and strong drinke from his mouth ; crosse him in his swaggering course ; confine him from his good-fellow meetings , and you take away the very life of his life . thus euery vnregenerate man secures himselfe in some one sensuall hold or other , wherein the crowne of his carnall ioy consists ; of which bereaue him , and you shall leaue him ioylesse , heartlesse , hopelesse , and helpelesse . but take from the true christian , if it were possible , both heauen and earth , and all the creatures and comforts of both ; yet you cannot take away his ioy . god is the strength of his heart , and his portion for euer ▪ surely he shall neuer bee mooued : his heart is fixed and beleeueth in the lord. which sith it is so , that spirituall ioy is such an vnualuable iewell , and carnall so cursed a vanity ; let euery christian bee exceedingly carefull , not to suffer the froth and filth of this , to staine or lessen the glory and sweetnesse of the other . but if he once perceiue any company or kind of recreation begin to steale away his heart from communion and comfort in his god ; let him abandon it as a canker and cut-throate of his spirituall happinesse ; and euer prize and preferre the ioy of the soule , delights of grace ▪ refreshings of the holy ghost , infinitely before all worldly pleasures , carnall contentments , ease , or any earthly thing . thus much of recreations . ii. let me adde a word or two of visitations . for complementall visitations of vnsanctified great ones , without iust occasion and a warrantable calling ; besides , sinfull expence of precious time , are many times vnhappy occasions to embarke , especially yeelding natures , in some base and scand●…lous businesses ; and to entangle them in those wicked seruices , or some vncomfortable inconuenience ; which afterward in cold blood wofully wound their consciences , and perhaps much weaken their christian reputations . iehosaph●…t may serue as a remarkeable instance for this purpose . vpon a time , hee came downe to see ahab king of israel , by way of courtly visitation . and though hee was equall vnto him in the crowned maiestie of a king , and a good man ; yet traines and insinuations by royall entertainments , and a princely feast premised , as it appeares in the storie , hee was cunningly c●…tcht and cast into the confederation and societie of an vnhappy warre : whereby with a dishonourable precipitation , he plunged himselfe both into spirituall miseries , and temporall mischiefe , both hurt his conscience , and hazarded his life . for the first , . hee suddainely and rashly promised aide vnto ahab , whom the lord hated , before hee knew gods will in the point from the mouth of the prophet . . when faithfull michaiah had deliuered the truth , and acquainted them with the minde of god ; he notwithstanding went on with the businesse . . he did not appeare on the prophets side , and in his defence , against the imperious insolency of that false flattering zedechiah ; or the mercilesse tyrannie of ahab ; who sent him to prison for telling him the truth . foule aspersions vpon so famous a king ! for the second , by the cruell cunning of hollow-hearted ahab , hee exposed himselfe both to the en-eagred and concurrent fury of the whole syrian armie ; ( onely vpon a penitent eiaculation , his life was rescued miraculously from that extremest danger ) and also to the wrath of god , for helping the vngodly , and louing them that hared the lord as the prophet told him , . chron. . . mistake me not : i purpose not in this passage to censure or disgrace any warrantable ceremonie & solemnities of state ; mutuall entercourse of noble deportment amongst compeeres ; ciuill exchange of faire & amiable behauiour one towards another ; any charitable offices of humanity , or christian passages of courtesie and loue : but the idle , formall , flattering vanities , hypocrisies , disguisements of those many needlesse , fruitlesse and endlesse salutations , complements , visitations , entertainments , affected and acted by such vaine people , who are extremely troubled how to be rid of time . a commoditie of high account with all those , who are sensible and mindfull of their last account : euery moment whereof ought in the meane time to bee crowned with fruitfull improuement , by all those that truely feare god. i could wish that a gracious concurrence of goodnesse and greatnesse , true noblenesse indeede , where god himselfe is top of the kinne , and religion the roote ; ( a in respect whereof those other : by birth , by riches , by meere morall vertue , by valour , by learning , by fauour of princes , are but shadowes and shapes of noblenesse ) were honoured with all due attributions , highest respect , and best obseruance . in such a case it is not vncomely for paul , to trauaile from arabia to ierusalem to visit peter , galat. . or the queene of the south , from the vttermost parts of the earth , to see salomon , . kings . . but i would not haue glistering folly , guilded rottennesse , sacrificed vnto with so much flatterie and counterfeit crouching . for why should silken dung bee so adored , and golden damnation deified ? now the reasons why such visitations , as well as recreations may many times prooue snares to entangle vs in sinne , damps to dull our forwardnesse ; or one way or other breede and bring vpon vs some spirituall miseries , are such as these : . great men without grace , ordinarily make vse of all others for their owne aduantage . with an imperious policie and a kinde of machiauelian alchymy , they secretly and inuisibly conuert , dispose and manage the agency , abilities , and seruiceablenesse of their followers , visitants , adherents and dependants , to serue their owne turnes , to feede their humours , further their priuate ends of profit , pleasure , rising , reputation , or some other choise carnall contentment and predominant worldly delight . they haue their portion in this life , and their heauen here ; therefore they labour to make their earthly paradise as full of pleasures , as possibly they can . their owne sensuall couetous and ambitious hearts are the centers , wherein the lines and leuell of all their plots , policies , and proiects doe concurre , and meete ; and to which they conduct and direct the officiousnesse , pliablenesse , and seuerall seruices of all those with whom they hold any kinde of correspondence or entercourse . . such exercises of courtly vanities , sleeuelesse errands , idle businesse , are satans chiefest and choysest seasons for the suggestion of temptations , and too successefull discharge of his fiery darts . hee hath ordinarily more power ouer men , and is much likelier to preuaile , when he findes them idle or ill occupied ; then when they are busied with humblenesse and sinceritie in religious duties , or the necessarie workes of a lawfull calling . in our best and holyest imploiments hee is indeed most eager against vs ; but at times of idlenesse and exercises of vanity , hee is commonly most successefull . in gods businesses , the honest executions of our calling , and seasonable christian recreations , we may expect vpon good ground , and with hopefull comfort , gods protection , the ordinarie assistance of his blessed spirit ; harmlesnesse from the creatures ; satans restraint ; some good measure of mortifying helpe against the rebellious stirrings of our owne corruptions , and such other blessings promised in such cases . but if men will needs be idle or imployed in vanity , they iustly bereaue themselues of all these comfortable protections and priuiledges . for it is iust with god , at such times that hee should withdraw from them his owne protecting hand , restraine the gracious influences of that holy spirit , and let loose against them with indignation , satan , the creatures , and their owne corruptions , which is a very grieuous cut to a tender and waking conscience . . the presence and protestations , the intimations and motions of men in high place , mingled with an affected familiar communication of themselues , and plausible neglect of all formall solemnities & austerities of state , vpon purpose to insinuate sooner , and more suttlely ; are many times very potent to preuaile with , and perswade especially inferiours . for they are apt when they are so assaulted : . to conceiue themselues highly honoured , when those condescend and vouchsafe to intreate and be beholding , who might in other cases command , nay , and perhaps vpon a point of aduantage , and pang of displeasure , quite crush and cashier them . . to hold it a conuenient policy in these dayes of the raigne of iniquity and selfe-loue , when iudgement is turned backward , and iustice stands a farre off ; when truth is falne in the street , and equitie cannot goe , as the prophet speakes , to gratifie and demerit such mighty ones , as may shelter and protect them from all stormes of violence , oppressions and wrong ; nay and perhaps , by their countenance procure them a great deale of credit and esteeme ; if not obseruance and awfulnesse from those amongst whom they liue . . to call to mind out of too many wofull experiences , that in the frownes and angry foreheads of great men , are infolded many times many secret complots of cunning cruelty , and plausible malice : which when time serues , fall full heauy vpon the hearts and heads of inferiours , which are not in all poinis pliable to their humours . and out of such carnall considerations as these , by a rash vnaduised yeeldingnesse , they too often plunge themselues hand ouer head into vnworthy engagements , and become instruments of ill offices ; the basenesse and iniquitie whereof doth afterward in cold blood strike full cold vnto their hearts ; and leaues a gash and grieuous wound in their consciences , comforts and christian reputations . . at such entertainments and tables of great men , not friends to the truth ; thou wilt be ready to vomit thy morsels , and shalt loose thy sweet words . thy dainty fare may bee sawced perhaps with many bitter girds , much rotten talke , a enforced healths , if not empoisoned with blasphemies , obscenities and horrible oathes . thy musicke wil be merry lies , fained iests , scofs & scurrilities , against gods best seruants , and the kings best subiects ; commonly calumniated as pestilent fellowes . for so the church complaines , lam. . . i am their musicke . few feasts , where the founder is not gods friend ; but after his good-fellow guests bee well heated with variety of dishes , and strong drinke ; as their faces b are inflamed with fiery reflections one from another , so their hearts will be enraged with mutuall infection of furious malice , to belch out most prodigious dunghill villanous lies hammered by the very foulest fiend in the darkest nooke of hell , against those that are true of heart : lord , thou knowest ! the complementall formes and flourishes of thy welcome , may prooue as a pitfall to plunge thee into some dishonourable imployment , or one way or other to betray thee to an vncomfortable entanglement of thy conscience . so that if thy generous spirit will nobly rise against such froth and folly , ribaldry and railing , the vnworthy degenerations of these worst times ; if it bee sensible of gods dishonour , the disgrace of the saints , and thine owne danger ; thou canst not choose but be wearie of such good cheere . nay , besides the resolution of thy iudgement , that in such a case thou wouldest farre rather haue stayed at home with a dinner of greene hearbs , then to haue thine eares so grated , and heart grieued all the while at a great table ; euen in nature thou shalt fare worse . for thy iust indignation , discontentment and sadnesse vpon such ground , will naturally contract thine heart , thicken thy blood , chill thy spirits ; that naturall heare will faint and faile in the ordinary current and course of concoction . no maruaile then though thou be readier to vomit thy morsels , then to reioyce in those high entertainments or variety of messes , which are dissweetened with such distastfull and bitter mixtures . and thou shalt loose thy sweet words : both of humanity , and christianity . for the first ; out of the ingenuous simplicitie and honesty of thy heart , thou wilt returne reall , sincere , affectionate demonstrations of thankfulnesse , for meere dissembled formall ceremonies of entertainment and welcome . for the other ; thou shalt be so farre from finding a free and comfortable vent and entertainment to any good talke ; that if thou meddle that way , thou marrest all the mirth . mention of heauenly things , our last account , the life to come , iudgements against sinne , priuiledges of the saints , happinesse of the holy ones , &c. which might sweetly season , and as it were , sanctifie their meeting , and those good creatures of god they so plentifully enioy ; would presently cast all the company into dumps of melancholy . the word of god , writ vpon the wall in the very height and ruffe of their greatest iollitie and reuelling , did make the heart , ioynts and knees of that mighty king belshazzer to tremble , as the leaues of the forrest when they are shaken with the winde . how often may we obserue many goodly and gracious discourses buried in the bosomes of men of vnderstanding and worth , placed below , by reason of the domineering talkatiuenesse , and imperious ignorance of some silken idoll sitting at the head of the table ? horses , and hounds & hawks , deuoure full often and eate vp not onely spirituall and holy , but euen all morall and manly talke . for the more conuenient declining and preuention of any ensnarement and inconuenience in this kinde ; let mee commend to the christian such cautions and considerations as these : . euer before thou enter out of thy doores , vpon any occasion , businesse , iourney , visitation ; weigh well with due deliberation , in the ballance of an holy wisedome , all circumstances , concurrents , company , probabilitie of all euents , and consequents on both sides ; of staying at home , or going abroad ; visiting this or that friend ; vndertaking that or the other businesse ; and euer constantly encline and resolue that way ; which in all likelyhood will bring most glory vnto god , good vnto others , and comfort vnto thine owne conscience . let it onely bee the sinfull libertie of hopelesse worldlings , to waste their time and labour ; ( for the needlesse expence of euery moment of the one , and motion of the other , they must very shortly be full dearely accountable at gods strict tribunall ) in those impertinent vagaries and idle visitations , which haue no other motiue , but a desire to be rid of time , and to feede a gadding and restlesse humor ; no other end , but vanity or vaine-glorie ; no issue , but temptation , and greater disabilitie to good duties . but let euery wisely resolute and truly iudicious christian disdaine , howsoeuer worldly wisdome deride it , to step ouer his threshold without a warrantable calling , aime at some honest end , probable foresight of some good to come thereon , honour to god , furtherance of some good cause , good vnto our brethren , discharge of some dutie of our calling , performance of christian offices , of charitie , humanitie , naturall affection , mutuall comforting , confirming , refreshing , and building vp one another in our most holy faith , and the like . otherwise hee shall bee in great danger to returne home farre worse , then when he went out ; laden both with more personall guiltinesse , and accessarinesse to others sinne ; bleeding with some fresh bruise of conscience , by falling scandalously , or failing in some christian dutie ; growne into a further disacquaintance and estrangement from god ; deepelier sunke , perhaps , into some sinfull societie , and sensuall conformities with men of this world. some actions , i confesse , and vndertakings in their owne nature , and in respect of the obiect , a as the schoole ▪ men speake , are indifferent : but cloathed with circumstances , and indiuiduated by the actuall working of a particular agent , are not so , but necessarily become morally good or euill , to the doer . and therefore the assertion of b catarinus in the councell of trent , to this purpose , was consonant to the opinion of the greater part of the c schoolemen : euery particular action , said he , is good or euill , neither is there to bee found any one indifferent : he meanes in the singular and actuall existence ; in the generall there may . recreation is of it selfe , and in its owne nature indifferent ; but drawne into existence and exercise , put in practise , and putting on circumstances , it will euer become vnto thee either sinfull , or sanctified . if rectified by such rules as i haue formerly deliuered for that purpose ; it may proue comfortable , but staind with prophane company , a sensuall end , immoderate delight , no necessitie in respect of weariednesse of bodie , or tirednesse of minde , vaine expence of precious time due to holy duties , or discharge of our calling , it may proue cursed . it is so also in the present point of visitations . . although the apostle , . cor. . . in these words ; and ye be disposed to goe ] seemes to intimate , that it is not vtterly and absolutely vnlawfull vpon any occasion for a christian , especially if inuited , to visit an irreligious man ; yet let none who desires to preserue peace at home in his owne bosome , presume hereupon to plunge himselfe hand ouer-head into any vnwarrantable engagements and correspondencies with worldly men ; or build hence a licentious conceit of any allowance to communicate himselfe promiscuously with familiarity or content , either by way of inuitation or visitation to all commers , all company . it is a foule signe of a false heart , and a fellow , that at length will certainely fall away ; to expect , entertaine , and enioy with equall patience and delight the worlds fauourites , and gods friends : to bee as open-hearted , open-handed , and open-housed to a good-fellow , as to a gracious man. euery true-hearted nathaneel rightly informed , and well aduised , cannot chuse but apprehend , acknowledge and feele a vast and vnualuable difference , betweene the sweete heauenly communion , and confident communication of heart-secrets with faithfull fruitfull christians ; and the irkesome intrusions , vexing vaine-glorious tediousnesse , and frothy conferences of carnall men . if any of gods children therefore , at any time be disposed to take any allowance and encouragement from this place , to inuite , or visit knowne enemies to the puritie of religion , or power of godlinesse ; let him cast his eye also vpon those cases and cautions , which may make it comfortable . they are such as these : . their saluation . . thine owne safety . . for the first , bee sure to propose vnto thy selfe their spirituall good , as thine onely aime , or at least , principall end ; and in the sinceritie and singlenesse of thine heart , to seeke indeed the saluation of their soules . wee haue christ iesus himselfe a precedent in this case , matth. . , , . hee suffered with patience , publicans and sinners to presse into his company , and did eate and drinke with them , vpon purpose , to heale their soules , and helpe them out of hell. but his pure and sacred soule was endowed with an infinite impossibilitie of receiuing any touch , or tainture from those wicked ones , with whom hee conuersed ; whereas , wormes and wretches that we are ! if we watch not extraordinarily , and stand stoutly vpon our guard , wee are farre likelier to be peruerted by them , then they conuerted by vs : and therefore at such times it concernes vs much , to recollect and quicken vp all the powers of our soules , and spirituall forces , with speciall addresse and resolution to preserue and vindicate , all we can , the honour , truth , and seruants of god from all staine , disparagement and vnworthy censure . let vs labour and looke to bring as much wisdome and courage , to confront and countermine ; as the deuils proctors , cunning and malice , to vndermine & affront the kingdome of christ iesus , and glory of christianitie . it is lawfull and laudable for the phisicions of the bodie , to visit sometimes such patients , as are infected with contagious diseases , to cure and recouer them : so that according to the rules of their art , they arme themselues with preseruatiues and counterpoysons , to preuent & repell the noysomnes of the aire , and noxious vapors : so it may not prooue vnseasonable for spiritual physicions , to be drawn sometimes out of a desire of doing good , into the company of those , who are wofully ouerrun with the leprosie of sinne , and haue , as it were , the plague-sore of scandalous life running vpon them ; so that they bee fore-armed with prayer , premeditation , watchfulnesse , &c. to purifie and preserue their owne soules from spirituall infection . . secondly , in case of thine owne safetie ; but so , that in so doing , thy sincere heart be not conscious vnto it selfe , of slauish distrust , false feares , preiudice of gods prouidence , reliance vpon the arme of flesh , &c. but that it apprehend and approoue vpon good ground , and out of an holy wisdome , the present occasion , whether of inuitation or visitation , as a comfortable meanes offered by gods good hand to mitigate the malice , and mollifie the hearts of those which might doe thee a mischiefe . it was the saying of a wise man , that he would rather haue a dogge to fawne vpon him , then barke at him ; and barke at him onely , then bite him . whereby hee intimated thus much , as i conceiued ; that gods children should not out of an austere , sowre , vnwarrantable retirednesse , exasperate and enrage vnnecessarily the too much already alienated affections of the contrary-minded ; but so farre as they may , without wound of conscience , staine of their innocencie , or imputation of spirituall cowardlinesse , obserue them with such common offices of humanitie , which may dis-infierce and keepe them , if not hearty friends , yet at least ( which in these corruptest and angry times we hold a degree of happinesse ) moderate and ingenuous enemies . isaac may be an instance in this second case , who for a more confident securing of himselfe , and comfortable settling of his peace , inuited abimelech and his followers to a feast , gen. . . to the same purpose , iacob sent a present to esau , genes . . . and promised to visit him at seir , genes . . . but now at such times , and in such company , thou hadst need put on a great deale of courage and patience , wisedome and watchfulnesse ; and warily decline two obuious errours , & dangerous extremes ; furious zeale , and saint-hearted silence ; of which see before , pag. . . doe not so distaine thy worth and worthy hopes ; discouer not such extreme weakenesse and true basenesse of minde : resemble not so neere the fearefull folly of obnoxious and vaine-glorious worldlings ; as to suffer the eye and excellencie of thine heauenly spirit , to be any whit dazeled or dulled with formall affected glistering of outward glory ; as to hunt with fawning terrour , after the transitory fauour of worldly greatnesse , to adore worthlesse magnificoes , and the worlds minions with vndeserued flattering attributions ; and with ambitious affectation , to contend for their countenance and vncomfortable correspondence with them . the greatest man without vertue and grace , though neuer so gloriously enriched with humane felicities , is but as a dead carkasse hung ouer with iewels ; a very spectacle of commiseration , to euery spirituall eye ; euen as that body is , which adorned with a goodly feature , and many other admirable beauties , yet wanteth eye-sight , the comfort of life ; whereby it walkes in perpetuall darkenesse and desperate danger . goodnesse , though attended with contempt and disgrace , is incomparably more amiable in the eye of an honest cato ; much more of an holy christian , then all the vaine-glorious boisterous representations of any greatnesse or pompe . memorable and remarkable to this purpose , was the magnanimitie and resolution of that holy prophet , . kings . . as the lord of hosts liueth , before whom i stand , surely were it not that i regard the presence of iehoshaphat the king of iudah , i would not looke toward thee , nor see thee . miserable then is the vanity and vaine-glorious slauery of such as with great eagernesse and impotency hunt so ambitiously after high dependances , and hold it a strange happinesse to insinuate into the bosome of the worlds fauourites ; though it be by basenesse , bribery , an vniuersall obsequiousnesse , and vile accommodations . they , many times with vaunting intimation also to others , proudly applaud and please themselues for their accesse , countenance , and entertainement with great men ; as though it argued in them some rare extraordinary sufficiencie and worth : when as perhaps it is their owne flattering insinuations and intrusion ; their instrumentall agencie and imployment in some ill offices , lewd seruices , which brings them into such request and acceptation . but let such know , it is a thousand times more comfort and true credit to be receiued with christian loue and armes of grace , into the heart and affections of a good man ; then to be entertained with greatest brauery and worldly applause , into grace and fauour with the greatest gracelesse one vpon earth . for alas , when a man hath done all he can to please the humours of vngodly great ones , by an vnconscionable satisfaction of their carnall desires ; and to gratifie them , hath vnhappily grieued his owne conscience ; hee can at last , when gods dreadfull visitation and flaming vengeance shall seize vpon him for that sinne , looke for no better reward and reply , than that cold comfort and cutting answere , which iudas in the extremity of his anguish and horrour receiued from the high priests and elders , matth. . . that cursed man came vnto them , ready , out of the rage of his vexed conscience , to teare his traiterous heart out of his body with his own bloody hands , and threw the thirty pieces of siluer amongst them , and cryed out , i haue sinned , in that i haue betrayed the innocent blood . but what recompence doe they returne for his imployment in villany , to serue their turne ? their reply is , what is that to vs ? see thou to that . and such a man shall certainely in the day of distresse , bee enforced to take vp some rufull complaint , proportionable to wolseyes heauy groane ; had i beene as carefull to serue the god of heauen , as my great master on earth , he had neuer left me in my gray haires . and wee see in the meane time , fauour is deceitfull and transitory euen in priuate men ; much more in great personages : the volubility of whose nature is soone glutted ; and very variable for kinds of satisfaction . a thousand experiences in all stories and times teach vs ; how irregular , and many times retrograde the reuolutions of highest fauours runne . they haue their paroxysmes and declinations , and euer at length their most certaine expiration and euerlasting period . but on the other side , consciousnesse of hauing held an vnfained fruitfull correspondence and communion with gods people ; the onely excellent ones , by all neerest and dearest engagements and obligations of a profitable and comfortable fellowship in the gospell , and mutuall entercourse of godly conference , heauenly counsell , spirituall encouragements , consideration one of another , confirmation in grace , and well-grounded testification of meeting together in heauen , will incomparably more refresh the trembling heart of a dying man , than if he had been crowned all his life long , with the imperiall glory of all earthly kingdomes . and in the meane time there is nothing in this world to be admired , but the illustrious splendour of heauenly graces , shed and shining from gods mercifull throne , by his sanctifying spirit , into the soules of the saints . neither any thing so to bee desired , no such prerogatiue and paradise in this vale of teares ; as a mutuall communicating of their diuine brightnesse , and the sweete ioy issuing thence , a very glimpse and earnest of euerlasting glory , to the humble hearts one of another . . when thou visitest others , or thy selfe inuitest them ; take notice euer before-hand , with as punctuall and special suruey , as thou canst possibly ; of their humours , dispositions , carriages , opinions , and behauiours ; and thereupon premeditate and prepare conuenient and seasonable matter ; whereby thou maist more successefully addresse and apply thy selfe with all meekenesse of wisedome and patient discretion , to insinuate , interpose , argue , answere , reprooue , reply , and so demeane thy selfe in thy whole discourse , that through thy default , neither the glory of god , the honour of his truth , the reputation of christianitie , or thine owne conscience , receiue any indignitie , disgrace , diminution or wound . would christians take this counsell , hold this course ; they would at such times , not so often depart with spirituall discontent , and so smitten with consciousnesse afterward , of their silence , omissions , cowardlinesse , and vnprofitablenesse in company . for want of care and conscience in this point , countrey people meet many times in their conuenticles of goodfellowship , at ale-houses , bake-houses , gossippings , as they call them , &c. as at a common mart of tale-telling , back-byting , disgracing their neighbours , raging against professors , sawcily and vnseasonably medling with , and miscensuring other mens matters ; yea , and would you thinke it , sometimes euen highest mysteries of state ; reuiling the ministerie , especially if managed with manifestation of the spirit , and an holy impatiency , to see the deuill domineere and reuell it in the blood , of the peoples soules without contradiction . when they come together at such times , euery one opens his packe of tales ; for i haue told you heretofore , that a tale-bearer is compared to a a pedlar , as the word in the originall cleerely intimates , who hauing furnished himselfe , and filled his packe with variety of peddling and petty stuffes , trots vp and downe for vent from house to house , where he finds best custome and speall entertainement : i say , at such meetings , it is their manner to open euery one his packe of false and slanderous tales ; which they haue raked and scraped together by their owne malicious surmises , listnings , whisperings , pragmaticall inquisitiuenesse into other mens businesses , or some odde idle intilligencers , whom they entertaine for that purpose ; and there , out of an itching humor of talkatiuenesse and tattling , they lay abroad such rotten wares , to the empoysoning of the eares of those that heare them , the defaming of their brethren farre better then themselues , and certaine remonstration to their owne consciences , that they are as yet the children of the deuill the father of lies and slanders , and haue of him already learned the very language of hell . were such meetings mingled and seasoned with gracious talke , ( and all our talke ought alwayes to be with grace , coloss. . . ) with holy conferences , and helping one another towards heauen ; with planting and preseruing christian loue , and kinde affections one towards another , it were an happy thing : but while there is nothing but ribald and rotten communication , sowing many times much seed of bitternesse and heart-burning against their brethren , in the earas of one another , and a cursed sacrifice , as it were , of spitefull and slanderous tongues , offered vp vnto satan ; such miserable meetings are fitter for pagans , then professors of religion ; for the consistory of hell , then for the communion of saints . neither are higher places and great feasts free from such froth and transcendent villanies of the tongue : because there the most hold it a point of precisenesse , to make conscience of their conference , say to themselues , our lips are our owne , who is lord ouer vs ? psal. . . labour more to furnish themselues before ▪ hand with complementall phrases , formes of flattery , flourishes of wit , variety of iests , and other vaine glorious ostentations of courtly ornaments , then with any one word of the word of god , world to come , or the way to heauen . they , i say , therefore , too often vnworthily dishonour such meetings with much vnnoble deportment in their discourse . besides other deformities and indignities , how seldome shall we finde great tables and solemne feasts , without that cursed musicke , mentioned , lament . . ? but oh , how infinitely vnworthy is it a man of honour and worth , to suffer with patience , any roguish fiddler , scurrill iester , or stigmaticall sonne of belial , to fall foule vpon those men , the truest nobles vpon earth , psal. . ! of whom , and the time is at hand , euen the proudest of them all , repenting and groning for anguish of spirit , will say , nay with hideous yellings roare out : these were they whom we had sometimes in derision , and a prouerbe of reproch . we fooles accounted their life madnesse , and their end to bee without honour : but how are they now numbred amongst the children of god , and their lot is among the saints ? therefore haue we erred from the way of truth , &c. where is now the brauery and pompe of our high places ? the earthly paradise of our dearest pleasures ? the rose buds , with which we crowned ourselues in the spring of our youth ? they are all withered , vanished , and come to nothing ; they are passed away like a shadow , as the remembrance of a guest that tarrieth but a day ; nay , as a poast that hasted by . thus much also of visitations . now , iii. concerning naturall actions , as meate , drinke , sleepe , &c. i shall not say much . for were it not , that through the course of nature , we wofully besot euen common sence , and infatuate our reason with sensuality and wilfull blindnesse ; euery man might be a rule vnto himselfe , for temperance , and moderation this way . hence that prouerbe hath its porbability , euery man is either a foole or a physicion . either he hath learnt by manifold experience , and obseruation of the state , exigency and ability of his owne body ; what seasons and proportions of such naturall helpes may bee fittest for his temperament and constitution ; or else hee is most vnworthy of that noble thing , an vnderstanding soule , which he beares in his bosome . for the first , gluttony , fulnesse of bread , one of sodoms sins ; which as the scholemen say out of a gregory , consists in these fiue points : . in an ouer-burning of nature with new matter , and more meate , before the perfection & period of concoction haue raised a kindly appetite . . in a curious hunting after costlinesse , variety and daintinesse of fare . . in a luxurious affectation of too much art , and exactnesse in dressing and preparing it . . in excesse and immoderation in respect of the quantity . . in a sensuall fury of the appetite after good cheere . i say , this vnmanly monster and tyrant of the belly , as chrysostome calls it , doth at this day raigne as generally , and cry as loud , as any sinne i can vpon the suddaine remember so little contradicted . ( and yet there are many foule and scarlet abominations , contempt of godlinesse , vnworthy comming to the sacrament , vsury , idlenesse , many hatefull baites and entisements to lust ; as nakednesse of brests and wrists , abhorred filth ! painted b faces , false c haire , monstrous fashions , &c. which are not taken to heart in any proportion to their execrablenesse ; against which , pulpits are too silent , and the times digest without any great remorse and reclamation . ) we lift vp our voices lowd against drunkennesse , and it is high time ; for it growes towards an high tide , and threatens , without timely & resolute opposition , a lamentable inundation to the whole kingdome . whereas his fellow foule fiend , gluttonous reuelling , eates vp gods creatures with abominable excesse , farre more vnobseruedly and vncensured ; and yet it is a worke of darkenesse , and damnes as well as drunkennesse . rom. . . gal. . . nay , and that more dangerously , because more insensibly . to preserue thee faire and free , not onely from wallowing in this beastly sinne , which is proper to belials , but euen from any touch and all appearance of it , take notice ; nay , to fire the most rauenous sensualist out of this swinish filth , let him also consider ; . first , that euen that sinfull superfluity , by which hee slayeth his owne body ( for by surfeting , saith the wise man , haue many perished ) might very comfortably reuiue the hungry faintings , and sustaine the languishing life of d many made of the same mould , and farre better then himselfe . so that , vpon the matter , there is , as it were , a double murder . how then are such good creatures of god sanctified by word and prayer , . tim. . . to such luxurious fratricides , vnmercifully mindlesse of iosephs afflictions ? or how doe they eate to the glory of god ? . cor. . . . whereas thou mightest enioy an actiue , able , healthfull , and lightsome e body ; which is an happinesse to bee prized aboue gold , riches , infinite wealth ; by thine intemperancy this way , thou fillest it with crudities , rheumes , obstructions , distillations , and many wofull f distempers . the paines of watching , and choller , and pangs of the belly , are with an insatiable man , saith the wise man. many a one complaines of his head , for sending downe so much rheume , the mother of all maladies . but the head might well answere as one saies wittily , desine fundere & ego desinam fluere : bee thou sober in powring downe , and i will bee sparing in dropping downe . doe not thou distemper with excesse , and i will distill lesse . the stomacke surcharged aboue the sphere of its actiuitie , as they say , and power of naturall heate , by immoderate cramming or heaping vpon it more meate , before the former bee concocted ; like a fire beginning to burne , loaden with greene wood , engenders many smoaky clouds , as it were , of raw superfluous fumes ; which ascending into the braine , and resolued by the coldnesse thereof , as vapours in the middle region of the aire , raine downe into the body abundance of rheume , the source of all sicknesses , distempers and diseases ; gowts , dropsies , aches , consumptions , palfies , and other innumerable maladies . as therefore thou wouldest not with a dram of swinish g pleasures purchase a pound of exquisite paine , rise still from the table with an appetite . . continuance of life , is a deare indulgence from god ▪ and to be highly prized ; both of the vnregenerate , that hee may yet repent and make his peace with god , before the pit of destruction hath shut her mouth irrecouerably vpon him ; and also of the christian , that hee may doe more nobly yet , make his election yet sure , with fuller conquest trampl●… vpon his bosome lust , and body of death ; grow into a neerer fellowship and communion with his god ; and looke backe vpon as much time as he can possibly get , spent sincerely in his seruice , before he looke his captaine christ iesus in the face ; who hath so dearely bought him , and will so gloriously crowne him . now this foule excesse and fulnesse of feeding robs vs of this iewell before our time , & shorteneth yet more our already short spanne of liuing in the world . he that dieteth himselfe , prolongeth his life , saith the wise man. therefore it followes by a consequence of contrariety ; he that is greedy vpon meates , puts a knife vnto his throate . whereupon , saith one , many by ouermuch eating , and continuall feasts , stifle nature , and choake vp themselues ; which had they fed coursely , or like gally slaues beene tied to an oare , might haue happily prolonged many faire yeeres . and a noble learned knight inquiring the cause of our short-l●…uednesse in these last times , in respect of former , renders such reasons as these : . the tender bringing vp of children , first fed and nourished with the milke of a strange dug ; an vnnaturall curiositie hauing taught all women ( but the begger ) to find out nurses , which necessitie onely ought to commend vnto them . . the hasty mariages in tender yeeres , wherein nature being but yet greene and growing , we rent from her and replant her branches , while her selfe hath not yet any roote sufficient to maintaine her owne top : and such halfe ripe seedes ( for the most part ) in their growing vp , wither in the bud , and waxe old euen in their infancy . . but aboue all things , the exceeding luxuriousnesse of this gluttonous age , wherein wee presse nature with ouer waighty burdens , and finding her strength defectiue , we take the worke out of her hands , and commit it to the artificiall helpe of sacke , tobacco , strong waters , hot spices , prouoking sawces , &c. as thou wouldest then , not abridge thy dayes , and be guiltie of thine owne vntimely death , doe not gormandize . . neuer any man giuen to his belly , did nobly in any kind , or euer performed any great worke ; but ordinarily prooues a swinish idle vnprofitable burden of the earth ; and hath his soule onely , as they say , for salt to keepe his body from putrefaction . the excellency and actiuitie of the soule is quiet dampt ; and vtterly disabled from all deepe and diuiner contemplations , from all noble atchieuements and imploiments of waight , by the burthensome fulnesse and a dulnesse of a gluttonous body . wee can neuer looke for great matters from that man , which better relisheth sweet sawces , then the sweetnesse of doing vertuously ; and hath a better palate then braine . all the greatest personages of the world , and those that haue excelled any way , either in managing affaires of kingdomes , warl●…ke exploites , heauenly , naturall , morall , or manuall skill , &c. haue been sober . euen amongst the very heathens , as cyrus , cesar , the romane curij and fabritij , more ennobled and renowned for their frugality , then famous victories . but now on the contrary , the most execrable monsters for villany , cruelty , luxury vnnaturall impuritie , that euer liued , haue been gluttons , as the b sodomites , c caligula , &c. as therefore thou wouldest not drowne , and dull the powers of thy soule in the sottishnesse of such dung-hill excesse : but haue them at command for the ready exercise and improuement of their best abilities , at time of need , and for a comfortable discharge of both thy callings ; eate moderately . sound sleepe commeth of moderate eating , saith the wiseman , he riseth earely , and his wits are with him ; to wit , able , actiue and strong for any vndertaking . for as the soule ought not with carking thoughtfulnesse , false feares , vnnecessarie deiection , to afflict and waste the body : so neither ought the body by any sensuall indulgence and intemperancy , to weaken and emasculate the soule : but both body and soule should serue one another in sobriety and moderation ; that the whole man may be more sufficiently and chearefully seruiceable to him that created both body and soule for that purpose . . the very heathens by the light of reason , did abominate with much morall indignation , the superfluous vanitie and curiosities of this swinish sinne . a bull , saith d seneca , will be fild with a pasture of a few acres : one forrest will suffice many elephants . but scarce the aire with all her fowle , the sea with all her fish , the earth with all her rootes and rich●…s , will satisfie the insatiable gut of a gluttonous epicure . and therefore , saith he , we may well ranke and reckon men giuen to the belly , amongst bruit beasts , not reasonable creatures ▪ nay , some of them not so much as amongst liuing creatures , but rather loathsome dead carrions . now in a second place , concerning excesse in drinke : it is not possible , that any who hath giuen his name to the purity and power of godlinesse , would plunge himself into the hatefull and abhorred dungeon of drunkennesse , which austin compares to the pit of hell. in steed therefore of pursuing this foule fiend , the proper familiar of the sonnes of belial , i will spend a word or two about healthing ; to which , perhaps , at sometimes , in some company , thou art tempted with much scornefull importunitie ; but after troubled in cold blood for hauing so conformed to the fashion of the world. and lest opposition to this exorbitant humour of the times , should be charged with too much precisenesse and noueltie ; i will onely at this time in this point , acquaint you with the iudgement , zeale and noble indignation of the ancient doctors , both of the east and west churches against it . many foule sinnes are there in these last and worst dayes , which elder times were exceedingly angry with , & all sacred learning abominates , and yet i know not how , are so transformed , and incorporated into the affections and approbation of the present times , that they rather go in the esteeme of the most , for honest recreations , gentlemen-like sports , tolerable trades , trifles not to be taken notice of ; prodigious impudencie ! then for workes of darkenesse , and satans seruices , as they are indeed . such as stage-playes , mixt dancing , dicing , officious lyes , painting of faces , false haire , vsury , healthing , &c. these and the like , are at this day so painted ouer with sensuall dawbing , and streines of wit ; so preualent in mens affections , so impatient of contradiction , so raging against any talke of reformation , and sheltered vnder the wings of good fellowship ; that the minister which meddles with them , shall twenty to one , be ipsofacto a ranke puritane . against the rest i haue vpon other occasions discharged the ordnance of antiquity : heare at this time what the fathers say against healthing . ambrose powers out himselfe in a mighty torrent of sacred eloquence , with much power and holy indignation against the healthers of his time ; as you may see in diuers chapters of his booke de helia , & iniuni●… : his . chapter is intituled , de potu ad equales calices ; of drinking healths . in the ▪ chapter he brings them in thus , in their swaggering humour : let vs drinke , say they , to the health of the emperour , and whosoeuer pledgeth not his health , let him be obnoxious and guiltie in point of deuotion . highest prophanenesse ! hatefull impietie ! shall an honest sober man , and faithfull subiect , who loues the king dearelier then his owne hearts blood , and would willingly both out of courage and conscience , powre it out if need required , for the preseruation of his person ; besides prayer for him in the house of god , and in his family makes conscience also of solliciting the throne of grace ordinarily twice or thrise a day in priuate , with heartinesse and feruency for chiefest and choisest blessings vpon his soule , body , gouernement , posteritie , &c. and if any conuenient and discontented thought offer it selfe , repells it as a diabolicall temptation ? i say ; shall such an one , onely because he dares not giue his name by reuelling , to that cursed catalogue of carnall condemned workes , gal. . . . pet. . . nor conforme to the exorbitant riotous humours of the time , lest he wound his conscience , and weaken his power to pray for him , bee questioned about his good intentions , and well-wishing to the king ? and shall a swaggering gallant empty many times of all reall worth , and truly noble parts ; onely audacious enough to expose the crowned maiesty of our earthly gods to cheapenesse and contempt , by an vnhallowed tossing the venerable name of soueraignty amongst his cups ; and in stead of praying , to which he is of a meere stranger , and holds it puritanicall , prouokes daily and hourely , and pulls downe , all hee can , gods fierce wrath both vpon king and kingdome , by his swearing , drinking , lying , whoring , &c. hos. . ▪ . i say ; shall hee bee the emperours onely friend ? whereupon the good father immediately after , ironica●…ly abominates such bedlam folly ; opiae deuotionis obsequium ! saith he ; a sweete peece of pious deuotion sure ! paul teacheth vs another lesson , . tim. . . that wee should pray for the health and saluation of kings . and therefore it was a wise speech of a great man ; by your leaue , i will pray for the kings health , and drinke for mine owne . great a basil also paints them out , and the fashion of his times , in his sermon of drunkennesse to this sence : b then growing to the heate , and height of their bouzing and banqueting , there comes me out a young man , not yet drunke , and brings vpon his shoulders a vessell of cooled wine ; and he , the drawer withdrawne , standing in the midst , doth deriue and conuey through seuerall crooked pipes , to all the good fellow guests , equall measure of drinke , and matter of drunkennesse . this is a new kinde of measure , saith he , where there is no measure of their measure ; that by equalitie of their cups , there be no grumbling amongst them , nor one deceiue or circumuent another in drinking . learned * austin in his sermons of auoiding drunkennes , pursues this luxurious vanitie and swaggering excesse in many zealous passages : amongst the rest , mee thinks these should moue . it is now come to this , c that at their feasts and banquetings , they laugh at those which can drinke lesse ; and blush not to adiure men by vnfriendly friendship , that they would take more drinke then is meete . d they blush not to swill oftentimes euen vntill they vomit , and to drinke by measure without measure . greater cups are prouided . they contend by a certaine law of drinking ; and hee that can ouercome , gets praise by his horrible sinne . e doe not adiure , do not vrge thy friend to drinke , but leaue him to himselfe to drinke as much as he please ; and if he will needes bee drunke , let him alone perish , and be not both damned . f beloued brethren , while i tell you these things , i free mine owne soule before god. whosoeuer disdaines to heare mee , and continues still in his h●…mour of drinking ; or to adiure and vrge others at their feasts , shall be full dearely answerable both for himselfe and them at the day of iudgement . and because , which is worse , euen some men of the church also , which ought to forbidit , euen they vrge others to drinke more then is expedient ; let them henceforward begin to amend themselues and reprooue others , &c. g aboue all , let mee intreate this at your hands , nay , i adiure you by the dreadfull day of iudgement , that as often as you mutually inuite one another , you would abominate and abandon from your banquets , as the very poyson of the deuill , that filthy custome by which men are woont either willingly or enforcedly to drinke by great measure without measure , &c. but those passages which are more punctuall to my purpose , are to bee found in the second sermon : wherein hee meetes with those ordinarie excuses , which they who are conquered , and conforme to the company and times , are woont to pretend . but they are woont to say , saith hee , h some great personage prest mee vnto it , and vrged mee to drinke more , and it was at the kings banquet , i could doe no other . austin answers , well , saith he , i if it come to this , that there it be said vnto thee ; either drinke , or die ; it were better thy sober body were slaine , then thy soule be damned for drunkennesse . secondly , saith hee ; k this is but a friuolous and false pretence for kings and great men , because by the mercies of god , they are christians , and wise , and sober , and feare god with all their heart ; if they see , that out of conscience thou stands out resolutely against that drunken custome ; although they seeme to be angry with thee for an houre , or so ; yet after , they will haue thee in great admiration , saying : what adoe wee had with him ? and with what threats and terrours , did we fright him , and yet could not possibly separate him from sobriety . for that god which sees , that for thy loue to him , thou wouldest not conforme to their drunken fashion , will giue thee fauour euen in their eyes , who seemed to perswade and presse thee to drinke more . take notice by the way , lest any causelesly please himselfe in any of the fore-cited passages ; because hee vseth not to health , vntill he be starke drunke : that not only those are to be esteemed drunkards , say diuines , who depriue themselues of reason and become brutish ; but also they who addict themselues to drinking , & powre in excessiuely , though their braine will beare it without any great alteration . and a dreadfull woe dogs them at the heeles , aswell as the grosse drunkard . isa. . . see also . pet. . . austin forbids both : l let no man be drunke , saith he , let no man at any feast presse another to drinke more then is fit . ierome also iumps with the former fathers against this noble vanitie . m it is an occasion , saith he , of accusation ; as if he should say , a meanes to insnare a man in a suspition of disloyalty , not to drink againe and againe when the king is named . but not onely the fathers by diuiner illumination ; but the very heathens also by naturall light condemned this custome . in that most magnificent feast of that mighty prince ahasuerus , there was a royall charge and command from the king himselfe , that none should be enforced to drinke , but euery one left to his owne liberty . and the drinking was , saith the text , according to the law , none did compell : for the king had appointed to all the officers of his house , that they should do according to euerie mans pleasure . ester . . nay , the very popish doctors , who in other cases allow some foule sinnes , which honest heathens did abominate , euen they despute against this sinne . lessius de iustitia & iure , in his question , vtrum sit peccatum prouocare ad aequales calices , & an fas sit respondere ? whether it bee a sinne to begin an health , and whether it be lawfull to pledge it ? besides other proofes and authorities ; n it is against reason , saith he : for neither reason , nor necessitie of nature , nor good health , nor the vigor of the minde , nor the alacritie of the senses , is made the rule of drinking ; but another mans belly , nay , the whole capacity of his belly , bowels , veines . thou maist fitlier terme these , as great basil calls them , botteles , barrels , very pipes , or rather sinckes , then men ; fellowes fit onely for the office of hog-heads , to receiue a great deale of wine , or rather to conuey it thorow their bodie , as thorow a sinke ; and so wickedly waste it . and it is a wonder , saith he , they do not in like manner make matches , and trie masteries also in eating , sleeping , &c. lastly , it is a contrary to distributiue iustice , saith the ciuilian : euen the b poet gybes at it : c cartwright , in the perusall of his conscience , and publication of his repentance to the whole world , cries out : it wounds me to thinke of my blasphemous oathes , vttered in passion and destemper : my disobedience to my parents , my excesse , my drinking of healths , &c. now in a third place , concerning sleepe , i haue little to say : no constant rules of and certaine measure can possibly be prescribed : because it is much diuersified , and necessarily receiues great variation by health and sicknesse ; by age ; by time of the yeere ; by emptinesse , or fulnesse of the body ; by variety of naturall constitutions : onely let mee counsell christians , who onely make conscience of expence of time , and are sensible of its preciousnesse expressed before , to take notice , that they may surfet and sinne in sleeping ; as well as in eating and drinking . that it ought only , as other of gods good creatures , to serue the strengthening and refreshing of our bodies ; not to satisfie ease , sloth , and a sluggish humour : and therefore to beware , and diligently to watch , lest that great deuourer and waster of time , rob and bereaue them of the very marrow and fat of time ; the flower , and first fruits , as it were , of the day , i meane , many precious and golden houres in the morning ; freshest , and fittest to conuerse most fruitfully with god , to examine our spirituall state , to offer vp an acceptable sacrifice of prayers and praises , to buckle fast vnto vs the christian armour , and to prepare with resolution and life , to hold a sweet and blessed communion with his holy maiestie all the day after . and let them often remember when they see the sunne vp before them , that saying of austin : it is an vncomely thing for a christian to haue the sun-beame finde him in bed : and if the sunne could speake , saith hee , it might say , i haue laboured more then thou , yesterday ; and yet i am risen , and thou art still at rest . for conclusion , let me aduise and forewarne with as great earnestnesse and heartinesse as i can possibly , all gods children , that as they tender and preferre infinitely a pure heart , an heauenly minde , that vnualuable iewell of a peaceable conscience , and that sweetest life , walking with their god , before a world of gold ; they would watch ouer themselues very extraordinarily , and with singular care and heedfulnesse , in the vse and enioyment of things lawfull in their owne nature ; yet by our corruption , capable of inordinatenesse and excesse , such as are meate , drinke , sleepe , apparell , marriage , visitations , recreations , &c. for moe , saith a worthy diuine , perish with preposterous following of lawfull things , then by vnlawfull courses . soft sands swallow moe ships , then hard rockes split asunder . how soeuer , sure i am , christians are in more danger of being spiritually vndone by a slie infinuation and ensnarement of licentiousnesse and immoderation in such lawfull things ; then by the grosse assault of foule sinnes , and temptations to doe notoriously . for , . a sanctified heart will generously rise , and resist with resolution against the inuasion and grieflinesse of any worke of darkenesse ; which by its enormity wastes the conscience ; as adultery , murther , swearing , prophaning of the lords day , vsury , bribery , speculatiue wantonnesse , idlenesse , &c. which it may too often be insensibly seized vpon , and surprized by an excessiue sinfull delight , in things vnsinfull in themselues ; yet empoysoned vnto vs , by the venome of our owne ouer-eager vnmortified affections . and that without any great remorse or reclamation . . wee finde too often by wofull experience , that some who hauing giuen their names to religion at first , with great forwardnesse and heate ; yet afterward not so much foild by grosse relapse into notorious sinnes ; as surfetting with licentious excesse , in the abuse of lawfull things , and drinking too deepe of worldly pleasures , vnder a colour of christian liberty and conuenient recreations , fall fearefully into a dead sleepe of carnall security , and cursed forgetting of god , at least , for a time , vntill they be reuiued and quickned by the inquisitiue hand of some piercing ministry , the smart of some outward heauy crosse , or wrath of god vpon their consciences ; if they fall not quite away . . things not sinfull in their right vse , and offering themselues with vnsuspected representation of harmelesnesse and allowance , without extraordinary watchfulnesse and heed , doe more easily lime our earthly rauenous affections ; farre sooner ensnare and deceiue ; insensibly draw and drowne vs in many scandalous excesses and estrangements from god , before we be aware . thus much also of naturall actions . iiii. now concerning ciuill affaires , and dealings in the world : that thou mayest settle and keepe thine heart and hands in an holy temper , and vntainted ; without wound , wrong-doing , or any vncomfortable entanglement : . euer in all their bargaines , contracts , couenants , dealings , negotiations , mutuall entercourse of any kinde of commerce with others , represent seriously and solemnely to the eye of thy best iudgement aud deepest confideration , that royall principle , doe as thou wouldest be done by . in a fellow-feeling reall conceit , put thy selfe into the place , and impartially put on the person of the party with whom thou art to deale . weigh well all the circumstances , conditions , couenants , inconueniences , consequents , and passages of the whole businesse ; and then returning to thy selfe , deale out , and proportion vnto him , that measure in euery particular , which thou wouldest bee willing , vpon good ground and sound reason , to receiue at the hands of another , if thou wert in his case . this is the summe of the law and the prophets , for seruing our brethren in loue , prest vpon vs by the lord iesus himselfe . mat. . . all things whatsoeuer yee would that men should doe to you , doe yee euen so to them . which , if it were as effectually : and feelingly taken to heart , and practised , as it is ordinarily talked of and pretended ; it would not onely cut off , and preuent all cruelties , oppressions , grinding the faces of the poore , all coozening , vndermining , ouer-reaching , defrauding , defaming , &c. but also stirre vp and quicken our affections , with a compassionate liuely touch , to a mutable exercise and exchange of all offices of humanity , kindnesse , and loue in all kinds . but that you may vnderstand this rule a right ; conceiue , that when wee counsell men to doe vnto others , as they would bee dealt with themselues ; it is not to bee vnderstood , of any irregular , passionate , exorbitant will : but that which is grounded vpon right reason , guided by a rectified conscience , ordered and illightened by grace and gods truth . and i the rather refresh your memories with the true apprehension of this point , that you may cleerely see the rottennesse and vanity of the vsurers cunning cauill , but of cruell consequence . ob. i deale , saith the vsurer , as i would be dealt with , and doe as i would bee done by : and therefore all that while i hope i doe no wrong : i would willingly pay tenne in the hundreth , if i had neede , and then why may i not take so ? to which , i answere : . that royall rule , doe as thou wouldest be done by , must be vnderstood and expounded , as i intimated before , according to the grounds of a good conscience , dictates of right reason , and directions of a iust and rectified will ; not out of the mists and miseries of a depraued and exorbitant iudgement . otherwise , abimelech , saul , and other of that desperate ranke and resolution , might conclude , that it were lawfull for them to kill other men , because they were willing to be killed themselues . see iudges . . . sam. . . for they might say , they did but as they would bee done by . it would also follow very absurdly ; the magistrate being in the malefactors case , would gladly be pardoned , therefore he must pardon the malefactor : some sonne of belial would be content villanously to prostitute his wife whom he cares not for himselfe , to others ; therefore he may abuse another mans wife whom he loues better . these , and the like abominable and absurd consequents , demonstrate the vanitie of the vsurers inference , and that christs rule is not so generall , but restrainable to that will , which is orderly and honestly guided by the light of nature and gods law. . wee must then haue recourse to this generall fountaine of the second table , and fetch light and direction thence ; when wee haue no expresse and speciall word in gods booke ; but the scriptures haue cleerely and directly determined and resolued the point of vsury . . if the vsurer were in the borrowers case , hee would not willingly , as hee pretends , giue tenne in the hundred . i meane , with an absolute and free will , but of force and constraint , because without paying after that rate , he could not haue it . if a man would borrow vpon vsury , to buy land , ingrosse , forestall , or compasse some vnlawfull matter ; that were a corrupt will , and no rule : but if his desire so to borrow were iust and lawfull , as in some cases it may bee , then it is no entire will , but mixed and forced by some necessitie , for the auoyding of a greater euill ; and therefore denied in the eye both of law and reason , to bee any will at all . he that would borrow , should haue need to borrow , for a needlesse desire is vnlawfull ; and an ingenuous man who hath need to borrow , would not willingly borrow but for need , much lesse would hee pay vsurie . therefore the will of the borrower , in this case , is either corrupt , or no will at all , and so consequently without the compasse of christs rule . the will of the borrower in this case , is like the will of an honest trauailer , in giuing his purse to an arrant thiefe ; for feare hee should loose both purse and life . is such a man willing , thinke you , to loose his mony ? or like the will of a man , whose house beeing on fire , plucks downe part thereof to saue the rest ; willingly indeede as the case stands with him , yet not simply , but vpon necessity . so the borrowers will is not free , but forced ; and so a will against will. . with an infinite disdaine , and resolute contempt abhorre to get so much as one farthing all the daies of thy life , by any wicked meanes or wrong doing . doe not plague thy present outward state , bee it little or much ; neither empoison it to thy posterity , by any addition vnto it ; by vsury , bribery , symony , sacriledge , stealing , grinding the faces of the poore , oppression , lying , falsehoods , forswearings , ouer-reaching trickes of wit , coozening , cunning conueiances , &c. . thereby thou shalt desperately fall into the reuenging hands of an angry god : diuine vengeance will dog thee hard , and continually at the heeles for thy destruction . which is incōparably a greater plague then extremest beggery , and the bitterest confluence of all the most vexing outward miseries in the world . let no man , faith paul , goe beyond and defraud his brother in any matter , because that the lord is the auenger of all such . . thes. . . secondly , a little ill got , naturally accompanied with gods curse , may so empoyson thy whole inheritance and all the rest of thy goods , that it may prooue like a dead fly in a boxe of precious ointment ; a sparke of fire in the thatch ; a strong incentiue to diuine iustice , not onely to eate vp all honest comfort in outward things , but also to consume and waste all thy wealth : nay , and sith immoderate desire of enriching and raising his a posterity , is the keenest spurre to his vnconscionable hoarding ; euen to cut off also many times the cruell worldling himselfe , and cast him out of the world without stocke or seede . and therefore though the couetous caytife out of the hardnesse of his heart , and searednesse of conscience , bee fearelesse and senselesse of the wrath of god , the wrong of his neighbour , and the wretchednesse of his owne soule ; yet if he desire , as hee doth , with a raging vnsatiablenesse , like the graue , or hell , to thriue in his outward state , and prosper in the world ; let him not meddle so much as with a sticke , or a straw , a pin , or a point of another mans ; neither at any time put his hand to any wicked way of getting , lest , beside the losse of his soule at last , and a world of miseries in the meane time , hee misse the very marke so eagerly aimed at ; of making him and his great in the world . for hope of which hee is cursedly content to part with all true contentment in this life , and a crowne of blisse in the kingdome of heauen . for this purpose , and to perswade , and presse this point vnanswerably , let vs take a view in gods booke of the diuers waies , how he is wont in wrath to deale with wrong-doers and vnconscionable dealers . it comes to passe , sometimes that the wicked worldling , insatiable earth-worme , god cursing his couetousnesse and cruelty , may see an end of his wealth euen in this world , according to that , ier. . . as the partridge sitteth on egges , and hatcheth them not : so hee that gettethriches , and not by right , shall leaue them in the middest of his dayes , and at his end shall be a foole . iob . , . hee hath swallowed downe riches , and he shall vomit them vp againe : god shall cast them out of his belly . the increase of his house shall depart , and his goods shall flow away in the day of his wrath . or it is no strange thing to see him prosper by vnconseionablenesse and craft , vsurious and other iniurious practises , all his life long ; but then hauing scraped together his hoard of iniquity , with a great deale of carking , thoughtfulnesse , and selfe vexation ; kept it with extreme feare , slauish distrust , and heart-gnawing iealousies ; parted b from it with much anguish , horrour , and almost with as painfull diuorce as that of the soule from the body : at last after the losse of it soule and all ▪ . he either leaues it to them who will liberally let flie abroad , and enlarge those golden heapes which greedinesse had formerly confinde , and strongly guarded with bolts and barres : according to that , prou. . . he that by vsurie and vniust gaine increaseth his substance , hee shall gather it for him that will pitie the poore . see also prou. . . iob . vers . , . . or it may be wholly scattered amongst meere strangers , according to that , eccles. . . but a strange man shall eate it vp : see also psalm . . . eccles. . . and . , . . or being bequeathed to his owne children , and blasted by gods secret curse , it may melt away in their hands , as snow before the sunne , according to that , eccles. . , . there is a sore euill which i haue seene vnder the sunne , namely , riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt . but these riches perish by euill trauell ; and he begetteth a sonne , and there is nothing in his hand . but howsoeuer , whether ill gotten goods perish or prosper in the owners hands , or his posteritie : sure i am , the ineuitable plague and iust vengeance of god cleaues inseparably vnto his soule ; and hunts that man to destruction , whosoeuer he be , that enricheth himselfe by wicked and wrongfull meanes , without timely repentance and true restitution , if he be able . he that hath oppressed the poore and needy , or hath spoyled by violence , — or hath giuen vpon vsury , or hath taken increase ; the same reason is also of all indirect and vnlawfull getting , shall he liue ? he shall not liue : he hath done all these abominations , hee shall surely die , his blood shall bee vpon him , ezek. . vers . , . and maruaile not , neither be mis-led , though thou obserue sometimes wicked worldlings themselues , their heires , and heires heires , to wallow also in that wealth which the grandfathers got wrongfully . for they are for all this , but as so many sensuall earth rooting hogs , fatted for the * knife ; and haue this wofull brand set vpon them by the spirit of god , psal. . . they are men of the world , and haue their portion in this life . but euer hold this as a terrible and true principle . it is one of the greatest c curses vnder the sunne ; to prosper in our wayes , and be out of the way to heauen . . thirdly , it is a ruled case and concurrent resolution amongst diuines : that if thou doest not restore , being able , whatsoeuer thou hast any waies got wrongfully , and wickedly ; thou canst haue neither well grounded assurance of vnfained * repentance , nor true comfort of the pardon of that sinne . a cutting conclusion against all cut-throat vsurers , simonists , sacrilegians , bribe-takers , grinders of poore mens faces , hoarders by fraud , oppressors of all vnder them of the same trade , by some machiuillian tricke , and the rest of that cruell crue . how can he be said to repent soundly , that lies still soaking in his sinne , wittingly , and willingly ? now , whosoeuer keepes still in his hands any thing wickedly got , continues a wrong doer still ; and therefore doth it not faithfully , but only faineth repentance . whereupon saith austin , if a man restore not ill gotten goods being able , his repentance is not comfortable , but counterfeite . dreadfull also is the doome of the said father vpon all wrong-doers , the sinne is not remitted , except that which hath been vniustly taken be restored : either in act , if thou be able ; or at least in vnfained affection , if thy state be wasted . what a bedlam folly is it then , and cursed cruelty to thine owne soule ; to heape vp those riches of iniquity , by basenesse and wrong , which thou must afterward restore in the sense i haue said , or else neuer enioy any comfortable assurance of a true conuersion or pardon of sinne ? were he not a foolish thiefe , that would keep his stollen goods both in the face of his accuser and iudge ? though in the meane time thou conceale thy cunning conueiances from the discouery and doome of humane iustice ; yet assure thy selfe , besides the secret grumbling of thy selfe-accusing conscience ; the angry eye of god also sees cleerely , and will shortly most certainely reuenge . . almesdeeds , charitable erections of colledges , hospitalls , free-schooles , and other inferiour bountifull contributions ; when god inables by good meanes ; the necessities of his poore cry for reliefe , and the sanctified heart with affectionate sincerity , aimes at gods glory ; are sweete-smelling sacrifices with which god is well pleased , philip. . . heb. . . but if his slauish gifts , and good deedes , largesses , and liberalities in this kinde , be impoysoned with former fraud , oppression , and wrong ; though it bee well that the church of god sometimes , the backes and bellies of the poore bee better thereby ; yet to the impenitent and not restoring vsurer himselfe , or any other wicked dealer , in respect of acceptation with god , and true comfort to his owne heart , they are no better then the cutting off of a dogges necke , or the sacrifice of a foole . ill gotten goods are for restitution , not for distribution . lest any couetous cauiller thinke the point too harsh & precise , heare what the ancient fathers say to this purpose : d bernard : god receiueth not any almes at the hands of an oppressor or vsurer . e hierome : significantly saith the prophet ; his owne bread , lest men should turne bread gotten by oppression and vsury , into a worke of mercy . f austin : when god shall begin to iudge , those that liue now by fraud , and giue almes of the spoyles of the oppressed , will say ; lord , we haue kept thy commandements , and in thy name wee haue done workes of mercy ; we haue fed the hungry , we haue clothed the naked , and entertained strangers . to whom god will reply , you tell me what you haue giuen ; but you tell me not what you haue taken away . you recount whom you haue fed ; but why remember you not whom you haue vndone ? they reioyce whom you haue clothed ; but they lament whom you haue spoyled , &c. a man is filled with bread , whom thou feedest with spoyle : but the lord will blesse , not thee , but him whom thou hast vndone , &c. chrysostome ; a but what is the excuse of many ? i haue indeed been an vsurer , say they , but i haue also been good to the poore . a sweete piece of matter , sure ! but god accepts not such sacrifices . it were farre better to giue nothing to the poore at all , then giue in that manner . that wealth which is wonne by thy iust labours , is many times quite mard with such wicked mixtures , &c. the very b heathen man tells vs , that the poore are not to be fed like the whelpes of wilde beasts , with blood and murther , rapine and spoile : but that which is most acceptable to the receiuers ; they should know , that that which is giuen vnto them , is not taken from any body else . nay , one of the bloodiest men that euer breathed , selymus , a turkish emperour , yet vpon his bed of death replyed thus to his bassa , moouing him with the wealth taken from the persian merchants , to build an hospitall for reliefe of the poore : c wouldest thou , pyrrhus , that i should bestow other mens goods wrongfully taken from them , vpon workes of charitie and deuotion , for mine owne vaine glory and praise ? assuredly i will neuer doe it : nay rather , see they bee againe restored vnto the right owners . which was done forthwith accordingly , to the great shame , saith the author , of many christians ; who minding nothing lesse then restitution , but making ex rapina holocaustum , doe out of a world of euill gotten goods , cull out some small fragments to build some poore hospitall , or mend some blinde way . a poore testimony of their hot charitie . wretchedly then doe they delude the world , and deceiue their owne soules , who vainely thinke , that some workes of mercy at last , when they must needs leaue all , will expiate and recompence the cruelties and vnconscionable dealings of their whole life before . zacheus penitent proclamation consisted of two branches , luk. . . as well for restitution , as distribution . he that would find the same mercy , must follow the same methode . . let thy desire and delight neuer fall , or be fastened immoderately vpon any earthly thing , though neuer so excellent , delicious , or amiable . for exorbitancy and errour this way brings many times , . a losse of the thing so doted vpon . . sometime a crosse . . euer a curse . . for the first ; our righteous and holy god , when hee ●…ees the current of his creatures affections to bee carried inordinately and preposterously from the fountaine of liuing waters , vpon boken cisternes that can hold none ; from the bottomlesse treasury of all sweetest beauties , dearest excellencies , amiable delights , vpon painted shadowes ; from the rocke of eternitie , vpon a staffe of reede ; i meane , from the creator , vpon the creature ; he wisely and seasonably in the equitie of his iustice , and out of the iealousie of his owne glorie takes away that earthly idoll , that the occasion of such irregular affection remoued , he may draw the heart , in which he principally takes pleasure , to his owne glorious selfe , the onely load-starre of all sanctified loue , and boundlesse ocean of happinesse and blisse . nay , it may be said in the sweetenesse of his mercy also , when he sees vs distracted , and as it were , desperately mad with making too much of any transitorie thing , so that our mind doth still runne and rest vpon it , as our onely heauen vpon earth ; he snatches the edge toole out of our hands , lest we make away our selues spiritually ; and withdrawes the beloued vanitie from before our eyes , lest we grow starke blind in the mysteries of faith , and matters of heauen , by too much gazing vpon the fading beauty of any baser earthly obiect . thus the immoderate partiall affection of parents , may become many times occasionall and accessary to the vntimely taking away of a sweete , faire and towardly child . whereby our gracious god iustly intimates vnto them their intolerable vnthankefulnesse of his mercy , and extreme indignitie to his maiesty , in wickedly preferring in their loue , a creature before their creator , and mercifully teaches them , that the flowre and seruour of their best and dearest affection is onely due , and should bee wholly deuoted to the greatest good , god himselfe , and those truest , vnutterable , euer-during delights prepared for the blessed , in his word here , and in the world to come hereafter , . cor. . . conceiue proportionably of other things immeasurably desired , and delighted in . if thou dotest vpon a good wit , thou mayest be stricken with distraction : if vpon abundance of learning , or much worldly wisedome , thou mayest be infatuated , at least at some speciall times , when thou wouldest gladly doe the best ; or in some important businesse , which most concernes thee : if vpon some highplace , thou mayst with haman , shebna , and thousands moe , be throwne down into the gulph of calamitie and woe , contempt and scorne : if vpon a faire house , it may be leuelled with the ground , by the flames of gods wrath : if vpon a beautifull face , it may bee disfigured with the poxe , or other deformities : if vpon a hoard of gold , it may be disperst by fire , robbery , desolations of warre : nay , if euen vpon thy graces with an ouerweening conceit of selfe-excellency , selfe-opinion , selfe-sufficiency ; if they be onely generall graces , thou mayst bee quite stript of them ; if sauing , thou mayst bee cast into a dampe and desertion for a time , in respect of all comfort , sense , vse and exercise , &c. . for the second , though god may permit thee to possesse still that outward worldly comfort , vpon which the fury of thine affection is so fastened , and thine heart graspes with such greedinesse and excesse ; yet in this case thou mayest iustly expect a crosse ; either , . in the thing doted vpon . with what a deale of cutting discomfort , and gashes of bitter griefe did absalom dandled in dauids affection with too much indulgence , rent his fathers royall heart by imbruing his hands in his brothers blood , and with vnnaturall trayterous violence and villany snatching at the imperiall crowne vpon dauids head ? another famous instance to this purpose we find in the story of the greeke emperours . the old emperour andronicus doted with such extreme impotency of partiall affection vpon his nephew , young andronicus , that in comparison of him , he did not onely disregard the rest of his nephewes , but also his owne children : and as the storie tels vs , was not willing to spare him out of sight either day or night . but what were the consequents of this cockering ? when he was stept further into yeeres , besides a world of miseries and molestations created to his grandfather in the meane time , at length pressing without resistance vpon his palace , with purpose to surprize his person , though the old emperour intreated him with much affectionate royall eloquence , which might haue pierced an heart of steele or adamant , that he would reuerence those hands , which had oftentimes most louingly embraced him , yet crying in his swathing clothes : that he would reuerence those lips , which had oftentimes most louingly kissed him , and called him his other soule : that he would spare to spill that blood , from which himselfe had taken the fountaine of life , &c. for all this , after some kind words , and courteous embracement , at first indeed premised , and in hot blood ; in conclusion , being polled and shauen , was made a monke , and the anuile of much dunghill scorne and vilest indignities , vntill the workemanship of death had finished the sorrowfull businesse of a wretched life . a third , and very remarkeable to fright all parents from foolish doting , heare out of austin . a by reason of a terrible & dreadfull accident , he called his people together , as it seemes , to a sermon the third time , the same day ; thinking , no doubt , out of his watchful spiritual wisdom , to work more succesfully , and to leaue more strong and lasting impressions in their hearts , while the bloody vnnaturall villany was yet fresh in their eyes and eares . and when they were met together , he relates the dolefull storie : b our noble citizen ( saith he ) here of hippo , cyrillus , a man mightie amongst vs , both in worke and word , and much beloued , had , as you know , one onely sonne , and because he had but onely one , he loued him immeasurably , and aboue god. and so being drunke with immoderate doting , hee neglected to correct him , and gaue him liberty to doe whatsoeuer he list . now this very day , this same fellow , thus long suffered in his dissolute and riotous courses , hath in his drunken humour wickedly offered violence to his mother great with child , would haue violated his sister , hath killed his father , and wounded two of his sisters to death . o mightie domination of the deuill ! &c. but i need not prosecute this point by further illustration out of strange stories . daily experience presents vnto our eyes and eares , the many wofull discomforts , vnkind requitales , and vnnaturall vsages , which parents receiue at the hands of those children , which in their younger yeeres they made wanton with their loue , and vndiscreetly doted vpon . . or in some other kind ; for example : if thine heart be set vpon riches , god may iustly , and mercifully too , exercise , and afflict thee with his heauy hand ; vpon thy body , with sicknesse ; vpon thy conscience , with terror ; vpon thy reputation , with disgrace , or the like , thereby to vnglue thy noble spirit from the dust , and rent it from grouelingnesse vpon the earth . if thou be ambitiously enamoured vpon honours and high roomes ; after wasting thy wealth , wounding thy conscience , wearying thy selfe with bribery , basenesse , and irkesome waiting , thou mayest bee taken away vntimely in the very pursuite , or presently after the attainement of them , &c. thus it is not strange or extraordinary with god , to preuent , or take off our hearts from taking selfe-conceited pleasure or pride in any thing we enioy , by crossing and correcting vs in other kindes . euen paul , that blessed saint and seruant of the lord , lest his heart should be too much pleased , and puft vp with abundance of reuelations ; he was vext and crost with his owne concupiscence , there was giuen to him a thorne in the flesh , the messenger of satan to buffet him , . cor. . . that is , as i conceiue , hee felt his originall corruption sharpened , and eneagered against him , and let loose in some sort vpon him : which is a terrible cut to a tender conscience . . for the third , howsoeuer it fare with thee otherwise ; if thou settle thine heart vpon any earthly thing with inordinate desire and delight , thou shalt be sure to be haunted with a double curse : . the rage of vnsatiablenesse , vnsatisfiablenesse : . that greatest plague , hardnesse of heart . . the father of spirits hath inspired into our immortall soules a large capacity , and such an infinite appetite , that no finite excellency , created comfort , or earthly thing can possibly fill . gold , siluer , riches , honours , crownes , kingdomes , are no fit matter or adequate obiect , for such an immateriall and heauenly borne spirit , to repose and feed vpon , with finall rest and full contentment . nay , not this whole materiall world , were it beautified and set out with all the amiablenesse , splendour , and allurements , which the deuill by his iugling alchymy put vpon it , when he presented it to the eye of christ iesus , math. . . with addition of the starry and empyrean heauen , shining with all their admirable beauty and glorious inhabitants , could by any meanes confine , satisfie , and content the irke some wandrings , vnlimited desire , and vast comprehensiuenesse of the soule : but it would still bee a transported with the passionate disquietnesse of selfe vexation , and tortured vpon the racke of restlesse discontent ; vntill it fasten and fixe vpon an obiect , infinite both in excellency and endlesnesse , wherin is contained the whole latitude of entity and goodnesse , the euer-blessed and onlyadored trinity . where , and when alone , it softly and sweetly , with the hight and fulnesse of all desireable contentment , rests in the armes of god , and bosome of eternall blisse ; which all blessed soules attaine thus , and by these meanes : when it pleased god by the mercifull violence of his almighty hand , to turne the sensuall bent and powerfull current of the seduced soule , from the creature , to the creator ; from the painted brauery of this vaine world , to the heauenly beautie of his blessed word ; from carking encumbrance about many things , to pursue and ply that one needfull thing ; by a sound and vniuersall change of the whole man , and translation of him from the darkenesse of naturall ignorance , death in sinne , and power of the deuill , to the light of sauing knowledge , the life of sanctifying grace , and the liuing god : i say then , the restlesse wandrings of the vnsatisfied soule , begins first to settle with some sweet contentment , vpon the flowers of paradise , glimpses of heauenly glory , infallible earnests of euerlasting blisse , sauing graces ; and its infinite appetite is well stayed in the meane time , with that comfortable entercourse and blissefull communion , which it enioyes in part with the blessed trinity , by the word , sacraments , and other his holy ordinances , appointed and sanctified for that purpose ; vntill it remooue from an house of flesh ▪ into the empyrean heauen . and then , . the vnderstanding is first filled with finall and euerlasting contentment , by a cleere glorious sight of god , which they call beat ficall vision ; when we shall see him face to face ; know him as we are knowne , . cor. . . see him as hee is , . ioh. . . for as the sunne of this world , by his beames and brightnesse ill●…ghteneth the eye , and the ayre , that wee may see , not onely all other things , but also his owne glorious face : so god , blessed for euer , the sunnes creator , the imperiall sunne of the world aboue , in whose presence , the vnited splendour of ten thousand of our sunnes would vanish away , as a darkesome moate and lumpe of vanitie , doth by the light of his holy spirit , so irradiate the mindes of all the blessed , that they are thereby enlarged and inabled , not only to behold eminently in him , the beauty , goodnesse , and excellency of all creatures , in a farre more admirable and orient manner then in their owne beings ; but also his owne face , essence , will and counsels , perfections and attributes , incomprehensible greatnesse and maiesty . . secondly , the will also is then fully and for euer satisfied with a perfect , inward , eternall communion with god himselfe . o●…r sweet glorified sauiour , being god and man , by his humane nature assumed , vniteth vs to god , and by his diuine nature assuming , vniteth god vnto vs : so that by this secret and sacred communion , we are made in an admirable and blessed manner , partakers , and as it were , possessours of god himselfe ; and communicate with him in all his goodnesse , perfections , excellencies , and happinesse . o bottomlesse depth , and dearest confluence of all ioyes , pleasures , sweetnesses , delights , vnconceiueable , vnutterable , infinite ! this is the supreme end of our creation and redemption ; the very flower , quintessence , and sinew , as it were , of our so ueraigne good . by this act of blessednesse , we are filled with all the fulnesse of god : he becomes vnto vs all in all ; so that thereby we liue his very life , in purity , eternity , sincerest pleasures , highest perfection ; though not to the height of his infinitenesse ; for wee are but creatures ; yet in proportion to our capacitie , and vtmost possibility , which is a felicitie aboue measure , and past imagination . in these two acts thus exercised about an infinite obiect , god himselfe , doth blessednesse , essentially and formally consist : but principally in the fruition of god , by a full , immediate , and compleate communion with him , and most blessed participation of all his glory and all-sufficiency . and therefore aquinas and all his followers come short , in placing our highest blisse , onely in the act of the vnderstanding , the vision of god. i am woont to expresse and illustrate it thus : though there be an infinite distance and disproportion in the things compared : it would mightily delight a man , really and in person , with ease and safetie to passe ouer and view the circuite of the whole earth , and all the wonders of the world ; all the great cities , renowned men , magnificent courts , rich mines , spicie ilands , chrystall mountaines , coasts of pearles , rockes of diamond , &c. of which geographers write , and trauailers talke : but if besides , as he passed along , he should haue sure and euerlasting possession giuen of them all , what an immeasurable materiall addition would it make vnto his speculatiue delight ? and with what strange amazement and admiration of his making for euer , and marueilous happines , would it rauish his heart ? euen so proportionably , but aboue all degrees of comparison ; though a boundlesse ocean of endlesse sweetnes , and inexplicable ioy arise in the soule from the sight of god ; yet this blissefull communion , whereby we possesse and enioy him , in a neere , excellent vnspeakable maner ; & partake with him in all his excellencies , perfections , and felicities , doth crowne , as it were , our crowne of glory , and actuate that heart-rauishing contemplation , with the very life of euerlasting life , and soule of heauenly ioyes and highest blisse . thus , and in this manner doe the restlesse wanderings and infinite appetite of these aspiring sparkes of heauen , our immateriall and immortall spirits , come to finall rest and euerlasting repose : when at last they shall graspe in the armes of their desire , that chiefest good , the most glorious deitie , and bathe themselues freely and fully in that euer-during welspring of immortality and life . but now set aside the fruition of this obiect , infinite both in excellency and endlesnesse , the onely aime and end of the soules endlesse aspirations : and though thou shouldest crowne a man compleately with the worth of this whole world , the admirable splendour of the empyrean heauen , the beauty of a shining sunne-like body , the rich and royall endowments inherent in a glorified soule , the sweetest company of saints and angels , the comfort of eternity ; yet his soule would still be full of emptinesse and appetite , and vtterly to seeke for the surest sanctuary , and supremest solace to settle her vnsatisfied longings vpon . onely once admit it to the face of god , by beatificall vision , and to fruition of the most glorious and euer-blessed trinity , by immediate communion , and so consequently to those torrents of pleasures , and fulnesse of ioy flowing thence ; and then presently , and neuer before , its infinite desire expires in the bosome of god , and it lyes , as it were , downe softly , with sweetest peace and full contentment , in the imbracements of euerlasting blisse . the other innumerable inestimable ioyes in heauen , are , i deny not , transcendent , and rauishing : but they are but all accessories to this principall , drops to this ocean , glimpses to this sunne . well then , if this bee the onely way to the soules eternall welfare ; then those vnhappy soules , which runne a contrary course , and seeke for satisfaction in any creature , or created comfort , stand deseruedly still vpon the racke of restlesse discontentment , and are iustly cursed with the gnawing rage of vnsatiablenesse : and must needs be so . for besides , . that the furious torrent of our sensuall corruption , being once on foote after worldly pleasures , and swelling by a continuall infusion of hellish poyson , doth with an impetuous headstrongnesse , beare and breake downe all bonds and bankes of moderation and stint , and will neuer be restrained from its vnsatiable rage , if god helpe not , vntil it be swallowed vp in the bottomlesse gulfe of misery and horrour : for it is the natiue property , or rather , poyson of inordinate affection , not onely to drinke deepe of sinfull delights , but to carouse , to be drunke ; nay , to adde vnquenchable thirst vnto drunkennesse , sucking them in with fresh supply of endlesse greedinesse , as the horse-leach corrupt blood , till it burst againe . . that the infinite desire of the soule confined to a creature , or any worldly comfort , is payned and pinched , as a foote wedged in a straight shooe ; it being no competent or proportionable satisfaction to its expectation and large capacitie . hence it is , that giue rome to caesar , as they say , and he will ambitiously pursue the soueraigntie of the whole earth . let alexander conquer the world , and he will aske for moe : let those be subdued , he would climbe vp the staires of his vast desires towards the starres : if hee could aspire thither , hee would peepe beyond the heauens , &c. no a rest vnto mans soule , but in gods eternall rest . . that there being no proportion betweene spirits and bodies ; thou maiest aswell vndertake to fill a bag with wisedome , a chest with vertue ; as thine immortall soule , with gold , siluer , riches , high roomes , this whole materiall world , or any earthly thing . see eccles. . . . i say , besides these three causes of vnsatisfiablenesse , god himselfe doth iustly put that property and poyson into all worldly things doted vpon , and desired immoderately , that they shall plague the heart that pursues them ; by filling it still with a furious and fresh supply of more greedinesse , longings , iealousies , and many miserable discontentments : so that they become vnto it , as drinke vnto a b drunkard , a man in a c dropsie , or burning feauer , serue onely to inflame it with new heate , and fierie additions of insatiable thirst and inordinate lust . no maruaile then though the working heart of euery naturall man , vnreconciled to god , be * like the raging sea that cānot rest . that roaring element , to which the spirit of god resembles a wicked man , must needes bee a much troubled and very restlesse creature ; sith it is continually tossed , & turmoyled with variety of contrary and confused motions ; that of estuation , reuolution , reflectiō , descension , and agitation by the windes : semblably , if thou couldest see the inside of the greatest gracelesse monopolist , and ingrosser of all the most desireable excellencies vnder the sunne , glistering in the highest emperiall throne vpon the earth ; thou shouldest behold his heart for all that , rent asunder with many raging distempers , and tempestuous whirlewindes of contrary lusts ; a very hiue of vnnumbred cares , sorrowes , and passions ; boyling incessantly with irkesome suspitions , false feares , insatiable longings , secret grumblings of conscience , torturing distractions , and tumultuations of hell . by the way , let me tell you , that this immoderate desire , inordinate delight which i speake of , glued to some speciall sensuall obiect , which naturall corruption singles out , and makes chiefest choice of , to follow and feed vpon , with greatest contentment and carnall sweetnesse , become the parents of euery mans bosome sinne . if it fall in loue with honours and greatnesse , it breeds and brings forth ambition , which is an vnquenchable thirst after visible glory , and a gluttonous hunting after high roomes . as it inhabiteth the highest and haughtiest spirits , and is superlatiue and transcendent in its obiect and aspirations ; so of all the stormy perturbations , which rent and rage in the heart of man , it is most tempestuous and desperate . ventrous it is to climbe vp any staires of basenesse , bribery , blood ; to tread vpon the ruines of the noblest innocency , vpon the mercilesse desolations of dearest friends and neerest kindred , to domineere for a while , though it be damned euerlastingly afterwards ; as it is too cleere in the turkish emperors , and in that great master of mischiefe and machiauelisme , richard the third , of this kingdome , who with a bloody hand pressed out the breath of those two orient princes in the tower , his nephewes , and naturall lords . it is victorious ouer all other affections , and masters euen the sensuality of lustfull pleasures ; as appeares in the greatest warriours and ancient worthies amongst the heathen , who tempted with the exquisitenesse and variety of choisest beauties , yet forbore that villany , not for conscience sake , and feare of god whom they knew not ; but lest they should interrupt the course , and stop the current of their warlike reputation , ambitious designes , and atchiuements of state . but whatsoeuer other pestilent properties empoyson it , it neuer failes to ingender in the heart , which harbours it , as its proper thunder-bolt , and blasting , feares , cares , iealousies , enuies , enraged thirst of rising still , impatiencie of competition , vncapablenesse of satiety , which is most for my purpose . for the proud and ambitious man enlargeth his desire as hell , and is as death , and cannot bee satisfied . hab. . . who can fill the bottomlesse pit of hell , or stop the vnsatiable iawes of death ? neither can the greedie humour of an haughtie spirit , the aspiring insolencie of a boisterous nimrod be possibly stayed or stinted ; no not with the top and variety of highest honours , though hee should alone and absolutely be crowned with the soueraignitie of the whole earth , and command the felicities of this wide world . if it fall in loue with riches , it breeds and brings forth couetousnesse , the vilest , and basest of all the infections of the soule , in the most contemptible , and dunghill disposition . for this kyte-footed corruption wheresoeuer it seizeth , and domineeres , blasts , and banisheth all noblenesse of spirit , naturall affection , humanity , discretion , reason , wisedome , manlinesse , mutuall entertainements , entercourse of kindnesse , and loue ; and turnes all , euen the soule it selfe , into earth and mudde . it drawes by a cunning reserued basenesse , all occasions , circumstances , aduantages , witte , policy , euen friends , and acquaintance ; nay religion , conscience , and all to bee seruiceable , and contributary to a greedy wolfe , and raging gangren of hoarding vp gold , and worldly pelfe . in a word , it makes a man with a bedlam cruelty to contemne himselfe , body and soule , for a little transitory trash ; wilfully to abandon both the comfortable enioyment of the short time of this present mortality , and all hope of the length of that blessed eternity to come . and as the obiect of it is most earthly , base , and incompetent , so of all other vile affections , it is most sottishly , and senselesly vnsatisfiable . for how is it possible that earth should feed or fill the immateriall , and heauen-borne spirit of a man ? it can not be , and the spirit of god hath said , it shall not be . eccles. . . & . . he that loueth siluer , shall not be satisfied with siluer . the eye is not satisfied with riches . hence it is , that the deepelier and more eagerly the dropsie heart of the couetous man doth drinke of this golden streame , the more furiously still it is inflamed with vnsatiable thirst : nay certaine it is , that if he should purchase , and possesse a monopoly of all the wealth in the world ; were he able to empty the westerne parts of gold , and the east of all her spices , and precious things ; should hee enclose the whole face of the earth from one end of heauen to another , and heape vp his hoard to the starres ; yet his heart would be as hungry after more riches , as if he had neuer a penny , and much more . if it fall in loue with beauty , and the swaggering brauery of good fellowship , it begets lust , and sensuality ; which make their minions madde with bitternesse and malice , against the very least glimpse of holinesse , or any religious restraint ; enrage them with mutuall fury , to engulfe themselues into the bottomelesse whirlepoole of sensuall pleasures , and so empoyson their hearts with a furious vnquenchable thirst after them , that they will neuer leaue their hold , and haunt , vntill they either bee broken with the hammer of the word , or burst with the horror of despaire . you may trace these pestilent properties in the practise of those voluptuous gallants , wisedome . ( a booke though not of diuine authority , yet profitable for precepts of morality . ) in which chapter you may finde , as i haue euer conceiued , a description to the life , and most exact character of the goodfellowes of our times ; who are transported equally with a desperate insatiable humour of rauenous feeding vpon the froth , and filth of their impure delights , as greedily as the oxe suckes in water : and with an implacable enmity against the purity , and power of godlinesse . for the first , heare their cry vnto their companions . verse , &c. come on therefore , let vs enioy the good things that are present : and let vs speedily vse the creatures like as in youth . let vs fill our selues with costly wine , and ointments : and let no flower of the spring passe by vs. let vs crowne our selues with rose-buds before they bee withered . let none of vs goe without his part of our voluptuousnesse : let vs leaue tokens of our ioyfulnesse in euery place ; for this is our portion , and our lot is this . for the other , take notice of their boystrous swaggering combination , to become bloody goades in the sides , and cruell prickes in the eyes of gods people . for proportionable to their impatiency of being crost in their course of pleasures , is their rage in persecuting the godly . and therefore being resolute to liue and dye good fellowes , they also resolue from the same ground , to hold an euerlasting vnreconcileable opposition to the way which is called holy , especially , sith euery where it is so spoken against . whence , i say , they grow , and glue themselues together in this combination , verse . , &c. let vs oppresse the poore righteous man , — let our strength bee the law of iustice : for that which is feeble , is found to bee nothing worth . therefore let vs lie in waite for the righteous : because hee is not for our turne , and he is cleane contrary to our doings , hee vpbraideth vs with our offending the law , and obiecteth to our infamy , the transgressing of our education . hee professeth to haue the knowledge of god : and he calleth himselfe the childe of the lord. hee was made to reprooue our thoughts . hee is grieuous vnto vs , euen to behold : for his life is not like other mens , his waies are of another fashion . wee are esteemed of him as counterfeits : hee abstaineth from our waies , as from filthinesse : hee pronounceth the end of the iust to bee blessed , and maketh his boasts that god is his father : — such things they did imagine , and were deceiued : for their owne wickednesse hath blinded them . as for the mysteries of god , they know them not : neither hoped they for the wages of righteousnesse : nor discerned a reward for blamelesse soules . if it edge , and eneager malice , it breedes reuenge , a woluish , and vnnaturall thirst after blood : which haunts most , the most weake , fearefull , and cowardly spirits . for we euer see the baseft and most worthlesse men , to be most malicious and reuengefull . seldome doth it finde any harbour in a wel-bred , and a generous minde . as thunders , tempests , and other terrible agitations in the ayre , trouble onely , and disquiet these weaker fraile bodies below , but neuer disturbe or dismay those glorious heauenly ones aboue : so scurrill girds , imperious doggednesse , disgraces , and wrongs , vexe , and distemper men of baser temper : but the nettling disposition , causelesse spite , and childish brawlings of hasty fooles , wound not great and noble spirits . now this boyling and biting distemper , though against nature it feede vpon blood ; yet , so true is the point i pursue , ( but would you thinke it ? ) is also insatiable . witnesse that monster of millaine , who , as a bodin reporteth , when hee had surprised vpon the suddaine , one whom hee mortally hated , hee presently ouerthrew him ; and setting his dagger to his brest , told him , hee would certainely haue his blood , except he would renounce , abiure , forsweare , and blaspheme the god of heauen . which when that fearefull man , too sinfully greedy of a miserable life , had done in a most horrible manner ; hee immediately dispatcht him , assoone as those prodigious blasphemies were out of his mouth : and in a bloody triumph insulting ouer his murthered aduersary , as though whole hell had dwelt in his heart ; he added this most abhorred speech : oh , saies hee , this is right noble , and heroicall reuenge ; which doth not onely depriue the body of a temporary life , but brings also the neuer-dying soule vnto euerlasting flames . witnesse the cruellest of men , mahomet the great , who as the story reports , was in his time the death of eight hundred thousand men . but aboue all , that beast of rome carries away the bell for insatiablenesse in blood-sucking , who though he was long since drunke with the blood of the saints , as with new wine ; and in his drunken humour , hath furiously spilt , and powred out vpon the face of christendome , a world of blood , almost all in our remembrance : witnes the incredible deale of christian blood which that mercilesse monster , the popish inquisition swallowes downe in secret : witnesse the horrible butcheries executed vpon professours in the low countries : gesse the rest by that cruell confession of a alua , who bosting in the bloodshed of the saints , said on a time at his table , that he had been diligent in rooting out of heresie ; ( so the antichristians call the right way to heauen . ) for besides those which were slaine in warre , and secret massacres , he had put into the hand of the hangman eighteene thousand in the space of sixe yeeres : witnesse b farnesius his ferall resolution at his departing out of italy ; to make his horse swimme in the blood of the lutherans : witnesse that most abhorred prodigious villany , that euer the sunne saw ; the massacre at paris , when in diuers places of france , about c threescore thousand persons were murthered , and the streets of that citie , as the storie tels vs , strewed with carcases , the pauements , market-places and riuer dyed with blood : witnesse , besides other cruelties and bloody afflictions , three hundred faithfull seruants of christ burned to ashes in this kingdome , within lesse then fiue yeeres : witnesse that horrible parricide perpetrated vpon the royall persons of two french kings , henrie the third and fourth , who were successiuely butchered in a most barbarous manner , by two popish assasins , clement and rauilliac : nay , in the late ciuill warres of france , twelue hundred thousand naturall french are said to be slaine : this romish beast being the bellowes and incendiary , &c. yet i say , though he hath already drunke vp such a deale of blood as insatiably , as behemoth the riuer iordan : he is yet still like a shee-wolfe in the euening ; and at this very time carousing almost in all corners of the christian world , the blood of the martyrs of iesus as greedily , and with as furious thirst , as euer hee did , since the dragon first gaue him his power . but i hope in the strong god of our saluation , ( for strong is the lord god , who iudgeth the whore ) that this is the last draught , and that vpon his next health , as it were , begun to the deuill , in this cup of fierie crueltie against the seruants of christ , the vial of gods vnquenchable wrath wil choake him for euer . blood he shal haue enough , but from the reuenging hand of the lord god of recompences , in fury , and iealousie . . besides that thus the rage of vnsatiablenesse and restlesnesse of pursuit , doth still boyle in euery carnall heart , that is carried immoderately after its owne wayes , or inordinately vpon any earthly thing : it is also thereby in gods iust iudgement extraordinarily hardened , and estranged from god. for the deepelier our affections are drowned in the world , and endeared to any sensuall delight ; the more desperately are they diuorced from god , and deaded to heauenly things . it is iust with god , to suffer that heart to be turned first into earth and mud ; and after to freeze and congeale into steele and adamant , which preferres earth before heauen ; a dunghill before paradise ; broken cisternes which can hold no water , before the euer-springing fountaine of glory and bl●…sse ; a few bitter-sweet pleasures , for an inch of time in this vale of teares , before vnmixed and immeasurable ioyes , through all eternity in those glorious mansions aboue . our hearts are originally hard by the curse of nature , ezek. . . afterward by a wilfull course , and continuance in sin , we adde adamant of our owne , isai. . . zech. . . and by not suffering the sword of the spirit to search and sunder our minion-delights from our bosoms , heb. . . then satan is let loose to put to his iron sinewes , luk. . . lastly , god himselfe hardeneth by an act of iustice , as wee may see , exod. . . thus the heart which hates to be reformed , being glued to a sensuall obiect , or worldly lust , by its owne inbred corruption , infusion of hellish poyson , and iust curse of god , growes into such a prodigious rocke : that no crosse or created power ; not the softest eloquence , or seuerest course ; nay , not the waight of the whole world , were it all prest vpon it , can possibly mollifie or reclaime it . it will neuer yeeld or relent , or be rent from its darling delight , but dye in its deadnesse , and be desperately hardened for the very depth of hell ; except the almightie spirit take the hammer of the word into his owne hand , that by his speciall vnresistable power , and mercifull violence , he may first breake it in pieces with legall remorse , and after by the sprinkling and powerfull application of christs blood , resolue it into teares of true euangelicall repentance ; that so onely by a gracious miracle of diuine mercy , it may be softned , sanctified , and saued . the stubborne iewes were heauily loaden with an extraordinary variety of most grieuous crosses and afflictions . there was nothing wanting to make them outwardly miserable ; and no misery inflicted vpon them , but vpon purpose to humble , and take downe their rebellious hearts . the prophet isaiah , chap. . paints out to the life , the rufull state of their fresh bleeding desolations ; the whole head ( saith he ) is sicke , and the whole heart is heauie , &c. ( for the place is meant , not as some take it , of their sinnes , but of their sorrowes . ) but all these blowes and pressures were so farre from melting them , that they made them harder : wherefore should you be smitten anymore , for yee fall away more and more ? what created power can possibly haue more power vpon the soules of men , then the sacred sermons of the sonne of god , who spake as neuer man spake ? and yet his deare intreaties , and melting inuitations , which sweetely and tenderly flowed from that heart , which was resolued to spill its warmest and inmost blood for their sakes , moued those stiffe-necked iewes neuer a iot : hierusalem , hierusalem , how often would i , and you would not ? matth. . . isaiah , that noble prophet ; whose matchlesse stile , incomparably surpasseth the vtmost possibility of all humane inuention ; and to which the choicest elegancies of prophane writers , are pure barbarisme , shed many , and many a gracious showre of most heauenly , piercing , sweetest eloquence vpon a sinfull nation , and rebellious people , which were fruitlesly spilt as water vpon the ground , or lost , as vpon the hardest flint . his many heauenly soule-searching sermons , which breathed nothing but spirit and life ; yet to them hardened in their sinnes , and hating to be reformed , were but as an idle and empty breath ; vanishing into nothing , and scattered in the ayre . the lord ( as he saith ) made his mouth like a sharpe sword , and himselfe a chosen shaft ; and yet that two-edged sword was full often blunted vpon their hardest hearts ; and his keene arrowes discharged by a skilful hand , rebounded from their flinty bosomes , as shafts shut against a stone-wall . which made that seraphicall orator cry out ; i haue laboured in vaine , i haue spent my strength for naught , and in vaine . a course of extraordinary seuerity and terrour , was taken with the tyrant pharaoh , he was not onely chastised with rods , but euen scourged with scorpions ; and yet all the plagues of egypt were so farre from taming , and taking downe his proud heart ; that euery particular plague added vnto it a seuerall iron sinew ; so farre they were from softning it , that they seared it more . no materiall weight can more crush the heart of a man into pieces , then braying in a morter : and yet saith salomon , though thou shouldest bray a foole , an old obstinate sinner , in a morter among wheate with a pestle : yet will not his foolishnes , his wilfull cruelty in killing his owne soule , and bedlam madnesse , in exchanging a little transitorie pleasure , with endlesse paine , depart from him . prou. . . now what an horrible hardnesse , and hellish stone is that , which no ministery or misery , nay , nor miracles , see exod. . . . king. . . . king. . . ioh. . . nor mercies , isai. . . can possibly mollifie ? here now should i haue passed out of this point , did i not conceiue , that of all the waightiest ciuill affaires incident to humane deliberation , there is none more materiall , important , or of greater consequence , either for extremest outward vexation , and hearts-griefe ; or extraordinary sweete contentment , and continuall peace , then matter of marriage . a word or two therefore of , . conuenient entrance into , and , . comfortable enioyment of that honourable estate . for the first : . let thy choyce be in the a lord , according to blessed saint pauls rule , . cor. . . onely in the lord. let pietie bee the first moouer of thine affection , the prime and principall ponderation in this greatest affaire ; and then conceiue of personage , parentage , and portion , as they say , and such outward things , and worldly additions , as a comfortable accessory , considerable onely in a second b place . let the world say what it will , to a mind truly generous , & ennobled with grace , the absolutest concurrence , and quintessentiall exquisitenesse of beauty , gold , birth , wit , or what else besides may be found most remarkable and matchlesse in that sexe , should be nothing , nor hold scale with the lightest feather vpon any ladies head , in respect of a gracious disposition & godly heart . religion and the feare of god , as it is generally the foundation of all humane felicitie ; so must it in speciall be accounted the ground of al comfort and blisse , which man and wife desire to find in the enioying each of other . there was neuer any gold , or great friends ; any beautie , or outward brauery , which tied truly fast and comfortably any marriage knot . it is onely the golden linke , and noble tye of christianitie and grace , which hath the power and priuiledge to make so deare a bond louely , & euerlasting ; which can season and strengthen that neerest inseparable societie with true sweetnesse and immortalitie . . let coniugall loue warme thine heart , at least in some measure with affectionate contentment , and some more speciall repose vpon the partie , as one with whom thou canst heartily and comfortably consort : for the husband , all concurrents , and ordinary possibilities considered , ought to settle his affections vpon his wife , as the fittest that the world could haue afforded him : and the wife should rest her heart vpon her husband , as the meetest for her , that could haue been found vnder the sunne . by a constant entercourse of which mutuall contentment in each other , the husband will be to the wife as a couering of her eyes , that she lift them not vp amorously vpon any man : and the wife to the husband , the pleasure of his eyes , that he may still looke vpon her with sober and singular delight . otherwise they will find but cold comfort in that counsell and commandement of salomon , prou. . , . reioyce with the wife of thy youth . let her bee as the louing hind , and pleasant roe : let her brests satisfie thee at all times , and be thou rauisht alwaies with her loue . without this mutuall complacency , that i may so speake , and louing contentment each in other , i doubt whether i should encourage any to proceed . and yet why should not a comfortable concurrence of grace on both sides , consent of parents , meetnesse in state , stature , birth , yeeres , and all other requisites besides , create in a mortified heart , matrimoniall affection ? and yet i would by no meanes causelesly confine and ensnare any . and yet i would not haue an inuincible antipathy , and * i cannot loue , but i know not why , pretended , when as perhaps indeed and truth it is only carnall curiosity which breakes a conuenient match . . in going about such an important businesse , plie the throne of grace with extraordinary importunitie , and feruency of prayer ; presse vpon , and wrestle , as it were , with god in dayes of more secret and solemne humiliation for a blessing in this kind , and with that sinceritie ; that thou doe heartily desire him , whatsoeuer thy conceits , and expectation of future comforts , and conueniences may be ; yet if it bee not with his liking , and to his glory , he would bee pleased to dash it quite . a good wife is a more immediate gift of god : house and riches , saith salomon , are the inheritance of fathers ; but a prudent wife is from the lord. a and therefore such a rare and precious iewel b is to be sued & sought for at gods mercy-seate , with more extraordinary earnestnesse , importunitie & zeale . and methinks , that wife , child , or what other good thing is procured at gods mercifull hand by prayer , should bring with it , euen in our sence and thankefull acknowledgement , a thousand times more sweetnesse and comfort , then that which is cast vpon vs by gods ordinary prouidence , without any suite at all , vnto his heauenly highnesse . . let the parties deale plainely and faithfully one with the other , in respect of their bodies , soules , and outward state . i meane it thus ; that they should not deceiue and coozen one the other by a craftie cōcealement : of some foule disease , speciall deformity , naturall defect , &c. in body ; especially , which they thinke in their consciences , and impartiall consideration , if it were their case , would breed intolerable distaste and discontentment : or of some secret maime and cracke in their outward state , which neither the other partie , or friends , do either expect , or suspect : for so they may bring a great deale of after-misery , and too late repentance vpon the match . for naturally we hate them which beguile vs. and a man or woman is most impatient of failing , and being disappointed of their hopes and expectations , in so great and waighty affaire as marriage is . and therefore it were very conuenient , and much better to disclose the one vnto the other , the materiall infirmities and wants in either of their bodies or goods , though with hazzard of missing the match ; rather then the one to obtaine the other , with guile , cunning , and after-discomfort . i said also , in respect of their soules ; by which i meane ; that for the time of wooing onely , as they call it , they should not put on a visour , flourish , and shew of religion , conuersion , and grace ; when in deed and truth , there is no such matter . for this execrable imposture also , is sometimes villanously practised , to the infinite preiudice , and perpetuall hearts-griefe of the deluded partie . and not onely some parties are cunning , reserued , and faultie this way ; but euen christian friends are too often too forward , peremptory , and audacious , in giuing testimonies and assurances in such cases . now this is the greatest guile , and most cursed coozenage of all ; when one conceiues , by the present cunning carriage of the partie , and partiall information of friends , that he or she hath met with a soule beautified with grace ; whereas when it comes to the tryall , hath iust none acquaintance with god at all . now i come vnto the second point ; a religious and comfortable continuance in the marriage-state . for the happy attainement whereof ; let vs take notice of , and to heart ; first , some common duties , which are mutually to be performed on both sides . i. louingnesse . which is a drawing into action , and keeping in exercise that habit of coniugall affection , matrimoniall loue mentioned before . it is a sweet , louing , and tenderhearted powring out of their hearts , with much affectionate dearenesse , into each others bosomes ; in all passages , carriages , and behauiours , one towards another . this mutuall melting-heartednesse , being preserued fresh and fruitfull , will infinitely sweeten and beautifie the marriage state . for an vninterrupted preseruation of this amiable deportment on both sides ; let them consider , . the wise hand of gods gracious prouidence guided all the businesse , and brought it to passe . and he commands constancie in this louing & lightsome carriage . pro. . , . reioyce with the wife of thy youth . let her be as the louing hind , and pleasant roe , let her brests satisfie thee at all times , & be thou rauished alwayes with her loue . see also eph. . . methinkes this charge from the holy ghost , being often reuerently remembred , should euer beate backe and banish from both their hearts , all heart-rising and bitternesse ; distaste , and disaffection ; all wicked wishes , that they had neuer met together , that they had neuer seene one anothers faces , &c. when the knot is once tied , euery man should thinke his wife , and euery wife her husband , the fittest for him of any in the world . otherwise , so often as he sees a better , he will wish that his choise were to make againe ; & so fall off from respect to this commandement , and from kindnesse and loue to his owne . which is an inexpiable disparagement to gods prouidence , and an execrable empoysoner of marriage comforts . . that by the power of the honourable ordinance of marriage , the two are made one . and therefore they ought to be as louingly and tenderly affected one vnto the other , as they would be to their owne flesh . . the compassionate and melting compellations , which christ and his spouse exchange in the canticles : my faire one , my sister , my loue , my doue , my vndefiled , my welbeloued , the chiefe of ten thousand , &c. whose chaste and feruent loue , that of married couples should resemble and imitate . . that these mutuall expressions , and exercise of this matrimoniall loue , are very powerfull to preserue chastity and purenesse in body and spirit on both sides . it is noted of isaac , that he loued rebekah dearely ; and this was a speciall preseruatiue , that hee fell not to polygamy or concubines , as many of the patriarkes did . ii. faithfulnesse . . in respect of the marriage-bed ; which they ought on both sides to keepe inuiolable , vndefiled , and honourable . wherein , if they transgresse , besides an whole hell of spirituall miseries , they strike at the very sinew , heart , and life of the marriage knot ; and become liable ( if the magistrate should doe , as god commanded amongst his people ) to the bloody stroke of a violent death . and therefore it behooues all that enter this state , to bee humbled , and repent for all former wantonnesse ; or else , a thousand to one , it will breake out , either into a sensuall , immoderate abuse of the marriage ; which the fathers call , adultery with a mans owne wife ; or else into a lustfull hankering after the strange woman . . in respect of domesticall affaires , and businesses of the family . the care and burthen whereof is common to them both . the husband that hath a prodigall and slothfull wife , doth but draw water with a siue , as the heathen man said , and casts his labours into a bottomlesse sacke . and the wife that is ma●…cht with an idle vnthristy husband , drawes a cart heauy laden through a sandy way , without a horse . by which is intimated an impossibility of thriuing in the world , and prospering in their outward state . . in the concealement of each others secrets . it is a very vnnaturall and monstrous treachery , to publish one anothers faults and frailties , or any thing , which in hope of keeping counsell , they haue communicated one to another . they are ill birds , as they say , that defile their owne-nests ; and franticke bedlams that so throw dirt in each others faces . iii. patience . which is as precious and needfull an holy dutie , as i can possibly commend in this case , for comfortable conuersing together . for a more prepared and constant exercise whereof ; consider , . that two angels are not met together in a matrimoniall state , but a sonne and daughter of adam : and therefore they must looke for infirmities , frailties , imperfections , passions , and prouocations , on both sides . . that it is a charge giuen to all ; that the sunne must not goe downe vpon their wrath : much more to man and wife linked together in the neerest bond . . that there neuer did , nor euer will come any good , by the falling out of man and wife . well may they thereby become ridiculous to their seruants , a by-word to their neighbours , table-talke to the countrey , troublers of their owne house , and as a continuall dropping one vnto another : but they shall neuer gaine by their mutuall hastinesse , passions , and impatiencie . what good can come by a mans anger and indignation against his owne flesh ? what prodigious madnesse is it for them to grow strange , whom so many and perpetuall bands haue tyed so fast ; and who without dearest and most intimate familiarity , can neither enioy ciuill contentment or peace of conscience ? suppose that the heart should fall out with the head , and deny vnto it , those spirits which become animall in the braine , and serue for exercise both of sence , and by consequent of the higher part of the soule ; what would follow , but distemper , distraction , and madnes ? or that the head should fall out with the body ; and thereupon restraine from it the influence of animall spirits , the instruments of the quickning and moouing it ; what would become of the head , when the body were dead ? proportionable mischiefes and miseries fall out vpon the marriage-state , by falling out , strangenesse , bitternesse , and angry reseruednesse betweene the parties . this grace then will be of excellent vse , and must be exercised many wayes : . in bearing with the wants and weakenesses , infirmities and deformities of each other . and let the man , ( for the woman is the weaker vessell ) remember for this purpose ; how many faults , frailties , and falls ; and how many times christ remits and pardons to his spouse the church . and hee ought to loue his wife , as christ doth the church , eph. . . the body doth not reiect the head , because it is bald , or but one eyed : the head rageth not against the body , because it is deformed or diseased , but doth rather condole and sympathize . . about crosse accidents in the family , losses in their outward state ; going backward of businesses , &c. they must not lay the fault one vpon another , to the breaking out into choler , impatiencie , and stamping ; but both ioyne with blessed iob , in that sweet and meeke submission to gods pleasure : the lord hath giuen , and the lord hath taken away : blessed be the name of the lord. . in waiting for the conuersion of one another ; if either prooue vnconuerted . in which case , be patient , pray , and expect gods good time . we haue god himselfe a sweet patterne for this purpose . see before , pag. . or if the one be but a babe in christ , weake in christianity ; deale fairely , louingly , and meekely . let our lord iesus his tender-heartednesse to spirituall younglings , teach vs mercy this way . see isa. . . iv. an holy care and conscience to preserue between themselues , ( for there is a coniugall , as well as virginall and viduall chastity ) the marriage bed vndefiled , and in all honour and christian purity . it ought by no meanes to be stained and dishonoured with sensuall excesses , wonton speeches , foolish dalliance , and other vncleane incentiues of lust , which marriage should quench , not inflame . euen in wedlocke , intemperate and vnbridled lust ; immoderation and excesse , is deemed both by ancient and moderne diuines , no better then plaine adultery before god. two ancient worthy fathers , ambrose and a austin , speak thus : what is the intemperate man in marriage , but his wiues adulterer ? the resolution of the b rest sound to the same sence . c as a man may be a wicked drunkard with his owne drink ; and a glutton , by excessiue deuouring of his owne meat : so likewise , one may be vncleane in the immoderate vse of the marriage bed . euen popish casuists discouer and detest aberrations and exorbitancies of married couples in their matrimoniall meetings . ( but reade such passages with much modestie and iudgement . ) nay heare what a very philosopher saith of the point : in the priuate acquaintance , saith he , and vse of marriage , there must be a moderation ; that is , a religious and a deuout band : for that pleasure that is therein , must be mingled with some seuerity . it must bee a wise and conscionable delight . a man must touch his * wife discreetly , and for honesty , &c. another thus : marriage is a religious and deuout bond : and that is the reason , the pleasure a man hath of it , should bee a moderate , stayed , and serious pleasure , and mixed with seuerity : it ought to be a delight somewhat circumspect and conscientious . we may conceiue , what moderate , reuerent , and honourable thoughts antiquity entertained of the marriage state , and coniugall chastity ; by euaristus words , epist. . ad omnes episc. aphri . let new-married couples , saith he , for two or three dayes ply prayer , — that they may haue good children , and please the lord in their marriage-duties . now all intemperate , excessiue , or any wayes exorbitant pollutions of the marriage-bed , though magistrates meddle not with them , because they lie without the walke of humane censure ; yet assuredly gods pure eye cannot looke vpon them , but without repentance will certainly plague them . methinkes therefore , if the feare of god , awfulnesse to his all-seeing eye , loue of purity , &c. will not restraine from immodestie and immoderation in this kind ; yet that slauish horrour , lest god should iustly punish them therefore , with no children , mis-shapen children , idiotes , or prodigiously wicked children , or some other heauy crosses , should fright them from such abhorred filth . in the next place , let vs take a view of , and to heart , duties peculiar and proper to each seuerally . i. to the husband : . let him behaue himselfe as an head to the body , . cor. . . eph. . . . the head is , as it were , the a glory and crowne of the body : so let the husband shine , and shew himselfe in a kind of eminencie , excellencie , and authority ouer the wife . to be an head , implies and imports a preeminence , superiority , and soueraignty , as appeares by the apostles gradation , . cor. . . man is the womans head , christ is mans head , god is christs head . for procuring and preseruing which ; let the husband bee manly , graue , worthy ; not light , vaine , contemptible : let him not be bitter , wayward , passionate : let him not bee base-minded , vicious , vaine glorious : let him not bee a drunkard , a gamester , a good-fellow . dissolutenesse , and a disordered life in the man , doth much abate and diminish the wiues respectfulnesse and reuerence vnto him . maiestie , authority , venerablenesse in any superiour , is not any wayes more lessened or sooner lost , then by light behauiour , personall worthlesnesse , or vnworthy deportment in his place . whereas true worth , goodnesse , grace , shining from within , doth beget a more louing reuerence , and reuerent loue , then all outward formes of pompe and state ; then any boysterousnesse , or big looks can possibly produce . . the head is the seate of vnderstanding , wisedome , discretion , forecast . out of which consideration ; let the husband stirre vp , quicken , and inlarge his manly spirit , to comprehend , and rightly conceiue all affaires , prouisions , occasions , offers , ingenuous deportment , and worthy vsages , which may any wayes procure and promote his wiues true contentment , honour , and happinesse . it is his necessary and noble charge , with a speciall and punctuall care , and casting about to prouide for her soule , body , comfort , and credit ; with all meekenesse and loue , to instruct and informe her in all passages of her duty , and procurements of her good . . the head indeed hath the precedency and prerogatiue of noblest operations , and the soules diuinest acts , by the benefit of its natiue temper and constitution , seate of the sences , and other proper instruments fitted for such high imployments , and challenge of that excellency ; yet notwithstanding , the body , and other parts are animated and enlyued with the very same soule , both for substance , faculties , immortality , actiuenesse , euery way : so that if the foot , for instance , had an eare , an eye , an animall spirit , and an organization , as the philosophers speake , apted for such functions , it would heare , and see , and vnderstand as well as the head . and therefore the head , by a naturall instinct , as it were , and sympathie , doth continually & tenderly , with fresh successions of a liuely and quickning influence , cherish , and refresh other parts as well as it selfe . the husband , by the benefit of a more manly body , tempered with naturall fitnesse for the soule to worke more nobly in ; doth , or ought ordinarily outgoe the wife in largenesse of vnderstanding , height of courage , stayednesse of resolution , moderation of his passions , dexterity to manage businesses , and other naturall inclinations , and abilities to doe more excellently ; yet notwithstanding , let him know that his wife hath as noble a soule as himselfe . soules haue no sexes , as a ambrose saith . in the better part they are both men . and if thy wiues soule were freed from the frailty of her sexe , it were as manly , as noble , as vnderstanding , and euery way as excellent as thine owne : nay , and if it were possible for you to change bodies ; hers would worke as manlily in thine , and thine as womanly in hers . let the husband then bee so farre from insulting ouer , contemning , or vnderualuing his wiues worth , for the weakenesse of her sexe ; that out of consideration that her soule is naturally euery way as good as his owne ; onely the excellencie of its natiue operations , something damped , as it were , and disabled by the frailty of that weaker body , with which gods wise prouidence hath clothed it vpon purpose , for a more conuenient and comfortable , but ingenuous seruiceablenes to his good ; that , i say , he labour the more to entertaine and intreat her with all tendernesse and honour , to recompence , as it were , her suffering in this kinde for his sake . . the head is the well-spring of all quickning motion and sence , liuelinesse and lightsomenesse to the body . if the deriuation of animall spirits from the braine , were restrained and intercepted for a while ; the body would bee presently surprized with a sencelesse dampe and dead palsey . the wife for the husbands sake , hath forsaken her natiue home , fathers house , father , mother , and many comforts in that kind : and therefore good reason shee should expect now , and receiue from her head ; new matter , and a continued influence of lightheartednesse , comfortable enioying her selfe , and cheerefull walking . if hee to whose company and conditions shee is now so neerely and necessarily confined , and , as it were , enchained , proue dogged , shee holds her selfe vtterly vndone for any outward contentment . . let him dwell with her , according to knowledge . . pet. . . . by a wise discouery at the first , and timely acquainting himselfe with her disposition , affections , infirmities , passions , imperfections ; and thereupon with all holy discretion , apply and addresse himselfe in a faire and louing manner , to rectifie and reforme all hee can ; and to beare the rest with patience , passing by it without passion and impatiency , still waiting vpon god by prayer , in his good time , for a further and more full redresse and conformity . one of the rankest rootes of distastes and discontentment in the marriage-state , is the neglect of a punctuall obseruation of each others properties ; of taking the right measure of each others manners , vpon purpose , that with mutuall patience and forbearance , they may support each other in loue , and louingly beare one anothers burthens . memorable is that speech , and may bee a fit medicine against marriage-iarres ; which a reuerend man receiued from an husband , being asked how such a cholericke couple could so consort together : thus , saith he , when her fit is vpon her , i yeeld to her , as abraham did to sara ; and when my fit is vpon me , she yeelds to me : and so we neuer striue together , but asunder . . by a prouident , discreet , and patient ordering , guiding , and managing businesses abroad , and family affaires ; without that carking , impatiencie , preuention , and distrust of gods prouidence ; without that clamour , boysterousnesse , and confusion , with which worldlings are woont to trouble their owne houses . it is incredible to consider the vast and vnualuable difference between the comforts , calmenesse , and many sweet contentments of an houshold , gouerned by the patient wisedome of an heauenly-minded man : and the endlesse brawlings , bitter contestations about trifles , disorders , domesticall hurlyburlies , &c. which haunt that family , where a cholericke , couetous , and hairebrained husband doth domineere . this latter , is like the middle region of the ayre , continually torne and rent with fresh commotions , thunders , and many tumultuous stirres , which rise at first from a thing of nothing ; a thinne inuisible fume drawne out of the earth : so earthly things , vainer then the most vanishing vapour , doe ordinarily raise in such nourceries of disquietnesse and noise , a world of needlesse troubles , passionate distempers , and selfe-vexations . but the former is like the highest part of the aire , full of calmenesse , tranquillitie , and constant light ; the sunne of righteousnesse shining still vpon it with the blessed beames of patience , contentment and spirituall noblenesse of minde ; doth from time to time dissolue and driue away all mists of worldly mourning , stormes of bitternesse and brawling , matter of such sencelesse and brainelesse molesting one another ; and doth with a sweete and kindly heate refresh and support the heart , against all chollericke encounters and crosse accidents ; by vertue of such heauenly and healing cordials as these , which were wont to calme and repell the most tempestuous assaults vpon the afflicted saints , iob . . . sam. . . . but aboue all , by leading his wife in the way of life , and path , that is called holy. this is the flower and crowne of all his skill , to be a blessed and manly guide vnto her , towards euerlasting happinesse . for want of this wisedome , and wil , many a poore soule lies bleeding vnto eternal death , vnder the bloody and mercilesse hand of an ignorant , prophane , or pharisaicall husband ; which perhaps may haue knowledge enough and too much , to thriue in the world , to prosper in his outward state ; to prouide for posterity ; nay to oppresse , ouer-reach , and defraud his brother : but no wit , no vnderstanding , no braines at all , to teach , and tell his wife one foote of the right way to heauen : wise to do euill , as the prophet speakes , ier. . . but to doe good , no knowledge at all : no holy habit or heart to pray with her , to instruct , and incourage her in the great mystery and practise of godlinesse ; to keepe the sabbath holy , and daies of humiliation ; to reade scriptures , repeate sermons , and conferre of good things with her , &c. from which he is so farre ; that although it be the strongest barre to keepe her from grace , and the bloody cut-throate of both their soules ; he will needes perswade her that all this is too much precisenesse . and yet heare a chrysostome : let them both goe to the church , and afterward at home let the husband require of the wife , and the wife of the husband , those things which were there spoken and read , or at least , some of them . and in the same sermon , teach her , saith he , the feare of god ; and all things will flow in abundantly , as out of a fountaine : and thine house will be replenished with innumerable good things . by a conscionable and constant care also , for the conuersion , and b saluation of their c children and seruants . euery husband and head of family is as it were , a priest and pastour in his owne d house ; and therefore , if he take not a course to catechize them , pray with them , prepare them for the sacrament , and to bring them vp in the nurture and admonition of the lord , as the apostle counsels , ephe. . . to restraine them all hee can from lewde courses , ill company , the corruptions of the time : but suffer them to haue their swinge in their youthfull rebellions , vnhallowing the lords day , alehouse-hauntings , stubbornnesse against the ministery , &c. vntill many times they swing in an halter , as they say : let them then know , that all those sinnes they so runne into , by such grosse neglect and default , are set vpon his score , and he must be exactly countable , and full dearely answer for them at that great and last day . nay let mee further tell him that , which will make his eares to tingle , and heart to tremble , if it bee not of adamant , and his heartstrings turned into iron sinnewes : those his children and seruants , which by his impenitent omissions and vnconscionablenesse in this kinde , haue perished in their sinnes , will curse him for euer hereafter amongst the fiends in hell . they will follow thee vp and downe in that euer-burning lake , with direfull bannings , and hideous outcries ; crying out continually : woe vnto vt , that euer we serued such a wicked and wretched master , that had no care of the saluation of our soules , tooke no course to saue vs out of these fiery torments . euen thine owne deare children in this case , will yell in thine eares , world without end : woe and alasse , that euer wee were borne of such accursed parents , who had not the grace to teach vs betime the waies of god ; to keepe vs from our youthfull vanities , and to traine vs vp in the paths of godlinesse ! had they done so , wee might haue liued in the endlesse ioyes of heauen ; whereas now damned soules , we must lie irrecouerably in these euerlasting flames . oh , will they say , it was the bloody knife of our owne deare parents vnconscionable , and cruell negligence , that all our life long stuck full deepe in our soules , and hath now strangled them with euerlasting horrour ! that this must needes bee so , ordinary obseruation , common experience doth too often confirme . wee heare many times many miserable malefactours bitterly complaine at the place of execution , against parents and masters carelesse and consciencelesse in this kind ; and saying : if they had had care and conscience to haue taught and restrained vs betime , wee had neuer come to this dogges death , and shamefull end . how much more will they cry out against them with endlesse yellings , when they shall feele the flames of hell ? ii. to the wife . . let her be in subiection to her head . . by a reuerent and humble perswasion of his precedency and authority ouer her , grounded and ingrauen in her resolution principally : . by vertue of diuine ordination , gen. . . ephe. . . though . the very law of nature , . her husbands headship , . womanly infirmity may also bee powerfull motiues to this purpose . for if her heart begin to swell , and be lifted vp with an ouerweening conceit of a sufficiency aboue her sexe ; so that she grow discontent , and impatient of contradiction and command , shee brings a world of vnnecessary misery and molestation into her owne house , and lies in a grand transgression and grieuous sinne against the institution and honour of the marriage-state . it is no a noblenesse of birth greatnesse of portion , nimblenesse of tongue , pregnancy of wit , or any other excellency incident to her sexe , which can giue her any right or priuiledge to seize vpon the soueraignty , and take the raines into her owne hands . some seruants also may be wiser then their masters : some subiects more politicke then their prince ; but that giues them no warrant ; nay , for all that , it were monstrous and vnnaturall villany ▪ for any seruant thereupon to domineere ; or priuate man to rush into a royall throne . no sufficiency of gifts , or singularity of worth must iustle vs out of that ranke and station , wherein gods wise prouidence and all-seeing wisedome hath placed vs. a man may bee a superiour in power and place , to his superiour in parts and personall endowments . no pretence then or plea on the womans part , can possibly procure any dispensation against god and nature , of vnwomanly domineering and deposing her head . . by an hearty and cheerefull submission : . to all his lawfull and honest dictates and directions : for her personall behauiour and carriage ; that it may be fashioned and addrest , with an ingenuous and louing accōmodation of her selfe to doe him all the honour , and giue him all the contentment she can possibly with good conscience : for educating , ordering and disposing her children , seruants , and other domesticall affaires ( wherein notwithstanding there are some passages , more proper and natiue to her sexe , in which , except she be witlesse , gracelesse , and strangely weake , it will be very vnmanly , dishonourable and vnworthy for him to be too medling , prying and pragmaticall : ) but aboue all , for guiding her aright in the sweete and glorious path of christianity , that after their neerest , and dearest comfort , and communion in the best things and spirituall blessings , which onely can allay the smart of al crosse accidents , & sweeten the bitternesse of a few & euill daies in this vale of teares , they may for euer be crowned together in heauen . . to all his reasonable , and religious restraints : not onely from wicked haunts , and customes , sinfull fashions , and passions●… but in case of inconuenience , dishonour or iust displeasure , for the abridging , or abandoning of her ease , wil , desires , delights , this or that company , conformity to the times in her attyre , &c. for the spouse , for christs sake , soueraignty and loue , doth deny her selfe , her owne reason , and wisedome , her naturall wit , and wilfulnesse , her passions , pleasures , and profits , her ease and liberty , &c. and the wife is charged by blessed paul , to bee subiect to her husband , as the church is to christ , eph. . . . to all his motions , admonitions , counsels , comforts , reproofs , commands , countermands , euen in euery thing , only in the lord. so we see the body to rest vpon the heads motion , eyther for rest , or motion . in a word , she ought like a true looking glasse , faithfully to represent & returne to her husbands heart , with a sweete , and pleasing pliablenesse , the exact lineaments and proportions of all his honest desires , and demands ; and that without discontent , thwarting , or sowrenesse . for her subiection in this kind should be as to christ , sincere , hearty and free . . let her bee an helper , genesis . . and doe him good all the dayes of her life , at all times , vpon all occasions , in all estates ; of aduersity , or prosperity ; acceptation , or disgrace ; sicknesse , or health ; youth , or old age , &c. and that , with kindnesse and constancy . a most memorable , and famous patterne for this purpose is recorded by uiues . a yong , tender and beautifull maid was matched ( as he reports ) to a man stricken in yeeres : whom , after shee found to haue a very fulsome and diseased body ; yet notwithstanding out of sence and conscience , as it seemes , that now by gods prouidence she was become his wife ; she most worthily digested with incredible patience and contentment , the languishing , and lothsomnesse of an husband continually visited and vexed with variety and new successions of most irkesome and contagious diseases . and though friends and physicions aduised her by no meanes to come neere him , for feare of danger and infection ; yet for all this , shee passing by , with a louing disdaine and contempt , these vnkinde disswasions , plied him still night and day with extraordinary tendernesse and care ; with obsequiousnesse and seruices of all sorts , aboue her strength and ability , or possibility , as the author saith : had not her dearest coniugall affection supplied and supported her weake body , with fresh accessions of vigor and vnweariednesse . shee was to him friends , physicion , husband , nurse . these are nothing : she was father , mother , brother , sister , daughter , euery thing , any thing , to doe him good any manner of way . nay , had there bin one exquisite quintessence of tendernesse , dearenesse , affectionatenesse , and loue collected and extracted from all these ; it would hardly haue matched her mercifulnesse , and melting affections towards him . in case of want , by reason of extraordinary expence , and excessiue charges about him ; she sold her rings , chaynes , and richest attire ; she emptied her cupbord of plate , her cabinet of chiefest and choycest iewels , to doe him good . and when hee was dead , and friends came about her rather to congratulate her happie riddance , then to bewaile her widdowhood ; shee did not onely deprecate and abhorre all speeches tending that way : but protested if it were possible , she would willingly redeeme her husbands life , with the losse of her fiue dearest children . and though as yet , the flower , and prime of her beautifullest and best time was not expired ; yet she strongly resolued against a second match , because , said she , i shall not finde a second ualdaura ; ( for so her husband was called . ) whence it appeares , that this worthy woman was wedded to her husbands soule ; not to his body : no infirmity or deformity whereof could coole or weaken the manlinesse , and feruency of her loue . such choyse as this , were the way to make wiues neuer weary of their husbands . whereas affections fastened onely on a mans outside , are subiect to the tedious misery of inconstancy and change , and torture of many wicked and impossible wishes , according to the vanity and vexation of its transitory obiect . against which heare the indignation of an ancient father : c but thy husband , saith he , is growne vnhandsome , and homely . hee once pleased thee : wouldest thou euer bee choosing an husband ? the oxe and the horse like their mate : and if the one be changed , the other knowes not how to draw ; but wants , as it were , halfe of himselfe : but thou refusest thy yoke-fellow , and wouldest often change . helpefulnesse to her husband , must bee vniuersall ; apprehending and improouing with all readinesse and loue , all opportunities to doe him any good in soule or body , name , estate , &c. in a speciall manner she must learne , and labour with all meekenesse of wisedome and patient discretion , to forecast , contriue and manage , as her more proper and particular charge , household affaires , and businesses within dore , as they say . for which , see a right noble glorious patterne , prou. . for the pride , vanity , idlenesse and luxury of these last times , wherein there is so much hell vpon earth ; such an impetuous raigne and rage of sinne in all sorts , hath transported also that sexe into many monstrous degenerations : so that our great women in these daies would bee very loth to worke after this sample , though set by the holy ghost himselfe : yet heretofore right noble princesses and daughters of mighty kings , made conscience of a particular calling , and disdayned not to put their hands to huswifery . see gen. . . and . . . sam. . . but aboue all , let here be assistant to him in setting vp , and forward the rich and royall trade of grace ; in erecting and establishing christs glorious kingdome , both in their owne hearts , and in their house . this is that one necessary thing , without which their family is but satans seminary , and a nurcery for hell . and therefore let her be so far from drawing a contrary way ( a cursed villany of some wicked wiues abroad in the world ) or dead-heartednesse this way , which is the graue of all spirituall graces , that , in case of negligence & slacknesse , she should labor by all wise , modest , seasonable insinuations , to stirre vp and quicken her husband to constancy and seruency in religious exercises of prayer , reading , catechizing , conference , daies of humiliation , and other household holy duties . as the two greater lights of heauen doe gouerne this great world with their naturall : so let the husband and wife guide the little world of their family , with the spirituall light of diuine knowledge and discretion . when the sunne is present in our firmament , the moone out of a sence , as it were , of a naturall reuerence to the fountaine of all her beauty and light , doth vaile her splendor , and retire her beames . but when he is departed to the other hemisphaere , she shewes her selfe , and shines as a princesse amongst the lesser lights . when the husband is at home , let the wife onely , if need be , serue as a louing remembrancer to him , to keepe his turnes and times of illightning and informing the ignorant , darke and earthy hearts of their people . but in his absence comes her course , when her graces of knowledge and prayer , &c. ought to shew forth themselues , and shine vpon them , to preserue them from coldnesse , and that dreadfull curse which hangs ouer the head of those that know not god , and shall certainely fall vpon those families that call not on his name . see ierem. . . for conclusion of the point , & crowning of the marriage-state with sound and lasting comfort in the meane time , and with euerlasting peace & pleasures at last : let man and wife ioyntly labour to sweeten and sanctifie their mutuall carriages , both common and seuerall duties each to other , with often and constant meeting together in prayer . for perswasion to which practise : consider such places as these ▪ a gen. . . b . cor. . . c . pet. . . that precise passage in d ambrose : you must both ( speaking of married couples ) rise in the night to prayer , and god is to bee intreated of you with ioynt supplications . e continually , saith chrysostome , teach her profitable things , and pray together . if besides family-prayers , wherein the more generall affaires of the household are to bee commended vnto god , man and wife make conscience also of this more priuate duty betweene themselues , wherein many particulars are to be petitioned , onely proper and indiuiduall to that neere society ; i say , if they set themselues vnto it with sincerity of heart , it may be a notable helpe , and by gods blessing prooue a soueraigne antidote against any roote of bitternesse , heart-rising , dissention , or discontent betwixt them : ( wrath , and ill-will towards any , lurking in the heart , doth vtterly dampe and empoyson the power and comfort of prayer , much more towards one tyed vnto thee with so many deare and perpetuall bonds ; so that prayer together will make them leaue iarring ; or iarring will make them leaue praying ) against all immodesties , dishonours , and defilements of the marriage-bed ; against want , monstrousnesse , and miscarriage of children ; against wearinesse , saciety and light esteeme one of another ; against plunging themselues insensibly into the gulfe of worldly-mindednesse , the canker and cutthroate of all grace , comfort , and noblenesse of mind , &c. this priuate morning and euening sacrifice offered to the throne of grace , with heartinesse and life , will spiritualize ( that i may so speake ) their loue , and renew it daily vpon their hearts , with fresh , ardent , and heauenly embracements . it will marueilously sweeten all reproaches and contumelies cast vpon them for their profession by enuenomed tongues ; when they shall come together in priuate , and complaine vnto god , and begge at his mercifull hands , patience , and christian fortitude to take them , in submission to his will , and conformity to his sonne , as so many crownes of glory to their heads , and of ioy vnto their hearts , acts . . . pet. . . iob . . it will sweetly seale vnto them in the meane time , their assurance of meeting together hereafter in heauen : and when the time of sorrow shall come , and stroke of death diuorce them for a time , consciousnesse of their former blessed communion in prayer , will not onely serue as a counterpoyson against all slauish bitternesse of immoderate griefe incident to hopelesse worldlings : but crowne their hearts at parting , ( which is a precious thing ) with incomparably more true , inward , lasting contentment , then if they two had couetously hoarded and heapt together , all the wealth both of this and the other golden world . thus much for our dealing in the world and ciuill affaires . v. now concerning workes of mercy , which springing from an heart , melting with sense of gods euerlasting mercy to it selfe ; quickened with a liuely faith in the lord iesus , and shining with sauing graces , are an odour of a sweet smell , a sacrifice acceptable , well pleasing to god , philippians . . hebr. . . conceiue first , there be two sorts of them ; . spirituall . . corporall . . spirituall , flow from the fountaine of truest mercy , and compassion of greatest tendernesse and consequence ; euen to relieue , repaire , and refresh the pouerty , wants and miseries of the soule . . by instructing the ignorant , prou. . . and . . . by giuing a counsell to them that need , or seeke it . exod. . . &c. ruth . . , &c. . by reducing the erroneous . exo. . . . by labouring the conuersion of others . psalm . . . luk. . . . by exhorting one another . heb. . . . by reproouing the offendor . leuit. . . . by admonishing them that are out of order . . thes. . . . by considering one another , to prouoke vnto loue , and to good workes ▪ hebr. . . . by comforting the heauy heart , and afflicted spirit . . thes. . . . by b forgiuing from the heart our brethren their trespasses . matth. . . . by chastising delinquents . prou. . . . by raising those which are fallen by infirmity , with much meekenesse , and tendernesse of heart . gal. . . . by mutuall encouragements against the cruelty and confusions of the times , & in the way to heauen . mal. . . . by supporting , and mercifully making much of weake christians . . thes. . . . by patience towards all men . . thes. . . . by praying one for another . iam. . . . corporall , spring from a compassionate heart , and fellow-feeling affection , yerning ouer the temporall wants and necessities of our brethren ; whereby we are stirred vp , as occasion is offered , according to our ability , to succour and support their outward extremities and distresses : to feede the hungry : to giue drinke to the thirsty : to clothe the naked : to entertaine the stranger : to visit the sicke : to goe to those that are in prison . math. . . to put to an helping hand for raising our brethren fallen into decay . leuit. . . to lend , hoping for nothing againe , &c. luke . . thus christians ought to be ready to distribute , willing to communicate in all kindes to the outward necessities also : . first ; of those of the houshold of faith , the principall and most moouing obiect to draw bounty from a truly charitable heart . gal. . . . in the next place ; of the lame : the blind , the sicke , the aged , the trembling hand , or any that god hath made poore . . thirdly ; of any a whosoeuer , in a case of true necessitie and extremity , whatsoeuer the party hath bin before : for there thou relieuest not his notoriousnesse , but his nature : though thou abhorre the man for his former villany ; yet vpon poynt of perishing , doe good vnto the common state of humanity . now of these two kindes ; b fathers , c schoolemen , casuists , all concurre , and conclude , that spirituall almes d caeteris paribus , as they say , are more excellent and acceptable then corporall . because , . the gift is more noble in its owne nature . . the obiect more illustrious ; mans immortall soule . . the manner transcendent , being spirituall . . the charity more heauenly , which aimes at our brothers endlesse saluation . let then euery christian conscionably and constantly endeauour to improoue to the vtmost vpon all occasions , and seasonable offers ; all his spirituall abilities , heauenly endowments , illuminations of learning , morall wisedome , prouidence , discretion , &c. all his skill in the mystery of christ ; word , and waies of god ; all his experience in temptations , cases of conscience , spirituall distempers ; his spirit of counsell , comfort , courage , or what other gift or grace soeuer he is illightened , and endowed with ; to relieue and refresh euery way the soules , to procure and promote by all meanes , the eternall saluation of others . let the sauing light of thy diuine knowledge , spirituall wisedome , heauenly vnderstanding , or what other excellencies , and perfections of the minde shining in thy soule ; resemble in all fruitfull improouement , and free communicating it selfe , that bountifull light in the body of the sunne●… that . first illighteneth that goodly creature wherein i●… originally dwels , and makes it the fairest and beautifulle●… thing in the world . . next , it illuminates , and beautifi●… all the orbes , and heauenly bodies about it . . thirdly , b●… the proiection of his beames , it begets all the beauty , glory , sweetnesse , wee haue here below on the earth . . fourthly , it insinuates into euery chinke and crany of the earth , and concurres to the making of those precious metals , which lye in her bowels . . fiftly , his beames glide by the sides of the earth , and illighten euen the opposite part of heauen , with all those glorious starres we see shining in the night . . sixthly , it is so communicatiue , and greedy of dooing good in its kinde , that it strikes thorow the firmament in the transparent parts , and seekes to bestow its brightnesse and beauty , euen beyond the heauens ; and neuer restraines the free communication of its influence and glory , vntill it determine by naturall and necessarie expiration . euen so proportionably , let the fruitfull light of thy diuine knowledge , and heauenly counsell especially , be still working , shining , spreading to doe all possible good . . let it , first , make thine own soule all glorious within , fairely enlighten it with an humble reflection of selfe-knowledge , with puritie , peace , and spirituall prudence , to guide constantly thine owne feete , with all vprightnesse and patience , in the path that is called holy . . secondly , let it shine vpon thy family , and those that are next about thee , with all seasonable instructions in conuincing them of the truth , and goodnesse of the a wayes of god , either for their conuersion , or inexcusablenesse . . thirdly , let it bee spent and imployed vpon thy neighbours , kindred , friends , acquaintance , visitants of all sorts , when they come towards thee ; to warme their hearts all thou canst , with heauenly talke , and to winne their loues to the life of grace . . fourthly , let it insinuate also amongst strangers , and into other companies , vpon which any warrantable calling shall cast thee : and intimate vnto them , especially if it finde acceptation , and entertainment : that one thing is necessarie : that all impenitents shall bee certainly damned : that vpon this moment dependeth eternitie , &c. . nay , let it offer it selfe with all meekenesse of wisedome , and patient discretion , euen to opposites : and labour to conquer , if it bee possible , the contrarie minded ; if their scornefull carriage , and furious visible hate against the mysterie of christ , hath not set a brand of dogges and swine vpon them . . lastly , when vpon all occasions , in all companies , by all meanes , it hath done all the good it can , yet let it still retaine that constant propertie of all heauenly graces , an edge , and eagernesse to doe more good still , and rather want matter and meanes , then readinesse and resolution to propagate it selfe . and this way now may the poorest christians bee plentifull in workes of mercy , and enrich the richest with spirituall almes . which in the meane time may comfort the bountifull hearts of those who are true of heart ; to whom the lord out of his best wisedome , hath denied this earthly drosse . but yet for all this , i would haue you know , that i know none , not the poorest , excepted or exempted from seasonable ministring to the corporall necessities also of their brethren . we haue a precept from blessed paul , ephe. . . a that we must worke with our own hands , that we may haue to giue to him that needeth . and a noble president in the poore widdow , mark. . . who cast her two mites into the treasurie , which was all shee had , euen all her liuing . and if any heere make a counterplea of their pouertie , i would know if there bee any so poore , which is not able to giue b a cup of cold water onely ; and yet this from a sincere heart , shall bee both graciously accepted , and certainly rewarded , matth. . . and therefore in a second place , i infinitely desire and intreate , ( and this is that which in this point i would specially presse and perswade with deepest impression ) that euery one which hath giuen his name vnto christ , rich or poore , according to his power and proportion , would with singular care and conscience addresse himselfe to a fruitfull , affectionate , and constant discharge of this much honoured dutie of almes-giuing in this kinde also , properly so called . . for we are bound to abound in this grace also . therefore saith paul , . cor. . . ( as yee abound in euery thing , in faith , &c. ) see that you abound in this grace also . there is no religious professour of any reputation , vpon good ground with the church of god , but takes to heart , and desires to bee exact in all commanded christian duties euery day , as prayer , reading scriptures , &c. vpon thy secret then , and solitarie reuise and suruey of the day past , call thy selfe to a strict account ; as for others so concerning this dutie also , of doing good vnto all men , especially vnto them who are of the houshold of faith , gal. . . ( for the discharge of this dutie ought also to bee daily ; if thy abilitie will beare , and the necessities of the poore shall require : in the morning sowe thy seed , and in the euening withhold not thy hand . giue a portion to seuen , and also to eight , eccles. . , . ) and let the sense and consciousnesse of any omission , neglect , or sloth in performing it , wound thy conscience also , humble thy soule , and quicken thine heart , with new life of resolution , and more liuely endeuour to mend euery morning ; and perfume , as it were , thine euery dayes walking with god , and this sweet smelling sacrifice also of mercifulnesse , bounty , and loue , phil. . . let this duty likewise with the rest , fall within the compass●… of thy seuerest search ; penitent melting , renued vowes , in all thy more solemne selfe-examinations before the sabbath , sacraments , vpon dayes of humiliation , &c. it is a profitable consideration , to thinke that a customary grosse neglect of any one christian dutie , in its season , of which the conscience is , or may be conuinced , may iustly dampe and dead the lightsome and fruitfull performance of all the rest . for example : a willing knowne omission of priuate prayer , or set reading the word euery day , may intercept and restraine the sweet influence of gods woonted refreshing mercy , and the fructifying beames of his pleased countenance from thine heart , in the vse of all the other ordinances : an affected idlenesse , and dis-imployment of any one grace in the soule , when seasonable occasion calleth for improouement , may blast the comfortable exercise and sensible comfort of all the rest . for example : if thou suffer thy patience ordinarily to sleepe , when thy disauowed passions begin to breake in vpon thee like a torrent , and heate thine heart with their swelling poyson ; or when some crosse doth nettle thy desire of ease ; no maruaile though thou finde a faintnesse also to seize vpon thy faith , brotherly kindnesse , loue , zeale , ioy , and peace in beleeuing , &c. why then , when thou feelest thine inward man to begin to languish , and the whole body of christianitie , to grow , as it were , towards a consumption ; amongst other inquisitions , why doest thou not also feare out of a godly iealousie , and labour to finde out , whether the coldnesse of thy charity , and too much neglect of releeuing the poore members of iesus christ , may occasion thy spirituall dampe ? it is the duty and property of euery true-hearted nathaneel , as to haue respect to all gods commandements , psal. . . so , though they cannot in perfection and height , yet with truth and sincere endeauour , to haue respect to a conscionable vse of all the ordinances ; to the performance of all holy duties , and exercise of all spirituall graces in their due seasons . . if the world hath locked vp thine heart , and congealed the bowels of thy compassions towards the poore ; let the blaze of thine outward profession shine neuer so faire , manage the heartlesse representations of externall holinesse neuer so demurely ; keepe the times and taskes of daily duties with neuer so great austeritie ; nay , though thou bee able to amuse weaker christians with some affected straines , and artificiall feruency in prayer ( for by the meere power , or rather poyson of hypocrisie and vaineglory , a man may pray sometimes to the admiration of others , especially lesse iudicious , hauing cunningly collected the most moouing passages for that purpose , from the best-gifted in that kinde , and then giuing an enforced action and life vnto them in the deliuerie , as some in other cases act other mens inuentions to the life . ) i say , for all this , if the holy heate of brotherly loue doth not warme thine heart , and vpon occasion worke affectionately and effectually , i dare say , thou art rotten at the heart-roote , there is no true loue of god in thee , no grace , no hope of saluation . let that terrible and flaming place against all couetous pharises , . ioh. . . dissolue thy frozen-heartednesse this way , and enlarge the bowels of pitie towards the poore brethren of christ iesus , or else neuer looke hereafter to looke him in the face with comfort , or to finde mercy at that day . marke it well , and meditate vpon it : whoso hath this worlds good , and seeth his brother hath need , and shutteth vp his bowels of compassion from him , how dwelleth the loue of god in him ? . but aboue all other motiues of mercifulnesse to the poore , which in the booke of god are very many , and most quickening ; methinkes that argument which paul presseth to this purpose , . cor. . . should melt the most flinty heart : for yee know , saith he , the grace of our lord iesus christ , that though he was rich , yet for your sakes hee became poore , that yee through his pouertie might bee rich . shall the onely deare innocent sonne of the all-powerfull and euer-blessed lord , and king of heauen and earth , dis inrich , as it were , and disrobe his heauenly highnesse of that royaltie and maiestie aboue , and become so poore , that whereas the foxes haue holes , and the birds of the ayre haue nests ; yet hee not where to lay his head : that through his pouerty , and powring out his hearts blood , hee might crowne vs with the inestimable riches of heauenly glory ; with ioyes and pleasures more then the starres of the firmament , euen for euer and euer ; and shall not we wormes and wretches , most vnworthy the least bit of bread we put into our mouthes , part with our superfluities , sometimes , both in respect of the necessity of nature , and exigencie of estate , as the schoolemen speake , to relieue the fainting soule of him for whom christ died , and which he would take as done vnto himselfe , matth. . . were it but a cup of cold water onely ? mar. . . monstrous vnthankfull cruelty ! mercilesnesse , meriting without gods singular mercy , and turning mercifull our selues , the fiercest flame in the dungeon of fire and brimstone . . the last and euerlasting doome , at that great and dreadfull day , must passe vpon vs according to our carriage in this kinde . then shall there be a seuere ▪ and sincere search and enquirie made after a workes , as the signes , euidences , and outward demonstrations of faith , and the roote of grace in the heart : or of vnbeliefe and rottennesse at the heart-roote ; and consequently , as arguments of a righteous doome passed vpon the sheepe and goates . that glorious sentence of absolution ; come yee blessed of my father , inherit the kingdome prepared for you from the foundation of the world : ( which sounds out nothing but pleasures , ioyes , delights , glories , beauties , felicities , crownes , kingdomes , angelicall entertainments , beatificall-visions , spirituall rauishments , highest perfections , vnutterable exultations of spirit , sweetest varieties , eternities ) shall be pronounced vpon the godly , according to the effects and fruits of their faith , to teach vs in the meane time , what faith to trust vnto , and rest vpon for iustification ; euen that which works by loue : and at that day , to let all the world see , angels , men and deuils , that the kingdome of heauen is giuen onely to true-hearted nathaneels , honest professours , working beleeuers . now in the text for this purpose , there is singled out with special choice , an eminent synechdochicall instance , in one of the worthiest effects of faith , and noblest fruit of grace ; euen the point i now presse , and labour to perswade : an open-hearted , reall , fruitfull bounty and loue to gods people , and distressed members of christ iesus , for christs and their goodnesse sake . but that other doome of damnation , depart from me you cursed , into euerlasting fire , prepared for the deuill and his angels ; which breathes out nothing but fire and brimstone , stings and horrours , woe , and alasse , flames of wrath , and the worme that neuer dyeth ; trembling , and gnashing of teeth ; seas of vengeance , torments without end , and past imagination ; shall passe vpon the reprobates , for omission and neglect of this noble dutie . for mercilesnesse to the poore members of christ , vnkindnesse to christians , hard-heartednesse towards the houshold of faith , is one of the ranckest bitterest weeds , which growes out of a gracelesse heart ; a cleare pregnant euidence , that all was naught ; and a notable remembrancer , as it were , to that high and euerlasting iudge , that his blessed spirit neuer dwelt there . how deeply then doth it concerne euery christian to practise , and ply vpon all opportunities , that most gainefull art of almes-giuing , which shall be so highly honoured at that great day , before that glorious vniuersall presence ; when euery mercilesse man shall cry to that rocke , this mountaine , to fall vpon him , and hide him from the wrath of that iust god ; which will flame vnquenchably and euerlastingly against all those , who in this life haue shut vp their bowels of pitty against his poore ; and been dogged towards the dearely beloued of his soule . i know , a bellarmine labours to empoyson this last passage with his false glosse , and popish sophistry . the causall coniunction for , matth. . . as hee there cauils , intimates and implyes workes meritoriousnesse . i say no. for , is there a note of consequence and order : not of the cause , or any b meritorious causality . the causall coniunction in grammar doth indeed serue to shew the reason of a former sentence : but it doth not necessarily shew a reason from the cause of a thing : but many times also from the effect , and other kind of arguments . and logick also reacheth , that there be diuers kinds of causes ; principall , and lesse principall , &c. bellarmine replyes : doth not christ there speake in the same manner , of the rewards of the godly , and of the punishments of the wicked ? but no man can say , that in these words , goe ye cursed , &c. that the cause is not rendred ; but onely the order and consequence implyed : for the wages of sinne is death , rom. . . i answer : by the like fallacy also doe the popish impostors pleade for iustification by workes : euill workes damne , therefore good workes saue . most falsely : as appeares by that rule in the topicks : c the consequence is of no validitie , where there is not a perfect contrarietie . now betweene good and euill workes , there is no perfect contrarietie : d for euill workes are perfectly euill against the law of god : but good workes are not perfectly good according to the law of god. by the same reason neither doth it follow : eternall death is the wages of sinne : therefore eternall life is the wages of good workes . . if thou lay out to the poore e cheerefully , f seasonably , g liberally , and yet but according to thy h abilitie ; thou shalt become ( which besides the onely course of growing comfortably rich , is also a crowne of infinite honour ) creditor euen to thy creator . hee that hath pitie vpon the poore , lendeth vnto the lord , and that which he hath giuen , will he pay him againe , prou. . . and in the meane time for repayment in due time , thou hast securitie infinitely aboue all exception , a bill vnder his owne hand , euen his owne blessed booke ; wherein to faile , were to forfeit his deity , if i may so speake , which is prodigious blasphemie to imagine . now what a keene spurre , and inflaming motiue is this to bee mercifull : that wee shall make god himselfe our debter , the euer springing fountaine of blisse , and lord of all goodnesse who doth all things like himselfe ; omnipotently , bountifully , aboue all expectation , as becomes the mighty soueraigne of heauen and earth ? if he worke , he makes a world : if he be angry , he drownes the whole face of the earth : if he loue , the hearts-blood of his dearest sonne is not too deare : if he stand vpon his peoples fide , he makes the sunne to stand still , and the starres to fight : if he repay , hee giues his owne all-sufficient selfe , with the ouerflowing torrents of al pleasures and glory through all eternitie . . nay , the way to thriue and fare well in the world , if our most wise god thinke it fi●… , is to bee compassionate this way . if thou draw out thy soule to the hungry , saith the prophet , and satisfie the afflicted soule : then shall thy light rise in obscuritie , and breake forth as the morning , and thy darknesse bee as the noone-day : and thy health shall spring forth speedily : the lord shal guide thee continually , and satisfie thy soule in drought , and make fat thy bones , and thou shalt be like a watered garden , and like a spring of water , whose waters faile not . thine horne shall be exalted with honour , and thou shalt not want . it will be then a profitable inquisition amongst others ; when a man findes himselfe to goe backward in his estate , gods secret displeasure to blow vpon his wealth , or afflict his body with painefull diseases , &c. to examine well , whether he was not ordinarily woont rather to shut vp his bowels of compassion , then to powre out his soule to the poore . in a third place , take notice of the order of those obiects , vpon which thy christian loue is regularly and seasonably to be directed , and thy workes of mercy discharged . the catalogue of them runneth thus , as i conceiue . the publike state wherein thou liuest , and whereof thou art a member , challengeth the first place and precedencie : if it liued a naturall life , as thou doest , and thou haddest but one morsell of bread , which would onely sustaine the life of one of you ; thou wert to perish , that it might flourish : for it is euer better , that one member should bee cut off , then the whole body consumed . * in the next place stands thy selfe ; then thy wife ; then thy parents ; then thy children and family ; then the h household of faith ; then thy naturall kinred sprung lately from the same progenitors ; then thy neerest neighbours and common friends ; then thy countrymen ; then strangers ; then thine enemies . for as thou wouldest be holden a child of the highest , luk. . . thou must loue thine enemies , and relieue them too , prou. . . rom. . . and because our naughty hearts doe naturally rise , and swell against them with much enraged anger , disdaine and contempt : ponder seriously vpon these points , as counterpoysons to keepe out these foule fiends , and preserue thine affections euer calme and vnstained this way , and in an holy charitable temper and disposition to doe them good . . first , he that becomes a bloody goad in thy side for thy blessed profession , and because thou followest goodnesse , is starke mad , and vtterly besides himselfe in matter of saluation . hee is as a dead man without all sense of spirituall selfe-murder : now it is extreme weakenesse , to euen thy wit ( as they say ) with a bedlam ; and barbarous inhumanitie , to wreake thy spite vpon the dead , and basely to vexe a liuelesse carcase with brauing insultations . . thou shouldest most wilfully forsake thine owne mercie , and iudge thy selfe more then infinitely vnworthy of euerlasting life , of any part or portion in the rich , glorious , eternall purchases of his meritorious death ; if thou couldest not frankely forgiue the greatest wrong of thy greatest enemy vpon this ground onely ; because iesus christ hath freely powred out the dearest and warmest blood in his heart , to purchase for thee a worme , and wretch , and while thou wast yet his desperate enemy , pardon and saluation from the endlesse woes , and damnations of hell. . thirdly , the mercifull patience of god himselfe in forbearing and bearing with infinite wrongs , and dishonours done vnto his great maiestie euery day , may be a matchlesse patterne and precedent to vs wofull sinners , and worse then nothing , easily to pardon , and patiently to passe by all the prouocations of our fellow creatures . how many blasphemous mouthes are continually open against the maiestie of heauen ? with what damned oathes doe they teare and recrucifie the precious body of his glorified sonne , that fits at his owne right hand ? with what monstrous lyes , and hatefull slanders doe they disgrace his ambassadours , and vilifie his chosen ? nay , where shall you find one of those , who haue sincerely giuen their names vnto christ , whose neglected innocency is not trampled vpon with the feet of pride and contempt ; and whose guiltlesse fame lyes not bleeding vnder the mercilesse strokes of intemperate tongues ? how many sonnes and daughters of belial doe horribly , and with an high hand prophane his sabbaths , pollute his sacraments , and turne their backs vpon his word ? how many euery where turne themselues into barrels and beasts , euen into sincks ; nay , and sometimes into sodomites , hab. . . by their swinish drunkennesse ? how many inclosing nimrods , and machiauellian landlords , grind the faces of the poore , pluck off their skins , teare their flesh , breake their bones , chop them in pieces as for the pot , and eate the flesh of gods people ? in a word : how many incarnate deuils walke vp and downe the earth with hearts and hands as full as hell , with all manner of mischiefe , lewdnesse and rebellion ? and yet wee see in the meane time , our gracious god beares patiently with these many and prodigious prouocations . though hee be armed with his owne vnresistable omnipotency ; haue euer in a readines all the angels of heauen , all the creatures vpon earth , all the deuils in hell ; nay , the very hands and consciences of such stubborne rebels , to be the instruments and executioners of his iust wrath vpon their sinne : yet doth hee sweetly and fairely temper , and moderate his indignation , to see if the riches of his goodnesse and forbearance , and long-suffering , will leade them to repentance . if almighty god then , whose maiesty , blessed and glorious for euer , is chiefly wrongged , euen by thy a wrongs also , whose mildnesse and mercy is most shamefully abused with the horrible ingratitude , and intolerable contempt of such as hate to be reformed , bee so wonderfully patient ; be not thou peruerse : but rather heape coales of fire vpon thine enemies head by kindnes and loue , that thou mayest be the charitable child of thy father which is in heauen ; who suffers his raine to fall as well vpon heaths and weeds , as vpon flowers and fruit-trees . . by harbouring heart-burning and angry thoughts in thy brest against those thou art tempted to hate ; thou wofully hardenest thine own heart , which is an vnualuable hurt , and depriuest thy selfe all the while thou art so dogged , of the blessing , benefit and comfort of all the ordinances ; not onely of the sacrament of the lords supper , as ignorant people suppose , but also of prayer , hearing the word , singing of psalmes , conference , &c. . tim. . . matth. . , . iam. . . now what extreme madnesse is it , and bedlam cruelty to thine own soule , by cherishing and keeping warme in thy bosome , such a base dunghill viper , as reuengefull spite , to cast the whole frame of thy spirituall building into combustion , and to make god thine enemy , whereby thou hurtest thy a selfe incomparably more , then thou canst euer possibly harme thine opposite ? . a great deale of spirituall good b doth by accident accrue to the christian , by the malice of his enemies . the raging and rayling enemies of gods people , serue as scullions to scowre the lords vessels of honour ; as shepheards dogs to hunt christs sheepe into order , and to purer pastures . . their narrow watching ouer his wayes to take him tripping , and prying into all passages of his life , vpon purpose to disgrace his profession , should make him walk more precisely ; and to hold a continuall counter-watch ouer all his courses , that hee giue no iust cause of offence , or any true matter of cauill or calumniation . whence it is , that dauid prayeth , psa. . . leade me in a plaine path , because of mine enemies , or those which obserue mee . . their hitting him in the teeth with the reproch of his former sinnes , should serue as a remembrancer vnto him , to reuise and renew more effectually and feelingly the great worke of his first repentance ; and to open afresh a fountaine of penitent teares , or at least of new griefe , hee can grieue no more , for those particular sinnes , which any dogged shimei , or slanderous doeg brings into his mind vpon such occasion . for it is the woont of ignorant enemies to gods holy wayes , to charge vpon his children , euen with much bitternesse and insultation , the faults and follies of their vnregenerate time . though god almighty hath buried them for euer in his mercy ; yet they will neuer suffer them to dye out of their malice . though the blood of christ hath couered them euerlastingly from the sight of god , and search of satan ; yet their base and dunghill spite will euer and anon rake into them againe to their disgrace . thus were austin and beza , two great lights of the church in their times ; and so are many other moderne worthies and champions of christ , dayly dealt with . in which case learned austin sweetly replyed to the donatists vpbraiding him in such an vnworthy fashion , with the impiety and impuritie of his former life : looke , said he , how much they blame my fault , so much i commend and praise my physicion . and blessed beza , to a fellow obiecting vnto him his youthfull poems ; this man vexeth himselfe , because christ hath vouchsafed mee his grace . and king dauid , with whom i should haue begun ; when shimei rayled vpon him , and called him murtherer ; let him alone , and let him curse : for the lord hath bidden him . and yet besides this , i doubt not , but vpon these occasions , dauids heart bled afresh for his bloody sinne ; augustines , for his former heresie and sensualitie ; bezaes , for the vanitie of his youth . . their blazing abroad some speciall visible scandalous infirmitie of his , and yet to which he is haled , and as it were hurried by the impetuousnesse of some sudden passion , or violent temptation , and which is one of his greatest griefes , and much matter of mourning in secret , should cause him to strengthen his watch , and improoue all his spirituall valour against the assaults and insinuations of it . . their malicious fathering vpon him by false reports , those faults he yet neuer fell into , and yet to which hee may bee naturally much inclinable , should furnish him with more then ordinarie care and courage , wisdome and watchfulnesse , to preuent the scandall of any such guiltinesse . . their slanderous laying to his charge , the things hee neuer did , nor euer like to doe ; which is also an hellish humour , and deuilish tricke of prophanenesse against profession , should leade him to a strict enquirie into his heart and life , to find out some other sinne , of which , vpon that occasion , god would haue him take notice , and mortifie . it may be , thou art falsely charged with hypocrisie ; looke that thou bee not earthly-minded ; with pride , looke that thou be not passionate ; with worldlinesse , looke that thou be not luke-warme , &c. thus haue i somewhat inlightned , and insisted longer vpon this point , purposely to stirre vp and quicken the spirits of all gods people , to a fruitfull constant exercise of christian charitie , and bounty towards their poore brethren : to bee aswell plentifull in workes of mercy , as precise in duties of pietie : ( god loues mercy aswell as sacrifice ; nay , in some cases , hee preferres the other before this ) to be so much more mindfull and apprehensiue of all opportunities , for a sincere discharge of this much vrged and honoured duty ; as the wicked are malicious , and pharises forward , to charge vpon them the contrarie . for you know , that carnall men are extremely greedy of casting aspersions and disgraces vpon the innocencie of religious professours . no excellencie of parts , singularitie of worth , eminencie of zeale , height of holinesse , integritie and puritie of life , can possibly priuiledge the best man that euer breathed the life of grace in the bosome of the church ; from the scourge of tongues . the only worthies vpon earth , of whom the world was not worthy , were vexed with cruell mockings : paul , that precious pillar of gods church , was called , a pestilent fellow : nay , christ iesus himselfe , in whom the fulnesse of the godhead dwelt bodily , was said to haue a deuill . and no marueile though they deale thus with his children , that daily blaspheme the mighty lord of heauen and earth , blessed for euer . daily experience tracts them in fiue pestilent passages this way : it is their woont , with all their cunning , and vpon all occasions , . to lessen , disgrace , and disparage all they can , the graces , worth , and good parts of good men . . to report true things maliciously , and vpon purpose to bring them into hatred and disestimation ; so doeg dealt with dauid . . to charge vpon them , with much credulity and confidence , things they neuer did , neuer knew , neuer thought vpon , or dreamed vpon . . with whorish foreheads , and very impudencie of hell , to fasten vpon them by slanderous imputation , those sinnes and vices , in the contrary graces and vertues whereof , they are many times very eminent and remarkable . elijah was slandered to be a troubler of the state ; whereas in truth , hee was the strongest pillar of the kingdome , the very chariots and horsemen of israel . . nay , and which is yet more , to father vpon them those faults , wherein themselues , hatefull hypocrites ! are grosly and notoriously guilty . tertullus tels felix , that paul was a very plague : for so is the originall : whereas not onely paul was one of the best men vpon earth : but also himselfe , a cursed cutthroate of all goodnesse , and furious opposite to the glorious gospell . his lewd mistresse charged ioseph with an assault vpon her chastitie ; whereas not onely he was most free that way , but also her selfe notoriously naught . ahab called elijah , a troubler of israel , whereas not only that blessed prophet was the very strength of that state ; but also himselfe , by his abominable couetous idolatrous villanies , brought confusion and misery vpon the whole kingdome . now out of this cunning malicious humour , carnall men lye at the catch , and are most eager to apprehend any shadow of occasion , or rather then faile , to make matter in their owne spitefull braines , or take it vp from the lying oracle of some frothy ale-bench ; wherby to staine the honour of profession , with the vnworthiest imputations of couetousnesse , hard-heartednesse , vnmercifulnesse ; whereas themselues , meere men of this world , are as couetous as the skinne will hold ; fast nailed and glued vnto the earth ; neuer in their life lift vp a ioyfull thought towards heauen , neither dare thinke seriously vpon the world to come , without a great deale of slauish sadnesse and secret terrour . and in their grasping of worldly goods , they care not a button for conscience , make no account at all of that most certaine strict account at gods dreadfull tribunall : but only how to carry matters smoothly and plausibly in the eyes of men , and dawbe ouer their vniust dealings , with close conueyances , and trickes of wit. i goe not about heere to apologize for any vncharitable counterfeits , or those most odious outside-christians , who put on the glory of an angell in outward profession , that they may play the deuils more vnobseruedly , in vsurious practises , oppressions , and vnconscionable griping ; weare a cloake of zeale , in conformitie to the externall formes of obedience to the first table , vpon purpose to couer their crueltie and inhumanitie , in vndermining and ouer-reaching their brethren , and to prey the more inuisibly vpon the simplicitie of those whom they deceiue by seeming . but yet i must tell you , that many times , euen some of gods owne best children are full falsly and fouly charged , by foule-mouthed worldlings themselues , with worldlinesse , couetousnesse , and imputations of that nature ; who by gods mercy , are so farre from doting vpon earth , and the fading glory thereof , that in their retired & aduised thoughts , they would not loose the loue and light of gods countenance , and testimonie of a good conscience , to winne the whole world : they would not exchange their comforts of godlinesse , and interest in a crowne of life , for ten thousand worlds , were they all turned into one inualuable pearle : they feele themselues incomparably more comforted and kindly refreshed at the heart roote , with one thought of heauen , and that endlesse ioyfull rest aboue , through all eternitie , then with a world of earthly contemplations , though all composed of gold , pleasures , possessions , honours , diadems , and all the glorious and most desireable treasures vnder the sunne . and who in respect of any vnconscionablenesse , wrongs , iniustice , or wicked wayes of getting , might with sinceritie of heart , proportionably to their states and callings , take vp samuels protestation : behold , here i am , witnesse against mee before the lord , and before his anoynted : whose oxe haue i taken ? or whose ▪ asse haue i taken ? or whom haue i defrauded ? whom haue i oppressed ? or of whose hand haue i receiued any bribe , to blind mine eyes therewith ? and i will restore it . and sincere thoughts , resolutions , and protestations to this purpose , are cleere euidences of vnearthly-mindednes . blessed iob doth pregnantly illustrate this point : his owne friend chargeth him with inhumanitie , couetousnesse , and cruelty ; and thereupon inferreth that gods afflicting hand was heauy vpon him : how much more thinke you , would the children of fooles , and children of villaines , viler then the earth , of whom hee elsewhere complaines , vexe him slanderously ? is not thy wickednesse great , saith eliphaz , iob . . &c. and thine iniquities infinite ? for thou hast taken a pledge from thy brother for nought , and stripped the naked of their cloathing . thou hast not giuen water to the weary to drinke , and thou hast withholden bread from the hungry . — thou hast sent widowes away empty , and the armes of the fatherlesse haue beene broken . therefore snares are round about thee , and sudden feare troubleth thee . wheras , in deed and truth , righteous iob was right nobly minded , tender-hearted , charitable , bountifull ; as appeares by his confident contestation to the contrary , iob . , &c. if i haue withheld the poore from their desire , or haue caused the eyes of the widdow to faile : or haue eaten my morsell myselfe alone , and the fatherlesse hath not eaten thereof : if i haue seene any perish for want of cloathing , or any poore without couering : if his loynes haue not blessed me , and if hee were not warmed with the fleece of my sheepe : if i haue lift vp my hand against the fatherlesse , when i saw my helpe in the gate : then let mine arme fall from my shoulder blade , and mine arme be broken from the bone . thus many times an imputation of worldlinesse , hard-heartednesse , vnhospitalitie , &c. is layd vpon gods children , without all cause , truth , or conscience ; occasioned , as i conceiue , ( for i desire to discouer vnto you a depth of satans malice in this point , ) partly from the parties accusing and slandering ; partly from the parties accused and slandered . occasions ministred by prophane men , are such as these : . first , they many times , when they finde their consciences disquieted , their former courses controlled , their carnall humours crossed and contradicted , and themselues much diseased and disturbed in the securefull pursuit of their sensuall pleasures , by the searching power of a conscionable ministerie : or when they plainely see that their vnzealousnesse , lukewarmnesse , and formalitie in religion , is censured and condemned by the forwardnesse , and zealous carriage and conuersation of the saints , they seeke by all meanes , and labour might and maine , to bee meete with those ministers which so vexe them with their faithfull preaching ; and those godly christians , which silently disgrace them with their gracious life and zealous exercise of christianitie . and therefore sith many times , by gods goodnesse , they cannot finde any visible or conspicuous matter or miscarriage , to charge them with truely ; because the saints lie not in grosse and notorious sinnes , such as are swearing , drunkennesse , lying , vncleannesse , sabbath-breaking , idlenesse , the vanities of goodfellowship , &c. as themselues are woont ; therefore , i say , they audaciously diue into their hearts with vnhallowed censures , and lay vnto their charges those inuisible errours , which none can see but gods all-seeing eye ; & from which they cannot be cleered and acquit , but onely by their owne consciences , and his highest tribunall . so that they take order that such imputations , though groundlesse and false ; yet shall be sure to cleaue to the good name of gods children as certainely without redresse or remedie , as they were deuised without truth or charitie . wee may see this cleerely in the present point , and the slander of hypocrisie , which is also the ordinarie portion of the best , from men of the world . when prophane opposites vnto grace pry curiously into all the wayes of gods child , and can finde nothing so faulty in his outward carriage , or reprooueable in the ordinarie course of his life , as they expect and desire ; yet , left they should not shew themselues the right children of satan , the accuser of the brethren ; they will be medling one way or other ; they will bee nibling at his good name , with some such speeches as these : well , well , though he be an excellent pulpit man , or a forward professour , yet is hee not so , and so ? is not hee as well giuen vnto , and greedy of the world as other men ? when they heare other men commend his zeale and forwardnesse in profession , these will be casting out such malicious doubts as these ; goe too , my masters , i feare me all is not gold that glisters . now how is it possible , or by what outward witnesses or compurgators may the christian cleere and discharge himselfe of the imputations of worldlinesse and hypocrisie ; sith the one lyes in the greedy affections of the minde , and the other lurkes in the hidden corners of the heart ? the purity and secrets of which , none can truely see and censure , but the searcher of all hearts . were a man accused of adulterie , drunkennesse , or such visible notoriousnesse , there might be meanes found for the manifestation of his innocencie , by an exact scanning of time , place , and other circumstances . but this is the malicious and pestilent policie of satan and his agents , when they see that the saints , by the mercies of god , are free from those grosse sinnes and notorious corruptions , which ordinarily raigne in the children of darknesse ; they spitefully and cunningly lay vnto their charge , imputations of such nature , from the which , though they bee free , they cannot free themselues ; and though they bee cleere , yet by reason of the malice of men , and inuisiblenesse of the matter , it will neuer so appeare ; vntill the brightnesse of christs comming bring foorth their righteousnesse as the light , and their iudgement as the noone-day ; and of which they haue none other ground in the world but this , because themselues are such . for put a prophane worldling to prooue the slander of worldlinesse and hypocrisie , which he puts vpon the christian , and he will be able to giue you neither probable reason , nor wise word to purpose . and no marueile ; for let the matter come to examining , and hee shall finde , that man which hee so miscensures , to bee , both faithfull towards god , and conscionable towards man in all his wayes : not onely innocent from oppression , corruption , wrongfull dealings , and all vnlawfull wayes of getting ; but also in a speciall manner , with a most compassionate tendernesse and loue , right dearely affected to euery true-hearted nathaneel , and the whole houshold of faith ; ( which no vnregenerate man can possibly bee ; and which is the truest and noblest issue of sanctified charitie ) nay , and besides , not any wayes wanting ( though it stand not with the policy of prophanenesse to acknowledge it ) in other charitable passages with spirituall discretion , to any truly distressed and miserable . and therefore there is no ground in the world left for such gracelesse lyes , but onely this : carnall worldlings carue conditions to other men , out of the crookednesse of their owne nature ; and cunningly put on the policie of cutpurses ; who in throngs at faires and markets , call vpon others to beware of curpurses , that themselues being truly so , may with lesse suspition and obseruation , diue into the pockets and purses of true men . many there are , who being themselues truely worldly , and hypocrites indeed , call christians so , that the maske of their villanous hypocrisies may bee lesse marked ; and themselues roote in earthlinesse , vntill they reach the very bottome of hell , and no man regard them . . secondly , if a man would bee irreligious and vnconscionable , it is a very easie thing to grow rich and into reputation with the world . if once hee so farre harden his heart , seare his conscience , and abandon the feare of god ; that hee resolues without remorse or shame , to defraud , dissemble , bribe , oppresse , put to vsury , serue the time , make vse of all men for his owne turne , to cloake crueltie with conscience , pretend friendship , when he purposes to deale like a turke : in a word , to plot and practise any lewd deuice or consciencelesse course , for his aduantage and rising ; i doe not see how such a fellow , in these griping dayes and times of confusion , should escape wealth , preferment , and respect in the world . and as it is easie for fellowes of such ill conscience to thriue , and wicked men to grow wealthy ; so methinkes it is no great matter for such to make sometimes very goodly showes to the world , of bountifulnesse , and liberall profusions in feasts , entertainments , and larger doles to the poore , out of their superfluities , and heapes of ill-gotten goods . but herein ( though it bee well , that such goods doe good vnto some ) they are like vnto theeues , who hauing robbed some rich merchant , and taken hundreths from him , do scatter heere and there by the way , some small pieces of siluer to the poore . but this is a very poore mends for their mercilesse bloodshed and lawlesse robberies : this is , as they say , to rob peter , and cloath paul. thus many great men keepe great houses ; and that is well : it is fit , greatnesse should be accompanied with franknesse ; but alas , they grinde the faces of the poore , and eate the flesh of gods people , to vphold their hospitalitie . so some ministers heape liuing vpon liuing , that so they may be enabled and furnished to purchase a great name by keeping a great house ; but alas , they maintaine their port and estate with the price of the precious blood of soules , and feed the greedy humour of their pharisaicall goodfellowship , with the fearefull gangrene of spirituall bloodshed . so others may bee sometimes good vnto the poore , and bountifull , as they say , in their own houses : but alas , they marre all their almes-giuing , by vnlawfull getting ; and turne that , which of it selfe is one of those sacrifices with which god is highly pleased , into * abomination and sinne vnto themselues . a goodly matter , sure , to scatter heere and there , now and then , some few drops of charitable deuotions ; whereas they haue many huge and headlong torrents of gaine and goods comming in dayly ; by oppression , violence , mercilesse inclosure , deuouring widowes houses , selling the poore for old shooes , rackings , enhansings , gripings , vsuries , immoderate takings , &c. . thirdly , prophane hypocrites are commonly pharisaicall in their almesgiuing ; affect , and pursue obseruation , singularitie , vaine-glorious ostentations in their contributions of charitie . their forefathers the pharises , when they gaue their almes , made a trumpet to bee sounded before them ; so these fellowes , their followers , and succeeding actors vpon the same stage of hypocrisie , lest their good deeds should die in the distribution , and bee obscurely buried in the bellies of the poore , they also get vnto themselues a kinde of talebearing trumpetters too . they cunningly obserue those opportunities , and single out such obiects of their commiseration , and charitable deuotions , whereby they may soonest , and most compendiously purchase a name of being good to the poore , and haue their bountifull disposition blazed abroad , with most circumstances , best aduantages , and partiall enlargements . and thus it is a very easie thing for a pharise to bee famous in this kinde : for sith hee giues more for commendation , then for conscience ; far more for praise amongst men , then out of a true-hearted compassion to the party ; he dares dispence with a good conscience , and take liberty vnto himselfe to place his good turnes there , where there is best possibilitie of being most spoke of , and greatest hope of the richest returne of applause and admiration . so that such an one ordinarily in his open-heartednesse , and charitable distributions , hath a speciall eye and inclination to those that flatter him to his face ; and are like to prooue the loudest trumpets of his bountifulnesse abroad where they come . and hee is so farre from a right and seasonable apprehension of due circumstances , difference of parties , and those spirituall discretions , obseruable and necessary in such christian exercises of loue ; and from the practise of the apostles precept , galat. . . doe good vnto all men , but especially to them which are of the houshold of faith : that hee would rather afford his helping hand for the reliefe & raising vp of a decayed goodfellow , then of a distressed christian. . fourthly , though carnall men bee so couetous , and hold-fast of earthly contentments , that they would rather loose their precious soules euerlastingly , then leaue them : yet if it might bee , if they were possibly compatible , they would giue any thing in the world ; both to serue and satisfie themselues in the wayes of vanitie , and after to saue their soules in the day of wrath ; both to partake of the pleasures of the present , and to be secured from the vengeance that is to come . what would not the great ones of the world giue , to purchase two heauens ; one here , and another in the other world ? what would not sensuall worldlings part with , to redeeme their sinnes , if they might haue a dispensation to continue in sinne ? to liue the life of vanity and lust , and after to die the death of the righteous , and to receiue their crowne ? in such cases in their sober considerations ( so that their present temporall happinesse sustaine no hazard , or diminution ; nor the delights of their sweete sinne , any disturbance ) they would not stand vpon any worldly good ; though it were a thousand rammes , or ten thousand riuers of oyle : nay , they would giue their first-borne for their transgressions ; euen the fruit of their bodies for the sinne of their soules . many there are which may bee easily perswaded , and can well finde in their hearts , to giue any thing towards the seruice of god , and saluation of their soules ; saue themselues ; i meane , their hearts and affections , which the world and their darling-pleasures haue principally possest . hence now it is , that many rich ones and men of the world , being otherwise very guilty , and obnoxious in many respects , are very willing and well content many times to contribute bountifully to good vses , and to make good shew of liberalitie towards the poore ; that thereby lesse notice may bee taken of their other notoriousnesse ; and with some kinde of hope , so to couer and conceale many grosse corruptions from the wrath of god , and the worlds censure . for i know not how , there is an inbred opinion and conceit seated in the hearts of naturall men and papists , that almes-deeds , and such workes of charitie make amends for other miscariages , though foule , and scandalous ; and be pleasing to almightie god , though the parties frō whence they proceed , be polluted with secret impurities and raigning sinnes . sith therefore they perswade their hearts , that charitable deuotions & distributions haue some power , as it were , somewhat to appease diuine wrath , and to satisfie for other sinful exorbitancies and aberrations ; and see plainely that it is the most compendious way to purchase a great deale of credit in these cold & compassionlesse times ; and the onely obiect to diuert the eyes of the greater from the obseruation of their other faults : i say therefore , they open their hearts the more liberally , and enlarge their bowels to greater bountifulnesse ; which otherwise their couetousnesse would keepe shut . thus , many , to diminish the horrour and markeablenesse of their vnmortified lusts and open lewdnesse , exercise a good art without a good heart . occasions from the parties slandered , are such as these : . christians , of all men in the world , are the speciall markes and ordinary obiects , vpon which are discharged and exercised all kindes of malice and mischiefe : not onely the empoisoned arrowes of spitefull tongues , the sword of tyrants , the flames of crueltie ; but also many lesser and lessemarkt vexations , as wrongs , oppressions , mercilesnesse , and many vnconscionable vsages . prophane men being seated in high roomes , or besotted with the worlds fauours and flatteries , doe many times , out of their pride and malice , very contemptuously roule downe as from aloft , indignities , insolencies , many hard and heauy inhumanities , and iniustices vpon gods children , as a number of neglected vnderlings . so that as the prophet speakes ; hee that refraineth from euill , maketh himselfe a prey . hee that by the mercies of god breakes out of the bonds of satan , into the blessings and blessed estate of grace , shall for euer after , not onely be furiously persecuted by the rage of hell , and malice of prophanenes ; but also lie more open to the insultations , wrongs and oppressions of his aduersaries , and trecherous insinuations of false friends . sith therfore christians , by reason of their patience , the worlds discountenance , disaffection of great ones , their own resolute disallowance of all indirect courses , of any base , and vnconscionable aduantage , are many times mightily hackt vpon , and opprest by the greedy policies , expilations , and encroachments of boysterous worldlings , and causelesse opposites : and not onely so , but sometimes also cunningly , & insensibly preyed vpon euen by profest friends : ( for there are a kinde of men , which putting on for the time , the glory of an angell , mixe themselues with gods people , and presse into their company , onely because they see and finde them to bee such , as from whom , by reason of the singlenesse and simplicitie of their heartts , the vnsuspiciousnesse of their charitie , the equity and conscionablenesse of their dealing , in these coozening , supplanting , and vndermining dayes , they may the most fairely and easily sucke out the greatest aduantage : ) i say therefore , sith gods children are most subiect both to the wrongs of open enemies , & supplantation of seeming friends , they are many times not so enabled in outward things , or strong in their worldly state , to make such a flourish in dispersing their superfluities , as those men which get without conscience , and disburse without spirituall discretion . . a christian dare not for his life so farre enlarge his conscience , as to gaine by any vnwarrantable meanes , or vnconscionable course , as oppression , corruption , coozening , violence , lying , vniust dealing , &c. and therefore in this griping , and greedy age , in the highest noonetide of iniquitie , or rather darkest midnight of the workes of darknesse ( though outward want bee infinitely counteruailed with inward comfort ) hee doth not commonly come to that excesse , and superfluitie of temporall things , which many times worldlings with wider consciences , easily and immeasurably ingrosse . the largest consciences in these last & worst dayes , are the onely deuourers , and swallowers downe of worldly wealth . a religious resolution to saue a mans soule , ( more is the pitie ! ) is many times a notable curbe to keepe him from growing rich , and into reputation with the world . gods blessings euen in temporall things , i deny not , are sometimes very plentifully vpon the right owners , gods owne children ; and both heauenly and earthly happinesse haue beene wreathed together by the mercifull hand of god , and set vpon their heads : but if wee looke vpon the common courses holden in the world that way ; and in all forecast of carnall reason , hee is likeliest to grow rich and rise , who is resolued to damne his soule . in ordinary conceit of prophane policie , and apprehensions of worldly wisdome , ioseph mist a great deale of earthly contentment , and in a precise humour put from him much possibilitie of preferment , by not yeelding to the impure sollicitations of his wanton mistris . micaiah , in not iumping with the foure hundred false prophets , in their lying flatterie to please the two kings : ionathan , in not ioyning with his father saul , for the preuention and confusion of dauid . had a sensuall worldling beene in iosephs case , an vnsanctified minister in micaiahs , an ambitious absalom in ionathans , assuredly they had all yeelded to the seuerall temptations . the conscience of an vnregenerate man will marueilously stretch it selfe , and grant out very large dispensations , especially when any speciall glory , profit or pleasure of the world is in pursuit and possibilitie . it was so in all ages , and at this day many a good man , many times , of great spirit , worth , and vnderstanding , sits obscurely in a very low roome , and is kept vnder in meane estate by the worlds oppressions , because he dare not displease god , or enlarge his conscience proportionably to the vast gulfe of the times corruptions . this is the very true reason why folly is set in so great excellency , and sinceritie seated in the low place : why so many seruants are on horsebacke , and so many princes walking as seruants on the ground . sith therefore the christian is happily restrained by the checks and tendernesse of a good conscience , from all vnwarrantable meanes , and vnconscionable courses of getting ; though his bowels bee most compassionate , his heart heated with true charitie , and his desires enlarged to doe good vnto all , and all the good he can ; yet he is many times kept short , by reason of his short pittance , from those outward reall expressions , and effects of charitie , to which his tender-hearted zealous affection is inwardly , truely inflamed ; and from those more bountifull effusions and liberalities , which rich worldlings may , out of the tythe , nay , the thousandth part of their ill gotten goods , plentifully performe . . thirdly , christians know themselues bound in conscience to a carefull prouision for their families ; to diligence , and faithfulnesse in their callings ; from all vnnecessarie expences , and the prodigall effusions of goodfellowship , from ambitious affectation of applause , and vaineglory , by pharisaicall ostentations : and therefore to the greedy obseruation of carnall eyes , and vndiscerning spirits of vnregeneration , which want no malice to mistake , or cunning to apprehend any shadow or shew of any seeming aduantage for the disgrace of good men ; they seeme , and are miscensured to hold vpon the world , to feede vpon earthly-mindednesse , not to bee so open-hearted , good-natur'd , and charitably affected as other good fellowes , as they call them , which make no such profession of purity , and precisenesse . and this misconceit of gods children is made more passable , by the prophane plausiblenesse of vaineglorious worldlings . it is sooner , and more easily entertained ; because vnconscionable men take any compendious course of growing rich ; which their couetous humour suggests vnto them ; and by allowance and exercise of vnlawfull meanes of getting , bring in many times great store of wealth with much ease ; and therefore neede not toyle so in their trades , or follow the businesses of their proper callings with such attention and exactnesse . and if at any time they resolue to be more bountifull and liberall , they commonly make choyce of those times , places , persons , and other circumstances , whereby ( as they thinke ) their good natures may be most noted , and their names grow greatest for extraordinarie kindnesse and good-fellowship . . the christian doth encline , and enlarge the bowels of his speciall compassion towards the necessities of the saints , and conueyes the noblest issues , and effects of his inflamed charitie , into the bosome of gods child . and indeed hee is so prest by the commandement ; doe good vnto all men , but especially vnto them who are of the houshold of faith. and there was neuer more need : for howsoeuer worldlings may bee bountifull one to another , and exercise many mutuall offices of kindnesse and carnall loue among themselues ; yet for the most part , they are very vncompassionate , straitlaced and hard-hearted toward distressed christians . nay , ordinarily , they are rather ready to combine and contribute their malices , policies and purses , to throw them downe lower into outward want and misery ; then to put to their helping hands for their recouery , comfort , and enlargement ; though it were in their sufferings for gods cause , and testimony of a good conscience . so that , as christian distresses are the principall obiect of the christians compassion and bounty : so worldlings are onely heartily kind and openhearted to the men of the world. now , that you may rightly vnderstand the point , you must conceiue , that the good deeds and commendable parts of an vnregenerate man , are euer carried more boisterously and with greater noyse , are entertained of the world with a farre more general applause and notice , then the godly actions and diuine graces of gods children . the world deales with men in this case , saith a worthy diuine , as it deales with witches and physicions ; the witch , though shee faile in twenty things , yet if she doe some one thing aright , though it be but small , the world loueth , and commendeth her for a good and wise woman . but the physicion , if hee worke sixe hundred cures ; yet if , through the waywardnesse of his patient , or for the punishment of his patients sinne , he faile but in one , that one faile doth more turne to his discredit , then his manifold , goodly and notable cures doe get him praise . in this manner , saith hee , doth the world deale with men : if a worldly man haue but an outward gift of strength , of speech , or of comelinesse , he shall be greatly praised , and counted a goodly man , though he be an idolater , or a prophane person ; and though hee swimme and flow ouer in all manner of vices : but let the child of god bee truely zealous in true religion , let him bee honest and holy in conuersation , yet if there be but one infirmitie in him , or if he haue through weakenesse fallen into some one sinne , that one infirmitie against which he striueth , or that one sinne for which he is grieued , shall drowne all the graces of god in him , bee they neuer so great , and the world will account him a most wicked man. it is iust so in this particular : a prophane man many times by some one speciall markable act of bounty and contribution , or for some few seasonable ostentations of good fellowship , and kinde nature , gets the start and precedency in opinion and reputation with the world , from many a gracious christian ; who beares in his bosome a constant habituall tender-heartednes to all true necessities , and as occasion shall exact , opens his heart , his hands , and his house most ioyfully and compassionately , to refresh and comfort the needfull exigents of any true-hearted nathaneel . and the worldling doth the rather , and more easily carry it , because in the dispersing of his doles and largesses , hee many times makes choise of such tale-bearing trumpetters , who knowing his pharisaicall humour , are likeliest to blaze his bounty most abroad in the world ; whereas the christian singles out specially for such purposes the distressed saints , from whom hee expects no more but a secret and silent blessing of god in their hearts , for his goodnesse conueyed vnto them by such an instrument . thus i haue discouered vnto you a mysterie of satans malice , and the cunning despitefulnesse of prophane men , who labour many times out of pure malice , & wilfull mistakings , to fasten vpon gods children , imputations of worldlinesse , hard-heartednesse , cruell dealing , and such like . the occasions , as i haue largely told you , are such as these . vpon the worldlings part : . his hearty desire to disgrace christians , whom , sith by the grace of god , hee finds free from open grosse sinnes , presently growes to such speeches as these : why , but are not such and such giuen to the world , as well as other men ? &c. . he dare enlarge his conscience to courses of vnlawfull getting ; and therefore it is more easie for him to open his hand now and then to some boysterous flourishes of liberalmindednesse ; especially sith thereby hee hopes to repaire his reputation for his other indirections . . he is commonly pharisaicall in an ambitious exercise , and more publike acting of his deeds of charitie ; and therefore whatsoeuer hee doth that way , is for the most part carried abroad with speciall and remarkable noyse and notice . . he would gladly still the cryings of his guilty conscience , and seeme to himselfe to redeeme the sinnes of his soule , by a more bountifull disbursement of outward things . vpon the christians part : . he is most subiect to wrongs and weakenings in his outward state ; both by the violent encroachments of profest opposites , and couetous insinuations of false friends . . he dare not for any gold , or good , vndertake any vnwarrantable and scandalous course of gaining . . he finds himselfe bound in conscience , to faithfull diligence in his calling , and christian prouision for his familie . . he spends the best and most of his bounty and charitie vpon the houshold of faith. but in this point , as i said before , i apologize for none but those , whom their owne consciences , and the mercifull tribunall of god doe acquite . let christians looke vnto it ; the world is very watchfull , and greedy with great curiositie and cunning , to apprehend the least shadow of any occasions , for the blaspheming of the wayes of god , and the disgracing of his children . and therefore euer and anon you shall heare the spirit of prophanenesse crying out , and complaining : you see these fellowes , which make such show of forwardnesse and puritie , what they are : none so couetous ; none so vncharitable ; none so vnmercifull , and cruell in their dealings as they ; none so hard-hearted to the poore , &c. now although such bitter speeches as these , are often the meere euaporations of pure malice , and ●…low from no other ground in the world , but onely from the gall of gracelesse men : yet let all those which truely feare god , take heed how they giue iust occasion thereunto . assuredly it were farre better for him , whosoeuer he be , that a milstone were hanged about his neck , and he were drowned in the depth of the sea ; then that by the continuance of his cruell and vnconscionable dealings in the world , he should minister iust occasion to any rayling rabshakeh , to reuile the seruants of the liuing god , or to slander that holy profession . me thinkes , this one preseruatiue should be powerfull enough , to keepe the heart of euery christian from doting vpon the world , or suffering it to bee possessed thereof . it is this : euery christian by a fruitfull faith , may bee assured of a crowne of life , either by assurance of adherence , or euidence ; or both . now if but once a day hee should take a serious suruay of the glory , euerlastingnesse , and vnutterable excellencies of that immortall crowne ; me thinkes it were able so to dull the edge , and dissolue the drossinesse of all earthly desires ; that they should neuer more be able to heate , or harden his heart with immoderate or delightfull repose vpon the vexing vanities of any worldly thing . i say it againe ; me thinkes , if a man doe but once a day cast the eye of his faith vpon that crowne of life ; which our deare redeemer holds for vs in his hand , ready to set vpon our heads when we shall be dissolued from this vale of teares ; the goodly glory thereof should be able to dispell these mists of fading vanities , and hurtfull ●…umes of honours , riches , and earthly pleasures ; which this great dunghill of the world , heated by the fire of mens inordinate lusts , doth euaporate and interpose betwixt the sight of their soules , and the blisse of heauen . worldlinesse , earthly-mindednesse , couetousnesse , doth infinitely vnbecome an heire of heauen . be fired then , and frighted from all inclinations and bent that way , by such considerations as these : . it is a most base and dunghill distemper , which eates vp , not onely all religion and honestie , manlinesse and reason , naturall affection and discretion ; but euen humanity also and friendlinesse : so that a man had almost as well conuerse with a caniball for any ingenuous and conscionable dealing , as with a truely couetous caitife . . shall the immortall comprehensiuenesse of the diuine and excellent soule , which is able to peruse and passe ouer heauen and earth in a moment ; is capable of the mystery of christ , and the eternall vision of god ; be vnworthily confined to a piece of ground , an heape of white and yellow clay ? a vile imprisonment , and inexpiable wrong to so noble a nature ! . it is a deuouring gangrene , an insatiable wolfe ; which the more it hath , euer the more hungry it is . it is as fire which encreaseth by that nourishment which is giuen vnto it . the barren wombe , the ho●…eleeches daughter , the graue is nothing to this gulfe , and it holds the heart continually vpon the racke of selfe-vexation and carking : for three rauenous vultures seize vpon it successiuely , and gnaw in their turnes with incredible torment ; care , feare , griefe ; in getting , keeping , leauing . . all gods blessed ones in all ages , embracing the promises of life in the armes of their faith , willingly confessed themselues to bee pilgrims and strangers here vpon earth , looking for a citie in another country , which hath foundations , whose builder and maker is god. and good reason , besides religion , that they should grow into such resolutions ; for all things here below are full of transitorinesse , mortality and change ; vanity of vanities , all is vanity : but aboue , is constancy and eternitie of all excellencies , perfections and pleasures . besides , that thou shalt haue there a body brighter then the sunne , a soule replenished with vnutterable delights , the glorious company of christ iesus , angels , saints , christian friends ; the vision and fruition of god , blessed for euer , wherein consists the crowne and life of all celestiall ioyes ; i say , to say nothing of these , but euen the space of one foot vpon the pauement of the empyrean heauen , is incomparably more worth , then the great body of the whole earth , were it all turned into gold , and beset with as many vnualuable pearles , as it is now with piles of grasse . . nature , saith a meere moralist , seemeth in the first birth of gold , and wombe from whence it proceedeth , after a sort to haue presaged the misery of those that are in loue with it . for it hath so ordered the matter , that in those countries where it groweth , there growes with it neither grasse , nor plant , nor any thing , that is worth any thing : as giuing vs to vnderstand thereby , that in those minds where the desire of this metall growes , there cannot remaine so much as a sparke of true honour and vertue . . god is not onely a father , but also all-sufficient : why shouldest thou then feare want , that fearest him ? he prouides euery day for millions of fowles ; will hee then bee wanting to a man , to a christian , to his owne child ? christ himselfe pressing reasons to this purpose , tells vs , that our heauenly father cloathes the lilly aboue solomons royalty , and feedes the fowles of the aire , which neither sow , nor reape , nor gather into barnes . what a cursed vaile then of base distrust darkens thine hard heart , that thou shouldest either carke , or deale vnconscionably ? . one two houres fire will disperse , and consume the hoard of an hundred yeeres heaping together . and where art thou then ? thine heart then is seized vpon at once , with vnutterable anguish , and the very horror of hell , for the losse of thine heauen vpon earth ; and with cryes of blood , and furies of conscience , for thy couetous , cruell , vsurious , iniurious courses for many yeeres . thus many a worldling spins a faire thread to strangle himselfe both temporally and eternally . . the sunne is a very glorious and contented creature ; and yet it harbours no golden mine in its faire and refulgent body . the blessed angels are full of all felicities ; and yet they haue no siluer ; they want no happinesse , and yet they want gold . heauen , the chiefe and royall seate of blessednesse , is empty of these treasures , there grow no minerals ; the veine of siluer and gold is not to be found there . the sonne of god himselfe , infinitely the most happy creature , i speake in respect of his humanitie , that euer issued out of the hands of god , were there any such great matter , or excellency in riches , had neuer said of himselfe : the foxes haue holes , and the birds of the aire haue nests : but the sonne of man hath not where to lay his head . could a bearing-mantle of cloth of gold , an empearled cradle , delicious fare euery day , thousands a yeere , make a man truly happy ; the right and royall heire of all things , would neuer haue chosen a stable for his birth-chamber , a manger for his cradle , barley-bread for the entertainement of his followers , a lesse fixed habitation for himselfe , then the poorest bird , &c. . the sunne and moone are farre more glistering and glorious , then the burnisht gold of ophyr : and the poorest man hath as large a prospect and part in them , as the vastest incloser , or most griping vsurer : but much more benefit by them , then the rich worldlings by their golden heapes . for he is comfortably warmed , and refreshed with the influence of their heate and light : but they , if the deuill did not hoodwinke them , might see euery time they looke thereon , that rust cleauing to their vnrighteous mammon , which hereafter shall eate their flesh as it were fire . . one starre doth incomparably exceed in beauty and worth a golden earth : and if thou be truly gods , and haue thy foote already vpon the moone , as thou oughtest , thou shalt hereafter tread euerlastingly vpon thousands of them . disdaine then in the meane time , to let thy heauenly spirit dote vpon those baser hoards of shining earth , which are making themselues wings to flie away , as an eagle toward heauen : for riches are like transitorie streames , which posting by the side of a citie , no man can stay . were it not a sencelesse and brainelesse endeauour and expectation , for a towne to hope and assay to keepe with them the hasty current of a mighty riuer , which none of an hundred townes before could hold ? and doest thou expect any constancy of abode with thee of that thicke clay , which hath passed thorow so many hands before ? neither is it so much thine , as the worlds . a dog followes two men : it is not knowne to whom he belongs , vntill they bee parted . vpon the arrest of death , thy wealth leaues thee euerlastingly , and cleaues vnto the world ; and therefore it was worldly wealth . . moderation and conscionablenes in getting , may , by the mercy of god , draw from his bountifull hand , a more speciall extraordinarie gracious prouidence and blessing vpon posterity : whereas contrary carriage may bring an heauy curse . the prophet , who was husband to her who came crying to elisha for comfort , . king. . . did feare god , saith the text. whereby he was happily restrained from all wicked wayes of gaining , and growing into wealth . durst he haue enlarged his conscience proportionably to the corruptions of those times , and shifted his sailes according to the sitting of euery wind , as pillow-sowers vnder mens elbowes , and preachers of smooth things are woont ; i see no reason , but he might haue been aduanced to iezabels table , as well as the foure hundred flattering false temporizing prophets ; and by seruing the time also , haue risen , and enricht both himself and his . but this honest man would rather die in debt , leaue his wife and children in extreme pouerty , and expose his two sonnes as bondmen to the creditour ; then to put his hand to any manner of iniquitie in getting , or to raise an outward rotten estate , vpon the ruines and bloody desolations of mens precious soules . and what followes ? rather then the wife and children of such a man shall want , god will haue the prophet doe a miracle for their supply and comfort , as appeares in the story . but now on the otherside , gehazi in the very following chapter , . king. . will needs by bribing make himselfe and his children for euer . and what is the issue ? he puls thereby an horrible curse both vpon himselfe and his posteritie : the leprosie therefore of naaman shall cleaue vnto thee , and vnto thy seed for euer . vers. . thou haddest better then , leaue a wallet to thy child , to go from doore to doore ; then a cursed hoard of ill gotten goods . . but aboue all , to curbe thine heart from couetousnesse , meditate much vpon such places as these : mat. . . to the end . phil. . . . tim. . , . iam. . , , . prou. . . . pet. . . vi. lastly , concerning a right and comfortable managing of our spirituall estate , a point of deepest consideration , and highest consequence ; take notice of two extremes , two dangerous rockes , vpon which the soule may run , and split it selfe spiritually . . the one is a proud ouerprizing of our owne graces , with a conceited ouerweening selfe-admiration . . the a other , a deiected , distrustfull vnderualuing of gods mercies , the promises of life , and those graces which we possesse in truth and holy desire ; though not in that degree wee desire . i. before i can seasonably and preparedly fall vpon the first , to instruct punctually , and arme the christian against it , with whom i principally deale in this whole discourse : giue mee leaue to discouer a mysterie of spirituall selfe-deceit ; by which satan sits presumptuously in the darkned minds , and deluded imaginations of those , whom with his cunning and malice he hood winkes , and hardens to their endlesse confusion . many thousands euen vnder the meanes , and in this glorious mid-day of the gospell , are groundlesly conceited , that they are right , when as in truth and triall , they are rotten at the heart roote ; that they are sure of heauen , when they are as yet most certainely of the family of hell. neither is this any strange thing : so deluded were the foolish virgins , mat. . , . and so are all such outside christians : those , luk. . , . and so are all , who stand onely on the worke wrought , & bare taske of religious duties , without the power of inward holinesse : the yong man in the gospell , mat. . . with that generation , prou. . . and so are all such ciuill iustitiares : the proud pharise , luk. . , . who was so confident , that he gaue god thankes for his blessed condition ; when he was but yet a cursed vniustified wretch ; and so are all of his formall straine : those , ioh. . who held themselues to bee abrahams children ; whereas christ tels them , the deuill was their father , vers. . and so are all those , who build onely vpon the outward priuiledges of christianitie , without personall a puritie : paul in the state of pharisaisme ; and so are all those , who wandring out of the path which is called holy , swell with a proud opinionatiuenesse and furious zeale , aboue the bankes of gods blessed booke , and bounds of all holy discretion , & will needs so are aloft on waxen wings of selfe-conceitednesse , and superficialnesse , to strange and vncouth heights of excellent fancies , without hauing euer laid sound foundation in true humiliation for sin , and in selfe-deniall : the church of laodicea , reuel . . . and all such lukewarme professors . hence wee haue a taste , what a world of p●…ople are wofully blindfolded by the prince of this world ; and through the insinuating imposture , and vnexamined delusion of spirituall selfe-deceit , are put into a fooles paradise , of being already safe and secure for heauen ; whereas as yet they are meere strangers to the mysterie of christ , and the new creation ; and shall be certainely damned , if they so continue : for that which is highly esteemed amongst men , is abomination in the sight of god , saith christ to the selfe-iustifying pharises , luk. . . and yet some sorts of vnregenerate men are here to bee excepted from this generall deluge of selfe-delusion ; who lye not so grossely inwrapped in the iuggling mists of the deuils angelicall glory . not that they are better then those deluded ones , or haue any good assurance vpon sound vndeceiuing grounds of their spirituall well-being , ( for such an humble true perswasion , is confined only to true conuerts ) but it happens by accident , that by reason either of the extreme villany of their liues , or desperate positions of their antichristian doctrine , they see cleare reasons stand like an armed man in their conuinced consciences ; that if they continue in their forlorne courses , they cannot possibly be saued ; or faine reasons , & coine distinctions , vpon purpose to exclude all frō any infallible certainty of saluation . they are such as these : . grosse hypocrites , who deceiue others , but not their owne hearts , as iudas . . those notorious ones ; who in their cold blood 〈◊〉 sticke to confesse , that they are yet quite wrong , and vtterly wide from the way that is called holy ; and will sometimes set a time when they purpose to cast off for euer , and casheire their sensuall courses , and swaggering company , and begin at length to looke towards heauen , and learne the art of sauing their soules ; and in the meane time they make a couenant with death , and are at an agreement with hell , isai. . . . other sonnes of belial ; whose hearts by their obstinate wallowing in the worke of darkenesse , hardening their foreheads by their impudent vallanies against the face of heauen ; and with their owne soule-murthering hands , and horrible crueltie pressing an hot iron vpon their consciences , are growne at length into such a prodigious rocke ; that though they know themselues to be posting towards the pit of hell , yet they are senselesse , and fearelesse of that fiery dungeon . . those , who being conuinced of the truth , and goodnesse of the gospell , and approouing in their iudgement and conscience , the power and practise of it , as the onely way to euerlasting blisse ; but then reflecting their carnall eyes vpon the furious entisings of their darling sinnes , and by the touchstone of sense comparing the pleasures of these , which they presently graspe , with the spirituall strictnesse , and promised ioyes of the other ; stand infinitely vnresolued , and desperately obstinate , by no meanes , vpon no termes to leaue the present sensuall ioyes of their earthly paradise : but rather choose euen in their cold blood , to turne their backes vpon god blessed for euer , his holy truth , seruice , seruants , and all the glory in the world to come . and then by good consequence , hauing thus subscribed and sealed by an irreuocable resolution , and sworne vassalage to bee satans for euer , and for euer to stand on his side , receiue into their hearts an inward certificate , that they are vtterly forsaken of god , and shall be certainely damned . whereupon they turne euen young deuils ; ( they shall haue their perfection in hell ) boyle inwardly with much malicious blasphemous rage against god , whom they haue renounced ; persecute with implacable spite , the blessed gospel and glorious wayes of christ , which they haue so desperately reiected ; and gnash the teeth , like so many already hellish fiends , against all those happy ones , whom they see walke with constancie and comfort in that holy way , to innumetable ioyes ; which they with certaine knowledge of their heart , and against the cleere light of their conscience , haue wretchedly abandoned for euer : and so sinne against the holy ghost . . the papists also , as vpon the vnblessed grounds of their antichristian doctrine , cannot possibly build any true perswasion of being in gods fauour ; so they are bound out by the tenour of their hereticall tenent , from thinking it lawfull to entertaine any vnwauering certainety that way . . nay further , some out of a pharisaicall pretence of humility and modesty ; but in truth , from the secret suggestion of a guilty conscience , which ministers vnto them more then matter enough of true and iust doubting , are notable wranglers for papisticall doubting . thus you see , some there are also , who doe not assure themselues of future happinesse , either vpon true or false grounds . yet i am perswaded , the greatest part of those who liue within the sound of the gospell , are ordinarily confident without cause , and secure of their saluation ; when as in truth & triall they haue no surer interest or better claime to the kingdome of heauen , then the foolish virgins , and the rest of that deluded ranke , which i mentioned a little before . let a minister of some great congregation , wherein there are very few professors , which is no hard thing to find , and where there is no profession , especially the gospell being peaceably preached , there can ordinarily be no power of christianity ; shewes there may be , indeed without substance ; but not the power of godlinesse , without visible appearance ; as appeares in the preparatiues : i say , let him interrogate , and aske the rest of his people one after another , bee they hundreths or thousands , what conceits they hold of themselues for the world to come ? what they thinke will become of them after this life ? what their present iudgement is of their spirituall estate ? and i thinke he shall scarce meet with any , who will not in some kinde or other discouer some groundlesse confidence of his wellbeing that way . their answer ordinarily would be to this purpose : we thanke god , we haue a good faith to godwards : we haue beleeued in christ , euer since we may remember : we hope god will be mercifull ; though we be not scripture-men , nor so forward as others , or such followers of sermons , &c. yet we looke to be saued aswell as the best of them all , &c. vpon the matter , and in summe : wee doubt not but wee shall goe to heauen . and if their minister should reply : but i pray you tell mee , you that are so confident , doe you beleeue , and repent , and make conscience of all our wayes , & c ? yea , would they say , with all our hearts , else it were pittie we should liue . when as , god knowes , it is neither so nor so : their poore frozen flinty hearts , neuer yet melted before the ministery of the word ; were neuer truely touched with remorse for their innumerable sinnes ; neuer warmed with any sauing worke of the holy ghost ; but euer thus farre , meere strangers to the mysterie of christ. ( those that are true of heart , are not woont to contest for the integrity , but euer to complaine of the naughtinesse and vntowardnesse of their hearts . ) and therefore if they become not new men in the meane time , the vaile of their selfedelusion and vaine confidence , will most certainely at last be frighted and fired from their blinded mindes , with that terrible and dreadfull doome ; depart from me , i know you not . chrysostome in one of his homilies , to his people of antioch , teaching them not to trust in multitude , speakes thus vnto them : how many doe you thinke , are there in our citie , which be in the state of saluation ? it will vexe , which i am about to speake ; yet i will speake it : there cannot amongst so many thousands , an hundred bee found , which are in that state : nay , and i doubt whether all those . now had this good father at the same time demanded of those many thousands besides , what they conceiued of themselues for saluation : doe you not thinke he would haue found them all well conceited of themselues ? would not they with much bitternesse and heate , haue exagitated his censure , as too peremptory and vnmercifull , and beene ready to retort : howsoeuer you dote vpon the disciples you draw after you , and onely approoue and applaud the ioanites : ( for so they were called , because his name was iohn : ) yet we hope to doe as well as they , and come to heauen as soone as the precisest of those you haue in so high esteeme . heere then let me a little illighten and open in a word , as i promised , the mystery of this spirituall selfe-deceit . for which purpose know , that satan first discouers in our corrupt nature and crooked dispositions , a very pregnant ground , whereupon to practise this notable imposture , i meane , the originall poyson of naturall presumption , whereby we are all apt to bee fearelesse and sencelesse of our present spirituall misery ; and hand ouer-head to catch at any vaine shadow of counterfeit confidence for our future welfare : secondly , hee obserues in the partie he intends to delude , the most plausible matter , and selfe-pleasing apprehensions , which may make the fittest medium to mis-inferre a false conclusion for his spirituall safety : lastly , by some flashes of his personated angelicall light , he sets vpon it the glimmering flourish of a presumptuous impression , and so seales vp the deceiued soule , with the spirit of slumber and groundlesse security . now the insufficient matter , rotten grounds , false mediums , as we call them in the schooles , which satan by his sophistry doth cunningly and cruelly abuse , to cast many thousands into a pleasing golden dreame of imaginary spirituall safetie , and selfe-deceit ; and into a fooles paradise of a soule-coozening conclusion , are such as these : . measuring a mans selfe by himselfe : himselfe perhaps formerly , grosly ignorant , and notoriously lewd : by himselfe now growne ciuill , & somewhat illuminated with diuine knowledge : but yet neither holy , nor euer truely humbled . . comparing himselfe with others , who are satans outragious reuellers , in respect of his morall moderation , and something more ciuill carriage . . arguing gods speciall loue and sauing fauour , from his outward prosperous state , and blessings in temporall things . so the fatting oxe might thinke with himselfe , i shall surely liue ; because i feed in this greene rich pasture . . concluding from crosses , that hee is a sonne , and not a bastard ; that he hath his punishment heere , as they say , &c. whereas they are but the iust effects of gods secret curse , blowing vpon his counsels , dealings , and vndertakings ; for his couetousnesse , vnconscionablenesse , hatred to bee reformed ; and except hee truly turne in the meane time , will prooue the very foretastes , and pieces , as it were , of hellish torments . . sometimes , nothing but selfeloue serues the deuils turne , to locke vp a carnall heart in this security and causelesse confidence ; especially in some extremely ignorant people ; who easily beleeue that which they desire : and haue no other ground of their going to heauen , but because they would haue it so . . common conceits and corrupt notions , compounded of grosse ignorance , and popish folly ; that a mans good meanings , and good doings , as they ignorantly speake ; nay , and as some haue said , his day-labour will helpe him to heauen , and serue his turne for saluation . and if any of these sottish cauillers be questioned , & challenged for the vnsoundnesse of his spirituall state ; he will be ready , with absurd rudenesse and irkesome clamour , to breake out into such brags as these : what tell you mee of these high points , or trouble mee with this new learning ? i was neuer asked thus much before in all my life , and yet the time is to come that euer our parson threatned to keepe me from the communion : i doe no man wrong : i pay euery man his owne : i am neither thiefe , nor drunkard , nor whoremaster : i liue peaceably amongst my neighbours , &c. i know as much as the preacher can tell me , though he preach out his heart : that i must loue god aboue all , and my neighbour as my selfe ; and that i hope i doe , &c. whereas poore blinded soule ! hee is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 pride , ignorance , prophanenesse , and impenitencie , as the skin 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , and is ●…moothly carried hoodwinckt by the diuell to hell , without all noyse , or any contradiction . . the worke of gods restraining spirit : which sometimes by its power and terrour , keepes in , and confines a mans inward corruption , that it breakes not out into such open outrages and outward villanies , as in some other wicked ones : and that for the good and quiet of his owne people , or some other secret ends seene , and seeming good to his heauenly highnesse . now this restraint , by the delusion of the deuill , and deceit of a mans owne heart , may bee apprehended as a great conquest ouer corruption , and so a conuersion thence vainely concluded . . education in a religious family , thus : some in such a place , being onely outwardly warmed with the heate of holy exercises about them ; and by custome , and for company , growne conformable to religious duties with some contentment ; depart thence with a ●…aineglorious conceit and vnsound perswasion , that they are also of the right stampe , because they were so long amongst spirituall tooles ; and at the fire , which might indeed haue truly melted their yet too frozen and flinty hearts . put a sow into a greene medow , and shee will keepe her selfe as faire as the sheepe : but let her breake out , and she will wallow againe in the mire as filthily as before : so it is with too many such . . much knowledge , and noble defence of that blessed orthodoxe truth which wee professe , without a kindly sauing impression of goodnesse and grace in the heart . many great men , and great schollers , more is the pitie , are empoysoned with this conceit ; they are selfe conceited , that if they be zealous patrones , and protectours of true religion , they are safe enough for saluation ; though , alas ! they be meere strangers , nay , too many times opposites to the power and practise thereof . . the benefit of a better nature , and a constitution not so precipitant and prone to some corruptions . for instance ▪ a man hereby may see others l●…e 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 most abominable beastly sinne of drunkennesse ; when his heart riseth against such swinish filth : others transported with furious and fiery passions , when as his milder temper knowes no such rage : others hunting after high roomes , with the hazzard of their soules , and certaine ship wracke of a good conscience ; when as his solitary disposition affects retirednesse and home . thus when it is many times the infirmity , impotencie , or deformity of nature , or at best , but the naturall moderation of a better complexion , that dis-inclines and disables him from the acting of some grosser euils ; hee fondly conceiues , that it is the power and soueraignetie of grace , which makes the difference betwixt himselfe and other sons of belial , who by natures impetuousnesse , are more prone and prouoked thereunto . . the heartlesse effects of slauish feare , which sometimes will curbe some kinde of men from committing some notorious sinnes , and spurre them forward to the outward performance of some holy duties ; yet they , not marking the motiues , manner , or end ; nor taking to heart at all the grosse exorbitancy of any of them , but onely eying the worke wrought ; may causlesly bee too well conceited of themselues , and so coozen their owne soules . but let no true-hearted nathaneel heere mistake : i know some of gods dearest children , who make conscience of all sinne , and to please god in all things , yet in darkenesse of their melancholy , or heate of temptation , may feare all is naught with them ; because they feare they doe all for slauish feare . but their feares , iealousies , hearty complaints , and holy desires to the contrary , may minister comfort enough , if they will be counselled , vntill they come out of temptation . . euen the blessed word of god , misunderstood , and wretchedly abused to the deuils aduantage , and damnation of mens soules . for instance : some sucke poyson out of that heauenly flower , rom. . . whosoeuer shall call vpon the name of the lord , shall be saued : collecting , and concluding thence , that if they can say , lord , lord , though they bee meere strangers to the life of grace ; yet they shall liue for euer . but such should know , that euery one who in that sauing sence calleth vpon the name of the lord , must depart from iniquity , . tim. . . and must sauingly beleeue , rom. . . now such a fruitfull faith euer purifies the heart , acts . . and is inseparably attended with a glorious traine of heauenly graces , vertue , knowledge , temperance , patience , godlinesse , brotherly kindnesse , charity , . pet. . , , . i haue heard with mine owne eares , that place , rom. . . sottishly peruerted , to the maintenance of lukewarmenesse , coldnesse in religion , and goodfellowship : when purity in heart , holinesse of life , vniuersall obedience , and other requisites to saluation haue beene pressed ; it hath beene replyed in good earnest : i pray you , why are you so hote ? what needs all this ? what needs so much adoe , when a reasonable thing will serue the turne ? is it not said , which is your reasonable seruice ? now i often wonder what such men as these meane , who are proctors and pleaders for this leodicean reserued mediocritie and politike moderation in matters of heauen ? what worship and seruice they would proportion out for the all-powerfull god ? doth any man of braine conceiue , that the mighty dreadfull lord , and iudge of all the world , who offers vnto vs by the ministerie , in the meane time , his owne deare sonne , with all the rich purchases of his hearts blood ; and would giue vs the full fruition of himselfe heereafter , with all the glory and endlesse felicities aboue , will be bobd off ( if i may so speake ) with an heartlesse formall outwardnesse , with a cold rotten carkasse of religion ? it cannot be : he is a spirit , and must be worshipped in spirit and truth . if men will needs harden themselues in bitternesse and blasphemies , against the purity and power of godlinesse ; if they will still browbeate and beare downe their brethren , for their zeale and feruencie in the affaires of god ; let them teare those sacred leaues out of gods blessed booke , that sparkle out vnto vs the holy fire of forwardnesse and heate ; and presse vpon vs punctually power , spirit , and quickning in heauenly businesses , and the seruices of our most bountifull and euer-blessed god. see luke . . rom. . . eph. . . matth. . , . & . . . cor. . . . thes. . . phil. . . . a bare speculatiue opposition , and verball contradiction to the corruptions of the times and controuerted ceremonies . for i doubt there are some , who seeing some of gods dearest children , both godly ministers , and other christians , onely out of tendernesse of conscience , stand vnresolued about these latter ; are too well perswaded of themselues spiritually , for a meere boystrous masterlike partaking with them in that particular ; when as they haue no part at all in their holy graces and humble sanctification . . an ouerheady furious zeale in will-worship , superstitious formes , and selfe-conceited seruices : as in paul , yet vnconuerted , and many ignorant papists , not so exactly acquainted with antichristian schoole-points : in the pursuite of some religious distempers and spirituall exorbitancies , bred onely in some phantasticall braine , giuen ouer , for horrible pride , to strong delusion ; yet tendered with many holy pretences , and representations of highest perfection ; nay , sometimes seconded with strange reuelations and raptures , the meere iugglings of the deuils angelicall glory in melancholike , or otherwise deluded imaginations : and so satan can put a familist or anabaptist euen into a trance of imaginary ioy . . serious meditation vpon that quickning passage of christs holy sermon , of the fewnesse of those which shall be saued , should properly and naturally keene our desires and endeauours to a singular constant contention after an holy strictnesse , forwardnesse , and fruitfulnesse in euery good worke , and all the waies of god ; that wee might bee sure to bee in the number of those few : yet by accident it may confirme some kind of men not so notorious , vnder the meanes , yet vnconuerted , in a false perswasion of their good estate to godward , and that thus : some there may be of larger capacity , and more vnderstanding , who out of a contemplation of that great vniuersall deluge of turcisme , paganisme , iudaisme , and infidelity , which at this day doth fearefully ouerflow the face of the earth ; scarce the fifth part whereof now professeth christ : and also out of a neerer consideration of the state of christendome , wherein popery , that foule sinke and hydra of all heresies ; besides too many other exorbitant giddy deuiations from the sobrietie and analogie of true religion , and the path which is truly called holy , mightily preuaile , and damnably empoyson innumerable soules : and which is yet more , feeing so many amongst those who professe christ truly , i meane , in respect of doctrine , notoriously lewd , and prophanely naught ; so many atheists , drunkards , scorners , swearers , worldlings , &c. and then after this prospect and suruey abroad , reflecting a partiall eye vpon themselues , and their owne wayes ; and finding themselues in the bosome of the church , and ciuill men ; thinke verily out of their extreme blindnesse and spirituall folly , that heauen would be vnfurnished , and vnfilled , if they should be excluded ; and that it were a disparagement to the mercies of god , to ranke and arraigne them amongst turks and pagans at that last great day . but if to their ciuill honesty , they adde a formall profession ; why , then they thinke , they haue a great deale of wrong , if saluation be denied them : then already in conceit they knock & bounce , as it were , at the gates of heauen for entrance , with great boldnesse and confidence like the foolish virgins , matth. . . and those , matth. . . and with the pharise , giue god thanks for their good estate to himward . alas , poore soules ! let no man deceiue you with vaine words , neither delude your owne soules with idle fancies . to whomsoeuer the glorious gospell of christ shines sauingly , and breathes spirituall life , they must deny vngodlinesse and worldly lusts ; liue soberly , righteously , and godlily in this present world . meere ciuill honesty neuer brought any vnto heauen . and euery lukewarme professor shall certainely bee spued out of the mouth of christ. . but amongst all the vnsound grounds , insufficient matter , and false mediums , vpon which satan , and the deceitfull heart labour to erect their rotten buildings of vaine hopes in the credulous conceits of those , who are carried hoodwinkt towards hell ; all which in the time of triall , and vnder the tempest of gods visiting wrath , will prooue but a spiders web . they shall leane vpon their house , but it shall not stand ; they shall hold it fast , but it shall not endure . i say , amongst them all , there is not any that doth set on the counterfeit seale of this false perswasion with more peremptorinesse and confidence , then a concurrence of those excellencies , perfections , endowments incident to temporaries , and attaineable in the state of vnregeneration ; which i haue touched in my discourse of true happinesse , and may bee collected from such places as these , matth. . , . mark. . . luk. . . and . , . matth. . . & . , &c. heb. . , . . pet. . , . now these and the like , are the vnsound , seeming , and vnsufficient grounds whereupon the deuill workes ; and doth easily , by the aide of naturall presumption , and his owne angelicall flashes , insinuate , and inferre his soule-coozening conclusions , and cunningly infuse the poyson of spirituall selfe-deceit thus , or in the like manner : ( i will giue instance onely in the last ; he is woont also proportionably from the rest , to conclude such groundlesse confidence , and false perswasions of a good estate towards god. ) whosoeuer doth with some penitent remorse tremble vnder the reuenging wrath of god for sin , and out of that horror confesseth and maketh restitution : ( and yet so did iudas , mat. . ) whosoeuer reuerenceth a godly minister , heares him gladly , and doth many things after his doctrine : ( and yet so did herod , mark. . . ) whosoeuer doth hold conformitie in profession with the best , &c. ( and yet so did the foolish virgins , mat. . ) whosoeuer is an hearer of the word , and that with quicknesse , and receiues it with ioy : ( and yet so doth the stony ground , matth. . . ) whosoeuer is able to disclaime grosse sinnes , giues euery man his due , fasteth , praieth , and giueth almes : ( and yet so did the pharise , luk. . . . matth. . . ) whosoeuer is illightned , tastes of the heauenly gift , &c. ( and yet such may afterward fall away irrecouerably , heb. . &c. ) is sure enough to be saued at last . but i , may the deluded pharise , and formall professor say , finde and feele all , or most , or many of these in my selfe : ( for what any vnregenerate man hath heretofore attained , it is not impossible , but that any now , or hereafter , may attaine the same . ) therefore doth hee conclude falsely out of satans sophistry , i am safe enough for saluation . and in all this , satan , lest hee should be wanting to his , labours by a lying resemblance , to imitate the worke of the holy ghost , in the hearts of the faithfull . for that which the deuill , putting on the glory of an angell of light , puts vpon his followers in this kinde falsely and groundlessely ; that the blessed spirit performes to those , who are true of heart truely , and vpon good ground . for it is not the vniuersalitie , and excellencie of all naturall , ciuill , meerely morall , politicke , and learned endowments , and sufficiencies : but aboue and besides all these , a supernaturall , heauenly , and speciall worke of the spirit , sanctifying thē all for gods glorious seruice . it is not a bare taske of holy duties , religious exercises , presence at the ordinances outwardly performed : but the soule , as it were , of sauing grace , animating and informing them with spirituall life , reuerent heartinesse , and fruitful improouement . it is not the glistering blaze of a visible forward profession of religion : but the power of godlinesse , and sincere practise of workes of iustice , mercy and truth . it is not a generall participation of the spirit , the spirit onely of illumination , or largest speculatiue cōprehensions of sacred knowledge : but an humble , fruitfull , experimental skill , and dexterity in the mystery of christ , and of walking humbly with our god ; which doth soundly comfort the heart of a man spiritually wise , about assurance of his happy estate to godward . and therefore the true christian , when he would refresh his spirits with the sweet contemplation of his spirituall safety , and comfortable being in a gracious state , causeth his sincere conscience to answer in truth to such like interrogatories , as those which i haue proposed for triall in such a case , in my discourse of true happinesse , pag. . &c. reuiew the place , and ponder well vpon them . he ordinarily hath recourse vnto , and runs ouer in his mind with an humble rauishing commemoration , the heauenly footsteps , and mighty works of the holy ghost in his conuersion ; speciall watchfulnesse ouer his wayes ; sincere-heartednesse , holy strictnesse , and sanctified singularities in his conuersation ; which as they are peculiar to gods people , so are the mysteries and strange things to the best vnregenerate man ; and that thus , or in the like manner : blessed be god , saith hee within himselfe , that euer it was so , yet so it was : the holy ministery of the word sanctified , and guided particularly for that purpose by the finger of god , happily seized vpon mee , while i did yet abide in the armes of darkenesse , and the deuils snares , a most polluted , carnall , abominable wretch ; and effectually exercised its sauing power vpon my soule , both by the workings of the law , and of the gospell . it was first as an hammer to my heart , and broke it in pieces . by a terrible cutting piercing power , it strooke a shaking and trembling into the very center of my soule by this double effect . . it first opened the booke of my conscience , wherein i read with a most heauy heart , ready to fall asunder , euen like drops of water , for horror of the sight ; the execrable abominations of my youth ; the innumerable swarmes of lewd and lawlesse thoughts , that all my life long had stained mine inward parts with strange pollutions ; the continuall wicked walking of my tongue ; the cursed prophanation of gods blessed sabbaths , sacraments , and all the meanes of saluation i euer meddled with . in a word , all the hels , sinkes and sodoms of lusts and sinne , of vanities and villanies i had remorselesly wallowed in euer since i was borne , i say , i looked vpon all these engrauen by gods angry hand vpon the face of my conscience , in bloody and burning lines . . whereupon in a second place , it opened vpon mee the armory of gods flaming wrath , and fiery indignations ; nay , and the very mouth of hell , ready to empty themselues , and execute their vtmost vpon mine amazed , and guilty soule . in these restlesse , and raging perplexities , wherewith my poore soule was extremely scorched , and parched with penitent paine ; his wrath , who is a consuming fire , wringing my very heart-strings with vnspeakeable anguish ; iesus christ blessed for euer , was lifted vp vnto me in the gospell , as an antitype to the erecting of the brazen serpent in the wildernesse . in whom dying and bleeding vpon the crosse , i beheld an infinite treasurie of mercy and loue ; a boundlesse and bottomelesse sea of tender-heartednesse , and pitie ; a whole heauen of sweetnesse , peace and spirituall pleasures . whereupon there sprung vp and was inkindled in mine heart , an extreme thirst , ardent desires , vehement longings after that soueraigne sauing blood , which alone could ease my grieued soule , and turne my foulest sinnes into the whitest snow . so that in the case i then was , had i had in full taste , and sole command , the pleasures , profits , ioyes and glory of many worlds , willingly would i haue parted with them all : and had i had a thousand liues , freely would i haue layd them all downe ; nay , with all mine heart would i haue beene content to haue lyen for a season in the very flames of hell , to haue had the present horrour of my confounded spirit comforted from heauen ; and my spirituall thirst allayed and a little cooled , but with one drop of christs precious blood ; the darknesse , desolations of my wofull heart refresht , and reuiued , but with the least glimpse of gods fauourable countenance . the edge , & eagernesse of which inflamed affections , made me cast about with infinite care how to compasse so deare a comfort . then came into my minde , ( the holy spirit being my mercifull remembrancer , ) those many melting compassionate inuitations , more warming , and welcome to my heauy heart , then many golden worlds , more delicious then delight it selfe , matth. . . reu. . . ioh. . . isa. . . & . , . ezek. . , , . & . . so that at last , o blessed worke of faith ! staying my selfe , and resting my sinking soule vpon the rocke of eternity , and the impregnable truth of these sweetest promises , sealed with the blood of the lord iesus , and as sure as god himselfe , i threw my selfe into the mercifull and meritorious armes of my crucified lord ; with this resolution , and reply to all terrors and temptations to the contrary ; that if i must needs be cast away , they shall teare , and rent me from the tender bowels of gods dearest compassions , vpon which i haue cast my selfe : if they will haue me to hell , they shall pull and hale me from the bleeding wounds of my blessed redeemer , to which my soule is fled . whereupon i found , and felt ( and i blesse god infinitely , and will through all eternity , that euer it was so , ) conueied , and deriued vpon me from my blessed iesus , the welspring of immortality and life , a quickening influence of his mighty spirit , and heauenly vigour of sauing grace , wherby i became a new man , quite changed , new created . by this vitall moouing , and incubation , as it were , of the spirit of christ vpon the face of my soule , all things became new : mine heart , affections , thoughts , words , actions , delights , desires , sorrowes , society , &c. old things passed away , behold , all things become new . and i am sure my change is sound , and sauing ; for it is not . a meere morall change from notoriousnesse , to ciuility , and no further . . nor a formall change only , which addes to morall honesty , outward profession , and outside conformity to the ordinances , holy exercises , most duties of religion ; & no more . . nor meerely mentall . i meane it thus : ( for i know , true repentance is called change of minde , in another sence . ) when the vnderstanding onely is illightened with diuine knowledge , guilded ouer , as it were , with the dazeling splendor of generall graces , not without some speculatiue flashes of fleeting ioy , swimming in the brayne indeede , but not rooted in the heart . . not temporary only , such as that , matth. . . . pet. . , . when a man discontinues , and surceases from the outward practise , perhaps of all grosse sinnes for a time : out of terrour ; suddaine fright from some sonne of thunder ; or vpon triall , whether by his owne strength , hee be able to endure , and digest a diuorce from his darling pleasure ; and the holy wayes of those who walk towards heauen , without too much discontentment ; ( for without too sore a crush to his carnall heart , hee could be content to looke after a crowne of life , and i wite him not . ) or for some other by-end . but because his heart was not honest and good , neither did the word take an humble roote in it , nor himselfe resolue vpon a sincere , generall and constant selfe-deniall at first , hee falls againe vpon his former vomit , and againe wallowes in the myre of his sensuall pleasures , with more rage and resolution then before . . nor partiall , where there may bee an outward reformation in the most things ; but yet there is still retained a secret resolued reseruation of an impenitent , intire enioyment of all the delights , and full sweetnesse of the bosome sinne ; which is vtterly incompatible , and cannot possibly consist with a truly religious and regenerate state . i say , my change ( i onely , and infinitely magnifie , admire , and adore the free grace and loue of my most holy , and euer blessed god for it ) was not onely morall , formall , mentall , temporary , or partiall , in the sence i haue said : but vniuersall , both in respect of the subiect and obiect , as they say ; without all reseruations , exceptions , sensuall distinctions , pharisaicall imposture , partialities , hypocrisies , selfe-delusion . for my teachers haue told me by the touchstone of his pure and holy truth : that euery true change is of the whole man , from the whole seruice of satan , to the liuing god , in sincere obedience to his whole law , in the whole course of our liues . that it is discernable , and differenced from all partiall , insufficient , hollow , halfe-conuersions : by . integrity of change : i meane , in all parts and powers of spirit , soule and body : in the vnderstanding , iudgement , memory , conscience : in the will , affections , desires , thoughts : in the eyes , eares , tongue , hands , feet : for euen as they were members of the body before imployed wholly for satan and sensualitie ; so now are they also become instruments of righteousnesse vnto god. god begets no monsters , as they say : a child new-borne hath all the parts of a man , though not the perfection of his growth : so a new-borne babe in christ is throughly , and vniuersally changed ; though not yet a perfect man in christ. . sinceritie of change : as well in heart , and inwards parts , as in life and outward carriage . o ierusalem , saith the prophet , wash thine heart from wickednesse , that thou mayest be saued : how long shall thy vaine thoughts lodge within thee ? no externall priuiledges of religion , though neuer so glorious ; no exactnesse of the worke wrought ; no pharisaicall formes of deuotion ; no outward behauiour , be it neuer so blamelesse ; no cost or contributions in the seruice of god , will serue the turne , without sincerity of heart . though a man should come before the lord with thousands of rammes , or tenne thousands of riuers of oyle : should be giue his first-borne for his transgression , the fruit of his body , for the sinne of his soule : should he bestow all his goods to feede the poore , and giue his body to be burned : were he able to comprehend within his braine the whole booke of god , and with the largenesse of his vnderstanding deuoure all that holy sence : should hee eate , and drinke vp at the lords table , all the sanctified bread and wine ; were hee plunged ouer head and eares in the water of baptisme : nay , if it were possible , washed outwardly from top to toe in the precious blood of christ ; yet all this were more then all in vaine , and vtterly vnauaileable , without vprightnesse of the heart , and puritie in the inward parts . . spirituall growth . vnregenerate men at the best , grow but in the generalities , flourishes , deuout representations , and temporary forwardnesse of formal christianity . which is like the growth of corne on the house top ; or the seed springing out of the stony ground ; but the honest and good heart bringeth forth fruit with patience . spirituall stuntings there may bee , and standings at a stay for a time . but as good corne in a good soyle being refreshed after a binding drought with a groūd-showre , springs vp faster , and more freshly : so it is with the sound-hearted christian , after a dampe in grace ; to which he may sometimes be subiect . for being rowzed and awaked out of such a state , by the quickening voice of a piercing ministery ; the cutting sting of an heauy crosse , or some other speciall hand of god , he layes hold vpon the kingdome of christ with more holy violence then before , and labours afterward , by the helpe of god , to repaire his former spirituall decay , with double diligence in watchfulnesse , zeale , and heauenly-mindednesse . progresse in christianitie is resembled to the thriuing of a child ; which may fall into sicknesse ; but it many times prooues a growing ague : to a man in a race , who may stumble , and fall ; but after his rising takes surer footing , and runnes faster : to the ascending of the sunne towards midday , which may be ouercast with a cloud ; but after hee hath recouered a cleare sky , shines more brightly and sweetely . . selfe-deniall . of which , see something before , page . hee that would soundly comfort his conscience with the true testimony of a true conuert , must at the first giuing his name vnto christ , and vpon his proclaiming warre , and entering the lists against satan , sound with a sincere heart , the depth of that fundamentall principle of christianitie , and christs own holy rule : if any man shall come after me , let him deny himselfe , &c. assoone as hee resignes vp himselfe to this royall seruice vnder the colours of the lord iesus , he must presently in our sauiours sence , make ouer all his interest in liberty , life , liuelihood , all earthly pleasures and treasures , without any reseruation , or he will certainely faint , and fall off in the day of battaile . the necessitie of this rule and resolution , is intimated vnto vs in two parables , luk. . , . a man that will build , must count the cost beforehand , and make sure of meanes to defray the charge . otherwise to beginne , and not able to make an end ; were but to lay a ground-worke of his disgrace and scorne , in the losse of his cost and paines . a prince which would wisely make warre , must first haue a true triall of his owne , and dexterity to discouer his enemies strength ; otherwise to bid him battaile , were but to incense him more , and thrust a title into his hands , to defeate him of all hee hath . hee that seriously sets himselfe to seeke god in truth , and to saue his soule indeed , must cast vp his reckonings before-hand , what will be required at his hands , and consult with his owne heart , whether willing to forgoe all such contentments , hopes , pleasures , preferments , worldly comforts which are incompatible with a good conscience , and the path that is called holy : and to endure all those troubles ; and indignities from the angry world , which ordinarily are wont to crowne the heads of all christs souldiers ; else most certainely he will shrinke in the wetting . hee must resolue by the inuincible noblenesse of his christian courage , to digest the hate and opposition of dearest friends , neerest kindred ; the raylings , and reproaches of men most abiect and contemptible , in respect of those whom they reuile : he must bee content to become the drunkards song , table-talk to those that sit in the gate , and the byword of basest men , viler then the earth , &c. in a word , he must prize , and preferre his sweetest sauiour , his truth , cause and seruice infinitely before the whole world . now besides my blessed change thus qualified , and this glorious worke of the holy ghost vpon my soule ; by the helpe of god , i haue stood at the staues end with the darling pleasure and minion delight of my former damned time euer since i was new borne : i haue euer since made conscience of all sinne , and to performe all holy duties : i haue had respect to all gods commandements , and all his ordinances : i haue loued dearely my blessed lord , and all things that belong vnto him ; his titles , attributes , creatures , workes of iustice and mercy ; his word , sacraments , sabbaths , ministers , seruices , children , presence , corrections , comming : i haue since delighted in the saints , the onely excellent ones vpon earth , whom i heartily hated before : i haue dayly , with as great earnestnesse and feruency , as my poore dull heart could possibly , complained , and cryed vnto my god in prayer against mine owne sinnes , passionate distempers , rebellious risings , the malice of satan , the allurements of the world , corruptions of the times , the cruelties of strange iniections and horrible temptations , my many and often faylings , frailties , and imperfections . vpon due and impartiall examination , i haue happily ridde mine hands of all that consuming pelfe , which any way crept into mine estate , by wicked & wrongful meanes in the dayes of mine iniquitie . ( for scarce any man in the state of nature , but deales falsly in one kind or other . ) i haue desired and endeauoured to adorne my profession , as well with workes of iustice , mercy , and truth , as by the outward acts of pietie : herein i haue exercised my selfe , to haue alwayes a good conscience , void of offence , toward god and toward man , &c. and in all these passages and particulars , both of my conuersion and conuersation , had i onely reposed vpon the outward act , and rested in the worke wrought , i had vtterly fainted , and beene quite vndone in the day of aduersitie . but truth of heart was the touchstone , and sinceritie is the sinew of all my assurance and comfort this way . i haue beene , i confesse , yet full sore against my will , and the hearty desire of my soule , haunted , and hindred in passing thorow the pangs of my new birth , and managing my christian businesses ; with the violent intrusion , and insinuating mixture of many imperfections , distractions , temptations , wants , weakenesses , infirmities , and faylings ; priuie pride , secret hypocrisie , distrusts , and deadnesse of mine owne naughty heart . i was much wanting , by reason of the naturall rebellion of mine hard heart , to those workings of the law and gospell mentioned before . i haue come farre short of that sorrow for sinne , which i desired , and of that heauenly-mindednesse in performing holy duties which was required . but then i haue from time to time grieued , and groaned vnder those too many frailties and defects , as vnder an heauy burthen . i haue many a time bitterly bewailed them in secret : they haue made mee walke more humbly before my god , and towards men . i haue continually complained heartily against them at the throne of grace . i haue sincerely desired , and endeauoured after all those meanes which might restraine and mortifie them , and made conscience to discouer and decline their vnwelcome insinuations , and so i haue gone on still in the holy path , with sincerity of heart , and in obedience vnto god ; still vpholding mine heart with consideration of the sweet and mercifull disposition of my dearest heauenly father , who euer , if the heart be vpright and truely humble , takes the will for the deed ; and accepts vs according to that which we haue , and not according to that which we haue not . and therefore i am most sure ( neither , by the helpe of god , shall all the deuils in hell driue me from this hold ) that they are all buried for euer in the righteous and meritorious blood of my blessed sauiour . and so i hold vp my head still against all contradiction of carnall reason , naturall distrust , satans cruell suggestions ; being well assured : that hearty humiliation , and grieuing vnder weakenesse in well-doing , is as true a fruit of sanctification , and marke of true conuersion ; as spirituall abilitie to doe well . it is not so much the muchnesse and quantitie , as the truth of grace , not so much the exactnesse of the outward act in performing holy duties , as sincerity of heart , which qualifies a broken hart , for comfort in the promises of life , and assurance of gods loue . though i know well , there was neuer any who tasted truely grace , but hee sincerely thirsted and endeauoured after more . neuer did any man well in the worship and seruices of god , who did not bewaile his wants and faylings therein , and truely desire and labour to doe better . it is the propertie of pharises and formall professours , to conceiue that they are spiritually rich enough already , and haue need of nothing : but the better the christian is , the more sensible hee is , and heartily complaining of his spirituall pouertie , naughty heart , and manifold imperfections . heere now then may wee see in this discourse of the true conuert , comforting himselfe in the point of his spirituall estate ; other kind of stuffe , sincere matter , sounder grounds , more speciall workings of the holy ghost ; then any one of the fore-mentioned deluded ones was euer practically and experimentally acquainted with . neither is this all . the true christian hath yet more noble , immediate , and demonstratiue euidences , to strengthen his heart in the assurance of gods euerlasting loue vnto him through christ , and present possession of his fauour . for ( with submission to better iudgements , and the spirit of the prophets ) i conceiue that a sanctified man may be assured of his spirituall safety , and sound estate to godwards diuers wayes . . by the euidence and single act of internall vision . wee haue receiued , saith the apostle , not the spirit of the world , but the spirit which is of god , that wee might know the things that are freely giuen to vs of god , that is to say , say our country-men of rhemes , christs incarnation , passion , presence in the sacrament , and the incomprehensible ioyes of heauen . but it is cleare in the text , that the apostle speakes of all the gifts generally that are giuen vs of god , whither serueth the argument of comparison , that as a mans spirit teacheth him to know all his thoughts that are in him , at the least , in some measure : so also the spirit of god teacheth the beleeuers to know all that god hath giuen them . hee doth not say , that we know gods gifts ; but that we know the gifts that god hath giuen vnto vs. see further to this point and purpose , . ioh. . . . tim. . . by a secret and sacred irradiation of the spirit of faith , the sanctified soule is ascertained of its personall and particular dependance , and reliance vpon the promises of life , and gods mercies through christ , by which it knowes it hath eternall life , ioh. . . as certainely as he that hath a corporall eye , knoweth that he sees : so certainely , he that is illuminated with the light of faith , knowes that he beleeues . the glorious splendour of such an orient , and heauenly iewell cannot but shew it selfe , and shine clearely to the heart wherein it dwels . like a bright lampe set vp in the soule , it doth not onely manifest other things ; but also it selfe appeareth by its owne light : when i see and rely vpon a man promising me this , or that , i know i see , and rely vpon him : shall i by faith behold my blessed redeemer , lifted vp as an antitype to the brazen serpent , for the euerlasting cure of my wounded conscience , and rest vpon him , and yet know no such thing . heare how cleare learned austin is for this internall vision . a our faith , saith hee , is conspicuous to our owne minde . b faith it selfe is seene in the minde , although that which is beleeued by faith , is inuisible . c a man holds his faith by most certaine knowledge , and plaine attestation of conscience . d euery man sees his faith in himselfe , &c. euen e durandus , taking vpon him to expound one of those passages in the fore-cited place of austin , tels vs : that he which hath faith , is so certaine that hee hath it , as hee is of any other thing : for hee that beleeues , feeles that hee beleeues , and by consequent that hee hath faith , and there is nothing more certaine then experience , &c. * vegaes words also in the councell of trent , sound this way : as hee that is hote , is sure he is so , and should want sense , if he doubted : so he that hath grace in him , doth perceiue it , and cannot doubt , yet it is by the sence of the minde , not by diuine reuelation . ob. but if these things be so , how comes it to passe , that gods dearest children complaine sometimes , that they haue neither sight , nor sence of their faith ? answ. i speake of that which is ordinary , not euer . the sunne in a cleere sky discouers and manifests it selfe with a witnesse ; though sometimes it bee ouercast with clouds , or eclipsed with the moone . this heauenly lampe of faith shines , and shewes it selfe clearely enough to the sanctified heart , in the calmenesse of a christian course , and serenitie of the soule ; especially freshly cleared , and purged with showres , as it were , of penitent teares : though in the dampe of spirituall disertion , darkenesse of some stronger temptation , eclipse of earthly-mindednesse , it may lye hid and obscured for a time . and yet for all this , if christians would bee counselled , and beleeue the prophets ; if they would not vnderualue gods infinite mercie , by looking vpon him through a slauishly deiected and melancholike humour , f which is wont to represent him as terrible , fierce , and inexorable ; whereas in his owne nature and sweetest disposition , hee is indeed euer most compassionate , tenderhearted , and melting ouer the bleeding miseries of a truly broken heart : i say , if they would not thus mistake , but conceiue aright of that most adored mystery and bottomlesse depth of his free loue , hos. . . ezek. . . ier. . . cant. . . ioh. . . & . . they might , euen in times of desertions , temptations , spirituall afflictions of soule , sweetely vphold their hearts with assurance of a adherence , though for the present they want the assurance of euidence . for such an assurance is intimated , psal. . . & . , ▪ & . . for instance : many a faithfull soule , making conscience of all sinne , sincerely following the best things , resolued without reseruation to doe or suffer any thing for christ , would giue a world to be sensibly assured of gods fauour , and fully perswaded that his sinnes were pardoned . by reason of the want of sence and feeling whereof , hee slauishly languishes vpon the racke of tormenting feares and terrours , vtterly without all cause ; neither onely so , but thereby also gratifying the deuill , dishonouring gods free mercy ; disabling himselfe for a comfortable discharge of both his callings ; and that which he little thinkes on , lying in the sinne of not receiuing comfort , and of not accepting his owne proper legacie which christ left him , ioh. . . for in the meane time his heart doth cleaue vnto christ ▪ as to the surest rocke . hee cries , and longs after him , and would not part with him for all the world : hee would infinitely rather haue his body rent from his soule , then his soule from his sauiour . aske his affection and resolution this way ; and for all his feares and sorrowes , he will tell you , that he will still rest and relye vpon his lord , and euer-blessed redeemer , let him doe with him as hee please ; hee will trust in him , though he kill him . now the internall vision , consciousnesse , reflexed act , that i may speake in the phrase of the schooles , of this sincere adherence vnto christ , and those exceeding precious promises of life , sealed with his blood , might , and ought to assure him of the euerlasting safetie and happinesse of his soule ; and so by consequent , to comfort him infinitely more , then if hee had the crowne of the whole worlds soueraigntie set vpon his head . iustifying faith , which giues infallible interest to eternall life , is not ( to speake properly and punctually ) to be assured of pardon ; but to trust wholly vpon the mercy of god through christ , for pardon . if there arise question in thy fearefull heart about thy spirituall state ; sence and feeling is no substantiall ground whereon to build , being a separable accident to the graces of saluation ; but the truth and tender heartednesse of christ , in the promises which can neuer faile , being as sure as god himselfe . if some wrangling fellow should lay claime vnto thy land , thou wouldest not in such a case and controuersie consult with an ignorant neighbour ; hee perhaps out of his weakenesse and want of skill , might raise doubts and dangers where there were none , and put thee into a greater fright ; but thou wouldest haue recourse to some learned at the law , who vnderstandingly searching and surueying thine euidences , and finding no flaw , would put thee out of all feare . when in time of temptation thou art terrified and affrighted with renewed scruples and distractions about thy spirituall well-being ; doe not in any wise aduise with carnall reason , which is starke blinde in the mystery of christ ; much lesse with that euill one , who is a sworne enemy to thy soule , and father of lyes . they may tell thee , thou hast no sence , no feeling , therefore all is naught : but to the word , and to the testimonie ; let thy trembling heart cleaue to the impregnable truth of those sweetest promises ; matth. . . reuel . . . ioh. . . isa. . , &c. and thou art safe for euer . for a more full impression of this comfortable point , i would haue you to refresh your memories with a reuise of those foure estates of faith , which i haue heretofore distinguished , vpon purpose for the weakest christians sake ; and know , that the reflexed act of the lowest degree and least measure then mentioned , might vpon good ground , if hee doe not wilfully and wickedly refuse to be comforted , fill his fearefull spirit as full with vnspeakeable glorious ioy , as the sunne is of light , and the sea of waters . these things laid together and well weighed , may confect a precious and soueraigne antidote , against the slauish terrours , causelesse feares , and heauy walking of many which are true of heart , distressed in conscience about their spirituall state : who while they labour , and long with insatiable greedinesse ( and i blame them not ) for a sensible assurance , and feeling apprehension of gods fauour ; doe too much neglect and disregard that comfort which their faith might affoord them vpon good ground , in that , notwithstanding their present distracting amazements and perplexity of spirit , they are able still to commit their soules vnto christ , as a faithfull redeemer , and their euerlasting strength . in this point , i haue let some passages fall by the way , which may serue to discouer and dissolue the vanity and weakenesse of that dilemma , wherein bellarmine playes the wilfull egregious sophister : it runs thus : the protestants teach , saith he , that a man is iustified by speciall faith , whereby he perswadeth himselfe , that he is iust . now then he reasoneth thus : when i begin to beleeue that i am iust , i am either iust or vniust . if iust , then i am not iustified by faith , by which i beleeue my selfe to bee iust , because this faith is after my iustification . if vniust , then this faith is false , and so a man should be iustified by a lye . to this horned argument wee answer thus : there are sundry acts of speciall faith : for my purpose at this time , take notice of two . . a fiduciall assent , resting vpon the merit of christ , an affiance , dependance , adherence , reliance , or if there bee any other word expressing that act of an humbled soule , whereby it casteth and reposeth it selfe onely vpon gods promise in christ , for the obtaining of remission of sinnes , and euerlasting life . in this act , the poore soule illightened and affrighted with sight and sence of its sinne and misery , and seeing an infinite impossibility of satisfying god for the one , or freeing it selfe from the other , by any meanes or merit in heauen or earth ; but onely by the propitiatory mediation of iesus christ : it throwes it selfe into his armes , grasping fast about him , hides it selfe in the clifts of this rocke , from the stormes of gods fiercest and fiery indignation , apprehends in him plentifull redemption , and all-sufficiencie of saluation ; and therefore plyes him with strong cryes and teares for mercy ; bespeakes him in all termes of confidence and affiance : my lord , and my god , my hope , my fortresse , my rocke , my strength , my saluation ; saue me , or i sinke ; hold mee fast , or i am lost for euer . you may see sometimes a little infant , vpon apprehension and approach of some sudden danger , how heartily and hastily it runnes into the mothers armes for succour and safety : euen so a truely wounded soule , pursued by the terrours of the law , and frighted with the dreadfull sight of gods frowning countenance , flyes with speed into the bosome of its blessed redeemer , clings inseparably vnto his bleeding wounds for euerlasting protection ; and there rests vpon the freenesse of his loue , merit of his passion , and truth of his promise , as vpon a rocke of eternitie , neuer to bee remooued : not the concurrent rage of all the deuils in hell , or powers of darknesse , being euer able to make a diuorce . by this act wee are accepted for iust before the throne of grace , for christs sake and sufferings . . an act of certification , which quickned by the spirit of grace , when god pleaseth for his own glory and good of his child , reflecteth vpon the soule with a comfortable assurance that we are already in the armes of christ , and his for euer . the least glimpse whereof , a true heart would not exchange for all the kingdomes vpon earth . the first act makes vs iust : the second findes vs iust ; and so certifies truely ; not by a lye , as lying companions , and satans sophisters calumniate . it is the saying of an excellent diuine , both for depth of learning and height of holinesse , to beleeue that my sinnes are now pardoned , and that i am saued : this is not the first act of faith , but followes when now a man doth see himselfe to be iustified in christ. . by a secret application of the promises of the gospell , in forme of an a experimentall syllogisme , thus : whosoeuer beleeues and repents , is the child of god : but i beleeue and repent , therefore i am the child of god. the maior or first proposition , is cleare and euident in the very letter , and by the immediate sense of scripture . see iohn . . acts . . & . , &c. but how doe you know the minor , or second proposition to be certainely so ? by the certainty of internall vision , whereby we as clearely see our faith , as our life , will , thought , knowledge , &c. as appeares in the forecited place of austin . in his opinion , i say , faith is as visible to the internall eye of a sanctified mind , as is a mans life and will : nay , & we are woont to discerne with a more eager eye and obseruation a stranger , then an ordinary domestick . our life and will are inbred , faith is aduentitious . by the testimony of a renewed conscience , which is as a thousand witnesses . now had i a thousand honest witnesses at the barre before an vpright iudge , to prooue my cause , and iustifie my right against the outfacings and periuries of a knight of the poast , as they say , well knowne to be an infamous stigmaticall forgerer and murtherer ; i would little doubt but to get the day . it is proportionably so in this present point ; i meane , betweene my regenerate illightned conscience and satan . nay , in this case , should all the deuils in hell sweare the contrary , did carnall reason , naturall distrust , or any other aduersary power cauill and contradict with neuer such irksome tediousnesse ; yet by the mercy of god , i will not withstand that heauenly light standing in my conscience like an armed man : i will neuer take away mine innocency from my selfe , vntill i die . but how do you know , that you truly beleeue ? we may know , perhaps , that we haue some kind of faith , but not that we haue the true liuely faith , which will serue the turne for saluation . i answer : saint paul bids vs try , and prooue our selues whether we haue that faith , by which christ dwelleth in our hearts , which is the faith of such as are accepted with god , . cor. . . now it were strange , if the blessed spirit should bid vs examine and search for that , which could not possibly be found out . againe , if a man cannot be certaine , that he beleeues with all his heart , that is , truly and sincerely ; philips interrogatorie to the eunuch , act. . . had beene in vaine , and the eunuchs reply rash and vnaduised . austin was cleerely of this mind , that a man may be acquainted with the sincerity of his faith . * there is , saith he , a kind of glorying in the conscience , when thou knowest thy faith is sincere , thy hope certaine , thy loue without dissembling . but many , say they , beleeue , and are deceiued ; thinking they haue that which they haue not ; how then can a man be certaine ? answer . so thousands amongst vs , by the false spectacles of presumption , making the bridge of gods mercy broader then it is , and larger then his truth , which confines it onely to broken hearts ; are wofully deluded , and ready euery moment to be drowned in the dungeon of fire and brimstone : must therefore those few who are sincerely humbled for their sinnes , truly beleeue , and vpon good ground haue part in it , be also deceiued ? because mad men , and men asleepe , know not well that they are asleepe , and rage ; must therefore men truly waking , and wise , not know certainely they are awake , and in their wits ? the common people generally conceiue of the sunnes magnitude , that it is not past a foote round ; must therefore the certainetie of knowledge , that it is many times bigger then the earth , be denied to the skilfull astronomer ? some men dreame that they are rich , tumble themselues amongst their golden heapes , and it is not so indeed when they awake ; doth no man therefore certainely know whether he be rich or no ? a conceiue proportionably of repentance , an inseparable companion and effect of true faith , which is then sauing , when it is serious , sincere , and without hypocrisie ; and that may be manifest and cleerely discerneable to the heart that hath it . doe you thinke , the seriousnesse of the niniuites repentance was not certaine vnto them ? we haue receiued the spirit of god , saith paul , that we might know the things that are freely giuen vs of god , which are not onely life euerlasting , &c. but iustification , sanctification , and such like . i say , sauingnesse of repentance , as of faith , consists not in the measure and muchnesse ; but in the sincerity and truth , of which the true penitent may bee certaine , as well as of his sorrow . but now whereas the popish doctors being blind ▪ guides , leade their hoodwinkt followers into such perplexed mazes of vncertainties , and indeed impossibilities about contrition , in respect of extension , intension , appretiation , equiualence to sin ; no maruell though they pleade pertinaciously for the point , and purgatory of doubting . . by the effects and fruits growing from the roote of grace in the heart . but there may be in the hypocrite , an exact outward conformity and obedience : i answer : true it is , that for the outside and carkasse , as it were , the workes of vnsactified men , may be like to those of the godly , but they are without the soule , life and spirit ; which is in the worke of a true beleeuer ; to which he is no lesse priuy in his heart , then to the outward worke which passeth thorow his hands . and wee hold , that workes done in vprightnesse of heart , onely , are they which truly testifie in this case . let euery true-hearted nathaneel then comfortably conclude pardon and peace vnto his owne soule , from all such fruits so qualified . for instance , in one . wee know that we haue passed from death to life , because wee loue the brethren , . ioh. . . i loue the brethren : therefore i am translated from death to life . but is it possible for a man to know that he loues his brethren as he ought , and as the apostle requires ? saint iohn makes it a signe of our being so translated ; therfore it may be knowne . for signes manifesting other things , must themselues be more manifest . and austin tels vs , that a man knowes more the loue with which he loues , then his brother whom he loues . thus may the christian infallibly collect , the sanctifying spirit , iustifying faith , sauing grace to dwell in his heart , by all good deeds , holy duties , inward or outward fruits springing from an vpright heart . for as it followes , and may be inferred infallibly and demonstratiuely from the effect , to the proper cause in other things : for example : it is day ; therefore the sunne is risen , because day cannot be caused , but by the sunnes rising : so in this point also explained as before . if wee pursue and ply with true hearts the whole trade of christianity ; if we be sincerely exercised in the workes of holinesse , iustice , mercy and truth , and walke humbly with our god ; we may build vpon it , that we are truly blessed . all such sound fruits of faith , are euident signes and demonstrations of our spirituall safety , and standing fast for euer . if ye doe these things , saith peter , yee shall neuer fall . . by the testimony of the spirit , which sometimes ; as in the time of more feruent prayer ▪ holy retyrednesse of mind , heauenly meditation ; or in some quickning exercises of extraordinary humiliation ; or after some speciall important seruice done to god and his church with humble sincerity , and in true zeale ; or vpon the soule-searching passage of some well grounded sermon of comfort , and seasonable application of mercy ; or in the beginning of spirituall , and end of naturall life , as most needfull times ; or in the time of martyrdome , and sincere sufferings for the name of christ , &c. i say , at such times the spirit may suggest and testifie to the sanctified conscience , with a secret , still , hart-rauishing voice thus or in the like manner ; thou art the child of god ; thou art in the number of those that shall be saued ; thou shalt inherit life euerlasting : and that as certainely and comfortably , a as if that angell from heauen should say to thee , as he did to daniel , greatly beloued . and why should any popish cauiller contradict this , sith euen bellarmine himselfe speakes proportionably in another case ? vpon a passage in austin , acknowledging the interior efficacy of gods spirit , giuing testimony to our hearts concerning the truth of that which is contained in the scriptures , saith b he ; this light of faith is a certaine testimonie of god , by which it is said to the secret cogitations of our hearts , that is true ; thou needest not to doubt thereof . here is an immediate testimony of the spirit granted for the confirmation of the truth of the word ; why may not the like bee expected for an assurance of the worke of the word ? mighty and remarkeable was the worke of the spirit this way vpon the heart of that noble martyr , robert glouer , vpon the first sight and representation of the stake ( so sweetely seasonable is god in all his refreshings . ) for two or three dayes before his death , hee was full heauily oppressed with the spirituall miseries of a dead heart , and spirituall desertion . in which time no doubt hee cried mightily vnto god , and often reflected the eye of his renewed conscience vpon a truly , beleeuing , penitent , humble , holy and heauenly heart ; resolued to sacrifice its warmest blood in the mercilesse fire , for the testimony of iesus ; and yet no comfort would come . but in the very nicke and needfull time , as you may see in the story , the blessed spirit did suddenly shine into his darke and desolate soule , with the glorious beames of his owne immediate comfort , and so sensibly filled it with such ouerflowing riuers of spirituall ioyes , that no doubt they mightily abated and quencht the ragefull fury of those popish flames , wherein hee sweetely fell asleepe . it was a speciall and immediate springing of the holy ghost in his heart , which made master peacock , after many dayes of extremest horrour , professe , that the ioy which be felt in his conscience , was incredible . we feele and acknowledge by daily experience , that satan doth immediately iniect ; and shall not the blessed spirit , after his holy and heauenly manner , immediately also suggest sometimes ? neither is this to bee reputed an extraordinary reuelation , or a enthusiasme , without or beside the word of god ( i heartily abominate all anabaptisticall fooleries and phrensies : ) for that which the spirit so reueiles vnto our consciences , we our selues may collect and conclude out of gods word , vpon the conscience of our faith , repentance , other sauing endowments and holy graces shining in our soules , and vprightly exercised in our whole conuersation . when wee by these meanes haue assured our soules , that we are the children of god , which is the testimony of our owne renewed spirits ; the spirit of god , as another witnesse , secondeth and confirmeth this assurance , by diuine inspiration , and by sweet motions and feelings of gods speciall goodnesse , and glorious sauing presence ; and so acording to the apostles phrase , rom. . . beareth witnesse with our spirits . wherefore if any man presume vpon , or pretend any immediate suggestion or reuelation , for his spirituall safetie , and euerlasting well-beeing , and yet want vtterly the testimony of 〈◊〉 renewed conscience to the same purpose ; the testimony of vniuersall obedience ; of not lying willingly and delightfully in any one knowne sin ; of crucifying the flesh with the affections and lusts , &c. i can giue him none but this cold comfort ; hee is cursedly coozened by the deuils counterfeit glory of an angell , casting into his abused imagination such groundlesse conceits , which in time of triall will vanish into nothing , and flye away as a dreame . by the way let me tell you , that though this last manner of assurance bee more immediately from the spirit ; yet conceiue , that the other also are not effectuall vpon the heart , without the excitation , illumination and assistance of the same blessed spirit . for the first , consider that forecited place , . corinth . . . for the second ; when the conscience , through the ministrie of the law , doth testifie to a man his state in sinne , and vnder the curse ; it is , through the spirit of bondage , that it doth testifie : then when it doth testifie to him his state of grace , and freedome from the curse , it is much rather from the spirit of adoption . no man can say that iesus is the lord , but by the holy ghost . for the third , i doubt not , but the blessed spirit , as a comfortable remembrancer , refreshed hezekias memory , when he cryed to the lord , remember now , o lord , &c. isai. . . but how shall a man discerne , and difference a true perswasion , and the testimony of the spirit ; from a groundlesse presumptuous conceit , and the deuils delusion ? if bellarmine aske me , i will easily stop his mouth : first , by demanding him , how his saint a francis , and s. antony knew assuredly , that their reuelations of the certaine remission of their sinnes , were from the spirit of god ; especially sith with him they were reuelations quite besides and without the word . for b he holds , that this proposition , francis is truly iustified : antony hath his sinnes forgiuen ; and so of other particular men , is not to be found in the word , either immediately , or by euident consequence ; which we vpon good ground contradict , if the particular men be true beleeuers . secondly , by that saying of ambrose , vrged by c catarinus in the councell of trent : the holy ghost doth neuer speake vnto vs , but doth make vs know , that it is hee that speaketh . but if the doubtfull christian truly troubled about it , would be taught and informed in the point ; or if it be possible that the pharise , the deluded one should heartily desire to be illightened ; i aduise that they would consider vpon these following markes of difference . . a sound perswasion vpon good ground by the spirit , is euer agreeable and answerable exactly to the word . the inward testimony of the spirit , and outward testimony of the word , doe alway sweetely accord , and one answeres to the other , as face to face in water . and therefore , if that thy present state , wherein thou conceiuest thy selfe to bee sure and safe inough for saluation , bee disabled and condemned by gods word ; thy confidence is vaine , and satan deludes thee . the scripture tels vs , that whosoeuer is borne of god , doth not commit a sin , . ioh. . , . which is not to be vnderstood simply of the act of sinning ; for who can say , my heart is cleane ? but in this sence : he makes not a trade of sinning ; he sinneth not with b purpose , pleasure and perseuerance ; he doth not liue , lie , and delight in sinne ; he suffers it not to reigne in him . if then thou allowest any lust in thy heart , or goe on in the willing practise of any one knowne sinne , or sensuall course , and yet bee well conceited of thy selfe for comfort in the world to come ; the deuill coozens thee : god will not c heare the prayers , but d wound the hairie scalpe of euery such a one . for instance : if thou lyest in lying ; ( for it s one thing to be ouertaken that way out of feare , or ere thou be aware , another thing to continue in it habitually and resolutely against an illightned impenitent conscience ) and yet looke for heauen , thou art deceiued ; thou hast made a lye thy refuge , and hid thy selfe vnder falsehood . and why ? because gods word saith , that the fearefull , and vnbeleeuing , and the abominable , and murtherers , and whoremongers , and s●…rcerers , and idolaters , and all lyers , shall haue their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone , which is the second death , reuel . . . conceiue proportionably of lying in any other sinne damned in gods booke in the sence i haue said . if thou abidest in the state of meere ciuill honestie , and yet thinkest with thy selfe , that thou art thereby furnished sufficiently for future happinesse , it is but a false flash . and why ? because the word saith ; without holinesse no man shall see the lord , heb. . . which necessarily implyes ; that no meere e ciuill man can possibly bee saued . if thou bee a luke-warme laodicean , and yet conceiuest thou art rich enough spiritually , and lookest to bee saued ; thou art deceiued : and why ? because the word saith ; that christ will spew such a one out of his mouth , reuelation . . euen as a filthy bitter vomit is to the stomacke , mouth and man that spewes it out ; such are all luke-warme formall professors to the lord iesus christ , as himselfe there professes . a terrible and flaming sentence vttered from the iudge his owne mouth in the meane time ; which , mee thinks , should horribly affright thousands in our daies ; who stand for a frozen formality , heartlesse indifferency , reserued neutrality , and politicke moderation in profession , and practise of religion . thus a true restimony and sound perswasion of a good estate to godward , euer holds correspondence to the word , and is infallibly grounded thereupon . obiect . say you so ? in spirituall cases and poynts of faith , how is it possible , that a man should bee infallibly certaine of that by the word , which is not contained in the word , either immediatly , or by good consequence ? but bellarmine affirmes , that this particular proposition , such or such a man is truely iustified ; is not contained in the word of god , either immediately or by good consequence , &c. answer . to let passe at this time , that which some worthy diuines presse in this poynt , that such places as these , psalm . . . esa. . . rom. . . gal. . . &c. intimate and imply such a particular proposition immediately : i answer that it is deduced by euident consequence out of the word . for from such generall promises and propositions as these ; he that beleeueth on the sonne , hath euerlasting life , ioh. . . whosoeuer beleeueth in him , shall receiue remission of sinnes , act. . . and by him all that beleeue , are iustified from all things , &c. act. . , &c. follow by good consequence , these particulars : paul , peter , luther , caluin , beza , bradford , or any other particular man beleeuing in him , receiues remission of sinnes ; is iustified ; hath eternall life . euen as it followeth directly and infallibly , euery man is a reasonable creature ; therefore iohn , thomas , &c. is endewed with reason . though no word saith expressely and immediately ; thou thomas beleeuing , shalt be saued ; yet the same word which saith , euery one beleeuing , hath eternall life , saith also ; thou thomas beleeuing , hast eternall life , or shalt be saued . as on the contrary , this vniuersall , he that beleeueth not the sonne , shall not see life , but the wrath of god abideth on him , includeth vertually , consequently , infallibly , as though they were writ in it , these particulars : iudas , bellarmine , or bonner , &c. not beleeuing , shall not see life , but the wrath of god abideth on him . otherwise , if the generall did not thus sufficiently include and comprehend euery particular ; and an vniuersall proposition all subordinate singular propositions vnder it ; the law , thou shalt not kill : thou shalt not commit adultery : thou shalt not beare false witnesse against thy neighbour ; would not belong to faux blowing vp the parliament : to this or that priest polluting himselfe in hearing confession ; to bellarmine lying voluminously ; because it s no where expressely writ ; thou bellarmine shalt not beare false witnesse against thy neighbour . thou shaueling , beware of selfe pollution . thou faux shalt not teare in pieces the royall limbs of the lords anointed . if iohn or thomas beleeuing , be not bound to be assured of his saluation out of the generall promise ; except it were said somewhere in scripture ; that thomas or iohn by name should be saued ; it would follow that these particular men , were not bound to be honest men ; or to feare god ; because it is no where said in the word ; that thomas or iohn ought to be honest men ; or are commanded to feare god , but onely in the generall . in a word , let the iesuite tell mee , whether out of the word , he be infallibly certaine that his body shall rise againe at the last day : he dare not for his heart deny it . and i pray you , bellarmine , tell me , where it is particularly and expressely said in scripture ; that the body of robert bellarmine shall rise againe at the last day ? all particular infallible assurance in this kinde , springs out of the generall proposition and promise that all shall rise , . cor. , &c. . that heart which doth sweetly enioy the paradise of a true testimony , and well grounded perswasion ; that it presently liues the life of grace , and immortality ; is sincerely affected and inflamed with a reuerent loue , and insatiable a longing after the word preached and read , prayer , singing of psalmes , meditation , conference , vowes , daies of humiliation , vse of good bookes , godly company , all gods ordinances , and good meanes appointed and sanctified for our spirituall good . because thorow them , as so many golden conduits , those gracious sauing operations of the holy ghost are conueyed and continued vnto it ; which minister sound matter and true grounds of such comfortable assurance : and in the conscionable vse and exercise of them also are woont sometimes to be secretly and sensibly breathed into it , such heauenly reall refreshings themselues ; which the ioy of the whole worlds enioyment cannot possibly equall . but now the affection this way of those who are pharisaically puft vp with a groundlesse conceit and vaine confidence ; is faint and formall ; partiall and reserued ; not accompanied with that vniuersality and vniformity of reuerence and respect to all the blessed ordinances and meanes of grace ▪ it is euer the woont and wilynesse of such , to qualifie their countenance and correspondence to these , with that moderation and temper which may bee compatible , and plausibly consist with the safety of their temporall happinesse , and security of their bosome sinne . and no maruell though their affection in this kinde be not so hearty , and hold out ; for they draw no speciall vertue and sweetnesse from christ , through them : and their conceit of being right , is not fedde from the brests of the bible , and with the heauenly manna of a conscionable ministery ; but built vpon those insufficient grounds and rotten proppes i discouered and disabled before . . a sound and vndeceiuing perswasion that thou art euerlastingly lockt in the armes of gods mercy and loue , grounded vpon the word , seconded and set on by the spirit ; is a most rare and rich iewell , which doth infinitely out-shine and ouerweigh in sweetenesse and worth any rocke of diamond , cristall mountaine , or this great creation , were it all conuerted into one vnualuable pearle ; and therefore is infinitely enuied , and assaulted mightily on all sides . it is continually hunted like a partridge on the mountaines by naturall distrust , the policy of satan , and all the powers of darkenesse . there is not a wicked spirit , but is transported with implacable indignation against that heauen vpon earth ; and therefore rages and roares about thee still , to rob and bereaue thy humble brest of such an heauenly iemme . besides the two maine ends and generall aimes ; of all the malice and machinations of those apostated angels : . the dishonour of god , and . the discomfort of mens soules ; in this poynt they are peculiarly enraged with extreme hellish anger ; to see a mortall man , a childe of adam , crowned by gods mercifull hand , euen in this life , with right and interest , and as it were , an earnest penny of the inheritance with the saints in light , and of those blessed mansions of glory and rest , of which , by their apostacy and pride they haue vnhappily and euerlastingly depriued themselues . neither onely so , but they imploy also their agents , enuious to the grace of god and thine owne fearefull heart , to charge falsely many times vpon thee , hypocrisie and delusion , left that white stone giuen thee by the holy ghost ; the splendor and b sweetnesse whereof , none knoweth but hee that hath it , should fairely shine vpon thy sad soule with that lightsomenesse and comfort , as it both may and ought . whereupon it must needes follow , that if thy perswasion be well grounded and assurance true ; it will be accompanied and often exercised with feares , iealousies , doubts , distrusts , varieties of temptations , satans firiest darts , iniected scruples , contradictions of flesh and blood , cauils of carnall reasons , want of comfortable feelign , &c. which will many times necessarily driue thee to cry mightily to god , and complaine at the throne of grace , against all this hellish ordnance and assaults of thy vnbeleeuing heart ; by the wrastling of faith to warme thy ●…oule with meditation vpon the promises , to re examine and reuise thy grounds , to confirme thy watch , to resort for counsell , strength and comfort to the quickening meanes , experience of former sweet feelings , and motions of the spirit ; to truly iudicious diuines , experienced christians , dayes of humiliation , bookes of best rellish to a spirituall taste , &c. but now on the contrary side , his presumptuous confidence and groundlesse conceit , lyes in the pharises bosome with much quietnesse and security ; without doubting , difficulty , contradiction , or any such adoe . the reason is , his carnall heart is well enough content , and meddles not , because it still feedes vpon the delights of his darling sinne , without disturbance . satan is too subtill to interpose , tempt or interrupt , in such a case . for he well knoweth that his foundation is falsehood , his hope of heauen but a golden dreame ; and therefore in policy he holds his peace , that hee may hold him the faster . take notice by the way ; that , that very thing which makes many a truehearted christian to doubt of himselfe , and of the soundnesse of his spirituall state , should put him out of all doubt ; euen often exercise with doubts , temptations , multiplyed attempts against his faith , and assurance of gods loue ; prayed against , humbly resisted , and opposed with cleauing vnto the tenderheartednes of christ , & truth of his promises , though for the present he hath little or no feeling ; no such ioy and peace in so beleeuing : and that very thing vpon which the deluded ones doe build , and many times boast themselues ; to wit , that they are vntroubled , vntempted , in point of faith , and pretended assurance ; may returne an infallible remonstrance to their own consciences , that they are certainely deceiued . for doubtlesse , that faith which is neuer assaulted with doubting , is but a fancy . assuredly that assurance which is euer secure , is but a dreame . many a pharise stands by the bedside of the sincere professor , visited with affliction of conscience , and many heauy temptations ; secretly and sinfully pleasing himselfe in the vnblessed calmenesse of a groundlesse confidence , and in his freedome from such terrors and spirituall troubles : when as himselfe is like an oxe fatting in the greene pastures of impunity and outward prosperity for the day of slaughter : but the afflicted party is as precious gold , purifying in the lords refining furnace , that hee may afterward come out and shine more gloriously . . in that heart to which the spirit of god testifies , that we are his children , ro. . . doth the same spirit create many feruent eiaculations , strong cryes & vnutterable groanings , verse . the testimony of the spirit is euer attended with the spirit of prayer . that glorious glimpse shining into the soule , and assuring it of saluation , is so sweete , so heauenly , so rauishing ; so transcendent and incomparably aboue all earthly ioy , that it warmes the spirit of a man with quickning life & liberty , to powre out it selfe in the presence of his lord and his god , before the throne of grace : sometimes in more hearty triumphant , and as it were , winged prayers : at other times , in those which are more faint and cold , yet edged with infinite desires , that they were more feruent , and therefore by the way , as it were , mingled and perfumed with the soueraigne & satisfactory incense in the golden censer , which the angell of the couenant holds in his hand , are graciously accepted of him , which by an excellency and title of highest honour , is stiled the hearer of prayers : or at least , with vnexpressable a groanes and inward wrastlings , for preseruation , recouery , & enlargement of that same comfortable assurance it selfe , and of all other holy graces and fruits of the spirit , purity of heart , conquest ouer corruption , neerer communion with god , spirituallmindednesse , and such other heauenly guests ; amongst whom it is woont to dwell with delight , and represent it selfe more comfortably . but now on the other side ; euery deluded pharise is a meere stranger to the power of prayer . his presumption and groundlesse confidence , is but a weede which will grow of its owne accord ; and therefore is not sensible of any necessity , neither feeles any want of constant prayer from a broken heart ; vniuersall obedience ; or the holy precisenesse of the saints to support it . an assurance of gods loue vpon sure ground , doth mightily quicken , keene , and spurre forward the ingenuous christian to more holinesse , hatred of sinne , resolution in good causes , watchfulnesse ouer his heart , walking with god : hauing these promises , saith he , let me cleanse my selfe from all filthinesse of the flesh and spirit , perfecting holinesse in the feare of god : hauing this hope , i will labour to purifie my selfe , euen as he is pure . to let the principall motiue passe , it is impossible but that the feeling consciousnesse that gods free loue , through christ , hath freed vs from eternity of torments ; one houre wherein , is infinitely more stinging and terrible , then all the tortures that all mankind hath , doth , or shall endure , from the creation , to the end of the world ; and certainely interessed vs to eternity of ioyes , one houre wherein , doth incomparably surpasse all the delights of this wide world , were they collected into one lumpe of pleasure ; i say , it cannot be , but that such an assurance should stirre vp the blessed soule to do or suffer any thing for christs sake ; rather to die then turne papist , to doe worthily in ephrata , and bee famous in bethlehem . but now the other groundlesse confidence , being in truth but a fancie , must needes bee powerlesse , fruitlesse , vnactiue ; and makes the deluded rather secure , carelesse , presumptuous , onely formall . . the blessed spirit is woont to spring in our hearts , with heauenly refreshing , and his sweetest testimonie ; especially at such times as these : when wee retire and recollect our selues to conuerse with god in a more solemne and solitary manner ; opening our consciences , breaking our hearts , and powring out our soules into his bosome : when wee are preparedly and fruitfully exercised in the ordinances : in our innocent patient sufferings , for good causes and conscience sake : when we feele that wee haue conquered or well curbed some corruption , by the power of prayer ; in the beleeuing contemplation and reuise of our change , and the infallible markes thereof : when we meditate effectually vpon the bottomlesse depth of gods free loue vnto vs , with which hee hath loued vs from euerlasting to euerlasting : vpon dayes of humiliation , &c. but that other counterfeit flash keepes a deluded pharise in a fooles paradise continually ; he is ordinarily at all times alike peremptory in the point of assurance . you shall not take him any weeke in the yeere , any day in the weeke , any houre in the day , without a bold perswasion , and protestation , if neede be , that he hopes to bee saued as well as the precisest . hee is as confident this way , when he is cauilling against the purity of the saints and power of godlinesse ; as when he is the deepest in his pharisaicall deuotions . . the presumption of the pharise is ordinarily at the height , in his height of outward prosperity ; and when gods candle shineth faireliest vpon his head with worldly blessings . but the perswasion of the christian , is for the most part then strongest , when the world most frowneth vpon him for his forwardnesse ; and in heate of persecution . . those that are deluded with a groundlesse confidence , haue ordinarily beene so conceited of themselues , euer since they may remember , or had any thoughts of heauen ; and that without consciousnesse of any conuersion , change , or supernaturall sauing worke vpon their soules at all . for though the deuill seales it with more security vpon their hearts , by his counterfeit angelicall glory ; yet hee findes matter enough in our corrupt nature , ministred originally for such a golden dreame , and imaginary castle in the aire . but the testimony of the spirit , and that other true perswasion is supernaturall , and neuer felt before conuersion ; nor euer to be found but in a regenerate soule . i doubt not , but many christians to their singular comfort & further assurance , can tell their experiēce of both : their bold peremptory ill grounded presumption in their vnregenerate time : and their now true , kindly , sweet perswasion , so much enuied and assaulted by satan accompanying their conuersion . . naturall presumption , guilded ouer with the deuils delusion , euer shrinkes in the wetting . troubles of conscience , fiery tryals , heauy crosses , the face of the prince of terrour , disastrous and dismall times , dissolue it into nothing . but the oher true testimony holds out like armour of proofe , against thickest haileshot of all aduersary power : nay , it is woont to shine and shew it selfe with vnited vigor and more lightsomnesse within ; in the greatest dampe of outward discomforts , and most confusions abroad . . the christian can giue sound reasons for his resolution , in the point of assurance ; from his conuersion , holy conuersation , loue of the brethren , vniuersal obedience , &c. those meanes i mentioned before proper to the child of god. but put the pharise to prooue in this case , and perhaps hee will not bee able to say so much as his formall deluded brother , luk. . , . sure i am , all that hee can produce for that purpose , being tryed by the touchstone of gods truth , will prooue too light and inconsequent . reuise the false mediums and insufficient grounds discouered before , and you shall perceiue , that none of them can possibly inferre a comfortable conclusion . . the laodicean longs farre more for gold , then growth in grace ; thinkes himselfe already rich enough in religion , and that he hath attained that very temper which euery wise man should rest vpon , without any more medling ; that if hee should stirre forward , he should be too precise ; if he should grow any worse , he should be too prophane ; and therefore concludes , i haue need of nothing . but the illightened christian , hauing truely tasted of the assurance of gods loue ; is infinitely greedy of growing in grace , of conquering corruptions , of neerer communion with his christ , of doing his god all the most glorious sincere seruice hee can possibly , before hee goe downe into the pit , and be seene no more . his performances , by the grace of god , are many , his endeauours moe , but his desires endlesse , and euer a vnsatisfied with his degree of well-doing , his present pitch of grace and measure of obedience . thus hauing premised a discouery of spiritual self-deceit , whereby many so ouervalew themselues , in point of their spiritual estate , that they conceiue they are very right , whereas in truth and tryall , they are starke rotten at the root : their case herein , is like that mans , who lying fast asleepe vpon the edge of a steepe rocke , dreames merrily of crownes , kingdomes , and the very confluence of all earthly contentments ; conceiuing that hee wallowes himselfe in the ouerflowings of all worldly felicities ; but vpon the sudden starting for ioy , breakes his necke , and tumbles into the bottome of the sea. they are lulled asleepe by the deluding charmes of the deuill , vpon their beds of presumptuous security , all their life long , dreaming of no danger at all , but euer confident their case is good enough to god-ward : but their consciences being awaked vpon their beds of death , or at farthest , at gods tribunall , they are suddenly swallowed vp of despaire , and drowned in euerlasting perdition . i come now to forewarne and forearme the true christian , that with all watchfulnesse and constancie , hee would euer labour to preuent and defeate the secret assaults and insinuations of that white deuill , as a worthy diuine calls it , spirituall pride . a guilded poyson , which satan , that cunning alchymist and hellish spider , doth first extract out of the very sweetest and fairest flowers in christs garden ; i meane , the most holy vertues and heauenly gifts emplanted in his childrens hearts ; and then thereby so enuenomes and blasts them , that they lose not onely their owne natiue splendour and gracefulnesse , but also their fruitfull communication to others , and comfortable acceptation with god. i say , when he sees a man extraordinarily enriched with spirituall graces , hee seekes might and maine to make him swell with priuy pride ; and to puffe him vp with an ouerweening conceit of his owne worth ; that so the christian himselfe may want the comfort of them ; his brethren , the fruit of them ; and god , the glory of them . when the strong man can no longer keepe goodnesse out of the soule , but the holy ghost with a mercifull violence breakes in vpon him and dwels there ; his next endeauour is , to abuse euen grace it selfe , as an vnhappy instrument , to weaken and wound it selfe : nay , so subtill is he , and endlesse in his attempts , that if he cannot make a man proud of any thing else , hee will labour to make him proud that he is not proud , and to glory vainely , because hee is not vaineglorious . the originall and breeding of this canker in the sanctified soule , i haue discouered in my discourse of true happinesse , page . and there made tender of some corrosiues and counterpoysons against it . to which at this time i adde these : when thou beginnest with an ouerweening conceit to admire thy selfe immoderately & aboue that which is meet , cast thine eye , . vpon the purity and piercing of gods all-seeing eye ▪ ten thousand times brighter then the sunne , and purer then purity it selfe ; which sees sinne to be infinitely more sinfull and loathsome then thou canst possibly : whereby his holy iustice is incensed with infinite indignation , and vnquenchable seueritie against it . witnesse the turning into deuils , irrecouerable destruction , and euerlasting downefall of so many glorious creatures , the top and masterpiece , as it were , of all gods handyworke , shining once so fairely in the highest heauen , and neerest vnto his emperiall throne : the curse which fell vpon adam and all his posterity , for eating the forbidden fruit : the confusions which came vpon the first world by the flood : the burning of sodom with fire and brimstone from heauen ; the fearefull reiection of his owne ancient people : the horrours of a guilty enraged conscience , which is a hell vpon earth , and damnation aboue ground : the euerlasting fire which is prepared for reprobate men and angels , &c. neither doth this brightest eye onely see all thy sinnes in their natiue foulenesse , but also in their truest number . thou perhaps , for want of more spirituall eye-salue , beholdest them but as starres in a gloomie euening : but assure thy selfe he sees them , as moates in the sunne , and as starres in the clearest winters midnight . methinkes , this mortifying meditation should rather make thee grow into further detestation of sinne , then admiration of thy selfe . . vpon the incomprehensible perfections and absolute purenesse of gods most holy nature : the splendour whereof doth dazle the clearest eyes of the brightest seraphims ; doth drowne , as it were , all angelicall glory ; as the sunnes presence , the light of lesser starres ; much more doth it vtterly darken the materiall beauty of all the lights in heauen . were the sunne which is made all of brightnesse , and the euer-springing fountaine of fresh shining beames , presented before that vnapproachable light which besets gods sacred throne ; it would vanish away , as a darkesome moate and lumpe of vanity . where then would a fraile sinfull man in a house of flesh appeare ? behold , saith iob , hee put no trust in his seruants ; and his angels hee charged with folly : how much lesse on them that dwell in houses of clay , whose foundation is in the dust , which are crushed before the moth , chap. . , . behold , he putteth no trust in his saints ; yea , the heauens are not cleare in his sight : how much more abominable and filthy is man , which drinketh iniquitie like water ? chap. . , . behold euen to the moone , and it shineth not , yea , the starres are not pure in his sight : how much lesse man , that is a worme : and the sonne of man which is a worme ? chap. . , . a glimpse as it were , of that highest glory , shining euerlastingly in that purest increated essence , god blessed for euer , did make righteous iob to abhorre himselfe , and repent in dust and ashes : holy isaiah to cry , woe is mee , for i am vndone . and so if thou also turne thine eye from the vanity of selfe-admiration , toward the infinite sunne of absolute and incomprehensible purity ; and then reflect vpon thy selfe , as he that hath gazed too much vpon our visible sunne , looking downe againe seeth nothing ; thou shalt behold the nothingnesse of thine ouerweened worth , and nothing but darknesse and deformitie ; and so shalt finde infinite more matter of humiliation and abhorring thy selfe in dust and ashes , then of selfe-estimation and conceitednesse . . vpon the cleere cristall of gods pure law , which can discouer vnto thee the least spot that euer stained so much as any one of thy thoughts ; shines with that perfect light , that it would guide aright euery step which thou makest in the way which is called holy , and is of that latitude for prohibition of sinne , and leading to purity and exact pleasing of god : that though wee may see an end of all perfection , yet it is exceeding broad . and therefore though such as hate to be reformed , especially , if their consciences be waking and working , are drawne to a particular and punctuall suruey of themselues and all their wayes in this pure cristall , euen as a beare to the stake , a bankerout to his counting booke , an elephant to the vnmudded water , a foule face to the looking-glasse : they are well enough content to heare the commandements read , restraining their vnderstandings onely to the grosse acts , thou shalt not kill , &c. and perhaps iustifying themselues pharisaically thereabouts ; but come to the holy strictnesse of christs exposition , whosoeuer looketh on a woman to lust after her , hath committed adulterie with her already in his heart , &c. and it strikes full cold to their impure hearts , and causeth them to cry out against the men of god , why doe you torment vs before our times ? i say , though it bee thus with the vnregenerate , by reason of their guilty and gauled consciences ; yet let it bee thy delight , who art blessed with an euerlasting impregnable protection , by the blood and merit of iesus christ , from the curse and rigour of the law , to peruse thy selfe punctually by this heauenly looking-glasse , for the discouerie of thy defects and aberrations ▪ and to diue with searching and serious meditation into this adored depth of perfection and puritie , to see how farre thou comest short : and then thou shalt finde infinite more cause to presse hard towards the marke , then to looke vpon that which is behind , or proudly to prize any thing that is past . onely i aduise , when thou setst thy selfe thus solemnely to rip vp thy conscience , and ransacke thy heart to the roote , to bring it downe and into the dust , for increase of humiliation and lowlinesse in thine owne eyes : as thou holdest out in the one hand the cleare cristall of gods pure law , to discouer the crookednesse of thy vile naturall disposition , the villanies and skarlet abominations of thine vnregenerate time , the daily spots & staines which light vpon thy soule , &c. hold out also in the other hand , or rather lay hold vpon christ iesus by the hand of faith , hanging , bleeding , and dying vpon the crosse , for those very same sins ; that thereby thou maist vtterly quench all satans fiery darts , preuent drawing towards despaire ; nay , preserue thy spirit in sweetest peace , and vnconquerable comfort against , if it be possible , the least distrustfull intrusion of any slauish terrour . . vpon the holiest men that euer breathed , the life of grace vpon earth , and the most renowned in the church thorow all generations , for all spirituall sufficiencies and excellencies ; and thou shalt find them euer most humble in their owne conceits , vilest in their own eyes , nothing in their owne account . me thinks holy pauls heauy complaint , o wretched man that i am , who shall deliuer me from the body of this death ! heauenly dauids continuall cry , i am a worme and no man : there is no rest in my bones , because of my sinne . my sinne is euer before me , &c. blessed bradfords abasing himselfe , who was one of the worthiest martyrs , and the heauenliest minded man that euer breathed out his last in the flames , and ascended to heauen in a fiery chariot , as himselfe spake at the stake : i am as dry as a stone , saith hee , as dumbe as a nayle ; as farre from praying , as he that neuer knew any taste of it . he sometime subscribed in this manner to those letters which were full of spirituall life , diuinest streines , and demonstration of the spirit : the most miserable hard-hearted vnthankefull sinner , iohn bradford . a very painted hypocrite , i. b. &c. i say , me thinkes , the humble deportment of these and all truely holy ones should rather make thee sinke yet lower in thine owne conceit , then swell with the poyson of pharisaicall selfe-conceitednesse . . keepe in a readinesse , and in fresh remembrance such considerations and cooling cards , as it were , as these ; when thy heart begins to swell vaine-gloriously : that thou haddest thine hand in that fire-worke , which blew vp all mankind ; i meane , in adams transgression , that brought forth such a bloody sea of sinne and sorrow into the world ; such a world of miseries and mischiefes vpon all the sonnes and daughters of adam ; all tortures vpon earth , and torments in hell thorow all eternity : that thou camest into this world , a sinke , a sodom , a very hell of all filth and impuritie ; of all corruption and crookednesse , euen a little deuill for darkenesse and damnation : that thou wofully lost and mis-spentst many yeeres , perhaps the best of thy time , strength of youth , flowre of thy age in satans seruice , and vpon thy owne abominable lusts : that now vpon thy conuersion , the meere worke of gods free grace , thou being honored with part in christs passion , with the presence of the blessed spirit dwelling in thee , with the highest aduancement of being gods fauourite , the dearely beloued of his soule ; yet the best sabbath that thou passest ouer , the holyest duty that thou performest , is distained and distempered with so many imperfections , distractions , frailties , and failings : that while thou yet inhabitest a house of flesh , thou hast inherent in thy bowels , secret seeds , and inbred inclinations to all sinne , ( blesse the sanctifying spirit for thy priuiledge and preseruation ) euen to atheisme , selfe-murder , sodomy , despairing of gods mercy , familiarity with wicked spirits , sinne against the holy ghost , &c. that whereas thousands about thee goe on in their sinnes , and perish euerlastingly , thy selfe , it may bee , before thy change worse then most of them ; yet now beeing sanctified , thou mayest bee assured , thy name was writ in heauen , from all eternitie ; and therefore from euerlasting thou layest in the bosome of gods loue , and from the same euerlasting had the lord iesus , set apart to shead his blood in the fulnesse of time , for the saluation of thy soule ; and haue patience but a little , and euerlasting refreshing shall come from the presence of the lord : thou shalt shine as the brightnesse of the firmament for euer and euer . and in all this who made thee to differ ? thou wast framed of the same mould , made , as it were , of the same cloth , onely the sheeres going betweene , with those that perish : it was onely gods free grace , the good pleasure of his will. these and the like considerations layde together , should infinitely rather mooue thee with all humble reuerence to adore the bottomlesse depth of gods free loue vnto thee ; then conceitedly to magnifie thy selfe aboue thy brethren , or proudly insult ouer those that are without ; to praise thy god with a neuer satisfied admiration of his vnconceiueable bounty , then to plague thy soule , and , as it were , empoyson thy graces with an humour of pride . . thou must shortly bee strictly accountable at the iust tribunall of god , for the vse and imployment of all the good things hee hath giuen vnto thee ; of thy life and euery moment of it ; of thy goods and euery farthing of them ; of euery word thou euer spokest ; of euery thought that euer sprung out of thy heart ; of euery sermon thou euer heardst ; of euery sabbath thou hast solemnized ; of euery line thou hast writ ; of euery glance of thine eye ; of euery iourney thou hast made , &c. of thy wit , memory , learning ; of thy strength , courage , credit ; of thine honour , power , and high place ▪ in a word , of euery benefit or any good thing in any kinde thou euer receiuedst from the bountifull and blessed hand of almightie god. and the moe and more excellent and extraordinary endowments , and gracious indulgences haue beene vouchsafed thee from the euer-springing fountaine of all good ; the more exactly must thou bee answerable , and in proportion accountable for more . wherefore , sith the graces of saluation incomparably excell and outshine all other humane abilities ; all excellencies of nature , art , policie , learning , or what else can bee named admirable in the eyes of men ; god lookes that wee should keepe those heauenly iewels especially , orient , bright and shining ; communicate them most frankely and abundantly to our brethren ; and with all watchfulnesse and wisdome vpon all opportunities , imploy them to our masters greatest and most glorious aduantage . now there is nothing more hinders the fruitfull improouement of them then pride : nothing makes them more passable and profitable then humility . a proud man puft vp with an opinion of his good parts , doth ordinarily , out of an itching ambitious humour , single out such seasons for discouerie of himselfe , and ostentation of his gifts ; when hee may winne most applause from men , and shew himselfe vaine-gloriously ; and thereupon is more rare , dainty , and reserued in exercising his talent . but a downeright humble christian is in this kinde vnreseruedly and indifferently for all places , times , and persons ; where , and when he may bring glory vnto god , good vnto others , comfort to his owne soule in discharging a good conscience . he dares not for his heart , either out of humour , or for feare he should make himselfe too cheape , as they say , or any other vaine respect , conceale any thing in his heart or braine , were it the highest straine of his heauenly skill , or any experimentall secret in the mysterie of christ , from the meanest christian , could hee wisely and seasonably thereby doe him any spirituall good . let vs therefore infinitely abhorre , by filthy vaine-glory , to staine the glory , and blast the fruitfulnesse of our graces ; but rather with all humilitie and watchfulnesse obserue and apprehend all the wayes , occasions and callings , whereby wee may glorifie god most with them , and improoue them best for our lords aduantage ; that so we may giue vp our account at the great and vniuersall audite , with more fauour , and enter more comfortably into our masters ioy . . let the feare and foresight of the many fearefull effects , and much ill that certainely followes , and is euer found where this white diuell , spirituall pride , haunts , hunt it out of thy heart , and keepe a continuall narrow watch against all its slie insinuations . besides that it plagues the soule that harbours it , with many spirituall miseries , distempers , disacquaintance with god ( for hee is euer most familiar with those who are most humble ) pharisaicall swellings , inflamations of furious zeale , and the like ; it euer prooues also of pestilent consequence and preiudice to the common state of goodnesse , to the honour and acceptation of christianitie . . a truely proud professour , puffed vp with his gifts and supposed sufficiencies ; which wickedly aimes more at vaineglory , then glorifying god ; at his owne praise , then profiting others , is for the most part very irkesome , tedious and burdensome to the company of humble , wise , iudicious christians . for ordinarily hee is ouertalkatiue , swift to speake , and too full of words ; farre more forward to ouer-rule and domineere , in opposing , moderating , resoluing , then seuen men that can render a reason . an itching humour after applause , and of carrying away the credit , for abilitie to discourse , and eminencie aboue others , puts him on too often to powre out himselfe indiscreetly and impertinently in all companies , to presse and obtrude vpon others with much verball importunitie , and vnconquerable stifnesse , his master-like conceits , without due respect or seasonable obseruation of the humble abilities and sufficiencies of by-standers , & that many times when he hath neither calling , fitnes , efficacy of matter , or power of the holy ghost . and if a man doe not presently vpon the bare and first proposition , accord and accommodate his iudgement to euery circumstance of whatsoeuer he holds , and square exactly to his oracles ; hee begins to shake the head as though hee were a lost man , and is ready , ipso facto , to excommunicate him out of his conscience . i speake not thus , to stop the current of comfortable talk , edifying discourse , and fruitful conference , in any true-hearted nathaneels . there is infinitely more need to stirre them vp , and quicken them to more forwardnesse and foorth-putting this way at christian meetings : but onely to intimate the vaine-glorious , empty , opinionatiue talkatiuenesse of such as are possessed with this white diuell . . such an one also is woont to be too austere , censorious , sowre , and imperious in his cariage towards those which are without ; whereby he becommeth ; both a stumbling blocke to them in their way to christianity ; and brings also an vnnecessary , scandalous , false aspersion vpon the wayes of god , and yoke of christ , as though they were harsh , heauy , and vnpleasant ; when as they are most sweet , easie and amiable . i know full well , there is not the wisest , holiest , humblest , discreetest christian aliue , can so possibly beare and behaue himselfe ; but prophanenesse will plague him with slanderous imputations of any kinde . iesus christ our master was not free this way ; which of his seruants then can , dare , or will expect and desire exemption ? blessed bee god , that our good names are oyled , so that the inke will not sticke which is cast vpon them . there is scarce a religious professor , especially of resolution and spirit to bee found , but some men of the world will charge him with surlinesse and pride . whereas many times , not only the imputation is misgrounded , mistaken , misse-imputed , fastened vpon him for the most part , by reason of his . inconformity to the courses of the world , and corruptions of the times , . vnsociablenesse with profane men , . resolution and vndauntednesse in good causes , . innocency and independency , which beget boldnesse and brauenesse of minde , &c. but also those fellowes themselues , who so slander him ; because their consciences were neuer illightened with sight , sence , and acknowledgement of the foulenesse of sinne , their own vilenesse , the exactnesse of gods law , purity of his most holy nature , seueritie and certainty of his iudgements ; cannot possibly chuse but be passingly proud . yet for all this , i would aduise all those who haue in earnest giuen their names to christ ; that they would walke warily , and so demeane themselues , that they giue no iust offence in this kinde . for when they haue tryed both wayes , they shall finde , that mercifulnesse and meekenesse to those which are without ; humilitie and humanitie ; affable , courteous , and louing deportment ; and so becomming all things to all men in pauls sence , and so farre as wee may with a good conscience , is the better way , subscribed vnto by the manifold experiences of wisest and worthiest christians , to winne honour to our profession , to gaine moe vnto gods side , and to preserue our selues in as much peace amidst a naughty and crooked generation , as holinesse will possibly permit . . god in his iust iudgement giues ouer such an one sometimes to santasticall opinions , odde and absurd tenents , swaruing brainelessely and senselessely from the holy harmony of confessions , and our blessed pure orthodoxe articles of religion ; the truth whereof , euery honest man , if need required , ought to seale with his bloud : which when superficialnesse , and its ordinary consort , selfeconceitednesse , haue vnhappily brought forth , by the midwifery of a kind of spirituall wantonnesse ; be they neuer so monstrous and mis-shapen , yet some giddy heads will hearken and hanker after them ; so that many times many weake , vngrounded , vnstable young beginners in profession , are limed , and wofully entangled , as wee see too often in our chiefest citie , whence ensues an incredible deale of preiudice , hurt and hindrance , euen to the common state of goodnesse ; to the honour and acceptation of christianitie . for thereupon is raised a cry in all conuenticles of good fellowship , and consistories of worldly wisdome : that these forward professours will all turne phantasticall , familists , anabaptists , arrians , any thing . which cry awakes the eye of state-iealousie ; and so by an vnworthy consequent , drawes vpon those who are true of heart , euen gods best seruants , and the kings best subiects , discountenance , suspicions , if not molestations ; vnnecessarily , causelesly . for so might yee roote vp your rose-trees , because a worme sometimes breeds in the sweetest bud . so might yee extinguish monarchies from the face of the earth , because they sometimes degenerate into tyrannies . so might yee conceiue ill of peter , and the rest of the apostles , because iudas prooued naught , &c. . sometime hee suffers him to fall into some grosse sinne , in the face of the world , and before the watchfull eye of scornefull enemies ; the infamy and scandall whereof , being once on wing , flye abroad as swift as the eagles of the heauens , ouer a whole countrey , ouer a kingdome ; the deuils and their drunken trumpetters are speedy dromedaries to carry such newes : and this concurrent cry resounds from all places with much wicked triumph and insultation : you see now what these professors are ; one so famous for his forwardnesse , is fallen into such a grosse sinne , and so notoriously ; they are euen all alike , &c. which by accident , and in the euent redounds too often , to the inexpiable disgrace of our holy profession , the strengthening of the stubborne , the staggering of the strong , the stunting of those which are comming on , the hindering of the weake , the hardning of the wicked , the chaining of the scorner , farre faster to his chaire of pestilence . woe vnto him by whom such offence doth come ; except by a remarkeable repentance and recouery , after blessed dauids example , hee reestablish himselfe in the hearts of gods people , and stop the mouthes of the aduersaries , who are equally guilty of impenitency , as of farre , perhaps , grosser impieties . austin doth excellently expresse , and to the life , the wylinesse of the wicked , and humour of the world vpon such vnhappie occasions . there was , as it seemes , some such scandalous accident befell in his family . whereupon hee writes an epistle to the ministers , seniours , and whole citie of hippo ; and heartily intreates them all , a that themselues would not therefore either faint in that christian course , and holy profession ; or fall foule with suspicions and censures vpon all , for the faults of a few : for there is no societie so happy , which is not stained with some villany . although , saith he , discipline be exercised in my family with a watchfull eye , yet i am a man , and liue amongst men ; and therefore cannot presume that mine house should bee better then the arke of noah ; then the house of abraham ; then the house of isaac ; then the house of iacob ; then the house of dauid , &c. in all which , some were naught ; nay , then the family of iesus christ , in which there was a traitour and a thiefe . lastly , then heauen it selfe , from which the angels fell . but that which i would principally haue you take notice of in that epistle , and for which i specially mention it , is austins emphaticall , elegant , and effectuall expressing the eager , itching , ambitious humour of the wicked , to father and fasten the faults of some , vpon the whole generation of the iust . instant , saith he , satagunt , ambiunt ; i cannot expresse their full significancy in english : but part of his meaning is ; they euery way , and infinitely labour , that when some professors of holinesse haue foulely fallen indeed , or be only so slandered , the world would beleeue , that they are all such . doe you not thinke in his time the world did thus insult and exclaime , or in the like manner vpon lots fall : here now you see * puritan lot , who could not indure the good fellowship of the sodomites ; he is now himselfe seized vpon by incest , they are all such , i will awarrant you . in dauids time : what , dauid ? a man so precise , that he professeth , a lyer shall not tarry in his sight , psa. . hath he taken away another mans wife ? you see now what they all are , &c. proportionably in these times , ( and it will be the humour of those that hate to be reformed to the worlds end , so to calumniate ) if any who haue giuen their names vnto christ , be detected , nay , or suspected of any notorious scandalous crime , it is a sufficient warrant for the wicked to raise a generall cry , and to proclaime euery where ; they are all alike . and good fellowes , as they call them , will thinke themselues wronged , if the world thereupon doe not conceiue the onely difference betweene them , and forward professours to be ; that these carry things more cunningly , and haue an art in concealing their miscarriages . we , say they , are plaine-dealing men , and appeare , as we are ; we are flesh and bloud , and must haue our pleasures ; and therefore refresh our selues at many merry and iouiall meetings : we sweare sometimes , and drinke , and game ; and to tell you true , doe a great deale worse ; but without hypocrisie : whereas these demure holy ones beare themselues more reseruedly , weare a vizor in their visible conuersation , but assure your selues , sinne in secret as well as we . iust as austin saith in the forecited place ; the wicked watch and obserue ; and if they spie any of the betrer side to fall , they would presently haue the world to thinke , that the rest are all such ; onely they are not euer discouered . now the lord rebuke thee , satan , who so infatuatest the iudgements , and blindes the vnderstandings of men , otherwise of good parts , and very worldly wise , whom thou wofully hoodwinkest and hardnest to their endlesse ouerthrow . . that they should wickedly and absurdly condemne b all for some , whereby they barre themselues euerlastingly from the loue of the brotherhood . . that they should erect tribunals in other mens consciences ( which is gods royall prerogatiue ; ) and so miscensure their hearts , to their own hardening . . that they should not be able to discerne betweene being haled and hurried , as it were , into some sinne , against the generall purpose of a mans heart , and practise of his life , by the violence of some temptation , passion , or impetuous sudden insnarement , which hee after heartily bewailes with much bitternesse of spirit , and exemplary repentance , willing , if god were so pleased , to redeeme the scandall of his fall with the shedding of his blood ; taking occasion thereupon to walke more warily , and to doe more nobly in the seruice of his god , all the dayes of his life : and a resolued delightfull wallowing in variety of lusts , pleasures , and grosse sinnes , without any repentance or reformation at all . i conclude the whole point , and a good part of my meaning in the words of an excellent writer , not much altered . i not onely hold it lawfull to reioyce in those good things , wherwith god hath blessed vs in any kind whatsoeuer , especially the sauing gifts of the holy ghost ; but a note of much vnthankefulnesse , to entertaine them with a sullen and vnfeeling disposition . yet all humane affections and endowments , wherein due reuerence to god is wanting , are no better then obscure clouds , hindring the influence of that blessed light , which clarifies the soule of man , and predisposeth it vnto the brightnesse of eternall felicitie . so that insolent ioy and ouerweening which a man in the pride of his vaine imagination , conceiueth of his owne worth , doth aboue all other passions blast our minds , as it were , with lightning , and make vs reflect our thoughts vpon our owne seeming inherent goodnesse ; forgetting the whilest him , to whom we are indebted for our very being : and besides , it blowes vpon our gifts with such a malignant humour , that they also become vnfruitfull , and vnprofitable to others . thus much concerning the first extreme and errour in managing our spirituall estate , to wit , a proud ouerprizing of our owne graces with a conceited ouer-weening selfe-estimation . i come now to the second , which is , a deiected distrustfull vndervaluing of gods mercies , the promises of life and graces which we possesse . and here i cannot hold , but must , euen with some indignation , expostulate and contest with many of gods hidden ones , about their heauy , pensiue , and vncomfortable walking ; for that they are so farre from entertaining and expressing that vnspeakable glorious ioy , which vpon their new birth , is their natiue portion and patrimonie ; their iust and due inheritance ; as certainely theirs by an euerlasting proprietie and right ( if they would but open their eyes to see it , and enlarge their hearts to graspe it ) being a fruit of that holy spirit which dwels in them ; and a price of christs kingdome established in their soules , as their cloathes vpon their backes , their hearts in their bodies , and blood that runnes in their veines : i say , they are so farre from walking in the strength , and light of this ioy , that they wickedly , i dare say , if not wilfully , abandon and expose their spirits , freed for euer by the lambs blood , from the hellish fangs of any slauish horrour , to the vnnecessarie racke of much fruitlesse , vnworthy , and slauish sadnesse . whereby , besides their owne needlesse sinfull selfe-created torment : . they most vnworthily vndervalue , abridge , and disparage the infinitenesse of gods dearest and tender mercy ; who is a thousand times more ready and forward to binde vp any broken heart , then it to bleed before him . . they vnnecessarily disable and indispose themselues for the duties , and comfortable discharge of both their callings . . they gratifie satan , and satisfie his cruell humor ; who if hee cannot haue a mans company in hell hereafter ; ( for if he were sure of that , he would make him liue as ioyfully and iouially , as hee could possibly ) he labours might and maine , to hold him vpon the racke of slauish distrustfull terrours , all the dayes of his life . . they are thereby many times occasions of discouragement , and disheartning to those which are without , that they are more loth to enter into the wayes of life ; preiudging them to be thorny and rough , darke and deepe , full of dumps and drooping , of heauinesse and horrour ; whereas indeed and truth , they are all paued with mercy and loue , strowed with violets and roses , full of fresh springs of spiritual comforts , and sweetly illightned euen in the darkest passages , with heauenly and healing beames of the sunne of righteousnesse . for whether it bee fit to beleeue the spirit of all truth and comfort ; or the scornefull spirit of impure drunkards , and satans reuellers ; iudge you . this precise and strict walking , say they , which is pressed vpon vs with such importunatenesse , and confidence , would not leade vs to mopishnesse and melancholy ; would enchaine vs to that abridgement of our pleasure , restraint from company ; from crowning our selues with rose-buds , and former courses of good fellowship and mirth , of which our generous and iouiall spirits are most impatient , and vtterly vncapable . but what saith the blessed spirit ; a her wayes are wayes of pleasantnesse : and all her paths are peace . they giue them occasion to mis-conceiue , that the yoke of christ is burdensome , and will gaule their necks : whereas in truth and tryall , it is b easie and light , and would prooue a chaine of heauenly pearles to adorne their soules ; that after they haue giuen their names to profession , they shall neuer haue merry day , but must necessarily bid adieu to all delight : whereas their ioyes should not be taken away , but onely changed , as one of the ancients speakes ; and that most happily , and with an vnualuable aduantage . for the filth and froth of their sensuall bitter-sweet pleasures , fugitiue follies , & furious delights , which passe away in the act , as the taste of pleasant drinke dyeth in the draught , should bee turned into that true vnconquerable spirituall ioy , which the world cannot giue , nor man , nor deuill take away . c their crashes of loud laughter amid their pots and pastimes , which are but as the cracking of thornes vnder a pot , the deuils wakes and musicke for hell , should be conuerted into a sweet , constant , habituall contentment of minde . nay more ; whereas before in the very height and ruffe of their maddest meetings , most roaring outrages and reuellings , their hearts vpon remembrance of death , their secret impenitent guiltinesse , that strict account at gods dreadfull tribunall , at which they may bee arraigned the next houre , &c. were full often twitcht a and stung with many inward bitter gripings , and slauish foretastes of hellish terrour ; yet vpon their change , and change of ioyes , euen in the highest tide and torrent of their penitent b teares , and sorrow for sinne , ( and they should be sad for nothing else ) their spirits shall be refreshed and rauisht with a paradise of sweetest peace , and heauenly glimpses of eternall light . in a word , if they would in earnest abandon the deuils seruice , come out of hell , giue their names vnto christ in truth , and try ; i dare assure them in the word of life and truth , they would not exchange the saddest houre of all their life afterward , with the prime and flower of all their former sensuall pleasures ; might they haue ten thousand worlds to boot . here then is no losse in the change . but in the meane time , much to blame are they , who being truly gods , yet out of weakenesse , want of wisdome , wilfull listning vnto the father of lyes , will not giue way to the counsell of the prophets , that they may prosper in spirituall hearts-ease , and so preuent such occasions . let those that hate to bee reformed , hang downe their heads : let swaggering belshazzars countenance bee changed ; let his thoughts trouble him ; let the ioynts of his loynes bee loosed , and his knees smite one against another : let the hearts of all ambitious nimrods , couetous worldlings , swinish drunkards , filthy whoremasters , cruell vsurers , louers of pleasures ; or whosoeuer liue and lye in any beloued sin against an illightned conscience , tremble as the leaues of the forrest that are shaken with the wind : let a sound of feare be euer in their eares , and sorrow seize vpon their hearts , as the pangs of a woman in trauaile ; euen as the torture of her that bringeth forth her first child : let trouble and anguish , and the cup of trembling in the hand of the lord make them afraid ; and let them euery houre looke to meete their angry god , as a beare bereaued of her whelps , to rent the very cawle of their hearts , and to deuoure them like a lion : let sadnesse sit vpon their foreheads as its proper seate , and furies of conscience affright their spirits still with cryes of blood : let no voyce of ioy or gladnesse bee heard in their habitations , but the most griezly apparitions of damned horrour , dwell for euer in the eye of their guilty consciences . for without repentance , this is their lot , and this is their euerlasting portion . and most happy were they , if any thing would fright and fire them out of the armes of darkenesse and snares of the deuill ; i say , let the aspiring lucifers looke heauily , vpon foresight of their dreadfull downfall ; for though they exalt themselues as the eagle , and though they set their nests among the starres ; yet thence will i bring them downe , saith the lord. though their excellencie mount vp to the heauens , and their head reach vnto the clouds , yet they shall perish for euer like their owne dung . let all couetous worldlings cry out , for so the holy ghost commands them ; goe to now , ye rich men , weepe and howle for your miseries that shall come vpon you ; your riches are corrupted , and your garments motheaten , your gold and siluer is cankered , and the rust of them shall bee a witnesse against you , and shall eate your flesh as it were fire : ye haue heaped treasure together for the last dayes . let all impure goodfellow-drunkards hold downe their heads , and howle for the horrible woe which dogs them at heeles : woe to the crowne of pride , to the drunkards of ephraim . behold , the lord hath a mighty and strong one , which as a tempest of haile , and a destroying storme ; as a flood of mighty waters ouerflowing , shall cast downe to the earth with the hand , the crowne of pride : the drunkards of ephraim shall be troden downe vnder feete . let the very heartstrings of all lasciuious wantons tremble at the terrour of that cutting commination , heb. . . whoremongers and adulterers god will iudge . let that stinging but , eccles. . . strike cold to the hearts of all sensuall gallants and sonnes of pleasure : reioyce , o young man , in thy youth , and let thy heart cheere thee in the dayes of thy youth , and walke in the wayes of thine heart , and in the sight of thine eyes : but , know thou that for all these things god will bring thee into iudgement . nay , let the heart of euery man , whosoeuer he be , of what cloth soeuer his coat be made , that goes on in the willing allowed practise of any one knowne sinne , fall asunder in his brest like drops of water , for the day of horrour that is at hand , and the sword of vengeance which hangs ouer his head . for certainly , at length the lord will wound the hairy scalpe of euery one that goeth on still in his trespasses . in a word , wayling and wringing of hands , woe and alas , is the merriest song that any wicked man vpon earth can sing vpon good ground , while hee yet abides in his vnregenerate state . who doth not see and acknowledge it ; except he wilfully shut his eyes , or be grosly hood-winkt by the deuill or a ranke atheist ? for there is a cup , which is called , a cup of gods fury , and a cup of trembling , in the hand of the lord ; whose little finger is able to beate the greatest mountaine to powder , and rent the hardest rocke in pieces : and the wine is red ; which intimates vnto vs the sharpenesse and fiercenesse of gods fiery indignation : it is full of mixture ; brimfull of stinging ingredients : and he powreth out of the same ; to stirre vp and quicken , as it were , the bitternesse and very bottome : and all the wicked of the earth shall , will they , nill they , wring out the dregs thereof and drinke them , psal. . . but now on the other side , let all those of the brotherhood , i vse the phrase of the holy ghost ; all those who haue giuen their names to christ in truth , and are true of heart in his holy seruice , vpon whose heads euerlasting light doth rest , lift vp their heads . let the amiable aspect of sweetnesse and peace euer dwell vpon their foreheads : let heauenly beames of spirituall lightsomnesse and mirth shine fresh in their faces : let neuer vncomfortable dampe of any slauish sadnesse or touch of hellish terrour , vexe their blessed hearts : let them neuer more be afraid of any euill tydings , or of destruction when it commeth . in a word ; let them be infinitely and for euer merry , and sweetly glad at the very heart roote . and good cause why . it is the charge and command of the spirit of all truth and comfort , bee glad in the lord , and reioyce ye righteous , and shout for ioy , all yee that are vpright in heart , psal. . . oh therefore that the lord would bee pleased so to perfume and sweeten the ensuing passages , with the refreshing glimpses of his glorious face , and deare infusions of diuine ioy ; that i might bee vouchsafed that honour of being his humble instrument , to raise vp , and quicken the drooping spirits of all that are true of heart ; of all that beare a sincere inuincible affection to the gospel of iesus christ , and power of godlinesse ; that they would be euerlastingly merry ; that they would arise and shake themselues from the dust , and put on their beautifull garments ; that they would for euer , with a resolution neuer to bee shaken with all the powers of hell , banish and barre out of their happy soules , all their vnnecessary scruples , distrusts , deiections , sad thoughts , and heauinesse of heart ; that they would out of sensiblenesse of their present vnutterable felicity , and strength of their truly heroicall spirits , beare and behaue themselues as heires of heauen indeed ; and as the fauourites of the king of kings ! so should they infinitely more honour the sweetnesse of gods mercifull disposition ; the dearenesse of his loue ; the tendernesse of his compassionate bowels ; the bottomlesse mysterie of his free grace ; the preciousnesse and truth of his promises ; the vnualuablenesse of his sonnes blood ; the pleasantnesse of the wayes of grace ; and the glorious worke of the holy ghost vpon their owne blessed soules . let them euer keepe fresh and strong in their mindes for this purpose , such causefull considerations as these . . true ioy , the most noble , sweet and amiable affection , that euer warmed the heart of man , is by warrantable proprietie and rightfull interest , onely peculiar and proper to honest , humble , and holy hearts . such gracious and golden cabinets are onely fit for this heauenly iewell . the beauty and deliciousnesse of it , are confined onely to the communion of saints , the sealed fountaine , the spouse of christ. the brotherhood alone is blessed with its refreshments and rauishing influence . it neuer did , or euer will shine or sparkle out the least glimpse vpon the world , or to any earthly heart . the most ambitious eager hunters after pleasures , the worlds greatest fauourites and dearest minions , haue onely but ingrost and graspt a bedlam a counterseit of it : i said of laughter , saith , salemon , it is mad . for the truth is , no wicked or vnregenerate man hath any true cause or good ground at all to reioyce , laugh , or bee merry . i will make it plaine in a word , euen to the scorner . suppose a great man conuicted and condemned for treason , going towards the place of execution a mile off : and let there a table all along be furnished with variety of dainties ; let him tread vpon violets and roles , cloth of arras , cloth of gold , or what you will , all the way ; let him bee attended on both sides with most exquisite musicke and honourable entertainments : doe you thinke all this would make him laugh heartily , carrying this in his heart , that he must loose his head at the miles end ? i ●…row not . as farre lesse true cause hast thou to laugh , whosoeuer thou art , that walkest on impenitently in any wicked course , or liest delightfully in any beloued sinne ; as a temporall death is lesse then endlesse torments . for he is but going to loose his head ; but thou ▪ as an already condemned man also , art posting towards hell . hee that beleeueth not , saith iohn , is condemned already , ioh. . . if we peruse punctually the happiest estate of the most glorious worldling , & all his wayes ; we shall finde no matter at all for true ioy ▪ either to breed in , or feed vpon . let v●… walke into his fooles paradise , and suruey all the f●…ding ●…owres of his imaginary felicities . it may be we shall finde wealth , power , pleasures , honours , pompe , and magnificence of state ; perhaps an imperiall crowne , the top of all earthly happinesse . and what of all these ▪ alas ! gold and pearle , a●… one sayes , are but shining dust , or excrements of the earth : power , is but a flash of lightning , ●…hat feares or strikes another , and foorth with it selfe is suddenly extinct : pleasure , is but a baite , and yet passeth away in the act , as the taste of a pleasant drinke dieth in the draught : honour , is but a breath , and yet binds a man in guilded fetters , and blasts his spirit with farre more care and feare , then when hee was most meane : euen as highest boughs are most shaken by the windes , and the points of steeples beaten most with stormes and lightning . all worldly splendor and pompe , is but a a smoake , which vanisheth as it riseth , and drawes teares from the eyes . euen a reg●…ll diademe , in the sence and censure of an heathenish king , is attended with such a weighty irkesome , and painfull charge ▪ that , saith he , he who foreknew the weight of a scepter , should he finde it lying vpon the ground , he would not deigne to take i●… vp . and what is himselfe , the owner and lord of all these ? a little walking earth , a coloured piece of clay , a warme piece of dirt , a very bag of choler , fleame , and other filth ; to day a man , to morrow none : his breath is in his nostrils ; stop but his nose , and he is dead . and what is his abode amongst these painted vanities and things of nought ? for sudden passage and change , it is like a shepheards tent , a weauers shuttle , or a water bubble ; like a hying poast , or a flying cloud ; like a ship vnder saile , or an eagle on her wings ; like a fading flower , or a falling leafe ; like foame that is scattered , or dust that is driuen with the winde ; like a vapour , a thought , a smoake , a winde that passeth and commeth not againe ; like a flying shadow , yea , the very dreame of a shadow , as one sayes , and that a morning dreame , which is euen as soone ended as begun . but let vs looke into his inside , and the state of his soule , and see if wee can there finde any more peace , comfort , or constancie . no , there you shall behold a liuely resemblance of the very restlesse tumultuations of the raging sea ; the neuer-dying worme breeding and growing big in the froth of his filthy lusts , and rottennesse of his rebellious heart : in a word , his poore soule bleeding to eternall death . let vs come vnto his death ; from the ineuitable stroake whereof , all the gold and pearle of east and west can no more redeeme him , then can an handfull of dust ; and there he shall find despaire and horrour , like two euening wolues , enraged with hellish hunger ; ready to teare his soule in pieces , when there is none to help . and what followes ? he must lay down his cold carkasse among the stones of the pit , at the rootes of the rocks : his name , by reason of his former pride ▪ luxury , oppression , opposition to goodnesse , shall rot as fast , and stinke as bad aboue ground , as his body in the graue . and lastly , the onely forethought whereof should make him tremble all the dayes of his life ; his immortall soule sinkes irrecouerably by the weight of sinne , into the bottome of the burning lake ; where there are torments without end , and past imagination ; exceeding not onely all patience , but all resistance ; where there is no strength to fustaine , nor abilitie to beate ; that which there , whilest god is god , for euer must be borne . and when they haue beene endured a millions of yeeres ; yet are no neerer end●… , then when they began ; nor the soule neerer out , then when it came in . tell me then , i pray you , in all this , is there any roome for reioycing ? is there any matter for true mirth ? no more then taste in the white of an egge , then strength in a broken staffe of reede , then sweetnesse in the apples of sodom . why then , it is a shame for the weakest christian that breathes but the spirituall life , euen of holy desires ●… not to be infinitely more merry then the most glorious and magnificent worldling vpon earth . shall a gracelesse wretch , going towards hell , to whom god himselfe hath proclaimed , there is no peace , no ioy , b as the sep●…uagints tender it ; who is a meere . thiefe , robber and vsurper , in respect of all the ioyes vpon which he intrudes ; and which way soeuer hee casts his eyes , if hee weare not false spectacles , or bee blindfolded by the diuell , can see nothing but the vgly face of horrour , and true cause of trembling . if hee looke backward vpon the time past ; hee may see all the abominable lusts of his youth , all the sinnes of his former life , registred with an iron pen in the booke of his conscience ; and lurking there like so many sleeping lions ; who vpō the very first touch of gods visiting hand , will awake , arise , and rent impieces . if he looke vpon his present state , thorow the cleare cristall of gods righteous law : he may see diuine vengeance dogging him hard at the heeles ; ready to strike him downe into hell , vpon the next riot and rebellion against 〈◊〉 patient lord , that most horrible fiery tempestuous 〈◊〉 , psalm . . . ready to fall vpon his head , euen when he is warmest in his wealth , and in the hottest gleame of his worldly prosperity : sudden destruction ready to seaze vpon him vnauoydably , as trauell vpon a woman with childe , when hee is singing the securest requiem to his soule of safety and peace . if hee looke forward to future time , hee sees death , the graue , gods strict tribunall , the last iudgement , and endlesse miseries of the other world : the sting , poyson , and terrors of which , he shall neuer be able , either to auoide or abide . i say , shall such a fellow fleere in the face ? and shall not a true hearted nathanael , to whom iesus christ hath bequeathed a legacy of peace ; whom the spirit of god bids reioyce euermore ; and who , which way soeuer he lookes , if he open his eye of faith , shall see nothing but matter of sweetest contemplation ; infinite cause of truest ioy , and spirituall rauishment : if he looke backward vpon the time , whilest he yet lay vnder the ●…yranny of the diuell , and dominion of the first death ; hee shall see the catalogue of all his former sinnes , should it be as blacke as hell , as soule as sodom , as red as scarlet , fairely , and for euer washed away in that fountaine opened for sinne and for vncleannesse , euen the precious blood of that immaculate lambe iesus christ , the holy and the righteous : if hee looke vpon his present state , he shall finde himselfe preserued as a iewell most safe in the precious cabinet of gods dearest prouidence ; enuironed with a glorious guard of mighty angels ; kept by the power of god through faith vnto saluation , ready to be reuealed in the last time : if hee looke forward , hee shall see death indeed ; but the st●…g taken out of it by the death of c christ ; the graue perfumed to his hand , by his sauiours blessed buriall ; wherein hee may lye downe as in a bed of downe , fenced with the omnipotent arme of god , for the glory of the resurrection ; the throne of grace in heauen , standing vpon pillars of mercy and loue ; where iesus christ sits as iudge , who shed his hearts bloud for him ; and is his d aduocate , while he yet abides in this vale of teares ; the bosome of abraham , the armes of god almighty wide open , and stretched out to receiue him at the end of his pilgrimage into his masters ioy : i say , shall such a happy soule not haue an heauen in his heart , but be heauy-hearted ? shall a vassall of the diuell laugh , and an h●…ire of heauen looke heauy ? monstrous absurditie ▪ . euery christian , after his new creation , hath euer incomparably more matter of mirth thē mourning ; infinitely greater cause to bee rauished with spirituall ioy , then to bee deiected by griefe . though this may seeme a paradox to the clearest eye , and best apprehension of worldly wisedome ▪ yet in truth it is a true principle in the mysterie of christ. i doe thus manifest it , and make it good to the saddest mourner in sion ; if hee doe not giue more care to the lying malicious dictates of the diuell , and distrusts of his owne heart , then to the well-grounded counsell of the prophets , and impregnable truth of gods blessed word . in the right estimate and valuation , all the afflictions and sufferings of this life ▪ whether of soule , bodie , outward state , or any way , are but dust in the ballance , in respect of that exceeding excessiue eternall weight of glory , purchased and prepared for him by the bloud of his dearest lord. in the a originall it is , as a worthy diuine sayes well , a superlatiue transcendent phrase of speech , which farre passeth the height of all humane oratory , and all the r●…toricke of the most eloquent heathens ; because they neuer treated vpon such a theame ; they were not inspired with such a spirit . whereupon saith the apostle in another place , ireckon , that the sufferings of this present time , are not worthy to be compared to the glory which shall bee reuealed in vs. whence it followeth , that a very fore-imagination of that most vnconceiueable happinesse to bee had hereafter ; to wit , the shining splendour and sun-like glory of our bodies ; the vnspeakeable perfections and excellencies of our soules ; the admirable beauty of the place ; the glorious comfort of our heauenly company ; the beatificall fruition of the most blessed trinity , &c. and that which crownes our blisse with impossibility of further addition , endlesnesse of all these : i say , a serious preconceit hereof , illightened and strengthened by saith , is able to hold vp the christians heart with infinite strength , and to refresh it with a secret vnutterable gladnesse , euen amidst varietie and extremi●…ie of all worldly troubles ; and doth minister as farre more matter of reioycing , then these of mourning , as that forementioned exceeding excessiue euerlasting weight of glory , is to bee preferred before a little momentany light affliction . hence it is , that the holy martyrs of iesus were so merry , and sweetly contented in the middest of all their outward miseries , pressures , persecutions , and martyrdome it selfe . i was in prison , saith b one of them , till i goe into prison . i feele no more paine , saith c another , in the fire , then if i were in a bed of downe ; it is as sweet to me as a bed of roses . i beleeue , saith a d third , there is not a 〈◊〉 heart in the world at this instant then mine it . to e one obiecting to a fourth , christs ag●…ny and sadnesse to his che●…refulnesse : yea , saith he , christ was sad that i might be merry . he had my sinnes , and i haue his merit and righteousnesse . but specially let vs looke vpon paul , a blessed and precious patterne for vs to imitate in this point . he was troubled on euery side ; without were fightings , within were feares ▪ he was in stripes aboue measure : in prisons more frequent : in deaths ●…t : of the iewes fiue times receiued he forty stripes saue one : thrice was hee beaten with rods : once was hee stoned : thrice hee suffered shipwracke : a night and a day was hee in the deepe : in iourneying often , in perils of water , in p●…ils of robbers , in perill by his owne countrym●…n , in perils by the heathen , in perils in the citie , in perils in the wilderness●… , in perils in the sea , in perils amongst false brethren : in wearinesse and painefulnesse , in watchings often : in hunger and thirst , in fastings often : in cold and nakednesse . he was called a pestilent fellow . he was accounted as th●… filth of th●… world ▪ and off scouring of all things : and yet for all this , he professeth of himselfe , that hee f tooke pleasure i●… infirmities , in reproches , in necessities , in persecutions , in distresses for christs sake . nay which is more , and more punctuall for my purpose , hee saith in another place , that he was filled with comfort , and exceeding ioyfull in all his tribulation . now euery sincere-hearted professor is bound to ouer-abound exceedingly in this ioy , as well as paul. not so , saith the weake christian ; for paul had a stronger faith then i ▪ and more grace . it is true , but yet thy faith is as true as his . and it is not so much the muchnesse , as the truth of faith , which giues right and interest to a crowne of life , comfort in all afflictions , and euerlasting lightsomenesse . therefore well said a worthy witnesse to the truth , paul and peter were more honorable members of christ then i , but i am a member : they had more store of grace then i ; but i haue my measure ; and therefore sure of glory . it is strange then , that any true-hearted nathanael hauing such good ground of reioycing ; sinning in that he doth not reioyce ; and ioy being so sweet and welcome a guest to the heart of man ; should weare out a few and wretched dayes in vnnecessarie heauinesse , and sinfull sadnesse ; whereby he highly dishonours gods free loue ; hinders others from the wayes of life ; hurts full sore his owne soule , and onely gratifies satan . . it is a constant marke of euery regenerate man , to make conscience of all gods commandements , psal. . , now the holy ghost doth not onely in many seuerall places giue vs charge to reioyce , but is very earnest vpon vs in this poynt : nay , doth so often double and treble with extraordinary emphasis and elegant gradation , his entreatie and importunitie in the same place . let the saints , saith he , be ioyfull with glory , psal. . . let all those that seeke thee , reioyce and be glad in thee , psal. . . reioyce in the lord , o ye righteous , psalm . . . reioyce euermore , . thes. . ▪ reioyce in the lord alway : and againe i say , reioyce , phil. . . let all those that put their trust in thee , reioyce : let them euer shout for ioy , psalm . . . let the righteous be glad : let them reioyce before god ▪ yea , let them exceedingly reioyce , psalm . . . bee glad in the lord , and reioyce , yee righteous , and shout for ioy ▪ all yee that are vpright in heart , psal. . . it is not an arbitrarie or indifferent thing , as some may suppose , to reioyce , or to be sad . but a comfortable commandement is sweetly enforced vpon vs , by the fountaine of all comfort , to reioyce ; and we breake a commandement , if we reioyce not . and therefore we are bound in conscience to shake our selues from the dust , to plucke vp our spirits , to expostulate and bee angry with our hearts , if they grow heauy as dauid did : why art thou cast downe , o my soule , and why art thou disquieted within mee ? for wee must answer as well for not reioycing , as for not praying : for breaking this commandement , reioyce euermore ; as that other , thou shalt not kill : ( i know full well there are difference and degrees in sinne . ) but here a weake professor being pressed to the intertainment and excellency of this ioy , may be troubled and tempted vpon the suruey of the definition and nature of it . for this spirituall christian ioy , is a delicious motion of the minde , stirred vp by the holy ghost , from the presence and possession of christ iesus our soueraigne god , dwelling in the soule by faith ; whereby the heart is extraordinarily rauished and refreshed with a sweet , holy , vnspeakeable delight . now , saith he , if it be so ; i must tell you , i find and feele no such sensible grasping of iesus christ , in the armes of my faith , or assured possession of him , that i dare admit of this ioy , or meddle with it . but know , that in the time of thy spirituall infancy , temptations , desertions , and other dampes and deiections of soule especially ; let thy feeling or acknowledgement be what it will ; thou dost most certainely enioy the lord iesus , euen by a sincere hunger and thirst after him and his righteousnesse , and by thine vpright hearts adhering and cleauing vnto him , as thy onely and chiefest ioy : and by consequent art vpon good ground , and by true right interessed to all that ioy , which the blessed spirit doth so importunately presse vpon thee inso many places . here refresh thy memory with the reuise of my former distinction of assurance of euidence , and adherence . . what canst thou thinke vpon , or what can possibly befall thee ; out of which thou being turned vnto god , and true of heart , maiest not collect matter of comfort , and by the mighty helpe of faith extract some ioyfull meditation ? . if thou suruay thy graces , with which the free mercy of god hath glorified thy soule , thou shalt see in them a sacred heauenly sun-shine , which is able to illighten the darkest midnight of all thine outward miseries ; to disperse & dissolue the blackest and most tempestuous clouds of temporall troubles . thou shalt feele in thē such an inexplicable excessiue sweetnesse , which were the world aboue thee a sea of bitternesse and gall , might turne it all into sugar . thou shalt find in them such an impregnable mortall vigour , that will most certainly vphold thy spirit vnconquerably , at thy dying houre , and before that last dreadfull barre ; when all impenitent wretches shall roare like wilde bulls in a net full of the terrours of god , and cry vpon the hills and rocks to hide them from his vnquenchable wrath ; which they shall neuer bee able either to auoide or abide . hence springs that abundant and vnexhausted matter of ioy , that the ioy of haruest of diuiding great spoiles , and that which is of such rauishing temper , that wee thinke wee are but in a dreame , is but a toy and trifle , a type and shadow to it ; and which euer predominates and incomparably transcends all matter of mourning . . if thou looke out vpon thine outward state ; vpon thy wife , children , friends , health , goods , good name , orchards , gardens , possessions , honours , or whatsoeuer thou hast attained , or dost enioy with good conscience and sanctifiedly ; thou art bound to reioyce in them , as temporall tokens of gods eternall loue ; notable encouragements to doe more nobly in his glorious seruice and comfortable additions to thine hope of heauen ; but so , and in such order , that as thy cloathes first receiue heate from thy body , before they can comfortably warme it : so some inward ioy of reconcilement to the creator , must first warme thine heart , before thou canst take any kindly comfort from the creatures . . concerning crosses , afflictions , troubles , persecutions ; which are wont to present themselues to the apprehension of carnall men with much horror ; euen in the very bitternesse and extremitie of them , if thou cast the illightned eye of thy soule vpon such places and promises as these : . cor. . . heb. . . rom. . . heb. . . . cor. . . esay . . and the . . and then reflect vpon thy afflicted selfe , thou mayest , by the marueilous worke of faith , draw a great deale of ioy from them . a patient submission vnto ▪ and fruitfull exercise vnder gods visiting hand , is an vnfallible demonstration that thou art a sonne , and not a bastard . is there then not more sweetnesse in those a afflictions , which are euident markes thou art in the right way to heauen ; then in worldly pleasures , which clearely remonstrate to thy conscience , that thou art posting towards hell ? hence it was , that the apostles reioyced , being b beaten , that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for the name of iesus : that paul and sylas sung in prison at midnight : that ignatius cryed ; let fire , rackes , pullies , yea , all the torments of hell come on mee , so i may winne christ. . nay , euen contumelies and contempt ; reproaches and scorne from the world for thy profession , which naturally much nettles a noble spirit , doe crowne thy head , and should fill thy heart with abundance of glory , blessednesse and ioy . if ye be reproched for the name of christ , happy are yee , saith peter : for the spirit of glory and of god resteth vpon you , . pet. . . blessed are yee , saith christ himselfe , when men shall reuile you , and persecute you , and shall say all manner of euill against you falsely for my sake ; reioyce , and be exceeding glad , math. . . . scurrilities and scoffes , all spitefull speeches , odious nick-names , lying imputations cast vpon thee in this kind , by tongues which cut like c a sharpe rasor , are in their due estimate , and true account , as so many honorable badges ( let no cowardly christian then decline them with wounding of his conscience ) of thy christian magnanimitie , and resolute standing on the lords side ; and at the throne of christ will be certainely reputed as characters of speciall honour , and remembrancers of thy worthy seruice , whereby thou shalt appeare more acceptable and amiable in the eyes of almightie god , and all that glorious triumphant church aboue . . if thou rightly temper , and well weigh euen thy sorest sorrow , and the very bleeding of thy heart for sinne ; it should bee so farre from damping the lightsomnesse of thy spirit , that it ought to open vnto thee a well-spring of purest ioy . for the penitent melting of our affections , and kindly mourning ouer him , whom we haue pierced with our sinnes , argues infallibly , and sweetely assures the presence and sanctifying power of the holy spirit . and what greater comfort , or sweeter delight , then that which ariseth from a well grounded euidence , that the fountaine of all comfort dwels in our soules ? such teares as burst out of a heart opprest with griefe for sinne , are like an april showre , which though it wet a little , yet it begets a great deale of sweetnesse in the herbes , flowers , and fruits of the earth . as euen in laughing the heart of the wicked is sorrowfull : so contrarily euen in such mourning , the heart of the true penitent is lightsome and comfortable . for habituall ioy may not onely consist with actuall sorrow , and contrarily : but also euen actuall ioy with actuall sorrow . this is no strange thing in other cases ; when wee see a good man persecuted for a good cause , stand to it nobly ; wee grieue for his troubles , but reioyce in his resolution and vndauntednes . as wee ought then to grieue bitterly for our sinnes ; so let vs a reioyce immeasurably for such ingenuous grieuing . let vs lament heartily ouer him , whom we haue wounded with our abominable lusts ; but let vs also bee infinitely glad at the very heart roote ; that they are all pardoned by the powring out of his blood . not the most exquisite quintessence and extraction of all manner of musicke ; sets , or consorts ; vocall or instrumentall ; can possibly conuey so delicious a touch and rellish to the outward eare of a man ; as a certificate brought from the throne of mercy by the blessed spirit sealed with christs blood , to the bruised heart and grieued soule of an humble sinner , in the very depth of his sorrow . . if thou be troubled with temptations , and exercised euen with varietie of them , heare the holy ghost : a count it all ioy when yee fall into diuers temptations . to let other particulars passe . from the very foulest and most griesly suggestions of satan ; b thou mayst collect this common glorious comfort : that thou art none of his . for as hee is wont to keepe vnconuerted men in as merry a moode , and faire a calme of outward contentment , and inward securitie , as he can possibly ; retiring and reseruing his most fiery darts and hideous temptations , vntill hee haue them at some dead lift , and vnauoidable strait : so all that are broke out of his hellish prison , by the help of the holy ghost , he ordinarily pursues with deadly rage , and all the powers of darknesse . hee hunts them in his fittest seasons like a partridge in the mountaines , with troubles without , and terrours within . the lesse peace thou hast therefore from him , the more pleasure mayst thou take in thine escape out of his clutches . the more restlessely he followes thee with the fury and variety of his temptations ; the more sweetly and securely , if thou wilt giue way to the counsell of the prophets , and the worke of ●…aith ; mayst thou repose thy wearied soule vpon the comfortable assurance of being certainly gods. . euery one that hath part in christs death , is bound in conscience , and bidden by the blessed spirit to leade a most merry life , euen to keepe a feast ; c a spirituall holyday , as it were , from all seruile terrours , slauish sadnesse , vncomfortable deiections of spirit : for euen christour passeouer is sacrificed for vs , therefore let vs keepe the feast , . cor. . . the sweetnesse and excellency of this feast , is notably set out and amplified by . the beautifull garments wee put on and weare , when we are admitted vnto it : . the matter , and magnificent prouision : . the musicke : . the franke and bountifull entertainment and plenty : . the extraordinarie pompe and princelinesse . . for the first , meditate ioyfully vpon that rich attire , and those royall attributes , glorifying and crowning christs blessed spouse , with most admirable and rauishing beauty , cant. . . who is she that looketh forth as the morning , faire as the moone , pure as the sunne , terrible as an army with banners ? and know , that all the essentiall glory and fairenesse which is to be found in the whole church , the woman clothed with the sunne ; as that of iustification and sanctification , &c. belongs to euery member thereof , to euery faithfull christian. as the morning . ] . the morning springs out of the greatest darknesse ; the night is most darke , as they say , a little before day : the illuminated soule arises out of the most darksome and damned graue of ignorance and sinne . . the beauty of the morning is principally seene in her * ruddinesse : the soule that is newly deliuered out of the horror of egyptian darknesse , and hands of the hellish pharaoh , is all ruddy with passing thorow the red sea of christs blood ; that is the ground vpon which all its beauty and blessednesse is built . . the glory of the morning after its first peeping in the east , spreads fairer and fairer in all beauty and brightnesse , vntill the mid-day , and full illustration of the world : grace in the soule , after the first plantation , growes stronger and stronger , shines fairer and fairer , vntil it set in the bottomlesse ocean of endlesse glory . see prou. . . faire as the moone ] . the moone receiues all her light and lustre from the sunne : all the graces , holinesse , inherent righteousnesse , shining in a sanctified soule , are the image and impressions of the sunne of righteousnesse . . the moone hath some spots in her face ; but yet is a very beautifull creature by her borrowed light . the christian is somewhat blacke with the remnants of originall corruption , and by reason of his vnauoideable frailties and imperfections ; but yet comely as the curtaines of salomon , by the glory of his new creation and gracious beames that shine vpon his soule from the face of christ. . the further the moone is remoued from the sunne ; the fairer she is , and fuller of light : the more an humble soule , vpon sight of that holy maiestie and purest eye , ten thousand times brighter then the sun , which cannot look on iniquitie ; doth retire with lowliest thoughts into himselfe , to abhorre himselfe in dust and ashes , as most vile , and farre worthier to be throwne into the lowest dungeon of the kingdome of darknesse , then to bee honoured with the loue and light of his countenance ; is more a beautifull and amiable in the eyes of god. fure as the sunne ] the moone shadowes out inherent fairenesse ; the sunne resembles and represents our imputed puritie : so that this royall robe , the sunne of righteousnesse , the vnspotted iustice of iesus christ , doth glorifie the soule : . with an entire vnstained beautie : our inherent holinesse hath some spots and staines of imperfection like the moone ; but that imputed for our iustification , is much more spotlesse and orient then the sunne . vniuersally : wee are washed as it were , from top to toe in the blood of christ , and couered wholly with his perfect righteousnesse . . constantly : the exercise of spirituall graces and sence of inward comfort , may sometimes ebbe and wa●…e for a time ; but the robe of christs royall iustice once put on by the hand of faith , is sure and the same for euer . terrible as an armie with banners . ] besides this rich and royall attire ; all this abundance of spirituall fairenesse and beauty ; wee are to put on also , le●…t hellish harpies , that i may so speake , snatch away our delicious and diuine dainties , that glistering armour , thicke se●… with heauenly pearles , described , ephes. . the glorious splendour whereof , is able to dazle the deuils eyes , to daunt his courage , and a driue him out of the field . for hee well knowes it to bee tryed , and of proofe , worne by our captaine christ iesus , who foild him by the sword of the spirit , in that great combate in the wildernesse , mat. . and it is that , by which the weakest christians shall shortly , by the blessing of the god of peace , * bruise satan vnder their feet . the summe is ; the heauenly attire of a sanctified soule , is farre fairer and more amiable then the exquisite concurrence of all earthly beauties and visible * glory . were the light of all the starres aboue collected into sunnes ( which b astronomers say would make many ) and added vnto that great bright body , the prince of all the lampes in heauen ; nay , if besides , there were an accession of all the orient splendour of all the pearles and iewels , of all the crystall and glistering things in this lower world ; and all compacted into one beautifull body , it would be but as a lumpe of darknesse , to the glory and fairenesse of a sanctified soule . for the beauty and amiablenesse of an holy soule , inflames the heart and affections of the sonne of god , with an extraordinarie pang of spirituall feruent loue , cant. . . whereas not all the glory of the world , though represented to his eye with the fairest lustre , and in the most refined forme , could moue him euer a whit , matth , . , , . plato was wont to say , if morall vertues could be seene with the outward eye ; they would stirre vp in the heart extraordinary flames of admiration and loue : what vnspeakeable rauishments then would christian graces enkindle , were they visible to the carnall eyes ? they would be able to make persecutors , professors ; to turne euen drunkards into puritans , as they call them ; the most sensuall epicure , into a mortified saint . for the second : let thy spirituall appetite seed merrily vpon that sweetest place , isa. , . and in this mountaine shall the lord of hosts , &c. heere is prouided , as wee may see , a magnificent and glorious feast , composed all of marrow and fatnesse , of most refined and purified wines ; which shadow vnto vs , spirituall delicacies , those golden dainties , digd out of the rich myne of the mysterie of christ , by the hand of faith , in the word , sacraments , prayer , communion of saints , solemne humiliations , sweet soliloquies , solitary conferences with our god , feeling forethought of infinite ioyes thorow eternity , &c. euery circumstance breathes out nothing but sweetnesse . in this mountaine . ] it is dressed in mount zion , the perfection of beautie , the ioy of the whole earth , the glory of all lands ; which represents vnto vs , by way of shadow and type , the ouerflowing glory of the christian church ; the very heauen of all humane societies ; our onely sunne in this inferiour world ; which though so much maligned , yet were it remooued , there would bee a little hell vpon earth ; and nothing left , but a darke midnight of villany and horror , for incarnate deuils to domineere in . a feast of fat things , a feast of wines on the lees ; of fat things full of marrow , of wines on the lees well refined . ] hereby is intimated the matter of the feast , and royall prouision , amplified with extraordinary ▪ emphasis of words , elegancy of phrase , and iteration of the same sence , with variety of expression ; which also argues its excellency . it is not enough to haue said , of fat things , but there is added , of fat things full of marrow , and so proportionably of the wines ; to intimate the most exquisite refined flower of all delicacies and dainties . the marrow of the fatnesse ; as if a man should say , the spirit of the quintessence , the diamond of the ring , the sparkle of the diamond , &c. and yet all this comes infinitely short of what the holy ghost would shadow and shew vnto vs by the most sumptuous materials of earthly feasts . but aboue all , that which makes the feast most matchlesse , is the feast-maker ; iehouah , is the founder and furnisher of it : the maker of heauen and earth , makes it . the poets describing men of most ambitious appetites after choisest dainties , say , that they rob all the elements , to please their palates . the master of this feast , the euer-blessed iehoua , tells vs of his store and treasuries this way , psal. . , . euery beast of the 〈◊〉 is mine , and the cattell vpon a thousand hills ; i know all the fowles of the mountaines , and the wild beasts of the field are mine . but all these being but onely matter of corporall food , are yet nothing to the spirituall sweetenesse of this heauenly banque●… . the secret and sacred delight of those diuine dainties intended here by the holy ghost , being vnspeakable and glorious , doth infinitely transcend the possibility of all creatures to contribute , and the capacity of the largest naturall vnderstanding to conceiue . so must be construed , as a worthy diuine sayes truly , that text , cor. . not of the ioyes of heauen , which heere the spirituall man himselfe cannot tell what they shall bee ; but of the gospels ioy , of the wine and fatlings ready prepared , and now reuealed to the beleeuer by the spirit . for the third . heare the voice of sweetenesse and peace , esa. . . sing vnto her : a vineyard of red wine . sing ] sounds nothing but ioy , lightsomnesse , and mirth : unto her ] the sexe of more amiablenesse , tendernesse , and loue . a vineyard ] vineyards , orchards , gardens , and such inclosed plots , are , as it were , the flowers , starres , and paradises of the earth . of wine ] as though the vine-trees of this inclosure brought not foorth the grosser and vncrushed grapes ; but more immediately , the refined and pure blood of the grape . red ] the most generous sparkling delicious wine . a vineyard is , as it were , the diamond of the ring ; wine , the sparkle ; red , the splendour of the sparkle : all excellencies , sweetenesses , transcendencies ; where god opens & expresses his heart and loue to his church , or any of his chosen . for the fourth . let thy faith peruse with enlarged meditations , those precious passages of gracious inuitation and bountifull entertainement , mat. . , . isa. . , . pro. . , . cant. . , . thou shalt sucke and be satisfied euen with the brests of consolations . thy dearest and most glorious mother , which is clothed with the sunne , treads vpon the moone , and weares on her head a crowne of twelue starres ; shall sweetly and tenderly beare thee vpon her sides , and handle thee vpon her knees , isa. . , . for the fifth . it is compared to a wedding feast , and that of a kings sonne ; which is woont to be honoured and crowned with height and variety of all magnificence and maiestie ; ioy and triumph , mirth and musicke . when an humbled soule is first made sure to the sonne of god ; the ioyfull harmony of all good hearts that heare of it , and the triumphant halleluiahs of the blessed angels in heauen , concurre in consort , as it were , of congratulation , for so happy a match ; in gladnesse and ioy for so holy a change . this feast begins at thy first betrothing ; when thou receiuing a ring , as it were , beset with fiue precious stones : . righteousnesse . . iudgement . . louing kindnesse . . mercies . . faithfulnesse . it is afterward continued with many gracious passages of loue and sweetest entertainements on both sides , euen in this life ; as appeares in solomons spirituall loue-song . it shall at last be crowned with an euerlasting iubilee , and pleasures moe then the starres of the firmament in number ; when the lambe receiues his wife into his neerest and dearest embracements ; euen into full possession of the most blessed , neuer-ending kingdome of heauen ; bought for her , full dearely , with his owne hearts blood . then , our feast of grace ends in the endlesse fruition of glory . how merry then ought wee to be in the meane time , who are admitted and enrighted to this gracious and glorious feast ? of expressing which to the life , the finest fare and most exquisite delicates of all earthly feasts , come as farre short , as the dull earth comes short of the glistering heauen ; a grosse mortall body of the preciousnesse of an euerliuing soule : an inch of time , of the length of eternity . for corporall dainties fat a fraile body for a span of time , with earthly food , accompanied with a little poore vanishing delight of sence : but spirituall food fills an immortall soule with heauenly ma●…na , out of the mysterie of christ , attended with purest ioy , and sincerest pleasures through all eternity . . as thou doest honour gods iustice , in trembling at his threats , and throwing thy selfe into the dust , as extremely vile , and fewell for hell vnder his mighty hand , and the piercing maiesty of his pure word ; representing clearely vnto thy conscience , and pressing terribly vpon it , the hainousnesse of all thy lusts , iniquities , abominable prouocations of the eyes of his glory and diuine indignation flaming against them : so when thou findest and feelest thy heart truly wounded by the sword of the spirit , with remorse and sorrow for thy sinnes , weary with the heauy weight and burthen of them , possessed with sincere hatred and lothing of euery euill way ; thou oughtest , and are bound in conscience , and by the commandement of the holy ghost , to glorifie gods truth in his promises of mercy , by throwing thy selfe into the blessed armes , and bleeding embracements of the lord iesus dying vpon the crosse ; in whom they are all , yea , and amen , with much assurance and peace ; with vnspeakeable and glorious ioy . and the rather , because the speciall season and onely opportunity of thy magnifying and honouring the sweet influence of gods dearest mercies , tender-heartednesse , and truth vpon humble soules , through the precious promises of life , is in this life . in the world to come they shall all bee accomplished vpon thee to the vtmost , and crowned with a cleere vision and full fruition of that euer-blessed and most glorious maiesty . then faith for euer expires ; and we see face to face . these things being so , and most sure ; let euery true-hearted nathaneel be heartily intreated , nay , iustly charged in the name of iesus christ , by the blessed spirit , the fountaine of all comfort ; as hee will answer it at the glorious throne of mercy , erected in heauen vpon purpose to make him euerlastingly merry , that hee henceforth most resolutely and for euer cast out of his conscience , sprinkled with the blood of the lambe , and out of the kingdome of christ , ouerflowing with peace and ioy , now comfortably established in his soule , those intruding vsurpers tyrants ; onely naturall lords ouer naturall men : i meane , horrours of guiltinesse , false feares , slauish terrours , damps and droopings ; all vncomfortable pensiuenesse , deiections , and feare . and leauing such harpies as these , and heart-eaters , onely to the grumbling and guilty consciences of all those that hate to be reformed , and satans slaues , as their proper furies ; let him with an holy violence against the deuils cruell assaults and contradictions of his owne distrustfull heart , and with a cheerefull spirit , lay hold vpon his iust inheritance and euerlasting portion , purchased for him by the bitter and painefull sufferings of the sonne of god ; euen floods and fresh successions of sweetest ioyes , shed and showred downe continually from the throne of grace vpon his vpright heart , in great abundance ; if hee will but onely vouchsafe to open the doore by the hand of faith , that the blessed beames of such lightsomnesse and comfort , shining from the face of christ , may come in . let his soule , full fairely arayed with its heauenly roabes , to which , the beauty of the morning , brightnesse of the moone , and glory of the sunne are but a shadow ; and listning sweetly to that melodious song , composed all of peace and ioy , pleasures and pardon of finne , which the mercy of god makes in the eare of its faith ; fall to , and fill it selfe at the wedding feast of the kings sonne , with those euer-springing riuers of spirituall refreshing , out of the bottomlesse depth of gods free loue reuealed in the mysterie of christ , by the ministery of the word and sacramentall grace ; as with marrow and fatnesse : let it sucke aboundantly , and be satisfied with the brests of euerlasting consolations . and sith hee is incorporated into iesus christ , and vpon all assayes hath the wings of faith in a readinesse , to outsoare the height of all humane miseries : let a him for euer stand like mount zion , inexpugnable , and vnshaken with the most furious incursions of the floods and tempests of all worldly troubles , pressures , and persecutions . let all those monstrous and most abhorred iniections , filthy temptations , and fiery darts , pointed with the very malice of hell , ordinarily offered to the imagination of the best , bee resolutely repelled by the shield of faith , and retorted as dung vpon the tempters face . let all vngodly oppositions from man or deuill , or fearefull distrust be but as so many proud and swelling waues , dashing against a mighty rocke ; which the more boisterously they beate vpon it , the more are they broken , and turned into a vaine foame and froth . but to descend with thee more punctually to some particulars : tell mee truly , thou which hast giuen thy name to christ in truth ; what it is that troubles thee ? what is it that still detaines thine heauy heart , in the chaines and fetters of horrour and sadnesse ; and lockes it vp so long from the entrance and entertainement of spirituall lightsomenesse and ioy ? and if i bee not able to confront and confound it , by some well-grounded counter-comfort and antidote , out of the oracle of truth ; if i be not able to discouer it to bee a selfe-created crosse ; and to dissolue it into an imaginary and groundlesse fancie , by the light of the word ; then walke heauily still . onely beleeue the prophets , and thou shalt prosper . thou must then bee contented to be counselled by the faithfull physicions of thy soule ; who can shew vnto man his vprightnesse , and are instructed vnto the kingdome of heauen ; especially fetching all their prescriptions , receits , and counterpoysons , out of the rich treasurie of the booke of life : thou must learne ; . to put a difference betweene nullity of grace , and imperfection of grace . many good soules desire sincerely that their hearts were broken in pieces , and bled at the root , for their many and hainous sinnes ; grieuing much , that they can grieue no more : they hunger and thirst for christs righteousnesse , more then for the wealth of the whole world : they groane mightily in spirit for gods fauour , pardon of sinne , power ouer their corruptions , ability to pray better , &c. but yet because they feele not that measure of sensible smart and anguish of heart in lamenting their former life , as they desire ; because they haue not their wished ioy and peace in beleeuing ; because they cannot now pray as feruently and feelingly as they , perhaps , were formerly woont ; not with that freedome and heartinesse as they would : in a word , because they are yet but smoaking flaxe , and bruised reedes , not full shining lampes , and strong pillars in the house of god ; they will needs haue all to be nought . whereby they ( i will not say belie the spirit ) but most vnworthily deny , and in their conceites nullifie his already wonderfull glorious worke vpon their soules ; to their , i know not how great spirituall hurt and hinderance . for such intolerable vnthankefulnesse may bee iustly punished , and paide home with longer detainement , vpon the racke of distrustfull slauish feare , and vnder the bondage of legall terrours . it is a speciall point then of spirituall wisedome , and of singular consequence for the soules quiet and welfare ; to discerne weakenesse of grace from want of grace . christ iesus declaring in his heauenly sermon who are blessed , doth not instance in the perfections , excellencies , and heights of christianity ; though all that are true of heart , sincerely pray for , and presse after them : but in the least and lowest degrees ; lest the smoking flaxe should bee quenched , and bruised reedes bee broken . he doeth not say ; blessed are the stong in faith ; the full assured : blessed are those that take on for their sinnes , as for their onely sonne , and for their first borne : but , blessed are they which doe hunger and thirst after righteousnesse : blessed are the poore in spirit , &c. . not alwayes to make sence and feeling the touchstone for the truth of thy spirituall state . a man in a swoone or a sleepe feeles not his life , and yet is a liuing man. it is one thing to haue grace , another to feele grace . one thing the life of faith , another the life of sence . . not to disgrace thy owne graces , by casting thine eye too deiectedly vpon other christians perfections and precedencies . let it not fare with thee in this case , as it doth with one gazing too much vpon the sunne ; who looking downewards againe , can see iust nothing , whereas before he cleerely discerned all colours about him . looke vpon them for imitation and quickning , not for slauish deiection and selfe-blinding . . to acknowledge and expect , that heauenly graces , as faith , &c. while they inhabite these earthly houses , ebbe and flow , waxe and wane , faint and flourish ; by reason of the combate betweene the flesh and the spirit . so that if a man should tell mee ; that he hath euer prayed alike , without temptation , or dampes , without any sence at any time of deadnesse or spirituall distempers ; that he hath euer beleeued alike , without those doubts and scruples , that faintnesse and feare , of which most christians so much complaine ; i durst confidently reply , that then he neuer either prayed acceptably , or beleeued sauingly . the fathers a fitly resemble the state of the church to the variable condition of the moone ; which sometimes shines more gloriously , sometimes not so : it is so also with euery true member thereof , in respect of the exercise of grace , comfort in holy duties , sence of gods fauour , spirituall feeling . . to beleeue the spirit of truth , the word of god , and voice of christ , before the father of lies , dictates of naturall distrust , and suggestions of flesh and blood . to which , methinks , thou shouldest be easily perswaded , and then all the mists of thy spirituall miseries would be quickly dispersed . it is a mighty worke , if not a great miracle , to get any softnesse at all , or true remorse for sinne , into the heart of a man ; it is naturally so stony and impatient of griefe ; and the deuill such a stirrer against it , so that the most are meere strangers vnto it ; yet for all that , when this penitent sorrow is once sincerely on foote in an afflicted soule ; so endlessely and on euery side are wee prest with the policies of hell ; it is too often too forward to feede vpon teares still , and still too wilfull in refusing to bee comforted . satan then will bee ready to say ; thou seest now , thy conscience being illightened , thy sinnes are so horrible and hai●…ous , that they are too heauy a burden for thee to beare ; there is no way with thee , but to sinke into horrour and despaire . but what saith christ ? nay now is the season : come vnto me thus weary and heauy laden with thy sinne , and i will refresh thee . here now if thou wilt beleeue the sweete voice of christ iesus , rather then the murthering sophistry of satan ; if in good maners thou wilt come when thou art called ; and not retire in a sinfull and cruell modesty ; thou shalt be presently lightened . yea but , saith the tempter , thy heart hath been so strangely hardened and soakt in sinne heretofore ; now such an he●…sh cloud of darkenesse hath seized vpon it ; that there is no hope nor possibility . but what saith the word ? seeke him that maketh the seuen starres and orion , and turneth the shadow of death into the morning . it is hee alone that can most easily change the dismall midnight of thy present spirituall misery , into the glorious midday of sweetest peace , and lightsomnesse of heart . yea but , saith he further , thou hast lien long vpon the rocke of guilty horrour ; had much counsell , and been vnder the hands of many spirituall physicians ; and yet no comfort comes . and what then ? heare what the spirit of truth tels vs : since the beginning of the world , men haue not heard nor perceiued by the eare , neither hath the eye seene , o god besides thee , what hee hath prepared for him that a waiteth for him . isa. . . waiting patiently for the lords comming to comfort vs , either in temporall or spirituall distresses ; is a right pleasing and acceptable dutie , and seruice vnto god , which hee is woont to crowne with multiplyed and ouerflowing refreshings , when he comes . see isa. . . nay and shouldest thou die in this state of waiting , if thy heart in the meane time sincerely hate all sinne ; heartily thirst for the mercy of god in christ ; and resolue truely vpon new vniuersall obedience for the time to come ; thou shalt bee certainely saued ; because the holy ghost saith , isaiah . . blessed are all they that waite for him . . that defects , distractions , failings in our spirituall exercises , and vndertakings groaned vnder , grieued for , and striuen against , by an vpright heart ; are so farre from nullifying grace , that they should not bereaue vs of peace of conscience , or interrupt our sweet communion and comfortable walking with our god. . not to confine , vnderualue , and extenuate the mercies of god , promises of life , the holy spirits sauing worke vpon thy soule ; and the present graces thou possessest in truth , &c. these cautions premised , let vs come to the examining and answering of some complaints and counterpleas against entertainement of comfort , which are wont to arise in troubled consciences , out of ignorance , and misconceite of the mercifull wayes of god , and the mysterie of his free loue through christ : and doe thou conceiue , that proportionable soueraigne antidotes and counter-comforts may bee collected also in abundance out of gods blessed booke , against the rest , or any reply whatsoeuer . and to begin with the first cryes of a christian in the pangs of his new birth . i. a poore soule hauing wallowed long in vanity of villanies and vanities ; of lust and licentiousnesse ; is now by diuine blessing at this or ●…e other sermon struck thorow by the sword of the spirit with penitent remorse ; and his heart broken into pieces , by the hammer of the law. in this depth of heauiest distresse , and bleeding case ; he casts his eyes vpon iesus christ lifted vp in the ministerie as an antitype ●…o the brazen serpent , for his comfortable binding ●…p , and euerlasting cure . those messengers of god , who are able to declare vnto man his vprightnesse , assure him in the word of life and truth , and charge him in his name who was anointed by the lord for that purpose , and appointed by the father of mercies to comfort all mourners in sion ; that now being truly cast downe vnder gods mighty hand , thirsting for the blood of christ , and sincerely resoluing vpon a new course for the time to come ; he would turne his legall terrours , into euangelicall weeping , ioy ; put on beauty for ashes , the garment of praise , for the spirit of heauinesse ; that he might be called a tree of righteousnesse , the planting of the lord , that hee might bee glorified . oh no , saies he , out of the deepe sence of his bottomelesse vilenesse , the newes is too good to be true , to wit , that now the blessed sonne of god , and all the precious , rich purchases of his vnualuable passion should belong vnto mee , the sinfullest wretch that the earth beares , who haue desperately spent my dayes and strength so long in the furious seruice of satan , and mine own sensuall lusts , &c. whereupon he refuses comfort , and chooses rather to sinke againe and languish vnder the horrours of guiltinesse and feare . whereas he should incomparably more honour and please the god of all comfort , by trusting his mercy , sealing to his truth ; then by vnseasonable suspecting his iustice and power . here then hee wofully failes and forgets himselfe in a distrustfull vnder-prizing gods incomprehensible greatnesse , almightie mercy , vnlimited liberalitie and freenesse of his loue . he is in this case , not so much to consider , what is fit for him to receiue , as conuenient for the ability and bounty of so great and good a god ▪ as the mighty lord of heauen and earth to giue ; who , as i told you before vpon other occasion , doth all things like himselfe . if hee build , he makes a world . if he be angry with the world , hee sends a floud ouer the face of the whole earth . if hee goes out with the armies of the saints , hee makes the sunne stand still , the starres to fight , the seas to swallow vp the most dreadfull armadoes . if hee loue ; the precious hearts blood of his owne sonne is not too deare . if he deliuer any man , hee puls him out of the hand of the prince of darknesse ; and frees him from euerlasting flames . if any become his fauourite through christs mediation , he wil make him a king , giue him a paradise , and set a crowne of eternitie vpon his head . earthly princes at their pleasures ennoble those they loue , with dukedomes , marquesdomes , earledomes . what then , doe you thinke , shall be done vnto the man , whom the king of heauen desires , and delights to honour ? let vs then , i say , in such cases , consider not so much what is fit for vs silly wormes to receiue ; as for so great a god to bestow . if wee can once bring hearts bruised and broken with the burden of our sinnes , bleeding and weeping vnto his mercy-seate ; hee will thinke all the meritorious sufferings of his sonne ; all the promises in his booke ; all the comforts of his spirit ; all the pleasures in his kingdome little enough for vs. if wee looke vpon our selues , sinful wretches , we might iustly feare the extremest torments , fiercest flames , and lowest dungeon in hell , infinitely rather then expect a kingdome . but hee loues vs freely , hos. . . it is his pleasure to giue vs a kingdome : feare not , little flocke , saith christ ; for it is your fathers good pleasure to giue you the kingdom , luk. . . if it be the good pleasure of the king of kings , to bestow a kingdome vpon a truely humbled soule , which hee makes in the meane time his royall throne here vpon earth , isai. . . what can man or deuill , or any distrustfull heart say against it ? and why shouldest thou , being such an one , be so vnmannerly and vnthankfull , nay , so vnnecessarily cruell to thine owne heauy heart , as not to open the euerlasting doore of thy soule by the key of faith , to let the king of glory knocking with his hand of mercy , come in , and crowne it with grace and glory , with comfort and euerlasting peace ? ii. but alas , sayes hee , my sinnes are moe then any mans . now when i am searching into the sinke of them , i can finde neither banke nor bottome . vnnumbred swarmes of grosse impieties and iniquities thorow my whole life ; of abominable impurities and pollutions , which haue continually defiled my mind , heart and affections , armed with seuerall stings of terrour , doe so restlesly presse vpon my wounded conscience , and oppresse it ; that i cannot , i dare not thinke vpon , or looke towards any comfort . let them bee what they are , and adde thereunto all the sinnes which haue , are , and shall bee committed by all the sonnes and daughters of adam from the creation , to the end of the world ; excepting sinne against the holy ghost ; and yet in an hart truly humbled vnder them , heartily hating them all , cōming with a sincere spirituall hunger at * christs call to bee disburdened of them ; they can make no more resistance against the mercies of god , then a little sparke of fire against the mighty sea , rhrowne into the midst of it ; nay , infinitely lesse . for all these sinnes would still be finite both in nature and number ; but gods mercies are euery way infinite . now betweene that which is finite , and that which is infinite , there is no proportion , and so no possibilitie of resistance . whence it is , that the prophet inuiting his people to repentance , esa. . . by assuring them of gods sweet , mercifull and gracious disposition , lest any too fearefull and deiected spirit vndervaluing gods mercy , should thinke thus within it selfe : bee it so : yet alas , my sinnes are so many , and such a sonne of belial haue i been , and so endlesly prouoked the glory of his pure eye , that i can expect no mercy : the pollutions of my youth haue been so prodigious and infectious , that i haue no face to presse vnto his throne of grace ; &c. god himselfe doth there purposely preuent the obiection , and speaking to our capacitie , which cannot comprehend infinity , replyes to this sence : oh say not so ! stay all such despairefull thoughts ; doe not cast the incomprehensiblenes of my mercy , in the narrow mould of thy finite shallow conceite : doe not so vnworthily abridge and confine the vnlimited and boundlesse compassion of the mighty lord of heauen and earth : for my thoughts are not your thoughts , neither are your wayes my wayes : for as the heauens are higher then the earth , so are my wayes higher then your wayes , and my thoughts then your thoughts . many a bruised reede would not exchange the comfort , which the weakest faith may extract out of this sweetest place , for all the kingdomes of the earth . for he saith not , that his wayes and thoughts of knowledge and wisdome ; but his wayes and thoughts of mercy , are as farre aboue ours , as the heauens are aboue the earth : indeed , as himselfe is aboue man , which is , infinitely . but take notice by the way , that the mercies of god doe exercise this infinite vnresistable power onely in truly humbled beleeuing soules ; heartily hating , and sincerely set against all sinne . i say so , lest any impenitent should peruert this precious point , or trample vpon this pearle . for as in such a soule no sinnes either for number or notoriousnesse , can possibly withstand , or stand before gods infinite mercies : so not one drop of all those infinite merceis belongs vnto any that goes on willingly and delightfully , hating to bee reformed in any one knowne sinne , or that he might know , and wilfully forbeares to bee informed . as the vnualuable blood of christ turnes the very scarlet sinnes of the truly broken beleeuing heart into whitest snow ; so it will neuer wash away the least sinfull staine , from the proud heart of any vnhumbled pharise . let none therefore that goes on still in his trespasses , take vp any vaine confidence , or mis-grounded conclusion of false comfort from hence , by misconceiuing thus : is it so , that the infinitenesse of gods mercy cannot bee resisted by the greatnesse , or multitude of sinnes , being euer finite both in their number and nature ? how is it possible then that i should misse of those infinites mercies ? why may not i comfortably hope , that my sinnes also shall be swallowed vp in that bottomlesse sea ? i will tell thee why . as the power of god , though it be infinite , yet is limited by his will : so the mercies of god , though they bee infinite , are regulated by his truth . he is able to make millions of worlds moe , but yet wee see , his will was but to create one . his mercies transcend with immeasurable distance , the height of heauen , and depth of hell , and are indeed , as himselfe , infinite : but his truth hath told vs , that none shall haue part in them , but those alone who repent and beleeue . gods truth reuealed in his word , must euer confine the current of his compassions , and is the touchstone to try and qualifie those , to whom his mercies belong . see then what kind of people are partakers of gods infinite mercies , by the testimony of that word of truth , by which we must be iudged at the last day , prou. . . luke . . isai. . , , . psal. . ezek. . . psal. . . isai. . . psal. . . salomon saith in the cited place ; hee that confesseth and forsaketh his sinnes , shall haue mercy . how then can he expect any mercy , who takes them not to heart , but lyes in them still ? iii. of the pardonablenesse of my other sinnes , saith another , i could bee reasonably well perswaded ; but alas , there is one aboue all the rest , which now vpon discouery and remorse , i finde to be full of ranke and hellish poyson ; of such a deepe and damnable die ; to haue strooke so desperately in the dayes of my lewdnesse , at the very face of god himselfe ; and farre deepelier into the heart of iesus christ , then the speare that pierced him , bleeding vpon the crosse ; and thereupon at this present , stares in the eye of my newly awaked and wounded conscience , with such horror and grieslinesse , that i feare mee , diuine iustice will thinke it fitter , to haue this most loathsome , inexpiable staine , rather at length fired out of my soule with euerlasting flames ; ( if it were possible that eternall fire could expiate the sinfull staines of any impenitent damned soule ) then to bee fairely washed away in the meane time with his blood , whom i so cruelly and cursedly pierced with it . oh! this is it that lies now vpon my heart like a mountaine of lead , farre heauier then heauen and earth , and enchaines it with inexplicable terrour to the dust and place of dragons . this alone stings desperately ; keepes mee from christ , and cuts mee off from all hope of heauen . i am afraid , my wilfull wallowing in it heretofore , hath so reprobated my mind , seared my conscience , and hardened my heart , that i shall neuer be able to repent with any hope of pardon . and why so ? is this sinne of thine greater , then manassehs familiaritie with wicked spirits ? then pauls drinking vp the blood of saints ? then any of theirs in that blacke bill , . cor. . . . who notwithstanding were afterward vpon repentance washed , sanctified and iustified in the name of the lord iesus , and by the spirit of our god ? then e●…s transgression , who opened the floodgate to al the sins which shall bee committed from the creation to the end of the world , and to all those torments which shall flame in hell thorow all eternitie ? then that horrible sin of killing christ iesus ? and yet the murderers of that iust and holy one , vpon their true compunction of heart , were saued by that precious blood , which they had cruelly spilt as water vpon the ground . but be it what it will , a scarlet sinne , a crimsin sinne , a crying sinne ; and adde vnto it satans malicious aggrauations , and all that horrour , which the deiectednesse of thy present afflicted spirit , and darkenesse of thy melancholike imagination can put vpon it ; yet pauls precious antidote , rom. . ▪ holds triumphantly soueraigne aswell against the hainousnesse of any one sinne , as the confluence of many , where sinne abounded , grace ouer-abounded . it is indeed a very heauy case , and to bee deplored euen with teares of blood , that thou shouldest euer haue so highly dishonoured thy gracious god , with such an horrible sinne in the dayes of thy vanitie , and thou oughtest rather chuse to bee ●…orne in pieces with wilde horses , then commit it againe ; yet if thy heart now truely wounded with horrour and hate of it , will but cleaue to the truth and tenderheartednesse of iesus christ in his promises , and fall into his blessed and bleeding armes stretched out most louingly to ●…ase and refresh thee ; as the hainousnesse of it hath abounded heretofore ; his grace will now abound to the a same proportion ; and much more : nay , i will shew thee a pearle . in this case , by accident , gods mercies shal be extraordinarily honoured , in pardoning such a prodigious prouocation ; because they are thereby , as it were , put into it , and their dearenesse , sweetnesse and infinitenesse improoued to the greater height and excellency ; and b the blood of christ made , as it were , more orient and illustrious ; and the honour and preciousnesse of it aduanced , by washing away such an hainous hellish spot . if we bring broken beleeuing hearts towards his mercy-seate ; it is the lords name to forgiue all sorts of offences , c iniquitie , transgression and sinne , exod. . . it is his couenant to sprinkle cleane water vpon vs , that we may be cleane , and to cleanse vs from all our filthinesse , and from all our idols , exek . . . euen from idolatry , the highest villany against the maiestie of heauen : so that a papist , vpon repentance may be saued . it is his promise not onely to pardon ordinary sinnes , but those also which be as scarlet , and red like crimsin , isai. . . it is his free compassion to cast all our sinnes into the depths of the sea , mich. . . now the sea , by reason of his vastnesse , can drowne as well mountaines as molehills : the boundlesse ocean of gods mercies can swallow vp our mightiest sinnes much more . it is his mercifull power , to blot out our sinnes as a cloud , isai. . . now the strength of the summers sunne is able to scatter the thickest fog , as well as the thinnest mist ; nay , to driue away the darkest midnight : the vnresistable heate of gods free loue shining thorow the sun of righteousnes vpon a penitent soule , to dissolue to nothing the desperatest worke of darkenesse , and most horrible sinne farre more easily . but this mysterie of mercy , and miracle of gods free loue , is a iewell onely for truely humbled soules , and the sealed fountaine . let no stranger to the life of godlinesse meddle with it . let no swine trample it vnder his feete . finis . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e a haec iustorum simplicitas deridetur : quia ab h●…ius mundi sapientibus , puritatis virtus , ●…atuitas c●…editur . greg. in ●…ap . . iob cap. . b et quid diuitiae , per●…untes & transitoriae facultates , nisi 〈◊〉 aeter na diligentibus sunt ●… greg. in reg. cap. . c non debet pro magno habe●…i honor humanus ; quia nullius est ponderis fumus . august , de ci●…it . dei , lib. . cap. . d cùm coeperit deo quisque vi●…ere , mundum contemnere , iniurias suas nolle vlcisci , nolle hîc diultias , non hîc quaerere foelicitatem terrenam , contemnere omnia , dominum solùm cogitare , viam christi non deserere ; non solùm à paganis dicitur insanus ; sed quod magis dolendum est ; quia & intus multi dormiunt , & vigilare nolunt , à suis , à christianis audiunt — dictum est & de ipso domino , quod insaniret . august . in psal. . e nobilitas heroica est eminentia quaedam notabilis , &c. — per quam homo fi●… per adoptionem filius dei , fit sponsa christi , sit templum spiritus sancti : sine quâ , nobilitates caet●…rae nihil sunt , nhiil proficiunt . gers. tractat. de nobilitate . psal. . . f cùm coeperit homo christianus cogitare proficere , incipit pati linguas aduersa●…tium . quicunque illas nondum passus est , nondum proficit : quicunque illas non patitut , nec conatur proficere . august . in psal. . g heb. . , . h isa. . , . i ezech. . . zech . . . g lib. . sect. . prou. . . a c●…los . . ●… . b rom. . . c . iob. . . d phil. . . colos. . . e ephes. . . f iob . , . psal. . , . and . . i am verò illud quale , quàm sanctum , quòd si quis ex nobilibus ad deum conuerti coeperit , statim h●…norem nobilitatis amittit : aut quantus in christiano populo honor christi est , vbi religio ignobilem facit ? statim enim vt quis melior esse tentauerit , de e●…ioris abiectione calcatur , ac per hoc omnes quodammodo mali esse coguntur , ne vises habeantur . ita seculum totum iniquitatibus plenum est , vt aut mali sint , qui sunt in illo , aut qui boni sunt , multotum persecutione crucientur . si honoratior quispiam religioni se applicue●…it , illicò honoratus esse defistit — si fuerit splendidissimus , fit vilissimus . si fuerit totus honoris , fit totus iniuriae — si bonus est quispiam , quasi malus spernitur : si est malu●… , quasi bonus honoratur . nihil itaque mirum , si deteriora quotid●…è patimur , qui deteriores quotidiè fumus . saluianus . de ver●… iudicio & prouid●… tia dei. lib . pag. , . g animae sorti●… & constantis est , posse ob●…uctari his qui auellere moliuntur , & nihil facere vt hominibus placeat : sed oculum suum intendere ad illum insopitum oculum , & ab eo solùm gloriam expectare — nulliúsque pili facere humanam laudem , vel conuitia , sed transire vt vmbras & somnia . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . chrysost. in c. . g●… . hom. ●… . notes for div a -e a cogita hîc obsecro , quantae virtutis fuerit ille iustus , quomodo in tantâ multitudine , quae multo impetu in malum tuebat , solus ipse diuersâ ambulauit viâ , virtutem malitiae praeferens . neque enim aliorum consensus , & tanta frequentia reddebat eum segniorem ad virtutis iter : sed iam priùs implebat , quod beatus moses olim dicturus erat : ne sis cum multis in malitiâ . et quod magis admirabile , multos habebat , imò omnes , qui ad malum , & ad praua opera inhortabantur , & nullus erat , qui ad bonū induceret , chrys. hom. . in c. . gen. b feruente impietate contra primam tabulam , secuta est corruptio , de quâ moses in hoc cap. quod se primùm polluerunt libidinibus , deinde orbem terrarū repleuerunt tyrannide , sanguine , & iniurijs . lu●… . c quàm multos philosophorum & audiuimus , & legimus , & ipsi vidimus castos , patientes , modestos , liberales , abs●…inentes , benignos , & honores mundi simul & delicias respuentes , & amatores ●…ustitiae , non minus quàm scientiae ! - quod si etiam sine deo homines ostendunt quales à deo facti sunt : vide quid christiani facere possunt , quorum in melius per christum natura & vita instructa est , & qui diuinae queque gratiae iuuantur auxilio ▪ august . epist. . d quae non tormenta patiemur , qui eum iubeamur iustici●… superare ph●…risaos . gentilibus quoque inferiores iaceamus ? quemadmodum igitur , responde quaeso , videbimus regnum futurum ? chrysost . hom. . in cap. . matth. as for those vertues that belong vnto morall righteousnesse , and honesty of life , we d●…c not mention them , because they are not proper vnto christian m●…n , as they are christian , but doe concerne them 〈◊〉 me●… , hooket lib. . of ecclesiast . politie . e ephes. . . f . pet. . . * rom. . . g prou. . , . ephes. . . h coloss. . . sicut qui diabolum sequitur , sanctorum collegium affectu , & opere aspernatur : ita qui deo perfectè adhaeserit , impiorum consortium nequaquam admittit . gregor . in psal. . * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i g●…at . . . k non possumus negare plures esse malos , & tam plures , vt inter cos prorsus non apparentgrana in areâ . nam quisquis aream videt , potest putare , quòd pales sola sit , august ▪ in psal. . p. . l si tur bam imitari volueritis , inter paucos angustam viam ambulantes non eritis , august . de temp. serm. . luk. . isa. . , . m cùm vndique mal●… pe●…strepant , & dicant , quare sic viuis ? tu solus christianus es ▪ quare non sacis quod faciunt & alii , & c ? et tu dicis , christianus sum , vt repellas istos nescio quo●… : sed aduersarius premit , vrget , quod peius est exemplo christianorum suffocat christianos . sudatur , astuatur , tribulatur anima christiana , &c. ideo vide quid dicat . respondet enim , quid mihi prodest , quia modò mihi facio remedia , & luc●…or paucos dies ? exeo hinc de isto seculo , & vado ad dominum meum , & mittet me in ignem , quia praeposui paucos dies vitae futurae , mit●…et me in gehennas — et hoc fortè non in plateâ tibi dicit amicus , sed in domo vxor , aut fortè maritus vxori fideli , bonae & sanctae deceptor ipsius , si mulier marito , eua est illi : si vir vxori , diabolus est illi . aut ipsa tibi 〈◊〉 est , aut ru illi serpens es . aug. in psal . p. . n non igitur dubium est , quin generatio praua infensissi●… cum odetit , & variè exercuerit , insultantes ei : num t●… solus sapis ? num solus tu deo places ? num nos reliqui omnes erramus ? omnes damn abimur ? tu solus non erras ? solus non damnabe●…is ? haec magna virtus fuit . nobis enim hodiè impossibile esse videtur , vt vnus se opponat toti orbi tetrarum , reliquos omnes damnet , tanquam malos , qui tamen ecclesiam , verbum & cultum dei iactant , se autem solùm statuat dei filium , & deo acceptum esse , lutherus . neque paru●…m est despicere irridentes & oppr●… bantes , & salibus incessentes : at iustus ille non tantùm decem & viginti , & centum homines , sed & omnem hominum naturam & tot myriades despexit . verisimi●…e enim omnes illos ridere , reprehendere , subsannare , & debacchari : & fortè etiam , si possibile fuisset , dilacerare voluisse . chrysost. hom. in cap. . gen. tam domestica illi erat strenuitas , vt viam diuersam à vulgati , quam omnis multitudo ina●…bulabat , iret : & neque timeret , neque suspicaretur aliquid tale , quale verisimile est , ignauis accidere : qui si qu●…ndo viderint , multos simul con●…pirate , hoc velamen , & hanc occasionem suae ignauiae pretexunt , ac dicunt : quid ego no●…um , & singulare post illos omnes facturus essem aduersarius tantae multitudinis , & cum tanto populo bellam susceptu●…us ? numquid illis omnibus ego admirabilior essem ? quae vtilit●…s foret tantarum inimicitiarum ? quod commodum tanti odij ? nihil talium cogitabat , neque in ●…nimum 〈◊〉 , id●…m ibid. hom. . o to walke with god , is a precious praise , though xone d●…e it but my selfe , and to walke with man , with the world , with a towne or parish , in wicked wayes , is a deadly sia , though millions doe it , b. babington vpon gen. . vers . . p sunt multi malè viuentes christiani , inter quos qui voluerit benè viuere , & inter ebriosos sobrius esse , & inter fornicatores castus esse , & inter consultatores mathematicorum deum sinceriter colere , & nihil tale requirere , & inter spectatores nugacium theatrorum noluerit ire nisi ad ecclesiam , patitur insultores ipsos christianos , & patitur verba aspe●…a , & dicunt , tu magnus , tu iustus , tu es helias , tu es petrus , tu do coelo venisti : insultant quo cunque se verterit , audit hinc atque inde verbum asperum . quod si time●… , recedit à via christi dei. — quando audit verba aspera , vnde sibi habet facere solatium , vt non curet verba aspera , &c. dicat , qualia verba audio , seruus peccator ? dominus mens audiuit , daemonium habet . august . in psalm . . q si simplex aliquis , si castus , aut frugalis in collegio aliquo vel conuentu , latam & lubricam perditorum viam non sectetur , fabula , & ridiculum caetetis efficitur . insolens quoque , & singularis , insanus aut hypocrita continuo appellatur . vnde & multi , qui ad bonam frugem deuenirent , si cum modestis & bonis degerent ; hac ratione abstracti per malorum consortia ad malum trahuntur , dum talia inter suos contubernales nomina subire verentur . nicolaus d●… clymenges , de vitijs minist . eccl. apud ioan. de gersonno . tom. . r pereunte mundo , vnus noē seruatur , quasi stirp●… incorrupta , vt noui mundi sit origo , & nouorum ho minū seminarium , ambros. s atque hae virtutes noachi circumstantiâ temporum , personarúmque amplificantur , cùm ita fuisse dicitur , non aetate vná , sed multis , non conuersatione cum bonis , sed cum hominibus corruptissimis , & seculo corruptissimo . iun. in a●… . c. . gen. t sicut deo nihil potest esse causa vt incipiat velle : ita & ipsi deo nihil potest esse causa vt ab aeterno aliquid velit , sicut nihil potest ei esse causa , vt ab aeterno sit , driedo tom. lib. de concor lib. arb. & praedest . diui . cap. . non enim deus monetur abaliquâ re àd extra , ad aliquid agendum ; alioquin ipsius voluntas ab alio in volendo dependeret , quod repugnans est . rubeus in . sent. dist . . diuinae voluntatis non solùm nulla est causa finalis , & moriua per mo●… obiecti ; sed etiam nullum est obiectum creaturae , quod possit deo esse ratio volendi aliud , sed sola sua bonitas , vasq●…z 〈◊〉 . p. disp . . q. . art. . cap. . * that most worthy , wise , holy , ●…nd learned minister ●…of god , iohn ran dall , ser. . vpon rom. . pag. . i speake not thus , to beget securitie , which is ready to blow vs vp ; but to stirre to thankfulnesse , wherein , i know , we are wofully wanting . i tell you not here , how we behaue our selues towards god , which is most wretchedly ; but how his blessed maiestie beares himselfe towards vs , which is most bountifully . * the excellency of gods prouulence and power for the gospell , was extraor●…ly improoued in the m●…ra ▪ ●…lous preseruation of that ●…essed lady from so many attempts , so many enemies , so many mischiefes , p●…iols , 〈◊〉 , persons , threatnings , insurrections , inu●…sions . curses , excommunicatious , and all the vtmost malice of hell and pope . y answer to the libel of engl●…ust . pag. . & . z non vos late●… modò grauis , & senecta principis aetas , cuius sepulchrum , veluti totius regni voraginem & naufragium fermè sub oculis contemplamini . — caeterùm insupèr aduertente●… cogitationes ad reipub licae membra tam varijs concilijs distracta , ingentes moles tempestatum & turbationū , cruentorum imbrium conglomeratas nubes vestris impendere ceruicibus despicietis . — vndequaque proh dolor , anglia in praedam expetitur & expectatur . westonus de triplici hominis offici●… in peroratione ad academicos . psal. . ●… . . . , . . cor. . . * isa. . . rom. . . . tim. . . phil. . . rom. . . eph. . . in the historie of his life and death , pag. . a thes. . . a gen. . . b . sam. . . c gen. . . d luk. . . e iob . . f gen. . . . tim. . . g quae namque dic ot●… aliena rapere necessitas ? — paupertas inquis hoc facit , & inopia necessariorum . atqui proptereà non debe●… rapinam exercere . nam tales diuiti●… incertae sunt : t●… verò tales congregans , non alite●… facis , quàm si qui●… rogatus cur in arenam aedificij sui fundamentaiaciat , respondeat , propter frigoris , ac pluuiae metum . at ob idipsum non debebat fundamentum in arenam loca●…i . nam ita ventus , ac nimbi mox illud subuertunt . itaque si ditescere voles , neminem circum●…enias . si liberis tuis voles diuitias tradere , iustas acquire . illae quippe manent , ac firmae persistunt . quae verò tales non sunt , confestim pereunt , ac corrumpuntur . si verò omninò ditescere cupis , ( res enim ista necessaria non est ) quibus tandem diuitijs magis frui voles ? an vitae longioris ? at qui 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 d. tescunt , modico plerumque ●…empore durant . nam saepenumerò rapinae & imposturae poenas da●…t , mortem videlicet immaturam , idque ita , vt possessis , nisi breui momento frui non liceat , & abeuntes 〈◊〉 sottiantur . fit verè & hoc saepè , vt ex delicijs , laboribus & curis aegritudines sibijpsis consciscant & per●…ant , chrysost. ser. . in . ad eph. h 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sonat vi●…um probum , aequum , iustum , ac bonum , aequi videlicet ac iusti studiosum . i 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 significat hominem integrum , simplicem , candidum , ac sincerum , non versutum in quo nullus dolus deprehenditur , sed omnia & factis , & ore , & corde interse consonant . musc. nec 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sonat perfectum , vt noster interpres vertit , sed integrum , sincerum , non fucatum . merc. in hunc locum , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 som●…times i●… the same that , non fraudulentus confilijs , non varius , sed simplex , apud pagn . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 non perfectionem absolutae sanctitaris , sed sinceritatem cordis & pietatis significat , qua●… solam deus à nobis nunc exigit : sicut dicitur , . tim. . . finis mandati est , &c. 〈◊〉 . ephes. . . k non à verisimilitudine abhorret aetatis dixisse mo●…en plurali numero , quo meliùs exprimeret , quàm strenuus , & inuictus athleta fuerit noa●…h . quem tot saecula non mutârunt , cal●… ▪ in cap. . gen. v. . l mirabile fuit constantiae exemplum , quod vndique scelerum soe●…ore circundatus , contagionem inde nullam contraxit , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ▪ zech. . , . m delicatus es , christiane , si & in seculo voluptatem concupiscis , immò nimium stultus , si hoc existimas voluptatem , tertul. de spectas . cap. . n ier. . . o lib. de spectat . cap. ▪ psal , . . a q. d. noah ita sanctè & piè vixit , quasi deum semper praesentem prae oculis haberet , & reuereretur , ideóque in omni opere cautissimus , modestissimus , religiosissimus , semper incedebat , erátque deo , deique voluntati per omnia consentiens , perinde vt homo cum homine amico , vel domino suo , vbique & indiuulsè inambulans , illi per omnia consentit , illi in omnibus se conformat . b opus est ergo , vt hic timor mentes obsideat , opus est , vt ille , qui peccare non vult , praesentem sibi cogitet , non in publico solùm ; sed etiam in domo ; non in domo solùm , sed & in cubiculo , in ●…octe , in lectulo , in corde suo , august . tom. . hom. . c the life of galearius . chap. . heb. . . d si ei qui voluptatibus se dedide●…it , hac vita sit excede●…dum , p●…ae horrore quodam & metu vel ante constitutum obeat mortem . item si futuram aegritudinem suspicetur , si contumeliam , si paupertatem , seu aliud istiusmodi quippiam ex inspera●…o affuturum praeuiderit , perit illicò & consumitur . chrysost serm . contra gu●…am & caeteras corporis voluptates c contra verò qui spiritu vixerit , nulla e●…it simili calamitate obstrictus , sed sine timore , moestitia , discrimine e●…it , & quauis rerum mobilitate superior : neque ●…ò victor euad●…t , quod ●…il si : auersi perpessus : sed quod maiu●… vtique est , aduersos omnes fortunae casus contemnere , chryfost . ibid. psal. . . a mistake not the place . i know from hence , the pelagians , 〈◊〉 , caelesti●…s , donatists , anabaptists , libertines dream●… of , i know not what , ph●…risaicall , phantasticall , and vt●…i an perfection . but it is true which austin saith , qui ambulant in vijs domini , non operantur peccatum ; & tamen non sunt sine peccato : in psal. . c●…nc . . non peccare , v. . idem est ac puri●…icare se , v. . siue , peccato repugnando , puritati st●…dere , beza . g in animâ in quâ peccatum regnauerit , non potest dei regnate regnum . quae enim participatio iustitiae & iniquitati ? quae communicatio luci ad tenebras ? qui consensus christo , & belial ? et putamus nos regnum dei consequi , si à for●…catione , idololatriâ , & ven●…sicijs immunes simus . ecce inimi●…itiae , contentio , ita , rixa , dissentio , ebrietas quoque & caetera , quae parua arbitramur , excludunt nos a regno dei. nec refert vno quis à beatitudine excludatur , an pluribus : cùm omnia similiter excludant , hieron . tom . . com. in cap. . ad galat. ad ve●…ba illa , manifesta sunt opera carnis . ] austin hauing named sacriledge , murther , false witnesse bearing , thest , rapine , pride , ent●…r , coue●…usnesse , ange●… ; ●…runkennesse , saith ; ex quibu●…cunque qui in se vnum habere cognoscit , & poenitentiam non egerit , sine reinedio in gehènnae igne ardebit , tom pag. ●… . ( thorow the whole treatise , i still quote austin in octau●… , printed 〈◊〉 , ) sicut ad corporis sanitatem , n●…n est s●…is , vt peste quis , vel pleuritide c●…reat , sed ab omnibus in vniuersum morbis immunem esse opor●…er : sic ad animae sanitatem requiritur , sordium ac vitiorum omnium in vniueisum abdicatio , spin. de iust . christ. vbi regnat in corde propositum peccandi , ibi ●…ducia misericordiae exulat . sicut miles , si toto corpore fuerit armis vestitus , & vnam partem habuerit nudam ; nihil ei prodest , quòd totus fuerit ferro vestitus , si per illam vnam partem cum ●…gitta percusser●…t , sed sic cadit quemadmodum si totus fuisser nudus : sic & christianus , quamuis omnem iustitiam fecerit , in vno peccauerit , similiter peccator statuitur , quemadmodum si semper peccasse●… . sicut ait iacobus , si omnem legem adimpleas & in vno transgrediaris , similiter praeuaticatores legis , chrys. tom . in cap. matth. . hom. . tam vno morbo aliquis moritur , quam alius multis . zanch. in cap . ad c●…loss . h quemadmodum nemo tam perditus , aut flagitiosus inuenitur , quin ab aliquo vitio magis qnam à caeteris , abhorreat : sic nemo tantae sanctitatis est , quin ad vnum aliquod peccatum , quàm ad caetera propensior sit , cartw in prou. pag. . much more then in his state of nature . the flesh in euery one hath some speciall darling-sinne , wherein she most delight ; which is as her right eye , in regard of pleasure ▪ or as her right-hand , in regard of profit , &c. dyke , of repentance ▪ chap. . mat. . . . cor. . . a p. . pag. . b sect. . c in his consultation , reas. . pa. . as it is translated in to english by w. i. . d mist. of the councell of trent , lib. . pag. . e videntur omninò existimare posse hominem salua●…i , etiamsi nulla bona opera faciat , nec mandata diuina custodiat , de iustif . lib. . c. . sect. caeterùm . f fides illa specialis , quam aduersarij singuat esse fidem iustificantem , tollit è medio orationem , sacramenta , opera bona , & quicquid aliud ad salutem nostram deus instituit , de iustif . lib. . cap. . g hanc certitudinem adesse volunt , non solùm sine vilo respectu , necessitate , consequentiâ , praesenti●… , aut conuenientiâ bonorum operum , sed etiam praesentibus quibuscunque●…eccatis , de iustif . lib . ca. . h in cap . to the rom. sect. . i arnoldus nobis affingit nos docere ; omnes homines teneri credere se ad vitam aeternam esse electos : nos iubere omnes sceleratos esse securos , vt qui nullis flagitijs possint excidere à salute . apagetam abominandam doctrinam , pu●…idissimam calumniam , mendacium sesquipedale . heare 〈◊〉 we hold ▪ immò verò docemus , eum qui non vult in christum credere , nec resipiscere , teneri credere salutem christi morte partam , ad se non pertinere . dicimus , dicere ; sum electus , ergo mihi licet esse improbo , sermo est reprobi , qui ideò vult mal●…s ess●… , quia deus bonus est , m●…lin . anat. ar●…is , cap. . sect. . wee may iustly , and vpon good ground , be frighted , and inuited from si●…ne , to the seruice of god , both by consideration of hell fire , and intuition of an immortall crown , as by inferiour and subordinate motiues : but the principall and most predominant attractiue of our hea●…ts to good , ought to be the soueraigne good , god blessed for euer , see 〈◊〉 . mart. vpon cha . of iudges , fines minùs principales non tolluntur à principali , keck . cap. de fine . simon magus hauing beene famous by his magicall miracles , now vanishing before the light of the gospell ▪ conformes to the outward worship of god , in receiuing the sacrament , and ●…resseth into the company of the apostles , that he might continue the applause , and admiration of himselfe , by a new way , the form●…r failing , euen by the miraculous gifts of the holy ghost , which he wickedly offers to buy for money . iudas carrying the bag , for the disb●…sment of money for necessaries , and to the poore , did by secret purl●…yning to himselfe , f●…de his co●…tous humour , and that f●…re more easily , and vnobseruedly , in the company of christ and his apostles , and vnder the colour of a religious conformitie , ioh. . . and . . * psal. . . rom. . . dauids salse backsliding friend , psal. . , . iehu , ioash , &c. were temporary men , of this inconstant temper . an awefull reuerenc ▪ to that holy priest , . chro. . . was the ground of ioash his goodnesse , not a good conscience . he did that which was right in the sight of the lord , for ae while , and yet his heart was not vpright . for when iehoiada was dead , hee fell to idolatry , ver . , . * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , hoc est , non fastidiat conditionem humilem , non affectet altiorem , non temerè ab vnâ ad aliam tranfiliat . par. perkins of callings , pag. . gen. . ●… . such machiuellian counterfeit , are called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , false b●…ethren , . cor. . . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , gal. . irreptitij . qui seclàm i●…sinuarunt . qui per f●…audem , & pietatis si●…ula ionem , in album fidelium irrepserant , bez. so deluled were the foolish virgins , mat. . these , mat. . luk . . and many thousands at 〈◊〉 day , who hauing a forme of godlinesse , deni●… the power thereof . they doe not onely not allow'it . a●…d 〈◊〉 it , but deny and 〈◊〉 it , as more then needs , and pressed vpo●… them onely by such as are too precise . a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ●…er 〈◊〉 spitit●… s●…thing 〈◊〉 ti●… , verbum factum à sono literae ζ. eustath . vult vt nos , qui sub lege spiritus viuimus ▪ nihil remissum , 〈◊〉 ●…epidum 〈◊〉 , in nobis : sed cum feruore spiritus , & calore fidei cunct a peragamus , origen . prou. . . b taught by the lord iesus himselfe , luk . , &c. as a fundamentall rule of christianitie . aduersus parentes , aduersus liberos , aduersus naturalem cognationem , contra vniuersum orbem terrarum , contra ipsam etiam animam pugnam indicit , atque aciem esse instruendam ostendit , chrys. in cap. . mat. hom. . paul calls is , the very spirit of our seruice of god : without which all our other religion , be i●… neuer so glorious and goodly , is no more liuely , nay , is as very a carcasse , as th●… body of a man , destitute of that soule , which maketh it reasonable , and differing from all other bodies . it was ●…gured by the holacaust of the law , which signified the sacrifice of the flesh , the crucifying of the old adam , rom. . . see also coloss. . . mat. . , . hest. . . . king. . . neh . . act. . . fox in the story of marti●… luther , pag. . see the story of his life , pag. ●… . fox , pag. . hab. . . rom. . . gal. , . heb. . . gal. . . zech. . , . * humilitas in conuersatione , stabilitas in fide , verecundia in verbis , in factis iustitia , in operibus misericordia , in moribus disciplina , iniuriam facere non nosse , & factam tolerare posse , cum fratribus pacem tenere , deum toto corde diligere , amare in illo quod pater est , timere quod deus est , christo nihil omninò praeponere , quia nec nob●…s ille quicquam praeposuit , charitati eius inseparabilite●… adhaerere — quando de eius nomine , & honore certamen est , exhibere in sermone constantiam , quâ confitemur : in quaestione fiduciam , quâ congredimur : in morte patiemiam , quâ coronamur . hoc est cohaeredem christi velle esse , hoc est praeceptum de●…facere , hoc est voluntatem patris adimple●…e , cyprian . de orat . domin . math. ●… . . a si amator dei esse vis , ●…yncerissimis medullis , ca●…que●…ijs ipsum d●…lige ipsum a●…a , illi fl●…gra , illi inhia , qu●… 〈◊〉 nihil inuenis , quo melius , quo l●…tius , quo diuturnius , aug. in psal. . coelum & terra , & omnia quae in eis sunt , non cessant mihi dicere , ●…t amem dominum meum ! tom. pag. . deut. . . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 eph. . . quid v●…sper vc hat 〈◊〉 ▪ * anima quae amat , ascendit frequenter , & currit familiariter per plate as coelestis hierusalem , visi●…ando patriarchas & prophetas , saluando apostolos , admirando exerci●…us martyrum , & confessorum , &c. aug. tom. . pag. . ma●… . . * nec solùm vobis sufficiat quòd in ecclesia diuinas lectiones auditis , sed etiam ●…n domibus vestris , aut ipsi legite , aut alios legentes requi●…ite 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ▪ august . de 〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉 ●… . a ante omnes actus seculi , debemus actus habere pietatis , qui nos quiescentes , et dormientes in lectulis custodiuit . quis enim nisi deus dormientem custodit hominem ? qui ita resolutus in somnum , et oblitus sui vigoris humani , à se alienus efficitur , vt nesciat quid ipse sit , vbinam demoretur , adesse sibi certè ipse non possit . necessarius igitur deus adest dormientibus , quia dormientes sibi adesse non possunt , et à noctu●… nis insidijs genus hominum ipse custodiat ; quia id temporis ad custodiendum alter nemo peruigilat . debeo ergo illi gratiam , qui vt ego securus dormiam , ille peruigilat . ipse enim nos deusituros cubitum quodam gremio quietis suscipit ; et thesauro pacis recondito seruat ; et caliginum quadam tuitione in lucem defendit , &c. ambr. lib. s●…rm . serm. . b sed & cùm v●…spera diem claudit , ipsi debemus per psalterium laudem dicere , & gloriam eius modulatâ suauitat●… concinere . — hoe autem vt faciamus , fratres , non solùm doce●…ur ratione ; sed etiam admonemur exemplis . nonne enim videmus minutissimas aues , cùm illucescentem diem aurora producit , in quibusdam nidorum cubiculis variâ dulcedine personare , & id studiosè agere priusquam procedant , vt creatorem suum , quia loquelâ non possunt , suauitate demulceant ? et quemadmodum vnaquaeque earum , quoniam confessione nequit ▪ modulis prodat obsequium ; ita vt videatur sibi deuotiùs gratias agere , quae dulciùs personauit ; hoe etiam pacto diei cursu similiter facere ? quid ergo sibi vult ista certis temporibus disposita cantilena , et iugis intentio ; nisi gratiarum quaedam sit immoderata confessio ? pastori enim suo aui●… i●…noxia , quia sermone non potest , suauitate blanditur . habent enim et aues pastorem suum ; sicut ait dominus , respicite volatilia coeli , quoniam non nent , neque me●…unt ; et pater vester qui est in coelis pascit illa . at quibus tandem cibis pascuntur aues ? vilissi nis scilicet & terrenis . aues ergo propter viles esca●… gratias agunt ; ●…u pretiosissimis epulis pasce●…is , & ingratus es ? quis igitur non erubescat sensum hominis habens , sine psalmorum celebritate diem claudere ; cùm ipsae aues ad gratificandum psalterij suauitate persultent ; & eius gloriam , non versuum dulcedine personare , cuius laudem volucres modulatâ cantilenâ pronunciant ▪ imitare ergò , frater , minutissim as aue●… mane , & vespere creatori g●…atias referendo . et si es deuotior , imitare lusciniam , cui quum ad dicendas laudes dies sola non sufficit ; nocturna spacia peruigili cantilenâ decurrit , &c. idem ibid. aue●… cùm eunt cubitum , quasi peracto laetae munere aethera cantu mulcere consuêrunt , vt decursi vel adoriendi noct●…rni iuxta ac di●…rni temporis laudes suo referant creatori . magnum incentiuum excitandae nobis deuotionis : quis enim sensum hominis gerens , non erubescat sine psalmorum celebritate diem claudere , cùm etiam minutissimae aues solenni deuotione , & dulci carmine ortus dierum ac noctium prosequantur ? idem hexam . lib. . ca. . ad omne opus quodcunque inchoaueris facere , primùm inuoca deum , & gratias ei age , & cùm consummaueris illud , similiter fac , august . tom. ▪ p●…r . . pag. . c non ergo de labijs tantummodò tua procedat oratio : animo totus intende , intra in recessum pectoris tui , totus ingredere . non te perfunctorium videat ille , cui te placere desideras . videat quia ex corde oras , vt te ex corde orantem dignetur audire , ambr. de sacra . lib. . cap. . d cum omni tempore , quantū fleri potest , christianus vir iracundiam debeat temperate ; maximè verò quando ad orationem accedit ; ne perturbet animum suum indignatio ; ne irae quidam furor impediat orationem . magis placido accede pectore . quid enim irasceris ? seruus peccauit . tu accedis ad orationem ; vt tua tibi delicta donentur , & alij indignaris ? ambr. de sacr. l. . c. . duobus modis oratio impeditur , ne impetrare quisque possit , quod postulat : nempe si adhuc homo mala committit ; aut si peccanti in se ex toto corde non dimittit , bern. de modo benè viuen . ser. . e o homo , faciem tuam non audebas ad coelum attollere ; oculos tuos in terrā dirigebas ; & subitò accepisti gratiam christi ; omnia tibi peccata dimissa sunt . — ideò praesume , non de operatione tuâ , sed de christi gratiâ . gratiâ enim saluati estis , apostolus ait . non ergo hic arrogantia est , sed fides , ambr. de sacr. lib . cap. . in expos . orat. domin . * . tim. . . d solet nequissimu●… hostis tam fordidas nonnunquam & impias cogitationes inserere menti , vt qui tentatur , dum su●…m illud putat esse quod cogitat , dete●…orem se per spiritum immundum proposito suo arbitretur effectum : multóque purio●…em ammam habuisse se credat , cùm adh●…c res seculi amare●… . vult enim ijs , quibus ●…nuidet , callidissimus 〈◊〉 horrorem proposi●…i ex desperatione facere sanctitaris vt eos obsidente tristitiâ , etsi à proposito non re●…ocat , certè re●…ineat à profectu , august . epist. . e in illis cogitationibus , quae repugnanti , & inuito animo suggeruntur , quibus mens cum horrore quodam renititur ac res●…it , — non est peccatum sine consensu mentis , idem ibid. onero●…as cogitationes in animâ iusti ●…las accipe , quibus resistere vult , & tamen non potest , sed velit , nolit , irruit in oculos mentis muscarum aegypti pestilentia , & perstrepunt ranae in penetralibus cordis eius . cogitat homo plerunque terribilia de ●…ide , horribilia de diuinitate , & per phantas●…ata corporearum imaginum trans●…otatus , illa sentit , quae vel in confessione euomere peccator oneratus exhorret : & quantò districtiùs non exhibet membra sua , arma iniquitatis peccato , tantò strictiùs huiusmodi spiritu quatitur & pulsatur . cùm enim ille insatiabilis homicida , ab exteriori sensualitate se videt exclusum , interiori collectis viribus agg●…editur . sed spiritualis homo qui omnia iudicat , illius astutias non ignorat . rep●…imit quod potest : quod autem non potest reprimere , tolerat : quia etsi latratum canis sustinet , morsum non timet . latrat enim cùm suggerit : tunc verò mordet , cùm ad consensum pe●…trahit : sed cùm non ingerit , quod suggessit , tunc non vulnerat , sed coronat ; qui etsi ●…entientem cruciat , non obligat non consentientem , bern. lib. de consc. cap. de multip . variet . cogitat . f quando enim orans cogitat de vxore , de filijs , de mancipijs , de domo , de possessionibus , depecoribus , de militia , de lucro , de capsis , et alijs , quae sunt innumerabilia , quae super cor incautè orantis ascendunt : nonne tibi videtur haec synagoga malorum ? ch●…ysost . ●…om . in cap. . mat. plerunque negotiator veni●…ns ad orationem ; aut auarus de pecuniâ cogitat ; alter de lucro ; alter de honore ; alter de cupiditate ; et p●…tat quòd eum deus possit audire ? ambro. lib. . de sacram . cap. . cogitatio omnis secularis et carnalis absced at , nec quicquam tunc animus , quàm id solùm cog●…tet , quod precatur . — quae autem segnitia est alienati et capi ineptis cogitationibus et prophanis , cùm dominum deprecaris : quasi fit aliud , quod magis deb●…as cogitate , quàm qd cum deo loquaris . quomodo te audiri à deo postulas ; cum te ipse no●… audias ? vis esse deum memorem tui , quando tu ipse memor ●…ui non sis ? cyprian . de 〈◊〉 dominic●… . prou. . , . gen. . . g nec ex 〈◊〉 vitâ nostrâ , nec ex praesenti delectari debemus . hoc enim monet apostolus , rom. . . quem ergo fructum , & c ? reuocat à recordandis , cum delectatione praeteritis , & cum quadam concupiscentia fruendis , ne redeamus corde in aegyptum , aug. in psal. . h recordati volo transactas foeditates meas , & carnales corruptiones animae meae , non quòd ea●… amem , sed vt amem te , deu●… meus , idem confess . lib. . cap. . i alius iuri se luxuriae subdit , atque ante mentis oculos schemata turpium perpetrationum fingit : & cùm effectus non tribuitur operis , hoc crebrius agitur intentione cogitationis . alius i●…ae se domino strauit , & quid in corde , nisi ●…urgia etiam quae desunt peragit ? intra semeripsum contumelias profer●… , & recipit ; recept●… autem duriùs respondet ; & cùm qui obuiet nullus ●…ssit , magnis clamoribus ●…ixas in corde componit . — alius se tyrannidi superbiae subijcit , — honorum sublimium insulas appetit , exaltari successibus exquirit , totúmque quod esse desiderat , sibi apud semeripsum in cogitationibus depingit ; iam quasi tribunali prasidet ; iam sibi parere obsequia subiectorum videt ; iam caeteris eminet , iam alijs mala irrogat , alijs , quae irrogauerint , recompensat . iam apud semetipsum stipatus cune●… ad publicum procedit ; iam quibus obsequijs fulciatur , conspicit ; qui tamen haec cogitans solus re petit ; iam alia conculcat , alia subleuat , iam de conculcatis satisfacit odijs , iam de subleuatis recipit fauo●… 〈◊〉 ▪ greg. moral . lib. . cap. ●… . a vide quàm iusti , quàm integri esse debeamus & sancti , quibus postquam malè conuersari non licet , sed nec malè conuersantes agnoscere , august . tom. . pag. . sicut qui diabolum sequitur , sanctorum collegium affectu & opere aspernatur : ita quia deo perfectè adhaeserit , impiorum consortium nequaquam admitrit , gregor in psal. . melius est habere malorum odium , quàm consortium , bern. lib. de modo benè viuendi , serm. . b i haue a ground of this distinction , from a most learned , holy and reuerend diuine , who speakes thus : in this place , saith he , we be admonished to beware , lest at any time we ioyne our selues to those that are foolish and vngodly . not that it is altog●…ther vnlawfull to haue any dealing with them : but that we may not come too neere vnto them : for to eate and drinke with them , to dwell in the same towne by them , and such other common duties , be not vnlawfull . but to ioyne in marriage with them , to make them priuy to our counsels , or to vse them as more neere and speciall friends , this is vnlawfull , and this is here forbidden , greenham , medit. vpon vers . . of prou. . nay , the very philosopher intimates it in his s●…nce : there is ( saith he ) a twofold conuersing : . generall and common , whereunto the times , affaires , the voyages and encounters doe dayly leade , without our choyce or voluntary consents . . speciall , in affected and desired company , wherein there is conference , communication , priuity and familiarity . he entangleth himselfe with access●…riues to their sins , danger of infection , ●…ablenesse to scandall , punishment and shame . . tim. . . see . chr. . . * carnall men will be ready to reply and oppose this precisenesse with varieti●… of vaine words , that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 should be so strictly censured and condemned , that we may n●…t now and then be merry with good fellowes , as they call them : and therefore saith the apostle , let no man deceiue you , &c. luke . . a omnis mal●… ideò presequitur bonum , quia non illi consentit bonus ad malum , august . in psal. . a hinc difcim●… pericul sam esse cum impijs coniunctionem ; ideoque sugienda soedera , ●…ffinitates ▪ societates cum ●…lis , lauat . in hunc locum . a est autem tutissimum — vt ass●…escat animus solicitâ semper peruigilique custodiā discernere cogitationes suas , & ad primum animi motum vel probare , vel reprobare quod cogitat , vt vel bonas cogitationes alat , vel statim extinguat malas . aug ▪ epist. . immensae virtutis est , non sentire te esse percussum . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . ora tumentirâ , nigrescunt sanguine venae , lumina gorgoneo saeuius igne micant . a si dominus nobis , & pater deu●… est , sectemur parientiam domini pariter & patris●… quia & seruos oportet esse obsequentes , & filios non decet esse degeneres . quales verò in deo & quanta patientia , quod in contumeliam suae maiestatis & honoris instituta ab hominibus profana templa , & terrena sigmenta , & sacra sacrilega patientissimè sustinens , supe●… bonos & malos aequaliter facit diem nasci , & lumen solis oboriri , &c. et cum crebris , immo continuis ex●…cerbatur offensis deus , indignationem suam temperat , & praestitutum semel retributionis diem patienter expectat . cúmque habeat in potestate vindictam , mauult diu tenere patientiam ; sustinens , scilicet clomenter , & differens , vt si fieri potest , multum malitia protracta aliquando mutetur , & homo in errorum & s●…clerum contagione volutatus , velserò ad dominum conuertatur , cyprian . de bono patientiae . mich. . , . quotidiè moritur mortem qui assiduè pauet . deut. . . see reu. . , . a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , is deriued , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is so full of a vexing sence , that virgil is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to expresse homers 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , a word of the same originall and signification in two uerses . atque animum nunc huc celerē , nunc diuidit illuc : in partèsque rapit va●…ias , perque omnia versat . a quando mens fibi recti est conscia , gratulatur : vel infusione quadam spirituali repletur animus gaudio : cùm aiicuius vel studia , vel ope●…a a deo probantur . ambr. de cain & abel . b peruersum aliquid videtur docere sermo diuinus , flere in laetitiâ : & in moerore laetari : audi in moerore laetantem , gloriamur , inquit , in tribulationibus , rom. . . aug. in psal. . beat●… qui fic lugitis , quia ridebitis in lacrymis , idem tom. . pag. . leuit. . . psal. . , . canes igitur hîc significat homines in impietate viuentes immedicabili , ●…pemque omninò conuersionis in melius non habentes , chrysost. hom. . in . mat. reuel . . ●… . porcos verò , in luto infraenis luxutiae i●…giter commorantes , quos fanè omnes huiusmodi doctrinâ pronunciauit indignos , idem , ibid ▪ see isa. . . & ●… . pe●… . . , . a audis filio●… bla●… phem●…ntes , & patienter fers christiane , quod rex nabuch donolo●…●…lienigena non potuit sustinere , dicens , si quis dixerit blasphemiam in deum sidrach , &c. in i●…teritum erit , august . ●…om . ●… . p. ●… . iam. . . prou. . . 〈◊〉 . . . iude . a tertul. hunc locum accipit de correptione fraternâ . iudaeis hîc praeceptâ . lib. . cont . marcion . cap. . b non agit ibi de irrisoribus cum illis duriter agendum , sed de fratribus , martan c. ●… . . sam. mat. . ▪ . noli esse alien●… vitae aut temerarius iudex , aut curiosus explo●… ▪ b●…n . act. ▪ . a christ iudging th●… pharises both for lif●… and doctrine , called them hypocrites , for caution to his disciples : matth. . , , . and ▪ . and herod , fox●… for adm●…nition to others . b matth. . . luke . . * velut si aliquis saeuissimo hydrope , vel quolibet immedicabili languore constrictus , hunc quidem etiam negligat , eum verò culpet , qui exig●…um in aliquâ corporis sui parte non curet tumorem . chrysost hom . . in cap. . matth. a non generalite●… peccata omnia prohibuit iudicari , necprorsus , omnibus istius rei abstulit potestatem : sed his profectò solis , qui quum ●…lagitijs abundent innumeris , alios de leuissimis quibusque delicti●… totâ temeritate condemnant , chrysost. hom . ▪ in cap. . mat. ioh. . and . . . and . . coloss. . . ●…er . . . mal●… est mentis , mali moris , affingere mihi mores ex ●…uis . mali alios de suo aestimant ingenio . chap. . . * semper in dubijs benignio●…a praeferenda sunt , de diuer . reg. ●…uris . in re dub●…â benigniorem interpretationem sequi●… non minùs iustius est , quàm tutius , ibid. . * pessimum inimicorum genus , laudantes , tacit. in vita agricolae . pag. . some men are praised maliciously to their hurt , thereby to stirre enuy and 〈◊〉 towards them . a it is not lawful to sp●… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 we know by another , though it be true , except we 〈◊〉 a calling . b doeg played the dog against dauid , in all , or some of these respects . c we must speake the truth in l●…sse . ephes. . . . cor. . . acts . . a non desu●… ecclesiae persecutiones etiam in hoc tempore , quando tranquillitas videtur ecclesiae ▪ qui●… verum est illud , omnes qui volunt piè viuere in christo , persecutionem patientur . non pateri●… persecutionem , non vis piè viuere in christo. august . in psal. . a linguam habes , non vt alios salibus tuis mordeas , sed vt deo gratias agas , &c. chrysost. in epist. ad ephes cap. . serm. . * lam. . . bonum non existit nisi ex integrâ causâ : malum ex quolibe●… vitio . non est actio bona simpliciter , nisi omnes bonitates concurrant : quia quilibet singularis defectus causat malum : bonum autem causatur ex integrâ causâ . to doe a good worke , the concurrence of all circumstances is necessary : but the want of one onely ▪ ●… sufficient for an ill . thus the schoolemen , though a rotten generation of mongrell diuines , yet now and then let a truth fall from their pens . aqui. . q. . art. . ad . catar . hist. of the councell of trent . lib. . pag. . * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . a eleemosyna cum iniquitate acquisita , abominabilis est coram deo ; & acceptum ei , quod sideliter fuerit acquisitum . august . tom . . part . . pag. . de iustis laboribus faci●…e eleemosynas . non enim corrupturi estis iudicem christum , vt non vos audiat cum pauperibus quibus tol●…itis . nolite velle eleemosynas sacere , de foenore & vsuris . de verbis dom. ser. . sed ait mihi raptor rerum alienatum , — agapem facio , inclusis in carcere victum mitto , nudos vestio , peregrin●…s suscipio . dare te putas : tollere noli , & dedisti . cui dederis , gaudet , cui abst●…leris , plorat . quem duorum istorum exa●…diturus est deu●… dieis ei cui dederit , gratias age , quia ac . ep●… sed alius ●…bi ex aliâ parte di●…t , ego ge●…o , cui abstulisti ; & pe●…è totum tul●…sti , & exiguum i●…i dedisti . s ▪ totum , quod 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ▪ egen●…bus ▪ ed●… , nec talia opera diligit deus . lib. . hom. hom. . bonus vsus non iustificat ininstè 〈◊〉 . b matth. ●… , . a ad sempiternam salutem nullus ducendus est opitulante mendacio . august . de mendacio ad consent . cap. . b sed ca quae constat esse peccata , nullo bonae causae obtentu , nullo quasi bono fine , nullâ velut bona intentione facienda sunt . contra mendacium ad consent . cap. . * cum vbique opportunum sit ab inani gloriâ liberum habere pectus ac vacuum : tamen in oratione praecipuè . chrysost. hom . . in cap. . mat. c mat . . d ioh. . . . cor. . . . kings ●… . hos. . . c quid si volumu●… pecuniam nostram ita collocare ? nonne sumus domini rerum nostrarum ? no●… inferimus iniuriam proximo , non auferimus aliena . haec illi habent in ore . at eos oportuit intelligere : magistratus esse , prouidere , vt quisque re suâ benè vtatur . altit●…s praetereà spectandum est , deum illis dedisse pecunias , quo habeant , vn●… de familiam alant , vnde pauperibus consulant : non quas conijciant in casum , & fortunae ludibrio exponant . pet. mart. cap. . class . . loc. commu . d quid ergo fiet de pecunia ? erogandam esse dicunt in pauperes ; vt qui perdidit , afficiatur damno : & qui lucratus est , non fruatur malè partis . id faciendum est , cùm ttansfertur dominium . idem sensit . augustinus in epist. . ad macedon . mart. ibid. bishop babington quotes the same place of austin for the same speech , vpon the eight comm. e at nonnulli dicunt , se non oblectari ludo , nisi pro pecuniâ ludant . verùm eam pecuniam , rogandi sunt , in quem vsum velint insumi . fortè dicent , in conuiuium . cur non potiùs in pauperes ? ego verò dico , multò melius , & tutius esse , ne interponatur pecunia : etsi enim fieri potest vt tu cupiditate non tangeris , alter tamen cum quo iudis , fortasse tangitur . mart. loco praecitato . f ego hîc vtrunque putâ●…im includi ; ne aut membrum exanimante adhuc viuâ palpitans , aut etiam sanguis adhuc palpitans edatur , nam esum alioqui sanguinis iugulato animanti , qui iam refrixerit , hîc prohibitum non putarim , nisi ex consequenti . merc. in v. . cap. . ge●… that many people did vse raw , life-blood in this sort , as mercerus thinkes , stories and poets plentifully testifie . so that some good diuines conceiue , that there is an allusion to such a practise , genes . . . see sanest . in . acts . a sunt profectò , qui ob hoc in hanc vitam adductos se putant , vt delicijs vacent , & ventrem disrumpant , & corpus impinguent : ato ; sic hinc migrent vermibus largiorem è suâ ca●…ne me●…sam instructuri . chrysost. serm. contra luxum & crap . punctum est , quod viuimus , & puncto minus . ●…sai . . . praesen●… tempus non effundendi gaudii , sed luctus est , tribulationum , & lamentationum . tu verò leuiter vrbanis facetijs iocularis ? — diabolus dentibus stridet , ac fremit , ignem spirat aduersus salutem tuam ; & tu sedes , facetias effundens ? — ludimus dilecti ? vis discere sanctorum conuersationem ? audi paulum dicentem : per triennium , inquit , nocte & di●… non destiti cum lacrymis admon●…e vnumquemque vestrum — audi etiam quid & corinthijs dicat : ex mal●…â tribu●…atione , inquit , & anxietate cordis scripsi vobis per multas lacrymas . et iterum : quis infirmatur , & ego non infirmor ? quis offenditur , & ego non vror ? quin audi quid & alibi dicat : nam & nos , inquit , qui sumus in hoc tabernaculo , ge●…imus , & per singulos dies , vt ita dicam , ex hoc mundo migrare cupiente apostolo , tu rides , & iudis ? belli tempus est , pugnae , vigiliarum , custodiae , armaturae & aciei : — et tu quae tripudiantium sunt , vsurpas ? non vides bella gerentium facies , quomodò sint tristes , contractae , supercilijs terribiles , & horrore plenae ? vid●…n aciem oculorum austeram , cor excitatum , saliens & palpirans ? &c. chrysost. in cap. . ad eph. serm. . a si quid arrisisset prosperum , taedebat apprehendere , quia penè priùs , quàm teneretur , auolabat . august . b del●…ctatio occidit , & praeterijt , vulner●…uit , & transijt , miserum fecit , & abijt , infoelicem reddidit , & reliquit . august . serm. ▪ d●… tempore . extrema ga●…dij luctus occupat . a cùm c●…peris te aliquid temporale delectare ad peccatum — noli te credere tali delectationi ; maiores dolores habebis , quàm suauitates . august . in psal. . a plus egent , quantò plus habent , desiderijs vastantur , cupiditatibus dissipantur , timo●…ibus cruciantur , tristitiâ contabescunt . august . in psal. . * ridiculus in foro pueris videtur , occasionemque vt ab omnibus contemnatur praebet . basil. hom . in ebri●…t . & luxum . a an non & videmus saepè , quòdis quem hodiè praecedunt lictores , & stipant satellites , eras in carcerem conijcitur , & cum malèfactoribus versatur ▪ quid hac vanâ & inani gloriâ fallacius ▪ quòd si in hac vitâ praesenti vicissitudinem hanc euadit , omninò mors veniens soelicitatem resecabit . et quem hodiè in foro magna pompa comitabatur , & qui in carcerem conijciebat , & super thronum resideba●… , & inflabatur , & homines alios , quasi vmbras de●…piciebat , is subitò posteà iacebit mortuus absque spiritu , foetulentus , petitus innumeris conuitijs , & ab his , quos pridem iniuriâ affecit , & quos nullâ affecit iniuriâ : condolentibus tamen his , qui ab isto iniuriâ afflicti fuerunt . quid hoc miserabilius fuerit ? item collecta omnia saepenumerò inimici & hostes inter se partiuntur & distribuunt : peccata autem per quae haec coaceruata sunt , secum aufert , de quibus diligens , & accurata ratio exigetur . chrysost , hom. . in gen. a quid enim iucundius , quàm dei patris , & domini reconciliatio , quàm veritatis reuelatio , quàm errorū recognitio , quàm tantorum ●…etrò criminum venia ▪ quae maior voluptas quàm fastidium ipsius voluptatis , quàm seculi totius contemptus , quàm vera libertas , quā conscientia integra , quàm vita sufficiens , quàm mortis timor nullus ? quòd calcas deos nationum , quòd daemonia expellis , quòd medicinas facis , quòd reuelationes petis , quòd deo viuis ▪ hae voluptates sanctae perpetuae , &c. tertull. lib. de spectat . cap. . sospitate dominus moerentes erigit : quia electorum me●…s non de praesentis vitae insania , sed de certitudine aeternae salutis hilarescit . gregor . in cap. . ioh. cap. . — populus me ●…ib ▪ lat , at mihi plaudo , ipse domi simul ac nummos contemplor in arcâ . a nobilitas heroica est eminentis quaedam notabili●… homini proueniens — ex supernaturali gratiâ , per quam homo fit per adoptionem filius dei : fit sponsa christi : fit templum spiritus sancti . sine qu●… nob litates caeterae nihil sunt , nihil proficiunt . ●…bsunt 〈◊〉 aliquando . quia quod altum est hominibus ; ●…bominatio est apud deum . gerson . tom. . de no●…ilitate . prou. . . a surrepunt etiam fabulae freq●…entèr de seculo ac voluptatibus : claudere aures non potes : prohibere putatur superbiae : surrepunt etiam praeter voluntatem pocula . ambros . offic. lib. . cap. . b in their faces be sometimes seene the expresse tokens of this intemper ancy . hom. against gluttoni●… and drunkennesse . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . acts . . a actus moralis consideratur ●…ter . . secundùm rationem , quam sortitur ex solo obiecto absque circumstantijs . vel : . secundùm rationem , quam sortitur ex obiecto cum omnibus circumstantijs , finis , loci , temporis , & huiusmodi . primo modo contingit dari actum indifferentem , qui nec est bonus , nec malus , &c. see durand . . dist. . q. . it may not well be denied , that all actions of men indued with the vse of reason , are generally either good or euill . hooker lib. . sect. . of ecclesiast . politie . b hist. of counc . of trent . pag. . c thom . secundae q. . art. . nullus indiuidualis actus est indifferens . alber. . dist . . ar . . aegid . . dist. . q. . richar. . dist. . ar . . q. . dur. . dist. . q. . see also eustachius . tract . de act . h●…ma . q. . actiones humanae , saith he , considerantur : . vel secundùm speciem , & in actu signato . sic admittuntur quidam actus humani secundùm se , & ex naturâ suâ indifferentes . . vel secundùm indiuidu●…m , & velut in actu exercito . et sic nullae humanae actiones sun●… indifferentes . a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 thou shalt not goe vp and downe as a tale-bearer . liu. . . of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 mercari . se●… pag●…in . ezech. . . a sciendum p●…aeterea est ; quia quinque nos modis gulae vitium tentat : aliquando namque indigentiae tempora praeuenit : aliquando verò tempus non praeuenit : sed cibos lautiores quaerit : aliquando , quae sumenda sunt praeparari accuratiùs expetit : aliquando autem ▪ & qualitati ciborum , & tempori congruit ; sed in ipsa quantitate sumendi mensuram moderatae refectionis excedit : nonnunquam verò , & abiectius est quod desiderat ; & tamen ipso aestuimmensi desiderij deter●…us peccat . praeproperè , lautè , nimis ardentèr , studiosè . b quid facit in facie christianae 〈◊〉 , & ce●…ussa ? quorum alterum ruborem genarum , labiorúmque mentitur ; alte●…nm candorem oris , & colli , ignis iuuenum , fomenta libidinum , impudicae mentis indicia . quomodo flere potest pro peccatis suis , quae lacrymis cutem nudat , & s●…lcos ducit in facie ? quâ fiduciá erigit ad coelum vultus , quos conditor non agnoscit ▪ hieron . ad furiam de statu viduali . epist. . q. . tract . . fol. . c audaci conatu & sacrilego contemptu crines tuos inficis , malo presagio futurorum , capillos iam tibi flammeo auspicaris — non metuis oro quae talis es , ne cùm resurrectionis dies venerit , artifex tuus te non recognoscat , & ad sua praemia & promissa venientem , remoueat & excludat ▪ increpans vigore censoris & iudicis dica●… : opus hoc meum non est , nec imago haec nostra est ; cutem falso medicamine poluisti , crinem adultero colore mutâsti , expugnata est mendacio facies , figura corrupta est , vultus alienus est , deum videre non poteris , quando oculi tibi non sunt , quos deus fecit , sed quos diabolus infecit . cyprian . d●… discip. & habitus virginum . d vnus gulosus expendit in piscibus , vnde vigenti pauperes sati●… haberent de pane . in quo fratres suos de portione suâ defraudat . noli putare gratuitum quod impendis ; velis , nolis , debitor es . bern. e socrates is said , by sobr●…ety to haue had alwayes a strong body ; and to haue liued euer in health . nay , it is further reported of him , that by good order of diet , he escaped the plague at athens , neuer auoyding the city , not the company of the infected : whereas the greatest part of the cit●… was consumed . hauen of health chap. . galen reporteth of himselfe lib. . cap. . de sa●…it tuend . that after . yeeres of age , ( and he liued , as sipontinus writeth , . yeeres , and died onely through feeblenesse of nature ) he was neuer grieued with any sicknes●…e , except the g●…udge of a feuer of one day now his rules were chiefly . neuer to eate and drinke his fill : . neuer to eate any raw thing : . to haue alwaies some sweete sauour about him . the preseruation of health is , to rise from the table with an appetite . hypocra . epid. sect. . aph. . tenuis mensa sanitatis mater chrysost. hom. . ad pop . antioch . f pedum dolores , & capitis grauedines , & vertigines , & manuum cruciatus , & tremores , & remissiones , & arquatus , & longae febres , & aestuosae , & alia his multò plura non ex indigentiâ , par●…óque victu , sed ex crapulâ , & saturitate nasci solent , chrysost. ibid. g 〈◊〉 quidem ad gutter vsque perueni●… , & linguam : remorâ namque mensâ , vel vorato cibo , ●…imi lis est illi , qui non gustauit , imò longè peior , onera inde ferens , & c●…pitis grauididem , & somnum morti similem : frequentèr autem & in somniam ex crapulâ , & spiritus praeclusione , & eructatione . ibid. a nihilo fiunt afinis melioris animi , ta●…ium mensarum de●…cias sectantes . chrysost. hom . ●…d pop . antioch ▪ b ezech. . . c luxus f●…it portentosi ; vt qui etiam p●…nes deauratos habueri●… . 〈◊〉 . d taurus pa●…cissimorum iugerum pascuis impletur : vna sylua elephantis pluribus suffici ; homo & terra pascitur & mari . quaesi●…mae dapes non gustu , sed difficultatibus ●…stimantur , miracula auium , longinqui 〈◊〉 pisces , alieni temporis poma ▪ aestiuae ●…iues , hibernae rosae . homines itaque ventri obedientes , animalium loco numeremus , non hominum : quas●… 〈◊〉 animalium quidem , sed mortuorum . ebrietas enim quafi inferni puteus . de temp . serm. . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . rom. . . bibamus , inquiunt , pro salute imperatorum , & qui non biberit , ●…it reus in deuotione . videtur enim non amare imperatorem ; qui pro eius salute non biberit . a hono. in ebriet . & luxum . b procedente autem potatione , prodit in medium adolescens nondum ●…brius , phialam vini refrigerati humeris ferens . is submoto illorum pincerua , in medio astans , per obliquas ●…istulas aequam conuiuis distribuit ebrietatem . nouum genus hoc mensurae , vbi nullus est mensurae modus , vt per poculorum aequalita●…em , inter eos nulla sit inuidia , nec alius alium bibendo circumueniat , aut defraudet . * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , &c. de tempore , serm . and . c vt in conuinijs suis irrideant eos , qui minus bibere possunt ; & per ●…nimicam amicitiam adiurare homines non erubescunt , vt potum ampliùs accipiant , quàm oportet . d frequentèr etiam vsque ad vomitum ingurgitare se non erubescunt ; & ad mensuras sine mensurâ b●…bere . maiore pocula prouidentur . cirtâ bibendi lege contenditur . qui poterit vincere , laudem meretur ex crimine . e ad extremum , tu ●…um noli adiurare , noli cog●…re ; sed in potestate illius dimitte , vt quantum sibi placuerit , bib●…t ; & ●…i se inebriare voluerit , vel solus pereat , & non ambo pereatis . f ergo fratres charissimi , dam haec suggero , me absoluo apud deum . quicunque me audire contempserit , & ad bibendum pronus fuerit ; & pro se , & pro illis in die iudicij reus eri ▪ et quia quod peius est , aliqui etiam clerici●…qui hoc deberent prohibere , ipsi cogunt bibere aliquo●… , plus quàm expedit . amodò incipiant , & scipsos corrigere , & alios castigare , &c. g et illud ante omnia rogo , & per tremendam diem iudicij vos adiuro , vt quotiescu●…que vobis inuicem conui●…ia exhibetis , illam credam consuetudinem per quam grandi mensurae sine mensurâ , &c. h persona poten●… me coegit , vt ampliùs bibam ; & in conuiuio regi●… non potui aliud facere . i etiamfi ad hoc veniretur ; vt ibi diceretur , aut bibas ; aut morieris ; melius erat , vt caro tua sob●…ia occideretur , quàm per ebrietarem anima moreretur . k sed excusatio ista falsò obijcitur . ip●…i enim reges ▪ & quicunque sunt alij potentes , quia deo propitio , & christian●… sunt , & prudentes , & sobrij , & toto corde . deū timentes ; si te viderint definisse , vt eis , non acquiescas pro timore dei incbriari ; si tibi sub h●…ra videant●… iras●…i ; postea verò te in grandi admiratione suscipiu●… , dicentes , quantum cum illo egi●…us ? quantis cum minis , & terroribus fatiga●…imus ▪ et tamen nunquam cum à sobrietate separare potuimus . nam & deus , qui ●… videt ▪ per ●…ius amorem incbriari non velle , ipse 〈◊〉 gratiam etiam illorum dabit , qui ●… , vt amplius biberis videbantur hortari & cogere . l nullus se inebriet , nullus in conuiuio cogat alium plus bibere , quàm oportet . de rect . catho . conuersa . tom. . p. . m accusationis occasio est adiurarū per regem frequentiùs non bibisse . hieron . in comm. in cap. . ad tit●… . n aduersatur rarioni . nam regula bibendi statutur , non ratio , non necessitas naturae , non bono valetudo , non animi vigor , aut sensuum alacritas ; sed tota ventr●…s , viscerum & venarum capacitas vtres , vellagenas , vt eos vocat basilins ) rectiùs hos dixeris , aut certè tubos , vel potiùs cloacas , quàm homines ; solùm ad hoc idoneos , vt plurimum vinī , tanquam lagenae capiant ; vel per corpus , tanquam per tubum , aut cloacam transfundant & perdant . et mirum , non simili modo , institui certamina comedendi , dormiendi , &c. a iustitiae distributiue contraria sunt , superbia , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 tyrannis'inuidia , iniuriae , & quaeuis proportio arithmetica , quae personis adhibetur : vt cùm in conuiuijs illiberalioribus ad aequales haustus imbecilles perinde ac robusti vrgentur , &c. wesenbecius in pandectas iuris ciuilis lib. . tit. . num. . b vna salus sanis nullam potare solutem : non est in potâ vera salute salus . c in a booke , intituled , the life , confession , and hearty repentance of ▪ francis cartwright , gentleman . indece●…s est christiano , si radius solis cum inueniat in lecto : posset enim dicere sol , si potestatem loquendi haberet●… amplius laboraui heri , quā tu : & tamen cùm iam surrexerim , tu adhuc dormis . a s●…d dicturus est , habeo frios , quibus laborem , habeo quibus prospiciam ; habeo quibus curam maximam geram . — quam curam geris filiorum , vt eos obruas lachrymis miserorum ? non est hoc filios amare , sed potiùs neeare . august . tom. . pag. . b temporalium amor quantùm afficit , quum haeret possessio ; tantùm , quum subtrahitur , vri●… . gr●…g . * psal. . . c nihil est infoelicius foelicitate peccantium ; quâ poenalis nutritur impunitas , & mala voluntas velut hostis interior roboratur . august . epist. . * without restitution , god accepts not your confession , nor yet your repentance . hom. of the resurrection . whosoeuer maketh not restitution , being able to restore , he neither hath vnfained repentance for his sinne , nor any sound assurance of the forgiuenesse thereof . downam vpon psalm . . si res aliena propter quam pec atum est , cùm reddi possit , nō redditur , non agitur poenitentia , sed fingitun . epist. pag. . non remittitur peccatum , nisi restituatur ablatum . ibidem . effectu , or affectu . d non recipit eleemosynas de manu raptoris , aut foeneratoris , in cant. serm. . e significantèr dicitur , suum ; ne rapinis & vsuris , & alieno malo quaesitum panem vertamus in misericordiam . in ca. . ezech. pag. . f cùm iudicare coeperit deus ; dicturi sunt hi , qui de fraudibus viuunt , & de spolijs miserorum eleemosynam faciunt ; domine praecepta tua seruauimus , & in nomine tuo misericordias fecimus , pauperes pauimus , nudos operüimus quibus dicturus est deus , quod dedistis , dicitis ; quos pauistis , memoramini , quare non recordamini quos necâstis ? quos operüistis , gaudent , quos expoliastis , plangunt , &c. tom. . hom. . de remedijs peccatorum , pag. . vnus repletur panibus , quem de rapinis satiâsti : & benedicet dominus non te , sed eum , quem necâsti , ibid. a sed quaenam est multorum excusatio ? foeneratus sum , aiunt ; sed pauperi obtuli . bona verba quaeso : talia deus sacrificia non accepit . quod enim iustis laboribus collectum argentum est , propter hos iniquos foetus plerumque contaminas , &c. hom. . in mat. b paupetes non vt ferarum catuli , sanguine & caedibus nutriendi : quódque gratissimum est accipientibus , scirent dari sibi , quod ne mini est ereptum plin. panegyr . ad traianum . c hist. of the turkes in the life of selymus the first . pag. . 〈◊〉 stori●… ▪ pag. . a non mi●…emini , statres charissimi , si hodiè ter sermonē , deo auxiliante , perfecero . accidit hodiè terribilis casus , vt omnes audîstis ; propter quem non solùm ad ecclesiam hypponensem omnes antiquiores habere volui , sed etiam omnes soeminas , & infantes in vnum congregari praecepi , &c. b filium , vt scitis , habebat : & eum vnicum possidebat : & quia vnicus erat , eum superfluè diligebat , & supra deum . ideò superfluo amore in ebriatus , filium corrigere negligebat , dans etiam potestatem faciendi omnia , quae placita essent illi . o dolosa libertas ! o grandis filiorum perditio ! o paternus amor mortiferus ! ecce , filios se dicunt diligere , quos iugulari procurant . dicunt eos amare , quibus iam suspendia parant , &c. sed ecce , hodiè ebrietatem perpessus , matrempregnantem nequitèr oppressit , sororem violare voluit , patrem occidit , & duas sorores vulnerauit admortem . o magna diaboli dominatio ! &c. august , adfratres in eremo . serm. . a cor humanum in desiderio aeternitatis non fixum , nunquam stabile potest esse , sed omni volubilitate volubilius , de alio in aliud transit , quaerens requiem , vbi non est . in his autem caducis & transitorijs , in quibus eius affectus captiui tenentur , ver●…m requiem inuenire : quoniam tantae est dignitatis , vt nullum bonum , praeter summum bonum , ei sufficere possit . aug. tom. . pag. . a non satiat atimu●… , nisi incorruptibilis gaudij vera , & certa aeternitas . august . b auaritia insatiabilis ebrietas . et ficut ebrij , quanto plus vini ingurgitant , tantò magis ad sitim inflammantur : sic & isti quoque insaniam hanc indomitam nunquam sistere possunt , sed quantò magis suas opes augeri vident , tantò & concupiscentiâ magis flagrant . neque antea à pessimo appetitu hoc absistunt , donec in ipsum malitiae profund●…m descenderint . chrys. hom. . in gen. c hydropicus , quò amplius biberit , amplius sitit : & omnis auarus ex potu sitim multiplicat . quia cùm ●…a , quae appetit , adeptus fuerit , ad appetenda alia amplius , & amplius anhelat . qui enim adipiscendo plus appetit , huic sitis ex potu crescit . greg. in cap. . iob cap. . * isa. . ●… . iam. . , . acts . . a de repub. lib. . cap. . history of turkes , pag. . a metran . belg. hist. lib. . p. . b discedens ex italia farnesius , dixisse fertur , se tantum esse daturum stragem per germaniam , vt in lutheranorum cruore vel natare possit ipsius equus sleidan comment . l. . c hist of france , pag. . his verò temporibus per totum christianū orbem , & nominat im per galliam , infiniti haeretici sublati sunt . franciscus veronensis constant . p. . cap. . pag. . those which he cals heretickes , were blessed martyrs . reuel . . . reuel . . . iosh. . . isa. . ●… . verse . . bonum coniugium est terrestris paradisus : malum , terrestris infernus . a primum ergo in coniugio religio quaeritur . ambros. primo de abrah . patriarch . cap . while they ( meaning women not marrying in the lord ) please him not by marrying in him , they doe that whereby they incurre his displeasure , they make an offer of themselues into the seruice of that enemy , with whose seruants they linke themselues in so neere a bond . hookers paraphrase , lib. . sect. ●… . vpon those w●…ras of tertul. quae domino non placent , vtique dominum offendunt , vtique malo se inferunt . lib. . ad vxorem . b dummodò morata rectè veniat , dotata est satis . gen. . . ezek. . . * non am●… to●… sabidi . a hinc efficitur . speciali quadam ratione à deo per preces vxotem piam & prudentem quaerondam esse . car tw ▪ in cap. . prou. si quod bonum vitae profuturum precibus à deo , & votis petitur : maximè petenda est vxor bona . redditura & ●…es prosperas laetiores , & leuiores aduersas ; contrà verò mala & secundis insoleicet , & tristibus despondebit animum . a very papist giue this counsell ; l●…t it not then ●…e contemned as ●…oo precise . viues de offic. mariti . cap. . pag. . b see genes . . , . iob . . heb. . . a august . contra iulia. pelag. lib. . pag. . intemperans in coniugio , quid aliud nisi quidem adulter vxo●…is ▪ and at the bottome of the same page : nec vo care dubitat , ( speaking of ambrose , whom hee appr●…oues ) vxoris adulterum , intemperātem maritum : omne connubij bonum pensans non cupiditate carnis , sed fide potiùs castitatis : non morbo passionis , sed foedere coniunctionis : non voluptate libidinis , sed voluntate propaginis . b adulter est vxoris propriae , amator ardentior . hier an cap. . ezech. ex xysti pyth gorici sententiolis . nihil est soedius , quàm vxorem am●…re , quasi adulteram . idem lib. . contra iouinianum ad fin . debent quidem coniuges debitum sibi inuicem reddere , sed turpiter conuenire non debent . greg. tom. . in . sam. cap. . col. . coniuge seipsi●… vti debent non ad turpitudinem meretriciae ob●…coenitatis , sed ad temperantiam honestatis . ibid. col. . si subaudiamus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , praeceptum erit ad coniuges , vt pudicè , & quâ decet honestate matrimonium inter se colant , vt vir cum vxore temperantèr & castè habitet , nec torum maritalem indignis ●…asciuijs profanet , sciántque coniugati non quiduis sibi licere : sed v●…um tori legitimi debere esse moderatum , ne quid alienum à coniugij pudore & castimoniâ admittant . par. inv . cap. . ad heb. c dod vpon the seuenth commandement . * vxor nomen dignitatis , non voluptatis . d conc. tom. . pag. ed 〈◊〉 . though i agree to osianders censure , cent. lib. . cap. . pag. yet in the sence i cite it , it ●…itly serues my turne . a non immeritò capiti quasi consultori suo caetera membia famulantur ; & circumferunt illud setuli gestamine sicut numen ; atque in sublime locatum v●…hunt . ambr. hexam . l. . c. . a anima enim sex●… non habet . sed ideo fortasse foemineum nomen accipit , quòd eam violentior aestus carnis angit . de virg . l. . fol. . a ad ecclesiam quisque accedat , & eo●…um quae ●…bi dicuntur , & leguntu●… , vel pa●…tem aliquam d●…mi , & vi●… ab vxore , & vxor à viro exig●…t . in epist. ad eph. serm. . col . doce timorem dei , & omnia tanquam ex fonte abundè adfluent , e●…que domus tua innumeri●… bonis r●…ita . ibid. col. . b iob non tantùm pro corpore filiotum sollicitus erat , sed plus de a●…ima cogitabat . orig. lib. ●… . in iob. c diligatur proles non vt nascatur tantùm , verùm etiam vt renascatur , nasci●…ur enim ad poenam , nisi renascatur ad vitam . august de 〈◊〉 & conc●…piscentia . lib. . cap. . d veruntamen charissimi in tantā morum diuersitate , & tam detestabili corruptel●… , regite domus vestras , regite filios vestros , regite familias vestras . quomodo ad nos pertinet in ecclesia loqui vobis , sic ad vos pertinet in domibus vestris agere , vt bonam rationem redda●…is de his qui vobis sunt subd●…ti . aug. in psal. . p. . a quòd si tu nobilissima es , maritus tuus aut nobilissimus fit per te , aut tu ignobilis per illum . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ▪ ephe. . . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . eph. . . pro. . . lib. . de christianâ foem . p. . c sed horridus & incultus est . semel placuit : nunquid vir frequenter est eligendus ? comparem suum & bos requirit , & equus diligit : & si mutetur aliu●… ▪ trahere iugum nescit compar alterius , & se non totum putat : tu iugalem repudia●… tuum , & putas saepè mutandum . ambros. hexam . lib. . cap. . a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ad coram , coram , in praesentia vxoris suae . buxto●… fius . ob vxorem , i. e. ea praesente & vnà cum illa . iunius . for and before his wife : and so it seemeth to be some solemne prayer which they made together , for this matter . ainsw . b loquitur , saith par. de arbitra●…ijs , ieiunijs & orationibus , quae publico ecclesiae instituto , vel priuato coniugum arbitrio suscipiebantur , atque suscipi debent ingrue●…te calamitate , vel negotio aliquo arduo publicè aut priuatim in cumbente . c alloqui●…ur quidem petrus maritum & vxorem dum iubet concordes esse , vt simul deum vno animo precentur . calu ▪ maritus & vxor preces quotidiè vn●… debent concipere , ad impetrandum à deo omnis generis bona . d simul ad orationem nocte vobis surgendum est , & coniunctis precibus obsecrandus deus . de abraam patr●…archa , cap. . e continuò qu●… vtilia sunt doce , sint vobis preces communes . chrysest . serm. . in . ad ephes. a ecce nec laboras , nec aliquid perdis , das consilium , & praestitisti elecmosynam . august . in psal. . b non solùm qui dat esurienti cibum , sitienti potum , nudo vestitum , perig inanti hospitium , ●…ugienti latibulum , aegro , vel incluso visitationem , captiuo redemp●…ionem , debili subuectionem , caeco deductionem , trist●… consolationem , non sano medicinam , erranti viam , deliberanti consilium , & quod cuique necessarium est in digenti : verum etiam & qui dat veniam peccanti , elecmosynam dat : & qui emendat verbere in quem potestas datur , vel cō●…rcet aliquâ disciplinâ , & tamen peccatum eius , quo ab illo laesus est aut offenius , dimittit ex corde , vel orat vt ei dimittatur , non solùm in eo quod dimittit , atque orat , verumetiam in eo quod corripit , & aliquâ emendatoriâ poe●…â plectit , elecmosynam dat : quia misericordiam praestat . august . ench●…r . ad laurent . cap. . the schoolemen comprise some of them in this verse . — consule , castiga , solare , remitte , fer , o●…a . non solùm qui esurienti , & sitienti , & nudo beneficium largitatis impendit , sed & qui inimicum diligit , & qui lugenti affectum compassionis ▪ & consolationis in pa●…titur , aut in quib●…slibet necessitatibus , alijs confilium adhibet , sine dubio elecmosynam facit . isid●…r . visito , poto , cibo , redimo , tego , colligo , condo . a pasce fame morientem , si non pauisti , occidi●…i . ambros. qui indigenti etiam peccat●…ri , panem suum , non quia peccator , sed quia homo est , tribuit : nimirum , non peceatorem , sed iustum pauperem nutrit : quia in illo non culpā , sed naturā diligit . greg. lib. pastoral . admonit . . b si in cellario , vel horreo non habes quod dare possis , de the fauro cordis tui potes proferre , quod tribuas , & elecmosyna cordis multò maior quàm elecmosyna corporis . august ▪ tom. l. hom. . hom. . pag. . melius est animam semper victuram verbo vitae reficere , quā ventrem moriturae ●…arnis terreno pane satiare . gregor . c aquina●… ●… . q. . art . . durand . in . sentent . q. . &c. d in aliquo particulari casu , quaedam corporalis elecmosyna alicui spirituali praefertur , putà magis pascendus fame moriens , quàm docendus : quamuis docere simpliciter sit melius quàm pascere . a quaeso mi frater , quaeso , omnibus tibi subiectis in domo tua , à maiore vsque ad minimum , amorem & dulcedinem regni coelestis , amaritudinem , & timorem gehennae annuncies , & de eorum salute sollic●…tus , ac p●…ruigil existas : quia pro omnibus tibi subiectis , qui in domo tua sunt , rationem domino reddes ▪ annuncia , praecipe , impera , suade eis , vt caueant se à superbia , à detractione , ab ebrietate , à fornicatione , à luxuria , ab ira , à periurio , à cupiditate quae est radix omnium malorum . august . tom. . par . . de salutaribus documentis . pag. . a . cor. . . b fac aliquem non habere vel duos nummos ; est aliquid vilius , quod seminemus , vt metamus illam messem ? est. calicem aquae frigidae , qui dederit discipulo , non perdet mercedem suam . calix aquae frigidae non duobus nummis , sed gratis constat — non sine causa , addidit frigidae , ne quis vel inde causaretur , quòd lignum non habuerit , vnde caiefaceret aquam . august . in psal. . p . dominus non copiâ largitatis , sed be neuolentiâ , & deuotione largientis delectatur & pascitur : vt autem nullus pauper ab cieemosyna se excusare possit , ipse dominus pro calice aquae frigidae se mercedem esse redditurum promisit . aug. tom. . de rectitudine catholicae conuer sationis . pag. . as i heartily loue the amiable face of tru●… holinesse , so i infinitely abhorre the meere vizor and counterfeit of it . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . matth. . . a cur verò non iuxta fidem si●… pronuntiaturus aperta causa est : quoniam iustae sententiae suae in vtrosque tam oues , quàm haedos , non occulta ( cuiusmodi sunt fides , vel infidelitas ) sed conspicua testimonia allegabit vt omne os obtu●…etur . matth. . . ●…th . . . matth. . . verse . eleemosyna , ars omnium artium quaestuosissima . chrysost. ad popul . antioch . hom. . ierem. . . a de iustific . lib. ●… . cap. . art . tertium argumentum . ] b enim ] non designat causam efficientem , vel meritoriam regni , sed argumentum notorium iustae sententiae : quòd hi verè sint benedicti ab aeterno scripti haeredes regni , id est , ex electorum fidelium numero : quia operibus externis se tales probauerint . immo ipsi benedicti negabunt se operibus suis promeritos regnum , quoniam merita sua d●… christo nesci●…nt , non agnoscent . quando vidimus tc , & c ? c non valet con sequentia , cùm non est perfecta contrarietas . d mala opera , seu mali malarum arborum fructus , damnationem ex se merentur ; bona autem bonorum opera , imperfecta cùm sint , & ex mixtis principijs , carne sc. & spiritu orta : non eandem respectu salutis , quam mala respectu damnationis causam , immo nullam prorsus habere possunt , ac proinde vt signa , & testimonia , non vt causae salutis sunt spectanda . mala habent perfectam malitiam , quae est 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , & vnum peccatum ad mortem promerendum satis est . ezek. . . i am . . . bona sunt imperfectè bona , ●…ec si perfectò bona es●…ent , me●…ita vitae aeternae essent , quia omnia sunt debita . luk. . . e deut. . . . cor. . . f prou. . ●… , . g . cor . . prou. . . h . cor. . , . act. . . isa. . . . . psal. . . prou. . . . ioh. . . * this order hold●… cae●…eris paribus , as they say , when other things are alike . when they be like in pouerty : else we must relieue our enemies in extreme necessitie , before our owne parents in ordinarie want : l●…ke in pietie , else we must helpe holy men being sarther off , before these who hate to be reformed , though neerer vnto vs : like in mutuall relations and obligations one vnto another ; else wee must preserre a truely religious brother , before a more religious stranger ; a kinsman , neighbour , and benefactor , before either a kinsman , or neighbour , or a benefactor alone . h plus debemus diligere extraneos , qui nobis sunt comuncti vinculo charitatis christi ; quàm propinquos , qui deum non diligunt , nec deo seruiunt . quare ? quia sanctior est copula cordium quàm corporum . bern. lib. de modo benèviuen . serm. . vtres , vel lagenas rectiùs hos dixeris , aut certè tubas , vel potius cloacas , quàm homines . a ille qui tibi iniuriatur , magis iniuriatur deo quàm tibi , qui hoc ei prohibuit . si ergo deus differt vindicare iniuriam , & non est ei dedecus , nec erit tibi . peral . a quòd malitia tua alteri non noceat , fieri potest : quòd autem tibi non noceat , fieri non potest . b omnis malus aut ideo viuit , vt corrigatur , aut ideo viuit , vt per illum bonus exerceatur . aug. in psal. . pag. . detractores sunt spinae viam inferni obstruentes viris sanctis . ipsi etiam depascunt segetes domini , ne in paleas luxurient ▪ & pauca grana habeant . ipsi sunt limae à vasis gloriae rubiginem auferentes . a filiis dei , quasi quodam rasorio , peccatum elationis eradunt . vnde gregor . idcircò laxat dominus linguas detractorum in electos , vt si quid in eis elationis surrexerit , lingua detractoris eradat . per. omnes mali , & amatores mundi , quasi torcularia sunt . sic enim in torcularibus , & vua premitur , & oliua , vt vinum & oleum reponatur in caueâ : ita per nequitiam malorum hominum , qui boni & iusti sunt , multis tribulationibus fatigantur , vt animae eorum tanquam oleum & vinum , &c. aug. tom . . pag. — considera , quòd illi , qui te persequuntur , apud deum velut molae , ac torcularia deputantur : tu verò quasi oliua , & quasi vua legitima paruo tempore pressuram malorum hominum sustinere cogeris . ibid. hic homo inuidet mihi gratiam christi . . sam. . . heb. . , . acts . ●… . ioh. . . quid mirum si homines seruis dei detrahunt , & qui eorum vitam peruertere non possunt , famam dedecorare conantur , cùm ipsum deum , & dominum corum quotidiè blasphemare non cessant , cùm eis displicet quicquid contra ●…orū voluntatem iusto , & occulto iudicio facit ▪ aug. ep ▪ . . reg. . . . reg. . ●… . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . sam. . ●… . heb. . . * isa. . . gen. . . king. chap. . . sam. . , . greenham . go●… children couer many infirmities in others vnder one good gift : the vngodly bury many good gifts in others vnder one infirmity . matth. . , . gen. . . matth. . , &c. matth. . . luke . . ioh. . . iam. . . reuel . . . erras , si mansuras putas tibi diuitias , quae pe●… tot manus hominum transierunt . colligemus ex hac paupertate , virum illum fuisse constanten●… in verâ & sanâ religione : quia si deficere voluisset ad cultum iezabelis , & impij regis , victus & iustae facultates ei non defuissent , martyr . a ista duo occidunt animas , aut desperatio , aut peruersa spes . august . in ioan. serm. . a which gods book also requires , mat. . . . ioh. . &c. and our common prayer booke in the prayer immediately after confession . see rom. . . neque dubito , quin sicut filij dei , propter fidē in christum testimonium certum accipiunt in animis suis suae coelestis filiationis & aeternae vitae : sic eos qui occupati toti à satana , christum cognitum abnegant , p●…odunt , reijciunt ex animo , testimonium intus accipere à spiritu diaboli , de se actum esse in aetetnum , &c. zanch. de pecc ▪ in sp. sanct. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 papistic●… . iust like the pharise , luke . . haec dico , ne quis ecclesiam propter multitudinem admiretur , &c. quot esse putatis in ciuitate nostra , qui salui fiant ▪ infestum quidem est , quod dicturus sum ; dicam tamen : non possunt in tot millibus , centum inueniti qui saluentur ; quin & de his dubito . a●… populum antioch ▪ hom. . mat. . . titus ●… . , ▪ heb. . . reuel . . . iob . , . ier. ●… . . hab. . . workings of the law. workings of the gospell . ●… . cor. . . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , trans●…entatio . ierem. . . . pet. . , . phil. . , . prou. . . math. . . mar. . . luk. . . & . . psal. . . iob . , . psal. . . acts . . . cor. . . reuel . . . . cor. . . quàm certò is , qui praeditus est oculo corporeo , nouit se videre : tam certò is qui perfunditur hoc fidei lumine , nouit se credere : nam spiritus adoptionis , per quem clamat abba pater , conteflatur ipsi quod sit filius dei. rom. . , . til●n . a menti no strae fides nostra conspicua est . epist. . cap. . b fides ipsa mente vtique videtur , ibid. cap. . c eam fidem tenet certissima scientiâ , clamatque conscientia . de trinitate . lib. . cap. . d suam igitur quisque fidem apud seipsum videt : in altero autem credit esse eam , non videt , & tantò ●…irmius credit , quantò fructus eius magis nouit , quos operari solet fides per dilectionem . ibid. cap. . e sed vult dicere , quòd habens fidē , ita certus est se habere fidem , sicut certus est de quocunque alio : credens enim exper●…tur se credere , & per cōsequens habere fidē : nihil autem est certius experientiâ , ad quam fit resolutio aliorū , vt habeatur plenior certitudo , lib. . d. . q. . historie of the councill of trent . lib. . pag. . f format sibi i dola de deo , iniquitas ; fingens ferum & terribilem , qui est amabilis . bern. serm. . ca●…t . a there is in the saints certitudo eudent●…ae , & certitudo adhaerentiae . the saints in their greatest extremity , may hau●… certitudinem adhaerentia , although they hau●… not certitudinem euidentiae . iob sayes , though he slay me , yet will i trust in him , iob . . out of the depths haue i cryed vnto thee , o lord , psal. . . in this cast he must doe a●… pherecide●… the athenian did , who held the ship on the shore with his hands ; and one of them being cut off , he held with the other ; and both being cut off , hee held with his teeth : so should a true christian d●… in the time of his greatest dereliction . iohn weemse of lathoquar in scotland , preacher of christs gospel . in his christian synagogue , lib. . ca ▪ ●… . ioh. . . bell. de notis ecclesiae , cap. ▪ sect. sectarij nostri temporis . ] p. bay●… . a qui fidei suae sensum in corde habet ; hic ●…cit christum iesum in se esse . ambros . in epist. . ad corint . cap. . v. . conscientiae propriae sensus , mille testes conscientia domesticum , & verum tribunal . nazianz. orat. de plagâ grand . * est quidam modus in conscientia gloriandi , vt noueris fidem tuam esse sinceram , noueris esse spemtuam certam , noueris charitatem tuam esse sine dissimulatione . in psal. . a fidem suam quisque qui eam habet , videt in corde suo , & tenet certissimâ scientiâ , & clamante conscientiâ , dicente augustino : proinde & resipiscentiam , quae fidei verae , est indiuidua comes , atque effectus . — vtraque habetur — certitudine visionis internae , seu testimonij proprij cordis , & spiritus dei vnà testificantis spiritui nostro , quòd simus silij dei. rom. . . par. richar. palud : almay adrian . require necessarily to contrition ; summum dolorem intensiuè & gradualiter . scotus and his followers , certum intentionem soli deo cognitam . bell. & valent. summum dolorem appreciatiuè . whereby these locusts put the consciences of their blinded ones , if waking and working , vpon the racke of incuitable and implacable horrour , tormenting them , as with the torment of a scorpion , when hee striketh a man. magis enim nouit dilectionem quâ diligit , quam fratrem , quem diligit . de 〈◊〉 lib. . cap. . . pet. . ▪ a quando verò spiritus testatur , quaenam relinquitur ambiguitas ? quod si homo quispiam , vel angelus , vel etiam archangelus , autalia , certè huiusmodi quaedam potestas , aliquid promitteret , meritò quispiam dubita●…erit : supremâ verò illa essentiâ , quae & hoc ipsum largitur , quod promitti●… , atque adeò orare etiam iussit , testimonium nobis perhiben●…e , quisnam de dignitate hac deinceps dubitare poterit ? chrysost ▪ in v. . cap. . ad rom. b hoc igitur est lumen fidei , auditores , testimonium quoddam dei , quo intus in domicilio cordis dicitur nobis ; ita est : nihil haesites . in conc. de lumine fidei . sect. pelagiani quidem . ] a fidelium 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 non mititur reuelatione aliquâ quâ deus ●…rcana sui consilij nobis patesecerit , led promissionibus euangelij , & sensu interno , quo quis seipsum explorans , sentit se seriò in christum credere , & testimonio intrinseco spiritus testantis in cordibus nostris , nos esse filios dei. molin . a●…at . arminia . cap. . . cor. . . a de i●…stis . lib. . cap. . sect. quar●… ratio . ] b ibid. sect. prima ratio . ] c histor. of the councell of tr●…pag . . a sancti non operantur peccatum ; & tamen non sunt sine peccato . aug. in psal. . b vbi regnat propositum peccandi ; ibi fidueia mis●…icordiae exulat . c psal. . . d psal. . . e sit licet ille fabricius ; sit licet fabius ; sit licet scipio ; sit licet regulus ; quorum me nominibus tanquā in antiquâ romanâ curiâ loqueremur , putâsti esse terrendum . august . contra iulia. pelag. lib. . cap. . de iustif . lib. . c. ●… . sect. prima ratio . ] a or if this desire be 〈◊〉 ▪ 〈◊〉 , and disedgd , in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of temptation , desertion , spirituall dampe ; it heartily grieues , & importunately contends by prayer , and all its spirituall power , to regaine and recouer its former forwardnesse & feeling . which holy cariage , and contention of spirit in its want and absence , may be conceiued as equiualent in gods acceptation to a comfortable possession of it . reue. . . b as none can comprehend the horror of an enraged guilty conscience , but the heart that endures it : so none can conceiue the sweetenesse of the spouses kisse , but the soule that receiues it . reuel . . . psal. ●… . . a plerumque hoc negotium plus gemitibus , quàm sermonibus , agitur ; plus fle●…u , quā a●…atu . august . epist. . cogitatio tua clamor est ad dominum . idem in psal. . . cor. . . . ioh. . . a semper tibi displiceas quod es , ●… vis peruenire ad id quod nondum es . nam vbi tibi placuisti , ibi remansisti si autem dixeris , sufficit , & pe●…isti . august . t●… . . de verbis apostoli . serm. . saepè homo de ipso vanae gloriae contemptu vaniùs gloriatur . august . serm. l. . c. . isa. . . iob . . isa. . . psal. . . psal. . . rom. . . psal. . . & . . & . . foxe pag. . ier. . . colos. . . . pet. . . . cor. . . the euer-good conceit , and selfeweening opinion , man hath of himselfe , is the nurse-mother of the falsest opinions , both publike and particular . a epist. . hortatur omnes , ne temerè iudicent , néue ob paucorum delicta , vel ipsi deficiant à pietate , vel de omnibus malè suspie entur , declarans nullam fuisse tam foelicem societatem , in qua non aliquod flagitium extiterit . argument . quantumlibet vigilet disciplina domus meae , homo sum , & inter homines viuo ▪ nec mihi arrogare audeo , vt domus mea melior sit quàm ar●…a noë ; vbi tamen inter octo homines reprobus vnus inuentus est : aut melior si●… , quàm domus abrahae , vbi dictum est , eijce ancillam & filium eius : aut melior sit , quàm domus isaac , cui de duobus geminis dictum est , iacob dilexi , esau autem odio habui : aut melior sit quàm domus ipsius iacob , vbi lectum patris filius incestauit : aut melior sit quàm domus ipsius dauid , euius filius cum sorore concubuit , cuius al●…er filius contra patris tam sanctam mansuetudinem rebellauit , &c. aut melior quàm cohabitatio ipsius domini christi , in quâ vndecim boni , perfidum & furem iudam tolerauêrunt : aut melior sit postremò , quàm coelum , vnde angeli ceciderunt . cùm de aliquibus , qui sanctum nomen profitentur , aliquid criminis , vel falsitatis sonuerit , vel veri patuerit ; instant ▪ satagunt , ambiunt , vt de omnibus hoc credatur . * the poet brings in the sodomites thus speaking vnto lot : base , busie stranger , comest thou hither thus , ( controler like ) to prate ; and preach to vs ? no ( puritan ) thou shalt not here doe so , &c. the vocation , pag. . a omnes tales 〈◊〉 credant , sed non omnes posse manifestari . b non perijt fraternitas pia propter eos , qui profitentur quod non sunt . august . in psal. ●… . . pet. . . psal. . . galat. . . rom. . . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ; walke circumspectly , or precisely , eph●… . . . a prou. . . b suscipite iugum christis nolite timere quòd iugum est : festinate quòd leue est . non conterit colla , sed honestat . quid dubitatis ? quid procrastinatis ? non alligat ceruicem vinculis : sed mentem gratiâ copulat , &c. ambr. de heliâ & ieiunio , cap. . nolite onus pertimescere , suauitatis enim eximiae plenum . chrysost. in cap. . mat. mutantur gaudia . non tolluntur . c ecquandóne vidisti flammam stipulâ exortam ; claro strepitu , largo fulgore , cito incremento ; sed enim materiâ leui , caduco incendio , nullis reliquijs ? such is carnall mirth . a vides conuiuium peccatoris : interroga eius conscientiam , nonne grauiùs omnibus foetet sepulchris ? intueris laetitiam eius : & salubritatem mira●…is corporis ; filiorum atque opum abundantiam : introspice vlcera & vibices animae eius ; cordisque moestitudinem . ambr. offic . lib. . cap. . b dulciores sunt lachrymae ▪ orat●…tium , quàm gaudia the atorum . august . in ▪ psal. . iob ●… . ●… . ier. . . iob . isa. . . hosea ▪ . obad. . iob . , . iam. . , . isa. . , . & . , . . cor. . . psal. . . isa. . . . pet. . . . pet. . . a si dicam iucundi●…a ; incipit homini occurr●…re talis iucunditas , qualem solet habere in poculis , in prandijs , in auaritiâ , in honoribus seculi . extolluntur enim homines , & laetitiâ quadam insaniunt : sed non est gaudere impijs , dicit dominus . est enim iucunditas quaedam , quam nec oculus vidit , nec auris audiuit , nec in cor hominis asce●…dit august . a non debet pro magne h●…beri honor human●… quis nullius est ponderis fumus . aug de ciu●…t . dei. lib. cap. . pag. . a si post tot millia annorum , quot capillos habue . runt omnes , quicunque fuc●…unt , & erunt ▪ ●…oenas suas ●…rent , multò leuiùs eas 〈◊〉 : sed quia spem non habent , nec habebunt , desperatione deficient , & ad tormenta non sufficient . aug. de spiritu & anim●… cap. ●… . b 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . esa. . . malihomines non gaudere , sed g●…stire dicsitur propriè . non est gaudere impijs , dicit dominus aug. de ser. dom . in mont. lib. . cap. . . thes. . . ioh. . . zech. . . c qui pro nobis mortem semel vicit , semper vincit in nobis cyp. ad martyres . d qui iudex tuus f●…turus est , ipse is hodie aduocatus 〈◊〉 . aug. in psal . a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . . cor. . . rom. . . . cor. . . b laurence 〈◊〉 c ba●…nam . d adolphus clare bacc●…s . e faninus . . cor. . , &c. acts . . . cor. . . . cor. . . f o●…nia illa , quae commemotauit 〈◊〉 & 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 & abundan●… 〈◊〉 ; sed profect●… ade●… ei spiritus sanctus , qui in exterioris hominis cor●…ptione inte●…iorem renouare●… ▪ de di●… in ●…em ; & 〈◊〉 requie spirituall , in affluenti●… deliciarum dei , in spe 〈◊〉 beatitudi●…is , omnia praesent●…a de 〈◊〉 , aspera & grauia omnia . cor . ▪ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . abundo gaudio supra quam dici possit . i doe ouer abound exceedingly in ioy . francisc●… uarlute . matth. . ▪ psal. . , . deut. . . & . . mat. . . a duos filios habet homo , alterū castigat , alterum dimittit . facit vnus malè , & non corripitur : alter mox vt se mouerit , colaphis caeditur , flagellatur . vnde ille dimittitur ; & ille caeditur , nisi huic caeso haereditas seruatu●… ; ille autem dimissus exhaeredatus est ? videt cum non habere spem , & dimittit cum vt faciat quod vult . august . in psal. . b si verbera , & vincula ▪ quae omnium videntur tristissima , gaudiū pariun●… ; quid nos aliorum malorum moestos efficere poterit ? chrysost. in epist. ad philip. hom. . religionis nostrae apostoli ibant gaudentes à conspectu concilij : quoniam digni habiti sunt pro nomine iesu contumeliam pati . nullus ergo locus moeroris esse debet , vbi tanta laetitia succedit . august . de conflict . vitior . & virt . c. . tametsi flagella non gaudij sint occasiones , sed tristitiae & moeroris : nihilominùs flagella propter deum , & causa propter quam flagellebantur , gaudium ●…is pa●…iebant . chrysost. hom. . in gen. c psal. . . a non est hoc gaudium luctul illi contrarium . etenim ex illo luctu nascitur quoque hoc gaudium . qui namque sua ipsius mala luget , & confite . tur , gaudebit . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . chrysost. in epist. ad philip. hom . . semper doleat poenitens , & de dolore gaudeat . august . de verâ & falsâ poeni●… . cap. . beati , qui sic lugetis , quia ridebitis in lachrymis . scal. parad. cap. . a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i am . . . b cùm cogitatio mala , horrenda , grossa , turpis , n●…fariai ●…portunè occurrerit ; non terreatu●… , aut tristetur persona●… deuota propre●…eà nimium : neque credat , ●…se propter talem , à deo derelictum ; etiam quantum cunque talis cogitatio blasphemia videatur esse contra dei honorem , au●… contra fidera . sed maiorem fiduciam se pertinendi ad deum inde accipiat ▪ gers●… de 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , contra mala●… 〈◊〉 . quid●…m putan●… se esse desertos à deo , quia non dat eis quietem à tentationibus , quin potiùs tentatio signum diuini amoris sit . multiplicatio tentationum fig●…um est , quòd aliquis de manibus daemonum euaserit . dum aliquis est in c●…rcere , vnicum habet custodem , vel duos : si verò euaserit , omnes eum insequuntur . sic dum aliquis captus est à diabolo ; non tantum eum daemones perse●…ntur , quantum quum euaserit . illos puls●…re negligit , quos iure quieto possidere se sentit . gregor . cum ●…ore debes esse , quando tibi benè est , neque te ad hoc parare , quasi nunquam tenteris . si enim nunquam tentaris , nunquam probaris . nonne melius est tentari , & probari , quàm non tentatum reprobari ? august in psal. . c 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 : epulationis ergo praesens tempus est . nam cùm dixisset , epulemur ; non quòd pascha esset , non quòd pentecoste , idcirco ep●…landum intellexerit ; sed quòd omne tempus exultationis tempus esset christianis , propter collatorum beneficior●…m excellentiam . chrysost. in cap . ad cor. reuel . . . * hence it is , that the poets call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . the rosie-fingered morning . a tantò vnaquaeque a●…●…it pretiosior ante oculos dei ▪ quantò prae amore veritatis despectior fuerit ante oculos suos . gregor . in cap. ●… . lib. cap. . a et quoniam de hoc bello licet etiam foeminis triumphare , ●…uscipe haec arma pauli , & tanti hor●…atione ducis certam praesume victoriā . haec enim si tu omnia instrumenta po●…sideas , secure procedas ad praelium spirituale , nec pauebis diabol●…m cum toto exercitu suo . aug ▪ ep. . ad demetriadem . * rom. . . * isa. . . b out of the vnited light of the starres , exibunt soles . s●…ith casman . p. . astroi cap. . pag. . vt in nullum numerum pona mus ; aut veneris , aut mere●…ij sydera ; nec computemus stellas nouem , quas obscuras , aut quinque , quas rubeas appellant , vel nebulosas , nullo etiam numero habeamus infinitas alias , quae sexto ordine sunt minores . intereā gustus elementa per omnia quaerunt ; nunquam animo preti●…s obstantibus . reu. . . mat. . hos. . , . a christianum & in hoc ab infide libus differte oportet , vt omnia generosè ferat : & velut alatus se humanorum malorum impetu superiorem exhibeat . supra petram statutus est fidelis : proptereà & vndarum ictibus inexpugnabilis est . si enim tentationum vndae cleuatae fuerint , ad illius pedes non perueni●…nt , hic om●…i tali incursu fubl●…ior firmatus est , chrys. hom. . ad pop . antioch . mat. . . mat. . a luna ipsa , quâ propheticis oraculis species ecclesiae figuratur , cùm primùm resurgens in menstruas reparatur aetates : tenebris noctis absconditur : paulat●…mque cornua sua comple●…s , vel è regione solis absoluens , clari splendore fulgoris irru●… . amb. epist. lib. . epist. . matth. . ●… . amos . ●… . a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 expectare , quod ad heb. cap. . redditur per 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , quod patientem expectationem sonat , quâ duramus in malis . pagni●… . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 iob . . isa. . . . verse . omnia namque peccata illi perfectè remittit ▪ nec illi vnquam imputab●…t , etiamsi tot essent , quotomnes simul homines commiserunt ; si tamen ex animo doleat purè ad gloriam dei , & ideò potiss●…mùm suae illi iniquitates displiceant , quòd eas deo displicere intelligi●… . lib. de consolat . pusill . * mat. . . verse . . acts . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . a non alitèr quàm si quis febricitantem , morbo non solùm liberaret , sed & formolum efficeret , & validū & conspicuum : aut esurientem , non pasceret solùm , sed & multorum constitueret dominum ; atque in maximū eueheret principatum . chrysost. in cap. . ad ro●… ▪ b magnitudo & redundātia gratiae diuinae per peccatum abundans , fit magis conspicua . quantò enim morbus est deploratior : tantò medicinae vis , & praestantia sit euidentior . sic quantò reatus peccatorum nostrorū lege factus est grauior ; tantó gratiae , quae inde nos eripit , immensitas , est reddita illustrior . par. c tollens iniquitatem , peccatum & scelus . sic enim exprimitur magnitudo clementiae : quod non leuibus tantùm delictis det veniam , sed grauissimis quibúsque sceleribus . caluin . now the lord speaketh of forgiuing , nameth these three degrees ; to sh●…w that there is no sin so hainous , whether naturall corruption , or outword transgression , or stiffe-necked presumption ; but vpon repentance , the mercy of god is able and ready to remit it . hieron . a three-fold treatise containing the saints sure and perpetuall guide. selfe-enriching examination. soule-fatting fasting. or, meditations, concerning the word, the sacrament of the lords supper, and fasting. by the labours of that late reverend, and learned divine, master robert bolton ... bolton, robert, - . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a stc estc s this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : , : , : ) a three-fold treatise containing the saints sure and perpetuall guide. selfe-enriching examination. soule-fatting fasting. or, meditations, concerning the word, the sacrament of the lords supper, and fasting. by the labours of that late reverend, and learned divine, master robert bolton ... bolton, robert, - . [ ], ; [ ], , - ; [ ], , [ ] p. printed by e. purslow, [anne griffin, and john haviland] for raphe harford, in queenes-head-alley in pater-noster-row, at the signe of the gilt bible, london : . the words "sure and perpetuall guide. .. soule-fatting fasting." on the title page are on three lines, bracketed with the word "saints". "the saints sure and perpetuall guide", "the saints selfe-enriching examination", and "the saints soule-exalting humiliation" have separate dated title pages, pagination and register. the title page to the second has imprint ".. printed by anne griffin .."; the title page to the third has imprint ".. printed by iohn haviland ..". includes indexes. cf. folger catalogue, which gives signatures: (a)⁶ (b)-(q) (r)¹⁰ [a]¹ b-c⁴ d-y z⁴ [ a]¹ [par.]⁴ a⁴ a- l m² . nnut copies of parts and identified as stc and on umi microfilm. reproductions of the originals in cambridge university library and the union theological seminary (new york, n.y.). library. appears at reel (cambridge university library copy) and at reels and (union theological seminary (new york, n.y.) library. copy, parts and only). created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng christian life -- early works to . - tcp assigned for keying and markup - aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images - jonathan blaney sampled and proofread - jonathan blaney text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the saints svre and perpetvall gvide . or , a treatise concerning the word . which , as the israelites cloud , conducts us from aegypt to canaan ; whereunto wee must take heed , as unto a light that shineth in a darke place , till the day dawne , and the day-starre arise in our hearts . by that reverend , learned , and godly minister of christ iesus , robert bolton , bachelour of divinitie , and late preacher of gods word at broughton in northampton-shire . iohn . , . every one that doth evill , hateth the light , neither commeth to the light , lest his deeds should be reproved . but he that doth the truth , commeth to the light , that his deeds may be made manifest , that they are wrought in god. london , printed by e. purslow , for rapha harford , in queenes-head-alley in pater-noster-row , at the signe of the gilt bible . . the saints svre and perpetvall gvide . psal. . ver . . thy word is a lampe unto my feet , and a light unto my paths . of all other parts of the holy bible , this booke of the psalmes , ( penned for the most part by david , the sweet singer of israel , and a man after gods owne heart ) is stuft and fill'd with greatest plentie and varietie of precious lessons and instructions unto eternall life . the choice and flower of all things profitable and comfortable for the right course of a christian life , is therein briefely contained , and very movingly and feelingly exprest . in them we may be acquainted with the majestie and mysteries of god , with the sufferings of christ , with unfained repentance , unwearied patience , spirituall wisedome , and wonderfull courage of the godly man , and true christian . in them we may behold the terrors of wrath , and the anguishes of an afflicted conscience , the comforts of grace , and great deliverances , the wonderfull workes of providence over this world , and the promised ioyes of that world which is to come . in a word , all good necessarily to be either knowne or done , or had , is plentifully , as out of a rich treasurie , reveal'd and offer'd unto us in these heavenly songs of david . amongst which , this . psalme ( a part of which i have now read unto you ) is , as it were , a precious iewell , or cleare crystall ; wherein wee may see the right temper and state of true godlinesse , and sinceritie , the markes and properties of all true worshippers of god , the zeale and affections of all faithfull christians , the very lively anatomie and laying open of a good and gracious soule . this whole psalme doth consist of . parts or portions of staves , or octaves , even just so many as there be letters in the hebrew alphabet ; and every portion containeth in it eight verses ; and every verse of every portion , or staffe , begins with the same hebrew letter . the which speciall and extraordinarie penning and disposing of the psalme , doth declare and set out unto us these three things : the diligent intention of mind , and carefull meditation of the author , in the framing and composing of it . the preciousnesse and worth of the matter contain'd in it ; in that it pleased the spirit of god to deliver it in choice and speciall order . a desire and purpose , that it might more easily be learn'd by heart , and committed to memorie , and often and earnestly meditated and thought upon , being set downe unto us in so faire and easie order of the hebrew letters . this part , or portion , which wee have now in hand , is the foureteenth ; and doth containe in it many worthy and gracious lessons for our instruction and devotion in heavenly things , proposed unto us out of the practice and christian carriage of this holy prophet , and man of god , david , a perfect patterne of all true zeale and pietie . in the thirteenth portion , immediately going before , david had delivered specially two things . first , how by his love , reading , study , and meditation in gods word , he had attained most excellent knowledge , wisedome , and understanding ; so that thereby he was become farre more wise than his enemies ; that is , than saul and all his politike courtiers and counsellors of state. hee had more understanding than his teachers , than the great doctors , and rabbins ; for all their deepe learning being not sanctified unto them . he understood more than the grave and ancient men , for all the worldly wisedome and great experience they had gathered in many yeeres , and through length of dayes . where , by the way , take this lesson . there is no wit or policie , not all the learning in the world , or worldly wisedome , can make a man truly wise , ( that is , wise unto salvation ) but onely a powerfull and working knowledge out of the holy word of god. the reason is : because all other wisedome doth onely provide for the body , for a temporall happinesse in this life , for a few and evill dayes , and leaves the soule in a sinfull and wretched estate ; shortly , in the day of visitation , to be overtaken and fearefully confounded with strange astonishments , horrors , and despaire ; and hereafter , wofully to be tormented amongst wicked devils in the lake that burnes with fire and brimstone for evermore . but wisedome out of the word of god doth so furnish a mans soule with grace , and all holy vertues , that in despight of all creatures , hee may live comfortably in this vale of teares , and in endlesse joyes in the world to come . now ( i pray you ) tell me , whether is truly the wiser man ; hee , that for an inch of time makes much of his wretched body , that must shortly rot in the grave , and be devoured of wormes , and turned into dust ; but in the meane time lets his immortall soule , that can never die , sinke into the dungeon of everlasting woe and miserie : or hee , which by taking sound and saving counsell and direction out of the word of god , and howsoever he be hated and neglected of this vaine world , yet yeelding chearefull and constant obedience thereunto , provides unspeakable comfort , rest , and blessednesse both for body and soule , through all eternitie ? secondly , in the second part and foure last verses of the former portion , david sets downe the fruit , use , and benefit which sprung from his divine knowledge . it sweetned his heart with much comfort , and sound contentment , and cheared him with joy unspeakable , and glorious , amidst all crosses and discomforts ; it bridled and restrained him from every evill way ; it kept and preserved him in the paths of righteousnesse ; it bred in him a hatred and loathing of the wayes of error , falsehood , and hypocrisie . where , by the way , i would give you this other lesson . we must labour and be sure that we draw our knowledge in gods word into practice , action , and exercise ; otherwise , it will not onely be unprofitable and unfruitfull unto us , but indeed bring upon us a greater and more fearefull condemnation . for , for , he that knowes his masters will , and doth it not , shall be beaten with many stripes , luke . . all our knowledge is in vaine , except by the power of it our inward affections be sanctified , our words seasoned with grace , our actions and conversations guided with spirituall wisedome and unfained sinceritie . after david had thus , in the former portion , layd downe unto us , and confessed what excellent knowledge he had got out of the word of god , and the precious fruit and benefit he had reaped and enjoyed by it : now , in the first verse of this present portion , hee makes , as it were , a protestation and profe●●ion , that he is wholly and onely enlightened and led in all his wayes by this holy word of god , as by a light or lanterne : the brightnesse thereof doth not onely bring him into the wayes of righteousnesse , and blessed estate of christianitie , but doth also conduct and guide him in all the paths and particulars of his life and actions , in all the parts and passages of his speciall calling : for he saith , thy word is a lampe unto my feet ] that is , whereby i see and discerne the way to heaven , and the narrow path through the kingdome of grace ; and a light unto my paths ] that is , a guide to direct me in every particular step , at every turning , that so i may keepe a straight course , and the readie way to the kingdome of glory . that david had thus wholly yeelded and resigned up himselfe to be guided and governed by the glorious light of gods holy word , appeares in the verses following . first , in vers . . by a solemne oath and sacred resolution to keepe gods righteous judgements , and an unfained and constant purpose to performe the same ; i have sworne , and will performe it , that i will keepe thy righteous judgements . secondly , in vers . . by his patiencie and sufferance of wrongs , disgraces , and afflictions , which the wicked and prophane world heaped upon him , for his profession of holinesse and sinceritie . for , except he had loved and followed the light of divine truth , whensoever the fire of persecution and tribulation , because of the word , had beene kindled against him , hee had shrunke backe and fallen away ; i am afflicted very much , quicken me , o lord , according to thy word . thirdly , in vers . . by the offerings of his mouth , and calves of his lips ; that is , the spirituall sacrifices of prayers , thanksgiving , and gracious vowes for gods service , which with a free and fervent spirit , and earnest desire of acceptation , he continually offered unto the lord ; o lord i beseech thee , accept the free-will offerings of my mouth , and teach me thy judgements . fourthly , in vers . , . by his stedfastnesse and sticking to the law and word of god , though hee was beset and strongly incompassed with snares , with dangers , and with death it selfe : his soule was continually in his hand ; that is , hee was ready and resolved every houre rather to part with his life , than with a good conscience ; to shed his bloud , rather than to forsake the truth and commandements of god : my soule is continually in my hand , yet doe i not forget thy law : the wicked have laid a snare for me , yet i erred not from thy precepts . in the two last verses , upon the former reasons hee concludes the point ; that his heart and inward affections do dearely embrace gods blessed word , as a most rich and lasting inheritance , as his sweetest and greatest joy ; and , that hee bends all the powers of his soule , and best endevours , to be led with , and to follow the light thereof even unto the end , untill it bring him to immortalitie and light , that no man can attaine unto : thy testimonies have i taken as an heritage for ever , for they are the rejoycing of my heart : i have inclined my heart to performe thy statutes alway , even to the end . thus you see in generall the meaning of this portion . before now i descend unto particulars , and come to gather notes severally from the verses in order , let vs take notice , i beseech you , ( for our instruction and examination of our owne soules ) of sixe notable markes , and signes , by which a true christian may be discerned from a temporizer ; a sincere server of god , from a carnall gospeller . the first i gather out of the first verse : every sonne and servant of god doth with humilitie , chearefulnesse , and obedience , yeeld and submit himselfe to be wholly and onely directed and guided by the light of gods word , in all his wayes , both generally , of christianitie , and particularly , of his speciall calling ; as david here did . but the naturall man , that is not yet entred into , or acquainted with the state of grace , is led and guided in his courses onely by the light of reason , and worldly wisedome ; by good meanings , without ground and warrant out of the word ; by a blind and ignorant devotion ; by the multitude , examples , custome of the times , and such like blind guides : but if he take any advice and direction out of the word of god , it is but in part , by halfes , and for a time . a second ariseth out of the second verse : every child of god doth not onely promise , vow , and purpose to forsake and abandon all his knowne sinnes , to watch carefully and conscionably over all his wayes , to delight in and to sort himselfe with godly and gracious companie , to have a respect to all his commandements , and to keepe his righteous iudgements ; but hee doth also truly and throughly performe it : hee goes through-stitch with his spirituall affaires , and with constancie and courage walkes in a setled course of christianitie . but the unregenerate man , not yet soundly seasoned with the power of grace ; howsoever he hath sometimes good motions and purposes arise in his heart , to forsake his former evill wayes , and to fall to godlinesse ; howsoever in the time of sicknesse , of some great iudgement , or when his conscience is terrified by the ministerie of the word , when he seriously thinkes upon the day of his death , and of that great and last iudgement , or the like ; hee makes vowes with himselfe , perhaps , that hee will be a new man , and change his courses : but when he is once out of danger againe , when he comes to the point , and practice , he is not so good as his word , he doth not pay and performe his former vowes and purposes ; hee is presently choaked againe with worldly cares , and drowned in earthly pleasures : and so all his goodnesse is as a morning cloud , and as the morning deaw it goeth away . the third marke lyeth in the third verse : every child of god doth with contented patience ▪ with strong dependance upon gods providence , with rejoycing in his sufferings , beare and endure many miseries and pressures layd upon him ▪ for his profession and practice of sinceritie . he well knowes out of the word of god , and feeles by his owne experience , that all which will live godly in christ iesus , shall suffer persecution , tim. . . and therefore he makes up his account with the world , and is at a point with all that is under the sunne ; hee is perswaded , that all the afflictions of this life are not neere worthy the glory which shall be revealed , rom. . . but the carnall gospeller he thinkes it is good sleeping in a whole skin ; he lookes for a gospel of ease , for a soft and silken service of god ; for a church ( as one speakes ) all of velvet . and therefore , rather than he will suffer any losse , or worsing , any diminution or disparagement in his outward estate , in his reputation , wealth , and worldly happinesse , he will make shipwracke of a good conscience ; he will yeeld to the corruptions of the times , and with the greater part , rest and repose himselfe peaceably and pleasantly upon his bed of ease , and carnall securitie : never considering , that the crosse is the christians triumph ; that christ himselfe was crowned with thornes ; and , that wee must through many afflictions enter into the kingdome of heaven , act. . . a fourth marke may be gathered out of the fourth verse : the prayers and praysings of god , in the mouth of gods child , are frequent , free , and fervent ; but with the carnall gospeller , they are very rare , cold , and formall . the reason is ; gods child is very sensible of his corruptions , and wants , hee still longs and gaspes for more grace , with a spirituall taste he sweetly relisheth gods great mercie and goodnesse unto him ; he hath the love of god and the spirit of prayer shed into his heart by the spirit of adoption ; and therefore his heart is as full as the moone , of godly motions and meditations , which like a continuall spring sends out groanes and sighes unutterable , many zealous and faithfull prayers and thanksgivings unto his gracious god with a free and feeling affection . but the carnall gospeller , because his understanding was never enlightened , his heart never truly humbled , his affections never sanctified ; because he hath no sence of his wretched estate , nor present feeling of grace , nor sound hope and assurance of happinesse in heaven ; why , therefore he hath no great mind , or heart , or list to prayer ; hee hath no great delight , or exercise , in this holy businesse : and if he doe pray ( which is but seldome , and coldly ) it is but lip-labour , and lost labour , because it is without faith , and feeling ; for fashion , custome , or company , because he was so taught in his youth ; or that he superstitiously thinkes , the very worke wrought , and a number of prayers solemnely said over , will sanctifie him . a fifth marke may be gathered out of the sixt and seventh verses : the child of god doth not onely passe through with patience , for the profession of gods truth and sinceritie , lesse and inferiour miseries ; as losse of goods , losse of friends and reputation with the world , slanders , disgraces , and wrongs : but hee also holds his soule ( as it were ) continually in his hand , as david here sayes of himselfe ; readie ( if need be , and the times so require ) even to shed his bloud vnder the sword of persecution , or to lay downe his life in the flames , rather than to dishonour so mercifull a god , to betray his holy truth ; or , by his backsliding and falling away , to hazard that crowne of glory , which by the eye of faith he hath alreadie in sight . but the carnall gospeller , in time of peace and plentie , while he lives quietly , and at ease , without crosse or trouble , in faire and sun-shine dayes , may perhaps be a stout and peremptorie professor , but hee ever shrinkes in the wetting ; he pulls in the head in the fierie triall : ever , when trouble or persecution commeth , because of the word , by and by he is offended . the sixt marke is gathered out of the two last verses : the child of god holds his word farre more deare than any precious treasure , than the richest inheritance , than * great spoyles , than * thousands of gold and silver : it is the joy of his heart ; and therefore it inclines and inflames his affections with love and zeale to doe gods will , and fulfill all his commandements . and no marvell though the true christian find most sound and unconceivable delight in the word of god , the doctrine of heaven : for by it , he is borne anew , and made heire of heaven : by the light of it , he sees his name written in the booke of life , never to be raced out by man , or devill ; all the sweet and gracious promises of salvation and comfort revealed in it , are sure his owne : so that thence he knowes , and is perswaded undoubtedly , that after a few and evill dayes spent in this miserable life , he shall remaine and reigne eternally in the glory of god , of christ iesus , the blessed spirit , and the holy angels . but it is otherwise with the carnall gospeller ; for whatsoever shew or protestation he makes to the contrary , yet indeed in his heart , affections , and practice , hee preferres his pleasures , riches , and profit , before hearing of gods word , sanctifying his sabbaths , and obedience to his commandements . and no marvell : for because hee yet never lived the life of faith , but is a meere stranger to the mysterie of godlinesse , hee hath no true interest nor sound assurance in the joyes of another world ; and therefore feeds onely and fills himselfe with transitorie and earthly contentments . now i beseech you ( beloved in christ iesus ) let every one with singlenesse of heart and sinceritie examine his owne soule , and the spirituall state of his conscience , by these signes and marks which i have now delivered to you , out of the example and precedencie of the christian affections and holy disposition of david , a sanctified man , and a principall patterne of pietie and zeale for all faithfull ones . know you not ( saith the apostle ) that iesus christ is in you , except you be reprobates ? so undoubtedly , if iesus christ be in you , if you be of davids stampe and temper , that is , alreadie possessed of the state of grace , and marked out by the spirit of sanctification , for the glory that shall be revealed ; you doe find in some good measure these markes and signes of an holy man in your selves . that you are enlightened and guided by the word of god in all your wayes . that you have not onely good motions and purposes for a zealous and constant service of god ; but doe faithfully , with sinceritie and integritie of heart performe the same . that you suffer joyfully and patiently afflictions and disgrace in the world , for the testimonie of gods truth , and profession of sinceritie . that you freely and faithfully , with much feeling and fervencie of spirit , offer dayly prayers and prayses unto the lord. that you had rather part with the dearest and most precious things in this life , nay , life it selfe , than leave the service of god , and the testimonie of a good conscience . that you have more comfort and delight in hearing , reading , meditating , conferring of , and applying unto your owne soules the holy word of god , than in the treasures and glory of the whole earth . such markes as these you must finde in your selves , if you ever meane or hope to finde true contentment in this life , or the comforts of heaven in the life to come . now i come to a more speciall and particular consideration of every verse in order ; and thence togather such notes and doctrines , as may best instruct us in the way to heaven . first , david tells us in the first verse ; that gods word is a lanterne to his feet , and a light unto his paths : which , that you may better understand , i will tell you the meaning of the words , and explaine unto you the severall tearmes . first , the word may be taken three wayes . for the substantiall word of god , the second person in the trinitie , ioh. . . in the beginning was the word , and the word was god. it may be taken for the written and sounding word ; as it onely strikes the eare , and informes the understanding ; but it is not conveyed , neither sinkes it into the heart by the powerfull assistance and sanctified concurrence of gods spirit , it being not prayed for to the conversion and sanctification of the whole man. and so the word is heard and understood of many , that shall never be saved , but returnes unfruitfull . it may be taken for the working and effectuall word , as it is the power of god unto salvation ; as it is rightly understood , applyed unto the heart and conscience , possest of the thoughts and affections , and practised in the life and conversation . this word thus understood , inlived , managed , and powerfully applyed by the spirit of god , was a light unto davids steps ; and so is a guide unto the paths of all true christians , to the worlds end . that you may understand how the word is a light , you must consider , that christ is called light , ioh. . . the ministers are called the light of the world , mat. . . the faithfull are lights , phil. . , . the way of the righteous ( saith salomon , prov. . . ) shineth as the light , that shineth more and more vnto the perfect day . the word of god is also called a light ; as in this place . but first , christ is light of himselfe , and originally ; he is the fountaine and everlasting spring of all the light of grace and glory , both in heaven and earth ; hee is called , the sunne of righteousnesse . the sunne , you know , hath his light rooted in his owne faire body , and receives that from none other ; and with that , hee enlightens the moone , the starres , the aire , the earth , & all the world : even so the blessed sonne of god , the sunne of righteousnesse , hath in himselfe , and from himselfe , the light of all wisdome and knowledge , mercie and comfort ; and from him floweth and springeth whatsoever light of glory is revealed unto his blessed saints and angels in heaven , or whatsoever light of grace is shed into the hearts of his sonnes and servants here upon earth . the preachers of the word are ministers and messengers of this light ; and therefore are but light ministerially . they are as the starres , and so they are called , rev. . . they receive all their light from the sunne of righteousnesse , christ iesvs , and either doe or should convey and cast their borrowed beames upon the earthly , cold , and darksome hearts of the people of god , that they might turne from darkenesse to light , from the power of sathan unto god , act. . . the word is light instrumentally ; which being powerfully sanctified unto us for our salvation , and being holden out unto us by a conscionable ministerie , is as a candle or torch , to guide us through the darknesse of this world , unto our eternall rest . lastly , the faithfull are lights subjectivè ; because they receive this light into their vnderstandings , ( whereby they see the wonders of gods law , the secrets of his kingdome , and the great mysterie of godlinesse , and the way to heaven ; ) into their consciences , ( whereby they have their sinfull miserable estate by nature discovered unto them , and the way to christ for remedie and salvation ; ) into their affections , ( whereby they are enkindled with zeale for gods truth , honour , and service , ) into their actions , and conversation , whereby they shine as lights in the world , amid a naughtie and crooked generation , phil. . . and after the sunne of righteousnesse once arise in their hearts , like the sunne in the firmament , they shine more and more in all holy vertues , unto the perfect day , untill they reach the height of heaven , and the full glory of the saints of god. in the third place , [ by feet ] is meant his minde and understanding , his affections , thoughts , actions , his whole life , all his wayes . all these in david , were guided by the light of gods word . lastly , by paths , are meant every particular step , every turning and narrow passage in his speciall calling . for this light , the word of god , doth not onely guide a mans feet into the way of peace , and put him in the right way to heaven ; but also goes along with him , inlightens and directs every step , that his feet doe not slide . it so informes him with spirituall wisedome , that hee layes hold on every occasion for the glorifying of god , descries every little sinne , and appearance of evill , disposeth every circumstance in his actions , with a good conscience , and warrant out of gods word . this then is the meaning of this verse . david , the man of god , had the word of god working powerfully upon his soule , as a light : that is ; as a lampe is to the life and safetie of the body , in darke and dangerous places ; so was this light to the life and salvation of davids soule , in the darkenesse of this world , and shadow of death : to guide his feet and paths ; that is , his mind , affections , thoughts , actions , his whole life , all his wayes , and every particular step and passage thereof . this verse being thus understood , let us now come to gather some lessons and doctrines for our instruction . the first shall be this : there is no man can hit the way to heaven , or walke in the paths of righteousnesse , through the kingdome of grace in this world , unto the kingdome of glory in the world to come , except he be inlightened , informed , and instructed in the holy word of god. the second note wee gather out of this verse , shall be this : the word of god is a light , not onely to guide us into the way to heaven , and instruct us in our generall calling of christianitie ; but also to leade us along in a course of godlinesse , and to direct us particularly in our speciall calling . i will first follow the former doctrine ; which in few words , and plainely , i thus propose unto you . no man can at first finde the entrance , or after hit the way to heaven , except he be enlightened and led along by the holy word of god. for david , as here wee see , a man of great worth , and understanding , otherwise excellently and extraordinarily qualified ; could not find out , or follow any other guide , or direction to heaven , but onely the light of gods word . the reasons of this doctrine , may be these which follow . the first may be taken from the insufficiencie and inabilitie of all other meanes , to bring us to heaven : as , all the greatest learning and deepest knowledge in the world , will stand us in little stead in this businesse : otherwise it had gone well with many ancient heathens and philosophers of old , who fadomed as deepe , and reached as high in the depths and mysteries of all humane learning and knowledge , as the light of reason and strength of nature could possibly bring them : and yet they were utterly strangers to the life of grace , and without god in the world. when they professed themselves to be wise , they became fooles , saith paul , rom. . . they were puffed up with a little vaine-glorious knowledge here upon earth , and got them a name amongst men : but , alas , what was this ? when as for the want of the light of divine truth , they lost their soules in another world , and their names never came in the booke of life . where is the wise ? ( saith paul in another place ) where is the scribe ? where is the disputer of this world ? as if hee should have said : all the knowledge of the greatest doctors and learnedest rabbins in the world , without grace , vanisheth into nothing , into vaine-glory , emptinesse , and aire ; nay , casts them with greater horror , and confusion , into the pit of hell. every man ( saith ieremie ) is a beast by his owne knowledge , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 iere. . . except , besides all other knowledge , he be enlightened from above , and have that divine knowledge sanctified unto him , hee can come no neerer the happinesse of heaven , than a very beast . worldly wisedome and policie is so farre from making men wise unto salvation , that it is not onely starke foolishnesse with god and good men , but it doth strongly set it selfe and is at enmitie against god. therefore , saith god ; i will destroy the wisedome of the wise , and will cast away the understanding of the prudent , * cor. . . ahitophel was so wise even in the affaires of kingdomes , and businesse of state , that the counsell which he counselled in those dayes , was like as one had asked counsell at the oracle of god ; and yet all this great wisedome in the end ended in extreme folly : for upon a little discontent and disgrace in the world , he sadled his asse , and went home unto his citie , and put his household in order , and hanged himselfe , sam. . . & . . although the end of all worldly wisedome be not so shamefull in the eye of the world , yet undoubtedly it is most miserable and wofull in the world to come , except their wisedome be sanctified and over-ruled by the light of gods word . carnall wisedome can neither preserve a man from death , nor prepare him to die blessedly : it cannot stay his life from going , neither can it stop the curse from comming ; it cannot deliver him from damnation in the world to come , but rather encreaseth the grievousnesse of his punishment : for in this life it hath kept possession against heavenly wisedome , it made him uncapable of all good instructions , it made him impatient of any rebuke , and held him in ignorance and disobedience all his life . no good meanings or intentions , without knowledge and warrant in the word of god , will ever serve our turne for salvation ; nay , indeed they are abominable and hatefull in gods sight . howsoever , thousands deceive themselves in this point . vzzah had a good meaning , in sam. . . when hee put his hand to the arke of god , and held it ; for the oxen did shake it : but notwithstanding , the lord was very wroth with vzzah , and god smote him in the same place , and there hee died . iames and iohn had good meanings , when they called for fire from heaven to consume the samaritan , that would not entertaine christ ; but iesus rebuked them , and told them , they knew not of what spirit they were . saul , in sam. . had a good meaning , when he spared agag , and the best of the sheepe , and of the oxen , to sacrifice them unto the lord ; but notwithstanding samuel tells him , that he had done wickedly in the sight of the lord , and that the lord had rent the kingdome of israel from him that day . peter had a good meaning , when in ioh. . . he would not suffer christ to wash his feet ; but iesus answered him , and told him , if i wash thee not , thou shalt have no part with me . good meanings then are wicked missings of the true service of god , except they be guided by knowledge , warrant , and ground out of the booke of god. let no man then tell of his good meaning , if he be ignorant in the will and word of god , for certainely it will never serve the turne , it will never hold out in the day of christ iesus . no will-worship , or will-service , or voluntarie religion , as the apostle calls it , col. . . which is forged and framed out of a mans owne braine , humour , and conceit , without ground or warrant in the booke of god ; though it be performed with never so glorious a shew of zeale and paines , yet it is not any way availeable for our spirituall good , and eternall happinesse : nay indeed , it is most odious in the eyes of god , and ever lyable to a very high degree of his wrath and vengeance . baals prophets , kings . . were so hot and hastie in their will-worship , that they cut themselves with knives , and launcers , till the bloud gushed out upon them . the papists they whip themselves , they vow continencie , perpetuall povertie , and regular obedience , and yet is the profession and practice of both , bloudie and idolatrous . when the iewes worshipped god after the devised fashions of the gentiles , though their meaning was to worship nothing but god , yet the text saith , they worshipped nothing but devils , deut. . . and god there protests , that therefore a fire was kindled in his wrath , that should burne unto the bottome of hell , and set on fire the foundations of the mountaines . so hated of almightie god is all service and worship devised by the wit and will of man , without warrant in the word of god. lastly , not the word of god it selfe in the letter , without the spirituall meaning , and the finger of gods spirit to apply it powerfully to our soules and consciences , is any sufficient rule of life , or able to bring us into the light of grace . this appeares in nicodemus , who was a great doctor in the law , and the prophets , a chiefe master and teacher in israel ; yet was a very infant and ideot in the power of grace , and mysterie of godlinesse . for all his learning in the letter of the law , he had not yet made one step towards heaven ; for hee was not onely ignorant of , but had a very absurd and grosse conceit of the new birth ; which is the very first entrance into the kingdome of grace . for when christ told him , hee could not be saved , except hee were new borne , hee strangely and foolishly replyes ; how can a man be borne , which is old ? how can he enter into his mothers wombe againe , and be borne ? thus you see , there can no other meanes be named , or thought upon ; not all humane knowledge , nor worldly wisedome , nor good meanings , nor will-worship , nor the word it selfe in the letter , which can leade us into the wayes of righteousnesse , or bring us unto heaven ; but onely the light of gods holy word , holden out unto us by a profitable ministerie , and the power of the spirit . a second reason of my doctrine may be this : no man can ever see the kingdome of god , except he be borne againe , except he be a new creature , a new man , as is plaine in christs words unto nicodemus . for our new birth , or regeneration , is the necessarie passage from nature to grace ; from prophanenesse , to sinceritie : it is that whereby wee are wholly sanctified and set apart unto god , from the sinfnll corruption of our naturall birth , and the evill fruits thereof , to serve god in our whole man , both body , soule , and spirit . now you must conceive , that this new birth must necessarily spring from the immortall seed of the word of god ; for so it is called , pet. . . it is the seed of our new birth , salvation , and immortalitie . and you may as well looke for come to grow up in your fields without sowing , without casting any seed into the furrowes , as to looke for grace to grow up in your hearts , or to reape the fruit of holinesse , everlasting life ; except this immortall seed , the word of god , be first cast into the furrowes and fallow ground of your hearts , and be there received with reverence and attention , nourished with prayer and meditation , and fructifie in your lives and conversations . hence it is , that gods word is called , the word of salvation , act. . . the word of grace , act. . . the word of life , phil. . . the power of god unto salvation , rom. . . for there is no power of grace , or spirituall life , to bee had ordinarily upon earth , or salvation and eternall life to be hoped for in heaven ; except a man be enlightened with the knowledge , and enlived with the power of the holy word of god. there is no entring into the kingdome of god , except a man bee new borne , except hee bee first renewed in his spirit , soule , and body : and there is no new birth , without the * immortall seed , the word of god. and therefore , without knowledge and direction in the word of god , no salvation . the third reason of my doctrine , is this : the word of god hath only the power and propertie to search into and to sanctifie the whole man , even to the inmost thoughts and the secret cogitations of the heart . all the devices and imaginations of mans heart lye without the walke of humane justice , and censure : no word or writing of man is able to bridle them , or bring them within compasse ; no law of nature , or nations , can affright or restraine the freedome and wanderings of thoughts : onely the word of god can amaze , search , and sanctifie them . the weapons of our warfare ( saith paul ) are not carnall , but mightie through god to cast downe holds ; casting downe the imaginations , and every thing that is exalted against the knowledge of god , and bringing into captivitie every thought into the obedience of christ , cor. . , . the word of god ( saith the apostle to the hebrewes ) is lively and mightie in operation , and sharper than any two-edged sword ; and entreth through , even to the dividing asunder of the soule and the spirit , and of the joints and the marrow , and is a discerner of the thoughts and the intents of the heart , heb. . . the word of god may be said to be living or lively in three respects . because , whereas we naturally live under the shadow of death , and in the darkenesse of sinne , it quickens us with a new and spirituall life , it cheares and comforts us with heavenly light. the word may be called living , because it selfe is immortall , and lasteth forever ; as doth the living and eternall god , the author of it . but most especially , and agreeably to the place in the hebrewes , it is called lively , because it enters with great power and secret insinuation into every part and power both of soule and body : so that as our life is scattered and dispersed into every little part , and least veine in us , and we feele it both in paine and pleasure ; even so the vertue of the word of god pierceth into every member , into the most secret and hidden closet of the heart , either to breake and bruise with terror and astonishment the very bones , & crush the sinewes of the sinfull soule ; or to fill them with marrow and fatnesse , and to refresh the affections of the truly penitent with joy unspeakable , and glorious . god tells us in ieremy , that his word is like fire ; and therefore it can easily insinuate into all the creekes and corners of our corruptions ; it can fully and clearely enlighten our consciences , and discover unto us the sinfulnesse of the most lurking and secret thoughts . thus you have this first doctrine plainely proved and confirmed unto you . no man can at first finde the entrance , or after hit the way to heaven , except he be enlightened and led along by the saving knowledge of the holy word of god. no other meanes , which the power of nature , wisedome , learning , or the whole world can afford , will serve the turne in this businesse of salvation . it is the seed of our new birth ( as i told you ; ) there can be no growing of grace , or reaping of glory , without it : it hath onely power to shake , ransacke , and search into the inmost secrets of the heart : it onely can sanctifie us both inwardly and outwardly , both in soule and body , both in thoughts and actions ; without which , both inward and outward holinesse , no man shall ever see the face of god. now i come unto the vses of this doctrine . and in the first place , it may serve for confutation of the papists , those great employsoners and murtherers of infinite soules of men . is the word of god as a lampe , and a light , without which wee cannot see the first step , or set one foot aright towards heaven ? why then , sinfull and pestilent is their practice , who hide this blessed light from the people of god , in an unknowne tongue ; and by their bloudie inquisition , damme up the holy fountaines of heavenly truth , which should spring up in every mans heart unto eternall life : whose cruell and craftie religion ( for , bloud of princes , and cursed policie , are the principall supporters of poperie ) teacheth them to blindfold and hood-winke the poore laitie in forced ignorance , lest they should know gods will , or any way to heaven , but theirs ; which indeed is the right , direct , and desperate downe-fall into the pit of hell : so that millions of soules live no lesse without scriptures , than if there were none ; and wofully walke in this world , through darkenesse of sinne , shadow of death , and ignorance both of god and his word , unto endlesse and utter darkenesse in the world to come . the prophet david tells us , in psal . . that the law of the lord is perfect , and giveth wisedome unto the simple : the commandements of the lord is pure , and giveth light to the eyes . in this place hee tells us , that the word was a lampe unto his feet , and a light unto his paths . christ himselfe , iohn . . bids us , search the scriptures : even all , without exception ; so many as looke for eternall life . not lightly , and at leisure to reade them , but with diligence to dive into them ; for so the word signifies in the originall : to seeke for the right knowledge , and true sense of them , as for silver , and to search for it as for treasures . the noblemen of berea , act. . . searched the scriptures dayly , whether those things were so , that were preached unto them . saint peter , pet. . . calls the word of the prophets , a light , which shineth in a darke place , to which wee should take heed . but the pope , and his factors , teach other lessons . the catholike church ( saith one of their chiefe * champions , out of the councell of * trent ) forbids the reading of scriptures by all , without choise , or the publike reading , or singing of them in vulgar tongues . the wise will not here regard ( say the rhemists in their preface to their testament ) what some wilfull people doe mutter , that the scriptures are made for all men . and soone after , they resemble the scriptures to fire , water , candles , knives , and swords ; which are indeed needfull , &c. but would marre all , if they were at the guiding of other than wise men : and this is indeed one of their principall reasons . many abuse the scriptures by ignorance , infirmitie , or malice , to errors , heresies , schismes , and their owne destruction : therefore they are not to be read of all , without choise . i answer ; they might as well reason thus : many men abuse meat and drinke , by surfetting and excesse , to the destruction both of their soules and bodies : therefore men are to be deprived of meat and drinke . some men are infected with the pestilence , by drawing in corrupted and empoysoned aire : therefore the aire is to be taken away , and removed . but as those men which are deprived of meat and drinke , presently languish and pine away , and die a temporall death ; and those that enjoy not the benefit of the aire , are presently stifled , for want of breath : even so , all those that want the spirituall food of their soules out of the word of god , and the holy inspirations of his good spirit builded thereupon ; howsoever they be fat and flourishing in their outward estates , yet they are full leane and lanke in their soules ; and if they so continue , must needes die an eternall death , and perish everlastingly . let us then learne to detest and hate the bloudie policie of the synagogue of rome , which cruelly keepes from many thousand soules that blessed light of gods word , which should lead them to eternall life . they indeed pretend other reasons : but the truth is , if the word of truth should be permitted and published to all , there would be old running out of babylon ; all their pompe and policie would downe ; their shamefull iuglings and cousenages , their strong delusions and impostures would be laid open , in the sight of the sunne . the princes of the earth , that have so long beene drunken with the wrath of her empoysoned wine , would no longer commit fornication with her . the merchants would buy no more her wares ; but would stand afarre off from her , for feare of her torment , weeping , and wailing . no marvell then , though the papists labour might and maine , and to this end maintaine a bloudie inquisition , to suppresse this light of gods word , lest it should discover their darknesse , and hasten their destruction . a second vse , is for terror , feare , and amazement to all them that doe not live and delight in the light of gods holy word , but yet are walking in the darkenesse of ignorance , and in the shadow of death . the whole world , and every man in particular , lyes in darkenesse ; that is , in ignorance , under sinne ; and so subject and lyable to damnation and eternall death . there is no way to come out of this state of darknesse , damnation , and death , but by the knowledge , light , and ministerie of the word . hence it is , that act. . . it is pauls charge , and hee is sent to this purpose , to open the eyes of men , that they might turne from darknesse to light. and paul himselfe , eph. . . speakes thus unto the ephesians ; yee were once darkenesse , but now yee are light in the lord ; walke as children of the light. out of pet. . . it appeares , that all gods children are called out of darkenesse into marvellous light. why then , fearefull and most wretched is the state of all those , who by the light and knowledge of gods word are not translated and guided out of this darkenesse . for , as in darkenesse , there is much feare , * horror , and discomfort ; a man cannot enjoy the lightsomenesse of heaven , the comfort of the creatures , the companie of men : even so ignorant men , not enlightened with saving knowledge , are utterly without all hope of heaven ; they have no sight or taste of the endlesse joyes thereof ; they have no companie or conference in heavenly matters with true christians ; they have no comfort or interest in the covenant of grace , or promises of salvation : but feare , horror , and despaire are most justly treasured up for them against the day of wrath , and of the declaration of the just iudgement of god. he that walketh in the darkenesse ( saith iohn ) knoweth not whither he goeth : he cannot discerne his way ; he seeth not what is behind , or before him ; he cannot descry or discover the dangers which are round about him : but especially , if the wayes through which he passeth , be slipperie , steepe , and rockie , full of pits and holes , he is in danger at every step , by some grievous fall , to crush his body , bruise his bones , or breake his necke . it is just so with every one that lives in ignorance of gods word , and truth ; he cannot possibly discerne the way to heaven , amongst the many by-paths of iniquitie ; he cannot judge in spirituall matters betwixt right and wrong , good and evill ▪ light and darkenesse , christ and belial , prophanenesse and sinceritie ; though there be behind him , a life spent in much wickednesse , lewdnesse , and ignorance ; before him , despaire , hell , and eternall damnation ; about him , the world , with a thousand baites and pleasures , to intice and intangle him in sinne ; sathan , like a roaring lyon , readie every houre to seize upon his soule , and to teare it in pieces , while there is none to helpe ; all the creatures armed , and in a readinesse , with whole armies of plagues , and vengeance , to be revenged upon him , for dishonouring god , by ignorance in his word : yet hee sees none of all this . hee neither knowes , feeles , or suspects these many dangers , with which he is incompassed ; but goes on plodding , with ungrounded confidence , and wicked securitie , in the way of wickednesse and destruction : hee passeth , with much desperate boldnesse , through many dangerous and fearefull wayes ; wherein , at every step , he wounds his conscience with one sinne or other in the meane time , and at length falls headlong , and suddenly , body and soule , into the pit of hell. this is certainely the miserable and wofull state of all those that live in spirituall darkenesse , and are ignorant in gods word , and the wayes of godlinesse . it may be they may flatter , please , and perswade themselves , that their case is good enough ; that , when they heare of heaven , and those everlasting pleasures at gods right hand , they thinke notwithstanding that they shall come thither at length ; though they know never a foot of the way , take no direction by the light of gods word , nor set one step , by new obedience , towards that place of blessednesse . but indeed and truth they doe very fearefully deceive and over-shoot themselves : and their case is just , as if a man should fall asleepe upon the edge of some high and steepe rocke ; and there dreame , that he is made a king , attended with a glorious traine of nobilitie , furnished with sumptuous pallaces , and stately buildings , enriched with the revenues , soveraignetie , and pleasures of a whole kingdome : but upon the sudden , starting up , and leaping for joy , falls irrecoverably into the mercilesse and devouring sea ; and so loseth that little comfort , which he had in this miserable life . many wretched men lye and ●leepe and snort in ignorance and spirituall blindnesse ; thinking , that skill in the booke of god , and points of religion , belongs onely to those that are booke-learned ; entertaining much vaine hope of salvation , without all truth or ground : but when upon their death-bed , their consciences are awakened by the finger of gods justice , out of the slumber of sinne , they then too late find and see , that all was but a dreame ; for they suddenly fall and sinke into despaire , horror , and endlesse desolation . the state then of ignorant men , though perhaps they little thinke upon it , or take it to heart , is most fearefull in this life , and will be most horrible hereafter . in this world ; because they are unacquainted , and untaught in gods truth , points of religion , and way to heaven ; they neither know their owne miserie , the great mysterie of godlinesse , or meanes to salvation ; and therefore live as aliens from the common-wealth of israel , strangers from the covenant of promise , without hope , and without god in the world : which is a miserie of all miseries ; they are condemned alreadie : for as it is , iohn . . he that beleeveth not in him , is alreadie condemned . and saint paul saith , rom. . . how shall they beleeve in him , of whom they have not heard ; and how shall they heare , without a preacher ? so , that without knowledge in gods word , there can be no faith ; and without faith , there is no salvation . you may further see a notorious linke of many wretched mischiefes , which arise from ignorance , eph. . , , . vanitie of mind , and darkenesse of understanding are naturally in all men ; for wee are all starke blinde , and utterly dead , in respect of matters of heaven , and spirituall affaires . from thence comes , grosse ignorance of god , and all godlinesse ; and this ignorance , if it be not removed and dispelled by the light of gods word , is the root and cause of strangenesse from the life of god : hardnesse of heart ; searednesse of conscience , and want of feeling ; an itching , wantonnesse , and eagernesse to sinne ; a committing of any sinne , without remorse , occasion being offered ; an unsatisfiednesse and greedinesse in the pursuit of sinfull pleasures , and in fulfilling the lust of the flesh , the lust of the eyes , and pride of life . these are the bitter and poysoned fruits of ignorance , and want of knowledge in the word of god , and way to heaven . and what is to be expected hereafter , appeares thess . . , , . the lord iesus will shew himselfe from heaven , with his mightie angels , in flaming fire , rendring vengeance unto them that doe not know god , and which obey not the gospel of our lord iesus christ ; who shall be punished with everlasting perdition from the presence of the lord , and from the glory of his power . seeing then the comming of the lord will be so terrible and fearefull to the ignorant , so that they shall desire the mountaines to fall upon them , that they might hide themselves from the fierce wrath of the lord , and not behold his fearefull countenance ; and that they shall wish full many times , they had never beene borne ; how ought every man , which lives without the light and knowledge of gods holy word , feare and tremble ? and yet , god knoweth , hee cannot conceive the thousand part of those horrible torments which the ignorant and wicked persons endure for ever . for as the heart of man cannot comprehend those blessed and glorious joyes , which god hath prepared for those that love him ; so the woe , torments , and endlesse vexations , which shall be poured with wrath and vengeance upon the head of the wicked , infinitely passe the understanding of man : none can conceive how horrible they are , but onely he that feeles them . it very deepely then concernes you ( beloved in christ iesus ) as you tender the everlasting good and happinesse of your owne soules , to labour by all meanes to be instructed and inlightened by the holy word of god , which is holden out unto you , as a lampe and torch , to leade you through this vale of teares , and world of darkenesse , to the blessed fruition of the most glorious and everlasting kingdome of heaven . otherwise , if you will needes continue in ignorance still , marke what is your wofull state and condition : howsoever you may seeme to shine outwardly , to the eye of the world , or in your owne conceits , in pleasures , in plentie , in civill honestie , in outward mirth , and other worldly contentments ; yet , in deed and truth , your life is a life of darkenesse . the god of this world , the prince of darkenesse , hath blinded the eyes of your mindes , that your vnderstandings are not onely darkened , but you are darkenesse it selfe , eph. . . your workes are the workes of darkenesse , your way is the way of darkenesse ; you are fettered and enchained in the power of darkenesse , coloss . . . in the darkenesse of crosses and afflictions of this life , you shall be without any glimpse of true comfort and refreshing from the lord : upon your death-beds , you shall meete with nothing but darkenesse of despaire and horror : in the grave , sathan will guard you with the barres of the earth , as in a bed of hopelesse darkenesse , untill the iudgement of the great day . and that day will be unto you , a day of wrath , a day of trouble and heavinesse , a day of destruction and desolation , a day of clouds and blacknesse : as it is , zeph. . . and at the last , you are to be cast , body and soule , from the presence of god , and joyes of heaven , into utter darkenesse , there to be tormented amongst wicked devils , for ever and ever . this is certainely the state of all ignorant men , and those that will not be enlightened with saving knowledge out of his word : there is nothing to be expected of them , but darkenesse , sorrow , despaire , and horror . a third vse of this doctrine , may serve for admonition to all those , who by the light of gods word have alreadie found and are entred into the way to heaven ; that they would suffer themselves with humilitie , obedience , and constancie , to be led along in a course of sanctification , by the holy guidance and direction thereof ; that they would shine dayly more and more in all christian vertues , exercises , and duties . for it is the propertie of all those which are become new creatures , who are washed from their sinnes , sanctified , and new-borne by the immortall seed of the word , and the spirit of grace ; to long after , and earnestly desire the sincere milke of the word , that they may grow thereby in knowledge , comfort , and new obedience . a new-borne babe will be pleased and satisfied with nothing but the pap ; not gold , pearles , or any thing else will content it : even so a new-renewed soule doth ever hunger and thirst after the sacred and sincere milke of gods holy word , as saint peter calls it , that it may dayly gather strength in grace ; otherwise , as the child , so it would languish , pine away , and die . he that growes not , and goes not forward in grace , had never true grace . he that faithfully labours not to feed his soule with spirituall food , never passed the new birth . the way of the righteous ( saith salomon ) shineth as the light , that shineth more and more unto the perfect day , prov. . . for if the day-starre of saving knowledge once appeare unto a man , and the sunne of righteousnesse arise in his heart ; they never set , untill they bring him unto that glorious light above , that no man can attaine unto . he proceeds and profits in the great mysterie of godlinesse , in faith , repentance , and sinceritie ; he growes from vertue to vertue , from knowledge to knowledge , from grace to grace , untill hee become a perfect man in christ iesus . it may be , as the fairest sunne may sometimes be over-cast , and darkened with clouds , and mists ; so the holinesse of a godly man may be over-clouded and disgraced sometimes , by falls into a sinne , upon infirmitie , ignorance , heedlesnesse , or the like : but , if he be so overtaken ; after his passing through sorrow and griefe of heart for the same , and his rising againe by repentance ; hee shines farre more brightly and pleasantly both to god and man , in sinceritie and all holy graces ; he afterwards runnes a more swift and setled course in the race of sanctification . so that ordinarily all gods children shine as lights in the world , in the midst of a naughtie and crooked generation , being once inlightened with saving knowledge ; and they still waxe brighter and brighter , untill at last they come to shine as the brightnesse of the firmament , and the starres in heaven , for ever and ever . looke to it then , i beseech you : whosoever hath alreadie given his name unto christ , tasted of the good word of god , and received into his soule some glimpses of heavenly light ; let him be sure to follow hard towards the marke , for the prize of the high calling of god , in christ iesus : let him set his best desires , affections , and endeavours , to grow and proceed in all holy knowledge , in the light of gods word , and chearefull obedience unto the same . for it is a speciall note and marke of a man that is truly religious , to goe forward , and encrease in grace and understanding : hee must be like the sunne , which , rising in the east , enlargeth his glorious light and heat , untill he reach the height of heaven . but , as one well notes ; the true christian must not be like hezekiahs sunne , which went backward : if a man back-slide , waxe worse , and fall away from good beginnings , he addes weight unto the wrath of god , and doubles his damnation : hee must not be like ioshuahs sunne , that stood still . it is so farre to heaven , and the way so narrow , so rough , and full of dangers and difficulties , that he which stands at a stay , will light short : the bridegroome will be entred in , and the gate shut , before he come . hee that hath so much grace , that hee desires no more , did never truly desire any : and he that endeavours not to be better , will by little and little grow worse , and at length become starke naught . he therefore must be like davids sunne , that great and glorious gyant of the heavens , that like a bridegroome comes out of his chamber , and as a champion rejoyceth to runne his race . one grace in gods child , begets another ; and one holy action , performed with sinceritie of heart , doth inflame his affections with love and zeale , with courage and resolution , to undertake moe , and to goe through-stitch with all the affaires of god , and good causes . for he alone knowes the invaluable worth , and inestimable price of heavenly iewels ; and therefore he is ravished with their beautie , and growes unsatiable in his desires and longings after them . he is still toyling and labouring in the trade of christianitie , for more gaine of grace , encrease of comfort , and further assurance and securitie of the joyes of heaven . sith hee hath alreadie tasted and fed upon celestiall and spirituall food , he findes in that such unutterable sweetnesse , and pleasant rellish , that hee for ever after hungers and thirsts after it . if then you would be assured , that you are in the way to happinesse , be sure to be led on by the light of the word in all heavenly knowledge , spirituall wisedome , and holy obedience . a fourth and last vse of my doctrine , is for instruction to all ; whether they be naturall , or spirituall ; ignorant , or instructed in the word of god : that they make it their chiefe and principall christian care , zealously , and conscionably , and constantly to heare , attend , and understand the holy word of god ; and to be guided and conducted by the light thereof in all the passages of their life , and wayes of their conversation . and in this point , i will , first , lay downe unto you certaine motives , that may induce and stirre you thereunto . cautions , or caveats , to fore-arme and fore-warne you of lets , and temptations , that may with-draw you there-from . lastly , some needfull instructions for your right carriage therein . one motive , to stirre us up to a reverend regard and attention , in hearing the word of god , to a love and liking of the heavenly knowledge therein contained , and to a sound and sincere practice of it , in our lives and conversations , may be this : the word of god is , as it were , an epistle or letter ( as one of the fathers calls it ) written from god almightie unto us miserable men , published by his owne sonne , sealed by his spirit , witnessed by his angels , conveyed unto us by his church , the pillar and ground of truth , confirmed with the bloud of millions of martyrs , which hath alreadie brought thousands of soules to heaven , and fills every heart that understands it , and is wholly guided by it , with light and life , with grace and salvation . now let us imagine a man to have a letter sent unto him but by an earthly king , or some great prince in the world ; wherein hee should have a pardon granted him for some capitall crime , and high offence , whereby hee were lyable to a terrible kind of death ; or wherein hee should be fore-warned of some great and imminent danger hanging over his head , and readie every houre to fall upon him ; or , wherein hee should have assured and confirmed unto him , under the kings seale , some rich donation , or great lordship . now i say , if a man should receive but a letter from some high and mightie potentate upon earth , wherein any of these favours should be conveyed unto him ; how reverently would he receive it ? how thankfully would he accept of it ? how often would he reade it ? how warily would he keepe it ? how highly would he esteeme of it ? why , in this royall and sacred letter sent from the king and great commander both of heaven and earth , all these favours , and a thousand more joyes and comforts , are conveyed unto every beleever and practiser thereof . in that , we are fore-warned , lest by our ignorance , impietie , and impenitencie , wee fall into the pit of hell , and everlasting horror : in that , we have promised and performed unto us the pardon and remission of all our sinnes , whereby wee justly stand guiltie of the second death , and the endlesse torments of the damned . by the vertue of it , we are not onely comforted with grace in this world ; but shall undoubtedly be crowned with peace , glory , and immortalitie in the world to come . such a letter as this , hath the mightie and terrible god , most glorious in all power and majestie , who is even a consuming and devouring fire ; sent unto us miserable men , by nature wretched and forlorne creatures , dust and ashes : why then , with what reverence , chearefulnesse , and zeale , ought wee to receive , reade , heare , marke , learne , understand , and obey it ? a second motive , may be the precious , golden , and divine matter which is contained in the booke of god , and that true and ever-during happinesse , to which it onely can bring us . there is nothing proposed and handled in the word of god , but things of greatest weight , and highest excellency : as , the infinite majesty , power , and mercy of god ; the unspeakable love and strange sufferings of the sonne of god , for our sakes ; the mighty and miraculous working of the holy spirit upon the soules of men . there is nothing in this treasury , but orient pearles , and rich iewels ; as , promises of grace , spirituall comfort , confusion of sinne , the triumph of godlines , refreshing of wearied soules , the beautie of angels , the holinesse of saints , the state of heaven , salvation of sinners , & everlasting life . what swine are they , that neglecting these precious pearles , root only in the earth , wallow in worldly pleasures , feede upon vanities , transitorie trash , and vanishing riches , which in their greatest need will take them to their wings , like an eagle , and flie into the heavens ? besides , the word of god is only able to prepare us for true happinesse in this world , and to possesse us of it , in the world to come . it only begets in us a true , intire , and universall holinesse ; without which , none shall ever see the face of god , or the glory of heaven : for it is impossible , hereafter to live the life of glory & blessednes in heaven , if we live not here the life of grace and sincerity , in all our waies . it is called the immortall seed , because it regenerates and renewes us both in our spirits , soules , and bodies : in our spirits ; that is , in judgement , memory , & conscience : in our soules ; that is , in our will and affections : in our bodies ; that is , in every member . if the prince of this world hath not blinded the eyes of our minds , and that we be not reprobats , as concerning salvation , it only is able to inlighten our understandings , to rectifie our wills , to sanctifie our hearts , to mortifie our affections ; to set davids doore before our lips , that are offend not with our tongues ; to set iobs doore before our eyes , that they behold not vanity ; to manacle our hands & feet with the cords and bands of gods law , that they do not walke or worke wickedly : nay , and it is able to furnish and supply us with sufficiencie of spirituall strength , to continue in all these good things , and in a godly course vnto the end . and if we be once thus qualified , we are rightly fitted and prepared for the glory that is to be revealed . as before , this holy word did translate us from the darknesse of sinne , into the light of grace ; it can now much more easily , with joy and triumph , bring us , from the light of grace , to the light of immortalitie , and everlasting pleasures at gods right hand . a third motive may be this : wee must be judged by the word of god at the last day . if any man ( saith christ , ioh. . , . ) heare my words , and beleeve not , i judge him not ; for i came not to judge the world , but to save the world : he that refuseth me , and receiveth not my words , hath one that judgeth him ; the word that i have spoken , it shall judge him in the last day . whensoever wee shall come to judgement , and appeare before gods tribunall , ( and wee little know how neere it is ) two bookes shall be layd open unto us ; the one , of gods law ; another , of our owne conscience : the former , will tell us what wee should have done ; for the lord hath revealed it to the world , to be the rule of our faith , and of all our actions : the other , will tell us what wee have done ; for conscience is a register , light , and power in our vnderstanding , which treasures up all our particular actions against the day of triall ; discovers unto us the equitie , or iniquitie of them ; and determines of them , either with us , or against us . now we must not take any exception against the first ; that is , the law of god : for the law of god ( saith david , psal . . . ) is perfect , converting the soule : the testimonie of the lord is sure , and giveth wisedome unto the simple . wee cannot against the second ; that is , the booke of our conscience : for it was ever in our custodie and keeping ; no man could corrupt it ; there is nothing writ in it , but with our owne hands . now , in what a terrible fearefull case will a man be at that day , when he shall see the booke of god layd open before him ; in the light whereof hee should have led all his life , and by which he is now to be judged ; and yet know himselfe to have had no knowledge , but to have beene a meere stranger in it ? though the great things of the law were many times published and preached unto him , yet hee counted them but as a strange thing . every mans conscience is naturally corrupt , defiled , and uncomfortable ; and can endure and digest reasonable quietly the rage of disordered affections , many vile corruptions , and sinfull actions : and therefore , at the last day , when it shall be awakened , opened , examined , it will bring forth nothing , but the worme that never dyes , strange confusion , and condemnation ; except it hath beene formerly in this world enlightened , purged , and sanctified by the word of grace , and the bloud of the lambe . most accursed then , and forlorne , will be the state of every ignorant man , when he shall appeare before the iudge of all the world : when he lookes upon his conscience , he shall finde nothing but guilt , and horror : when upon the law , and upon the word of god , after which he should have lived , and by which he must now be judged ; it will be to him but as a sealed booke ; hee will see nothing but his owne ignorance , blindnesse , and strangenesse in it : and therefore , all the plagues and curses denounced in it against ignorant , wicked , and unrepentant sinners , shall be his portion , in the lake that burnes with fire and brimstone for evermore . this ought then to stirre up every man , with all care and conscience , to store himselfe , while he hath time , with saving knowledge and holy obedience unto that word , which must be his iudge in the last day : nay , and let him take heed unto his feet , and looke unto his behaviour , when hee enters into the house of god : for in that day he must answer and be countable for every sermon that he hath heard , and for every lesson he hath beene taught out of the booke of god : if they have not enlightened his understanding , they have hardened his heart ; if they doe not now reforme him , they will hereafter confound him ; if he doe not profit by them , he shall be sure to be plagued for the neglect of them : for gods word is unto every man that heares it , either the savour of life unto life , or the savour of death unto death : it is a two-edged sword ; it either kills the sinne , or the soule , it must and shall prosper in the worke for which it is sent . god will rayse glory , hee will winne honour unto himselfe , from every man. if hee cannot be glorified , by his conversion , and salvation ; hee will glorifie his owne name , in his deserved overthrow , and just confusion . a fourth motive may be ; that horrible and fearefull punishment and destruction , which at length will certainely befall all negligent and contemptuous hearers , and those that practise not the power thereof in their lives and conversations . whosoever ( saith our blessed saviour ) shall not receive you , or heare your words ; when yee depart out of that house , or that citie , shake off the dust of your feet : truly i say unto you , it shall be easier for them of the land of sodome and gomorrah , in the day of iudgement , than for that citie . the infamous abominations , the damnable and crying sinnes of the sodomites are knowne unto all : who hath not heard of those flouds of fire and brimstone , which swept them away , as the hatefullest creatures that ever lived upon the earth ? how rufull then , and how lamentable will be their condition , who are lyable and subject to more horrible plagues than these ? wee should therefore consider , that the negligent , irreverent , and unprofitable hearing of the word of god , is a sinne of a farre greater weight , and more fearefull consequence , than we ordinarily imagine . when wee heare the ministers , and embassadours of god , delivering his mind , and revealing his will unto us , out of such places as these , we are to conceive , that in a neerer and more speciall manner , wee stand in the presence of the great god of heaven and earth , who is clothed with infinite terrour , power , and majestie ; and thereafter , we ought to proportion our behaviour and carriage , with reverence , humility , and obedience to so great a presence . earthly princes will not endure contempt and disgrace at their subjects hands : they cannot abide to have their majestie and authority lightly set by , their lawes and commands to bee neglected and troden under foot : why then should the lord of glory , of justice and power , beare such indignities at the hands of sinfull men , which are his most abject vassals , and contemptible creatures ? certaine it is , if wee weight aright the greatnesse of that god , before whom wee stand , and our owne vilenesse , wee should hold it most just , if he should presently in the place where we stand , punish and plague our sleepinesse , talking , wandring thoughts , and irreverent carriage at hearing his word , with some sudden and markable vengeance , to be a spectacle & example unto others , for neglecting so great salvation . it is gods great mercy that such plagues and judgements are respited , suspended , and deferred ; for even all the curses in the booke of god doe naturally , deservedly , and in the course of gods justice , belong unto the negligent hearer , and disobedient unto the word of god. all these curses ( saith moses deut. . . ) shall come upon thee and pursue thee , and overtake thee , till thou be destroyed , because thou obeyest not the voice of the lord thy god. i come now in the second place to the temptations and lets whereby a man may bee hindered from hearing the word of god , profiting by it , and a conscionable practising of the same . the highest in impiety , and most horrible , is a spice of atheisme , which satan suggests into worldly men , whereby they wickedly , and very blasphemously thinke , that the sacred word of god , is but a politike invention and devise to keepe men in awe and order , in cities and societies , and to preserve them from wildnesse and outrages . but i would gladly know whose worke and invention it is , if it be not gods almighty ? it is not mans : for it directly and strongly opposeth against the streame of his sensuall delights , and earthly pleasures : it curbs his most desired contentments , and crosseth the naturall bent of his affections . it is not satans : for he in all ages hath fiercely and furiously set himselfe against it ; and it is the engine that batters and beats downe his kingdome of darknesse . it is not any angels , or other creatures : for the * majestie , excellencie , miraculous efficacie , and wonderfull power of gods word , is farre above the reach and capacity of any creature ; transcendent to all created understandings , and finite comprehension . besides , the famous miracles , the many visions , the true fore-telling of things to come ▪ the inward , lively and effectuall workings upon the soules of the elect , and many other singular and sacred markes & characters of divinity stamped upon it , doth plainly shew , that it is the alone holy invention of gods divine , pure and infinite understanding , and revealed to the world for the inlarging of gods glory , and the salvation of many a thousand soules ; for the confusion of the kingdome of satan , and just condemnation of the children of hell . take heed then in the name of god , that you give not entrance or entertainment to any such fearefull blasphemous temptation , whereby the love and zeale to gods word may be cooled , or you grow lesse carefull in purchasing and practising the knowledge and power of it . this let layes hold onely upon men of a reprobate sense , and those that are already marked out for certaine damnation . a second let and hinderance from hearing the word of god , is recusancie , the cozenage and imposture of popery . for such is the wickednesse and cruelty of that superstition and mystery of iniquity , that it labours might and maine to keepe all the world close prisoners in the dungeon of darknesse and ignorance , and for ever to deprive them of the light of the gospell . the prophane professors of this bloudy religion , hold ignorance to be the mother of devotion , and a very dangerous thing for simple people to pry into the booke of god. and so they doe more safely and securely feed their followers with their owne damnable principles of treason , rebellion , disloyalty and disobedience to lawfull kings . so they lead ignorant people which way , and as farre as they will in the kingdome of darknesse , even to beleeve that blowing up of whole states , and killing of kings , are very glorious acts , and merit the brightest crowne of immortality , and the highest seat in heaven . i hope in the lord there is none of you , but with all his heart hates and detests this bloudy , murtherous , and idolatrous generation ; and will by no meanes suffer his right eye of knowledge in gods word to be put out by these cursed ammonites . adde here another let , which is separatisme , see ta. pag. . a third let and hinderance , is the height of hardnesse of heart , and most damned desperatenesse in sinning , when men are become so greedy of fulfilling their sinfull pleasures , that they drinke up sensuall delights like water , draw on iniquity like cords of vanitie , and sinne as with cart-ropes : for then they beginne to say with themselves , even to god himselfe , with them in ●ob . , . depart from us , for we desire not the knowledge of thy wayes . who is the almighty , that we should serve him ? and what profit should we have if we should pray unto him ? and with those to whom isaiah in his fifth chapter denounceth a fearefull woe ; let him make speed , let him hasten his worke , that we may see it , and let the counsell of the holy one of israel draw neare and come , that wee may know it . men that are possessed with such a rebellious and scornfull spirit as this , neither much care for god or his wor● threats or promises , judgements or mercies , heaven or hell . no marvell then though they set light by gods ministers , and seeke not for instruction in holy knowledge , and heavenly wisdome . that wee may be preserved from this horrible and desperate case , and so fearefully hardning our hearts against the word of life and salvation , we must be very carefull and watchfull , that wee give not way , passage , and entertainment to wicked thoughts , and the first sinfull motions : for in this manner , a man proceedes to the height of sinne , and a reprobate sense . there first ariseth in his heart an idle and wandering thought of some unlawfull thing ; as of lust , covetousnesse , pride , malice , prophaning the sabbath , cozening , and circumventing his brother ; and such like . secondly , it begins to allure , entice , and conferre with the will. thirdly , the will doth , as it were , take it by the hand , and is tickled , pleased , and delighted with it . then followes consent : consent sets the affections on foot , and plots the accomplishment and practice of it ; and sinne practised with pleasure , brings custome . custome sharpens a mans wit , and makes him looke about , how to excuse it : from excusing sinne , hee growes to defend it : defence of sinne , makes him obstinate , and resolved to continue in it : obstinatenesse begets boasting , and glorying in it . and if a man once become impudent , and take a pride in sinning , there presently follows a brazen brow , and whorish fore-head , an yron sinew in the necke , a heart as hard as the nether milstone , a seared conscience , and a reprobate sense . these are the steps , by which a man riseth into the seat of the scornefull : and upon the top of these stayres , sinne sits in the greatest triumph and soveraigntie ; and banisheth out of a mans heart , all feare of god , love to his ministers , and zeale unto his word . a fourth let and hinderance from hearing gods word , and yeelding entire obedience unto it , is a very pestilent and politike conceit , which possesseth the hearts of very many ; whereby they are perswaded , that lawes divine are but like humane or mens constitutions : as these execute none , but chiefe malefactors ; so these decrees of god will at last condemne none , but infamous and notorious sinners . and therefore , if they be but pettie offendors , or onely maintaine but one sweet sinne in themselves ; if they be not of the worst sort , though they be not so forward hearers of sermons , so scripture-wise , or hold such a strict course of holinesse in their conversation : yet they thinke with themselves , their case is good enough , and that it will goe well enough with them at last . hence it is , that they are cold , and carelesse , in esteeming of hearing , and conforming themselves to the ministerie of the word . but let no man deceive himselfe : the destruction of the negligent hearer of the word of god , and the disobedient to the gospel of christ iesus , shall be as the destruction of * sodome , and farre more grievous . he that lyes and delights in any one knowne sinne , of which his conscience is convicted , is in a fearefull case . without faith , it is impossible to please god : and , without holinesse , no man shall see the face of the lord. and none hath either faith , or holinesse , without saving knowledge out of gods booke . without the new-birth , and continuance in grace unto the end , no man shall be saved : and , sincere obedience to a constant and conscionable ministerie of the word , is a meanes both to beget , nourish , and continue saving grace . and , let mens conceits be what they will ; as sure it is , as god is in heaven , not one jot or tittle of all the plagues and curses registred in gods law , but shall be severely executed upon all ignorant and unrepentant sinners , and poured upon the hairie scalpe of all such as goe on still in their wickednesse . a fifth let and hinderance of hearing the word of god , is an excessive and immoderate delight , and an eager and earnest pursuit of the sinfull pleasures of a mans sweet sinne . * by a mans sweet sinne , i meane that , which his corrupt nature hath singled out , and made speciall choise of , to follow and feed upon , with greatest delight and sensuall sweetnesse ; which , by custome and continuance , hath taken deepest root and surest hold in his heart : upon which , all his affections and desires are carried with sharpest edge , heat , and headlongnesse ; and to which , hee makes all occasions and circumstances , friends and acquaintance , religion and conscience , all the powers both of soule and body , and outward estate , serviceable and contributorie , as to that which chiefely rules and reignes in him . this sweet sinne , in some , is worldlinesse , earthly-mindednesse , and covetousnesse : in others , it is voluptuousnesse , lust , and vncleannesse ; pride , pleasures , drunkennesse , or such like . now certaine it is , carnall , prophane , and unregenerate men , doe many times preferre the pleasures of their sweet and most delightfull sinne , before the comforts of gods house , the congregation of the saints , and the preciousnesse of the word preached . and therefore , howsoever they may ordinarily come to sermons , ( though it be rather for fashion , and of custome , than with heartie and true devotion ) yet if some speciall gaine and profit be to be layd hold upon at that time ; if some extraordinarie pleasure , feasting , pastime , and companie be then to be enjoyed ; they make no conscience to turne their backes upon the house of god , and the ministerie of the word , even upon the sabbath day : so , for a little sinfull pleasure , or worldly contentment , wretchedly abandoning gods holy ordinance , and the necessarie meanes of their owne salvation . that many men are thus wickedly hindered from hearing the word of god , appeares in math. . and luke . the glorious magnificence , and rich comforts of heavenly cheare in the house of god , are notably set out unto us there , by divers circumstances , in the parable of the great feast . first , it was a wedding feast ; which usually is full of joy , comfort , and great solemnitie . secondly , it was made by a king ; and therefore , like unto himselfe , royall , and princely , in plentie and varietie , answerable to his state and greatnesse . thirdly , it was made at the marriage of a kings sonne ; which would make it yet farre more sumptuous , full of pompe , and noble entertainment , than if it had beene for a servant , friend , or ordinarie person . by all this , is meant the ministery of the word , and gospel of christ iesus ; wherewith every faithfull man is feasted , made gods sonne , and married to christ himselfe for ever , in righteousnesse and in judgement , in mercie and in compassion . this feast being in full readinesse , servants are sent out , to invite guests : but for all the glory , comfort , and magnificence prepared for them , in this wedding , and royall feast ; many refuse to come , and make excuse : one saith ; he hath bought a farme , and must needes goe to see it : another hath bought five yoke of oxen , and goes to prove them : another hath married a wife , and therefore he cannot come : another is busied about his merchandise , buying and selling , and can hardly spare so much time . thus one sinfull delight or other , profit , pleasure , companie , or the like , doe many times stay and hinder prophane and worldly men from hearing the word of god , and from this spirituall and heavenly feast in his house ; whereby their soules might be satisfied , as it were with marrow and fatnesse , with the comforts of grace , and a taste of the joyes of heaven . it is very strange , that any man should be so bloudie and cruell to his owne soule ; that , whereas by the breaking of the word of life unto him in such places as this , he might have it furnished with spirituall strength , towards everlasting life : yet for some earthly pelfe , and temporall pleasure , absenting himselfe , he suffers it to starve in ignorance and prophanenesse ; the immediate and certaine passages to eternal death . let a man imagine with himselfe , when he purposes and resolves to absent himselfe from a sermon , that hee layes , as it were , in the one scale of the weights , the glorious majestie , presence , and honour of god ; the comfort , happinesse , and salvation of his owne soule : and in the other , a little wretched pleasure , or profit ; and so suffers this miserable vanitie to weigh downe so infinite a majestie . for , first , gods house , where his word is faithfully preached , is , as it were , the presence-chamber of the everlasting king of glory . here he sits in a chaire of state , with more speciall and eminent power and majestie , as anciently he sate betweene the cherubins . secondly , christ himselfe is here present : for , wheresoever two or three are gathered together in his name , he is in the midst of them . and so he is said , to walke in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks ; and with speciall power and providence to direct and guide these holy exercises . thirdly , the holy spirit of god is present , in our assemblies ; plentifully shedding into the hearts of the faithfull , the rich treasures of wisdome and grace . fourthly , the blessed angels of god are here ; as appeareth , cor. . . not onely to doe service unto the lord , unto the elect , and unto his ministerie ; but also , after a sort , to solace and rejoyce themselves in the beautie of gods house , and in the mysteries published in the gospel : as appeares , pet. . . fifthly , gods holy saints here present themselves ; in whom , all our delight and comfort ought to be : for they onely are truly excellent , allyed unto christ , and heires of heaven . lastly , here alone ordinarily are to be had blessings , life , and salvation : for the word preached is the ordinarie meanes to beget the unconverted unto god ; by inlightening their eyes , opening their eares , softening their hearts , planting faith in their soules , and holinesse in their conversations : so that , of the children of wrath , they become the sonnes of god. hence it is , that it is called , a ministerie of reconciliation , of peace ; a word of grace ; of salvation , and of life . if a man be alreadie converted , and in the state of grace , he may receive these blessings by it : it is a powerfull meanes of the spirit , to encrease his knowledge in heavenly things , and the affaires of the soule ; by dayly clearing his judgement from ignorance and error , by informing it with spirituall wisedome , and all necessarie truths , and needfull knowledge . to adde strength , and vigour , and encrease unto his faith ; that hee may grow and proceed , from the infancie and weakenesse in christianitie , to tallnesse and perfection in christ . to preserve him from luke-warmenesse , worldlinesse , and securitie ; to recall him from his wandrings and strayings out of the way of sincerity ; to settle , comfort , and confirme him in a godly course . to prevent his falls , and relapses ; because by it hee is furnished with christian armour , against temptations ? he is resolved in all doubts , and cases of conscience ; he is admonished of all crooked wayes , occasions , and down-falls to iniquity . to reclaime him from back-slidings ; to rayse and recover him out of falls , and to restore him to his first love ; by discovering unto him the foulenesse and danger of sinne , the power of his owne infirmities , the bitter root of originall sinne , the pestilent and impoysoned fruits thereof ; and by dayly urging the blessings of true repentance , and the practice of a good conscience . most absolutely to guide and conduct him in the way of righteousnesse , and whole course of christianitie ; to furnish him with zeale and uprightnesse in all holy duties and services of god ; with faithfulnesse and conscience , in the discharge and executions of his calling ; with holy meditations , when he is alone ; with harmlesse behavior , and light of good example in company , and amongst others ; with wisdome and care , ever intirely to sanctifie the sabbath , and to teach and pray with his family . marke now , i beseech you ; sith the ministery of the word is ever graced with so glorious presence , and such incomparable blessings as i have now reckoned up unto you ; he that turnes his back upon a sermon , for the injoying of profit , pleasures , pastime , companie , feasting , or any other worldly and by-respect ; he wilfully forsakes the salvation of his owne soule , he casts behind him all these happy blessings and comforts , tendered unto him by the ministery of the word ; he throws himselfe desperately out of the presence of god almighty , christ iesus , the holy spirit , his blessed angels , the congregation of saints , into the power and clutches of satan , into the company of wicked and prophane men , upon the just indignation and revenge of all the creatures , upon the wrath and curse of god , and the shipwracke of a good conscience . take heed then i beseech you , how you bee drawne by any worldly affaires from the hearing of the word , especially on the sabbath day , lest thereby you make it plaine , that you preferre your owne particular , before the glory of god ; earthly gaine , before a crowne of immortality ; a little vanishing pleasure , before the endlesse joyes of heaven ; and that yee yet lie and delight in one sweet sinne or other , which keepes all saving grace out of your soules . a sixth let and hinderance from hearing the word of god , are certaine prophane and unwarrantable perswasions and conceits , which are entertained and harboured in the hearts of ignorant and wilfull people . some of them thinke with themselves that there is no such great need of following sermons , and frequenting holy assemblies , especially if at the same time they be not ungodly bufied and exercised at home ; and therefore they aske ; what can we not save our soules , and come to heaven , unlesse we trudge and trot so often to church ? have we not the bible , and other good bookes at home to reade upon ? can we not pray and praise god at home ? they might as well aske ; can wee not have a harvest unlesse we have a seed time , and raine , yea , both the former and the latter raine ? or can we not live except we have meat ? certainly no. no more can any man be truly sanctified and saved , nor live either the life of grace here , or expect the life of glory hereafter , unlesse he follow the ordinary meanes appointed and sanctified by god for his salvation : except he submit himselfe to that policy and order which god with great wisdome hath established in his church . would a man be taken for a good subject , who should peevishly oppose himselfe against a law agreed upon and commanded by the king and state , for the great good of the common-wealth ? god himselfe hath appointed a publike ministery in the church ; pastors and teachers for the gathering of the saints , and all that belong to life ; and is it fit that any private exercise should crosse gods publike ordinances ? no ; it is both inconvenient and wicked , and gods blessing is never to be looked for , upon any action and exercise , though never so good in it selfe , if his will be not obeyed . i , but some will say ; it is good indeed sometimes now and then to heare a sermon ; but what needs so much preaching , and sermon upon sermon ; would they have us saints and angels upon earth ? wretched is that man which is weary of the word of life . and hee hath no true taste of holy things , which loaths this spirituall manna , though never so often reigned from heaven . there is no saving and true knowledge of god in that man , who desires not to grow in grace , and in the knowledge of the lord iesus christ . would we not thinke him mad and distracted that should thus reason against his owne life ? i hope i have eaten meat enough heretofore , and furnished my selfe with sufficient strength , so that i now need no more , and therefore i will neither eat nor drink more while i live . even just so doth he reason and plead against the life of his soule , who complaines of too much preaching , and too many sermons . david , that blessed king , and holy prophet , who was advanced both in knowledge and holinesse , above the ordinary reach and perfection of men , and lived as an angell upon earth ; yet he acknowledgeth himselfe greatly to stand in need of stirring up , by meanes ordained of god for that end . as we may gather out of psal . . and in many other places . in that psalme he makes a most grievous and mournfull complaint , that he is debarred and banished from all accesse unto the publike worship and service of god ; holding himselfe in this respect more miserable than some of the bruit creatures , which had liberty to build their nests , and lay their young neare the altars of the lord ; which benefit he could not now enjoy . now if this man of god so longed and laboured after the meanes of grace and comfort , what ought those to doe , who are of little or no faith ; who are but novices and petties in the schoole of christ ; who are but babes in christianity , or utterly without grace ? i , but our fore-fathers ( will others say ) were never troubled with so many sermons , and yet we hope they are well , and in heaven . our fore-fathers wanted the meanes , and that full glorious noone-tide of the gospell of iesus christ , which we by the grace and mercy of god enjoy . and therefore whosoever of them perished without them , shall certainly be beaten with fewer stripes , than those that shut their eyes against the faire and blessed sun-shine of gods holy truth , which is shed round about us , and if it be hid , it is hid onely to those that perish , in whom the god of this world hath blinded the eyes of their minde . besides , if it so pleased the lord in his just and secret judgement to suffer some of our fore-fathers to live and die under the tyranny and darknesse of antichrist ; how much are we bound to blesse god , that we are borne and brought up in the light of the gospell ; and what heavie plagues and great damnation doe wee bring upon our selves , if wee neglect or despise so great salvation . i , but yet further , ( will some say ) wee have lived some of us fortie , some thirtie , some twenty yeares , without so much preaching , and yet have holden good credit and reputation in the world , and prospered in our wayes , would you now have us so forward in running to sermons ? strange it is to see how wise the simplest are in matters of the world , about their temporall state , but how simple and blinde the wisest worldlings are in the affaires of heaven , and about their greatest , spirituall , and eternall good . let us suppose a man to have lived long in a poore cottage , and now at length to have some great and rich lordship befallen him ; doe you thinke hee would reason thus : why , i have lived some thirtie or fortie yeer●● now alreadie in this low estate with good conte●●●ent , and credit , amongst my neighbours ; and therefore here i will rest , the rest of my dayes ; i am too old now , to change my former estate ? would such a foole as this , be found in a whole countrey ? and yet many countries are full of such fooles , in respect of spirituall advancement , and the salvation of their soules . me thinkes , those that have long lived in ignorance , and blindnesse , should rather conclude thus : have i thus long and so fearefully lived without god in the world , without knowledge of his truth , faith in christ , and conscience of my wayes ? oh , then it is more than high time now at length to awake out of sleepe , and to open mine eyes , and to imbrace this glorious sun-shine of the gospel , which the lord of his great mercy hath brought unto me , that so i may be enlightened to eternall life . as for prospering in the world , that is no marke of a good soule ; nay , it is commonly the let of the wicked , not to be plagued like other men , but to bring their enterprises to passe , psalme . nay , yet further : there is no greater curse can befall any man , than to prosper in the world , and be out of the way to heaven . i , but ( will others say ) to the attaining of eternall life , what needs so much adoe , so much preaching , catechising , expounding , conferring , meditating , teaching and praying with our families , which are so much and so often urged upon us ? when all comes to all , this is the summe and end of all ; to feare god , and keepe his comm●●dements ; that we love god above all , and our neigh●●● as our selves : and we hope we can doe this , without all this adoe . to feare god , and keepe his commandements , ( which is the whole dutie of man , as the preacher speakes in his last chapter ) and to love god above all , and our neighbors as our selves ; ( upon which hangeth the whole law and the prophets , as christ tells us , math. . ) are indeed soone spoken , but not so easily , truly learned ; and most hardly , sincerely practised . is it enough , thinke you , to make a man a good carpenter , or mason , to say ; that , that is soone learned ; and , i know as much as the best workman can teach or tell me : to build an house , is nothing but to lay the foundation , to reare the walls , and cover it with a roose ? is it enough to make a good husbandman , to say ; i know as much as the best husbandman can teach me ; for husbandry is nothing else , but to sowe and reape ? is it enough to make a good preacher , to say ; it is no such great matter , to make a sermon ; i know as much in that point , as the best scholler amongst them can tell me : to preach , is nothing else but to expound the text , gather doctrines , and make use and application to the hearts & consciences of the hearers ? but it would be long before these idle and emptie vaunts would build houses , fill barnes , or save soules . there is farre more required to these businesses , than so : there is to be undergone much toile and labour , much care & trouble , expence and exercise , before any of these workes can be rightly accomplished . it is even so in the great worke of salvation , and the attainment of heaven . the state of grace , and trade of christianitie , is not so easily purchased & practised . there goes more to saving of a soule , than bold & ignorant brags : than to say ; if that be all , i hope i can quickly and easily learne to love god above all , & my neighbor as my selfe : for before these , there goes many things ; as , knowledge of gods will , and word ; a thorow view of our owne misery & corruptions , in the glasse of the law ; strange agonies , and sore pangs in the new-birth , and sorrow for sinne , refreshings and coolings by the mercies of god , and merits of christ ; faith , repentance , sanctification , a blessed & holy change in the whole man , both body , soule , and spirit . and then follows new obedience ; which consists in the uprightnesse and sinceritie of our owne hearts ; a conscionable and charitable carriage towards our neighbors , and a zealous constancy in all religious duties and right service of god : which must be universall , in respect of the object ; that is , we must walk in all his commandements : totall , in respect of the subject ; that is , we must serve him in all the powers of our soule , and parts of our body ; in our thoughts , words , and actions : in all which things , and holy courses , if a man be not particularly instructed , experienced , & practised , his love of god and his neighbour is but in word and tongue , not in deed and truth . a man , if he be disposed , may quickly perceive and discerne the truth or hollownesse of his heart in this point . god hath straitly commanded an entire sanctification and keeping holy of the sabbath . let a man then consider , if he suffer himselfe to be drawne away from holy exercise on that day , by pleasures , profit , pastime , companie , ease , idlenesse , or other worldly occasions ; why , then he preferres meere vanities , and the desires of his owne heart , before the glory and honour of god ; and so doth not love god above all . the true love of a mans selfe , doth chiefly & principally consist in furnishing himselfe with saving knowledge , sinceritie of heart , godlinesse of life , a good conscience , and spirituall comfort , against hee come to iudgement . now , if hee love his neighbour as himselfe , he is not still talking with him of worldly matters ; but especially labours with him for his conversion , entertainment of grace , and encrease in godlinesse . if these be not his cares , both for himselfe and his neighbour , he truly loves neither . thus may a man examine himselfe through all the commandements in particular ; and see , whether it be so easie to love his neighbour as himselfe , and god above all . i , but where there is so much preaching , there is much disquietnesse and discontentment : for men are abridged of their former ancient pastimes , and pleasures , and urged unto more strictnesse of life . when as all was well before , in much quietnesse and peace , the preaching of the word breeds new stirres and contrary affections in men . no marvell , though there be much struggling and striving , great noyse and stirre , before the strong man in the gospel can be dis-armed and dispossessed of his holds ; that is , before sathan , having long reigned in the hearts , and sat in the consciences of ignorant and prophane men , will be cast out , by the preaching and power of the word . this conquest costs full deare ; it will not be had , without the losse of our dearest delights ; without shedding the very hearts-bloud of our beloved and bosome-sinne ; which flesh and bloud will not yeeld unto , without blowes and bloudshed . you may assure your selfe , where the light of gods truth begins once to peepe out , and the power of grace to worke , for the driving away darknesse , and subduing prophanenesse ; you shall be sure ever there to have three fierce and implacable enemies , and opposites , to start up ; sathan , wicked men , and a mans owne corruptions . while men lye in sinne , ignorance , and under the shadow of death , sathan lets them alone , meddles not much with them , never troubles or disquiets them , but procures them all temporall happinesse , and carnall contentments , that can be ; ( for he knowes full well , if they so continue , they are sure his owne , and children of endlesse perdition : ) but if once , by the power of the word , they be enlarged out of the slaverie of sinne and death , and lay hold upon salvation , and the glorious libertie of the saints ; why then he begins to bestirre himselfe like a madded & enraged lion , and labors with all his malice and policie to hinder and dash such proceedings . and in this conspiracie , hee joynes unto himselfe wicked and reprobate men , to rayle , revile , and rage against sinceritie : i , and besides , a mans owne corruption , and sinfull flesh , doth fret and fume , when it feeles it selfe curbed and snaffled by the law of the spirit . the gospel indeed is a gospel of peace : but of what peace ? of peace with god , with good men , and a mans owne conscience ; of the peace that passeth all understanding : but it ever proclaimes open warre against wickednesse , prophanenesse , and corruptions ; it will have no peace with impietie , carnall securitie , and rebellion unto the lawes of god. hence it is , that our saviour tells us in the gospel , that he came not to send peace into the earth ; but rather , fire , debate , and the sword : that is , wheresoever his word is published powerfully , and conscionably , with fruit and effect upon the soules of his elect ; there , by accident ( as they say ) it stirres up much rage and bitter opposition against gods children . for , as there is no true inward peace unto the wicked ; so , in this world , there is no outward peace unto the righteous : but commonly they are still exercised with one crosse and temptation , or other ; either the devill , or wicked men , are still plotting or practising mischiefe and miserie against them . but you must conceive , that the disquietnesses and troubles that arise at the preaching of the word , are not caused by it , but by mens corruptions . would any man thinke , that saint paul , or his preaching , were in fault , because there was much adoe , and an hurly-burly almost wheresoever he came ; and not rather the wicked infidels , which could not endure to have their sinnes reproved ? neither the sower , nor the seed , math. . are to be blamed , that it doth not prosper and fructifie ; it is the ground that is onely in fault : which is either stonie , or thornie , or barren ; or else , it is the envious man , that soweth tares : the sower doth onely his dutie , and the seed is pure and precious ; it is mens corruptions , and prophane hearts , that causeth all the stirre . amongst foure kinds of grounds , there is but one at the most ( as appeares in the parable of the sower , math. . ) in which the immortall seed of the word takes root , prospers , and fructifies : onely the good and honest heart profits by preaching ; to all others , it is the savour of death unto death : and whom it doth not humble , it hardneth ; whom it makes not so meeke as a lambe , and like a little child in humilitie , it makes as fierce and furious as a lion , against the power of grace wrought in others , and against the profession and practice of sinceritie . no marvell then , though where the word of truth begins to beare sway , there be many times much adoe , and resistance by carnall and prophane men . i , but ( will some say ) this word is brought unto us by weake and fraile men ; sometimes by those , who are of notorious and infamous life and conversation : and therefore wee have lesse heart to beleeve and obey them . if wee had the word published by an angel , or an apostle , or some more excellent and powerfull meanes , and embassadours , wee should more easily and willingly heare , beleeve , and obey them . it is gods great mercie unto us , that it pleaseth him so farre to condiscend to our infirmitie , as to open unto us the rich treasures of his heavenly word , by men of the same condition and frailtie , and subject to the same passions with our selves . hee might by terrible and astonishing voices , out of lightnings , thunders , and earthquakes , able to breake the hardest rocks , and stony mountaines , ( as he did in the giving of the law ) force us to obedience : or he might send his angels , armed with power and puissance , to execute present vengeance upon all those which doe not presently submit themselves to the scepter of his christ , and soveraigntie of his word . but in great mercie and compassion unto us , hee chuseth rather to teach us by a still and soft voice ; by a more faire , familiar , and fit instruction for us ; even by such as our selves , of our owne nature , frailtie , and condition . here in he shewes his great love unto us , in that he vouchsafeth to put his fearefull and glorious word into the mouth of a mortall and sinfull man. what an honour and advancement is it unto mans nature , unto mankind , that the high and mightie god of heaven and earth should single them out for so glorious a service ; sanctifie their tongues , to deliver his good pleasure , and newes of salvation unto the sonnes of men ? that hee should acquaint and put them in trust with such high mysteries , and heavenly matters , of so soveraigne and saving use , both to themselves and others ? but it may be , besides common frailtie and infirmitie , the minister and messenger of the word is of lewd and prophane life , and condition . if he be , more is the pitty ; the scandall of the ministerie is the greater , and his owne damnation more smarting and terrible . see psal . . , , &c. but notwithstanding , the prophanenesse of the preacher is no priviledge to the hearer , either of negligence or disobedience . he that turnes his eare from hearing of the law truly preached ( though by a pharise ) even his prayer is abominable , prov. . . hee that despiseth the word , shall be destroyed , prov. . . hee that obeyeth not the sonne , in his ministers lawfully sent , though not sanctified themselves , shall not see life , but the wrath of god abideth on him . christ himselfe , in the gospel ; bids his followers to observe and doe whatsoever they were bid by the scribes and pharises , which sate in moses chaire ; but not to doe after their works ; for they said ▪ and did not . every minister is to be heard , received , and followed , so farre as he followes and delivers to the church the truth of god , and doctrine of the apostles . for therein he is an angel of the lord of hosts , and embassadour in the stead of christ. and all the parts of the ministerie in his hand ( he following the word ) shall as certainely be accomplished , as if an angel , or christ from heaven should presently and potently execute them . if hee denounce iudgements against sinne , it is as if the voice of god himselfe should be heard from heaven ; as if the lion of the tribe of iudah should roare . if he poure the oyle of comfort into a wounded and distressed conscience , it is as sure and certaine , as soft and sweet to the beleeving soule , as if the angels should comfort him , as they did christ in his agonie ; or , as if christ himselfe should mercifully reach out his glorious hand , through the clouds , and binde up his broken heart and bruised conscience with a plaister of his owne precious bloud . if hee instruct , admonish , reprove , exhort , perswade , from ground and warrant out of the word ; it is all one , as if christ himselfe should doe it : who hath said ; he that heareth you , heareth me . let men therefore pretend what they will ; if they will not heare , beleeve , and obey the lord , speaking in the ministerie of the word , though the meanes and messengers be never so base and vile , fraile , weake , and sinfull . let an angel come from heaven , a devill from hell , or a man from the dead ; yet would they not beleeve . for , if a man were truly humbled , hee would tremble at gods word , of whomsoever hee heard it . if hee had a spirituall taste , hee would relish the heavenly food , whosoever ministred it . if hee had gods holy spirit , hee would know and acknowledge his sword , which is the word of god , in whose hand soever he saw it . and untill he have this spirit , a spirituall taste , and an humble heart , hee will not beleeve ; especially with effect , fruit , and practice , let him pretend whatsoever he will ; neither angels , nor men ; dead , nor living ; moses , nor the prophets ; peter , nor paul ; not christ , nor god himselfe ; if the one were living againe upon earth , or the other would be pleased , or it were possible , to speake immediately to him . for conclusion of this point , let us know , that the ministerie of the word is gods ordinance ; which dependeth not upon the worthinesse of him who delivereth it ; neither is it made void and uneffectuall , by his weakenesse and wickednesse : but it hath it vertue , force , and power from the blessing of god , and from the inward operation of his spirit ; who applyeth it to the hearts and consciences of men , and thereby illuminates their understandings , begetteth faith in them , and all sanctifying and saving graces . i , but ( will some say ) it is a very wearisome , tyring , and tedious thing , to be tyed to the hearing of so many sermons , to meditate of them , conferre of them with our neighbours , teach them our families , and practise them ; which are urged upon us , as necessarie christian duties . it is a strange thing , and sore case , that some men will not be perswaded to take halfe so much paines to goe to heaven , and eternall rest , as many thousands to goe to hell , and everlasting torment . how many tyre and torture themselves with carke and care , with much toyle and travell , to heape up those riches , which in the meane time are matter of much vexation unto them ; and hereafter will be witnesses against them , and eate their flesh as it were fire , as iames speakes ? how many spend their wits , their spirits , their time , that they may become some-body in the world , and climbe by indirect and unlawfull meanes , and steps unto those high places , from whence hereafter they must be hurled with greater confusion , and a more fearefull downe-fall , into the pit of hell ? how many waste their wealth , weaken their strength , consume their marrow , fill their bones with rottennesse , and their bodies with diseases , with lust and uncleannesse , with following the whorish woman , whose paths lead unto the dead ; with tarrying long at the wine , and pouring in of strong drinke : for which , at length , they shall be sure to be filled with drunkennesse , and with sorrow , even with the cup of destruction , and trembling ; they shall drinke of it deepe and large , and wring it out to the dregges ? how unwearied have idolaters ever beene in the wicked worship of their false gods ? and many heretikes , in the false worship of the true god ? in thrusting towards hell , they neither spared cost , nor charge ; losse , nor labour : they have beene prodigall both of lives , and living ; of bloud , and children . you know , amongst the iewes , some mingled the rufull cryes of their dearest children with musicke and melodie , lest they should be moved to compassion , while they were cast into the fire , to be burned up in sacrifice unto the idoll moloch . scribes and pharises compasse sea and land , to make a proselyte . baals priests lanced and cut their flesh before their idoll , untill the bloud gushed out . the blinded papists at this day whip themselves , waste their goods , and consume their bodies with wearisome pilgrimages , to see some counterfeit reliques , and rotten bones , or to visit accursed idols , and popish saints : nay , some of them transported with a more bloudie rage , and furious spirit of antichrist , suffer as it were with senselesnesse , with desperate and damned boldnesse , most horrible and exquisite torments , for butchering of kings ; for which they hope to merit heaven , and to sayle through a sea of royall bloud to the haven of endlesse rest ; though indeed and truth , they justly light short , and sinke , before they are aware , into the deepest lake of the hottest fire , and most consuming flame of hell. now , i pray you , shall these services of sathan be followed and pursued with such heat and eagernesse , with such paines and patiencie of all miseries and vexations ; and shall not the lords owne ordinances , and the true worship of the true god have power to make us step out of our doores with patience , and pleasure , to heare the lords will revealed unto us , to receive salvation to our soules , and a crowne of immortalitie to our heads ? can some be content to toyle day after day , fare hard , breake their sleepe , eate the bread of carefulnesse , and all to heape up a little wealth , perhaps , with the losse of their owne soules , and sometimes they scarce know for whom ; and shall not wee with joy and chearefulnesse passe through holy exercises , for the enriching of our soules , wherein true and lasting comfort is onely to be found , and whereby we may lay up for our selves treasures in heaven , durable riches , a bag that cannot wax old , a treasure that can never faile , prov. . . luk. . . unmixed joyes , endlesse peace , and blessed immortalitie , presently to be entred upon after death , and then to be enjoyed for ever and ever ? shall rebellious superstition , and the doctrine of devils , and killing kings , harden the papists against any crosses , and tortures ; and shall we be tyred with the peaceable exercises of sound & saving religion ? god forbid . in whom soever the true love of god and christ hath taken up the heart , there their gospel , and word , and services are sweeter and more tastfull than all outward delights . little touch of religion , or sense of salvation hath hee , that comes unto with unchearefulnesse , and stayes with wearinesse at the ministerie of the word . i , but ( will some say ) it was never good world since so much preaching came amongst us ; when there was lesse preaching , there was more plentie : and therefore , it seemes , there is little good in it . since this new religion was on foot , ( for so some ignorantly and maliciously call it , though it be as old as god himselfe , whose eternall truth it is ; as old as the patriarks and prophets , as christ and his apostles ) there hath beene ( say they ) more scarcitie of all things , more plagues , famines , strange apparitions , extremitie of seasons , and other iudgements , than ever our fore-fathers saw , or heard of . hospitalitie , charitie , pastimes , and plentie were banished with the old religion ; for so they call the bloudie and idolatrous heresie of poperie . this hath ever beene the complaint of idolaters , and the wicked , against the truth of god ; as it is now of the papists & prophane men amongst us , against the glorious light of the gospel , that shines round about us . when ieremy , chap. . had reproved the iewes , and denounced gods iudgements against them for their idolatry , they answer him thus , in vers . . * the word that thou hast spoken unto us in the name of the lord , we will not heare it of thee ; but we will doe whatsoever thing goeth out of our mouth : as , to burne incense to the queene of heaven , and to poure out drink-offerings unto her , as we have done , both we and our fathers , our kings and our princes , in the cities of iudah , and in the streetes of ierusalem ; for then had we plenty of victuals , and were well , and felt no evill . but since we left off to burne incense to the queene of heaven , and to poure out drink-offerings unto her , we have had scarcenesse of all things , and have bin consumed by the sword , and by the famine . the very same complaint was made of the wicked heathens and infidels , at the first plantation of christian religion among the gentiles . * tertullian , an ancient father , tells us in his time ; if there were any inundation and overflowing of tibris , a great river in rome ; if there were any extraordinarie and uncouth hayle , or frost , or any other miserie or calamitie ; all the fault was presently laid on christ , and the christian religion . it appeares also by austin , another ancient father , in his . epistle , that there were wicked complaints and murmurings against the christian faith , in his time ; the infidels were still crying , that before the doctrine of christ was published to the world , mankind was not vexed and distressed with so many troubles and garboyles . to which , the good father doth there excellently answer ; out of luke . , . easily , saith he , may they thence take their answer : the servant that knew not his masters will , and yet did commit things worthy of stripes , shall be beaten with few stripes ; but he that knew his masters will , and prepared not himselfe , neither did according to his will , shall be beaten with many stripes . hence then may wee clearely see the reason why our times , in all reason , should be more visited with iudgements , than former dayes of ignorance . because that the light of the gospel is come amongst us ; and many love darknesse rather than that light , because their deeds are evill : for every man that doth evill , hateth the light , neither commeth to the light , lest his deeds should be reproved . because the gospel is not so thankefully received and entertained , as so excellent a blessing and precious a treasure ought to be . many that heare it , live not after it : perhaps , onely make a shew of godlinesse ; but deny the power thereof , in their lives and conversations . so , that negligence and disobedience to the word of god , is the true cause of those iudgements and miseries , which are wickedly & wrongfully pretended to bee a cause why they have so little care to attend and obey it . as for hospitality in the time of popery , it did not so much spring from the truth of religion , as . from a superstitious opinion of redeeming their sinnes , and purchasing heaven by almes-deeds . . from an excessive cheapnesse of all things , by reason of the scarcity of money . . from the superfluitie of the wealth , riches , lands and impropriations , the price of the bloud of soules , which monasteries , and other religious , or rather superstitious houses , had immeasurably and unconscionably ingrossed and got into their hands . and when they had ingrossed the world to themselves , ( as one sayes ) they seemed liberall in giving something ; like unto some vaine-glorious theeves , which having robbed wealthy merchants , bestow some pence upon beggers . as for works of charity : certaine it is , and a reverend and learned man of our church hath proved it , and it will more clearly appeare hereafter ; that the charitable benevolence , bountifull liberalitie , large expences in building and enlarging colledges , and erecting hospitals , libraries , free-schooles , and many other works of charity , and fruits of faith , since the light of the gospell began to shine amongst us , may compare with , if not farre excell any time of the like or longer continuance in any age . as for greater dearth & higher price of all things now , than in former times , it is a cleare and plaine case , that the reason is ; that the great store and plentie of treasure which is walking in these parts of the world , farre more in these our dayes , than ever our forefathers have seene in times past . who doth not understand of the infinite summes of gold and silver which are gathered from the indies , and other countries , and so yearly transported into these coasts ? and this is confest to be the true cause of the same unancient dearnesse of all things , even in other kingdomes also , where popery is professed . one bodin , a great polititian of france , tels us , that the common people are much deceived , who thinke that the price of corne , cattell , and other necessaries , should hold the same rate it did of old . they doe not understand and consider , that the price of things is more by ten parts ( saith he ) than it was anciently , by reason of the plenty and abundance of gold and silver , which is brought out of the west indies into europe , whereby it comes to passe that money is lesse esteemed , for plenty of any thing lessens the estimation of it . besides , for our owne countrey , wise men have observed another particular reason . for ( say they ) immediately after our coine , in the time of king henry the eighth , the prices of all things generally among all sorts of people rose ; for that they thinke , that the alteration of the coine was the chiefe and principall cause of an universall dearnesse of things . and why our english coine being restored by our late queene , that blessed saint of glorious memory , to its former purity and perfection , the prices of all things fall not backe to their old rate , they give sufficient reasons . as for pastimes , playes , and other fearefull prophanation of the sabbath , it is a good signe the power of grace is there planted by the word , from whence they are banished and abandoned . they are fit pleasures for papists , which have no comfort in the joyes above ; and well agreeing to the darknesse of superstition . but the light of the gospell dispels such vanities , and gods children have all their pleasures in holy exercises upon the sabbath day . this last objection then of papists and prophane men ; that the world is worse since there was so much preaching , is idle , vaine , and frivolous . many such like conceits , perswasions and objections as these , which i have now reckoned up unto you , there are abroad in the world , and in the hearts of prophane men , by which they are hindred from hearing the word of god , with that heart , zeale and diligence as they ought . now i come to acquaint you with some slights and temptations of satan , whereby he labours to bereave us of the blessings and benefits of profitable hearers , and to hinder the effectuall working of the word in our consciences and conversations . a first plot and practice of satan , is to keepe men from diligent hearing the word ; if he cannot that way prevaile , in a second place he labours to make the word in vaine , fruitlesse , and unprofitable unto them . and that hee doth , by such meanes as these : i if by the grace of god we breake thorow all lets and snares which might withhold us from holy assemblies , and hearing of the word ; then satan , that he might make it uneffectuall for our conversion and salvation ; first , labours to worke in us a negligent carelesnesse and heedlesnesse , in listning to those things which are delivered , and that by a kinde of heartlesnesse in holy things , by dulnesse of spirit , drowsinesse , sleepinesse , gazing about , talking , or such like . and such hearers as these , are never a whit moved or affected with the word preached , but remaine in the same state as they were before . there is neither passion or impression wrought upon them for the present , nor any thought of it , profit or practice afterward . * but if he cannot speed this way , but that we rouze up and addresse our selves to heare the word of god , as desiring with care and good conscience to profit thereby : why then , in a second place , hee seekes by all meanes to fill our heads and hearts with idle musings , and wandring thoughts , which may distract and steale away our minds from attending to the word . and that he doth , either by offering and suggesting to our consideration and memory , the world , and the vanities thereof , as our affaires and businesse , our profits and preferments ; those pleasures and delights wherein our corrupt affections finde most sensuall sweetnesse : or , if this will not prevaile ; by casting into our mindes very craftily and cunningly , things which in their owne nature may be good , honest , and religious : but because they are thought upon out of due and convenient time , they deprive us of the profit of the present holy exercise ; which ought for the time , onely and wholly to take up our mindes . if this yet will doe no good ; but that wee marke diligently and attentively , all the while , what the minister delivers unto us from god , for our good : why then , in a third place ; in some , he makes it uneffectuall , by nourishing in them a neglect of reading the scriptures , and ignorance in the principles of religion : so that though they attend never so well , and stare the minister in the face ; yet they understand not the sermons they heare . let the younger sort therefore , to prevent this mischiefe , acquaint themselves with the scriptures from their youth ; by the example of timothy , tim. . . salomon , prov. . , &c. samuel , sam. . . see also psal . . prov. . . and let the miserie upon elies house , terrifie negligent and indulgent parents ; see sam. . , . &c. in this depth , the word is either buried as it is brought forth , or dies at the church doore . in others , he earnestly endeavours utterly to extinguish and abolish all thought of it ; quite to drive and banish it out of their heads , so soone as they have heard it . and that thus : if mens hearts be hardned through unbeleefe , or custome in sinning , and like the high-way in the parable of the sower ; then the evill one comes immediately , and catcheth the seed of the word so soone as it is sowen , and stealeth it out of the heart . as we may see many times birds hovering greedily after the sower , to snatch away the corne , before it be covered with earth , or take root in the ground : even so sathan , the ravenous crow of hell , waites all opportunities to pecke up the seed of the word out of the hearts of men , before it sinke into their affections , or fructifie in their conversations . or otherwise , if the world hath stolne mens hearts out of their bodies , so that they have no hearts left within them , for matters of holinesse , and heaven ; but are wholly set upon gaine , and exercised in covetousnesse : then needes not sathan much to bestirre himselfe ; he knowes full well , that worldly cares will presently choake the seed of the word . as soone as the sermon is heard , and ended , and they turned their backes upon the church , there comes immediately into their heads whole swarmes of earthly thoughts , and they are presently plunged over head and eares into the cares and plottings of earthly businesses . so that these men , whom sathan conquers by this temptation , never meddle with meditation , conference , or talke about the points handled by the preacher , by which the word of god should be better , as it were , digested , and prepared for practise . nay , they have no delight at all to heare others repeat the sermon ; but are very wearie of the place and companie , and never pleased , untill they bring them back againe unto talke of worldly matters and prophane discourses . if this yet will not serve the turne , but that the word gets within a man , and workes upon his understanding ; so that by his diligent hearing of it , meditation , and conference , he furnishes himselfe with competent knowledge in the booke of god , and divine truth : why then , sathan casts about another way ; which is , to make him to content himselfe with a bare fruitlesse knowledge , without practising the power of it in his life and actions ; to rest contented with an abilitie to talke and discourse onely upon points of religion , and places of scripture , without inward sanctification , and subduing the will and affections to new obedience , and sincere exercise of christianitie . so that , for all his knowledge , he neither meddles with conversion , nor mends in his conversation . he labours here , first , to hinder his conversion , by planting in his heart a prejudice and disconceit against , preaching the law. distinguishing severall estates of unregenerate men , math. . the three reprobate grounds . the differencing the children of god , and the children of the devill , by speciall markes and notes , math. . psal . . &c. pressing the doctrine of christ , of pressing in at the strait gate , luke . . & . . and gathering from scripture those which shall be saved , into a short summe . and by making him make god all of mercie . and mending in his conversation , by motives unto presumption . if this will not prevaile , but that a man endeavours to draw his knowledge into practise , and fettles himselfe with care and conscience to reforme his former wayes and courses of iniquitie : why then sathan plots and practiseth , with all the cunning and policie he hath , to make him rest in a slight , superficiall , and partiall reformation ; to content himselfe with an unsound , or unsaving conversion . for , by the way , i must tell you ; there may be many conversions , changes , and alterations in a man , from worse to better ; and yet he not truly sanctified , not become a new creature , nor possessed of the state of grace , and glorious comforts of true christians . he may be changed , from a notorious sinner , to a civill honest man : whereas he hath beene before furious , and desperate in lewd courses , hee may grow more sober and moderate in his carriage : and yet , for all this , continue in his ignorance , and a meere stranger to the wayes of godlinesse . from civill honestie , he may passe on to a formall christianitie , and become an outward professor ; and outwardly doe , and performe religious services : and yet lye in his sinnes , and want the power of inward sanctification . yet further , by a generall power of the word , and inferior working of the spirit , he may in some sort be outwardly reformed , and in some measure inwardly enlightened ; hee may have understanding and joy by the ministerie of the word , and may doe many things after it , and for sake many sinnes . herod is said , mark. . to have reverenced iohn , to have heard him gladly , and to have done many things : and yet for all this , hee may come short of a sound conversion ; if hee suffer some maine corruption , some one sweet sinne , or other , to reigne in him , which hee still feedes upon with delight , and sensuall sweetnesse ; if hee doe not wholly and entirely resigne and give up himselfe , his spirit , soule and body to the lords service , and to please him in all things ; and with repentance , and resolution , forsake all his knowne sinnes . for this is a certaine rule and principle with * divines ; that true turning unto god , and the advised and willing remaining in the practice of any one evill , which is discovered to a mans conscience , by the light of gods word , to be a sinne , cannot stand together . these changes a man may have , and thus many passages , from worse to better ; and yet the great and glorious worke of regeneration not wrought upon him . for where there is a sound conversion , and through-reformation , there a man is wholly sanctified , and set apart unto god , from the sinfull corruption of his naturall birth , and the evill fruits thereof , to serve god in his whole man , both body , foule , and spirit . he shakes hands with all sinnes , he sells all for the precious iewell of the gospel ; he regards not sinne in his heart , but hath a regard to all gods commandements . now sith sathan , that old serpent , knowes full well , that it will never serve the turne for a man to part but with part of his sinnes ; that his case is fearefull enough , whatsoever good , or good deeds seeme to be in him , if he yeeld not to the worke of the holy-ghost , for the leaving but of any one knowne sinne , which ●ighteth against the peace of his conscience ; he knowes , that he hath haunt and hold enough in a mans conscience , and affections ; that hee hath sufficient interest and claime to his damnation , if he can but keepe his sweet sinne in heart , and alive in him . and therefore , when any by the ministerie of the word is moved to settle and addresse himselfe to a reformation of his wayes , and to redresse his former wicked life ; he puts in , might and maine , to preserve in his vigour , and soveraigntie , one secret delightfull sinne , or other , at least , in the heart and affection of him , that goes about to reforme himselfe : he singles out one corruption , or other , to which hee findes a man most addicted ; and this he conceales , and fenceth with all the policie that he hath , that if by any meanes it may escape unrepented of , unmortified , and unmedled with . thus he dealt with herod : herod , by the preaching of iohn , reformed himselfe in many things ; but sathan made sure to keepe him his owne , by that one sinne of incest . naaman the syrian , no doubt , beleeved , and followed the prophet in many things ; but he desired onely , that the lord would be mercifull unto him , when he went into the house of rimmon . the young man in the gospel , in his outward carriage was unreprovable ; but that one secret sinne of worldlinesse , banished him out of the presence and kingdome of christ . in this point , sathan labours to perswade men to deale with god in the forsaking of their sinnes , as ananias dealt with the apostle , in parting with his money . it was a custome , you know , in the primitive church , because of the necessitie of the times ; that many , out of a zealous and extraordinarie love unto the gospel , sold their lands , and brought the price , and laid it downe at the apostles feet . ananias amongst the rest , would needes seeme as forward & zealous in this glorious worke of charitie , as any other : he sold his lands indeed , and brought in the money , and tender'd it at the apostles fe●t ; but yet secretly , suspecting gods providence , and doubting lest himselfe , perhaps , at length should be brought into want , hee kept backe one part of the price of his possession ; making shew notwithstanding , to have brought in all . so it is in many , by the malice of sathan , and bewitching enticements of naturall corruption , in the forsaking of their sinnes . in a true conversion indeed , when a man is about to buy the pearle of great price & unvaluable worth in the gospel , the doctrine of salvation , the way to life , and graces of gods spirit ; he makes an universall sale of all his sinnes ; he selleth ( as the text saith ) all that he hath : not some piece of his sinfull possession , but even the very whole lordship , the entire inheritance . but it is otherwise with those whom sathan inveagleth , and ensnareth in this point . hee is well enough pleased , that they shall seeme to be as forward in the reformation and amendment of their lives , as any other ; and indeed , that they shall be reformed in good part , and carry some love and affection toward the word , and ministers ; so that he may keepe hold and possession but in one corner of the heart : for he knowes , that that is enough to keepe the whole man , body and soule , his owne . if he can stay but one sinne unsold , he knowes the man continues still , by the course of divine law , a bondslave of hell. by one little hole a ship will sinke into the bottome of the sea. the stab of a pen-knife to the heart , will as well speed a man , as all the daggers that killed caesar in the senat-house . the soule will be strangled with one cord of vanitie , as well as with all the cart-ropes of iniquitie : only , the more sins , the more plagues , and fiercer flame in hell : but he that lives and dies impenitent in one , it will be his destruction . one dramme of poyson will dispatch a man ; and one reigning sinne will bring him to endlesse woe and miserie . let us take heed therefore , when we goe about reformation of our selves , lest we be surprised & overtaken by this malicious craft of sathan . let us resolve upon a through-reformation ; which is only and ever undertaken , with a purpose not to hold on in the willing practice of any one knowne iniquitie , or sinfull course . which , when we shall carefully & earnestly go about , sathan will be sure to set upon us , as pharoah did upon moses and aaron : when the lord had commanded them to goe three dayes journey in the desart , to doe service and sacrifice unto him , that by all meanes hee might hinder them in this holy businesse . . he would have them to stay in the land , and to doe sacrifice there . nay ( saith moses ) it is not meet to doe so ; for then wee should offer unto the lord our god that which is abomination unto the egyptians . . sith this would not then serve , but that they would needs out of the land ; i will let you goe ( saith pharaoh ) that you may sacrifice to the lord your god in the wildernesse ; but goe not farre away . but moses would yet none of this , he would not abate a foot of the journey the lord had appointed . . why then ( saith pharaoh ) if you will needs goe so farre , i am content your men shall goe ; but , as it is fittest , your children shall stay at home . nay ( saith moses ) we will goe with our young and with our old , with our sonnes and with our daughters , with our sheepe and with our cattell will we goe . . well ( saith pharaoh ) i will yeeld so farre unto you , your children shall goe with you to serve the lord , onely your sheepe and your cattell shall abide at home . nay ( saith moses ) our cattell also shall goe with us . there shall not an hoofe be left . now when all this would not doe , when moses would not accept of any capitulations , conditions , restrictions , or limitations in holy businesses , and the service of god , ( for he was at a point , resolute , he would not leave so much as an hoofe behinde . ) now , i say , when all the enticements and policies of pharaoh would not prevaile to keepe moses from serving and sacrificing unto god , and that precisely and strictly , according to his owne appointment and commandement , but that to this end , at length he wrung himselfe and all the israelites , out of the bloudy teeth of this persecuting wolfe ; why then pharaoh armes himselfe with rage and fury , with six hundred chosen chariots , and all the chariots of aegypt , with fifty thousand horsmen , and two hundred thousand footmen , as a iewish historian writes , purposing with bloudy thirst to devoure at once , and swallow up quicke , even all the israell of god : but you know the conclusion was ; the lord of heaven gave a most glorious deliverance to his owne people , wherein his bottomlesse goodnesse , and infinite mercy shall shine cleare and bright for ever , in all generations of the church upon earth , and through all eternity in heaven : but upon their enemies he brought such a strange and terrible confusion in the red sea , which may strike astonishment and trembling into the heart and loynes of all prophane persecutors of godlinesse to the worlds end , and amaze the very maliciousest f●end in hell , while that kingdome of darknesse stands . even iust thus doth satan deale with all those who desire to bee conducted by the light of the word , out of the aegypt and slavery of ignorance , sinne , prophanenesse ; and who are resolved frankly and freely to give themselves , soules and bodies , to gods service , and to enter a setled course of holinesse and sanctification ; hee useth all meanes and policies to keepe and detaine them in his kingdome of darknesse . if he cannot hold them in his chiefe palace and court as it were , where sinne especially raignes and revels it , yet he will so farre hamper them , that at least they still hover upon the confines and borders of the regions of death . if they will needs bee medling with reformation of their ●infull lives , and that he cannot helpe it , but something must be done , he is content to yeeld unto them upon some termes or conditions , that they cast him not quite out of their consciences , but suffer him to sway and raigne in their hearts , by some one gainfull or delightfull sinne or other . . if they will needs feare god , he stands not much upon it , but that they may doe it outwardly , and in profession , so that they will continue in aegypt , within the kingdome of darknesse , and lie still in their sinnes , and under the shadow of death . . if this will not content them , if they will not rest here , but will needs out of the kingdome of darknesse , and dominion of death , why he is not much against it , but that they may goe the halfe way ; that is , he will suffer them to forgoe and forbeare the outward practice and perpetration of many sinnes , so that inwardly their heart and affections harbour , nourish & embrace them still , and feed upon with a sensuall and delightfull remembrance , the sinfull pleasures of iniquities formerly committed . . if they desire and endevour to become new men , both inwardly and outwardly , to be sanctified in actions and affections , to serve god both in soule and body , he will yet yeeld so farre , that they may be rid of some sinnes both in heart and practice , as perhaps of sinnes of custome ; but then he will be a suitor and solicitor unto them , to retaine other sinnes , as perhaps sinnes of nature . for example : it may be they may both forbeare the outward practice , and also inwardly loath swearing , drunkennesse , and other such like sinnes of custome ; but they will nuzzle in the bosome of their affections , pride , lust , anger , and such other sinnes , the naturall birth as it were of originall corruption . . but if they also conquer these , why then he tempts them mainly to continue at the least in worldlinesse . * for this in many mens hearts hath greater power , and beares more sway than nature , or naturall affection . he will secretly suggest unto them , that upon an eager and excessive pursuit of gaine and riches , depends their life and livelyhood , their credit and reputation , their contentment and happinesse in the world ; so that perhaps at last of all , after all this , they rest and settle themselves upon sinnes of advantage , as usury , oppression , unlawfull and excessive gaining , earthly-mindednesse , serving the times , and such like . . but if by the grace of god any be so blessed from god above , as resolutely to passe thorow all these traines and temptations , and like strong samsons , breake through all these cords and cart-ropes of iniquitie and vanitie ; so that they will not yeeld an ynch to that cruell pharaoh of hell , nor leave so much as an hoofe behinde them , in his kingdome of darknesse : why then , this spirituall pharaoh presently armes himselfe with all the crafts and policies of hell , with legions of fiends , and princes of the darkenesse of this world ; with all his malice , against the salvation of the soules of men ; with the fire and furious rage of prophane wretches ; with the sharpe swords and impoysoned arrowes of lying and slanderous tongues ; and with all other advantages , which either the lowest hell , or the wide wicked world can afford . and thus appointed , hee pursues and persecutes , with bloodie and implacable furie , all those who have escaped out of this captivitie , farre more eagerly and enviously than ever pharaoh did the israelites : that either hee may bring them backe againe into his bondage , or else take them quite away , and destroy them ; that they may not attaine the full light of the saints , nor doe long service unto the lord. and certainely , if all the power of hell , the strongest temptations , the scourge of tongues , the worlds malice , the spightfull spirit of prophanenesse , the frownings of friends , the scornefull insolencies of enemies , the cursed and enticing cryes of our old companions ; if wicked men or damned devils be able to prevaile , he will be sure to stay them , before they enter into the state of grace , and true blessednesse . but yet , if a man put on pauls armour , in eph. . davids royall courage , psal . . . moses princely zeale , and truly christian valour , that he will not leave a hoofe behinde ; that is , that he will not leave one corruption unmortified , one affection unsanctified , one rebellious action unreformed , one knowne sinne unrepented of , and unforsaken ; one holy dutie unperformed , one commandement unobeyed : why then , hee may looke for a more glorious spirituall deliverance , than moses had a temporall : hell , and confusion , shall swallow up all his * enemies ; but into his heart , in the meane time , shall be shed and plentifully powred comfort , joy , and peace ▪ and upon his head shall a crowne of immortalitie flourish for ever hereafter . i have stayed very long upon the fifth plot and practice of sathan , whereby he labours to make the word heard , unpowerfull and uneffectuall for the salvation of our soules : for , i know , it is much and often exercised , and with great successe ; and by it , he prevailes with very many . when by diligent hearing of gods word ▪ faithfully urged upon them , they are driven , and doe addresse themselves to a reformation and amendment of their sinfull lives ; he mightily endeavours to hinder , disquiet , and interrupt them in it ; to make it a reformation unto them but in part , and by halfes ; unsound , and unsaving : so that , it may be , they may forsake sinnes of custome , as lying , swearing , drunkennesse , and such like ; but keepe sinnes of nature , as pride , lust , anger , and the like : or , it may be , they may forsake both these two kindes of sinnes , and yet keepe sinnes of advantage ; as oppression , unlawfull gaining , grinding the faces of the poore , serving the time , and such like : or , they may leave all these ▪ and yet keepe sinnes of companie ; as , idle and vaine talking , filthie ieasting , rayling against and slandering their neighbours , uncharitable judging and censuring their brethren , and the like . it may be , they may be carefull in their generall calling of christianitie ; but carelesse and unfaithfull in those particular places and callings , wherein god in his providence hath set them : or contrarily ; they may be of christian behaviour abroad , and in publike ; as at sermons , and in the church : but unconscionable at home , and in their private families ; never teaching , or praying with them : they may seeme zealous in the commandements of the first table , and about the service of god ; but in the second , and towards their neighbour , unmercifull , unconscionable , and uncharitable : or , they may deale justly and honestly with others , but be utterly voide and destitute of the knowledge and feare of god : they may bee outwardly reformed , but inwardly full of hollow-heartednesse , and hypocrisie : they may leave all other sinnes , onely keepe one behinde ; which is called a mans sweet , delightfull , and bosome-sinne . if sathan can prevaile with a man any of these wayes , hee keepes him his owne : for hee that is soundly converted , justified , and sanctified indeed , must needs be out of love with every sinne , with the whole course of iniquitie ; and with sincerity and chearefulnesse embrace the entire body of christianitie , and have a regard to all gods commandements . now i come to a sixt sleight and devise of sathan , whereby hee labours to make the word fruitlesse and unprofitable unto us . if he cannot stay us in our reformation , but that we will needs through , and cast away all sinnes ; why then , hee seekes by all meanes to hinder our continuance , and constancie . if the seed of the word be received with joy , and spring up for a time ; that is , be practised for a while ; he rayseth up some persecution , tribulation , or crosses , whereby it is presently blasted , withers , and comes to nothing . the uncleane spirit may for a time goe out of a man , and walke throughout drie places ; but if it be possible , he will returne with seven other spirits worse than himselfe : and the end of that man , is worse than the beginning . a man may flye from the pollution and filthinesse of the world , as it is , . pet. . . but by the policie of sathan , hee may be tangled againe therein : he may be washed ( as it is in the same place ) for a while , and yet after wallow againe in the myre of sinne : he may be endued with an inferior sanctification of the spirit , heb. . . and yet after , by the malice of sathan , tread under foot the sonne of god : hee may have a generall participation of the holy-ghost , heb. . . and yet after a time fall away , to the very despiting of the spirit of grace . i speake not this , as though that any once effectually called , truly sanctified , possessed of the state of grace , and enrolled among the saints , can possibly become a cast-away ; it cannot bee : for if once by the power of speciall grace , a man be built upon the rocke ; not the gates of hell , not all the powers of darkeness , nor strongest assaaults of satan , shall ever prevaile against him . heaven and earth shall sooner be removed , than any of gods servants . for if gods eternall decree of election be unchangeable ; if his covenant be everlasting , and inviolable ; if his truth cannot change , nor his mercie faile , nor his power be weakened ; if the sacred seale of the blessed spirit shall stand ; if the precious blood and fervent prayers of christ iesus can prevaile ; if his scriptures doe not lye , and deceive ; if his sanctifying grace cannot die , and perish ; if himselfe cannot cease to be : then undoubtedly , if a man be once his , he is his for ever ; if he be once truely his servant upon earth , he shall for ever hereafter be a glorious saint in heaven . my meaning therefore in this point , is onely this : there is a glimmering light of the spirit , some manner of taste of the sweetnesse of christ , a kind of change , which may be wrought in a man by the preaching of the word , and yet he not truely and constantly converted , but may by the malice and policie of satan be repossessed by uncleane spirits , and repolluted with the filthinesse of the world. thus we may discerne this changeable change ( that i may so speake ) and the saving change of gods servants : if , after we have given our names to christ , and begun to professe and practise sinceritie , we passe on , and continually grow in grace , and stand for gods honour and service , against all commers ; friends or foes , losse or disgrace , oppression or slanders , men or devils ; why then , undoubtedly , we have the sanctifying spirit of god , and saving grace ; which makes his children like trees betwixt the rivers of waters , fruitfull in goodnesse , and as bold as lyons , in good causes . but , if after wee have begun well , wee looke backe with lots wife ; if we fall in love againe with those sinnes which wee have forsaken ; if rubbes and crosses in the world , will turne us out of the way to heaven ; and our righteousnesse be but as the morning deaw , which a little heat of persecution will drie up : why then , our change was changeable , and not that of gods children . the seed of the word , which wee received with joy , was never deepely rooted in good and honest hearts ; wee were onely temporarie converts , not new creatures ; temporizing professors , not true christians ; and our end is like to be worse than our beginning ; and our plagues more , than if we had never begun . let every man take heed then , in the name of god , lest by the traines and temptations of sathan he be turn'd backe againe from any good course ; lest after he be washed , he wallow againe in the myre of worldlinesse , and worldly vanities ; and after hee hath escaped the filthinesse of the world , lest he be againe entangled therein . let us beware of longing after those sinnes , which we begun in some measure to reforme ; let us not lust againe after the flesh-pots of aegypt , like the israelites , after we be in some good sort enlarged from the bondage of sinne , and tyrannie of the hellish pharoah . lots wife being delivered out of sodome , was surprised with a sensuall remembrance of the pleasures and vanities of the place which shee had left , of the ease and prosperitie which shee there enjoyed ; and so look'd backe upon it : but shee was therefore presently turned into a pillar of salt , gen. . . there for ever to be a monument and fearefull spectacle of gods terrible judgements against all back-sliders . if the uncleane spirit be cast out of a man by some degrees of reformation , and good beginnings of amendment of life , and have after leave and libertie to returne ; he brings with him seven devils worse than himselfe , and makes a man farre worse than he was before . much better were it for any man never to have knowne or stept into the way of righteousnesse , than afterward to turne from the holy commandement of god , and out of a course of christianitie . it is a fearefull curse , to continue in hardnesse of heart , prophanenesse of life , and sinfull courses : but to leave them for a little , and to sinke backe againe , is to have gods curse bitter against them , if they repent not , and the fire of hell made more hot for them . first , sicknesses are curable ; but relapses are very dangerous , if not irrecoverable . if a man ( as it is heb. . ) hath once beene enlightened , and then fall away , it is impossible to be renewed by repentance . i know that place principally to be understood of the highest degree of apostacie , and falling away ; but hee that falls away from any good course , and good beginnings , falls towards that irrecoverable fall , and makes himselfe more uncapable of repentance , than if he never had been enlightened , or stept into the way of truth : and it is just with god , to punish such with a reprobate sense , and hearts that cannot repent . it then deepely and neerely concernes us ; for once wee have felt the sweetnesse of grace , and tasted of the powers of the world to come ; to drinke deeper of the waters of life , and to follow hard towards the marke , for the price of the high calling of god in christ iesus . when wee feele any good motions and purposes arise in our hearts , let us labour to follow them , to nourish them , to blow them up , to make a fire of them ; lest they onely but make a flash , and passe away as the lightning . let us put them in practise with zeale , and constancie , that we be not as the unfaithfull waters , which in the summer are dryed up ; or as the dead trees , which perish in winter : but that we remaine whole and sound , pure and perfect , as the living waters and olives of the lord , that ever shed forth their sweetnesse and fatnesse . let us make a covenant , even a covenant ( as the scripture speaketh ) of salt , durable , and perpetuall , with the lord , to live before him in holinesse and righteousnesse all the dayes of our life : for to him that goes through with his holy businesse , that fights the good fight of faith , finisheth his course , and overcomes ; to him , and to him alone , shall all those glorious blessings be performed , which are promised in the first chapter of the revelation : to eate of the tree of life , which is in the midst of the paradise of god ; not to be hurt of the second death ; to eate of the manna which is hid , and to have the white stone of victorie given him ; to have power given him to rule over nations , and to be lightened with heavenly brightnesse , like the morning starre ; to be clothed with white array , ( that is , with heavenly glory ) and to have his name continued in the booke of life ; to have a pillar made in the temple of god , ( that is , a firme and unmoveable place of eternall glory ; ) to sup with christ , and to sit with him upon his throne for evermore . thus shall hee bee honoured and crowned with the excellencie , fulnesse , and varietie of all glory , joy , and happinesse , who enters with sinceritie , and couragiously ends his race of holinesse , and conquers in his spirituall fight . but all fearefull men , ( as it is , rev. . . ) who slinke backe for feare of men , or love of the world , or to serve the times ; all faint-hearted men in the lords battailes , and that fall away from good beginnings ; they shall be punished with unbeleevers , with the abominable , with murtherers and whore-mongers , with idolaters and lyars , in the lake which burnes with fire and brimstone ; which is the second death . but , if by the grace and mercie of god , we quit our selves like men , and hold on comfortably and constantly in a setled course of godlinesse ; yet , for all this , sathan hath not done : though he can doe us no deadly hurt , yet he will still doe his worst ; for his craft and spight is endlesse . if he see there is no hope of bringing us backe againe into his bondage , or making us any more vassals and slaves to sinne ; yet he will labour to lay stumbling-blockes in our way , to bring us upon our knees : now and then , to turne us out of the right path ; sometimes , even to over-turne us with some greater and more dangerous fall ; hee will lay his traines to intrap and intangle us , if it be possible , in some old sweet sinne : which , that hee may bring about , hee will use the benefit and advantage of custome , because before our calling , wee have much practised it ; of the frailtie of our owne corruptions , because they have most delighted in it ; of our old companie , because wee have formerly oftenest committed it with them . he will leave no opportunitie , advantage , or circumstance omitted , and unassayed , to hale us back into one or other speciall sinne , of our unregeneration . if this will not stop , hee will follow all occasions , enticements , and temptations , the tide of our owne affections , the streame of the times , if by any meanes hee can cast us into some grosse and scandalous sinne . these are sathans plots and practises against those , who hold on in a constant course of holinesse : if they will not bee brought to tumble themselves againe in the myre of sinne , and sinfull pleasures , yet he will doe what hee can , now and then , to spot and staine their christian lives with some grieuous fall , or other ; that so , to his utmost , hee may bring upon them gods disfavour , and angry countenance , disgrace and disconceit amongst their brethren , discomforts and feares of heart within themselves . but if a man , first , by keeping fresh in his minde the uncertainties and vanities of this vaine world : secondly , by carefull and continuall watching over his deceitfull heart : thirdly , by exercising and practising with diligence and delight , all holy meanes of preserving grace , and starving sinne ; as reading , hearing , conference , meditation of the word of god ; prayer , publike and private ; with himselfe , and with his family : fourthly , by declining prophane , unprofitable , and unchristian companie , and acquaintance ; and frequenting , with joy and fruit , the fellowship of the saints : fifthly , by an humble entertainment , nourishment , and practice of the good motions of the spirit : sixtly , by a dayly examination of the state of his conscience , and reparation of the decayes of grace : seventhly , by his godly jealousie over little sinnes , and present renewing repentance after every slip . i say , if by such meanes as these ( which are notable preservatives against the poyson of sinne ) a man fence himselfe from grosse and scandalous falls ; or else , if by the politike malice of sathan , and weakenesse of his owne flesh , he be overtaken with some fouler sinne ; and yet notwithstanding , besides pangs of griefe , and anguish of spirit , for grieving his gracious god , hee looke better to his feet , and run faster in the race of sanctification after his fall ; if his falling into sinne teach him these good lessons , which in such cases are ordinarily learned of all true christians ; for all things , even * sinne it selfe , makes to the best in gods children . hee learnes by his fall , to distaste his pride , and selfe-conceit , to let fall his peacockes traine , and despaire of his owne strength . to depend only upon god , the word of his grace , and the power and perpetuall influence of his spirit , for his standing upright in the wayes of righteousnesse , and preservation from most fearefull and dangerous downe-falls . to cling closer about him ; to claspe faster hold with the hand of faith upon the glorious passion and meritorious justice of christ ; with much heartinesse and zeale of seeke and sue unto him for his speciall aide and assistance against satans temptations , his owne corruptions , and outward occasions of sinne . to blush and be ashamed of himselfe ; for that he having had his soule washed with the precious blood of christ , and having received so great favour , mercy , and pardon at the hands of god , yet hath wretchedly and unthankfully defiled it againe ; and so wofully and wickedly abused his extraordinary love and kindnesse . with more resolute vow , protestation , and practice , to renounce and abandon satan ; with more perfect hatred , and detestation , to loath and abhorre all manner of sinne ; the garment spotted of the flesh , and all appearance of evill . to become watchfull , and wise ; by taking speciall notice of all the motives , temptations , meanes , occasions , baites , allurements to that sinne , into which hee fell ; for the avoiding and declining of it afterwards . to thinke charitably of other men , that fall , and are suddenly overtaken in any offence ; not to be too eager , hot , and censorious against them ; but out of his owne experience , to give them comfort , instructions , and directions , and to labour to restore them with the spirit of meekenesse . now , i say , if a man be either fore-armed and fenced ( as i said ) from falls ; or else , after his fall , weepe bitterly , repent sincerely , watch afterward more carefully , walke more zealously ; and out of his spirituall wisedome , make that use and benefit of his fall , as i have told you : then hee may have comfort , that sathan gets no great advantage this way . like a fierce cruell dragon , sith he cannot devoure the womans child so soone as ever it is brought forth ; that is , he cannot repossesse and reigne againe in a true christian and regenerate man , brought forth by the power of the word , in the wombe of the church ; he therefore casteth out of his mouth , after him , flouds of outward crosses and vexations . if he cannot wound him in his soule , yet he will vexe him in his body , goods , and good name : if he cannot hinder him of heaven , he will give him little rest or quiet upon earth : if hee cannot bring him into disgrace and disfavour with god , he will be sure to rayse him hatred enough , malice , and discountenance amongst men : he will doe his worst , to fill and loade him with all outward discomforts and discouragements ; as povertie , sicknesse , slanders , scoffings , raylings , reproaches , contempts , and a thousand other persecutions . but in such cases as these , let every child of god comfort , refresh , and hold himselfe in heart , cheare , and courage , by such considerations as these . first , it is a decree of heaven , resolved upon and ratified by the lord our god , confirmed by the experience of all the patriarkes and prophets , of the apostles and professors of christ , of all the saints and servants , nay , and of the sonne of god himselfe ; that , through many tribulations wee must enter into the kingdome of heaven . so often therefore as wee shall see any miseries or afflictions comming towards us , for our profession of sinceritie , and righteousnesse sake ; let us acknowledge them to be as so many most certaine and infallible markes , that we are in the right way to heaven : through which , if we but walke a little further with patience , we shall descry a crowne of glory , which is our owne for ever ; of which , all the afflictions and pressures of a thousand worlds are not neere worthy . secondly , though by this meanes , by these outward crosses and afflictions , sathan dischargeth upon us the very gall of his bitternesse , the poyson of his malice , and arrowes of his spight ; yet , by the mercifull and medicinall hand of god , they are returned upon his owne head , they strike through the heart of sinne , and become as precious restoratives , to repaire in us the decayes of spirituall life : for in gods children , crosses and afflictions have these worthy effects and workings . they start us out of our securitie , carelesnesse , and coldnesse , which by little and little may grow upon the best : they breed in us a conceit and sense of our owne wants , and the necessitie of gods providence and protection : they adde oyle unto the flame of our first love , put life into our religious exercises , and power and spirit into our prayers . they curbe and controule the pride , insolencie , and impatiencie of our nature : they coole and kill the heat , headlongnesse , and intemperancie of our affections : they weaken indeed the whole old adam in us , with all his lusts , concupiscence , and venome ; but give strength to the new man , with all his godly and gracious motions , holy and heavenly actions . they make us with indignation to spit in the very face of this vaine , deceitfull , and flattering world ; the temporall love of which , is the eternall losse both of bodies & soules in the other world : they happily weane us from the love of it , and make us willing to part with her paps ; to bid all her enticements adiew , and to trample under feet the fading pleasures & vanities thereof : they make us to teare our groveling hearts , and rent our dull affections from the earth , to which they cleave , and are glued so fast , and to lift up both our heads and hearts to heaven , and to the glory which is to be revealed , longingly to desire the comming of christ , the life that lasteth , and to be clothed with our house , which is from above . lastly , they are as sharpe and precious eye-salves , to cleare and enlarge the spirituall sight of our soules , too much dimmed and darkened with earthly dust , and with gazing too long on the painted glory of the world ; that so wee may see further into the great mysterie of godlinesse , deeper into the masse and dunghill of our owne corruptions and frailties , wider upon the vanities of the world , and higher into the happinesse of heaven , and that great beautie , glory , and majestie above : they serve unto us as sowre sawces , and bitter wormewood , to bring us out of love with our sweet sinnes , and to breed a distaste in our mouth against transitorie delights : they are as sharpe pruning-knives , to lop and cut away the excesses , vanities , and unnecessarie cares that grow upon us ; and so to trimme us , that wee may bring forth more profitable , plentifull , and fairer fruits in godlinesse and christianitie . thus sathan is disappointed in his plots , and policie ; his malice makes a medicine for our soules : hee purposeth and hopes , by crosses and afflictions to turne us backe , or make us wearie in our course of holinesse ; but by the mercy of god , they become as spurres , to pricke us forward in our christian race ; and as hedges to keepe us in , from wandering out of the way . now , in a third place ; that gods child may not too much be cast downe , or put out of heart , for crosses and persecutions raysed against him for a profession , and the practice of sinceritie ; let him consider , that howsoever sathan and wicked men be the instruments , and executioners , which maliciously procure , and immediately inflict miseries and vexations upon the children of god ; though they be the meanes to lay tortures and torments upon their bodies , crosses and losses upon their goods and outward estates , spots and impression and crueltie upon the face of their harmelesse innocencie , slanders and disgraces , imputations and staining aspersions upon their reputations and good names ; sometimes terrors , temptations , and amazements upon their minds : yet in all these , our gracious god hath the chiefest stroke , a principall hand , and the greatest sway ▪ he directs , limits , and moderates the rage and furie of all our enemies , whether they be devils or men , as it pleaseth him ; and ever certainely to the singular good of his children , if they be patient and faithfull . miserie ( saith iob , chap. . . ) commeth not forth of the dust , neither doth afflictions spring out of the earth . neither indeed , principally and originally from man , the lord of the earth ; nor from the prince that rules in the aire ; nor from the host of heaven : god himselfe is the chiefe commander , guider , and directer of all vexations , and ill of punishment that befalls any man ; and inflicts it , for our sinnes and corruptions , upon the reprobates , as appeares in pharoah , for their further hardening and confusion ; upon his elect , for their conversion and correction . let us then , in all our sufferings and afflictions , stirred up against us for sticking to sinceritie , and keeping a good conscience ; lift up our eyes to the mightie lord of heaven and earth : who , by the strong arme of his omnipotencie , holds fast in a chaine , sathan , that raging lion , and great goliah , that hee cannot stirre one linke further than hee will give him leave ; hee cannot goe a haires breadth beyond his commission : nay , and that which hee is suffered to doe , makes one way or other for our farre greater good . let us consider , what a loving and tender-hearted father hath us under his correction ; and holds in his hand the furie of sathan , the malice of men , the power and particular stings of all creatures , as rods and scourges , to reforme and amend us ; to keepe us in a course of holinesse , and in the right way to heaven . his fatherly love and tender-heartednesse unto his , and such as feare him , doth in dearenesse and unchangeablenesse as farre surpasse the most compassionate bowels of any earthly father , as god surpasseth man ; and , an infinite nature , a finite creature . the kindnesse of a mother to her child , is nothing to that love which god beareth to a true christian . a mother may forget her child , and not have compassion vpon the sonne of her wombe . but god neither can , nor will forget him . the stonie rockes and mountaines sticke fast and sure unto their foundations ; but gods love to his child , is farre surer and sounder . the mountaines shall remove , and the hills shall fall downe ( saith god by isaiah ) but my mercie shall not depart from thee ; neither shall the covenant of my peace fall away , saith the lord , that hath compassion on thee . can any man stoppe the course of the sunne , the moone , and the starres ? can hee change the seasons of the day and the night ? no more can any creature , or a world of creatures , stoppe and turne aside the streames of gods endlesse mercies and favours to his faithfull servants . if you can change ( saith god by ieremie ) if you can change the courses of the sunne , and of the moone , and of the starres ; if you can breake my covenant of the day , and my covenant of the night , that there should not be day and night in their season ; then may my covenant be broke unto david , my servant ; then will i cast off all the seed of israel : ier. . . you may therefore make sure of it ; every sanctified and sincere man is ever in gods sight , for his good and preservation ; hee is graven upon the palme of his hand , hee is set as a signet upon his arme , and as a seale upon his heart . god is ever farre more sensible , tender , and compassionate of the sighes , teares , and miseries of his children , than any man can be of the pricking of the precious ball and apple of his owne eye . wee have his promise , sealed with the precious bloud of his owne sonne , bound with an oath ; that so , by two immutable things , wherein it is impossible that god should lye , wee might have strong consolation ; that , hee will never faile and forsake his ; that , hee never lay more upon them , than hee will make them able to beare . hee gives them comfort in all their afflictions , deliverance from them , and benefit by them . in all troubles , hee most certainely either quite frees them , or graciously preserves them , in them ; so farre as is best for his glory , and their good ; and usefull for the church , and his other children . let no child of god then be dismayed or discouraged for any crosses , slanders , or persecutions , which befall him for his profession , and practice of holinesse and sinceritie . though sathan hath his worke in them , and prophane and wicked men a part ; yet our gracious god , so loving and tender-hearted a father , hath the principall stroake and chiefe finger in them : sathans worke , and end is , to vexe and discourage . it is evermore the worke of the devill , ( saith one of the * ancient fathers ) that hee may with lyes teare the servants of god , and by false opinions spread concerning them , may defame their glorious name ; that such as are bright in the light of their owne conscience , may be darkened and disgraced by the reports of others . wicked and prophane men , because they are in darkenesse , and their workes are evill , they cannot endure the children of light , and their holinesse of life . for this is the root and fountaine of all their malice and crueltie ; as appeares ioh. . . cain sle● his brother ; and wherefore slew he him ? because his owne workes were evill , and his brothers good . hence growes and springs all the furie and rage , all the wrongs and slanders , which are wont to be layd on true christians : they are hated even for their very goodnesse , and because they will not runne with the wicked unto the same excesse of riot : they are filled with contempt and reproach , with the mockings of the wealthy , and despightfulnesse of the proud , because they will not sweare , swagger , lye , poure in strong drinke , prophane the sabbaths , follow the fashions and corruptions of the times . in a word , because they will not be prophane in this world , and damned in the world to come . and besides , i know not how , wicked men thinke , that by the commonnesse of sinne , their sinfull courses become more commendable ; and , that the multitude of offendors makes them more excusable , and their offences pardonable . it is the comfort ( saith an ancient * father ) of evill men , to carpe at the good ; thinking , that by the great number of offendors , the guilt of their faults is diminished and abated . but gods worke and end , in all false reports unjustly raysed against his children , and in other crosses whatsoever ; is to stirre up and revive in them zeale , devotion , and faithfulnesse , in praying , praysing , and serving him ; to purge out of them the drosse and relickes of some old sinne ; to humble them , and to bring them to a true denying of themselves ; to trie their faith , patience , and constancie ; or for their greater good , one way or other . a fourth consideration , whereby the true christian may be kept in heart and comfort against all crosses and calumniations which hee shall meete with , in his course of holinesse and sanctification , is this : it is no strange thing that doth befall him , when he is persecuted for sinceritie ; but the very beaten way to heaven , trodden by all such feet , as ever walked in faith and obedience . abel begun in this cup of persecution , and vexation , for his service to god , to all those who would give their names to christ , or fight under his banner to the worlds end . the patriarkes and prophets , and holy men of old , followed and pledged him : they were tryed by mockings and scourgings , by bonds and imprisonment ; they were stoned , they were hewen asunder , they were tempted , they were slaine with the sword ; they wandered up and downe in sheepes-skins , and goats-skins , being destitute , afflicted , and tormented ; whom the world was not worthie of ; they wandered in wildernesses , and dennes , and caves of the earth . nay , christ iesus himselfe , the sonne of god , and our blessed saviour , drunke deepe and large of this cup ; it was the baptisme wherewith he was baptized . his apostles and disciples followed ; they endured all the bloudie and mercilesse cruelties , which fierce and furious wolves are wont to inflict upon silly and harmelesse sheepe : for they were sent out into the world , as sheepe amongst wolves . there come after , and drinke of the same cup , millions of blessed men and women , under the primitive persecutions : of which , some were scalded , some burned , some broyled , some hanged , some beheaded , some throwne downe from rockes upon stakes , some stabbed in with forkes , some racked , and torne in pieces , their tongues cut out , their eyes bored out , their flesh twitched off with pinsons , womens brests feared off with hot yrons , pricked under the nayles with needles , and a thousand more wayes tormented , with as great varietie and exquisitenesse , as politike malice could devise , and prophane crueltie execute . if wee passe along from thence , even to these times ; yea , and if our eyes were so enlightened , that we could looke upon the state of gods children , and their way to heaven , even to the worlds end ; we should ever be able to trace them along by the teares of brine , and bloud , which are powred out and spilt for the profession of gods truth , and practice of holinesse . this then is , was , and ever will be , the lot and portion of all those who are fitting and preparing for heaven . they are ever persecuted one way , or other . if by reason of the milde and peaceable times , they fight not unto bloud , and passe the fierie triall ; yet they shall have their troubles , oppressions , and disgraces ; at least , they shall be ever sure to be payd home with the scourge of tongues : they shall be loaden with slanders , and false reports ; they shall be made a gazing-stocke , a by-word , and table-talke ; a scorne , reproach , and derision to them that are round about them : as david was , psal . . . which being so , why should not a common case , in the cause of god , breed a common comfort in true christians ? why should any of them thinke much to drinke of the same cup , that the dearest saints and soules , now blessed with the lord , have begun to them in ; and of which , all that will be saved , even to the last day , must taste , and follow ? why should any man , that truly loves god , or lookes for the joyes of the other world , seeke or desire a priviledge above all the children of god , that everwere ; and even above the sonne of god himselfe , christ iesus ? most unworthy is hee of the glorious comforts of grace , of the inward peace , that passeth all understanding , and of that glory which is to be revealed ; who , for a slanderous tale , a lying tongue , a reproachfull tearme , or the feare and face of any mortall man , slinkes back from a bold profession of sinceritie , and from the true service of the living god. in sufferings and afflictions for gods cause , there is not onely matter of patience , but even occasion of glory . they are like starres in the forehead , honourable maimes , conformities to iesus christ , liveries of a christian souldier . fifthly , let him consider , that his momentanie crosses and afflictions cause an exceeding and everlasting weight of glory . let his vexation be never so grievous , his persecutors never so great , and mightie ; neither they , nor that , can last long . for the life of man , and all the glory thereof , doth passe away like a ship in the water , whose tract cannot be seene againe ; like an arrow through the aire , or a weavers shuttle through his worke ; like a fading flower , suddenly plucked up and withered ; like grasse , like smoake , like a dreame , like a bubble of the water . though a christian therefore be never so deepely plunged into * miseries , he shall abide but a while under the waters of affliction ; the day of redemption cannot be farre off . though he should passe through the teeth of wilde beasts , upon the sword of the tyrant , through the flames of fire ; though his braines should be dasht against the walls , his limbes lye scattered in the streets , and his bloud runne downe every channell : yet shall he , ere it be long , gloriously rise againe , in despight of all the powers of darkenesse , and bloudinesse of cruell men . hee shall entirely be restored , by the mightie and immediate hand of god ; hee shall be clothed with light , and immortalitie ; his bloud shall be revenged , and all teares wiped from his eyes ; and there shall be set upon his head a crowne of everlasting joy , peace , and happinesse . sixtly , comfort unspeakable , and glorious , may spring up in the heart of gods child , amidst his sufferings for the cause of god , out of a consideration , that in all afflictions , without exception , christ suffereth with him . paul was the mirrour and miracle of all christians , for the varietie and gloriousnesse of his sufferings ; you may see a strange and unmatchable catalogue of them , cor. . . &c. he was in stripes above measure , plenteously in prison , in death oft . of the iewes , five times received hee fortie stripes , save one ; he was thrice beaten with rods , he was once stoned , he suffered thrice shipwracke ; night and day was he in the deepe sea : in journeying , he was often ; in perils of waters , in perils of robbers , in perils of his owne nation , in perils among the gentiles , in perils in the citie , in perils in the wildernesse , in perils in the sea , in perils among false brethren ; in wearinesse , and painefulnesse ; in watching often ; in hunger , and thirst ; in fastings often ; in cold , and in nakednesse . yet all these , and what other crosses and afflictions befell him , he calls and accounts them the sufferings and afflictions of christ . now ( saith paul , col. . . ) now rejoyce i in my sufferings for you , and fulfill the rest of the afflictions of christ in my flesh , for his bodies sake , which is the church . and cor. . . as the sufferings of christ abound in us , so our consolation aboundeth through christ. lazarus , in all his povertie , contempt , sicknesse , sores , or what other miseries , suffered nothing wherein christ was not partaker of his griefe and sorrow . so sweet and blessed a consent and sympathie is there betwixt christ , the head , and all true christians , his members ; that so long as the great mysterie of that mysticall vnion stands true and sure , ( which is for ever ) all holy men , and servants of god , in all their sufferings for the name of christ , profession of his truth , and practice of sinceritie , shall have christ himselfe partner and partaker of their miseries ; which is able to refresh the heaviest heart , in the greatest extremities . i have stayed long upon this point ; to wit , how sathan labours might and maine , by crosses and slanders , to discourage gods child , and to stop his course in the wayes of righteousnesse ; and in laying downe some comforts against them : because thousands , at the very first entrance , or after some small continuance , are wofully turned backe from grace , and sinceritie , by temptations , reproaches , and troubles raysed against them ; by their owne rebellious flesh , sathan , and prophane men . now , in a ninth place , if all this will doe no good ; if the heat of persecution inflame the zeale of the true christian ; if reproaches and afflictions be so farre from daunting and dulling his forwardnesse , that they set an edge upon his affections , and adde strength to his resolution , in proceeding in the glorious state of christianitie : why then , the last sleight and temptation of sathan , to hinder the sanctifying power and successe of the word , and to make it fruitlesse and unprofitable , is spirituall pride ; which , by his malicious cunning , and hellish alchymie , hee extracts even out of his graces and vertues ; out of such sweet flowers , he rayses poyson : and sith he cannot keepe goodnesse utterly out of the soule , he uses it selfe as an instrument , to weaken & wound it selfe . for when a man is most endued and enriched with extraordinarie gifts , holy graces , and spirituall strength ; sathan seekes most busily to make him proud of them , and to puffe him up with an over-weening conceit of his owne worth ; that so himselfe may lose the comfort of them , his brethren the fruit of them , and god the glory of them . this spirituall pride , is the same in our corruptions and sinfull affections , that the shirt is in our clothing ; that is to say , it sits the closest unto us , and is last put off : it is the white devill ( as a worthy divine calls it . ) that sinne doth lye , and insensibly insinuate it selfe ; and lurkes amid our graces , and good actions , as a dead fly in the apothecaries ointment . it is , as it were , sathans last intrenchment , which hee holds the longest , and with most resolute and desperate pertinacie , and is hardlyest driven out ; much spirituall wisedome , a great measure of humilitie , and the whole armour of god is required to this combate . for he is so endlesse , and exercised in the point ; that , if we be so humble , that he cannot make us proud of any thing else , he will labour to make us proud even of our humilitie ; and proud , that we are not proud of our gifts . except a christian continually and carefully watch over his heart , and guard it with humilitie , and a lowly conceit of himselfe ; this privie pride may steale upon him , before he be aware . and first , it may spring out of a consideration of the excellencie of his estate , and the varietie of his peculiar blessings , and speciall priviledges , which the ungodly men neither can , nor doe enjoy . for when he is once translated from darknesse to light , from prophanenesse to sinceritie , from nature to grace ; out of the dominion of sathan , into the kingdome of christ , by the great worke of regeneration : hee is presently made partaker of the divine nature , pet. . . hee is entitled , by the right of the sonne of god , to an inheritance immortall , and undefiled , and that fadeth not away , reserved in the heavens for him . while hee is thus looking upon himselfe , possessed of this happinesse , and planted in this glorious paradise ; sathan is secretly blowing the coales of his hidden corruption , to enkindle and rayse there-out an over-weening conceit of his owne worth , and to puffe him up with pride of his owne gifts and graces ; whence may ensue two foule and hatefull inconveniences : for so hee may grow by little and little to justifie himselfe too much , whereby gods glory may be lessened and darkened ; and to despise his brethren , whereby his exercise of charitie may be hindered . this spirituall pride may occasionally , and by accident , spring out of a godly and gracious care , to keepe and preserve himselfe unspotted and undefiled in his happy and glorious state of grace , and regeneration . for while he is casting with himselfe , and concluding upon some sound and substantiall course of holinesse and obedience in the wayes of godlinesse ; sathan labours might and maine , to draw him to a singularitie of unwarrantable conceits and opinions ; that by a tedious and unnecessarie pursuit and possession thereof , he may keepe him cold and uncomfortable in the practice of the chiefe and most materiall duties of christianitie ; and to make him place the height of religion , and heat of zeale , in continuall conference and most peremptorie defence of some groundlesse fancies ; from whence sathan busily strives to toll him out , to separation . which course of separating from , and condemning our church , in the judgement of our sincerest divines , is full of pride , contention , and confusion . for first , certaine it is , our church , in that most exquisite and worthy confession of faith contained in the articles of religion , doth hold and professe all substantiall points of divinitie as soundly , as any church in the world , none excepted , neither in this age , nor in the primitive times of the church . secondly , it hath communion with , and testimonie of all other true churches . thirdly , in it are to be had the meanes of salvation , in a powerfull and plentifull manner : and in the bowels thereof , even they that goe out of our church , if they be truly converted , received that precious and blessed vigour , which is able to quicken them to eternall life . fourthly , a church may be a true church , though it should have spots , and blemishes ; though there be some swine and dogges in it . in s. pauls time , the corinthians were called the church of god , cor. . , . and yet , at that very time , were some in an heresie , some in incest , some that had not repented of their filthinesse , cor. . , . the like may be said of the churches of asia , rev. . . fifthly , though outward prosperitie , worldly honour , and plentie , be rather the lot of false , hereticall , and apostaticall churches , than an individuall and necessary mark of the true church ; yet , if unto our unparallel'd peace , both for duration and entirenesse , we adde our many and miraculous deliverances , strange defeatments , and preventions of popish plots ; of their bulls , conspiracies , and hostile invasions ; of their powder , poysons , daggers , dags , and all manner of execrable attempts , machinations , and underminings , which either hell could devise , or that desperate and bloudy faction adventure upon , and manage : i say , if all these be put together , and well weighed ; it is impossible , but that wee should therein see , acknowledge , and adore the speciall finger of gods holy providence , upholding his owne arke amongst his owne people ; and pointing out to all the world , the truth of that church , upon whose side , and for whose safetie and glory hee so mightily stands . this most extraordinarie grace and favour of divine assistance , having not in one thing , or two , shewed it selfe , nor for some few dayes or yeeres appeared ; but in such sort , so long continued , our manifold sinnes and transgressions striving to the contrary : what doth it else import , or what can wee lesse thereupon conclude , than that god would thereby tell and teach the world , that the thing which hee blesseth , defendeth , and keepeth so strangely , cannot but be of him , and his saving and sacred truth ? ill doe they then , who transported with a pang of spirituall pride , abandon , forsake , and separate from our church , as though gods true worship and salvation were not there to be found . you see how sathan by spirituall pride may carry and cast a man , from a setled and sound course of holinesse and sinceritie , upon the dangerous rockes of singularitie and separation . but understand me aright , what i meane by singularitie . i meane that onely which ariseth out of privie pride , is upholden by selfe-will , and obstinatenesse , and many times ends in separation ; and hath neither ground nor defence from sound judgement , spirituall wisedome , or true tendernesse of conscience , joyned with humilitie , and willingnesse to be rightly informed . i meane not singularitie , in respect of holinesse and unspottednesse of life , in respect of difference and distance from the sinfull fashions of the times : for in this sense , every man that will save his soule , must be singular . hence it is , that our saviour asketh his followers , in math. . what singular thing they doe , if they doe but as the publicans doe ? as if hee should have said : you that will be christians , must be of a more heavenly temper , and higher straine , than the most men , and the greater part of the world : you must be singular , and shine as lights amid a naughtie and crooked generation . hence is it , that gods children ever were , and ever will be , signes and wonders , miracles and monsters , in the opinion and censure of most , amongst whom they live ; gazing stockes , both by reproaches and afflictions , heb. . . behold ( saith isaiah , chap. . . ) i and the children whom the lord hath given me , are as signes and as wonders in israel , by the lord of hosts , which dwelleth in mount sion . i am become ( saith david ) as it were a monster unto many , ( or , to the great men of the world , as some render it ) psal . . . and in another psalme , psal . . . wee are a reproach to our neighbours , even a scorne and a derision unto them that are round about us . but especially you may see in wisd . . ( though the booke be apocryphall ) what is the counsell and conceit of the wicked about the oddenesse and singularitie of the saints : let us defraud the righteous ( say the wicked ) for hee is not for our profit , and hee is , contrarie to our doings ; hee checketh us for offending against the law , and blameth us as transgressors of discipline ; hee maketh his boast to have the knowledge of god , and hee calleth himselfe the sonne of the lord : hee is made to reprove our thoughts . it grieveth us also to looke upon him : for his life is not like other mens , his wayes are of another fashion ; hee counteth us as bastards , and hee withdraweth himselfe from our wayes , as from filthinesse ; hee commendeth greatly the latter end of the just , and boasteth that god is his father . thus , as gods children and godly men are indeed more excellent than their neighbours ; and singular , in respect of their sanctification and sinceritie : so they are scorned and reviled by the world , and the greater part of men , as odde fellowes , and such as must have wayes by themselves , and a tricke above others . they are pointed at , as matter of scorne and contempt ; they are set up , as markes of slander and oppression ; and gazed upon , as strange creatures . wee are made ( sayth paul , cor. . . meaning himselfe , and other of gods faithfull servants ) a gazing-stocke unto the world , and to the angels , and to men . and no marvell though it be so : for , besides that all prophane and unregenerate men are naturally ineagered , and inraged with implacable malice and hatred against gods children ; they are , in all places , but few in number ; which makes them more noted , and pointed at . that they are but few ; besides many certaine demonstrative reasons out of scripture ; it may thus plainely appeare : as a good divine tells us . first , let there be taken from amongst us , all papists , atheists , and scorners of godlinesse , and religion . secondly , let there be removed all notorious and infamous evill livers ; as swearers , drunkards , whoremongers , vsurers , worldlings , deceivers , proud persons , prophaners of the sabbath , gamesters , and all the prophane and ignorant multitude . thirdly , let all those be passed over , that are but onely civill honest men , and meddle not with any profession , or practise of holinesse ; without which , no man must see god. fourthly , set aside all grosse hypocrites ; who for advantage , or by-respects , are outwardly religious , but inwardly corrupt , hollow-hearted , and abominable . fifthly , let there be sorted out and rejected all carnall protestants , formall professors , backsliders , cold and unzealous christians ; who falsely thinke , that they may both enjoy the world , and a good conscience too ; live pleasantly on earth , and yet save their soules at last ; and , that it is not necessarie to hold any such strict course of holinesse , to come to heaven . let all these kinde of men , i say , ( all which in one measure , or other , are in the state of death , and under the power of sathan ) be separated and shoaled out ; and how many doe you thinke will remaine amongst us , sound , sincere , faithfull , and zealous professors , and practisers of saving truth , the power of grace , and holy obedience to all gods commandements ? for such onely are gods servants , and in the state of grace . let a man come into any towne , village , citie , or corporation , and let all such men as are before mentioned , be removed ; and how many should he finde of these last ? they would certainely be thinne scattered , and like the grapes after the gathering of the vintage , two or three in the top of the upmost boughes , and foure or five in the high branches . singularitie then of sanctification , is no fruit of pride , but an inseparable marke and necessarie state of true christianitie . i come now to a third ground , whence sathan may rayse a temptation to privie pride : when a man is faithfull , and diligent , in the discharge and executions of his civill calling ; hee may cast a conceit into his head , that such base , earthly , and worldly imployment , and spending his time , is disgracefull and derogatorie to the providence of god , and his christian libertie ; and , that it hinders him in his calling of christianitie , and duties of religion . whence may sollow dangerous effects of spirituall pride ; quite leaving , or neglect , discontent or distaste of his civill calling . and so his heart and affections may bee put quite out of order , and deceive themselves , in the very maine point of making towards heaven . sathan , by his subtill malice , may worke out matter and occasion of spirituall pride , from the speciall providence of god , conducting the christian the best and the neerest way to heaven . to give example , in some particulars . when god , out of his great wisedome and mercie , humbles him with afflictions and prickes , the swelling of his pride ; when hee cuts and loppes away his vanities , excesses , and superfluities , with some visitation , or other ; and fills him with bitternesse in this life , to the end hee might long for the life to come : why then , sathan labours mightily to kindle in his corrupt nature a flash of spirituall pride , that hee may drive him to grumbling and impatiencie , and so make gods fatherly corrections and chastisements fruitlesse and unprofitable to him ; which in gods children should ever worke amendment and comfort . when the true christian lookes about him in the world , and sees the wicked spreading themselves like greene bay-trees , in worldly plentie , and pleasures ; sathan here thrusts in , and labours to cast into his minde a consideration of his owne worth ; and that , how in respect of the wicked , he farre more , and rather , deserves the fruition and enjoyment of the creatures , and benefits and comforts of this life : because all wicked men are but usurpers , and intruders ; himselfe being a true owner , by the right of christ iesus , lord of the whole earth : and that , whereas he stands for the glory , service , causes , and children of god ; the wicked labour for nothing more , than the disgrace and ruine of goodnesse , and the upholding and enlargement of the kingdome of sathan . from such conceits as these , mixed with spirituall , hee easily drawes him on to fretting and repining at the prosperitie of the wicked men , and puts him into one of davids fits , and pangs , psal . . . loe ( sayth hee ) these are the wicked , yet prosper they alway , and encrease in riches : certainely , i have cleansed my heart in vaine , and washed my hands in innocencie . or , at least , brings him to question with god ; as it is , ier. . o lord , if i dispute with thee , thou art righteous ; yet let mee talke with thee , of thy iudgements : wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper ? why are all they in wealth , that rebelliously transgresse ? thou hast planted them , and they have taken root ; they grow , and bring forth fruit . when the christian doth presently feele , or after call to minde gods great mercies , gracious preventions , strange protection , wonderfull deliverances , against expectation , and beyond hope , vouchsafed unto him in his direction and conduction towards the glory that is to be revealed ; then doth sathan busily blow the bellowes of his corrupt nature with the poysonous breath of his hellish malice , that so hee may puffe him up with spirituall pride , and exalt him out of measure . when he beholds and observes some sudden destruction , or fearefull judgement , to overtake and seize upon his enemies ; sathan may secretly sollicite him , out of a spice of spirituall pride , to applaud and please himselfe in the ruine and miserie of his adversarie : which , besides the tainture of impietie , tastes deepely also of inhumanitie , and is quite crosse and contrarie to the practice and protestation of holy iob , chap. . in that chapter , hee imprecates and invocates upon himselfe many fearefull curses , if hee hath done so , or so . let mine arme ( saith he ) fall from my shoulder-blade , and let mine arme be broken from the bones , if i have done such and such things . and after followes : if i rejoyced at his destruction that hated me ; or was moved to joy , when evill came upon him ; or if i have suffered my mouth to speake evill of him , or to utter curses against him . when the christian is sadly and heavily musing upon his many troubles and distresses , which many times come thicke and three-fold upon him , as fast and boisterously , as one wave overtakes another ; so that he findes one vexation to be still a step unto another : sathan then hee puts in , and seeing the season advantageous for his feats , and insinuations , workes what he can to make him take on ; and out of a proud conceit of better deservings , to be wearie of waiting the lords leisure ; and out of the anguishes and agonies of his heart , to wish and desire death ; especially to be rid and freed from those crosses and calamities , which unworthily haunt and persecute his innocencie . holy iob was strongly assayled with this temptation , chap. . when hee cryed and said : let the day perish wherein i was borne ; and the night , when it was said , there is a man-child conceived , &c. and so was the prophet ionah , chap. . therefore now ( saith he ) o lord , take i beseech thee , my life from me ; for it is better for me to die , than to live . sometimes , when the christian is crossed and disappointed in his expectation , god wisely and sweetly diverting , moderating , and disposing all things to his owne glory , and to the true good of his children ( though they doe not presently see , and acknowledge it ; ) sathan steps in , and by the secret and insensible poyson of privie pride , labours to suggest unto him , that he is prejudiced and disgraced ; that so by his inward fretting , hee may make it plainely appeare , that hee preferres his owne particular credit , before the glory of god. thus was ionas tempted , in chap. . fearefull destruction was denounced by him from god , against the ninivites : they put on sackcloth , humbled themselves , and repented ; god stayes his hand , forbeares his iudgements , which were proclaymed by ionah : therefore ( sayth the text ) that displeased ionah exceedingly , and hee was angrie ; and hee prayed unto the lord , and said , &c. when hee begins to observe , and admire himselfe for some speciall acceptation in christian companie ; for his abilities to pray , conferre , discover temptations , and the devils depths ; to presse an holy precisenesse , and mortifying points , &c. oh then , too often a wide gap is opened in his deceitfull heart , for the devils wild-fire of spirituall pride . so that many times , an humble silent soule doth quickly out-strip such an one , doting dangerously upon his present perfections , in the substantialls of christianitie . thus , and many moe wayes , doth sathan labour by privie pride , to weaken the power of grace , and efficacie of the word ; to staine and disgrace the best graces and godliest actions ; to grieve the good spirit , and coole their first love , even in gods children ; after that , by the helpe of god , they have struggled through other temptations , and obtained much spirituall peace and christian perfection in the doctrine of salvation , and wayes of godlinesse . before i passe from this point , i would propose some remedies against this swelling spirituall maladie of privie pride , and some soveraigne considerations , to keepe downe the christian heart , and to preserve it in the sweet and peacefull state of a gracious humilitie . first then , let every christian , when hee first feeles any over-weening conceit , or proud perswasion of his owne worth , and spirituall graces , stealing into his heart ; lift up the eyes of his minde , in a divine meditation , unto those brightest and purest eyes of god almightie ; which are ten thousand times brighter than the sunne , and purer than puritie it selfe : so that they see the least and secretest infirmitie in its true and native foulenesse ; and before them , our best righteousnesse is as a menstruous clout . if he soundly and sincerely entertaine this consideration , it will so humble him , and keepe him under , that he will rather be affrighted and surprized with feare and terror , for his many frailties and infirmities , than be lifted up with a conceit of his graces , and spirituall endowments . when hee begins once proudly and selfe-conceitedly to gaze upon that little sparke of holinesse hee findes in himselfe ; let him presently turne backe the edge and eye of this dangerous speculation , upon the infinite puritie and endlesse perfection of god almightie ; before whom , the cherubins and seraphins , the crowne of gods workemanship , and the glory of creatures , doe hide and cover their faces , as not able to behold and endure the perfect brightnesse of his most pure and undefiled majestie . in whose sight , the unstained splendour of the heavens , and the glorious beautie of the starres are uncleane , and foule ; darkenesse , and deformitie . the sunne , the fairest body in the world , made all of beautie and brightnesse ; if it were put neere unto that unaccessible and incomprehensible light , which encompasseth the lord of heaven , it would vanish away as a darkesome moat , and lumpe of vanitie . nay , in respect of god , those divine and heavenly creatures , the blessed angels , pure and immateriall spirits , are chargeable with folly and vanitie . behold , he found no stedfastnesse in his saints ; yea , the heavens are not cleare in his sight . how much more is man abominable and filthie , which drinketh iniquitie like water ? iob . , . what art thou then , wretched man , that carriest about thee a body of death ? shall not his excellencie make thee afraid , and his feare fall upon thee ? behold ( saith iob ) he will give no light unto the moone , and the starres are uncleane in his sight : how much more man , a worme ; even the sonne of a man , which is but a worme ? behold , he found no stedfastnesse in his servants , and laid folly upon his angels : how much more in them that dwell in houses of clay , whose foundation is in the dust , which shall be destroyed before the moth ? these considerations are able to confound and cast downe below the earth , and dust , the greatest admirer and applauder of himselfe , for his graces , good actions , and spirituall perfections . when the christian is tempted to a proud conceit of his spirituall sufficiencies ; let him compare himselfe with other saints of god : which ( perhaps ) having beene lesse sinners than himselfe , in the time of their unregeneration ; and having lesse meanes , parts , occasions , and encouragements to glorifie god : yet excell him in zeale , sanctification , and the service of god. paul , that great doctor of the gentiles , and glorious angell upon earth , for all his spirituall blessings , and incomparable graces , cryes out , rom. . . oh wretched man that i am , who shall deliver me from the body of this death ? david , a man after gods owne heart , and a speciall royall mirror for varietie of spirituall excellencies , is so farre from being proud of his graces ; that hee is every where complaining of the burthen of his sinnes , spirituall povertie and want , and the miseries of his soule : there is no health in my flesh , ( saith he ) because of thy displeasure ; neither is there any rest in my bones , by reason of my sinne : for my wickednesses are gone over my head , and are like a sore burthen , too heavie for me to beare . for his reputation in the world , he tells us ; that he was a worme , and no man ; a very scorne of men , and out-cast of the people . in all times , the best christians have ever beene most sensible of the weight of their sinnes , and corruption of their nature ; and from thence , entertained a lowly conceit of themselves . where there is the greatest measure of sanctification , there is ever the greatest humilitie . if those then that be indeed in the highest favour with god , lesser sinners than our selves , and most sanctified , be of an humble and lowly minde , of a meeke and quiet spirit , which is before god a thing much set by , pet. . . let us take heed how we be proud of those graces ; which , if we looke for gods blessing upon them , and comfort from them , must bring forth in us humilitie and thankefulnesse . let him compare , and examine , and measure himselfe , his wayes , and workes , by the law of god ; and hee shall there finde much matter of humiliation , repentance , feare , and trembling , with continuall supply in abundance ministred unto him : so that there shall be no roome left for any proud and over-weening conceit of any good thing in him . that elect vessell , and great apostle , after he was regenerate , ( for the unregenerate feele no such strife ) found such a vast and wide distance betweene the law , and his owne affections , and best workes ; that for horror thereof , he cryed out ; oh miserable man , that i am ! what spirituall good then is there in any of us , miserable wretches , wherein we should glory ? let our best workes be as glorious as we can imagine , let them be performed with never so great integritie and resolution , cover them with grace , derive them from the holy-ghost , dippe and dye them deepe in the bloud of christ , put upon them all the rich attire , and papall magnificence , with which the church of rome hath invested them ; yet to the purest eyes of god , and in the cleare crystall of his undefiled law , they appeare to be foule , and spotted ; impure , and like a menstruous clout . the measuring then of our selves by the law and word of god , is a notable meanes to keepe us in humilitie , and to make us worke out our salvation with feare and trembling . let him consider , what a foule and wretched , what a damned and an accursed creature hee had beene ; had not his gracious god , out of the unsearchable depth of his infinite goodnesse and mercie , singled him out to be his servant upon earth , and a saint in heaven . it was onely gods free mercie , that before all eternitie , by the great decree of his eternall election , marked him out for heaven and endlesse joyes , from amidst the huge masse of all mankind . it was the same , that after caused him to send his owne and onely sonne , out of his owne bosome , and height of majesty ; that with his dearest and precious bloud , hee might redeeme his soule from the snares of hell , into which hee was fallen , by adams fall : which in due time , by the inward , speciall , and effectuall power of his unspotted spirit , called him into his kingdome of grace , washed him , justified , and sanctified him , in the name of the lord iesus . else , otherwise , had not these everlasting and unconceivable blessings beene cast upon him , by gods free meere mercie , without all cause or motive from man , or any other created thing , out of his infinite selfe ; his case had beene unspeakably wofull : for he should have lived in this vale of teares , without god , without grace , without comfort , without conscience ; in sinne , in darkenesse , in prophanenesse , in all spirituall miseries : and after the closure and period of these few and evill dayes , he should have beene endlessely divided and abandoned from the joyes and comforts of gods presence , inchained without all redemption , to despaire and horror , and the hatefull fellowship of the devill and his angels : and ( that which is the extremitie and upshot of all hellish miserie ) hee should have had the fierce and horrible wrath and vengeance of god poured in full measure upon his body and soule ; which would have fed upon them , as fire doth upon pitch and brimstone , for ever and ever . out of these considerations , mee thinkes a man should rather with humilitie and thankefulnesse admire and magnifie the mercies of god , that hee is not alreadie a fire-brand in hell ; than any wayes be puffed up with any worthinesse in himselfe , or dote upon his owne nothingnesse . when a christian is tempted to spirituall pride ; let him deepely and thorowly weigh with himselfe , what fearefull inconveniences and discomforts will ensue , if hee give way to such temptations : for so , many follow , in the course of gods just judgement , upon spirituall vanitie , and pride ; dullnesse , and deadnesse of heart ; a restraint of the influence of the spirit ; a diminution and lessening , or a slumber and cessation of the operations of grace , a cooling of zeale , and falling from the first love. or , when hee sees us so presumptuously to trust to our strength , and stay our selves with our owne staffe ; he may quite give us over , in some great temptation , to some grosse sinne ; so that we may take the foile in the conflict . and then , if wee once be over-taken with the old sweet sinne of our unregeneration , or be ensnared with some new notorious transgression ; wee must of necessitie , to our great discomfort , enter againe the agonies of soule , anguish of conscience , and horror of hell ; wee must enter combate againe with all the powers of darkenesse ; wee must have our regeneration , regenerated ; our new-birth , new-borne ; and the precious bloud of the sonne of god , as it were , shed for us againe . wee turne thereby gods favourable countenance from us , and the hearts and affections of true christians : wee put againe a sting into our owne consciences , and weapons into the hands of sathan , to vexe , wound , and torment us : wee barre and bereave our selves of gods gracious protection , of the guard of angels , of peace of conscience , of joy in the holy-ghost , of boldnesse in our wayes , of reconciliation in the creatures , and of all the comforts of godlinesse . as a man tenders the preservation of his soule , from all these spirituall miseries ; let him take heed of entertaining a proud and over-weening conceit of his owne graces , gifts , or good actions . let him consider , that the more spirituall gifts and graces he hath received from the free mercie of god , the more will be required at his hands . me thinkes , this should coole and allay any swelling conceit , or proud perswasion , that may arise in the heart ; and not suffer a man to play with them , and dote upon them , or give him any leisure , with an over-weening and selfe-conceited flatterie , to gaze upon them , or to applaud and admire them in himselfe , as though they were his owne ; but rather , with all vigilancie and solicitousnesse , with all care and good conscience , to occupie and imploy them for his masters greatest advantage . there is no gift or good thing in any man , either of nature or grace , of body or minde , of wealth or honour , of reputation or authoritie in the world ; but he must give shortly a strict and exact account of the usage and imployment of it , before the impartiall and uncorrupted tribunall of heaven : and the more excellent his gifts and endowments have beene in any kind , he shall in proportion be answerable , and countable for the more . if the lord hath enlightened , heated , and inspired any one with much saving knowledge , with a great measure of zeale , with a high christian courage , and resolution ; he lookes and expects for great gaine of glory unto himselfe , many spoyles and conquests over his enemies , a blazing and exemplarie brightnesse , in holinesse of life ; much beautie and lustre to the church , much good and comfort unto christians : for much is required of them , to whom much is committed . let a man then not labour to make himselfe glorious , by those graces which are none of his owne ; but how , by glorifying god with them , in humilitie , faithfulnesse , and sinceritie , and by improving and making the best of them , for the owners advantage , hee may make a comfortable account at that great day . thus farre i have proposed unto you some motives , to quicken and stirre you up to a conscionable and constant hearing and understanding of the holy word of god ; and acquainted you with many sleights , lets , and temptations , which sathan usually casts in our way , to hinder us therein . now , in a third place , i will lay downe unto you certaine rules , directions , and instructions , for your right , holy , and conscionable carriage , behaviour , and importment , in and about the hearing of gods word . that the holy word of god may be unto you the word of grace , the savour of life unto life , of power unto sanctification and salvation ; you must looke carefully and conscionably unto your preparation , before you come ; unto your carriage , while you are there ; and unto your behaviour , afterward . first , for preparation . i am perswaded , the want and neglect of a due and profitable preparation , is the cause that thousands receive no benefit or blessing by the word of life ; but that the sermons they heare , are registred , as in a table of remembrance , before god , as so many witnesses against them , for their more fearefull confusion and greater condemnation at the day of accounts . for hence it is , that to many it is the savour of death unto death ; because , before they come , they doe not addresse and prepare themselves for so glorious a presence , and royall embassage from the king of heaven : though they heare it with their outward eares , yet it hardens their hearts , makes them inwardly more peevish , grumbling , stubborne , rebellious , and refractarie to the power thereof , and prepares and ripens them for more heavie vengeance . it is of it selfe the word of grace , salvation , and life ; a blessed preservative against sinne and death , damnation and hell : but by accident , if men doe not reverence it , tremble at it , and submit themselves to the power of it , it is a strong hammer , and iron scepter , to harden their hearts more and more , like an anvile , or adamant ; and at length , to breake them in pieces like a potters vessell . though in it selfe , it be a saving and wholesome medicine ; yet men of a rebellious and stubborne humour and temper , turne it into poyson . to some , this holy word , by reason of unpreparednesse , is but as the water spilt upon the ground , and the breath of the minister scattered in the aire : if you call them to an account , after sermon , how they have profited ; they are as wordlesse , and witlesse , and indeed as gracelesse in repetition , as if they had beene deafe , asleepe , in a trance , or starke dead all the while . others , by their rash and prophane rushing into the house of god , without all premeditation , reverence , or regard of that holy businesse they goe about ; become hearers onely , of forme and custome , for fashion and companie . it may be , they may heare , attend , and understand what is delivered ; but it breedes no more reverence , impression , or spirituall reformation , than an ordinarie tale , or humane discourse : as though that holy toyle , and sacred breath , were spent onely to entertaine the time , and busie mens eares for an houre ; and , not as christ tells paul , to open their eyes , that they might turne from darkenesse unto light , and from the power of sathan unto god. vpon some , the iudgement and curse of comming without conscience , and due preparation , doth so farre prevaile , and hath such power , that they become scorners and raylers against the minister , or his doctrine , or both ; at every sermon they catch something , that they may cavill at , deprave , and calumniate : and so , wickedly and wretchedly oppose their discourse , wit , and spirit of contradiction against the face of heaven , and heart of divine truth . they wrangle and repine ( in deed and truth , whatsoever their pretences or protestations may be to the contrarie ) against that great majestie , whose message it is ; against that holy spirit , which should sanctifie them ; and the word of grace , which should save them . others there be , even of good hearts and affections , professors , and in some good measure practisers of the power of godlinesse ; yet because they are carelesse and neglective of this needfull christian dutie of preparation , are possessed with much deadnesse of heart , and dullnesse of spirit , at those holy exercises . their zeale , and fervencie , which should be quickened and inflamed at every sermon , is dulled and benummed with senselesnesse and satietie : they doe not so tremble , or are cast downe with divine comminations and denouncements of gods iudgements against sinne , or so refreshed with the gracious promises of life , and salvation , as they ought to be : they doe not enjoy and reape the thousandth part of that delight , comfort , and benefit as they well might , by the ministerie of the word , because their hearts are not purged and prepared : they doe not with that chearefulnesse receive , with that sweetnesse taste and rellish , with that life and vigour disgest the food of life : the eye of their minde , for want of premeditation , doth not so clearely see and discerne the infinite beautie of that sacred majestie represented unto them , or that glorious grace shining unto them , in the face of christ iesvs : their hand of faith doth not with that feeling , and fastnesse , lay hold upon and claspe about , the rich treasures revealed in the gospell . in a word , they bereave themselves of much good , blessing , comfort , and growth in grace , which they might and ought to have , by hearing of the word , for want of due preparing , and disposing the heart thereto . this dutie of preparation then , though that it be not much thought upon , or ordinarily practised ; yet it is of great necessitie and speciall use for all those , which looke for benefit or blessing by the preaching of the word . there is no great affaire , or of weight and consequence , eyther in nature or art , in necessarie businesses and civill negotiations , or in matters of complement , ceremonie , and enterview ; but there is required some bethinking preparation and prae-dispositions , for the more happie and successefull accomplishment , execution , and performance : how much more in the affaires of god , matters of heaven , businesses of eternitie , and salvation of mens soules ? the ground must be manured and prepared for the seed , if wee looke it should fructifie and prosper : how much more should our dull and dead hearts bee stirred up , and furrowed , as it were , with humiliation , reverence , and repentance ; that by the grace of god , and the sanctifying power of the spirit , it may lodge and take deepe root in them , and spring up to eternall life ? the body must be fitted with a preparative , and the humours , as it were , gathered unto a head , if wee desire the physicke should worke forcibly and kindly , and rid us of their noxiousnesse , and superfluitie : how much more ought our soules , with an impartiall and narrow inquisition , to be searched and layd open , before they receive the water of life , and spirituall manna ; that so they may more seasonably and soundly be washed and purged from corruptions and imperfections , preserved in spirituall health , and prepared for eternall life ? the ground must be layd , and some imperfect draughts , shadowes , and resemblances premised , before a picture can be done to the life , or a full proportion and lively representation pourtrayed or presented to the eye ; how much more ought the ground of our hearts to be fitted and prepared , that by the preaching of the word , the image of christ iesus may with a lively and fresh impression be stamped upon them ? were a man the next day to goe about a businesse that mainely concerned eyther his life , or livelyhood ; the state of his lands , or danger of his life : would not his minde be troubled before-hand ? would it not breake his sleepe the night before ? would he not be musing , and plotting , by what meanes he might worke out his deliverance , and safetie ? what behaviour and carriage might be fittest , to winne favour and grace in so weightie an affaire ? how much more ought wee , before wee intrude into the house of god , where matters of our greatest and highest interest , are proposed , handled , and debated by the minister of the word ; even life eternall , and everlasting estate in another world ? i say , how ought wee to thinke with our selves , how wee may make our soules fittest to understand and accept the covenant of grace , to receive the seale of the spirit , and to get assurance of that glorious and royall inheritance in the heavens ? nay , yet further , even in matters of complement and enterview , there is wont to be preparation , especially if the presence and persons were the greater . ioseph , when he was sent for to goe before king pharoah , hee shaved his head , and changed his rayment , because hee was to appeare before so high and royall a presence . queene hester durst not presse into the presence of king ahashuerosh , before shee had prepared her selfe . how much more ought wee to fit and prepare our selves , base and miserable wretches , wormes and no men , as wee are , with feare and trembling , when wee come into the house and presence of the mightie lord of heaven and earth ; before whom , the seraphins hide their faces , the nations are as a drop of a bucket , and the inhabitants of the earth as grasse-hoppers : especially , sith there hee offers and tenders unto us enlargement from the slaverie of sinne , purgation from our pollutions , and a crowne of life , upon that condition , that wee repent , forsake all our sinnes , and resigne up our selves in sincere and humble obedience unto all his commandements ? inducements we have , and motives many , both from precept , and practice , in the booke of god , for the performance of this christian dutie of preparation . take heed to thy foot ( sayth the preacher ) when thou enterest into the house of god , and be more neere to heare , than to give the sacrifice of fooles ; for they know not that they doe evill . before thou set foot into the church , to heare the word of god , be sure to settle thy affections , that they be sober , moderate , and sanctified , fit to entertaine the word of life , and salvation ; let thy heart be seasoned with , first , softnesse ; secondly , humilitie ; thirdly , honestie ; fourthly , faith ; fifthly , teachablenesse . first , if thou doe not preserve thy heart tender , soft , and flexible , the power of the word will not make any such print or deepe impression upon it ; all holy admonitions , reproofes , and instructions , will be unto thee as arrowes shot against a stone wall . secondly , wee must bring with us an humble heart , to the hearing of the word ; for , the lord resists the proud , and gives grace to the humble . them that be meeke , will he guide in judgement , and teach the humble his way . the proud heart is so swelled with the winde of vanitie and vaine-glory , of selfe-love , and over-weening conceit , that there is left no roome in it for the precious treasure of saving grace . if it eyther be puffed up with a conceit of knowledge , or a perswasion of holinesse enough , or a boisterous peremptorinesse against the power of the word ; the water of life will be unto it , but as water poured upon a drowned man ; or as a seale thrust upon water , which will receive no impression . a lowly heart , broken and bruised with conscience of sinne , is a fit seat for the mightie lord and his saving graces , isa . . . thirdly , wee must come with a good and honest heart ; which hateth all corruptions , both in it selfe , and others ; which hath no delight in any sinfull pleasures , or wicked vanities ; which hath no manner of purpose to live and continue in any one sinne whatsoever ; but is readie and resolved , though it be much cumbred with it owne corruptions , the worlds enticements , and sathans craftinesse ; yet to serve and please god , in all the wayes of his commandements , and that sincerely and continually . all profitable and fruitfull hearers have such good and honest hearts , and are resembled by the good ground , luke . . but that is a wicked and sinfull heart , and not fit to be wrought upon by the ministerie of the word , which purposeth and resolveth to cherish and maintaine but any one sinne whatsoever . fourthly , our hearts must be seasoned with faith ; otherwise , it will not sinke and soake into them with power and profit . the old iewes heard the word , but it profited them not , because it was not mingled with faith in those that heard it , heb. . . the fearefull threatnings and thunderbolts of the law , by faith receive an edge to wound , and pierce and strike through our soules , with amazements and trembling . and faith it is , that animates and inspires the promises of the gospel with such a soveraigne sweetnesse , and powerfull comfort ; that they are able , not onely to rayse and revive us from the depth and extremitie of remorse , and feare ; but also to put us into a paradise of spiituall pleasures , and possession of heaven , as it were alreadie . but if the word light upon a faithlesse heart , it dyes , it does no good . fifthly , wee must bring with us into the lords sanctuarie , teachable and hearing hearts , that will willingly and readily open themselves , to receive the lord of glory , with whatsoever hee shall reveale unto us out of his holy word . sacrifice and burnt offerings ( sayth david ) thou wouldest not , but mine eares hast thou prepared . as if hee should have said : thou hast bored new eares in my heart , that i can now reverently attend unto , rightly conceive , and with an holy greedinesse devoure the mysterie of grace . with such hearts as these , must wee come to the hearing of the word , if wee looke that it should be unto us a word of power , salvation , and life ; and not to be of the number of those , that offer the sacrifice of fooles , and yet know not that they doe evill . many there are certainely , which offer these foolish sacrifices ; i meane , hearers , without care and conscience : who , if they come into the house of god , and vouchsafe their presence in the place , and lend their eares to the preacher for the time ; they thinke themselves presently jolly fellowes , for matters of religion ; and that they are sanctified , as it were , by the worke wrought , and their onely presence in that holy place : when as yet the word hath had no more power , nor wrought more alteration upon them , than upon the seats where they sate . and that which makes these fooles much more miserable , and foolish , is this ; they know not that they doe evill : as it is in the text. they thinke their case good enough , that they are in the right course of christianitie ; and that no more is required , for matters of heaven : when as , in respect of saving grace , they are wretched , miserable , and poore ; and blinde , and naked . besides this place of the preacher , the evangelist s. luke , chap. . . bids us , take heed how wee heare . and good reason , in a matter of such great weight and consequence . for there is not a sermon wee heare , but wee must be countable for it at the day of our visitation . god is countable unto us for every haire of our head ; is it not reason , wee should be countable to him for those precious lessons he reacheth unto us by the ministerie of the word ? assuredly , there is not a sermon , which wee have heard fruitlessely , and without profit , but it will be a shrewd and sore witnesse against us at that day . besides these precepts , wee finde much practise in the booke of god , of this holy dutie of preparation , when any sacred businesse was to be undertaken . moses could not approach so glorious and sacred a presence , or tread upon the ground , made holy by so great a majestie as the lord of heaven and earth , before he had put off his shooes . neither ought wee to presume or presse into his sanctuarie , where he hath promised his presence in a solemne , speciall , and powerfull manner , and is readie to shower downe his blessings of salvation into all truly humble and prepared hearts ; before wee have shaken off and cast from us all earthly incumbrances , and secret corruptions , all dulnesse and deadnesse of heart , whith makes us unworthy and undisposed to stand upon so holy ground , and utterly uncapable of all that heavenly wisedome , and holy instructions unto eternall life , that are there taught , and tendred unto us ; nay , turne the blessings of the ministery into curses and condemnation unto us . when ioshuah was to make a strong and lasting impression in the hearts of the israelites ( whom after the death of moses , he conducted to the promised land ) of the power and providence of god for his people , by that miraculous parting of the waters of iordan , for the transportation of the arke ; hee commanded the people to sanctifie themselves , to prepare , and compose their hearts ; to admire and reverence with greater intention and amazement , that omnipotent majesty that wrought such wonders for his chosen : for hearts emptied of worldly thoughts , and sanctified by heavenly meditation , are fit subjects for workes of heaven , and divine impressions . how much more ought we to prepare our soules , before wee come into the sanctuary of the lord ; sith there , they are either to be hardned for the scepter of destruction , and made ready for the flames of hell , if wee doe not prepare our selves , hearken , and obey : or else , to be softned and sanctified with saving grace , and fitted for a crowne of glory ; if with reverence , humility , and obedience , wee submit our selves to the power of the word ? there , if wee be unconverted , the great and miraculous worke of the new-birth is to bee wrought upon them ; if wee be new-borne , they are to be fed with the spirituall manna , unto everlasting life . the same ioshuah , when the excommunicate and execrable thing was to be found out , and put from amongst them ; which was the cause , they could not stand against their enemies : he commanded them to sanctifie themselves , that the lord might prosper and poure his blessings upon that necessarie and weightie search and inquisition . how much more ought wee to prepare our selves , before wee step into the house of god ; sith there is to be discovered and cast out those hatefull sinnes that fearefully incense gods wrath against us , and make us weake in the lords battailes , and not able to stand against our spirituall enemies , the corruptions of our owne flesh , the enticements of the world , and temptations of sathan ? before the sacrifice , and anointing of david king of israel , ishai and his sonnes were sanctified : how much more ought wee to be prepared , before wee come before the lords prophets , and embassadours ; that there wee may be anointed kings and priests unto our god ? iosiah , before the eating of the paschall lambe , did bid the people , not onely sanctifie themselves , but also prepare their brethren : how much more ought wee , when wee come to the ministerie of the word , to seede by faith upon that true bread from heaven , which giveth life unto the world ; which if wee once soundly taste with beleeving hearts , wee shall not hunger , wee shall never thirst ? but the most famous and fittest place for my purpose , and preparation in that particular holy businesse of hearing the word , is that in exod. . . the people were sanctified , and washed their clothes , and prepared themselves for two dayes , and the third day they were readie to attend what the lord would say unto them . as in that extraordinarie promulgation of the law , the people were to be prepared extraordinarily ; so , from proportion of that practice , and precedencie , ordinarie preparation is necessarie for the ordinarie preaching of the word , if wee looke that it should powerfully and profitably worke upon our consciences and affections . their washing of their bodies , and clothes , their abstinence from their wives , and such solemne and ceremonious purifications , were typicall significations and representations unto us , that wee should weane our hearts from earthly thoughts , purge them from secret corruptions , and bring them faire and free , from sinfull spot and worldly entanglement , when wee come to heare the lord speake unto us by his ministers . holy men of god were wont , addressing themselves to prayer , to have their ejaculations , lifting up of their hearts , certaine short prayers , before they entred into that sacred and solemne action . besides precept and practice in the booke of god , for preparation ; the profit is great , the benefits and blessings that redound unto us , and fall upon us by it , are excellent and precious . looke in the latter end of the eleventh chapter of iob. if thou prepare thine heart , and stretch out thine hands towards him . if iniquitie be in thine hand , put it farre away , and let no wickednesse dwell in thy tab●rnacle . then truly shalt thou lift up thy face without spot , and shalt be stable , and shalt not feare , &c. preparation of the heart , is here the foundation and first step unto many glorious blessings . the heart must be first prepared , before other holy duties can be fitly performed , or gods blessings expected . in the first place ; first , prepare thine heart ; secondly , then poure it out in prayer , before the throne of grace ; thirdly , then purge it from corruption ; banish farre , and barre out all iniquitie ; fourthly , next , be sure to reforme , instruct , and pray with thy family , or those that are about thee : let no wickednesse , ignorance , prophanenesse , swearing , swaggering , drunkennesse , or the like , dwell in thy tabernacle , harbour in thine house , or rowst neere thee . and then open thy heart , and hands ; for the windowes of heaven shall be set wide open , that all manner of spirituall comforts , all the blessings of peace and happinesse , may in abundance be showred downe upon thee ; the rich treasurie of everlasting glory and immortalitie shall be unlockt unto thee , and thou shalt row and tumble thy selfe for ever after , amid mountaines of heavenly pearles , and golden pleasures ; through rivers , nay seas of endlesse joyes , that no heart can comprehend , but that which is weaned from all worldly pleasures , and set apart and sanctified for holy services and businesses of heaven . then truly shalt thou lift up thy face without spot . ] though thou hast lyen among the pots , yet thou shalt be now as the wings of a dove , that is covered with silver , and whose feathers are like yellow gold. though thou be like the kedarims , which dwell in tents , the black-moores ; that is , by reason of thy sinne , subject to the condemnation of god , and deprived of his glory : yet shalt thou be in christ , goodly and glorious , as those that dwell in exceeding glory , under the curtaines of salomon . though thou be black with the remnants of originall corruption , and present infirmities ; though the sunne have looked upon thee , and parched thee with the scorching heat of sore affliction , and chastisements : yet shalt thou now shine like the sunne in his strength , with the royall robe of christs righteousnesse , with fresh comfort , and lasting chearefulnesse . thou shalt be stable , and shalt not feare . ] though the wicked tremble many times at their owne shadowes , and the sound of a leafe shaken doth chase them , and strike a faintnesse into their hearts , and a trembling into their loynes ; yet thou shalt never be afraid of any evill tidings , whether they be forged by the spightfull and impoysoned tongues of prophane men , to defame and disgrace thee , or fetched out of the bottome of hell , by sathans malice , to terrifie thee ; though the messengers of miseries and mischiefes come thicke and three-fold upon thee , as they did upon iob ; though the earth be moved , and the mountaines fall into the midst of the sea ; nay , though the whole world be on flames about thine eares , and the heavens be rouled together like a scrowle : yet shalt thou be stable , and shalt not feare , because thy heart is fixed , and beleeveth in the lord. thou shalt forget thy miserie , and remember it as waters that are past . ] thy happinesse and comfort shall be so entire and unmixed , so absolute and overflowing , that the very remembrance of former miseries and terrors shall be drowned and devoured in the excesse and excellencie of that ; even as the travels of a woman , in her joyes for a new-borne sonne : or , if it be , that thy former discomforts sometimes steale into thy minde , they shall not be able to rest or remaine there , by reason of the predominancie of spirituall pleasures ; but glide away as swiftly , as the head-long streame of the most hastie torrent . thine age also shall appeare more cleare than the noone-day ; thou shalt shine , and be as the morning . ] the morning is the very crowne of time , and the beautie of the day ; the poets call it , the * rosie-finger'd morning . when they labour to describe corporall beautie to the life , and set it out in the best perfection and freshest colours that the utmost power and highest straine of wit and art can possibly devise ; they take their metaphors and amplifications from the ruddinesse and brightnesse of the morning : and yet thou shalt be as faire as the morning , with all divine graces , spirituall brightnesse , and beautie of thy soule ; nay , a soule set thicke with spirituall graces , is farre more faire than the firmament , with all those eyes of gold , and fairest lampes , that shine from it . neither shalt thou be onely as the morning , but as the morning sunne ; thou shalt rise higher and higher in degrees of holinesse , and strength of grace , untill thou commest to the highest point of perfection in this heaven upon earth , the kingdome of grace . and after thou hast finished thy course , and left behind thee the comfortable heat of thy gracious zeale , much light from thy good example , and the sweet influence of thy holy life ; upon thy death-bed , thou shalt sett with the sweetest and brightest beames of all heavenly comfort , into the immeasurable ocean of endlesse joyes . thou shalt be bold , because there is hope ; and thou shalt digge pits , and shalt lye downe safely . ] thou shalt be assured of heaven , and a crowne of glory hereafter , that thou shalt walke through this valley of miserie like a lyon ; nor devill , nor man , nor beast , nor any creature , shall affright or amaze thee . cast thine eyes , supernaturally enabled , and enlarged with the light of faith , from east to west , into the bottome of hell , and glory of heaven ; and thou shalt clearely see , that all is thine , by the purchase , right , and conquest of the sonne of god : the stones in the street shall be at league with thee , the beasts of the field shall be at peace with thee : the creatures shall be all sworne to thy safetie ; the purest spirits , the ministers of god , shall be thy guardians ; saints and angels are alreadie in thy sight ; immortalitie hath lengthened thy dayes , and the glory of god is before thee in a glasse . when thou doest take thy rest , none shall make thee afraid ; yea , many shall make suit unto thee . ] when the darkenesse of the night encompasseth thee , thou shalt not be affrighted with terrors and apparitions ; when blacknesse and silence , the habitation of feares and astonishment , shall pitch round about thee , thou shalt be lightsome with inward comfort ; when all thy sences , the scouts and watch-men for discovering dangers , and preserving thy safetie , shall be locked up ; his providence , that neither slumbers nor sleepes , shall tenderly and carefully watch over thee ; whether thou die or live , whether thou sleepe or wake , thou art the lords : and therefore , when thou sleepest , thou shalt not be afraid ; and when thou sleepest , thy sleepe shall be sweet : thou shalt not feare for any sudden feare , neither for the destruction of the wicked , when it commeth ; for the lord shall be for thy assurance , and shall keepe thy foot from being caught . yea , many shall make suit unto thee . ] thou shalt be so encompassed with the blessings of god , so protected from above , so high in gods favour , that many will come for shadow and shelter unto thee ; they will looke for reliefe and comfort under the shadow of thy wings , thy power and authoritie shall be a refuge and repose for oppressed and disgraced innocencie . all these blessings , and a thousand moe , are built upon a through preparation of the heart , as upon the first foundation stone : preparation is the very first step to all these degrees , and height of happinesse . but on the contrarie part , if a man neglect preparing his heart , praying unto god , forsaking his sinnes , reforming his family ; let him looke for nothing but curses and plagues . but the eyes of the wicked ( saith iob ) shall faile , and their refuge shall perish , and their hope shall be sorrow of minde . ] they thinke , their formall and customarie service of god will serve the turne ; and thereupon , with great greedinesse and confidence , expect and looke for the salvation of their soules after this life : but they shall waile , and gaze , untill their eyes sinke into their holes , and yet shall never be able to taste of true comfort : they may crie untill their tongues cleave to the roofe of their mouth , with the foolish virgins ; lord , lord , open unto us , math. . but the gate of everlasting happinesse shall for ever be shut against them : they may struggle and strive , by the strength of their good meanings , and formall christianitie , to enter in at the strait gate , but shall never be able . their refuge shall perish . ] they have stayed themselves upon broken staves of reed , and ●ow they will runne into their hands and hearts too , unto their vexation and horror . and their hope shall be sorrow of minde . ] their end shall be despaire , and horrible confusion . i have stayed long upon the motives and inducements to preparation , before we come to the hearing of the word , or undergoe any sacred b●sinesse ; and upon the necessitie , blessings , and benefits of so holy a dutie . the reason is , i would gladly stirre you up , and my selfe too , to a through and constant practise and performance of it : and , because the neglect and omission of it , is the cause that the ministerie of the word is not onely fruitlesse , and in vaine , unto thousands ; but ( which is a fearefull thing ) the savour of death unto death unto them . i come now to the speciall points considerable in preparation , before wee present our selves in this place to the hearing of the word . this preparation is an holy action , or exercise , which by examination of our consciences , purgation of our hearts , prayer unto god , and private reading the scriptures , maketh our soules fit vessels to receive and entertaine the spirituall treasures of grace ; and food of eternall life , offered and tendered unto us by the ministerie of the word ; that so they may be the more effectually and fruitfully wrought upon , and happily subdued to the power and practice thereof . in this preparation , i consider and require especially these foure things : first , examination of the conscience ; secondly , purgation of the heart ; thirdly , prayer unto god ; fourthly , readinesse of heart , to receive every truth . first , for examination of the conscience . examination is a dutie practisable by all true christians , at many times , and upon sundry occasions . it is either more extraordinarie ; and that is , either in the time of solemne fast , and generall humiliation , for some publike plague and calamitie that lyes upon the state or church . wee are then seriously to search and ransacke throughly our consciences , that wee may throw that or those sinnes out of our affections , practise , and allowance , which have their part in pulling downe those publike psagues upon us . or , secondly , when our family is singled out , and visited with some speciall and extraordinarie scourge , and judgement : and then must we make an impartiall inquisition into our hearts ; lest we be the achans , which by our secret sinnes provoke gods causefull wrath . or , when our selves in a more private and particular manner , are afflicted with some speciall vexation ; as , by some maladie and miserie in our bodies , with some terrors and feares in our minds , or with some slanders , disgraces , and imputations upon our good names : when gods hand is upon us any of these wayes , wee are presently to conceive , that the sinnes of our soules are the true causes of all the miseries and crosses which befall us any manner of wayes ; and therefore wee are narrowly and exactly to enquire into our selves , and to cast out our secret beloved sinnes , those lurking rebels , the breeders of all our woe . besides , examination of our hearts in these or the like cases ; there is also a more ordinarie and usuall examination necessarie , and required of us , and that especially every day ; that we may make the score of our sinnes lesse , and our account shorter , against the day of our visitation ; that wee may more entirely and comfortably preserve and enjoy gods favour and protection , inward peace of conscience , spirituall joy , and christian chearfulnesse in all our affaires and passages . before wee come to receive , and be partakers of the holy sacrament of the sacred body and bloud of christ ; lest by neglect and omission of this dutie , we become unworthy receivers , and so eate and drinke our owne judgement , and damnation , nay , be guiltie of the innocent and precious bloud of christ iesus ; which one day will be an heavie and unsupportable burthen to our consciences . to be guiltie of the sinfull bloud of prophane men , is able to make the proudest heart and highest stomacke to tremble and quake like an aspen leafe , and to strike through his soule ; with restlesse horrour , and gastly sights . who is able then to beare the guilt of guiltlesse bloud ? abels innocent bloud cryed for and pulled downe strange and desperate vengeance upon cruell cain . how loud then will be the crie of the bloud of the innocent lambe of god ? how will it ring in the eares of god the father ? how fearefully will it fill heaven and earth , untill it hath brought downe plagues and curses upon those wofull soules , who irreverently and unpreparedly prophane so high and holy a mysterie ? a third ordinarie examination , is before wee presse into the house of god , and present our selves before his ministers and messengers , to be instructed in his will from heaven , out of his holy word ; lest this blessed ordinance should be accursed unto us . you may see in the prophet ezech. . , . how the lord threatens that person that comes to his ministers to enquire of them , or to be informed by them , and yet separates himselfe from the lord , and sets up any idoll in his heart , and stumbling-blocke of his iniquitie , before his face ; that the lord will set his face against him , and make him a signe and a proverbe , and cut him off from the midst of his people . whence wee may well inferre , that it will be very dangerous for any to come to the hearing of the word , without examination of his heart , whether there be any such stumbling-blocke of iniquitie in it , or no. because that examination of the heart , to finde out our corruptions , tends especially to the cleansing of it ; therefore the second dutie before the hearing of the word , is the purgation or cleansing of the heart , first , from sinne ; which the scripture beats much upon , iam. . . lay apart all filthinesse and super●luiti● of naughtinesse , and receive with meekenesse the ingrafted word , &c. it is not meerely lay apart , but put away quite and cleane all filthinesse : and this is a fit preparative for the hearing of the word , as appeares also by that paralell place , pet. . , . wherefore putting away all malice , all guile and hypocrisie , and envie , and evill speakings , as new-borne babes desire the sincere milke of the word . and there is the same reason for any other sinne to be put away , that there is for these mentioned . as it is with the body , when the stomack is foule , and clogged with bad humours , wee should first purge it , before wee feede it ; for otherwise , whatsoever we eate , doth but nourish and encrease the corrupt humours of the body : so it is with the soule , when it is stuffed or clogged with sinne ; whatsoever is heard in the ministery of the word , shall be perverted and abused by it , and wrested to the destruction of it . it is no wonder therefore , that those that live in dissolute or scandalous courses , those that are drunk on the evening before the lords day , or spend it in gaming , or company keeping , or have bin acting of some soule sinne , and then repaire unto the word ; it is no wonder , i say , that such goe away never a whit the better , but rather worse than they came . did you ever know any salve so soveraigne , that would cure a wound that had a splint or an arrow-head remaining in it ? surely , every knowne sinne unrepented of , hinders the saving operation of the word in any mans heart ; yea , it will make the word the savour of death unto a man. see to this purpose , ier. . , . secondly , the heart must also be purged from all worldly cares and thoughts , which may divide or draw away the heart : math. . . the cares of the world doe choake the seed of the word : luke . . the cares of this life doe surfet the heart . now , as it is with a man in a surfet , hee is not fit to eat , neither can he digest any wholesome food : so , when as the heart is surfetted with worldly cares , it is unfit for any spirituall food . you know how it was with martha , luke . . iesus said unto martha ; thou art troubled about many things , but one thing is necessarie : martha had a clutter of many worldly matters , that made a great noise in her head , and hindered better matters , that she cared not for hearing . how then shall they profit by the word , that doe jumpe out of their worldly businesse , and from busying their heads about their callings , into the house of god , to heare and to performe the exercises of religion ? truly , though they be never so diligent in hearing , yet their hearts will goe after their covetousnesse , ezech. . . a third dutie before the hearing of the word , is prayer ; no good thing can be expected from god , as a blessing , if it be not sought by prayer , deut. . . and wee finde it layd downe as a condition required , prov. . , , , &c. my sonne , if thou wilt receive my words , and encline thine eare to wisedome , and apply thy heart to understanding ; yea , if thou cryest after knowledge , and liftest up thy voice for understanding , then shalt thou understand the feare of the lord , and finde out the knowledge of god. the reason is , vers . . for the lord giveth wisedome , and out of his mouth commeth knowledge and understanding . because the lord gives knowledge , therefore you must crie for it unto him . what is the reason that you do pray for your daily bread , and a blessing upon it ? why , deut. . . man lives not by bread onely , & c ? if this be so , much more ought you to pray for a blessing upon your spirituall food . now for the particulars : first , you ought to pray for the teachers , that they may so speake , as they ought to speake , col. . , . so they are to pray for the power and peace of the ministerie , thess . . , . secondly , you must pray for your selves , that through gods assistance you may heare profitably , and be blessed in the hearing : ioh. . . no man can receive any thing , except that it be given him from above . therefore david prayed , psal . . . open thou mine eyes , that i may see the wonderfull things contained in thy word . isay . . god sayth , i am the lord thy god , which teacheth thee to profit : therefore no profiting by the word , without seeking unto the lord for it . now the prophanenesse of people in this case , is the generall cause that our ministerie doth no more good : few pray at all before they come to church , either for the minister , or for themselves ; nay , few , even when they are in the church , have any heart to joyne with the preacher in the prayer that he makes before the sermon : but the complaint of the prophet may be taken up in this case , isa . . . there is none that calleth on thy name , that stirreth up himselfe to take hold of thee . you must be sure to goe with an open heart , readie to receive every truth that god shall teach you in this ordinance . act. . . it is said of those noble beraeans , that they received the word with all readinesse of minde , i. readinesse to receive every truth . and cornelius said , act. . . wee are all here present before god , to heare all things that are commanded thee of god. it is well added ( that are commanded thee of god : ) not what any minister shall teach , be he never so good , or so learned ; nay , were he an angell from heaven , yet his doctrine must be examined , gal. . . but when there is such a disposition in us , as to receive both in judgement and practise whatsoever god shall reveale unto us out of his word ; this is a precious disposition . but , alas , the most come to heare with prejudicate and fore-stalled hearts , they beare a secret grudge , and quarrell , against some strict truth , or other ; as , against the sanctification of the lords day , or family-duties , or secret communion with the lord , by prayer dayly , &c. and these imaginations seeme as strong holds , to keepe christ and his truth out of their hearts , cor. . , . and thus men , that in their hearing doe limit the spirit of god , would ( if it lay in their power ) say as those wicked men , isay . . to the seers , see not ; and to the prophets , prophesie not right things unto us ; speake unto us smooth things : and those that said so , the lord calls them despisers of his word . these are the maine and principall duties before the hearing of the word . secondly , let me proceed briefely to those duties that are required in the hearing of the word : which wee must the rather stirre up our selves unto , because wee have naturally uncircumcised hearts , ier. . . and are dull of hearing , heb. . . now the principall duties in hearing , are five ; which i will briefely set downe as may be . you must set your selves in gods presence , whilest you are hearing of his word : and consider with your selves , that it is god that you have to deale withall in this businesse , and not man ; and that it is gods word , and not mans . it is the great commendation of the thessalonians , thess . . . that they received the word as the word of god. this was that whereby the lord would prepare his people to receive the law , exod. . god spake all these words . and hee not onely gave the law , but the whole summe of the gospel with his owne voice , mat. . . loe a voice from heaven , saying , this is my beloved sonne , in whom i am well pleased . yea , it is the lord himselfe that speakes unto you in our ministery , luke . . so the lord is present in a speciall manner , where his word is preached , to observe and marke how it is received , or delivered ; and either to blesse or curse the hearers , or speakers , accordingly . so that of this and such like places , it may be said as iacob said of bethel , gen. . , . surely , the lord is in this place ▪ and , how dreadfull is this place ? this is no other than the house of god , this is the gate of heaven . and truly , this apprehension of gods presence in the assemblies of his people , will worke three things in us . first , keepe us in that awfull and reverent disposition of body and minde that is meet . secondly , it will preserve our hearts from ●oving and wandering thoughts , which are great impediments of hearing ; psal . . . i hate vaine thoughts , but thy law doe i love . thirdly , it will make us to receive and obey that that shall be taught us ; for so god hath beene wont to prepare his people , to receive his word : yea , he said of his people , when they were thus affected , deut. . . oh that there were such an heart in them , to feare me and keepe my commandements alwayes . now the want of this , is that which hinders abundance of benefit that the ministerie of the word would otherwise doe us : this is the root of all the mischiefe the devill doth to poore soules , in the hearing of the word ; the practice thereof , is the fountaine of all our good . many gracelesse wretches there are in our assemblies , like him , luke . . that neither feared god , nor regarded man ; that despise the church of god , yea , contemne the presence of the holy angels , ( cor. . . ) and of god himselfe in the assemblies , who hath layd such a speciall charge upon us , lev. . . to keepe his sabbaths , and to reverence his sanctuarie ; and he addes this reason , i am iehovah . the second dutie in hearing , is diligent attention to that we heare : as it is said of our saviour christ , luke . . the people were very attentive to heare him ; or , as it is in the originall , they hanged on him : as if their eares and mindes had beene tyed to his tongue ; there was such a dependencie upon him . and that is a remarkable place , ezech. . . sonne of man , behold with thine eyes , and heare with thine eares , and set thine heart upon all that i shall shew thee . see what attention is required : hee bids him set his eyes and his eares , and his heart and all , upon that hee speakes ; and not upon some things onely , but upon all that hee should declare unto him . so prov. . , , . my sonne attend unto my words , incline thine eare unto my sayings , keepe them in the midst of thine heart , for they are life to those that finde them : i. looke as a condemned man will hearken to the sentence of the prince ; every word hee speakes , being life or death : as the servants of benhadad , when they were in their enemies power , king. . . they observed diligently whether any word of comfort would come from him , and they did hastily catch it . thus , with such diligence and attention , such poore condemned creatures ( as wee are ) are to heare the word of god. now to quicken attention , these meanes are profitable . first , it is good to doe as they did , luke . . they fastened their eyes upon christ ; so doe ye upon the minister , and suffer them not to wander up and downe : a wandering eye is alwayes a sure evidence of a wandering heart . secondly , if ye doe not thus , it will be a good helpe for those that can write , to note the word , as baruch wrote from the mouth of ieremiah , ier. . . this holds the minde close to all that is said . some object indeed , that it hinders affection in hearing : but though it may doe so in some , for the present ; yet afterwards it will worke more lasting affections upon the word . onely they that use this helpe-meanes , must be carefull that they doe not presume upon their notes so , as to neglect the recalling of what they have heard , ( as many use to doe ) and so lose all holy affections , and that impression that the word would make upon their hearts . thirdly , entreat the lord to open thy heart , as he opened lydia's heart , act. . . our hearts are shut up quite , and cannot attend unto any thing that is good , except that the lord opens them . observe then another cause , why the word is so unfruitfull unto many . some are like the deafe adders , that stop their eares against the voice of the charmer , psal . . , . and some sleepers there are , that faile in their attention , that the devill usually rocks asleepe , when they come to heare ; but they that are such , should know , that their damnation sleepes not , the devill sleepes not : he comes to the assemblies , to picke up the good seed that is sowne ; nay , he comes to picke up their soules indeed : for he cares not so much for the seed , but he will take your selves napping and your soules especially , and carry them to hell. besides , let them remember what befell eutychus , act. . , . he slept at a long sermon , that lasted till midnight ; but he was taken up dead , falling from the third loft to the ground : what shall become of such then , that sleepe in the day time , at a sermon of an houre long ? and let them also take heed of that spirit of slumber , that the lord hath threatned to poure upon the despisers of the word , isay . , . the like might be said of our gazers and gapers about , and those that by their talking disturbe others , and hinder themselves : they shut their eares , and turne them away from god ; and may justly expect , that he shall turne away his eares from them : as it is threatened , prov. . , . zach. . . you must heare the word with understanding and judgement ; i. labour to understand what wee heare : and to this end , the minister must have a speciall care to teach plainely , so as he may be understood , neh. . . and christ calls upon his hearers for this , math. . . heare , and understand : how should we else profit by that we heare ? act. . . vnderstandest thou what thou readest ( saith philip to the eunuch : ) so say thou to thine owne heart ; vnderstandest thou what thou hearest ? now the meanes to understand the word , are these . first , come to the word , with a willing minde to learne : you know the eunuch , act. . though he understood not what he read , yet because he had a minde to learne , how the lord provided for him , and what a comfortable successe philips sermon had with him . men love to teach willing schollers ; so doth god , when we come with willing and readie mindes to be taught . secondly , exercise your selves in the truth of god , heb. . last ; you must by continuall use , get your sences exercised to discerne both good and evill : but especially , be well acquainted with the principles and grounds of catechisme ; it is the want of this , that makes men that they understand not what is preached : they that are not first well nourished with milke , will not be fit to receive and digest stronger meat : if the foundation be not well layd , it is in vaine to build . thirdly , walke according to light ; psal . . . a good understanding have all they , that doe his commandements : then , if thou wouldest get a good understanding , and know the mysterie of godlinesse , walke according to knowledge , imploy that little knowledge thou hast well , and then there is a promise to give thee more . fourthly , be diligent in instructing and teaching thy family : if thou art set over others , a little knowledge will encrease greatly , by this meanes . gen. . , . the lord said ; shall i hide any thing from abraham ? no : and hee gives this reason ; i know him , that he will command his children and his household after him , and they shall keepe the way of the lord. if you teach your families , god will teach you . well ; there are a sort of doltish hearers , that will heare , and seeme to be very attentive , from yeeres end to yeeres end , and be never a whit the wiser , tim. . . the heavie judgement of god is upon many of them , that is mentioned , math. . . and in them is fulfilled the prophesie of isay ; by hearing ye shall heare , and shall not understand ; and that , i-say . . it is a people of no understanding : therefore he that made them , shall not save them ; and he that formed them , shall shew them no favour . you must heare the word with affection , and delight . it is said of gods people in the primitive church , that they heard the word gladly ; and of christs hearers , mark. . . they heard him gladly : and it is noted for a great signe of grace , to heare the word gladly , psal . . . i rejoyce at thy word , as one that findeth great spoyles . david had beene a souldier ; and ye know , that they that have lyen at the siege of a citie a long time , and at the last take it , will rejoyce exceedingly in the spoyle of it : therefore he rejoyces in the word , as they that doe divide the spoyles . and truly , whereas common people complaine of the badnesse of their memories ; this would be a marvellous helpe to their memories , if they would heare with delight : therefore david sayth , psal . . . i will delight my selfe in thy statutes , i will not forget thy word . this delight he meanes will strengthen our memories . now contrarie to this , are a great number , that heare without all delight , and account it a great wearinesse , mal. . . and those the dullest houres , that they spend in hearing . well , the lord hath threatned , that the word shall never doe us good , unlesse that wee attend to it with love and delight , thess . . , . because they received not the love of the truth , that they might be saved ; therefore god shall send them strong delusions , to beleeve lyes . a fearefull threatning , much to be considered in these dayes : for this is the reason , that popish trumperies and hellish delusions have such entertainment , because god in his just judgement , gives up those to such strong delusions , that love not the strict truth of the word of god. you must heare the word , with application of it to your owne hearts , and lives ; apply every truth to your selves , for your owne use and comfort , and terror and instruction : as it is iob . last ; heare this , and know it for thy selfe ; carry this truth home to thine owne heart : and , first , there is no truth of god taught out of his word , but it concernes every one of gods people , and was intended for our use ; rom. . . whatsoever is written , is written for our learning . secondly , there is no truth can be taught , to doe us good , unlesse that wee apply it : as no plaister can doe the patient good , unlesse it be applyed ; no meat is able to doe us any good , be it dressed never so curiously , unlesse it be eaten and digested . this comparison is applyed by the prophet to this purpose , isa . . . hearken diligently unto me , and eate ye that which is good : unlesse we eate it , it will doe us no good . thirdly , the faithfull have been wont to apply all to themselves ; as every member of the body drawes nourishment from the stomacke , to make it his owne : to which the apostle alludes , eph. . . so the disciples of our saviour did , math. . , . when our saviour had said , that one of them should betray him , they were exceeding sorrowfull , and began every one of them to say unto him ; lord , is it i ? and surely , the want of this application , is one great cause that the word profits not , because they beleeve it not , nor apply the word unto themselves : heb. . . the word preached did not profit them , because it was not mixed with faith in them that heard it . now one principall worke of faith , is to apply those things that are delivered in the word : but this , the most hearers doe exceedingly faile in ; either not applying , or mis-applying of the truth ; shifting off all upon others , and taking little or nothing to themselves . as wee have a notable example of this , rom. . ult . compared with rom. . . in the former place , the apostle speakes of some , that knowing the judgement of god , that those that doe such things , are worthy of death ; yet not onely doe such things , but take pleasure in those that doe them : yet in the beginning of the next chapter , you find the same men judging and condemning of others ; yet thinking and perswading themselves , that they ( being guiltie of the same sinnes ) shall escape the judgement of god. why ? but because they apply not to themselves , but mis-apply to others the things they heare . many such hearers there are in these dayes , which are very cunning in shifting off the threatnings of god against their owne drunkennesse , and whoredome , and swearing , &c. yet very apt to pinne the same word upon others . well , these are not wise for themselves , and all their hearing shall doe them no good . thus much of the duties required in hearing . now follow those duties that are required after hearing . and these are chiefely thus . wee must be very carefull to remember and keepe that which wee have heard , prov. . . my sonne , let thine heart retaine my words : and , vers . . keepe them in the midst of thine heart . as a man that hath a iewell , will be carefull to locke it up in the safest chest hee hath , lest it should be stolne away : which is the very comparison of the wise-man , prov. . , . so mary , luke . . kept all the sayings in her heart : and david , psal . . . hid the commandements in his heart ; and hee gives the reason , that hee might not sinne against the lord. and the truth is , that as meat that is eaten , if it remaines not in the stomacke , it will never doe us good : so the best spirituall food that can be , except it be retained by us , will not profit us : luke . . the good ground are they , which with an honest and good heart having heard the word , keepe it , &c. many there are , that are very carelesse of this dutie : they thinke they have discharged themselves abundantly , if they heare the whole sermon attentively ; as though there were nothing more required at their hands : like our saviours hearers , math. . . when they heard him , they marvelled , and left him , and went their way : but wee never heare more of them . so many heare desirously , and with open and greedie eares : but , as wee say , it goes in at one eare , and out at another ; it stayes not for any after-use , but a little present admiration . others heare , and the word smites them a little on their consciences , and wounds ; and one would thinke , some good thing would be wrought upon them : but they goe away , and the motion dyes . they are as men that are sea-sicke , whilest the word humbles them , and makes their consciences to wamble within them ; but they are as whole as a fish , when as they are once landed at the church doore : or like unto mettals , which are soft and plyable , whilest they are in the fire ; so these are in the hearing : but shortly they loose all the efficacie of the word , and become harder than before . well , let us in the feare of god , hearken diligently to the words of the holy-ghost , heb. . . that wee ought to give the more earnest heed to the things that wee have heard , lest at any time wee should let them slip , or runne out ( like riven vessels : ) why ; what is the danger ? how shall wee escape , if wee neglect so great salvation ? wee must meditate and seriously thinke of that that wee have heard ; that is more than remembring . there is a great deale of difference betwixt the possessing of goods , and the using and imploying of them for our benefit ; betwixt the laying up of garments in our wardrobes , and the wearing of them upon our backes , to keepe us warme : this latter is done by meditation . prov. . , . my sonne , binde the commandements continually upon thy heart , and tie them about thy necke : it is a phrase of speech borrowed from garments that are bound about the body ; for meditation bindes the word close to the heart . it is said of mary , luke . . that shee pondered the words of the angel in her heart : and david was frequent in this dutie , psal . . . i will meditate in thy precepts ( saith he : ) and it was pauls advice to timothy , tim. . . meditate upon these things , give thy selfe wholly to them , that thy profiting may appeare to all . first , this is the way to make men profit by the word of god ; and that so evidently , that all may take notice of it , this is one great benefit of the word meditated upon , iosh . . . thou shalt meditate in the booke of the law day and night : to what end ? that thou mayest observe to doe according to all that is written therein . secondly , this course will argue unfained love unto the word , psal . . . oh how i love thy law , it is my meditation all the day . thirdly , this will greatly encrease our comfort in the word , and cause us to feele much more sweetnesse in it ; even as the chewing of our meat makes us to taste much more sweetnesse in it . psal . . , . he saith ; i will meditate on thy precepts , and have respect unto thy wayes , i will delight my selfe in thy statutes : meditation ever brings with it delight . fourthly , this will greatly encrease our knowledge : psal . . . i have more understanding than my teachers : why ? because thy testimonies are my meditation . now , if this be required after hearing ; how is it possible that they should profit by the word , that never scarcely thinke of it afterwards ? it is noted of the disciples , that though they had seene christs mightie power in the miracle of the loaves ; yet because they considered not the miracle , their hearts were hardened : i. because they did not meditate upon it , they were never the better for it . and thus it usually speedes with those that are carelesse in the performing of this dutie . wee must conferre of that wee have heard , and repeat it amongst our selves , and examine the scriptures about the truth of that that is delivered . i joyne them all together ; for so they may well be , in the practice of them . for conference , david saith , psal . . . my tongue shall speake of thy word , for all thy commandements are righteousnesse . this was ordinarily practised by the disciples of our saviour christ , when he had taught how hardly rich men shall be saved , mark. . . they were astonished out of measure , and said amongst themselves , who then can be saved ? so they conferred about another sermon of our saviour , ioh. . , . now repetition of sermons is especially required of them that have families , to repeat the word unto them : deut. . , . you shall lay up these my words in your hearts , and you shall teach them your children ; speaking of them when thou sittest in thy house : yea , it is said to be the chiefest thing that the lord had respect unto , in giving us his word , and the knowledge thereof , that we might instruct our families in it . deut. . . gather ye my people together , and i will make them heare my words , that they may learne to feare me , and may teach their children . and this , if it were practised carefully , would both make children and servants more carefull to heare and to attend unto the publike ministery ; and better our memories , that wee may be much better able to retaine that which we heare : and it will also worke an inward feeling in us and our children , of that which we have heard . therefore , deut. . , . it is called the whetting of them upon our children ; repetition doth set an edge upon their dulnesse . yea further , for the searching and examining of the scriptures , we are commanded , thess . . . to try all things , and to hold fast that which is good . and the example of those noble beraeans is commended unto us , act. . , . that searched the scriptures dayly , concerning those things that were delivered by paul ; therefore many of them beleeved . therefore it is a grievous neglect , that people in these dayes are guilty of ; that neither conferre concerning the word , they are ashamed of it , and ( which is a fearefull reproach unto them ) the word of god is a reproach unto them , ier. . . nor yet repeat sermons in their families ; they are like martha , luke . . troubled about so many worldly occasions : nor yet examine and search the scriptures : and therefore are easily carried about with every winde of doctrine , and never established and setled in the truth . wee are to put in practise whatsoever wee heare , till that our hearts and lives are quite changed by it : iam. . . be ye doers of the word , and not hearers onely , deceiving your owne soules : i. they cozen themselves by false reasonings and arguments , or by sophisticall syllogismes , reasoning after this or the like manner . he that heares the word , is a good christian. but i heare the word , &c. or thus : he that heares not , shall be damned . but i heare the word : therefore i shall be saved . but how doth this follow ? for though the neglect or contempt of the word is sufficient to condemne a man , yet the hearing of the word is not sufficient to save a man. well , obedience is the end of hearing , deut. . . heare , o israel , the statutes which i speake in your eares this day , that ye may learne them , and keepe them , and doe them . the like ye finde , iam. . . yea , obedience to the word must be speedie , without any delayes , or procrastinations ; as it is said of the colossians , col. . . that the gospel brought forth fruit in them , from the very day they heard it , and knew the grace of god in truth . and the prophet david resolved , psal . . . i made hast , and prolonged not the time to keepe thy commandements . and this is a singular frame of heart ; because the putting of the word in practise immediately , is a great advantage to the hearer : seeing then , the affections of the heart are quicke , and lively ; which with delayes dye , and decay very suddenly . now , alas , for the wonderfull paucitie of such obedient hearers ; for very few doe practise any thing they heare , leave any sinne , or doe any dutie : and therefore they must needs prove like the house built on the sand ; when the time of tryall shall come , they must needs fall , math. . . againe , there are many that in hearing have good motions and purposes ; but they are like the sluggard , that said , yet a little slumber , yet a little sleepe ; so , because they delay , they vanish and come to nothing : of whom , in respect of their spirituall povertie , it may be said which salomon speakes ; his povertie shall come as one that travelleth , and his want as an armed man. an appendix or addition to this treatise of the word . prov . . . he that despiseth the word , shall be destroyed . by the occasion of which words , let our christian meditations be a little fastened upon the greatnesse of the sinne of contemning and despising of the word . my meaning is , not to handle it as a text , but onely to take a hint , to begin to lay downe the danger of this epidemicall and ordinarie disease , that so exceedingly spreads in these dayes ; and then to adde some meanes and directions , to make us to be preparedly and profitably conversant about so great an ordinance as the hearing of the word . we of this land ( let us now open our eyes to see it ) have certainely most fearefully and cursedly sinned against god , and provoked his fierce wrath against us , by contempt of his holy word ; by shutting our eyes against the heavenly light of the gospel , which hath beene brought amongst us ; by not prizing the ministerie which we have now enjoyed a long time , nor profiting by it : nay , by wicked opposing it , with secret persecution at the least , and cruell mockings . in the first place , consider the crie of this sinne , and the curses it brings , from such places as these . first , isa . . . and both before , and after : and the vision of all ( saith the prophet ) is become unto you as the words of a booke that is sealed , &c. so may i justly say : all the visions , revelations , discoveries of the mysterie of christ , opening of all gods counsels ; all the expositions , interpretations , applications of the ministery of most places , have beene unto the most of us ; a fearefull thing i speake , but most true , and to be lamented with teares of bloud ; as the words of a booke that is sealed , which they deliver to one that can reade , saying , reade this , i pray thee : then shall he say , i cannot ; for it is sealed . and the booke is given to him that cannot reade , saying , reade this , i pray thee : and he shall say , i cannot reade . that is , all the sermons they shall heare , and all the heavenly messages are brought them from god , shall be as a sealed booke to a learned man , or an open booke unto an ideot . they shall stare in the face of the minister , when he is clearely unfolding the great mysterie of godlinesse , and shall not be able to understand him ; they shall have their owne conscience unript to the quicke , by the power of the word , and shall not perceive it ; they shall have their sweet sinne discovered , and damned unto the pit of hell , by evident and unanswerable demonstration out of the booke of god , and yet have no power to leave it : for the vision of the prophets ( saith the prophet in the forecited chapter ) is become unto them as the words of a booke sealed up . and therefore , all the doctrine of salvation , though it drop upon them as the raine , and still as the deaw , shall be but unto their hearts as unto the hardest rockes ; all holy admonitions and reproofes , as arrowes shot against a stone-wall ; all sacred lessons offered and urged upon their consciences , be as a seale stampt upon water , which receives no impression . o most wofull and fearefull estate ! secondly , isa . . . whom shall he teach knowledge , &c. this is not as many understand it , that people must have a little by little preached unto them , but it is a curse upon them . as if he should say : they are nothing fitter to the discipline of the knowledge of god , than infants newly weaned , to receive any instruction . for precept must be upon precept , &c. vers . . as if he should say : they must be taught as little children , a little at once , and have oft repeated over and over ; and yet they can learne nothing to doe them good , chiefely concerning their repentance , and escaping gods iudgements : i would to god it were not too evident , by long and dolefull experience ; that our ministerie hath done lesse good amongst the elder sort , and men of much worldly wisedome , for bringing them to any sound and comfortable knowledge in gods word , than amongst little children . thirdly , ezech. . , , , . and loe , thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice , &c. and is it not so with us ? that even to some that seeme to be friends , and to delight in the ministerie , the word is become as if it had lost all power to turne them from their sinne , to the holy way ; from plausible formalitie , to saving forwardnesse . heare a character of them , isa . . . yet they seeke me dayly , and delight to know my wayes , as a nation that did righteousnesse , and forsooke not the ordinance of their god : they aske of me the ordinances of iustice , they take delight in approaching to god. they may heare the word gladly , as herod did , and perhaps observe the messenger , &c. but they will not stirre an ynch further from sinne , and neerer to god : say what he will , let him preach out his heart , they will still hugge their bosome-sinne , and hold exactly their heartlesse formes and formall fashions in religion , after five thousand sermons : they are all unto them , as a lovely song of one that hath a sweet voice ; and leave no more impression upon their consciences , than a pleasant lesson upon the lute , upon the eare , when it is ended . fourthly , ier. . . and when this people , or a prophet , or a priest shall aske thee , saying , what is the burthen of the lord ? &c. nay , hath not the cursed sinne of loathing this heavenly manna , beene found among us ? hath not our much preaching beene accounted a burthen , a wearisomenesse , and a trouble ? yea , as here it was once unto the iewes ; a matter of scorne , and reproach ? the lord complaines grievously , in the quoted place , of this sinne ; how they tooke up this custome amongst them , concerning the faithfull preaching of all the true prophets , to aske scoffingly ; what is the burthen of the lord ? thus making a scorne of all the right discoverie of their sinnes , and the sound denunciation of gods iudgement , calling it by the name of a burthen ; the lord chargeth them most severely , that they should not use that disdainefull speech any more . hee tells them , how that they had perverted and abused the holy word of the ever-living god , the lord of hoasts : and withall directs them , what phrase of speech they should use , when they speake of his word sent unto them by his true prophets ; that thus each should demand , in reverence of his majestie : what hath the lord answered ; or , what hath the lord spoken ? and to leave off those reproachfull taunting tearmes , what is the burthen of the lord ? or otherwise , hee would surely be avenged of them for this sinne ; as we may see in the denunciation following . fifthly , ier. . , , , , . trust not in lying words , saying , the temple of the lord , the temple of the lord , &c. they rested upon the outward formes of gods worship , without reformation . it is just our case . many amongst us satisfie themselves , and thinke it will serve the turne for salvation , if they rest upon the sabbath , heare the word , receive the sacrament , and conforme to the outward exercises of religion ; though they abide in their sinnes , and have no acquaintance at all with the power of the word , the mysterie of christ , conversion to god , or holy conversation . sixtly , isa . . , . goe tell this people ; heare yee indeed , but understand not ; see yee indeed , but perceive not : make the heart of this people fat , and make their eares heavie , and shut their eyes , lest &c. oh , this is heavie , that a minister should be sent to a further hardening of a people ! and yet it is just with god , and they shall feele it on their bed of death . the theefe on the crosse was converted with a piece of a sermon , they are not wrought upon after many yeeres : therefore it is just with god , as an act of judgement , because they would not come in , after so long a time , to give them over to such judiciall hardnesse . consider these things , and tremble all yee that have any wayes strucke at the face of christ , by contempt of his ministerie . for the humbling of your soules into the dust , for this horrible sinne ; peruse in bleeding hearts , in secret , that blacke and bloudie catalogue of fearefull provocations , which are ordinarily to be found in , and certainely set upon the score of such as hate to be reformed under a conscionable ministerie . which made christ say , ioh. . . if i had not come and spoken unto them , &c. despising it ; shutting their eyes against that glorious light , erected in their faces , to leade them to heaven . see math. . . whosoever shall not receive you , nor heare your words , when yee depart out of that house , or citie , shake off the dust of your feet . here is a notable place , to affright all those that are unworthie partakers of the ministerie . for the understanding whereof , take notice of these five points . it is as if they should say ; here i have gone a long journey , and have contracted dust and sand by my travell , and taken a great deale of paines ; and loe , here i shake off this dust , in witnesse , that you had christ offered you , and you would not accept him . to intimate unto them ; i care not for any of you , or yours , but onely i seeke the good of your soules , i respect not so much as the dust ; i prize more the conversion of any of your soules , than all yours : and this dust shall witnesse it . they shooke off the dust , as a witnesse : i will have nothing to doe with this citie ; for i know , the plagues and iudgements of god will seize on this place , as it was with sodome and gomorrah ; i will have no communion and societie with these wicked people . they did shake off the dust , to intimate that destruction should come upon them . for it is said , psalme . that they should be driven away as the dust : as that is shaken with the winde , so shall they be with the wrath of god. in testimonie and witnesse against them : this very dust shall be witnesse against them . doe you thinke then , that their sermons and catechising shall not ? if the dust that they gathered by their paines , will be witnesse ; what will all their sermons , and praying , and such paines be ? now this sinne of despising the word , is a sinne above that of sodome , vers . . verily , it shall be more easie for sodome and gomorrah , in the day of iudgement , than for that citie . murmuring against it , iob. . . luk. . . cavilling against it , act. . . contemning it , ier. . . act. . . what will this babbler say ? they accounted pauls precious preaching , vaine babbling . mocking and scorning it , chron. . . act. . . persecuting it , math. . . and so they become like mad dogges throwne into a river , or tyed up in a chaine , which doe snarle at , bite , and teare those that put out their hands to helpe , and set them free ; fearing , they come to torture and to trouble them more . iust so it is with many prophane wretches , which lye drowned in sinne , and chained in sathans fetters : if a man put out his hand , by the ministerie of the word , to save them from sinking into damnation , and to free them from the snares of everlasting death ; they rage and rayle , they barke and bite like mad dogges , holding themselves to be disquieted , disgraced , and tormented before their time . thus you have seene the sixe curses , and the sixe sinnes , that the not profiting by the word doth bring upon a people . now , in the second place , let me tender to your most serious thoughts some quickening motives , for the stirring of you up to profit by the word . some taken from the word it selfe , the ministerie whereof you have slighted . what then is the blessed thing you have so wickedly abused ? it is , the word of salvation , act. . . no other word , or created power , can save your soules from hell. the word of truth , eph. . . there is error in all other truths , whether naturall , or morall , or politicall : and goe to any art , there is weakenesse and infirmitie in the braine of man , that there can be no certaintie ; but here is all truth , and here is infallibilitie , you need not doubt of any . it is called the word of life , phil. . . all other learning whatsoever , when it hath furnished you with ornaments and parts , it leaves your soules starke dead in sinnes and trespasses . but this is a word of life , it inspires spirituall life , and brings eternall life . it is called a word of reconciliation , cor. . . let the sea runne nothing but gold , and let heaven and earth be turned into gold and silver , and offered unto god , it could not reconcile us . if all the creatures would lose their being , be annihilated , and come to nothing ; yet this could not save iudas , or any one reprobate : but the word hath beene a blessed instrument , for reconciling many soules to god. it is , as it were , an epistle or letter ( as one of the fathers calls it ) written from god almightie unto us miserable men ; wherein hee writes his will and word , and sends it to us : the ministers are the readers of it , and they bring the newes from heaven . and what is the matter of it ? concerning eternall life , or eternall death , concerning the good of your soules . now , if you had a private letter come from the king , concerning your advancement , or your deliverance and forgivenesse for some dangerous treason , or both ; how would you take this letter , and how often would you reade it , with what willingnesse of affection ? now , here is an epistle sent from heaven , to advise you , that you are all traitors and rebels against heaven , and yet here in this letter , god offers the bloud of his sonne , and you may be reconciled : and will you neglect it ? this is the matter of this epistle ; it brings matter of deliverance from the greatest curse that can befall the creature , and the greatest advancement . it is the bottomelesse treasurie of all high , sweet , and excellentest things : the mysterie of the trinitie , the majestie of god , the love of god , and of christ ; this sufferings , the spirits workings , the happinesse of the saints , and the glory of heaven , &c. it must be our iudge at the last day , ioh. . . every honest sermon , is but the word of god unfolded ; and a bunch of arrowes wrapped up , and unfolded , are all one . it onely can cure a wounded conscience , the greatest calamitie that ever the heart of man was acquainted with ; and that which no arme of flesh , or created power , no man or angel , can ease at all . in it onely are to be had deeds and evidences , to shew for eternall life ; and acquittances , for discharge from eternall death . it hath saved all the soules that are in heaven , rom. . . it onely is the object of divine and infused faith. humane testimonies and authorities beget onely humane faith : therefore you must reverence this word . some motives taken from the most fearefull and cursed estate of those who neglect and reject the ministerie of the word , hating to be reformed by it . marke and take to heart thine unspeakable miserie , whosoever thou art , that despisest the ministerie : take a taste of it , in these passages . they are deprived by this meanes of the love and favour of god , the onely fountaine of all comfort , peace , and glory ; which is infinitely the dearest and most unvaluable losse , that can be imagined . of their part and portion in the bloud of christ ; one drop whereof , is incomparably more worth than heaven and earth , men and angels , or the creatures of a thousand worlds . of the fatherly protection , care , and providence of the blessed trinitie , the glorious guard of angels , the comfortable communion of the blessed saints , and all the sweet contentments that follow thence . of the quiet joy and tranquilitie of a good conscience ; a iewell farre more worth than the whole world , were it all turned into one unvaluable pearle of unvaluable price : and of all the heavenly illuminations , cherishments , and comforts , wherewith the holy-ghost is wont to visit and refresh the hearts of holy men . of the sweet peace and true contentment in this life , and of all comfortable right and religious interest to any of the creatures : for , without a good conscience , there was never found joy in any mans heart , or sanctified enjoyment of any thing in the world ; and never shall any man have a good conscience , that gives allowance to any lust , or lives delightfully in any sinne . of a crowne of life , the unspeakable joyes of heaven , that immeasurable and endlesse comfort that there shall be had with all the children of god , patriarkes , prophets , apostles , martyrs , all our christian acquaintance ; yea , with the lord himselfe , and all angels , with christ our saviour and lambe , slaine for us ; the prince of glory ; yea , the glory of heaven and earth , and brightnesse of the everlasting light , &c. to these privative consequents , adde a serious consideration upon those terrible flaming places ; deut. . , . prov. . , . isa . . , . sam. . . act. . . by continuing thy contempt , and rejecting the light of the gospel , thou mayest come , thou knowest not how soone , to sinne against the holy-ghost , as the pharises did , math. . , . for sinne against the holy-ghost may be committed as well , by those , who although they doe acknowledge and confesse the truth , which they doe blaspheme ; yet they have not yet professed it , or given up their names to it , as were those scribes and pharises : and there are many such in these dayes , who have not as yet given their name to the truth , which yet notwithstanding being well knowne and acknowledged , they doe blaspheme . as those , who have not only acknowledged in themselves the truth that they blaspheme , but have professed the same before others , that are the favourers of truth ; as iulian , porphyrius , alexander the copper-smith , and many others : of which , you may see heb. . & . so , many amongst us at this day . some taken from the survey of those judgements , which contempt of the ministerie may bring upon the place where it is planted . it may remove the candlesticke , and be plagued with the utter losse of the ministerie . consider , math. . . & . . & . . they may have prophets , but such as are fooles ; they may have men of the spirit , but those that be mad , hos . . . by a foole , is meant not a naturall , but spirituall foole , prov. . . ier. . . isa . . . by mad , is understood not a man out of his wit , or distracted in minde , but he that like a mad dogge rageth and rayleth against the truth of god , and sinceritie of his saints ; which is a great judgement . they may enjoy faithfull teachers , but to their further hardening , as the israelites did isaiah , isa . . , . which of all other judgements that god can inflict in this life , is the most fearefull . by this meanes , they may make sad the heart and affections of their teachers , that they cannot with that chearefulnesse as they desire , performe the offices of their ministerie : which as it discourageth the teachers , ( and will one day light heavie on the causers and procurers thereof ) so it is unprofitable for the hearers , and deprives them of much good they might otherwise enjoy ; as appeares , heb. . . some from consideration of those confusions and desolations , which it pulls with great violence even upon whole kingdomes . looke upon such places as these : chron. . , , &c. ier. . . &c. & cap. . . rev. . . &c. the glorious light of those seven candlestickes in asia , mentioned in the revelations , was long since , for their unfruitfulnesse , coldnesse , and contempt of the word , turned into the darke midnight of heresie , apostasie , and mahometisme . rome , that was anciently the glory of the westerne churches , lyes now drowned in superstition , soaking in damnable idolatry , and plunged over head and eares in the doctrine of devils . many strong and noble limbes of the reformed churches in high germanie have lyen for some yeeres in their teares of bloud , groaning under the mercilesse tyrannie of the bloudie antichristians , and have wofully received the marke of the beast againe . now assuredly , it was the loathing the heavenly manna , which made the lord to utter his voice before the armie of the enemies at prague , and other places . it was their spirituall coldnesse , which sharpened the papists swords against them : it was their not entertaining the truth , with the love and power of it , which gave the imperiallists power over them . in a third place , take some helpes and remedies , to become profitable hearers and saving proficients by the ministerie your enjoy ; which hath thus long beene ( it is a reproachfull and rufull thing i speake ) the savour of death unto death unto the most . be perswaded to beleeve and obey the blessed commandement of our saviour himselfe , math. . . seeke ye first the kingdome of god , and the righteousnesse thereof , in the first place ; and all other things shall be added to you . to which bee quickened , by considering , to what end wee came into this world. what a wofull and bewitched people are they , who being reasonable creatures , having an understanding light , like the angels of god ; having eyes in their heads , to fore-see the wrath that is to come ; hearts in their bodies , that can tremble as the leaves of the forest , which are shaken with the winde ; consciences , that are capable of unspeakable horror ; bodies and soules , which can burne in hell for ever : and yet some have lived twentie , some thirtie , some fortie , some sixtie yeeres ; and yet to this day , have not learnt one sound spirituall lesson , for the true good of their soules , either out of the booke of god , the booke of nature , the workes of god , or any other way ? why , to what end doe you thinke were you created , and put into this world ? to eate , and drinke , and sleepe ; to lye , and sweare , and root in the earth ; to dice and card , and goe in the fashion ; to contemne the ministerie ; shamefully to belye , slander , and rayle upon gods people , as too precise ; to die , and then not to be damned ? assuredly , thou wast not borne , and placed upon the earth , for to serve thine owne turne , to please thine owne heart , to follow thine owne wayes , to live for a while like a beast in sensuall contentments , and then to goe to hell. certainely , thou wast sent into this world for some other end , for some greater businesse and important affaire ; even for that one necessarie thing , luke . . to know , serve , and obey thy god , and to save that precious soule of thine in the day of christ ; to seeke first the kingdome of heaven , to know and feele the vertue of christs death and resurrection . this , i say , is that one necessarie thing : all other things are but respectively necessarie , so farre as they further this end ; ought onely to be subordinate , and contributorie ; nay , to be accounted but drosse and dung , to this , phil. . . consider , that upon this moment depends eternitie . what is a man profited , if he shall gaine the whole world , and lose his owne soule ? math. . . the difference of the life and death of the christian and carnallist . take the counsell of the holy apostle , col. . . let the word of christ dwell in you richly , &c. by hearing it in season , and out of season , tim. . . preachers and hearers , are relatives . christian hearers in ancient times heard their pastours day after day . ( ) a because yesterday wee made mention of the theefe , &c. saith ambrose . which implyes his preaching the day before . ( ) b you that were here yesterday , &c. which implyes his preaching the day before . in another place : c i suppose , you remember how farre me discoursed yesterday : from that very place , let us to day begin . elsewhere he saith : d from whence we spake much yesterday . againe ; e yesterday we came even to that verse , &c. f yesterdayes sermon was protracted , &c. g the latter part of the psalme , of which wee spake yesterday , &c. h yesterday a shorter psalme was handled . ( ) i first therefore let us perswade you , that you would amend and abandon your oathes : for although i spake of the same matter yesterday , and the day before that ; yet notwithstanding , i will not cease to day , nor to morrow , nor the day after that , to perswade the same things . whence it appeares , that hee preached the day before , and the day before that ; and would preach the day following , and the day after that . ( ) k yesterdayes sight ( brethren ) provoked me to this sermon , &c. this sermon was made upon easter monday ; and no doubt , he had preached on easter day . ( ) l yesterday , &c. to day wee will discourse briefely of baptisme , and the benefits that flow from thence to us : although yesterday our speech did flow more hastily from us , both because the time did urge , as also least length of speech should beget disdaine and satietie : for the satietie of speech is no lesse an enemie to the eares , than too much meate is to the body . these orations were divine , and as sermons ; and this was made on the day immediately after an holy-day . the greeke church at that time celebrated the day of christs baptisme . ( ) m if you remember , in yesterdayes sermon , &c. chrysostome in his tenth homily upon genesis , expostulating with his people , because they were so few , tells them , that every houre of the day is seasonable to heare a sermon ; nay , the very night is not unseasonable , for such a purpose : urging for proofe thereof , the place i prest before , tim. . . and pauls practice , act. . preaching untill midnight . these are his words . n what meanes it , that there is a lesse assembly of you to day , and not so frequent a multitude of those , who flocke to us ? for it is not so with spirituall things as with humane , which are divided to determined times : every time of the day is fit for a spirituall sermon . and what doe i say , the day time ? yea , if the night should come upon us , it doth not prejudice or hinder spirituall teaching . for both paul writing to timothy , said : be instant in season and out of season , &c. and againe , heare blessed s. luke , saying : paul being about to depart on the morrow , prolonged his sermon to the middle of the night . tell mee , i pray thee , did the time hinder ? was therefore his word of doctrine hindered ? austin sometimes preached thrice upon the same day . o doe not wonder , deare brethren , if i have preached thrice to day , god assisting me : there hath happened to day a fearefull chance , &c. chrysostome in the evening , as we may see in his eleventh homily upon thess . . saith hee : even as , if any one should cast water on the wicke of this candle , or should onely take away the oyle , hee would put out the light ; so is it with the gift of the spirit . he tooke his example from the lampe that burnt by him when he was preaching , and sayes ; you may quench this lampe , by putting in water ; and you may quench it , by taking out the oyle . and great basil also the like . the evening and the morning ( saith he ) is made one day . but these our sermons concerning that evening , now begun from this evening , doe here put an end to our words . chrysostome almost in all his homilies upon genesis , saith in the beginning of his sermon : heri , &c. yesterday i handled this or that , or the like . see . hom. . . hom. . . hom. . . hom. . . hom. . . hom. . . hom. . . hom. . . hom. . . hom. . . hom. . . hom. . . hom. . . hom. . . hom. . . hom. . . hom. . . hom. . . hom. . . hom. . . hom. . . hom. . . hom. . austin preached twice a day . object . except perhaps they preached every day onely in lent , &c. or besides the lords day , but onely upon holy-dayes , and their eves . answ . heare chrysostome speaking generally . * it is necessarie , that a bishop should sowe his seed every day , as i may so say ; that at the least , by that dayly custome of teaching , the mindes of his hearers may retaine his words . austin hath the like . the word of god , which is dayly opened unto us , and after a sort broken to us , is our dayly bread : and as our bellies hunger for that bread , so doe our mindes for this . object . if former and primitive times were so full of preaching , how commeth it to passe , that our dayes will scarce downe with twice a sabbath ? sith the ancient fathers preached dayly , how happeneth it , that many reputed great schollers in these times , preach so seldome ? &c. answ . first , one reason may be an affected humour of man-pleasing , or selfe-preaching ; which is ambitiously pursued , and mightily prevailes abroad in the world. this , king iames out of his deepe and princely wisedome , conceived to be the cause of so many dayly defections from our religion , both to poperie and anabaptisme . he calls it a light , affected , and an unprofitable kind of teaching , which hath beene of late yeeres too much taken up in vniversitie , citie , and countrey : in which ( saith he ) there is a mustering up of much reading , and a displaying of their owne wits , &c. these are his owne words , in the reasons of his direction for preaching . now you must know , that to the scraping and patching together of the garish and gawdie paintings and unprofitable pompe of a selfe-sermon , there is required and ordinarily expected such a deale of curiositie , varietie of extraordinarie conceits , and trickes of wit ; that it puts the pen-man to a great deale of paines , and tortures his wit extremely . he dives with much adoe into the dung-hill of many a popish postiller , and phantasticall erier , &c. for such , as tully said of anthony , do magno conatu magnas nugas agere ; they sweat at it , with much vexing anxietie : and what then ? parturiunt montes , &c. they detaine & delude the itching eares of unjudicious hearers with a little ayrie nourishment , as the king speakes in the fore-cited place . the painfulnesse then of this unprofitable way of preaching ; the irkesome tediousnesse of committing of it so punctually and precisely to memorie ; the fearefulnesse of deliverie , and danger of being out ; vaine-glorious doubting , that they shall not be applauded as they were wont ; feare , lest the next time they should lessen their former reputation of wit and reading , &c. secondly , another reason may be , because ministers doe not so much meditate and study divine and heavenly things , but trouble themselves too much in the affaires of the world. therefore the ancient fathers , spending their time , wits , and understanding wholly upon heavenly things , diving continually into the mysteries of gods booke , and preaching dayly , were able to preach often , and excellently : by their ministeriall diligence and faithfulnesse , they attained such a happie readinesse and habit , and so enriched themselves with heavenly store , that they were able , as occasion was offered , to bring forth out of their treasure things new and old ; whereupon they were enabled to preach sometimes upon short warning : so basil preached his two sermons upon the sixe dayes worke , when he had but that morning for meditation . sometimes , without any premeditation ; so it seemes he preached his second sermon . and so did austin his sermon , upon psal . . it seemes there , his brother severus failing to come , he preached himselfe . and i have told you heretofore of a sermon which he made upon a sudden , occasioned by an heavie accident . and these sermons were such , that they have bin thought worthy by the church from time to time , to be conveyed and communicated to posterity . for in all my discourse , i am so farre from giving any allowance to idle , impertinent , or any way unsubstantiall preaching ; that i hold it a very irksome , and loathsome , and wicked thing , lyable to that heavie curse ; cursed is he that doth the worke of the lord negligently . but let a man be well grounded before he begin , be godly himselfe , ply faithfully and painefully his ministeriall charge , in season and out of season ; and it is incredible to what he may attaine in the point i pursue , by his much exercise , and gods blessing upon it . but yet some say , first , that a man cannot preach well , under a quarter of a yeeres provision . see the truth hereof , in the fore-going reasons . secondly , that often preaching will make it too cheape , and contemptible ; which to affirme , is a base and carnall wrangling , and confuted by the practice of the fathers . thirdly , that reading is to be preferred before preaching . wee doe not denie , but that the word read , is the rule of holinesse , may convert , the spirit accompanying companying his ordinance ; and therefore is to have place , and due respect in the congregation : but wee will not equall it to preaching . if reading were more excellent , and of greater force to convert , than preaching ; why are not the people converted , that have a reader ? to what end then serve schooles of the prophets ? wherefore should men studie the knowledge of tongues , and arts , to divide the word aright , and to distribute to every mans present necessities ? and why should sathan rage more against preachers , than readers ; except the word powerfully delivered did not the more batter and beat downe his kingdome ? besides , why did not christ send out his apostles with this charge , goe , readè ; but , goe , preach to all nations ? wherefore doth paul pronounce a woe to them that preach not the gospel ? and why did hee not charge his sonne timothy before god , to reade in season , and out of season ? yea , but may some say , the ancient fathers were extraordinarie men , and therefore no patternes for our preaching , &c. they were glorious lights , and wee but glow-wormes ; they were cedars , wee but shrubs , &c. let them be what they were , i as much reverence and respect them , as any man alive , if wee take truth and discretion with us . and therefore at this time , i will suppose ( i say so , because i doubt not , but our age hath brought forth as worthy divines , if not worthier , as any of the ancient fathers ; ) i say , i will suppose them to be as it were gyants , and wee dwarfes : yet set a dwarfe upon a gyants shoulders , and hee will see further , and so might certainely wee , but for slouth , idlenesse , worldlinesse , ambition , and other such base and vile degenerations of these later times . it may be further objected , that there was more necessity of the fathers frequent preaching , especially in those primitive times , for more plentifull publishing and propagation of the gospel , &c. and suppressing heresies , &c. passingly weake , and untrue . there is farre more need of much preaching now , than in former times . for wee live in the last dayes , wherein those perillous times are come upon us , which paul fore-tells tim. . . &c. and wherein iniquitie abounds , and the love of many waxeth cold , &c. math. . . and at this day wee oppose the hydra of all heresies , poperie ; which opposeth even the whole body of christianitie . againe , their homilies are against drunkennesse , pride , swearing , luxury , covetousnesse , love of the world , vsury , painted faces , false haire , anger , envie , ambition , &c. all which sinnes , and many more , reigne and rage at this day with more hainousnesse , and an higher hand , than heretofore . a second meanes whereby the word may dwell plentifully in us , is , by a constant and conscionable reading the booke of god. this exercise is commanded to kings and captaines , deut. . , , . iosh . . . who may seeme most priviledged , by their intanglement in many and weightie affaires . christ bids the iewes , ioh. . . search the scriptures , as the well-spring of eternall life . the holy-ghost commends the iewes of berea , as more noble than they of thessalonica , because they received the word with all readinesse of minde , and searched the scriptures daily , whether those things were so , act. . . see deut. , , , . see many motives to this dutie , before : it is the word of salvation , of truth , of life , of reconciliation , a letter from heaven , a treasurie of all excellent things : it shall judge us , it onely can heale a wounded soule ; it containes all our evidence for heaven , and it is the object of divine faith , &c. nay , and because the papists have wickedly dammed up this fountaine of life from the common people , heare the judgement and zeale of antiquitie , in pressing this dutie . first , heare chrysostome . * heare , i pray you , all yee lay-men , ( saith chrysostome ) get yet bibles , a medicine for your soules , &c. you cast all upon our shoulders . you ought onely to be instructed of us , but your wives and children should be by you , &c. but now adayes , your children preferre divellish songs and dancings , even as cookes , and caters , and leaders of dances , but none knowes any psalme . the same chrysostome , to stirre up men to diligent reading the scriptures , maketh good this assertion ; there is no affliction or miserie of body or soule , but may receive a medicine out of gods booke . a man heavie-hearted , and of a sad spirit , ( saith hee ) takes the bible in his hand ; after hee hath met with that place , psal . . . ( why art thou cast downe , o my soule , and why art thou so disquieted within me ? hope thou in god , &c. ) he is refreshed . another ( saith he ) is oppressed with extreme povertie , beholds the wicked wallow in worldly wealth , and flourish like a greene bay-tree : but after hee hath cast his eye upon that , psal . . . ( cast thy burthen upon the lord , and hee shall sustaine thee , &c. ) he is comforted . another is hunted with calumnies and insidiations , &c. and no humane helpe will be had ; the prophet ( saith hee ) doth teach him what to doe , in these words : * they did speake against me , but i prayed . another is forsaken even of his friends and kinsmen , and contemned of those who were most beholding to him : heare how the prophet behaved himselfe in such a case , psal . . . &c. . &c. he concludes thus : * thou hast seene , whensoever any calamitie doth oppresse a man , how convenient an antidote he may take from the scriptures , and all care of this life may be driven backe ; neither should we be grieved for any thing that falls out . therefore , i beseech you , that you would come hither , and diligently attend to the reading of the holy scriptures ; not onely when you come hither , but even at home take the holy bible into your hands , and goe reape the profit that is in them with great earnestnesse . moreover , what that sensible bread doth to encrease bodily strength , that reading doth to the soule ; for it is spirituall nourishment , and makes the soule vigorous , &c. but wee may adde to chrysostomes antidotes , these . more . art thou wearie of the wayes of vanitie , and comming on with a grieved and sorrowfull heart for thy sinne , to meet thy deare redeemer ; and doth the conceit of the number and hainousnesse of thy transgressions , crosse and confound thy hopes of being received to mercy ? why then looke upon paul ; he shed the bloud of the saints with extraordinarie rage and furie , act. . . upon manasseh , a man of prodigious impietie , chron. . . upon some of peters hearers , who crucified the lord of life , act. . . if these will not serve the turne , looke upon adam ; who cast away himselfe , and undid all , and was the cause that all that issued out of his loines , unto the worlds end , fell into the damnation of hell : and yet all these , upon repentance , were received unto mercie . and therefore , if thou canst now heartily repent , feare no former sinnes . hast thou by the violence of sathans temptations , the slie enticements of thine owne sinfull nature , and the cunning insinuations of thy former bosome-sinne , beene fearefully overtaken with some scandalous fall , since thou wast converted , and gave thy name unto grace ; and upon illumination of thy conscience , remorse , and meditation of returne , thou art ashamed to look christ iesus in the face , because thou hast so shamed thy profession ; and thou art so troubled with horror and conceit , that thy case is singular , that thou canst find no ease to thine humbled and sorrowfull heart ? why then looke upon david , peter , &c. transcendent instances , that thou may not sinke into despaire . art thou plunged into the perplexities and fearfull apprehensions of a spiritual desertion ? art thou deprived of thy former comfortable feelings of gods favorable countenance ? hast thou no comfort in prayer ? &c. looke upon david , ps . . it may be , upon thy bed of death , * when sathan will make thy sinnes appeare farre more ugly and horrible to the eye of thy conscience , than ever hee did before ; and will perswade thee all he can , that all thy holy services unto god , and new obedience , was quite marred with pride , hypocrisie , and by-respects ; i say , it may be then thy heart will quite faile thee , and thy conceit of gods wrathfull and angry countenance for thy sinne , may so oppresse and confound thy soule , that thou mayest feare lest thou be forsaken : why then thinke upon thy saviours mournfull cry upon the crosse ; my god , my god , why hast thou forsaken me ? it may be thou art a true-hearted nathanael , in whose spirit there is no guile ; hates all sinne heartily , both in thy selfe and others , desirest and laborest to please god in all things , and to keepe a good conscience before all things in the world ; and yet thou findest and feelest in thy brest many times a heavy , sad , and unchearefull heart : why then , heare david , a man after gods owne heart , of a more excellent spirit , and eminent graces , than thou art , complaining psal . . . why art thou so heavie , o my soule , and why art thou so disquieted within me ? art thou grievously troubled with the haunt and horror of some speciall sinne , of which thou canst not be so easily rid ; and doest thou therefore goe mourning all the day ? why then looke also upon david , psal . . in such a case , he roared all the day , his bones were consumed , and his native moisture was turned into the drought of summer . art thou vexed to the heart , and fearefully haunted with some horrible and hatefull injections of sathan ; thoughts framed by himselfe immediately , and put into thee ; perhaps tending to atheisme , or to the dishonour of god in some high degree , or to the disgrace of his word , or selfe-destruction , &c. or the like : thoughts which thou canst not remember , without horror ; and darest not reveale , or name , for their strange and prodigious hatefulnesse ? why then consider , how this malicious fiend dealt with the sonne of god : he suggested unto his most holy and unspotted imagination , these propositions : first , murther ; make away thy selfe , math. . . secondly , fall downe and worship the devill , vers . . what more fearefull and horrible apprehensions ? and yet these were suggested to our blessed saviour ; to him perhaps more sensibly , to thee more secretly . * his pure and holy heart , uncapable of sinne , did reject them with infinite contempt ; and himselfe did utterly conquer and confound the tempter , and that for thee , and thy sake too . and if thine heart rise against , abominate , abandon , grieve , and be humbled for them , they shall never be layd to thy charge , but set on sathans score . for all them , thou mayest goe on chearefully and comfortably in the course of christianitie : and so doe . and let not sathan attaine his divellish end by them ; which is , to worke astonishment in thy minde , horror in thy conscience , heavinesse in thy heart , distractions in thy thoughts , &c. that thereby thou mayest be disheartened and disabled for the chearefull discharge and performance both of thy particular and generall calling . or else , art thou long after thy conversion , assaulted with perhaps sorer spirituall pangs , and more horror , than at thy change ? consider david , iob , hezekiah . hast thou lost thy goods , or children ? doth the wife that lyes in thy bosome , set her selfe against thee ? doe thy neerest friends charge thee falsely ? art thou diseased from top to toe ? doe the arrowes of the almightie sticke fast in thy soule ? thy affliction is grievous enough , if thou hast any of these . but doe they all , in the greatest extremitie , concurre upon thee at once ? hast thou lost all thy children , and all thy goods ? doth thy wife afflict thy afflictions ? &c. if this be not thy case , thou commest short of iob , a most just man , and high in gods favour . hast thou given thy name to religion , and art a professor of grace ; and art thou therefore villanously traduced with many slanderous nick-names , and odious imputations ? art thou called puritan , precisian , hypocrite , humorist , dissembler , & c ? why , gracelesse wretches , when hee was upon earth , called christ iesus , devill . see math. . . ioh. . . contemne thou therefore for ever , the utmost malice of the most scurrill tongue . art thou a loving and tender-hearted mother unto thy children , and hast thou lost thy dearest ? why , the blessed mother of christ stood by , and saw her owne onely deare innocent sonne , the lord of life , most cruelly and villanously murthered upon the crosse , and die a shamefull death before her eyes , ioh. . . art thou a woman , who in the time of thy travaile art pressed with many wants ; with want of comfortable companie , desired helpes , a fairer roome , and other worldly comforts and conveniences ? why yet comfort thy selfe with this ; that holy virgin , which brought into the world the worlds saviour , brought forth that blessed babe in a stable , and laid him in a cratch , luke . . it is very like , farre more poorely , in respect of worldly comforts , than the poorest sort of women amongst us ; with lesse comfortable helpers , and in a lesse seemely and commodious place , for such a purpose . hath thy faith lost its feeling ; and besides , doth god looke upon thee with an angry countenance , and is thy heart filled with heavinesse and horror ? yet for all this , let the hand of faith by no meanes loose it hold-fast upon the precious sufferings and saving bloud-shed of thy deare redeemer . thou hast before thee , a matchlesse and transcendent precedent in this point . thus cryes holy iob , having , besides his unparalelled varietie and extremitie of outward afflictions , the arrowes of the almightie sticking fast in him , and drinking up his spirits ; though hee kill me , yet will i trust in him , cap. . . so abraham , rom. . . doest thou , day after day , poure out thy soule in prayer before the throne of grace , with all the earnestnesse and instancie thou canst possibly ; and doest thou still rise up dull and heavie , and uncomforted , without answer from god , or comfortable sence of his favour and love shed into thine heart ? why , yet pray still ; assuredly , at length thou shalt be gloriously refreshed , and registred in the remembrance of god , for a christian of excellent faith . see a patterne of rare and extraordinarie patience this way , math. . . &c. doth the world , sathan , carnall men , thine owne friends , formall teachers , suppose and censure thee to be a dissembler in thy profession , and will needes concurrently and confidently fasten upon thee the imputation of hypocrisie ? why , yet for all this , let thy sincere heart , conscious to it selfe of it owne truth in holy services , like a strong pillar of brasse , beat backe and reject with noble contempt and glorious disdaine , all their impoysoned arrowes of malice and slander this way . thou hast a right worthy patterne in the booke of god , for this purpose . iob had against him not onely the devill , his enemie , pushing at him with his poysoned weapons ; but even his owne friends , scourging him with their tongues ; yea , his owne wife a thorne , pricking him in the eye ; yea , his owne god miserably lashing his naked soule with scorpions ; powerfull motives , to make him suspect himselfe of former halting and hollow-heartednesse in the wayes of god : yet notwithstanding all this , his good and honest heart having beene long before acquainted with and knit unto his god with sinceritie and truth , makes him boldly and resolutely to protest ; that untill he die , he will never take away his innocencie from himselfe ; that he would keepe his righteousnesse , and not forsake it , and that his heart should not reprove him for his dayes . hast thou an untoward wife , that is a continuall dropping and a perpetuall goade in thy side ? heare iobs complaint , cap. . . my breath is strange to my wife , though i entreated for the childrens sake of mine owne body . art thou vexed with a prophane dogged husband ? abigail , a wife , and precious woman , had a nabal to her yoke-fellow . thus these patternes and precedents in the booke of god , purposely registred for the refreshing and recoverie of his chosen , in spirituall or temporall straits , are ordinarily proposed in a transcendent and matchlesse degree ; that in their greatest extremities , by reflecting their eyes upon such examples , they may be preserved from despaire , have the stronger consolation , and not thinke their cases to be comfortlesse and singular . let these considerations move us to be well read in these holy mysteries , and day and night exercised in reading and meditating on them . but to our purpose , heare further what others say in this point . secondly , heare gregorie the great . a what is the sacred scripture , but a certaine epistle of the omnipotent god to his creature ? and surely , if a man should receive writings from his emperour , he would not rest , he would not be quiet , he would give no sleepe to his eyes , unlesse he had first knowne what that earthly emperour had written to him . the emperour of heaven , the lord of men and angels , hath sent his letters to thee , concerning thy life ; and yet ( my vaine-glorious sonne ) thou doest neglect earnestly to reade those letters . studie them therefore , i pray thee , and dayly meditate upon the words of thy creator : learne the minde of god in the word of god , that thou mayest aspire more earnestly to eternall things , and that your minde may with greater desire be inflamed to the heavenly kingdome . thirdly , b origen teacheth , that the people should learne the scriptures without booke . fourthly , c ierome . counselleth , that by dayly reading the scriptures , wee should get wisedome : his words import so much . fifthly , read the scriptures ( saith d austin ) for that they were written to the end we should be comforted . sixtly , e ierome writing to gaudentius about the education of a yong maid , would have her at seven yeeres old , and when she begins to blush , to learne without book the psalter ; and until she come to be marriageable , to make the treasure of her heart the books of salomon , the gospels , apostles , and prophets . object . . but the scriptures are hard to be understood , &c. answ . heare , ( ) chrysostome . f all things are cleare and plaine out of the holy scriptures . whatsoever things are necessarie , are manifest . ( ) ierome . g the lord hath spoken by his gospel , not that a few , but that all should understand it . plato wrote his writings , but not to the people , but to a few ; scarce three understand him . ( ) cyrill . h the scriptures are profitably recommended unto us in an easie speech , that they should not goe beyond the capacitie of any . ( ) againe , chrysostome , who having said much for often reading , and plainenesse of the scriptures , concludes : i who is there , to whom whatsoever is written in the scriptures , is not manifest ? who is there , who hearing , that the meeke are blessed , the mercifull blessed , the pure in heart blessed , and the like , shall want a master , that he should learne any of those things which are spoken ? object . . but i am intangled with varietie of businesses , i have no leisure to spend time in reading scripture , as you advise : i am still busied in my trade , husbandry , merchandise , in some high roome , &c. i have a great charge , wife , children , and family to care for : let schollers , ministers , gentle-folkes , &c. that have more time and leisure , ply such businesses , for i cannot . answ . who are more busied than kings and captaines ? and yet they are commanded to be diligent readers of gods booke . see deut. . , . iosh . . . but chrysostome makes this objection , and answers it himselfe excellently : k what sayest thou , oh man ? is it not thy dutie to reade the scriptures , because thou art distracted with innumerable cares ? yea , it is thy dutie rather than others , &c. in which sermon also , he lets fall this confident assertion : * neither now can it be , it cannot be , i say , that any man should attaine unto salvation , unlesse he be continually conversant in spirituall reading . object . . but , alas , i cannot reade . answ . heare then austin : l neither let this be sufficient for you , that in the church you doe heare divine reading ; but also in your houses , either doe you your selves reade , or get others that can reade , and doe you willingly hearken . and he stirres them up to it , with these considerations : ( ) m remember , brethren , ( saith he ) the saying of our lord , in which hee saith ; if a man shall gaine the whole world , and lose his owne soule , what will it profit him ? ( ) n what remaineth and abideth in a man , but that which every one , either by reading , or praying , or doing good workes for the salvation of his soule , hath layd up in the treasure of his conscience ? object . . but will not publike reading in the house of god serve the turne ? answ . by no meanes . heare chrysostome : o therefore often doe i tell you before-hand , many dayes before the argument of which i shall speake , that in the dayes in the meane while , taking a booke , and weighing the whole summe of the matter , after yee have understood what hath beene said , and what remaines to be said , you may make your minde more fit to heare those things which afterward shall be declared ; and that i alwayes exhort to , and will not cease to doe it , that you doe not onely attend here to those things which are spoken , but also when you shall be at home , you may dayly attend to the reading of holy scriptures . which thing i have not ceased to presse upon those who privately have talked with me . object . . but from this libertie of reading scriptures , spring many heresies . answ . p the sacred scripture is not the cause of heresies , but the ignorance of the holy scripture . heare chrysostome : q hence arose so many thousand evils , from the ignorance of holy writ : hence sprung up so great a plague of heresies . r godly bookes also , with which this age is abundantly and plentifully enriched , must be diligently and profitably read . another meanes by which the word may dwell plentifully in us , is conference . see deut. . . luke . . that of austin before , pag. . in the second reason of our seldome preaching : that of chrysostome , walking with god , pag. . rogers seven treatises , pag. . &c. my walking with god , pag. . &c. a fourth meanes , is meditation . of which , see rogers seven treatises , pag. . &c. matter of meditation . wee may meditate upon any part of gods word , on god himselfe , his wisedome , power , his mercie ; or on the infinite varietie of good things , which wee receive of his free bountie ; upon his workes , and judgements ; upon our sinnes , and the vilenesse of our corruption , that wee yet carry about us ; upon our mortalitie , and changes in this world ; upon our manifold afflictions of this life , and how wee may in best manner beare and goe through them , and the benefit thereof ; upon the manifold and great priviledges which wee enjoy dayly , through the inestimable kindnesse of god towards us ; upon the foure last things , but especially of those things that wee have most speciall need of . of the thing meditated upon , consider , first , the definition , or description . secondly , the distribution , sorts , kinds , or parts . thirdly , causes especially efficient , and finall . fourthly , the fruits and effects which it bringeth forth . fifthly , the subject wherein it is , or about which it is occupied . sixtly , the qualities or properties adjoyned . and know , that oftentimes , in common practice , these three , the finall cause , the fruit or the effect , the use or propertie of a thing , are often confounded . seventhly , the contrarie . eightly , the comparison . exemplifie in the joyes of heaven ; of which , see hall : in sinne ; of which , see practice of christianitie , pag. . vpon this occasion , let us peruse , in this manner , fasting , and the plague . a fifth meanes to profit by the word , is teaching , praying with , and catechizing your children and servants . to which dutie , be stirred up and strengthened , by first , scriptures ; deut. . . & . . & . . psal . . , . exod. . , . & , . iosh . . , , , . deut. . , . eph. . . secondly , by the patterne and practice of holy parents , from time to time . consider for this purpose , the carriage of abraham , gen. . . david , prov. . . bathsheba , prov. . . lois and eunice , tim. . . thirdly , by the authoritie of the ancient fathers . ( ) heare austin . a notwithstanding , my deare friends , in so great a difference of manners , and such abominable corruption , governe your houses , governe your children , governe your families : as it behoves us to speake to you in the church , so it pertaines to you to doe in your houses ; that yee may be able to give a good account of those who are under you . againe ; b i pray thee , my brother , i pray thee , shew to all under thee , of meere good will , from the least to the greatest in thy house , the love and sweetnesse of heaven , the bitternesse and feare of hell ; and be thou solicitous and watchfull , because thou shalt render an account to the lord for all those under thee , that are in thy house . declare , charge , command , perswade them , that they would take heed of pride , of slandering , of drunkennesse , of fornication , of luxurie , anger , perjurie , covetousnesse , which is the root of all evill . ( ) nazianzen . c hast thou a child ? let not wickednesse take advantage and occasion : let it be endued with sanctitie , and consecrated to thy spirit from the very cradle . i know he meanes it immediately of baptisme : but by analogie , that binds also to have a care of religious education . fourthly , by reasons . first , thy children sprung from thy loines , and came into the world , to encrease the number of gods people , to learne the way to heaven , and walke in it ; not onely to uphold thy house , inherite thy possessions , and convey thy name to future generations . the glorifying of our god , serving our brethren in love , salvation of our owne soules , are the chiefe ends why we live a little while in this world. now parents should be most solicitous to further their children , for the attainement of the maine end , and most soveraigne good . secondly , neglect of this dutie , makes parents worse to their children , than to their beasts : for , they provide for their beasts all things necessarie for them ; but in their owne deare children , they neglect that one necessarie thing . they procure for , and put their beasts to all things of which they are capable . their children are capable of grace , and immortalitie ; and they never meddle , nor move them to looke that way , or lay hold upon eternall life . thirdly , let the remarkable and rufull example of eli , be for ever a keene spurre in the sides of slouthfull parents , to quicken them to this dutie . fourthly , thou art farre more cruell than the ostrich and the dragon , and mayest be said to have suckt the brests of tygres , and to be hewed out of the hardest rocke ; if having brought thy children forth into this world , limbes for the devill , and fewell for hell-fire , thou labour not might and maine , to get them new-borne the members of christ , and freed from everlasting flames . fifthly , grace onely is able to make thy children truly obedient , serviceable , and everlastingly thankfull ; having now a double tye ; first , birth ; secondly , new-birth . then onely , and never before , doe they begin to pray for their parents , to deale faithfully in their businesses , not to long for their death . sixtly , a conscionable and constant performance of this dutie in their life time , will fill parents hearts full of sweetest joy and heavenly comfort upon their beds of death ; when they see , by their care and zeale for their spirituall good , that holy knowledge and wisedome planted in their childrens hearts , which will bring them after them to eternall blisse : or how soever , consciousnesse of a conscionable discharge of their dutie in this respect , will infinitely refresh them . seventhly , it is the way to make thy posteritie truly honourable , and to meet thee in heaven . those children which are taught by thee , may teach the same things unto theirs , and those to others , &c. eightly , thy children neglected in this point , and so dying impenitently , will curse thee everlastingly in hell , for thy bloudie inexpiable crueltie towards them in this kind . ninthly , besides innumerable sinnes of thine owne , ( the least of which , merits eternitie of hellish torments ) thou hast justly * set upon thy score , by this unconscionable murthering negligence , the sinnes and sinnefull courses of thine owne children ; which will lye full heavie upon thy conscience , when it shall be ragingly enlightened by the long provoked wrath of god. the next meanes , is prayer , prov. . , , . the seventh meanes , is practise . see iohn . . the eight , is experience . see dike of the heart , pag. . be none of the reprobate grounds , math. . of which , see dike , taylor . be none of those , who invited to the marriage of the kings sonne , math. . either , first , wilfully contemne , vers . . secondly , or carelesly dis-esteeme , vers . . thirdly , or cruelly persecute , vers . . reject all those hellish temptations , which doe mightily keepe off the dint and power of the most piercing word ; and being entertained , will cause the word preached to be but as the breath of the minister scattered in the ayre , and as water spilt upon the ground , which cannot bee gathered up againe . they are like those strong holds of sathan , mentioned cor. . , . which being set up in any heart , will blunt the edge of this spirituall weapon , that it will doe no good . they be these that follow . in the first place , and highest straine of impietie , the depth of our corrupt nature desireth , that there were no god : the foole hath said in his heart , there is no god , psal . . . that is , hee labours for a resolution , and perswasion in his owne heart , that there is no tribunall in heaven , before which hee shall hereafter be arraigned ; no treasurie of plagues , and woes in hell , with which he shall hereafter be everlastingly fettered and enchained . but if it so be , this spirituall foole cannot so abolish and extinguish those secret notions and apprehensions of a sacred and infinite deitie , which are naturally implanted in the bowels of the most desperate and damned miscreant ; but that the terrors of the last iudgement , and plagues of hell , doe eftsoones vexe and bite his conscience with restlesse remorse and stingings : why then , in a second place , that hee may procure some ease and quiet to his wallowing in sensuall pleasures , hee labours might and maine to harden his for-head against heaven , to make his heart like the nether-milstone , with his owne soule-murthering hand to put a hot iron to his conscience ; that so , if hee cannot blunder and blot out of his minde those naturall impressions of a god-head , yet at the least hee may extinguish and banish out of his heart all feare of that god , of his iudgement-seat , and vengeance against sinne : that so hee may rush like a wilde horse into the battaile , furiously and desperately upon all villanies and vanities , without all checke of conscience , and controlement , from the terrors of the iudgement to come . in this desperate and furious mood , he joynes himselfe with these gyants of babel , isa . . who outragiously reare up towers of treason and defiance against heaven , and throw mountaines of pride and contempt one upon another , that they may climbe up to the seat of god , and pull him out of his throne , crying aloud towards heaven ; let him make speed , let him hasten his worke , that wee may see it ; and let the counsell of the holy one of israel draw neere , and come , that wee may know it . if this will not be , and that he finde no successe in setting himselfe against heaven , ( who ever opposed himselfe against god , and prospered ? ) but that hee is crushed and confounded with the majestie and terror thereof : why then , in a third place , hee fastens the fangs of his malicious and wrangling wit , and the furie of his prophane atheisme , upon his true and holy word : and that , first , either by entertaining or harbouring a reprobate and blasphemous conceit , that the sacred word of god is but a politike invention , and device of state , to keepe men in order , and moderation ; to maintaine order and peaceablenesse in cities and societies ; and to preserve the world , and mankinde , from wildnesse and barbarisme . secondly , or by proportioning his carnall conceit of gods pure and undefiled law , to that which hee holds of the decrees and constitutions of men . and if it be either so , or so , it is well enough ; hee can , in the meane time , therewith still the cryes of his conscience , and stop the mouth of that worme that never dies , that it gnaw not too eagerly , and fiercely , to the dis-sweetning of his carnall contentments , and the making of his sensuall pleasures more unpleasant . now , would it not vexe a man , to have the meat pulled out of his mouth , his chayne from his necke , his clothes from his backe , his limbes from his body , his right arme from his shoulder , his eyes out of his head ? so it is with every unregenerate man , and such is his torture , when that two-edged sword , the word of god , strikes at his sweet sinne , and sensuall pleasures : and therefore no marvell , though hee strive and struggle , shift and shield himselfe , by any meanes . nay , the lusts of the unregenerate man , are his very life . for , as every godly man liveth a double life ; one of grace , by the sanctifying power of the spirit ; another , of nature : so every wicked man hath a double life ; one , of nature ; and another , of corruption , by the cursed influence of hell. nay , the sensuall delights of the sinfull man are dearer unto him than his life . hence it is , ( as wee may observe by experience ) that sometimes a covetous man losing the life of his life , the wedge of gold , and hoords of wealth , makes an end of himselfe . that the wanton , because hee is rejected , and discarded from the object of his lustfull pleasures , findes no pleasure in life ; but cuts off himselfe , by a violent and untimely death . that ahitophel being disgraced , and over-topt in a point of policie , ( the crowne and pride of his worldly happinesse ) put his household in order , and hanged himselfe . nay , and yet further , the prophane man preferres the sensuall pleasures of his heart , before the losse of his immortall soule . for , how oft may wee see the honour of god , and everlasting blessednesse , put as it were in the one scale of the ballance , and a little transitorie pleasure in the other ? and in this case , the unsanctified man suffering one sweet sinne or other to weigh downe the exceeding weight of heavenly blisse , the unvaluable treasure of a good conscience , the infinite glory of god , and the salvation of his owne deare soule , in that great day . this groweth out of our corrupt nature : for wee have all , even in the best of us , the source and seeds of all sinne . if the lord should leave and abandon us , to the full swing and sway of our owne corruption , and not either bridle us by his restraining spirit , or blesse us with his sanctifying spirit ; wee might every one of us become as bad as iulian the apostata , who did maliciously abjure christ ; and as iudas , who did perfidiously betray him . naturally wee would wallow in sinne , without checke of conscience , or controlment by the terror of the iudgement to come . but if hee cannot arme himselfe against the terrors of god , and truth of his word ; but that he must needs acknowledge the one , and beleeve the other : why then , in a fourth place , with much spight and malice , he flyes in the face of gods ministers , embassadours , which are his tormentors before his time : and that , first , either against his preaching , or against his person : as , too obscure , or too plaine ; too cold , or too boisterous ; too particular , too personall , too precise , too imperious ; too tart , and terrible ; too full of iudgement ; tending to sedition , against the state , or the like . and therefore he labours , not onely with his owne heart , to breed within himselfe a distaste and disconceit of it ; but also puts to his helping hand , to stay and stop the free course and current of it from others . he cannot abide to have his sweet sinne strucke at still , and still to have his conscience grated upon , by the ministerie of the word ; and therefore he does what he can , to abandon and abolish it . when ieremies sermon , denouncing gods iudgement against iudah and israel , were brought unto the king , ier. . . iehudi had not read past three or foure sides before him , but the king stamped and raged , hee presently tooke the roule , and cut it with a pen-knife , and cast it into the fire that was on the hearth , untill all the roule was consumed in the fire , that was on the hearth . in the . of ieremie , when the princes and courtiers were nettled and stung with the downe-right dealing and holy severitie of ieremies preaching ; they presently ranne unto the king , and traduced the blessed prophet , to be a transgressor of policie , and an enemie to the state. therefore the princes said unto the king : wee beseech you , let this man be put to death ; for thus he weakeneth the hands of the men of warre that remaine in this citie , and the hands of all the people , in speaking such words unto them : for this man seeketh not the wealth of this people , but the hurt . and there you see what was the issue . thus prophanenesse and policie doth ever interprete the doctrine of life , and powerfull application of the word , to be the source and seeds of faction and sedition ; to be incompatible with the civill state , and the very cut-throat of kingdomes and states imperiall . paul , as wee may see in the . of the acts , for his upright dealing , was nick-named a seditioner , and a troubler of the state. certainely ( saith tertullus ) wee have found this man a pestilent fellow , and a mover of sedition among all the iewes throughout the world , and a chiefe maintainer of the sect of the nazarites . thus the word of life , and newes of salvation from heaven , is many times charged with noveltie , sedition , and heresie . but that which by the construction of carnall conceits , may be tearmed heresie , factious , and precise , is the very right way to heaven . i confesse ( saith paul ) that after the way ( which they call heresie ) so worship i the god of my fathers , &c. so may many good christians , and godly ministers , say in these times to the men of this world ; after the way , which you call precisenesse , singularitie , and faction , doe wee truly serve the living god , and save our soules . secondly , or if the authoritie and power of his preaching doth so astonish and confound him , that hee hath no heart to meddle that way , or oppose against it ; yet at least , rather than not be malicious , hee will discharge his furie against his person . hence it is , that a faithfull and conscionable minister commonly , wheresoever hee lives , is an eminent marke whereat prophanenesse and policie , malice and crueltie , hell and the world , discharge the utmost of their rage and poyson . hee above all others , is sure to be wrongfully loaden with slanders , disgraces , lying imputations , and all manner of foule indignities ; and many times by the baser sort , which is more intolerable . if hee be but halfe so honestly carefull , in providing for his family , as the carnall worldling is cursedly carking , hee is covetous : if powerfull in his preaching , hee is imperious : if hee oppose against the sinnes of the time , hee is factious : if hee be faithfull in his ministerie , hee is too precise , and plaine : if hee comes home to mens consciences , hee is too particular , and undiscreet . in a word , if hee were paul , hee should be a pestilent fellow ; if christ iesvs , blessed for ever ( a horrible thing ! ) hee should be belzebub : for so that glorious lord , and blessed servant , was nick-named and branded by the prophane world. hence it is , that the generation of the prophane and wicked crue doe ever furiously band themselves together , to transplant and root out a conscionable minister , whensoever god brings him amongst them . like an unquiet and raging sea , they continually foame out spightfull speeches , filthie and shamefull slanders , and lay things unto his charge , hee never knew : that so , by discouraging him in his ministerie , weakening his hands , and breaking his heart , they may any wayes be rid of him : or else , by picking unnecessarie quarrels against him , they labour by authoritie , and strong hand , to throw him out of his place . for their malice against a powerfull minister , is endlesse , and implacable . it is ever the propertie of un-ingenuous prophanenesse , to hate and feare a faithfull and conscionable preacher as ill as the plague , and so to esteeme of him . this appeares , by tertullus censure of paul ; certainely ( saith hee ) wee have found this man a pestilent fellow : when indeed himselfe was a pernicious orator , and abused his cursed eloquence , to the confusion of goodnesse . in the originall , the word signifies , the plague . the plague , that great affrighter , and terror of the sonnes of men , is not halfe so terrible and vexing , as is that man to a carnall heart , which preaches with power and authoritie , and not as the scribes and formall doctors ; and no marvell . the plague threatens but onely the feares and pangs of a temporall death , and takes but away the naturall life ; but the powerfull word , from the mouth of a conscionable minister , doth strike to the very heart of a carnall man , the terrors of hell-fire and everlasting vengeance , and doth labour to bereave him of his life of corruption , and pleasures ; which , as i told you before , is more sweet and deare unto him , than his life of nature . and hereupon it is , that as you see townes and cities busily bestirre themselves , watch and ward , diligently enquire , and examine passengers , to keepe out the plague ; so it is the policie and practice of those places , where drunkards , swaggerers , worldlings , and prophane men swarme , joyntly to conspire and band together , for the banishing of godly ministers , and driving them out of their coast . christ iesvs himselfe , who spake as never any man spake , was so used by the swinish gadarens ; as you may reade in the fifth of luke . paul and barnabas , that glorious paire of worthy pastors , were so used by the rebellious and stiffe-necked iewes , act. . whereupon they told them to their faces , that thereby they judged themselves unworthie of everlasting life . then paul and barnabas ( saith the text ) spake boldly , and said ; it was necessarie , that the word of god should have first beene spoken unto you : but seeing you put it from you , and judge your selves unworthy of everlasting life , loe wee turne unto the gentiles . the booke of god , ecclesiasticall stories , experience of our times , doe plentifully verifie and confirme this point . but if so be , this spirituall foole , whom wee have carried along through so many steps of impietie , cannot have his will against the preaching and the person of the minister ; but that he sees the power of the word , which he cannot decline , is like continually to vexe him , to strike through his loynes , with feare and trembling still to grate upon his conscience for his sweet sinne , to discerne and discover the very thoughts and imaginations of his heart ; or that hee is more ingenuous and faire-conditioned than other unregenerate men ( for sometimes sweetnesse and lovingnesse of naturall disposition doth bridle men from raging against the power of holy doctrine , and sinceritie of an honest man : ) why then , in a fifth place , hee first , either resolves ( as many doe ) to give the preacher hearing indeed , and perhaps reverent attention too ; but with this secret reservation , that hee shall not stirre and move him with all his preaching ; that say what hee will , hee shall never perswade him , that this or that sinne is so hainous as hee makes it ; hee shall never drive him from the fashions of the times , and customes of his fore-fathers ; hee shall never bring him out of conceit with good-fellowship . so , that as the deafe adder stoppeth his eares against the enchanter , charme hee never so wisely ; so shuts hee the eares of his heart against the word of life : and though it sounds dayly lowd and strongly in his eares , yet will he by no meanes suffer it to sinke feelingly and powerfully into his soule . those men which rest upon this step of impietie , and in this degree of prophanenesse , though they heare sermon upon sermon , yet are they still the same men : they are lyers still , they are drunkards still , they are vsurers still , they are swearers still , they are luke-warme professors still , &c. they are still as they were . though these sinnes have againe and againe been cryed against , and many times reproved , and their consciences convinced ; yet the word which is preached amongst them , hath no more power , nor wrought more alteration upon them , than upon the seats where they sit : though the glorious light of the gospel shine faire and bright upon them , yet they lye still hard frozen in their dregs , and starke blinde in matters of heaven : though the hammer of the word beat often upon their hearts , yet it doth not breake and bruise them , but more and more harden and emmarble them , like an anvill and adamant : though they be washed with many plentifull showers from heaven , yet they still continue blacke moores , and leopards ; still full of the blacknesse of hell , and spots and pollution of sathan . let those that are such among you , in the name of god beware in time : for assuredly , the damnation sleepeth not , the day of reckoning and every mans particular iudgement is very neere ; and then we must be answerable and countable for every sermon wee have heard : every sermon will then stand up , either to witnesse for us , or against us ; for every one wee heare , either advanceth us a step neerer towards heaven , or throwes us a stayre lower downe towards hell. secondly , or if hee cannot so fence himselfe against the keene edge of the word , that two-edged sword , which day after day is layd to the root of his corruption ; nor so hide his head from the heat of that glorious and sacred sunne of truth , which every sabbath shines on his face ; but that the sharpe arrowes of the word of truth and righteousnesse doe pierce his heart , and sword of spirit gets so farre within him , that it strikes and astonisheth his conscience : why then hee , first , either strives and struggles against it , by shifting and shielding himselfe with distinctions , exceptions , excuses , carnall reasons , restrictions , limitations , false glosses , private and partiall interpretations , and opposing one place of scripture , in his owne false and enforced sense , against the true meaning and naturall power of the word in another place , as i have told you largely before . so wretchedly and unhappily is hee wedded to the sinfull pleasures of this vaine world , that hee will wrest his wit , the word of god , or any thing , to wrest out of his heart those piercing arrowes of the word of truth , shot by the hand of a skilfull archer ; which if he would suffer to search and sinke , would fetch out the poyson of his naturall corruption , mortifie his lust , and save his soule . secondly , or if hee have not wit and understanding to furnish himselfe fitly with probable interpretations , formall distinctions , and plausible exceptions , ( for this abilitie onely befalls prophane men of better parts , and more understanding : ) why then , being resolved not to submit to the power of the word , nor to forsake his carnall contentments , hee takes this course ; hee surfets so immoderately , and drinkes so deepe of sensuall pleasures of that bosome-sinne to which hee is so much wedded , that hee casts his conscience asleepe , drownes his heart in earthly delights , and so goes on at all adventures , and throwes himselfe upon gods mercies , without all ground or warrant , with such conceits as these : that hee hopes hee shall doe as well as others , who are farre worse and more wicked than himselfe : that god , no doubt , will be mercifull to one sinne : that all his other good parts and good deedes will countervaile and make amends for one infirmitie , ( for so hee will call it , and conceive of it , though it be a grosse and grievous sinne : ) that one sinne will not require so great repentance , but that it may be well enough done on his death-bed , and such like . thus i have acquainted you by the way , with the steps of impietie , and degrees of prophanenesse , wherein unregenerate men , which hate to be reformed , and refuse to yeeld up themselves to bee mastered and guided by the power and light of the holy and heavenly word of the true and ever-living god , doe unhappily rest and repose themselves , to the eternall confusion both of their soules and of their bodies : which you must take heed of , if you would profit by the word . discover and defeat all those snares of sathan , that wee have formerly mentioned to you in this discourse , pag. . under the fourth vse . deject and demolish those two strong holds of sathan ; first , carnall reason ; secondly , corrupt affection ; which i thus define : it is the actuated strength and rage of originall pollution , which furiously executes the sensuall and unreasonable determinations of corrupted carnall reason ; stands at open defiance , and professes open hostilitie against grace , goodnesse , and good men , and courses of sanctification ; feedes upon so long , and fills it selfe so full with worldly vanities and pleasures , that growing by little and little incorrigible and untameable , it breedes and brings forth , as it naturall issue , despaire , horror , and the worme which never dies . by carnall reason , i understand the whole speculative power of the higher and nobler part of the soule , which wee call the vnderstanding , as it is naturally and originally corrupted , and utterly destitute of all divine light ; and doth afterward , through it owne sinfull working and sensuall discourse , grow wise in the world and earthie affaires , but disconceitfull and opposite to the wayes of god , and heavenly wisedome , by concluding and commending to it selfe false principles , from deluded sence , and deducing false conclusions from true principles , and by a continued exercise and experience in contemplation of earth , and passages of worldly policie . by corrupt affection , i meane and comprise all the active inferior powers of the soule , will , affections , sence , as they are polluted and empoysoned in the puddle of originall corruption ; and afterward being fleshed in sensuall pleasures , and enfierced by sathans suggestions , become the furious executioners of all the sinfull decrees and unsanctified determinations of the mis-guided understanding and wisedome of the flesh . in hearing the word , be sure , first , a to give earnest heed , heb. . . secondly , b to consider seriously , tim. . . thirdly , c that wee be not in this respect like leaking vessels , and have sieve-like memories , heb. . . fourthly , d to keepe the word with much adoe , with great contention and colluctation , luke . . suffer the spirit of bondage to have its worke upon thee . conclude horror upon thy heart , by the working of the law , from such places as these ; deut. . , . thess . . , . rev. . . when thy conscience is once throughly wounded by the preparative worke of the spirit of bondage , and all thy sinnes , even those in which thou hast taken greatest delight , become heavie and a grievous burthen upon thy heart ; then let that heavie heart of thine receive spirituall warmth , refreshing , and life , first , by perusing the lord iesus in all the passages of his love , sufferings , and satisfactions , from his comming from the bosome of his father , untill his returning unto his right hand againe ; especially hanging upon him , bleeding and dying , and crying under the burthen of our sinnes , my god , my god , &c. and so conquering and concluding , it is finished . secondly , by a feeling survey and sure setling upon all the promises of life , sealed with his righteous bloud . thirdly , by cleaving to gods sweetest name , which is to forgive iniquitie , transgression , and sinne , exod. . , . fourthly , by resting with all thankefull and joyfull acknowledgement , and rejecting resolutely all scrupulous and fearefull injections , upon that blessed mysterie of gods free grace , which reacheth from everlasting to everlasting . then ever after walke watchfully and fruitfully in the path which is called holy . now for continuall growing and profiting by the ministerie , in that new and blessed course ; and for thriving by the food of the word which thou enjoyest , take these directions , looke unto these things . first , looke to the dressing of it ; that thy spirituall cooke be cunning , and conscionable . otherwise , it may sometimes turne into ranke poyson unto thy soule , fill thee with winde , and puffe thee up with a causelesse good conceit of thy selfe ; impaire thy spirituall health , keepe thee stinted , as it were , and at a stay , &c. nay , an ill spirituall cooke , by his jugling trickes , may make thee beleeve all thy life long , that thou growest in grace , and shalt goe to heaven ; and thou art starke dead in sinnes and trespasses , and shalt be damned . secondly , the emptying and disburthening of the stomacke of thy soule , of all humours , passions , prejudice , crosses , troubles , temptations , &c. or any thing that will hinder the puritie and power of the word from taking possession of thy soule : even the honey-combe , the sweetest thing in the world , is loathsome , as the wise-man sayth , to a full stomacke . thou must bring an heart and head , like two emptie buckets , to draw with greedinesse and joy the water of life out of the wells of salvation . thirdly , to procure and rayse an appetite before thou come : from consideration ; first , of its necessitie : where the word of god is not preached , the people perish ; as you had it in the former treatise . secondly , excellencie : it is farre more precious than purest gold , dearer than thousands of gold and silver . thirdly , sweetnesse : it passes the honey , and honey-combe . david , in his absence from the meanes , holds the swallow and sparrow happle birds . fourthly , profit : it builds up the inner man , &c. fourthly , the reception of it ; that it ever be entertained with farre more attention and reverence , than if wee were hearing the mightiest monarch in the world speaking immediately unto us , by personall compellation , about the weightiest affaire , and neereliest concerning us : that it be ever heard as the word of the mightie and ever-living god. fifthly , retention . the most wholesome and soveraigne meat , if presently voided , nourisheth not at all ; many fall into a consumption of grace , by reason of weakenesse this way . they are hot and fierce to get unto a good sermon , and they doe well , to be carefull thereabout ; but their forwardnesse and fervencie cooles and expires , when the sermon is done . they after , have little more to doe with it , save onely to say it was a good sermon : as , many have an unsatiable appetite in devouring meat , who cannot keepe it for any space of time . the retentive power of the soule then must be strengthened , and exercised , or else the attentive and attractive addes but more deadnesse to a spirituall atrophie . sixtly , concoction . by repetition ▪ either in way of conference , with our neighbours , and christian friends ; or in way of examination , without wives , children , servants , schollers , or other inferiours . but principally , by that , first , excellent exercise of meditation , which is the very life of profitable hearing ; and the want of it , the death of all good lessons : it inflames the heart with a kindly heat , to practise ; as in brooding , the hen inspires heat , and begets life : secondly , and by the heat of prayer ; that both warmes the heart , fits the food , and brings a blessing upon both . seventhly , digestion . by application of the points unto our owne particular ; by sorting the particulars of the sermon , unto our owne necessities ; for the conquering of this lust , ruling of that passion , leaving this sinne , performing that dutie , &c. eightly , practice . walking in the strength of it afterward ; which makes it our owne , and keepes the soule in health , and growth , and comfortable temper . and thus wee may constantly grow by the ministerie of the word ; which is the principall publike banquet , which the lord hath provided for feeding his childrens soules . the sacraments are a second service . even by the first , that is , baptisme , wee may grow , not onely when wee feele it in our owne bodies ; but also , when wee see it administred unto others . and therefore , the custome which hath prevailed in most places , of neglecting and contemning this part of the food of our soules , is to be severely censured , and sharpely reproved . by the second , that is , the lords supper , wee may thrive excellently , if wee follow those directions in my preparative to it : to which i referre you , in the succeeding treatise . finis . a briefe table of the chiefe heads contained in this treatise of the saints gvide . a. affection to be joyned with hearing . pag. afflictions no strange thing . p. . they are but short . afflictions raised by the devill against christians . antidotes against afflictions . , &c. application required in hearing the word , and why . , apostates & their danger . atheisme . attention in hearing required , . how hindered , . how helped . , b. benefits of the word . , &c. c. catechising our families , pressed in nine reasons . , &c. carnall reason and corrupt affection defined . , &c. caveats , that wee may profit in hearing the word . , &c. carnall objections against the word . , to charitie among christians , as much as among papists . christ suffers with his afflicted , considerations sixteene for the usefulnesse of the word . , &c. conversion tried . covetousnesse , and the signes of it . curses sixe of unprofitable hearing . , &c. cursed is their condition , that are not reformed by the word in sixe particulars . d. danger in absenting from the word . degrees in sinning . devill steales away the word , , . he hinders conversion , . and a through reformation , , &c. he deales with men as pharaoh with moses . , &c. dearenesse of things , why greater now than formerly . delight in the word helpes memorie . duties required before hearing , , &c. in hearing , , &c. after hearing . e. effects of pride . the end of our creation . examination , when required . , examples for the practice of preparation . , &c. f. false changes , , . how tried . frequent preaching proved out of antiquitie . , &c. feet , what is meant by them . finall falling from grace , not granted , . but partially and frequently , . the good we get by falls . fretting at afflictions , . at the prosperitie of the wicked . g. grace is of a growing nature . godly men distinguished from hypocrites , by sixe markes . , the godly shine brighter after their falls . gods children but few . gods law not like mans . god is the cause of all affliction . . his aime in afflicting his . gods love to his , exceedes the creatures . h. hardnesse of heart , and a helpe against it . , helpes to heare the word understandingly . i. ignorance like darkenesse , . the danger of it , p. . to . & , iudgements of non-proficients by the word . iudgements for the contempt of it . , &c. iudgements why rather to be expected in our time . k. knowledge must be practicall , . fruits of divine knowledge . ibid. l. learning humane onely will not save . , lets of not profiting by the word . p. . to life to be lost for god. light , what meant by it . love to god and our neighbours tried . m. many take more paines for hell , than some for heaven . p. . to the matter of the word . math. . . expounded . good meanings will not save . meanes to quicken attention to the word . meditation requisite after hearing , . the benefits of it , . directions for it , , ministers embassadours : why . ministers , why they preach so seldome . ministerie of the word like the wedding feast . the miserie of the naturall estate . the more wee have , the greater our account . motives , to walke by the rule of the word , p. . to . to prepare for hearing it , . to profit by it . o. obedience to the word required . opennesse of heart to receive the word . p. pathes , what meant by them . papists keepe the word from the laitie , . their objections answered . peace that the gospel brings with it . persecution to be endured for the word . perseverance , how hindered by sathan , . how crowned by god. popish hospitalitie , with its causes . prayers and praises must be fervent , and free . prayer before the word , and for what . , preaching prefer'd before reading , . more needfull now , than formerly , . it cannot be too much . , &c. preservatives against sinne , . against spirituall pride , , &c. preparation requisite before hearing , . without it , the word hurts , , &c. the profit of it , , &c. what it is , and what required in it . pride may spring from gods providence . , &c. priviledges of the godly . prophanenesse of ministers no excuse for disobedience to the word . psalmes , their contents and benefits . , purging of the heart before hearing , from sinne and worldly cares . , q. qualifications of the heart , before hearing . r. recusancie . regeneration , what . reading the word pressed , . objections against it answered . remembring the word , a dutie . repetition and conference , another . , , s. sathans policie . separatists condemned . , service of god how to be qualified . sixe sinnes follow unprofitable hearers . sinne against the holy-ghost , how committed . singularitie , what required , and what not . sleeping in the church condemned . sathans sleights to hinder the words worke . , &c. spirituall pride , . how it ariseth . , &c. sweet sinne , what it is . t. things required to the love of god and men . v. vnderstanding of the word required . vowes to be payd . w. wicked men hate the godly : why . , wicked men band together against a powerfull minister . , &c. wisedome indeed , how to be had . , fruits of worldly wisedome , . who is a wise man. ibid. worldly wisedome will not save us . , . word : the meaning of the word . the word our chiefest treasure , , . our light to heaven . , the literall word , without the spirituall meaning , will not profit us . how men labour to blunt the edge of the word . struglings of a wicked heart , to get the word out , being once got in . the word workes regeneration and sanctification , , . it is lively and sharpe in three respects , . it is a love-letter from god , . it shall judge us , . it is not mans , but gods invention , . it profits converted and unconverted , . it must dwell in us plentifully , and how , , , &c. it fits every man in all occasions . , &c. ; will-worship hated by god. , finis . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e the contents and the benefit of the psalmes in generall . of the . in particular . the division of it . three lessons to be learned thence . two things observable in the . part. how david became wiser than his enemies . doct. true wisdome to be had only from and in the word . the reason . because other wisdome provides only for the body , but this for the soul● . he sets downe the fruits of his knowledge pet. . . doct. all our knowledge must be practicall . luke . . the foureteenth part explaned . vers . . vers . . vers . . vers . , . vers . , . tim. . . sixe markes to distinguish a godly man and an hypocrite . vers . . a godly man is guided by the word in all his wayes . a naturall man not at all . or in par● . vers . . he performes all his vowes . an unregenerate man doth not pay them . hos . ▪ . vers . . he patiently suffers persecution for the word . tim. . . the carnall gospeller spare● himselfe . act. . . vers . . he is frequent in praying and praysing . the other not . the reason . vers . , . he will lose his life for god. a temporarie is offended . mat. . . vers . , . a child of god counts the word his greatest treasure . * vers . . * vers . . the reason . a christian man hath such assurance in the good things of the world to come , that he can easily moderate his affections as touching earthly and transitorie things . it is otherwise with an hypocrite . and why ? cor. . . vers . . explained . the word is taken three wayes . for the substantial word . the written and sounding word . the effectuall word . rom. . . what is m●ant by light ? john . . mat. . . phil. . , . prov. . . christ originally . mal. . . ministers , ministerially . r●vel . . . act. . . the word instrumentally . the faithfull are the subjects of this light. phil. . . what is meant by feet . what , by paths . the meaning of the verse . doct. . doct. . doct. . reason . no other meanes can bring us to heaven . not humane learning . eph. . . rom. . . cor. . . iere. . . not worldly wisedome . the wisedome of gods book , & mans brain , stand at oddes , with an everlasting opposition , rom. . . * cor. . . sam. . . sam. . . not good meanings . sam. . . luk. . , . sam. . ioh. . . not will-worship . col. . . king. . . deut. . . not the word it selfe in the letter , without the meaning . ioh. . . vers . . reason . the word workes regeneration ; without which , no salvation . what regeneration is ? pet. . . act. . . act. . . phil. . . rom. . . * see dearing , pag. . cor ▪ . . iam. . . reason . the word is able to sanctifie the whole man. cor. . . heb. . . opened . the word is said to be lively in three regards . it quickens . it lasts for ever . psal . . . it disperseth it selfe , and searcheth into every part of the soule . jer. . . vse . confutation● of papists , who keepe the word in an unknowne tongue . psal . . , . joh. . . prov. ● . . act. . . ● pet. . . * be● . de verb. dei , . cap. . at catholica ecclesia , &c. * sess . . ca. . can. . obiect . the scriptures are ready to be abused by the ignorant , to error , heresie , &c. answ . so may meat be abused , and the aire infected : yet they are not to be taken away . rev. . vse . of terror to them that delight not in gods word . i iob. . . act. . . eph. . . pet. . . the state of those that are in darkenesse . he is in feare . * gen. . . rom. . . he knowes not whither he goes . ioh. . . the state of ignorant men . simile . eph. . . joh. . . rom. . . eph. . , , . the fruits of ignorance . ioh. . . thess . . , , . cor. . . cor. . , . ephes . . . ephes . . . prov. . . coloss . . . zeph. . . vse . admonition to take the word for our guide . pet. . . prov. . . mal. . . eph. . . phil. . . dan. . . isai . . . iosh . . . math. . . psal . . , . vse . instruction . see chrysoft . in math. pag. . motives . ● the word is a love-letter from god. quid est autem scriptura sacra , nisi quaedam epistola omnipotentis dei ad creaturam suam ? greg. epist . lib. . epist . . tim. . . simile . the matter contained in it , is excellent and precious . heb. . . pet. . . psal . . . iob . . we must be judged by the word . ioh. . , . conscience ; what it is . psal . . . hos . . . eccles . . . cor. . . heb. . . isa . . . a fearefull judgement shall befall the not hearers and practisers of the word . math. . , . simile . deut . . hinderances from profiting by the word . let . atheisme . some thinke the word to be but a humane policie . a removing of this . * it may bee discerned by a proper , naturall , and inherent majestie from all humane writings and imitatory delusions and impostures of satan ; such as is the alcaron let . recusancie . let . hardnesse of heart , and desperatenesse in sinning . iob . , . isa . . . a preservative against this . the degrees in sinne . a motion to sinne . the will inticed . delight . consent . practice . pleasure . custome . excusing . defending . continuance . boasting . a reprobate sense . let . a conceit , that gods law , like mens lawes , takes hold of , and will condemne onely notorious sinners . this let is removed , mat. . , . heb. . . heb. . . psal . . . let . an eager pursuit of a mans sweet sinne . * what is meant by a sweet sinne . quemadmodum nemo tam perditus , aut flagitiosus invenitur : quin ab aliquo vitio magis quàm caeteris abhorreat ; sic nemo tantae sanctitatis est , quin ad unum aliquod peccatum , quam ad caetera propenstor sit . cart. p. . math. . luke . the parable of the great supper let out by . circumstances . what is meant by it . hos . . . luke . . . . math. . . psal . . . a counter-poyson against this . gods house is the presence . chamber of the king of glory . christ is there . math. . . rev. . . the spirit is there . the angels are there . cor. . . pet. . . the saints are there . psal . . . the effect of the word to the unconverted . cor. . . eph. . . act. . . & . . the benefit of it to converts . it encreaseth their knowledge . their faith . it preserves them from luke-warmenesse . it prevents relapses . it recovers them , being fallen . it will ●uide them aright in all their wayes . let . carnall conceits and objections . object . may we not be saved without hearing the word preached ? answ . no more than wee can reape without sowing , or live without food . simile . eph . , . obiect . . frequent preaching is not so necessary . answ . it is a signe of a gracelessè heart to loath the heavenly manna . simile . psal . . object . . our fore-fathers had no preaching , yet are saved . answ . their condemnation shall be easier . cor , . we are bound to blesse god , who hath dealt more graciously with us . object . . answ . object . . what needs so much adoe ? the whole dutie of man is soone learned . answ . it is soone said , not so soone done . eccles . . . math. . . simile . simile . simile . things required , before a man can love god or man. how our service to god must be qualified . a triall of our love to god. a triall of our love to our neighbour . object . . tumults and divisions , disquietnesse and discontentment accompanies your preaching . answ . there is good reason for it . luke . , . sathan hinders the word . so doe wicked men , and a m●ns owne corruptions . ephes . . . luke . . math. . . luke . . isa . . . the gospel is not the cause of troubles , but mens corruptions . math. . , , , . object . . the word is brought to us by weak , sometimes by wicked men . answ . . it is gods goodnesse , to speake to us by men , like to our selves . exod. . . it is his love so to honour mankind , as to make men his embassadours . tim. . the ministers prophanenesse is no priviledge of disobedience to the word . prov. . . prov. . . iohn . . math. . , . mal. . . cor. . . see ecclus. . . luke . . luke . . see downam● c. h. pag. . object . . this course is wearisome . answ . many will not take such paines to goe to heaven , as others doe to goe to hell. jam. . . prov. . . mat. . . king. . . object . . there was never good world since preaching came in . answ . this hath alwayes beene the complaint of idolaters . * marke that , i befeech you ; for it is the very language of the papists at this day . * apologetico . vid. calv. in ier. . austin . epist . . luke . , . our times deserve greater judgement , than the former times of ignorance , for three reasons . iohn . , . popish hospitality , upon what grounds . simile . our times may compare with any for works of charity . the reasons of the higher price of things now . de rep. lib. , cap. . satans sleights to hinder the effectuall working of the word . he would keep them from the word . or else hinder the power of it hee keepes them from attending . * in this depth he uses to fill our minds with barren melancholy , or to make men post off reproofes , and apply them pharisoically all the while to others . he fills our minds either with worldly , or else with impertinent unseasonable thoughts . some understand not what they heare . in others , sathan steales it away immediately . simile . or the world steales away their hearts . mar. . . he labours to keepe them from practising what they know . i he would hinder their conversion sundry wayes . see yates , pag. . & . broad , pag. . he would have them rest in a partiall reformation , and superficiall conversion . severall unsound changes . in these cases , truth is the truest touchstone , to difference a true convert from all states of unregeneration . see gonge , p. . mark. . . * see hieron . p. . marbury in his sermon at p. c. dod upon the cōmandements , p. . dike , p. . true watch , p. . fruits of a true conversion . mark. . . king. . . math. . . act. . math. . . simile . satan deales with men , as pharaoh did with the israelites . exod. . . vers . . cap. . . vers . . exod. . . iosephus . see broade . pag. , &c. satan would condition with men in their conversion . * foure infallible marks of cove●ousnesse : carking : strained bowels to the necessities of the saints , or any truly poore . too much businesse in the world . injustice , or using of injurious or indirect courses of getting wealth see wha●●ly , pag. . gard. of spirit . flow. . part . pag. g . * see. isa . . . sathan would hinder perseverance . math. . math. . . pet. ● . . heb. . . heb. . . math. . . difference betweene a false and saving change . gen. . . pet. . . heb. . , . rom. . . . cor. . . . tim. . . rev. . rev. . : hee strives , if hee cannot make them to fall totally and finally , that they may fall partially , and as frequently as he can . sathans policie . preservatives against sinne , whereby gods children keepe themselves from grosse falls . * see gouge , p. , . the good that they get by their falls . jude . thess . . . he sends forth flouds of persecution and affliction after them . comfortable considerations against afflictions . from gods decree , the example of the saints , and the sonne of god himselfe . act. . . act. . . rom. . . from the gracious effects of afflictions , for our good . they make us watchfull , &c. humble , &c. to contemne the world. to see further into the mysterie of godlinesse . though satan and his instruments be the instrument to afflict , yet god is the principall agent , who will order all for their good . job . . a. . . isa . . . ier. . . isa . . . cant. . . zach. . . heb. . . heb. . . cor. ● . . * ●yptian epist . ad an●e●an . lib. . ▪ why the wicked hate and persecute the godly . ioh. . . pet . . * jerome . gods aime in his childrens afflictions . afflictions are no strange things . the saints have gone before us . heb. , . nay , christ himselfe . math. . math. . . psal . . . . cor. . . afflictions are but short , and they worke a weight of glory . * as many times they are . see david , psal . . , . rev. . . christ doth suffer and sympathize with his children in affliction . see isa . . . cor. . , &c. col. . . cor. . . satan hinders the working of the word ; by spiritual pride . spirituall pride may arise in gods children . from a consideration of their priviledges . priviledges of the godly . pet. . . pet. . . from their care , to keepe themselves undefiled . against separation from our church . isa . . . psal . . . & . . cor. . . gods children are but few . sathan tempts to pride , by a distasting of a mans particular calling . from gods providence . examples in particular . psal . . . ier. ● . , . job . . . iob . . ionah . . sathan makes men to pride themselves in their abilities and gifts . preservatives against spirituall pride . meditate upon gods pure eyes . isa . . . vpon gods infinite perfection . isa . . . iob . . iob . . iob . , . iob . . compare thy selfe with other christians . rom. . . psal . . . psal . . . pet. . . compare thy selfe with gods holy law. phil. . . consider what thou hadst beene , if god had left thee to thy selfe . consider the fearfull effects of pride . the more a man hath , the more he is accountable for . luke . . preparation required to profitable hearing . for want of preparation , the word becomes to men , the savour of death unto death . as seed in the high way ground . men are made but onely formall by it . some become scornets . others are cold and dead-hearted . preparation requisite in civill affaires , much more to the hearing of the word . gen. . . h●st . . . isa . . motives to preparation . precepts out of the word for it . eccles . . . before wee heare , our hearts must be qualified with , softnesse . humilitie . iam. . . psal . . . isa . . . honestie . luke . . faith. heb. . . teachablenesse . psal . . . rev. . . luke . . instances for the practice of preparation . moses . exod. . . ioshvah . j●sh . . . josh . . . samvel . sam. . . rev. . . iosiah . chro. . . joh. . the people , before the giving of the law. exod. . . vers . . the profit of it . iob . . . . vers . . cant. . . psal . . prov. . . iob . , . psal . . . vers . . vers . . * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . vers . 〈◊〉 . job . . vers . . rom. . . prov. . . see iob . , . vers . . math. . luke ● . . what preparation is . four● things required in preparation . examination . extraordinarie . in time of publike calamitie . when our families are visited with some speciall judgement . when wee our selves are afflicted in particular . ordinarie . every day . before the sacrament . simile . gen. . . before wee heare the word preached . the second dutie besides hearing , is purging of our hearts . thirdly , prayer , another dutie . the fourth dutie , opennesse of heart . duties required in the hearing of the word . to set our selves in gods presence . attention . a cavea● . heare with understanding . heare with affection . heare with application . the duties after hearing . we must remember it . the second dutie , meditation . the third duty after hearing , conference and repetition . a fourth duty , obedience . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . prov. . , . notes for div a -e quid autem est scriptura sacra , nisi quaedam epistola omnipotentis dei ad creaturam suam ? greg. epist . lib. . epist . . muscul . in ma● . p. . joel . . see whately , pag. . see my booke of walking with god , pag. . see chrysostome upō the place . about which , see chrys . tom . . serm . contra gulam , p. , . see austin . conf . lib. . pag. ● . a quoniam hesterno die de latrone secimus . mentionem , &c. ambros . de sancto latrone , serm . . b qui hesterno d●e affuistis , &c. august . in ps . . conc. . c quousque hesterno die disputatum fit , credo meminisse charitatem vestram , ex ipso loco hodie sumamus exordium . idem in psal conc. . d vnde hesterno die multum locuti sumus . idem expos . in johan . pag . e hestern● die perveneramus autem usque ad istum versum , &c. idem in psal . . conc. . f hesternus sirmo protractus , &c. idem in psal . . conc. . g posterior pars psalmi , de quo hesterna die locuti sumus , &c. idem in psal . . conc. . h hesterno die psal . brevior tractabatur , &c. idem in psal . . i primùm igitur persuadeamus , ut iuramentorum fuga in melius mutationem faciat : etsi enun hert & nudius tertius de hāc vobis locutus sum ma●eriâ , neque tamen bodie desistam , neque cras , neque perendie , eadem persuadere . chrysost . ad pop. antioch . hom. . k movent me quide●s ( fratres ) ad hunc sermonem vespertina spectacula , &c. bafil the great , serm. in ebriet . & luxum , quibu● die paschae populum affectum ●idit , pag. . l hesterno die &c. bodie de baptismo ac beneficio inde ad nos promanante , breviter disseremus . he●ternâ luce nos oratio praeterfluxit , tum qui● tempus urgebat , tum ne fastidium satietatemque sermonis prolixitas pareret . sermonis quippe satietas non minus auribus inimica est , quam cibus immodicus corpori . nazianzen . tom. . orat. . in sanctum baptisma , pag. . see him in math. . hom. . pag. . at * m si meministis hesterno sermone , &c. bernard . in psal . qui habitat . &c. serm. . pag. . n quidnam sibi vult , quod minor est hodiè vest●r conventus & infrequens theatrum eorum qui ad nos confluunt ? non enim ut humanae res , ita & spirituales ad definita tempora distinctae sunt . sermoni spirituali omne diei tempus idoneum fuerit . et quid dico diei tempus ? neque si nox ingruat , spirituali doctrinae praeiudicat . propterea & timotheo paulus scribens diccebat , insta tempestivè , intempestivè , &c. et iterum audi beatum lucam , dicentem : discessurus crastino paulus , &c. sermonem produxit ad mediam noctem . num tempus obfuit , dic quaeso ? num propt●reà doctrinae sermo impeditus ? o non miremini , fratres charissimi , si bodiè 〈◊〉 sermonem , deo au●iliante persocero . accidit bodiè terribitis casus , &c. tom. . part . . ad fratres in eremo , serm. . quemadmodum siquis lucis huius lychnaeo aquam inspergeret , aut oleum duntaxat eximeret , lucem extingueret : ita habet & donum spiritus . facta est igitur vespera , inquit , & factum est mane , dies unus . sed hi nostri de illâ vesp●râ sermones ab hâc vespera iam occu●ati , hic orationi nostra finem imponunt . hexam . h●m . . ad finem . see conc. . in psal . . * vnde episcopū necesse est in fingulos ut sic dicam dies sementem facere , ut ipsa saltē assuetudine doctrinae , sermonē auditorum animi retinere possint . de sacerd. l. . verbum dei quod quotidiè nobis aperitur & quodam modo frangitur , panis quotidianus est : & quomodo illum panem ventres , sic istum esuriunt mentes . august . hom. . ex. . see instructions of comforting afflicted consciences , pag. . see aust . conf. lib. . cap. . perlatum ad nos est reverendiss . siatrem nos●rum basihum , episcap . velut unum , de laicis , &c. greg. ep . l. . c. . & in evang. hom. . col. . & past . cur. p. . col. . rogatus quoque , ( speaking of austin ) à non●●●llis in eorū temporalibus causis , episiolas ad diversos dabat ; sed hanc suam à melioribus rebus occupationē tanquam angariā deputabat , suavem s●m●cr habens d● ijs , quae dei sunt , vel allocutionem vel collocu●●●nem fraternae ac den●esticae familiaritatis . possid . de vit . aug. de baptismo reserente d. d. donne . see ad fratres in eremo , serm. . object . answ . object . answ . * audite , obsecre , seculares omnes , comparate vobis biblia , animae pharmaca , &c. omnia humeris nostris injicitis . vos operlebat duntaxat à nobis institui , uxores vero à vobis & liberos . nunc vero satanicas cantiones ac saltationes praeferunt pueri vestri , quemadmodum coci , & obsonatores , & chorearum ductores ; psalmum autem nemo novit ullū . chrysost . in . ad coloss . hom. . col. . * ipsi detrah●bant mihi , ego autem orabam . * vidisti quomodo , quacunque calamitate humanam naturam premente , conveniens ex scripturis antidotum accipere liceat , & omnis huius vitae repellatur cura , neque ab ullo quod accidit gravemur ? propterea obsecro , ut subinde huc veniatis , & divinae scriptura lectionem diligenter auscultetis ; non solum cum huc veniatis sed & domi divina biblia in manus sumite , & utilitatem in illis positam magno studio suscipite . insuper , quod ad augendas vires corporis sensibilis ille cibus facit , id anima lectio facit . spirituale enim alimentum est , & fortem reddit animam . chrysost . hom. . in gen. pag. . * see sathans depth in this point , helpe to devotion , p. . * see dike , of christs temptations , p. . job . , . a quid is●a scriptura , nisi quaedam epistola omnipotentis dei ad creaturā 〈◊〉 ? & certè sicubi esset gloria vestra alibi constituta , & scripta iam imperatoris accipe●●t , non cessaret , non quiesce●et , somnū oculis non daret , nisi prius quid sibi imperator terrenus scripsisset agnoviss●t . imperator coeli , dominus hominū & angelorū , pro vita tuā tibi suas epistolas transmisit , & tamen , gloriose fili , easdem epistolas ardenter legere negligis . st●●de ergo quaeso , & quotidiè creatoris tui verba meditare . disce cor dei in verbis dei , ut ardenti●s ad aeterna susp●res , ut mens ▪ vestra ad coelestia regna maioribus desideriis accendatur . greg. tom . . ep. lib. . c. . col. ▪ b hom. . in lev. c in eccles . c. . d in psal . . e discat memori●●r psalterium , & usque ad annos pub●rtatis libros so●omonis , evangelia , apostolos , & prophetas , sui cordis th●saurum faciat . hier●n . par . . tract . . ep● ad gaudent . f omnia clar● sunt & plana ex divinis scripturis . quae●unque necessaria sunt , manifesta sunt . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . in . ad thess . hom. . g domin●s per evangelia sua locutus est , non ut pauci inte●●igerent , sed ut omnes . plato scripsit in scripturā , sed non scripsit populis , sed paucis vix enim intelligunt tres homines . in psal . . h contra julian . lib. . medium circiter libri . i cui enim non sunt manifesta , q●aecunque in evangelio scripta sunt ▪ quis autem audiens , beatos esse mites , beatos misericordes , beatos mundi-cordes , caeteraque huiusmodi , desiderabit praeceptorem , ut aliquid eorum discat , quae dicuntur . tom. . de lazar● , con● . . pag. . see abundantly for this purpose , in polan . symphoniâ , pag. . &c. k quid ais homo ? non est tui negotij scripturas evolvere , quoniam innum●ris curis distraheris ? imò tuum magis est quàm illorum , &c. de lazaro , tom. . conc. . p. . * neque unquam fi●ri potest : non potest , inquam , fieri , ut quisquam salutem assequatur , ni perpetuò vers●tur in lectione spirituali . l nec solùm vobis sufficiat , quòd in ecclesiâ divinas lectiones auditis ; sed etiam in domibus vestris aut ipsi legite , aut alios legentes r●quirite , & libenter audite . m ( ) recolite , fratres , sententiam domini nostri , quâ dicit ; si totum mundum lucr●tur homo , &c. n ( ) quid autem permanet in homine , nisi quod quisque aut legendo , aut orando , aut bona opera faciendo , pro animae salute , in thesauro conscientiae suae recondiderit . de tem. serm. . see gregor . moral . dialog . lib. . cap. . o etque creb●ò vobis praedicimus multis ante diebus argumentum de quo sumus loquuturi , ut bis in medio di●bus , sumpto libro , perpensaque rei summâ totā , posteaquam intellexeritis , quid dictum sit , quid restet dicendum , mentem vestram instructiorem reddatis ad audienda quae post disserentur . idque semper hortor , & hortari non desinam , ut non hic tantùm attendatis ijs quae dicuntur , verum etiam cum domi fueritis , assiduè divinarum scripturarum lectioni vacetis . quod quidem & ijs , qui privatim mecum congressi sunt , non destiti inculcare . tom. . de lazaro , conc. . pag. . see to this purpose in the answer to the third objection , a little before . p see pol. symphon . pag. . where he proves this assertion . q 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . chrysost . in praefat . in epist . ad romanos . r of which , see rogers seven treatises , pag. . the epistle dedicatorie to the practice of christianitie . see practice of christianitie , p. , &c. a veruntamen , charissimi , in tantâ morum diversitate & tam detestabili corruptelâ , regite demos vestras , regite silios vestros , regite fam●lias vestras . quomodo ad nos pertinet in ecclesiâ loqui vobis : sic ad vos pertinet in domibus vestris agere , ut bonam rationem reddatis de his qui vobis sunt subditi . in psal . . pag. . b quaeso , mi frater , quaeso , omnibus tibi subiectis , & bonae voluntatis , in domo tuâ à maiore usque ad minimum , amorem & dulcedinem regni coelestis , amaritudinem & timorem gehennae annuncies , & de eorum salute solicitus & pervigil existas , quia pro omnibus tibi subiectis qui in domo tuâ sunt , rationem domino reddes . annuncia , praecipe , impera , suade ijs ut caveant se à superbiâ , à detractione , ab ebrietate , à fornicatione , à luxuriâ , ab ira , à periurio , à cupiditate , quae est radix omnium malorum . lib. de salutar . documentis , pag. . c infans tibi est ? ne ansam & occasionem arripiat improbitas : ab infantia sanctirate imbuatur , ab ipsis unguiculis spiritui consecretur . orat. . in s. bapt. reason . from the end of their being . reason . necessitie . reason . example of eli. reason . equitie . reason . profit . reason . comfort . reason . honour . reason . hurt . reas . . * sed plerique homi●um haec non reminiscuntur , qui filios suos ab infantiá exterminant ; qui filios suos & frias suas ab incurabulis non erudiunt , non corripiunt à iuventute ; non prohibent mala , non odiunt pess●●a , non coercent illicita , non admonent timorem dei , non comminantur iudicium gehennae , non vitae aeternae introitum decent ; non enim edacunt eos in disciplina , atque eruditione domini , quia non egerunt curam pro animabus eorum , neque soliciti sunt pro salute , vel perditione filiorum . huiusmodi cum non ●rudiunt neque corripiunt filios suos , & ipsorum animam igni inextinguibili in introitum tradunt , & semet ipsos in furorem iudicij demergunt ; omnia enim quae deliquerint filij , de parentibus requiruntur , qui non erudierint , neque corripuerint filios suos . huius evidens exemplum in heli ostenditur , & in filijs eius , atque in alijs alibi . origen . in lib. job . . see musculus and others upon the place . see my discourse of true happinesse , pag. . see bu●ton of melancholy , pag. . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . adh●●ere animum , advertere animum . b 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . mente agitare , in animo versare . c 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . nequando per fluamus , ut terentianus ille parmeno , se plenum esse rimarū dicit , qui huc & illuc perfluat . d 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . notanda est vis huius vocabuli , quo significatur , non sine magno certamine posse istud bonum se●●●n asservari , luctante carne , ac diabol● adversus spiritū dei , novum hospitem , & capitalem ipsorum inimicū . see perkins , vol. . p. . joh. . . see marrow of the oracles of god , p. , &c. see ibid. p. , &c. see randalls cygn . cant. p. . my walking with god , p. . see chrysost . tom. . p. . see rollocke in johan . p. . see chrysost . tom. . hom. . incer to authore . see chrysost . in johan . hom. . pag. . let us ruminate ( of the scripture , viz. ) and as it were chew the cud , that wee may have the sweet juice , spirituall effect , marrow , honey , kernell , taste , comfort and consolation of them , . homily for reading scriptures . wee must , iterum de memoriā quasi de utero , revocare & ruminare , & retractare . chrysost . or rather the uncertaine author , in matth. hom. . a cordiall for christians in the time of affliction. or, a sermon preached at kethering lecture by master robert bolton, bachelour of divinity, and sometimes fellow of brasen-nose colledge in oxford. published by i.s. bolton, robert, - . this text is an enriched version of the tcp digital transcription a of text s in the english short title catalog (stc ). textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally 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(eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) a cordiall for christians in the time of affliction. or, a sermon preached at kethering lecture by master robert bolton, bachelour of divinity, and sometimes fellow of brasen-nose colledge in oxford. published by i.s. bolton, robert, - . i. s. [ ], , [ ] p. printed by george miller dwelling in the blacke-fryers, london : mdcxl. [ ] sometimes bound as part of stc and consequently as part of wing b . reproduction of the original in the henry e. huntington library and art gallery. eng sermons, english -- th century. a s (stc ). civilwar no a cordiall for christians in the time of affliction. or, a sermon preached at kethering lecture by master robert bolton, bachelour of divini bolton, robert c the rate of defects per , words puts this text in the c category of texts with between and defects per , words. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images - jonathan blaney sampled and proofread - jonathan blaney text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion a cordiall for christians in the time of affliction . or , a sermon preached at kethering lecture by master robert bolton , bachelour of divinity , and sometimes fellow of brasen-nose colledge in oxford . published by i. s. london . printed by george miller dwelling in the blacke-fryers , mdcxl . to the reader . as nothing in the world makes a man so a truely noble as religion : so nothing to the world makes a man more b liable to opposition and disgrace . and our mighty god that governes in wisdome , and ever hath an c especiall care of his people , suffers that so to be for some such ends as these . that the d graces of gods children may shine , the rust being scoured off . that their incense offrings in their severall duties being broken and beaten e may smell the more . that their obedience may be discerned by the purblind world not to be mercinary , but from some in ward principle unknowne to nature , &c. now for the poore persecuted saints to follow this way of gods providence f kindly to obey with a willing yeelding rather then to be angry at them . t they see onely with a naturall eye : if a man looke upon gods wayes onely with the eye of reason they are foolishnesse to him ; and sure if a man looke upon gods word and workes through the false glasse of worldly wisedome , he cannot but imagine the thing promised in the one and in agitation in the other impossible so to be effected as promised for his childrens good . if a man had only so looked upon the u sunne standing still in hezekiahs time , or upon the x sea when the bottome became drie , and the waters stood as walls on each side ; or upon the y starres that fought in their courses against sisera : or u●on the z fiery pillar which was sent to the israelites , would they have thought these should bee a meanes to preserve gods children and destroy the enemies . little a did nebuchadnezar the va●iant men of his army thinke when they bound the three children in their clothes to cast them into the hot fiery fornace that the same fire thus prepared should burne and destroy them , and burne only the bonds to set free the poore persecuted saints not once to hurt either body or garment , but to be a means to bring them to greater honour amongst their persecutors . o the infinite wisedome of our good god that can put such understanding into sencelesse creatures thus to distinguish betweene the precious and the vile , him that serveth god and him that serveth him not more clearely then the divell and naturall men can discerne : now therfore to cleare the eye of faith which onely b discernes such things and to helpe thee to get support against any such faintings or the least grumbling at such a providence , which is unbeseeming a paul ( though in prison with sore sides ) for religion . . se●prayer a worke , which workes wonders in heaven and earth , because that sets god a worke for us that is the hearer of prayers and that he●ps his servants out of severall persecutions and afflictions when they pray by working c wonders for them rather then they shall rest subject to continuail pressures of wicked men . . set faith a worke , a hard duty i confesse , it being easier to obey then beleeve aright . faith being the d worke of god , obedience without faith being the work of man . therefore let me intreat of thee to use the meanes that god affords , either to helpe thee out or comfort thee in affliction , as if thou hadst no promise : and yet so beleeve and depend u●on the promise for thy being helped out or upheld in the affliction , as if thou hadst no means at all to look after , that god may have all the honour from thee , and then certainly he that gives a being to his promises and a blessing to the means will prosper thee in the use of them : which of his mercy he grant to us all for the lord christs sake , amen . a cordiall for christians in the time of affliction ▪ micah vii . viii , ix . rejoyce not against mee , o mine enemy : when i fall , yet shall irise againe ; when i sit in darkenesse , the lord will be a light unto mee . i will beare the indignation of the lord : because i have sinned against him , untill hee plead my cause , and execute judgement for mee , hee will bring mee forth to the light , and i shall behold his righteousnesse . in the former part of this chapter , the prophet in the person of the church complaines of the paucity of gods people , of the fewnesse of those that truly feare god , first , by way of resemblance , comparing them to the gatherings of summer , and the grape-gleanings of the vintage , vers. . secondly plainely , by saying the good man is perished out of the earth , and there is none upright amongst men , they all lye in wait for blood , they hunt every one his brother with a net , v. . secondly , he complaines of the plurality of the wicked , of the horrible and universall corruption of the times . first plainly , that they may doe evill with both hands earnestly , the prince asketh , and the judge asketh for a reward , and the great man uttereth his mischievous desire , so they wrap it up , v. . secondly , in a borrowed speech , resembling the best to a bryar , to a thorny hedge-v . . in the miserable estate of all things , it is the counsell of the holy ghost not to trust in man , or to rely upon the arme of flesh , v. , . for the dearest , neerest , greatest , &c. will deceive and faile , and proove as broken staves of reede , psal , . . the children of men are vanity , the chiefe men are lyars : to lay them upon a ballance , they are altogether lighter then vanity . but it is the lord that doth great things , and therefore in him onely rejoyce , psal. . . also ier. . . cursed be the man that trusteth in man , and maketh flesh his arme , and withdraweth his heart from the lord . for why , isa. . , . behold the nations are as a drop of a bucket , and are counted as the dust of the ballance , behold he taketh away the isles as a little dust , v. . all nations before him are as nothing , and they are counted to him lesse then nothing , and vanity ; thus doth the prophet wish man not to trust in man , but in the lord . and after this dehortation from trusting in man , the prophet in the person of the church , doth professe that he will looke unto , and rely upon the lord , v. . which blessed confidence , and safe repose upon the all-sufficient god , doth beget this glorious triumph over the insolency and insultation of their enemies in the time of their depression and disgrace , v. . and this excellent exercise of their faith , doth repell and conquer very sore and sharpe temptations , which are wont to set upon the servants of god in their sufferings under the pressures and oppressions of the wicked , the cruell mockings and scornefull insultations of the enemies to their goodnesse : which is bitterer ( saith calvin ) then the suffering it selfe ; neque tantum est acerbitatis in ipso malo , quantum in ludibrijs improborum , ubi nobis petulanter insultant , derident fidem nostram & ingenuis naturis semper est durior contumelia , quam ipsa mors . immediately upon the churches profession of her trusting the lord ; she bids her enemies not rejoyce against her , v. . and backs it with mighty and invincible reasons , which proves they have no reason for it . when i fall i shall arise : ] if i were downe without hope or possibility of recovery it were something on their side , but as sure as my god is alsufficient , my head christ above water , the angels my guard , all the creatures my friends ; sunne , moone and the stars for me , the prayers of all that blessed communion of my fellow saints presse continually for me unto the throne of grace , all the promises in gods booke are in christ yea and amen , &c. so certainely shall jup againe , sooner or later gloriously for ever . iob was as deepely sunck into a comfortlesse pit of outward affliction as ever any was , yet the arme of his god helpt him out againe . we know what end the lord made , iam. . . david was fearefully plunged into a dungeon of extreame horror , psal. . yet the right hand of the most high changed all this . * and it must needs be so , for the almighty hand of god is under him , psal. . . though hee fall hee shall not be cast of , for the lord putteth under his hand . now must not he needs up againe whom an omnipotent hand supports and upholds ? what man or divell , or world of creatures can keepe him downe , whom the lord of heaven and earth will raise , either let the malice of the wicked manacle the almighty arme of god , which is more then utterly and infinitely unpossible , or as sure as that highest majesty is in heaven , every faithfull servant of jesus christ shall rise againe out of the most desperate distresse , at the utmost , at that great day , which will be most illustrious , when their clearing and exaltation will be in the presence of all the angells in heaven , and all the sonnes and daughters of adam that ever were in the face of heaven and earth : is it not therefore strange that any wicked man should insult at their fall , that thus certainly shall rise ; but the wicked themselves shall stagger and fall and rise no more , for they want this onely helping hand to recover them . when i sit in darkenesse the lord shall bee a light unto me . ] nay in the meane time in the darkest midnight of distresse , the lord will blessedly shine into my heart with the beams of his favour , sence of his love & presence of his spirit ; yea many times more gloriously , specially and comfortably , then in the dayes of my peace , prosperity and rest . for besides particular promises for that purpose , observe , isa. . . when thou passest through the waters i will be with thee , through the floods that they doe not overflow thee ; when thou walkest through the very fire thou shalt not be burnt , neither shall the flames kindle upon thee . for i am the lord , &c. gods children in the time of their afflictions and sufferings are wont to be most faithfull , for then faith is set a worke onely to find comfort in god . . most prayerfull , esa. . , . lord in trouble have they visited thee , they powred out a prayer when thy chastening was upon them , like as a woman in travaile is in sorrow and crieth in her paines , so have we bens in thy sight o lord ; though they be prayerfull at other times , yet this sets an edge and heate to their prayers . . gods children in time of their sufferings be most humble , &c. and to such as be most faithfull , prayerfull and humble god is wont to reveale and communicate himselfe with much familiarity and love , no restraint , no dungeon can hinder the ascending of our faithfull , humble prayers unto god , nor the influence of the love and light of his countenance from us ; that lightsomenesse came from heaven that made paul and sylas sing at midnight in the inner-prison , their feet being fast in the stocks . and so did all those sweet exaltations of spirit which possessed our blessed martyrs in queene maries time and all other saints of god at any other times , in times of pressure and persecution . for at such times the presence , freedome , and comforts of the blessed spirit are wont to inlarge , refresh and crowne their hearts extraordinarily . i will beare the indignation of the lord . ] those that are enemies to the church and gods children were they in the same troubles they see the saints of god in , would indeed yell and howle and roare having no protection nor antidote against the sting and venome of their sorrowes and sufferings , and therefore they conceive , and thereupon out of their cruell and dung-hill dispositions insult , that christians are paid home horribly and plagu'd in such cases , no knowing poore soules that the saints have a soveraigne inward vertue , and vigour , i meane , patience ( to which themselves are meere strangers ) whereby they take off the edge , and extinguish the poyson of all afflictions , whether from god , man , or satan , which would eate up the hearts , and drinke up the spirits , and double the sting in the wicked , whensoever they are sore vexed ; as if mordecai a better man then haman , doe not crouch to him , it will not onely vexe his heart , but cause him to loose all that sweet of his honour . how would wicked men have taken it , that such a dog as shemei should raile upon david being a king , and kings you know are impatient at opposition , yet davids patience takes away the sting and spiritually answers , it may be the lord hath sent him , observe how grace conquers , and that faith in gods children begets not onely peace , but patience , rom. . . we rejoyce in tribulation , knowing that tribulation bringeth forth patience . because i have sinn●d against him . ] the wicked in their sufferings doe looke upon the smart and the creatures , as a dog upon the stone that is throwne . gods children looke upon the offence , their owne deserts , and the first moover , god himselfe , who corrects in love and for his good , which causeth a vast difference either to exasperate and enrage , or to mollifie and asswage the anguish of the crosse , the bitternesse of the trouble . thus did iob , ioseph , david , and so did all that truly feare god procure a great deale of ease and patience to their soules , it is the lord , &c. looking upon their owne deserts , upon gods kindnesse , and their ingratitude , &c. give some ease : as mauritius an emperour who might have saved the lives of many of gods people from the sword of the enemy , but did not ; at length an enemy came against him , and tooke him , and killed his children before him , he having one little one at nurse it was sent for and also slaine before his eyes , then he cried out being sensible of his owne sins , iust are thy judgements o lord . so holy bradford in queene maryes time , cried out to the lord that he had deserved to die , because of his sins ; but saith he , behold lord they punish not my sins , but persecute me because of thy gospell , and for standing for thy truth : so might al the martyrs have said ; so we may cry out we have sinned , we have bin lukewarme , we have had a form of godlines & denied the power therof . nay prodigious villanies , we have had sins rise up in the gospel , not before heard off , fitter for the dark nooks of hel , or midnight of popery . how may we therefore cry out , now we all are afflicted , thy judgements o lord are most just . the consideration of their deserts , and looking up unto the lord caused iob , david and ely to be contented . vntill hee pleade my cause . ] god will cert●inely and for ever plead the cause of his , isa. ● . , , . ashur was sent by god against the people of god , and was as the rod in gods hand to correct them , but he thought not so , but that it was by his owne strength , &c. quoties nobis negotium est cum improbis , duo sunt consideranda . . improbos nobis sine causa inferre molestiam , & ideò justam esse causam nostram ipsorum respectu . . nos tamen justè affligi divinitús ; quia semper reperiemus multas causas cur dominus nos castiget . so may many a one tell the lord , that his sinnes are grievous towards him , but that his persecutors and oppressors ayme not at , but at his best part , the good that is in him they set against , and therefore desire the lord to plead their cause , but god will never plead the cause of the wicked , but will witnesse against them , and so will all his creatures , and their owne actions help to condemne them . and execute iudgement for me . ] though the church of god goe downe for a while ; yet at last most certainely the day shall be theirs . for this purpose god is wont to improove his owne omnipotency , all the hoasts of heaven and earth , the ordinary and extraordinary agency of his creatures , the sun , the sea , the stars , haylestones , &c. must miraculously serve gods turne for the executing of this judgement for the church . all the miracles of deliverances from the red sea , and drowning the egyptians , to the swallowing up of the spaniards in the english seas ; and the deliverance from the powder-plot were imployed this way , stay onely gods season and his owne houre , and you shall see the salvation of god . as rochell when it was besieged , was saved miraculously , and shame fell upon the opposers . so for us here , we or the church beyond the seas beene delivered a yeare or two since , it had not beene so well in the last of time ; for that purpose god will certainly deliver , this is our hope , when christians are stirred up to prayer , the time is approaching , but howsoever in the best of time it shall be granted . he shall bring me forth to the light . ] after the execution upon the enemies and the darkenesse of distresse dispelled by the light of gods countenance , ariseth upon the church the sunne of lightsomenesse , joy , and comfort , as we see in moses song , exod. . the song of deborah , iudg. . the feasting of the iewes after the hanging of hamon , the joy of the kingdome after . the day of holy feasting for our salvation from the powder-plot ; the lord hath done great things for us , wherefore we are glad , psal. . . and when the rod hath corrected , it shall be burned , when the fire hath purified the gold , it ends it selfe in sinder and ashes : so when the wicked have done their worke for the good of christians , they shallbe consumed themselves , as the powder-traitors were , for which we have a day , as if it were in imitation of deborah's song . and i shall behold his righteousnesse ] in the mercifull performance of his gratious promises unto his people , then shall the church find and feele the truth of these blessed promises , gen. ▪ . & . . of the promise to abraham and to his seed . so exod. . . iosh. . . how sweetly might ioshua refresh himselfe with the sence of gods mercy and truth , in making good unto him that promise , iosh. . i will never faile thee nor forsake thee . the iewes with the sweetnesse of that , habak. . . though it tarry , wait for it , because it shall surely come and not stay , when they returned so merrily homewards , ps. . queene elizabeth of that sam. . . them that honour me i will honour , when the great god of armes , with his powerfull arme had scattered like a heape of dust before the wind that mighty and ( as they cal'd it ) invincible spanish-fleet . now looke backe upon all these eight particulars and consider the contrary case of the wicked , and then observe the infinite vast difference betweene the grounds and reasons of comfort in all troubles in the one and the contrary in the other : there are reasons also taken from the state of the enemies why they should not rejoyce in the troubles of the saints , and why the people of god should be patient in their pressures and persecutions . then she that is my enemy shall see it . ] when the church is delivered then the enemie must downe : when the rod in gods hand hath corrected his children , it must be cast into the fire : when the wicked have refined gods people , themselves must be cast into hell : when gods children have drunke of the top of the cup of gods wrath , the wicked shall wring out the very dreggs , and drinke them , psa. . . esa. . . when ashur had punished gods people , and began to burst with pride , then god sets upon him and destroyes him . but observe here the persecutors shall see the rising againe and prosperity , which will burst their very heart with envy and make them gnash the teeth , as a peece and beginning of that hellish gnashing of the teeth hereafter , when they shall see those blessed ones , whom they have so hated and persecuted , sit downe with abraham , isaack and iacob , in the kingdome of heaven and themselves excluded . and shame shall cover her . ] and at this sight she shall be horribly ashamed , especially because in the time of the churches distresse , disgrace , she did pestilently please and applaud her selfe with such insulting words as these ( where is now the lord her god ) she is now downe she will never rise againe , and now she sees those over whom she so insulted , crown'd with deliverance and joy , and her selfe covered with confusion and shame . my eyes shall behold her . ] which equally will rent the hearts of the enemies with selfe-vexing rage , as refresh the affections of gods faithfull children with glorious joy , not because their opposites are ruined ; no such vile , revengfull spite must lurke in any gracious heart , but because thereby the glory of gods mercy and truth to his , and his justice to their implacable and incurable enemies is made more illustrious and admirable . now she shall be troden down as the mire in the streets . or as straw is troden downe for the dunghill , as it is , esay . . . a fit end for such divels , as had they might to their malice , they would swallow up quickly the whole israell of god psa. . . sith the church of god sees and is so sensible of the scornefull carriage of her enemies , and labours so industriously to fortifie herselfe with reasons against that temptation of being troubled with their insultations in the time of her trouble ; i observe it is the wont of the wicked to rejoyce when they see gods children downe : let this therefore be the point that first naturally doth offer it selfe . it is the wont of the wicked out of their dunghill , dogged , and divellish dispositions , proudly to insult and beare themselves insolently against the servants of god in the time of their sufferings . the wicked rejoyce in the distresse and disgrace of gods children . proofes for this you have , ezek. . , . because thou hast cryed aha , and rejoyced and clapped thine hand when israell went into captivity . because ▪ thou hast clapped thine hands , and stamped with the feet , and rejoyced in heart with all thy despite against the land of israel . ergo eze. . . tyrus said against ierusalem aha she is broken , ezek. . . the enemy said , aha , the ancient high places are oursin possession , ergo , &c. zepha . . . i have heard the reproach of moab , and the revilings of the children of ammon , wherby they have reproached my people and magnified themselves against their border , ergo , &c. psa. . . they that carried us away captive , required of us a song , and they that wasted us , required of us mirth , &c. because they be limbs of satan and he impoysons them with all his ill properties , now he infinitely tryumphs and pleaseth himselfe in the disgrace of goodnesse , distresse of the church , and misery of every godly man , affectus ex odio & gaudio mixtus ( so the greeke word signifies ) cum odio impulsi , laetamur vel gaudemus in aliorum calamitatibus , est affectus proprius diabolorum : propterèa illi ipsi qui in aliorum calamitatibus laetantur ad ipsum diabolum accedunt . and they are like him in this pestilent property , as if he had spit them out of his mouth ; when a good man is downe they joy , when he flourisheth they hate : now tell me , for you know your hearts , have you looked upon these , and seene some one discover himselfe shamefully , are you glad of it ; so would no good heart be ( i dare say ) this is a certaine marke thou art a limbe of satan , and this comes from the divell , to say , o see then what all these are , the divell himselfe would joyne in this ( if he were amongst you ) save this for the language in hell hereafter , begin not now so soone , for this shews thou art a member of satan , and he is the head and thou tastest of him , else no man could rejoyce at a good mans fall ▪ when therefore thou seest or hereafter hearest of any that doe so ; thinke of this , he is like the divell , in this no child is more like the father , then he to satan , to rejoyce , to disgrace gods children ; why tell me if christ should come now ( as it were happy if he would to end these miserable times ) where would he find his children , but amongst good and religious men , though some be hypocrites , and weare vizards in their faces that we cannot discerne them ( whom the lord discover and unmaske ) we hold not with them , nor for them , but for the truth . and this i am sure amongst good men onely god especially if thus qualified in these six particulars . . looke to the cause and ground of thy sufferings , els all is naught , if that be not good , cor. . . thou must have a calling to suffer and not to thrust thy selfe into it without a calling . . thou must have a cleare conscience lying in no knowne sinne , or else thy suffering may be as ananias and saphira , just upon thee for thy hypocrisie . . thou must have an upright heart in it . . thou maist not aime at by ends to please thy selfe . . thou must waite for gods time of deliverance , he that believes makes not haste to get out by ill meanes ; if thou be thus qualified in thy sufferings the . psal. will afford variety of precious comfort for thee , and terrible judgements against thy persecutours . also observe these . . these persecuting belials shall ( will they or nill they ) glorifie god either in their conversion , or confusion . and the day is comming in the meane time to cleare thy innocency and to discover their malice : the divell and thine enemies be chained , they can goe no further then they have leave from god . god is about some extraordinary work , that he is thus fitting thee for it . . if god turne them not on our parts there is most cause we should pitty them , and not envy at their estate : who would have envied at pharoah , when he was persecuting the israelites , and presently after himselfe and all with him cast away : what became of him ? and what befals one may be fall all . . if thou desirest revenge on any in the greatest manner , it is to have them thrive in ill , and especially in persecuting the good , ezek. . . &c. . when the wicked insult the whole church is stirred up against them , mala. . , . . these insulting enemies are but as the wine-presses to wring out the sweet juyce of patience and prayer out of christians , they are but as the shepheards dogg to keep the sheep out of the severalls , and from unwholsome places ; and therfore know the time shall come that you shall blesse god for them , and confesse that you could not have bin without your sufferings under them . . the very persons of the sufferers themselves do teach much sweetnesse and comfort to others by their gratious carriage , and also from the nature of affliction it selfe . . the generall end of all affliction is to make grace shine , or purifie the soule . . god will glorifie himselfe in the preservation of his , as of the three children , dan. . . afflictions will quicken and heat the heart ; wheras many christians are cold , &c. . that it may appeare , as unto iob , that christians serve not god mercenarily . . that they may not be overvalued by others , some oppose them and get ability for a time to prevaile . . that weak christians might not be dejected when they are troubled . . that it may appeare felicity rests not in these outward things , which salomon calls vanity , empty clouds , nay vexation of spirit , bringing torment unexpected . . that the vertues of christians may be delighted in , and shine aboundantly in thee . thus every way a good sufferer may receive comfort in the depth of his misery , and support his heart against all dejections and discouragements . when i fall i shall arise . ] from this first reason , which is used by the church to disswade wicked men from rejoycing at her fall , i observe , the dearest servants of god may fall into the deepest distresse . because one sin will keepe them downe , much more all their sinnes being so grievous to them . for when sin stirs and looks grisly in their conscience , it terrifies them ; when as on the other side , wicked men care for none ; no marvell than if they fleare in the face , when a godly man looks heavily . satan the strong man procures all joy to the bad ; but not a divell in hell , but would do a christian mischiefe , and the lord sometimes to punish some of his sins suffers satan to afflict him . all worldlings are kind one to another , but of a world of good-fellows , not one of them is kind to a christian , but would do him a displeasure if he could . god deales with his children as with the blind man , that had not that punishment for the sin of his parents or himselfe , but that god may have glory . . for christians tryall , as iob. . sometime in judgement to harden the wicked , whom they could not win by their goodnesse , they must now be hardened by their punishment . he that refraines from evill makes himselfe a prey to wicked men , satan and his cunning worldlings , when he that refraines not is contrary . many afflictions are proper to gods children , as temptations , doubting of salvation , &c. nay sometimes hideous suggestions , as were to christ , that no christian is in that height , for the son of god to be tempted to throw himselfe from the pinacle of the temple : nay he that thought it not robbery to be equall with god , to be tempted to worship the divell , was more then ever any christian had . because it is call'd a vale of teares to christians , though it be a fooles paradise to wicked men , for they have as much pleasure , profit and honour as they can get : as phareah in aegypt , when the aegyptians were there the iewes were but slaves unto them , and this represented the naturall estate of man . . the bringing out of ▪ aegypt was followed with a long being in the wildernesse , which signifies their gracious state ; in which they had many troubles and wants , and after many terrours came to canaan a type of heaven : so till they were there the best was a wildernes or vale of teares , because of their severall troubles . to comfort those that be full of troubles ; when they see one affliction upon the neck of another , to conclude , they be sons , not bastards , pure gold , not rubbish . let all christians prepare for new suffrings ; for till death set us free , we are not to look to be free from troubles , and never more need to be prepared than now , when not only the church beyond the seas , but many good men be in great troubles , observe therfore these helps to take away the sting . . get patience , the naturall weapon to help against all troubles , whither of god , satan , or men . iob by patience bore all his troubles , the tithe of which troubles would have made a carnall man hang himselfe , as haman had no comfort in wife or children , or outward honour , because he could not with patience look upon mordecai who a little crossed him . a small crosse will robbe a man that wants patience of the comfort of all other outward things ; let therfore all christians labour for patience , and exercise it as faith , or love , or any other grace , for i know not whither christians so much scandalize religion by any thing , as by impatience , when there is any opposition , especially for meum & tuum . get your hearts to heaven , for earthly mindednesse undoes all . . get spirituall ioy , which makes us stand as firme as mount sion , it will heat the heart and give us right to other delights : as the heat of the garment comes from the heart , for the heart heats the body , the body the cloathes and a little reflects again , so all comforts we have come from spirituall ioy : for carnall joy alway makes the heart melancholy after , whereas spirituall ioy eates out the heart of worldly sorrow : follow that therfore with eagernes and observe the differences thus ; o death how bitter is thy remembrance to those that live in ease , in worldly prosperity and carnall joy , but it is contrary to those that live in spirituall ioy , they had rather some of them have death than sleep when they are weary . let a christian tell me ( for he knoweth his state was once as the naturall mans , and he laboured for joy , but found it madnesse ) now after he is gone on in a christian course some few yeares , and seeth his priviledges , and prizeth christ before all things and allowes no wickednes in his heart , but hath taken the yoake and will weare it for ever , then tell me what joy hath ceazed on his heart when he hath christ , from hence will spring as much joy as the heart will hold and more : if a poore man that lived in want a long time , had many thousands befalne him by the death of some great man , with what joy would he imbrace it ? so when a scorched heart with sight and sence of sinne takes christ and hath heaven and earth , and takes possession of the blessed word and promises , as farre then as heaven surpasseth the earth and both these that mans estate ; so this joy doth outgo the other ; therfore with the apostle i bid such a man rejoyce evermore , showte for joy , &c. saint chrysostome would have a christians joy to be like the sea , into which if a sparke fall , it cannot dry up all the moisture of the water , but is presently extinct : so should the joy of a christian extinguish all afflictions ; and great reason , doth not christ promise that what we loose here for him , we shall have an hundred fold ? what ever it be , god is all-sufficient and can give the comfort of it to his , that we may have an hundred fold of the comfort of these things here , and happinesse hereafter : labour than for this spirituall ioy in having christ , this will comfort in all the troubles that befall any , though they be like the troubles of the church beyond the sea , that men have all things taken from them , wives and children slaine , or men banished with them out of the land , yet none can take christ from us , he is our portion for ever : labour therfore for him . is it so that the church of god is in many troubles ? the spirit of god sees it needfull to give antidotes against trouble for her . then this serves to trouble those that were never troubled , their state is woefull , it argues they be bastards : let none then blesse themselves that they were never troubled in mind , for i say if any man hath not beene troubled in mind for his sin , nor be not hereafter troubled for sin to drive him from all sin , he shall be sure to suffer everlastingly for it : i pray you let this sinke into your hearts , and when any is troubled say not : o these be the hypocrites that will grow mad , &c. but let no such word come from any but incarnate divels . object . why , j have severall crosses and losses in my estate , weakenesse and sickenesse of body , &c. therefore my spirituall estate is good and happy ? answ. there are three things observable in affliction ; for affliction here ment is , first , sanctified affliction to cause us to grow in the whole body of sanctification and decrease in sin . secondly , if thou allowest any sin these afflictions be the beginning of hell torments , as christians spirituall joy argues the beginning of their joyes of heaven . thirdly , all things fall alike to all outwardly , both the godly and the wicked may have afflictions , they worke in the one contrary to the other , in the one they work brokennesse of heart and humility , in the other contrary : they are fore-runners of hell to the one , of heaven to the other . object . but j have no such troubles here , therfore j am no christian ? answ. it may be thou art troubled that thou wantest trouble . is not the sence of the want of troubles now a trouble unto thee ? but if thou hast none inward , thou hast some outward , art thou not smitten with the ill tongues of the wicked ? though a christian may goe so farre ( though very rare ) as not to have ill tongues against him , yet a christian hath cause then to be troubled for that , and suspect himselfe ( though he may be in good estate ) when ill tongues are not against him ; for men may have the good word of ill men about them , because of their faults , as . when they give too much liberty to their licentiousnesse . . not to reproove them when they are called to it . . when they are spirituall cowards , and dare not shew themselves for god . . when they desire the good word of all ; because they thinke else , such fellowes will raile on them ; these be base cowards , if not stark naught : ●et such as are true hearted christians say ( as one said ) what have i done that such wicked men speake well of me : saint austin said , i will by no meanes be commended by a man that lives ill , it is a corrasive to my heart , i cannot abide it . when a man first riseth to goodnesse , his outward virtue like the sunne rising casteth a great shadow ; so is there much opposition to it at the first : but when the sunne hath come to his height , then but a little shadow : so the height of grace and virtue may cause little or no opposition , this may be by accident , by helpes of good outward parts , and faire and courteous carriages , not grace and goodnesse , for this will draw hatred from every wicked man . finis . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a e- a act. . . b acts . . john . wisdom . c peter . d hosea . peter . e genesis . g cor. . f chro. . t acts . kings u exodus . x iudges . y exodus . z daniel , , . a heb. . b acts . c iohn . d deut. . , notes for div a e- . * so was mistris 〈◊〉 m. peacocke and many moe so downe and so delivered . . . . . . . . . . . . doct. reason . doct. . reason . reason . reason . reason . reason . reason . reason . vse . vse . vse . a discourse about the state of true happinesse deliuered in certaine sermons in oxford, and at pauls crosse: by robert bolton. bolton, robert, - . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; 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[ ], p. imprinted by felix kyngston, for edmund weauer, and are to be sold at his shop, at the great north-gate of pauls church, at london : . running title reads: a discourse of true happinesse. reproduction of the original in the central library (bristol, eng.). created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language 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edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion a discovrse abovt the state of trve happinesse : delivered in certaine sermons in oxford , and at pauls crosse : by robert bolton . . corinth . . . prooue your selues whether yee are in the faith : examine your selues : know yee not your owne selues , how that iesus christ is in you , except yee be reprobates ? at london , imprinted by felix kyngston , for edmvnd weaver , and are to be sold at his shop , at the great north-gate of pauls church . . to the right worshipfvll , his very good patrone , sir avgvstin nicols , knight , serieant at the law ; the glorious comforts of grace here , and the blessednesse of immortalitie hereafter . sir , i hauing been often and much solicited with varietie and iteration of strong importunitie , to publish and let passe into the eie of this censorious world , these , thevery first fruites and essaies of mine imployment and businesse in the ministerie ; did apprehend and embrace this season with better contentment , and with more cheerefulnes addresse and compose my self thereunto : because i did see opportunitie offered thereby , to let appeare abroad my thankfull acknowledgement of your respectfull and more then ordinary fauour vnto me ; and a publike testimonie of your worthie and exemplarie integritie , in discharging your hands , and faithfully disposing that portion of the church his patrimonie committed to your trust and conscience . an affaire ( though in these desperately sinfull times , fearfully and accursedly abused ) of high and waightie consequence , and of great power , as it shall be discharged with conscience , or corruption , either further to ruine our church , and bring it to more miserie and desolation , or to repaire and aduance it to better state & more happinesse . for mine owne particular , it hath so pleased god to guide your heart in this busines , and to blesse me with his prouidence , that wheras too many patrones now adaies ; either by detaining sacrilegiouslie gods portion , agai●●● all grounds of equitie both diuine & humane ; or by furnishing church-liuings simoniacally and corruptly , do certainly pull vpon their own heads , soules and bodies , goods and posteritie , an heauie and horrible * curse , and shall thereby make their account to be without fauour at the last day : and whereas many worthie men , after they haue wearied and wasted their bodies and mindes , their spirits and patrimonie in studie , and worne out their hopes with long and tedious expectation , pursuit and dependance ; come at length , with much adoe , to no great matters , and when all is done , it is well if they escape all galling and gash of conscience , such is the strange iniquitie of the times : yet i say , so worthily haue you dealt with me , & so vprightly in the church his cause , that vpon your owne first motion you sent vnto me to accept the place i now enioy from you , and offered me a faire , a free and comfortable passage to the exercise of my ministerie abroad ; which next vnto the saluation of mine own soule , i hold most deare and precious ; when i neither sought after , nor thought vpon preferment . this your rare and singular bountie , did at the very first affect me with a secret sense of an extraordinary obligation , for all inward affectionatnes , and with a desire of representing it in some visible forme of outward testification . but when i did after further consider , first how that sacriledge and simonie , that damned couple of crying sins , like two rauenous harpies , and the two insatiable daughters of the horsleech , had seazd euen vpon the heart of our church , readie to rent and teare in peeces her very heart-strings , and to sucke out the inmost blood and last life of our dearest mother : when i looked aboue me in this famous vniuersitie where i haue liued , and saw many reuerend and learned men , full of the light of diuine truth , and of the water of life , able gloriouslie and comfortablie to illighten many darke places and drie soules in this land , readie to expire and powre out their soules in the bosome of this their famous nurce ; not brought vp by her to die at her breasts , but if they might haue honest and lawfull passage , readie and resolute to enlarge christs kingdome abroad , and to oppose with all their power , against the bloodie torrent of poperie and rage of antichrist : lastly , when i weighed with my selfe mine owne naturall declination and resolued vnfitnes , to make a noise and stirre in the world for preferment : i did finde that as these considerations did before giue small hope of changing my station ; so now they were of power yet further to double the impression of your worthie and extraordinarie goodnesse vnto mee , and freshly to renew the thankfull deuotions and apprehensions of mine heart . out of which hath sprung in me a thirsting earnestnes and contention of spirit , to returne vnto you , for these temporall fauours , so farre as the nature of that high ministeriall function , wherein i stand , shall guide me , and the power of my poore abilitie can reach ; the blessings of heauen , and comforts of a better world . to which end , i here present vnto you this treatise , which i haue intended to be , so farre as my gracious god hath giuen me vnderstanding in the point , as it were a looking-glasse or touchstone , to whomsoeuer it shall please to take thorow notice thereof , for the discerning and trying , in some good measure , whether he alreadie bee of the number of those fewe which truly liue the life of god , and vnder the scepter of his sonne ; or lie as yet enthralled in the inuisible chaines of damnation and death , and vnder the large and powerfull raigne of satan . for i am perswaded , that in this glorious noontide of the gospell many thousands deceiue not only the world , and others , but euen themselues and their owne soules , about their spirituall state : thinking , if they finde in themselues a freedome from grosse and notorious sinnes , fairenes of conditions , ciuil honestie , a formall profession of christianitie , outward performances of religious seruices , that then their case is good enough for heauen ; though there bee wanting the sauing power of inward sanctification , and the truth of a sound conuersion ; though they bee strangers to the great mysterie of godlinesse , and disacquainted with a conscionable and constant course of holinesse in their liues and actions . but we must conceiue , that ouer and besides these degrees of goodnesse , with which millions of men content and deceiue themselues ; yea , and quite beyond , and vtterly without the compasse of all worldly glorie , all visible pompe , the most admited greatnesse and sufficiency vpon earth , for which a great part of the world exchange the euerlasting happinesse of their soules ; there is a paradise of christian comforts , a royall peculiar , a victorious simplicitie , a neglected innocencie , a marueilous light , an inuisible kingdome , an heauen vpon earth ; which i call the state of grace ; and labour in the ensuing discourse to difference from al perfections and sufficiencies attaineable in the state of vnregeneration . i meddle not purposely with the notorious sinner : for me thinkes , in these daies of light , there should none so wilfully and deeply inwrap himselfe in darknes ; but that in his cold blood , and more sober consideration , will acknowledge and confesse , that the state of notorious sinfulnes , is the state of wretchednes and of death . and that there is no hope for the drunkard , the swearer , the lier , the vsurer , the vncleane person , the sabbath-breaker , the sacrilegious , simoniacall , and sinners of such infamous ranke ; but a fearefull looking for of iudgement , and , without repentance and forsaking their sinnes , an eternall separation both from al possibilitie of grace and sound comfort in this life , and from the fruition of the ioyes and blessednes of heauen hereafter . i therefore endeuour and desire to come neerer and closer to mens consciences , and to tell them , that out of a conceit of their morall honestie , and outward religiousnes , they may perswade themselues that they are rich and encreased in spirituall store , and haue need of no more for the attainment of heauen ; when in deed and truth , as concerning the power of sauing grace , and sincere exercise of religion , they are wretched , and miserable , and poore , and blind and naked . in these luke-warme times , many there are , who with the fruites of a temporarie faith , and some light of the generall graces of the spirit , make a faire shew , and win good reputation for their spirituall state , both with their owne hearts , and with the world abroad , when to the eie of heauenly wisdom , and in truth , they are but only blazing-stars , and earthly minded , not fixed in the same firmament with the sunne of righteousnes , nor of an heauenly stampe . and if they rise not higher in their affections and conuersation from earth and earthly vanities , when their rootlesse graces shall be withered and wasted away , their fall will bee sudden and fearfull ; and their former vanishing flashes of vaine hope for future happinesse , will be turned into horror and extremest miseries of despaire . most behooffull then is it for euery man , in time , to search and examine himselfe whether christ iesus be in him or no. and it is one of the worthiest and noblest imployment of the soule , to reflect vpon it selfe , and with an vndazeled and vndissembling eye thorowly to trie and descrie cleerely it owne state , whether it be already washed with the blood of christ , and enliued with a supernaturall vigour and life of grace ; or yet lie polluted in it owne blood , and vnder the power of the first death . i wonder how any man can bee at rest and quiet , vntill he be assured and secur'd in this point , sith vpon it depends his euerlasting estate in another world . nay , sith euen in this world , euery vnregenerate man , let him be otherwise neuer so great , or adored aboue others , neuer so absolute in all other excellencies and perfections whatsoeuer ; yet being out of the state of grace , is a very limbe of satan , a child of darknesse , and one of the familie of hell. the wrath and vengeance of god , all the furie of the kingdom of darknesse , the rage of all the creatures , though hee little thinke vpon it , are euerie houre readie and addrest to seize vpon him , as a traitor and rebell to the highest maiestie , and to dragge him downe into the bottome of hell. whereas the state of true christians , and gods faithfull ones , is most comfortable and glorious euen in this life in this vale of teares , and in these tabernacles of clay . for their comforts are not fading and earthly , springing out of the sinfull pleasures & transitorie glorie of the world ; not fastned vnto honors , greatnes and possessions , to the encrease of corne , and wine , and oyle : but they are of a right noble and heauenly temper , framed and emplanted in the sanctified soule by the spirit of all comfort ; and therefore euerlasting and vnconquerable , able to keepe a man in heart and resolution against the malice and cruelties of all aduersaries , of all creatures . they only are truly and soundly perswaded by the sweet and secret testimonie of the spirit , and by the euidence and experience of their own holy life , that after the approching and much longed for period of a few and euill daies , they shall raigne with god almightie , the holy angels and glorified saints , in vnutterable and endlesse pleasures for euer and euer : and therfore easily and resolutely with much indignation & contempt , ouer-looke and throw out of their hearts , all worldly thoughtfulnes , all excessiue desires of earth and earthly vanities , all restlesse aspirations after transitorie honors , the noble miseries of this wretched life . they alone haue fastned the eye of their mindes , illightned from aboue with sauing faith , vpon the vnualuable pretiousnes and lasting beauty of their immortall crownes in heauen ; and therfore all the glittering and golden representations , with which the flattering world hath formerly deceiued and dazled their eyes , appeare to be nothing but darknes and desolations . their glorie indeed heere vpon earth doth not consist in outward pompe and state , it doth not shine to carnall eyes , it is vndiscernable to the sharpest sight of worldly wisedome and policie : but inwardly and with spirituall fairenes , their diuine graces make them so truly honorable and louely , that somewhere in scripture they are called the glory of god , and are as deare vnto him as the pretious ball and apple of his owne eye . they are in so high esteeme and account with angels , that those excellent creatures with much ioy & alacrity become their guardians , and seruiceable vnto them with extraordinarie care and tendernes . all the creatures groane , and desire to bee deliuered into their glorious libertie ; and in the meane time , with a secret and insensible reuerence , they adore the sacred character of diuinitie that is stampt vpon them . all the saints acknowledge them to bee more excellent then their neighbours , of the household of god and heires of heauen . nay , the wicked themselues , many times , are confounded and stand amazed at the height of spirit and resolution that possesseth their hearts , and at the sober & vndanted maiestie that shines in their faces . this , and a thousand times more then this , is the blisfull state of gods children euen in this life . howsoeuer they be neglected and trampled vpon by the world and wicked men ; yet in the iudgement of god himselfe , the blessed spirits , and all men of true worth indeed , they are the only angels vpon earth , and the royall citizens of this kingdome of grace . the prosecution of this point would bee comfortable , but so i should be more tedious . no more but this therfore at this time : certaine it is , if a man were crowned with the royall state and imperiall command of all the kingdomes vpon earth ; if his heart were enlarged to the vtmost of all created capacitie , & filled with all the exquisite and vnmixed pleasures that the reach of mortalitie and most ambitious curiositie could possibly deuise , and might without interruption and distast enioy them the length of the worlds duration ; they were all nothing to the enioyment of the pretious and peereles comforts of the state of grace , but euen for an houre . i speake the truth , i vse no hyperbole , the spirit of all comfort , and consciences of all true christians bearing me witnesse . good sir , let me humbly entreate you with a proportionable zeale and feruencie , to encline and enlarge your affections to the pursuit and practise of so excellent and glorious an happinesse . which that you may doe , i will continuallie prostrate and powre out my soule in prayer , before the throne of grace and mercie : and rest , your worships to be commanded euer in the lord iesus , robert bolton . an advertisement to the reader . christian . this discourse which now stands so close together , was deliuered in fiue seuerall sermons , but all to a most iudicious and intelligent auditorie ; therfore there is a continuance of matter , coherence , and stile . i must entreat thee , out of thine ●ngenuous discretion , to distinguish the places where they were preacht , as thou shalt find the direction of my speech , and some particular applications more naturally and necessarilie with indiuiduall reference appropriated thereunto . the reasons why i spent the most of my meditations , and sticke so long in descrying and desciphering the state of formall hypocrisie ( for therein i haue trod a something vncouth and vnusuall path ) are these : first , i considered that in this full light of the gospell , a great number of men appl●●d and content themselues with a superficiall glistering of a formall profession , outward conformitie to the ministrie of the word , and some false flashes of an vnsound persuasion that they are in the ready and right way to heauen ; when as indeed it hath not inwardly illightned their vnderstandings with sauing knowledge , heated their affections with true zeale , subdued their sinfull thoughts , and noisome lusts with the power of grace , nor softned and sanctifi●d their hearts to yeeld a cheerfull , sincere , and vniuersall obedience thereunto : and so after a few miserable daies spent in a prosperous securitie , they fall into the iawes of hell before they mistrust any such matter ; and the pit of destruction shuts her mouth vpon them , before they know and acknowledge , their broken and bankrout state in spirituall things ; i therefore desire and endeauour to awake them out of their golden dreame of imaginarie future happines ; that with open eyes they may see their present spirituall pouerty , and so betimes preuent the anger to come . i hope in the lord , and wish hartily , that by a dispassionate and thorow perusall of this treatise , they may take some scantling of their owne estate with god ; and entring a serious and impartiall search and examination of their consciences , discouer and reueale themselues vnto themselues ; and so if they belong vnto the euerlasting couenant of grace , s●ep forward into the state of grace , the paradise of true christianitie , and practise of holinesse ; that their deare and pretious soules may be saued in the day of the lord ies●s . secondly , i did conceiue that there is a threefold cord , three maine and capitall causes , that violently hale downe vpon vs from heauen many both corporall and spirituall plagues , and bind them fast to the bowels , and principall parts of this kingdome , and doe daily more and more ripen the iust wrath of god , for the powring out of his last vengeance vpon this sinfull nation . they are those : . the ouerflowing torrent and vnbridledrage of many crying sinnes , fearefull abominations , and desperate prophanenes . . a sensible declination from their first loue , and decay of zeale , euen in christians . . a luke-warmenes and want of thorownes and sinceritie in formall professors . as for the first : by our horrible sins and hatefull ingratitude for mercies without measure , and miraculous deliuerances , wee grow so heauie vpon the lord , that we presse him , and the bowels of his tenderest compassions . as a ca●t is pressed that is full of sheaues ; so that it is impossible , but that shortly , without great humiliation and generall rep●ntance , wee should wrest out of his hands the vials of his last wrath , and force him to come against vs with the beesome of vtter desolation . it is to bee feared ( so grieuous and endlesse is the impietie and imp●nitencie of this land ) that his forbearance in the meane time , is not for any hope he hath of vs ( for what good hath a durable and extraordinarie plague done vpon vs ? ) but onely by reason of the cruell and implacable insolencie of our enemies ; because ●ee is loth to make vs a prey to the wolues of rome , and matter of triumph to such a mercilesse and murderous generation . who knowes but that the match had reached vnto the powder , had not the lord out of the bottomlesse depth of his vnlimited mercies laid hold vpon his owne argument , deut. . . . i haue said , i would scatter them abrode , i would make their remembrance to cease from amongst men , saue that i feared the furie of the enemy , lest their aduersaries should waxe proud . left his and our aduersaries , those breathing diuels the gunpowder papists , should too proudly and barbarously haue insulted in the ruines of his people , and the banishment of his glorious gospell . the lord giue vs vnderstanding hearts to consider these things in time , lest he come vpon vs with his wrath , neuer more to bee appeased , and teare vs in pe●ces when there is none to h●lpe . may any man driue away an hungry lion in the wood ? or quench the fire in stubble , when it hath once begun to burne ? may one turne againe the arrow that is shot of a strong archer ? if the lord once whet his glittering sword , and his hand take hold on iudgement , with purpose to roote out a sinfull and rebellious nation ; there is no power or policie , no multitude of men , or magnificence of state , no armour of the mightie , or arme of flesh , shall euer bee able to giue any succour , reliefe , or deliuerance . concerning the second : certaine it is , that our blessings of peace , and strength of state , breed by accident much abatement of forwardnesse , and zeale in godlines , secret indeuotion , and coldnes euen in many true professours , carelesnes in obseruing their waies , wearinesse and vncheerefulnesse in doing good , and performing holy duties , vnpreparednesse in comming to diuine seruices , religious exercises , and the lords table , sleightnesse and vnprofitablenesse in prayer , meditation , christian conference , and dailie examination of their consciences , neglect of opportunitie in winning their brethren vnto the feare of god , and of working vpon , and preuailing with their kindred , acquaintance , familiars and families . thus wickedly and vnthankefully turne we the mercies of god into occasions of sinne , and suffer our temporall happinesse to wast and consume our spirituall blessings . and the more we are secured in our outward state , the more heartlesse we are in the seruice of god , and the affaires of the life to come . but let vs looke vnto it : for as the louder and crying sinnes of this land are the great and strong cartropes ; so vndoubtedly , these as lesser cords haue their part and some power in drawing vpon vs heauie iudgements , and in preparing further vengeance , except wee amend , and returne to our first loue . would to god that we would keepe fresh in our minds but this one consideration : that the same god , which against the expectation both of heauen and earth , of rome and hell , of diuels and papists , turned our feares and amazements at the death of that glorious saint , the late queene , into safetie , and a sure foundation , by the most happie succession of our gracious soueraigne , and his roiall seed ; can out of his iust iudgements for our vnthankefulnesse and securitie , in the very turning of an hand and closing of an eie , dash all our hopes , and shut vp the whole body of this flourishing kingdom in the pit of irrecouerable destruction . it had bin done , had fauks fired the powder : and who knowes what those busie and bloody heads are euen now hammering in the same kind ? besides these two now mentioned , there is another capitall cause of gods heauie displeasure ; which though i● make no great noise , nor be much taken notice of vpon earth , yet ●t is much lothed of god almighty , and cries loud in heauen for vengeance vpon vs : it is a lukewarmenesse , and vnzealousnesse , a cold and carelesse mediocritie in spirituall matters , and as it were , a neutralitie betwixt notorious sinfulnes and sauing sinceritie . when men perhaps with diligence , willingnesse and forwardnesse submit themselues to the hearing of the word ; but subordinate the power and practise thereof to their ●ase , honours and worldly contentments : when they wil needs hold an outward correspondence with the world , and yet inwardly maintaine and nourish hope of saluation in themselues : when they straine their wits , and striue to partake both of the comfortable fauour of god , and corrupt fashions of the times ; both of the pleasures of their sweet sinne , and the sweetnesse of the true peace of conscience , which are as inconcurrent as two parallel lines , and as incompatible as light and darkenesse . these men , though in the worlds opinion , they be of ciuill honest cariage , of moderate spirits , and of a stated temper in religion ; and in their owne conceits , rich and enriched , and want nothing , yet indeed they are meere staruelings , and starke beggers in respect of the true riches , and lasting treasures of sauing grace , and in the very case of those ( except in the meane time they buy of him gold , garments and oile ) which shall neuer see christ iesus in his kingdome to their comfort : for amen , the faithfull and true witnesse hath vowed it , that he will spue such out of his mouth ; and wishes much rather that they were key-cold , then such formall christians : his speech imports thus much : i had rather you were pagans and infidels , then professors without zeale . now my chiefe and speciall aime is , with all humble submission to be●ter iudgements , and the censure of the prophets , to lay open the state of th●se men , because besides their fearefull deceiuing their owne soules , and particular certaine damnation if they so continue , they mightily ince●se the lords wrath against this la●d , with an insensible and vnacknowledgde prouocation , and mainly hazard the continuance of his glorious gospell amongst vs. it is commonly conceiued indeed , both of themselues , and of the world ; that if they bee morally honest , and outwardly conformable to the ministery of the word ; so that they bee hurtlesse , and innocent in respect of humane iustice ; that they are also , i know not how , harmelesse and guiltlesse before the tribunall of god. but the euangelist telles vs , that that which is highlie esteemed among men , is abomination in the sight of god : and god himselfe by isaiah , that his thoughts are not our thoughts , neither are his waies our waies . for certainely the state of lukewarmnesse , and formaliti● in religion , howsoeuer it may be full of worldly applause and happinesse , and beare away the bell vpon earth ; yet it is as burdensome and hatefull vnto god , as luke-warme water , or the most lothsome potion to the nicest stomacke : and doth with a more naturall importunitie then other sinnes , knock at the gates of diuine iustice , for the remooueall of our candlesticke , and the glory of his gospell from amongst vs. all kinds of sinnes according to their nature , measure and ripenesse haue proportionally a part and hand in drawing downe all manner of plagues vpon the sonnes of men : but this hath a peculiar and predominant power , in hastening that particular and greatest of all iudgements , the famine of the word . for god cannot endure without speciall indignation , that his word , which is his power vnto saluation ▪ should rec●iue such limitation and prescription from mens wisdome ; that it should worke no further vpon them , nor beget more change and holinesse , then may consist with the enioyment of their worldly contentments , reputation , and the pleasures of their beloued sinne . he cannot abide , that men discontented with the stra●tnesse of the gate of grace , and impatient of a strict course of godlinesse , should labor to find out , and follow another way to heauen , then that which is sanctified by his word , and which hath and must be troden by all those that will euer see the lord. knowledge and profession of gods truth , without sanctification and zeale , are but meanes in the meane time , to put out the glory of israel , and will hereafter but encrease the number of stripes , and adde waight vnto endlesse torment . in the name of god therefore let all luke-warme and formall christians be contented to take notice of their state ; and before the sun goe down● ouer the prophets , suffer their hearts to be thorowly heated with true zeale ; and besides their outward reformation , and generall lightnings of the spirit , to entertaine that speciall sauing and sanctifying grace , which onely can saue their soules , and prepare them for the glory that is to be reuealed : lest now at length ( for he hath borne with vs miraculously ) our iust god cause our sunne to goe downe at noone , and darkenesse to surprize vs in the cleare day : l●st he roote vs out of this good land , as a fruitlesse and faithles nation , turne vs out of our houses of peace , as the vnworthiest , and vnthankefullest people vnder heauen ; and let out his vineyard to other husbandmen , which will deliuer him the fruites in their seasons . and the more secure and fearelesse wee bee ( as wee were neuer more ) the more sudden and ineuitable is like to bee our surprizall and destruction . for as gods mercies are then most magnified , when they relieue the extremest miserie , and shine into the depth of discomfort and darkenesse , when all other helpe is vtterly despaired of : so his iudgements are most glorious , when they strike at the height and top of pride and impenitencie , while they thinke themselues most sure , and with greatest confidence repose vpon the arme of flesh , and policie of man. the third reason and motiue why i insist so long in the point of formal hypocrisie , was taken from the condition of mine auditors ; who being of deepest vnderstanding , are naturally aptest and strōgliest tempted , to mistake & vnderualue the mystery of godlines , and to deceiue their owne soules in the high point of saluation . for men of greatest noblenes and pregnancie of spirit , of most rich and vniuersall endowments of mind , without the power of grace and a sanctified humilitie ( the fairest branch springing thence , and the true crowne of christianity ) are readiest to make an idoll of their great sufficiencie , with a disdainefull preiudice to passe by the simplicitie of the saints , & out of a flattering conceit of their owne hearts , to thinke their spirituall state as good as the best , and most blessed from god , when as yet they haue no part in the first resurrection . for when they find themselues far aboue others in all other excellencies , and whatsoeuer remarkeable worth the world takes speciall notice of ; they conceiue also that in a proportionable congruitie , ( as indeed it should be ) they are inferiour to none , in those sacred apprehensions of heauen , and taste of eternall life . vpon this consideration , i was bold ▪ out of a christian iealousie , to treate on this argument , being persuaded of their great wisedome and gratious humility to listen to any heauenly message , which might either discouer or preuent spirituall danger . thine in christ iesus , robert bolton . a discovrse abovt the state of trve happinesse . psalm . . blessed is the m●n that doth not walke in the counsell of the wicked , nor stand in the way of sinners , nor sit in the seat of the scornefull . but his delight is in the law of the lord , and in his law doth he meditate day and night . there is no greater encouragement , or stronger motiue , to stirre a man to an eager , and earnest pursuite of the meanes then to purpose vnto him an end , wherein at length his heart may repose , as in a concurrence of all comforts and contentments . to which , there is no possibilitie of attainment , but by purenesse of heart , holinesse of life , constancie in a course of sanctification ; which only leade vnto the face , and presence of god , where , and with whom alone is the highest perfection of blisse , a riuer of infinite pleasures , the well of life , and endlesse rest of all created desires . for the capacitie of mans soule , cannot possibly be filled with the sufficiencie of any creature ; no , not with a world of creatures ; for they are all nothing to the worth of a mans soule ; christ himselfe hauing preferred it in valuation : what shall it profit a man , though he should win the whole world , if he lose his owne soule ? and therfore can neuer be free from motion and vexation ; vntill it reach vnto , either in certaine hope , or actuall fruition , an obiect , infinite , as well in excellencie of nature , as duration of time . blessed then was the wisdome of the disposer of these heauenly songs of dauid ; whether it was himselfe , or ezra , or whomsoeuer , in that he prefixed this excellent psalme , as a preface to all the rest ; wherein is proposed , and comprised a matchlesse happines ; whereby the godly man , may euen in this life flouris● like a palme tree , and grow like a cedar in lebanon ; refreshed continually with riuers of ioies , and comforts , shed into his heart by the spirit of god : and may stand like mount zion vnas●onished and vnremou●d , at that great , and fearefull day , when the wicked shall call for the mountaines to couer them , and wish they had neuer bin . what ingenuous mind would not be inflamed with zeale , to the prosequution of those meanes , which leade vnto an end as full of happines , as the sunne is full of light , and the sea of waters ? what heart not possessed with an iron s●ew , would not thirst , and long after found , and vndissembled sinceritie , euen as the hart brayeth after the riuers of water , and as the drie ground gapeth for drops of raine ? sith by it alone wee purchase , and put on an vnconquerable resolution , issuing from an assurance of being in christ , and from the clearenesse of a good conscience : whereby we may walke euen . as bold as lions thorow this valley of teares , amid the mercilesle vexations of prophane men ; nay , we may walke vpon the lion and aspe , the young lion and the dragon we may tread vnder feet ; and hereafter be sure to be satisfied with the fulnesse of ioy in the presence of god , and with pleasures at his right hand for euermore . this happie man is here described vnto vs by many arguments . first , are laid downe his markes , and properties ; negatiue , and affirmatiue , in the two first verses . secondly , his happinesse is liuelily set out by a similitude , in the third verse . illustrated by an opposition of the miserie , and vnhappie condition of the wicked , in the fourth and fifth verses . concluded with the causes of them both , to wit , of the happinesse of the godly , and vengeance vpon the wicked , in the last verse . the negatiue properties in the first verse are three : hee doth not walke in the counsell of the wicked ; he doth not stand in the way of sinners ; he doth not sit in the seat of the scornofull ; amplified with a threefold gradation in the persons , actions , and obiects of the actions . the gradation in the persons , the wicked , sinners , and scornefull , implies all forts of vngodlie men . the gradation in the actions , walke , stand , and sit , all manner of commerce , and correspondence with them . the gradation in the obiects , the counsell , way , and feare , all kind of iniquitie ; inward corruptions , or outward impieties . the whole verse laboureth with an emphaticall exaggeration , to set downe hi● blessed forbearance of sinne , and communicating with sinfull men . the second verse containing his imploiment in pietie , seemeth to answer in opposition , the three negatiues , with three affirmatiues . his delighting in the law of the lord , is opposed to the counsell of the wicked . his mediation , and exercise in that law to the way of sinners . day and night : there is his constancie , and habit , oppos'de to the seate of the scornefull . why then , let the prophane , and flattering world say what it will : let sensuall , and vnsanctified men iudge as they lift . that man , and that man alone is truly , and euerlasting happie : that walketh not in the counsell of the wicked ; that is , that doth not delight in their vaine imaginations , sinfull affections , lustfull desires , speculatiue wantonnesse . in their proud and swelling thoughts ; which conceiue mischiefe , and bring forth a lie ; chaffe , & bring forth stubble ; the wind and bring foorth the whirlewind . that doth not partake with their impotent passions , vnhallowed policies ; their exorbitant , and indirect proiects , for their pleasures , honours , and profits . whose soules desire not to come into the secret of their cruell consultations , and malicious designments . in a word , whose heart hateth , and abominateth all venome of inward pollution , that hath either fountaine or seate in any power of the soule . that standeth not in the way of sinners . that is , that breaketh not into open prophanenesse ; that imitateth not their actions , and conuersation . whose mouth is not full of bitternesse and lying ; whose lippes a●e not infected with the poison of aspes ▪ whose hands are not ful of bribes , and falshood ; whose f●et are not swift , to run after mischiefe , vanitie , and leaud companions . that ●itteth not in the seate of the scornefull . that is , that confineth not himselfe to the chaire of iniquitie ; that confirmeth not himselfe in his malice and hardnesse of heart ; that doth not make a mooke of sinne , and iest with the sacred word of god ; that doth not direct the poisonous arrow of a spi●●full tongue , euen at the apple of gods own cie , his dearest saints and seruants . that , with the scorner , doth not dare the highest maiestie of the almightie , to whet his glittering sword , and take hold on iudgement ; to put on his habergeon of righteousnesse , and the garments of vengeance for clothing : saying , as it is isai. . . let him make speed : let him hasten his worke , that we may see it : and let the counsell of the holy one of israel draw neere , & come , that we may know it . thus farre his forbearance of sinfull actions . now followes his practise in actions of pietie . but his delight is in the law of the lord. that is , the whole doctrine diuinely inspired is the very ioy of his heart , and delight of his soule . it is sweeter vnto him then hony , & the hony combe . it is more pretious vnto him thē gold , yea , then much fine gold . it is more worth vnto him , then heauen , and earth . and when the heart is once enkindled with loue , there the imagination embraceth with dearest apprehension ; the thoughts are impatient of any other obiect ; all the powers of the soule are vnited in a strong endeauour for the attainment . the whole mind must needs be possest with meditation ▪ if he delight in the law of the lord , hee must needs meditate therein . and this feruencie of the heart , cannot possible be enclosed within the compasse of the breast : it will spread it selfe in speech and actions . as is plaine , psalm . . . the mouth of the righteous will speake of wisedome , and his tongue will talke of iudgement . the reason followes . for the law of his god is in his heart . and psalm , . my soule hath kept thy testimonies : for i loue them exceedingly . and this loue , delight , meditation , and exercise in the law of god , of this happie man , is not as a morning cloud , and as the morning dew , before the sunne : but like the light of the sunne , that shineth more and more , vnto the perfect day . it is not for a start , for feare , for restraint , for reputation , for aduantage ▪ or to couer the terrors of conscience , for a while , with a few flashes of deceiueable comforts , out of some misapplied promises in the word of god : but it is out of a free resolution , and with vndaunted constancie day and night . but giue me leaue , i beseech you , before i proceed to the explication of the rest ; or deduction of doctrines from these particulars ; to propose vnto you this generall doctrine , which hath his strength from the body of the psalme , and the maine scope of the spirit of god. there is in the booke of god , proposed ▪ and offored vnto vs , an happinesse , standing in opposition , to all the vaine felicities , which anciēt philosophers deuisde out of their deep speculations ; or prophane men frame out of their corrupt affections : not consisting in pleasures , riches , honours , greatnes ; in ciuill honesty , formall hypocrisie ; or the whole possibility of nature : but in supernaturall grace , and the blessed consequents . the whole book of ecclesiastes , salomons sacred retractations , is a large , and sound demonstration of this doctrine . salomon was sonne vnto the worthiest king , that euer swayed scepter vpon earth ; and he was predecessor in the royall line vnto the sonne of god ; and so matchlesse for nobility , if true happinesse had consisted therein . he was king of ierusalem , the lady of the world , the perfection of beauty , and the ioy of the whole earth . hee gaue siluer , as stones , and gaue cedars as the wild figtrees , that grow abundantly in the plaine . he built him houses , and planted vineyards . he prouided him men fingers , and women fingers ; and the delights of the sonnes of men . whatsoeuer his eyes desired , he with held it not from them : and withdrew not his heart from any ioy . for wisedome , and vnderstanding , hee had a large heart , euen as the sand , that is on the sea shore . it speculatiue knowledge , hee excelled the wisedome of all the children of the east ; and all the wisedome of egypt . hee was able to discourse from the cedar tree , that is in lebanon , euen vnto the hyssope , that springeth out of the wall . in wisedome of politie , and gouernment , there was none like vnto him before him , neither after him shall arise the like vnto him . so that salomon was the most fit , and absolute man , that euer liued , both for ability in vnderstanding , abundance in possession , and desire in searching , to take an exact measure , and the ●tmost extent , of the worth and sufficiencie of all creatures ; and to raise from them the best contentments they could possiblie afford yet when he had wearied himselfe in the variety of passages of this life ; and in the book of e●clesiastes becomes a publick penitentiary to the whole church , and to all posterity ; see his iudgement : he vtterly disauowes and disclaimes them all , as miserable comforters , as meere shadowes , and dreames ; wherin there is no more matter of sound comfort , then there is light in the greatest darknesse , or taste in the white of an egge . he saies of laughter , thou art mad , and of ioy , ha● is this that thou doest ? and whereas wisedome and knowledge , are the most incomparable treasures this transitorie world hath ; he saith , that in the multitude of wisedome is much griefe : and hee that increaseth knowledge , increaseth sorrow . and of these , and all other things vnder the sunne ; yea , and if to the glory of all created natures , were an addition of ten thousand excellencies , that neuer man saw , or enioyed ; hee hath pronounced of them all , in respect of true happinesse , and diuided from the grace and feare of god , and a sanctified heart ; that they are all vanity . and if he had staied there , it had beene well ; that argues but a passiue imperfection , and a weakenesse of being in the things themselues ; but they are vexation of spirit . nothing in themselues , yet full of power , and actiuity to inflict vengeance , and vexa●ion vpon the spirit of a man. the spirit of a man being sound in sincerity , and seconded with a good conscience , is able to beare out his infirmities , and all the miseries incident to his nature : it is able to passe by , with a resolute , and contented patience , the lying imputations of the prophanest malice : it is able by the grace of god , to encounter with the terrors of death , and the fearefulnesse of the graue ; yea , to endure with a gratious humility euen the pr●sence of god , and angels at that great day . but a wounded , and an afflicted spirit who can beare ? if the eye bee darke , how great is that darken●sse ? if the spirit of a man , which should refresh all the faculties of the soule with comfortable cheerefulnesse , and fill the whole body with a liuely vigour , bee it selfe wounded with vexation and ter●or ; how comfortlesse is that man ? i● his strength were the strength of stones , and his flesh of brasse ; yet would the torment of a bitter afflicted soule grinde him to powder ; and melt as the dew before the sunne , whatsoeuer hee accounteth strongest , and most powerfull to relieue his heauinesse ; it would turne all his choisest , and dearest pleasures into worme wood and bitternesse . and this v●xation , with which riches , honours , or what other vanitie desirable in this life doth afflict the vnregenerate heart , is twofold : in the verie pursuit of them , is much anguish , many greeuances , feares , i●alousies , disgraces , interruptions , discontentments . but after the vnsanctified enioying of them , followes the sting of conscience , that will euerlastingly v●xe the soule ; which is the very earnest of the fire of hell ; by which , a man doth expect with vnconceiueable horrour , the consummation of the wrath of god ; which burneth farre hotter , and more vnquenchably , then any fire , though augmented with infinite riuers of brimstone , to be powred vpon his body and soule for euermore , in the world to come . how then possibly can there be any happinesse in these vexations ? wherefore salomon hauing proued the negatiue part of my doctrine , concludes the positiue in the last chapter : that to feare god , with reuerent regard to keepe his commandements , is the onely way to be possest of true happinesse , to find peace of conscience , and assurance of the fauor of god. for let a man , while he will , in this world of vanity , either sport himselfe in the soft , and greene way of fading pleasures ; or please himselfe in the glorious miseries , of honours and high places ; or tire himselfe in the toyles of vnsatiable greedinesse ; or braue it in his othes , blasphemies , and strength of powring in strong drinke ; or tread the fearefull and desperate path of contempt of the power of religion , the truth of god , and sincerity of his saints : all the while , when he is at the best , hee is but as the raging sea , that cannot rest . for so isaiah compares the wicked , chap. . . the sea , you know , is not onely many times tossed , and tumbled vp and downe , with windes and tempests ; but euer inwardly disquieted , euen with her owne motions , casting vp continually mire and dirt vpon the shore , and breaking into some her proudest waues against the rockes : euen so the heart of that man , which hath reposed his affections vpon the glory of this life , is not onely many times disquieted , and cast downe with outward crosses and occurrents ; as with losse of friends , discountenance of great ones , disappointment of his hopes , and preferments ; with wrongfull railings , and disgraces ; with looking vpon the day of his death , and vengeance vpon the wicked ; with all disturbers of his security in his pleasures , and dignities : but is also besides the restlesse torture of his conscience , euer from within , foaming out his owne shame , the dishonour of god , and the vexation of his brethren . but it is not so with him , that holds the feare of god , for his surest sanctuarie , that hath resolued to resigne vp himselfe in holy obedience to the will of god. his heart is like the vpper part of the world ; which is euer full of serenitie , constancie , and brightnesse ; be the aire below , neuer so troubled with stormes and thunders ; or the earth with commotions and tumults . for let there be about him , the deuouring sword of the tyrant , the consuming flames of persecution , the keene razours of lying tongues , the mouthes of lions , the cruell combinations of his enemies ; nay , let the earth be moued , and let the mountaines fall into the middest of the sea : yet his heart is ioyfull , patient , resolute , and contented . but to descend more specially to the particulars of the negatiue part of my doctrine : let me adde to the many and strong reasons of the ancient philosophers , and late schoolmen , against pleasures , riches , and honours , these three ; which will for euer vtterly disable them for claiming any shew of interest in mans happinesse . first , they cannot possibly fill the vnlimited desire of the soule . for although the treasures , the greatnes , the delights of all men liuing , were in the present possession of one : yet somewhat besides , and aboue all this , there would still bee sought , and earnestly thirsted for . nay , it is certaine , if one man were not onely crowned with the soueraignty of all the kingdomes of the earth , but besides , were made commander of the motions of the sunne , and the glory of the starres ; yet the restlesse eye of his vnsatisfied vnderstanding , would peepe and prie beyond the heauens , for some hidden excellencie and supposed felicity , which the whole compasse of this created world cannot yeeld . so vnquenchable is the thirst of mans soule , vntill it bathe it selfe in the riuer of life , and in the immeasurable ocean of goodnesse and wisedome . so impossible is it , that this materiall world , with all her perfections , should be a proportionable obiect to so pretious a nature ; or that so diuine a sparkle should cease rising and aspiring , vntill it ioyne it selfe to that infinite flame of glory and maiesty , from whence it first issued . secondly , they cannot secure the conscience distressed with the apprehension of the wrath of god , or preuent his iudgements . memorable is that horrible amazement , that surprised the heart of belshazzar 〈◊〉 his greatest iollities . melting hee was in pleasures , and deliciousnesse ; solacing himselfe amongst his wiues , and concubines ; carousing in the golden , and siluer vessels of the temple . but when there appeared fingers of a mans hand , which wrote ouer against the candlesticke vpon the plaister of the wall : a remembrancer vnto his conscience , how contemptuously , and sacrilegiously he had dishonoured the highest maiestie ; and that the vials of gods heauie vengeance were ready to bee powred vpon his head , all the ioyes of his royall pompe vanished as the smoke . for then the kings countenance was changed , and his thoughts troubled him , so that the ioynts of his ioynes were loosed , and his knees smote one against the other . and now , one pang of his wounded conscience did much more torment him , then the kingdome , maiestie , glory , and honour , which he receiued from his father nabuchadnezzar could euer comfort him . so , i doubt not , but many times , the hearts of many glorious ones in this life , that are not in trouble like other men ; but spread themselues as greene bay-trees ; when they heare the certaine iudgements of god , denounced out of his booke by his ministers , against those sinnes , to which by long custome , and vowed resolution , they haue fastned their affections , because thereon depend their pleasures , honours , states , reputations , contented passing the time , or the like : i say , that many times ( except their consciences be feared vp with an hote iron , against the day of vengeance , and then their case is vnspeakably wofull ) their hearts tremble , euen as the trees of the forrest , that are shaken with the wind . amid their laughing , their hearts are sorrowfull . or if their mirth be entire ; it is but like the noise of the thornes vnder the pot . thornes vnder a pot , you know , make a great crackling , and noise for a little time ; they blaze faire , and bright ; but are suddenly extinct , and brought to nothing . neither are these cold comforters able to quench gods fierie ielousie , when it breakes forth in plagues , and iudgements against a sinfull people . witnesse the prophets : zepha . chap. . . . their blood shall bee powred out as dust , and their flesh as the dung . neither their siluer , nor their gold shall bee able to deliuer them in the day of the lords wrath , but the whole land shall be deuoured , by the fire of his iealousie . ezech. . . their siluer , and their gold cannot deliuer them in the day of the wrath of the lord : they shall not satisfie their soules , neither fill their bowels , for this ruin● is for their iniquitie . obad. . though thou exalt thy selfe as the eagle , and make thy nest among the starres , thence will i bring thee downe , saith the lord. it is not then any wedge of gold , or height of place , can priuiledge , or protect vs ; when our sins are ripe , and readie to take the flame of gods fierce wrath and indignation . thirdly , they cannot stretch themselues vnto eternity . for there are no contentments of this life ; whether they lie in honours , riches , pleasures , friends , or the like ; let them be neuer so many in number , so potent in the world , or in our own perswasions , so exempt from mixture of discomfort ; that can possibly bring vs farther , then our death bed . it may be for a few and wretched daies of our life they haue detained vs in a fooles paradise , yet full of vipers , and scorpions ; it may be , they haue left some obscure prints of vnfound ioies in our passages : but then , at their farwell , they are vtterly despoiled of their weake , and imaginarie sweetnes ; and are wholly turned into wounds , and wormewood , into gall and vexation . they leaue a sting indeed in the conscience , that neuer dies ; but themselues die all at our deaths , and lie downe with vs in our graues . why then , when the immortal soule , being dislodged from this tabernacle of clay , shall now begin to enter the confines of eternitie ; what shall comfort it , thorow that endlesse duration ? for if it looke backe to this inch of time , which it consumed in vanitie , it may aske : why haue i bin troubled about many things ? why haue i disquieted my selfe in vaine ? why haue i insolently insulted ouer innocencie , and accounted sinceritie madnes ? what hath pride profited me ? or what profit hath the pompe of riches brought me ? and it may be answered : all those things are passed away like a shadow , and as a poste that passeth by : as a ship , that passeth ouer the waues of the water which when it is gone by , the trace thereof cannot bee found , neither the path of it in the flouds : or as a bird , that flieth thorow in the aire , and no man can see any token of her passage , but onely heare the noise of her wings , beating the light wind , parting the aire through the vehemencie of her going , and flieth on shaking her wings , whereas afterward no token of her way can be found . if then the expiration of all worldly comforts be most certain and ineuitable , at the furthest at our departure from this life ; it is impossible , there should be any absolute ioy found in them : for there is wanting the very life and accomplishment of true happinesse , assurance of perpetuitie . imagine therefore , a man to be abundantly encompassed euen with all the desires of his heart ; let him wash his paths with butter ; and let the rocke powre him out riuers of oile ; let him heape vp siluer as the dust , and gold as the mire of the streetes ; let him decke himselfe with maiestie and excellencie , and aray himselfe with beautie and glorie ; let him drinke vp the pleasures of this world in as great abundance as behemoth the riuer iordan ; yet all is nothing , himselfe being couered with corruption , and mortalitie ; and the fruition of them with vanitie and change . one generation passeth away , and another generation commeth . he must at length necessarilie make resignation of al into the hands of a new succession . and he shall take nothing away when he dies ; neither shall his pompe or pleasures descend after him . yet , if a man besides an entire and vninterrupted possession of his worldly contentments ; which is neuer to be looked for in this life : for , as iob speakes , while his flesh is vpon him , he shall be sorrowfull ; and while his soule is in him , it shall mourne ; yet i say , if besides he were able to extend his life to many millions of yeeres , the matter were a little more tolerable . but alas , the life of a man at the most is but a hand breath , or a span long ; & that which makes it much more miserable , he knowes not in what part of that short span , how suddenly , or how soone he shall be cut off from the land of the liuing ; and goe , and shall not returne , euen vnto the land of darkenesse , and shadow of death . for the reioycing of the wicked is short , and the ioy of hypocrites is but a moment . though his excellency mount vp to the heauen , & his head reach vnto the cloudes ; yet shall he perish for euer like his dung , and they which haue seene him , shall say , where is he ? he shall flee away as a dreame , and they shal not find him , and shal passe away as a vision of the night . so that the eie which had seene him , shall doe so no more , and his place shall see him no more . and in this respect , mans condition is farre inferiour to other creatures . one generation passeth , and another generation succeedeth : but the earth remaineth for euer . the sun seemes euery night to lie downe in a bed of darknesse ; but he rises in the morning , clothed with the same glorie and brightnesse ; and reioyceth as a giant to run his course : but man ( saith iob ) is sicke , and dieth , and man perisheth , and where is he ? as the waters passe from the sea , and as the flood decaieth , and drieth vp ; so man sleepeth , and riseth not : for he shall not wake againe , nor be raised from his sleepe , till the heauen be no more . to let therefore these wretched vanities passe ; as vnworthie to be insisted on thus long . for howsoeuer , the worldly minded man , wanting vtterly the eie of faith , and hauing his eie of reason dimmed with mists , that rise from his tumultuous and fierie passions , grosse ignorance , and wilfull malice , so that he onely lookes vpon the honours , riches and pleasures of this life with a carnall and sensual eie , may seeme to see in them , some glimmerings of happinesse , and thereafter conforme and proportion his desires , endeuours and proiects ; because he hath his portion onely in this life : yet certainely , the truly generous mind may clearely out of the very apprehension of nature and light of reason , discerne them al , to be no better then a broken staffe of reede , whereupon if a man leane , it will goe into his hand , and pearce it , yea , and strike his heart too thorow with many sorrowes ; and that in the time of trouble , they will all prooue but as a broken tooth , and sliding foot . to let them therefore passe , and die and perish , i come to two other branches of the negatiue part : ciuill honestie , and formall hypocrisie . these indeed , are the two great engines , by which in this full light and glorious noonetide of the gospell ; the prince of this world draweth many multitudes into his snares in this life , and into chaines of darknesse in the life to come . sweetnesse of nature , louelines of disposition , fairenes of conditions , a pleasing affability in cariage , and conuersation ; an vnswaied vprightnes in ciuill actions , and negotiations with men , make a goodly shew . but if there be an accession of profession of the gospell , of outward performance of religious exercises , of some correspondence with the seruants of god ; why then the matter is strike dead . there is the perfection . whatsoeuer is aboue is proud hypocrisie , vaine-glorious singularitie , phantasticke precisenesse ; when god knowes , there may be all this , and yet no power of religion , no life of grace , no true happinesse , no hope of eternitie . to the demonstration of which point before i proceed , let mee preuent two obiections . first , i denie not , but that morall vertuousnesse is good , and excellent in it self ; the outward performance of religious duties , and the exercise of the meanes of our conuersion , are necessarie . but if morall vertuousnesse were able to put on the greatest magnificence , and applause , that euer it anciently enioyed amongst the precisest romans ; whereby it might worthily draw into admiration and iust challenge euen these times of christianity : yet in respect of acceptance with god , and conformitie to his will ; and being not guided , and ●anctified by supernaturall grace , it is but at the best , the very filthinesse of a menstruous clout . and outward actions of religion , be they performed with as glorious a shew , and vndiscernable conueiance , as euer they were by the most formal pharisie : yet seuered from a sound , and sanctified hart , the fountaine which giues 〈◊〉 , s●eetnesse and acceptation to all outward seruices , they are but all , as the cutting off of a dogs necke ; and the offering of swines blood . secondly , i doe not here by any meanes purpose the discomfort of that man , whose soule is yet wrastling with the grieuous afflictions , and terrors of conscience in the fore trauell of his new-birth : i wish vnto him , the sweetest comforts , that either he in his deepest agonies can desire ; or the bowels of gods tenderest compassions are wont to powre into broken , and bleeding hearts , and that the ioyfull light of his sauiours countenance may break forth vpon his cloudy , and drouping conscience , with farre greater brightnesse then euer the clearest sun vpon the face of the earth . neither doe i purpose the discouragement of him , who hath happily passed the fearfull , but necessarie pangs of remorse for sins ; and hath already by the grace of god , laid hold vpon the merits , and mercies of christ , by a true , though a weake faith . i wish that his soule , as a new-borne babe in christ , may bee touched with the smoothest hand of the most wise , & charitable discretion ; and that it may be nourished with the sweetest milke of the most gratious , and comfortable promises . i euer esteemed it most bloody cruelty to quench the smoking flaxe , or breake the bruised reed , or to adde sorrow to him whom the lord hath wounded ; and therefore rather infinitely desire , to turne the smoking flaxe into a burning fire of zeale ; to refresh the weake , and wounded heart , with softest oyle of gods dearest mercies ; to make the bruised reed a piller of brasse , that it may stand strong , and sure , at the day of triall . whereupon , i pronounce out of most certaine grounds of gods eternall truth vnto the weakest faith , if true and sound ; that the gates of hell , with all the furie , and malice , of the prince and powers of darkenesse , shall neuer preuaile against it . that neither angels , nor principalities , nor things present , nor things to come ; nor depthes below , nor heights aboue , nor the creatures of tenne thousand worlds , shall euer bee able , to worke a separation of it , from that infinite loue of god which first planted it in the heart , or a disunion of it from christ , which inspires it continually with life , spirit , and motion . it is not difference of degrees , and measure , that takes away the nature and being of it . a small drop of water is as well , and truely water , as the whole ocean : a little sparke is as truely fire , both in essence and quality , as the mightiest flame : the hand of a little child , may receiue a pearle , as well as the hand of the greatest giant , though not hold it so strongly : a weake faith , may be a true faith , and so a sauing faith , as well as the full perswasion and height of assurance . this onely i must aduise in this point ; that if this graine of mustard seed watered with the dew of grace , grow not towards a great tree : if this sparke , enkindled by the spirit of god , spread not into a big flame : if this small measure of faith be not edged with a longing feruencie after fulnesse of perswasion , and seconded with an assiduous and serious endeauor after more perfection ; it was no sound and sauing faith , but onely a counterfeit shew and a deceiuing shadow . but yet for all this i cannot without a woe speake good of euill , and euill of good : i must not put darkenesse for light , and light for darkenes : wise salomon hath taught vs , that hee that iusti●ieth the wicked , and hee that condemneth the iust , euen they both are an abomination to the lord. and therefore i must tell you , that a man may be great in the eye of the world , and in the iudgement of the greater part for his ciuill honesty , and solemne performances of outward duties of religion ; ( to which many thousands neuer attaine ) and yet himselfe be not onely a stranger from the life of god , and right happinesse , and holden fast vnder the power and tyrannie of the first death : but also by accident , being pust vp with a conceit of an imaginarie perfection , become a violent opposite to the power of religion and true godlinesse . the reason whereof may bee this : our corrupt nature , as in matters of vnderstanding and opinion , worketh in euery man a too too much loue of his owne inuentions , and conclusions ; all opposition inflames the affection , and sets on foot the wit to find out arguments for their proofe , lest hee seeme to haue beene too weake of iudgement in framing them , or too inconstant in not defending them : euen so also in matters of life and conuersation : and the more plausible a mans course is , and the more gloriously it is entertained of the world , the stronger is his resolution to continue in it , and the more impatient hee is of all controlement and contradiction . so that morall honesty , and outward religiousnesse , being in themselues good and necessarie , and a good step to christianity : yet by accident are many times a strong barre to keepe men from the power of godlinesse and vnfained sincerity . because , when they consider their present course is in good acceptance with the world , and that it may well consist with the free enioyment of their honours and pleasures , at least arising from their beloued and secret sinnes , they willingly and peremptorily rest and repose vpon it ; contented with a probable error of being in the state of grace , and with a plausible passage vnto eternal death . and the rather , because they know full well , if they should step forward vnto forwardnesse in religion and that inward holinesse , without which they shall neuer see the face of god ; they should not onely raise vp against themselues many thundring tempests , of the worlds insolent , false , and spitefull censures ; but also euen from the bottome of hell many disturbances and fearefull tentations . for i am perswaded , while a man lies secure in the course of vnregeneration , if the diuell can procure it , he shall enioy his hearts desire , he shall bring his enterprises to passe , and not fall into trouble like other men . he onely then begins to bestirre himselfe , when a man begins to stirre towards grace ; or that by his traines , he hath brought him to some point of aduantage , to some dead lift , to his death-bed ; that he may haue a full stroke at his destruction , that he may suddenly and certainely swallow him vp , body and soule ; and then he paies him home with a witnesse : for either through senselesnesse , or despaire , hee sinkes him downe irrecouerably into the bottome of hell . these two obiections thus preuented : i come to the proofe of the point in hand . and first , these reasons following may demonstrate , that he which reaches but to ciuill honesty , comes farre short of being in christ , and consequently of true happinesse . first , some of the heathens , out of those weake notions and inclinations to vertuousnesse , which corrupted nature confusedly imprinted in their minds , attained a great measure of morall perfection . this elogie the a historian giues of the romane cato . cato was a man , which did animate the faire speculatiue image of vertue with liuely executions and practise . goodnesse was so habitually incorporated into his honest mind , that he did good , not for respects and reseruedly , but because he could possibly doe no otherwise . impartiall indifferency was the rule of his actions ; and being free from the corruptions of the time , he was the same man , and had a free command ouer his passions , both in time of acceptation and disgrace . it is further reported of fabricius , that a man might sooner turne the sun from his course , then to sway fabricius by respects from honest and ingenuous dealing . and yet all these excellencies of morality are iustly and truely censured by diuinity , to be but b glorious sinnes . austin , that great disputer , and worthie father , confirmes it vnanswerable ; especially frō that ground in the epistle to the c hebrues : without faith it is impossible to please god. let a mans workes bee in shew neuer so good , so magnificent , so charitable ; except the heart be purged from dead workes by a liuely faith , and pure from an euill conscience , hee is but a painted sepulchre , or whited wall . but yet take this by the way ; if these heathens , in the twilight of reason , became such admirable lights of vprightnesse and honesty ; and yet christians in these daies , when all the beames of christs blessed gospell are shining and shed round about them , continue still in darkenesse , cold and frozen in prophannesse , and security ; certainely , as it shall be easier for tyrus and sidon at the day of iudgement , then for chorazin and bethsaida : so it shall be easier for many heathens , though to them impossible , then for those christians , that passe not them in vertue and integrity . cato and fabricius at that day shall rise vp against many luke warme professors of our times , to their eternall shame , confusion , and condemnation . the second reason is grounded vpon the words of saint paul , . cor , . . the naturall man perceiueth not the things of the spirit of god ; for they are foolishnesse vnto him ▪ neither can he know them , because they are spiritually discerned . in this place , by ( natural man ) is not ment only , the carnal and sensuall man , swinishly wallowing in vanities and pleasures : but , as the best and soundest interpreters conceiue it , euen a man considered with the whole compasse of the reasonable soules possibility . and mās reasonable soule , by that strength it yet retains , since it was by god iustly disinherited of alspirituall patrimonie for adams rebellion , may purchase some kind of perfections . first , in it selfe it may be excellent , if endowed with a sharp wit , a quick apprehension , a strong mind , a piercing iudgement , a faithful memory , a more moderate wil , and milder affections . but if by industry and art it furnish and fil euery seueral faculty with those ornaments and qualities , of which they are naturally capable , the perfection is much more admirable . and yet besides these excellencies in it self , it may shine gloriously to others ; it may go further , and inable it self by action , experience & obseruation , with such an vniuersal wisdom , that it may not only be fit and qualified for notable offices of society and entercourse in politick bodies : but also reach vnto y ● depth of foresight , and large comprehension of circumstances , that it may be worthie imploiment in affaires of state , and in the direction and guidance of whole kingdomes . all these perfections may concurre vpon the soule , and yet it remaine starke blind in the mysteries of saluation . imagine them all iointly in one man , and in the highest degree of perfection of which vnsanctified mortalitie is capable , and let them bee neuer so much admired , and flattered of the world ; yet without the salt of grace to season them , and the life of faith to animate them , they are but as gay and rich attire vpon a leprous bodie , as iewels , chaines , and bracelets , vpon a dead and rotten carcasse . let no man then deceiue his owne heart : he may be enriched with singular pregnancie of all the faculties of the soule , hee may be stored with varietie of the choisest and profoundest learning , he may expresse in action and ciuill honestie the absolute portraiture of aristotles moral vertues ; he may be as politike as ahitophel : whose counsell , which he counselled in those daies , was like as one ●ad asked counsell at the oracle of god : and yet without supernaturall illumination , and the diuine graces , of faith , loue , zeale , sinceritie , spirituall wisedome , a sanctified contention of spirit , in making towards god in all kind of duties , which onely put a man into possession of true happinesse , and sit him for a blessed association with god , angels , and holy men ; i say without these supernaturall graces he cannot onely , not perceiue the things of the spirit of god , but ( which is a horrible and feareful curse ) euen esteeme them foolishnes . the third reason shall be taken from the example of nicodemus , iohn . nicodemus , i am perswaded , was an honest and an ingenuous man ; i am sure he was a great man , and a teacher of israel ; yet when he comes out of his ciuill honestie and naturall wisdome to reason and confer with christ about the saluation of his soule and eternall happinesse ; hee is strangely childish and a meere infant . for when christ tels him ; except a man be borne againe , he cannot see the kingdome of god ; he replies : how can a man be borne which is old ? can he enter into his mothers wombe againe and be borne ? a replie , which may breed an astonishment in all that shall euer reade this story vnderstandingly vnto the worlds end ; nay , it seemes to seeme strange to christ himselfe , by his interrogatiue admiration afterward ; art thou a teacher of israel , and knowest not these things ? and no maruell ; for who would think , that one of the best of the pharises , a ruler of the iews , a profest doctor in the law and the prophets , and one carefull to saue his soule , should be so grossely and palpably ignorant , in a most materiall and necessarie point of saluation ; especially , hauing many times , no doubt , read it in moses and the prophts ? amongst many places , he might see , ezech. . . . most cleerely laid downe the great and glorious worke of our new birth : a new heart also will i giue you , and a new spirit will i put within you , and i will take the stony hart out of your body , and i will giue you a heart of flesh . &c. but when he comes from teaching , and reading of this and the like places , to be examined in the practise and experimentall feeling of these graces of regeneration vpon his owne soule ; why , hee talkes of a man that is old , entring againe into his mothers wombe : from whence he should certainely returne with a doubled pollution and corruption of nature ; and once more the child of satan , then he was before . but so it is , where the hart is not seasoned with sauing grace ; let the vnderstanding be neuer so great with swelling knowledge , the practicall powers of the soule neuer so pregnant with wisdome and policie , and perfected with morall vertues ; yet there is nothing to be expected from that man , in matters and mysteries of saluation , but darkenes and blindnesse , childishnesse and stupiditie . fourthly , the young man in the gospell may be a fit instance for our present purpose . he was vnreprooueable in the externall iustice and outward obseruances of the second table , wherein ciuill honesty doth principally consist : but how farre hee was from inward sanctification , the state of grace , and happinesse of gods children , appeares in the story . for when the sacred and powerfull words of our blessed sauior , had insinuated into the secrets of his soule , and strucke at his sweet sinne of couetousnesse ; the young man is presently cast into a fit of melancholie , christ is too precise a preacher for him , he cannot digest such a strict and seuere course ; he will not abandon his pleasures of worldlinesse , his palaces , his possessions , to follow christ the lord of heauen and earth in this life , though he assure him of the rich treasures of eternall blessednes in the life to come : when the young man heard that saying , he went away sorrowfull : for he had great possessions . whereby we may see , that a man may be ciuilly honest and vncensurable in outward workes of iustice , and yet harbour and nourish some close corruptions , and sweet sinne in his heart : from which , rather then he will part , he will lose his part in christ , the bottomlesse fountaine of endlesse ioies and comforts , and his portion of vnualuable glory in the new ierusalem . this point being thus manifest , for conclusion i will lay downe certaine differences , betwixt the righteousnesse of faith and sanctification , and the righteousnesse of ciuil honestie , that a man may haue some directions to examine his soule and conscience in this respect . first , the fountaine and originall of righteousnesse of faith , is the sanctifying spirit of god. i call it the sanctifying spirit , because the spirit of god may by a generall influence concur to the illumination of the vnderstanding with knowledge , and a ciuill reformation of the wil euen in the vnregenerate : but the sanctifying spirit , by the miraculous operatiue of sauing grace , doth purge and mortifie the inmost affections , plant iustifying faith in the heart , renew al the powers of the soule , and reinuest them in some good measure with the blessed image of holinesse and integritie which they lost in adam . but the cause and fountaine of righteousnesse of ciuill honesty , may bee goodnesse of constitution and ingenuousnesse , whereby a man may not be so apt and inclinable to notorious sinnes , or want of trials and prouocations , or feare of lawes and temporall punishments , or desire of reputation and rising , or a vaine hope to stay gods iudgements for inward corruptions by ciuill outwardnesse , or at best , the restraining spirit of god ; by which hee doth onely represse the furies and outrages of the wicked , and reduce them to some moderation and honestie , for the quiet of his elect and conseruation of kingdomes . for if god did not put his hooke into the nostrils of prophane men , and his bridle into their lippes , euery one of them , ( sith euery man hath in his corrupt nature the seedes of all sinnes that euer haue , are , or may be committed ) i say , euery one of them might become a cruell senacherib , a railing shemei , a traiterous iudas , a bloodie bonner , an hellish fawkes , fierce woolues and lions against the sillie and innocent lambes of christs fold . secondly , righteousnesse of ciuill honestie in outward actions may make a colourable pretence of pietie and vprightnes ; but indeed hath many secret relations to pleasures , to friends , to profit , to preferments , to reuengement , to passions , partialities and euents , and such like by-respects , not easilie discernable , but by him whose eies are tenne thousand times brighter then the sunne . but righteousnesse of faith hath in all actions , for the maine scope and principall end , the glory and honour of god : and if infirmitie doe sometimes distaine them with some mixture and adherence of respects , ( for who can say my heart is cleane ? euen the purest actions are mixt with some spice of corruptions ) it workes in the faithfull soule much griefe , sorrow , striuing against , repentance and humiliation . thirdly , righteousnesse of faith doth labour watchfully , religiously and conscionably in that particular calling , wherein gods prouidence hath placed a man , and in all the parts and speciall duties of godlinesse and obedience . but ciuill honesty wanders in the generalities of religion ; and many times in impertinent , vnsetled and vnlimited courses . fourthly , righteousnesse of faith doth striue with greatest earnestnesse and contention of spirit for spirituall comfort and a good conscience before god. but ciuill honestie is fully and finally satisfied with credit and plausiblenesse amongst men . fifthly , ciuill honestie makes no great conscience of smaller sinnes ; as lying , lesser oathes , gaming , prophane iesting , idlenesse and pastime on the sabbath day , and the like . but righteousnesse of faith , hauing a sensible feeling of the heauie weight of sinne , from those anguishes which the conscience felt before the infusion of faith , and being still stung with a checke and smart for all kind of transgressions , doth seasonably and proportionablie hate and make resistance to all knowne sinnes . sixthly , ciuill honestie doth not vse to make opposition against the sinnes of the time , but is euen willing to be caried with the streame ; onely vpon more faire and probable tearmes , then notorious sinfulnesse ; and therefore will goe on , and encourage a man in godly courses , and good causes , vntill he meet with , either a wound to his state , a disgrace to his person , a disturbance to his pleasures , an imputation to his forwardnesse , a stop to his preferments , losse of friends , imminencie of danger , or any such crosse and discouragement ; and then it teacheth him to step backe , as a man ready to tread vpon a serpent , and to start aside like a broken ●ow . but righteousnesse of faith doth stand out for the honour of god , and ordinarily goes thorow stitch , in good causes ; come what come can ; crosses or calumniations , good report or euill report , men or diuels . for it is compleatly armed with confidence of future happinesse , and hath sixt the eye vpon the crowne of immortality ; which if heauen and earth conspired , they were not able to pull it out of his hand , that reserues it in the heauens , for all those that sight a good fight , that keepe the faith , and run with constancie the race of sanctification . the next point of the negatiue part of my doctrine is formall hypocrisie . which that you may more cleerely vnderstand , consider with me three kinds of hypocrisie : priuy hypocrisie , grosse hypocrisie , formal hypocrisie . priuie hypocrisie is that , by which a man makes profession of more then is in his hart . and this somtimes doth mixe it self euen with the fairest and most sanctified actions of gods dearest children ; and doth soonest insinuate into a hart stored with the rich treasures of true godlines . for satan , if he cannot detain a mans soule in notorious sinfulnes , in meere ciuil honestie , or formality , but that by the sacred inspirations of gods good spirit it is pulled out of the mouth of hell , from the slauery of sin , and courses of darkenes , into the glorious light , & liberty of christs kingdom ; he is inraged with fierce and implacable furie , & doth euer certainly with eager pursuit persecute that soule , both by his owne immediate malice , and by the cruell agencie of prophane men . and if so be he cannot procure a scandalous relapse into gr●sse sins ; yet that he may in some measure worke the dishonour of god , and the discomfort of his noblest creature , the two maine ends of all the policies of hell ; hee doth labour to distaine the pure streames of diuine grace in the soule puddle of our corrupted nature ; and at least to fasten the spots of priuie hypocrisie vpon the best actions , and the very face of innocency . this hypocrisie , as i take it , ariseth from spirituall pride . for when a godly man , by the great worke of regeneration is become more excellent , then his neighbour ; as indeed he incomparablie is , howsoeuer the worlds estimation be otherwise : because the one is , as yet , a limme of satan , receiuing from him the cursed influence of scule pollutions , of vncleannes , and lying , of malice and reuenge of pride and prophanenes , &c : the other is already a blessed member of christs mysticall body , continually inspired with holy motions and the life of grace . the one lies polluted in his owne blood , encompassed with the menstruous clouts of loathsome corruptions ; of all natures , except onely the diuell and his angels , the most wretched and woefull ; of the familie of hell , heire of horrour and desolation : the other by the immortall seed of the pure and powerfull word of god , is made partaker of the diuine nature ; clothed with the rich and vnualuable robe of christs iustice , guarded with an inuincible troope of heauenly angels ; iustly intituled to a kingdome of vnconceiueable glory and pleasures , moe then the starres of the firmament in number . the one is a wrongfull vsurper of the riches , honours and preferments of this life , for which hereafter hee must be condemned to chaines of eternall darkenes , and a dungeon of endlesse miserie and confusion : the other while he continues in this world , is a rightfull owner and possessor of the earth , and all the creatures and blessings of god ; and when hee departs hence , he shall bee made a glorious inhabitant of those sacred mansions , where constant peace , vnmixed ioyes , and blessed immortality euen for euer and euer doe dwell . which great difference when the godly man perceiues , and his owne prerogatiues , he is filled with a strange and ioyfull amazement and admiration at his owne happinesse : which satan seeing , who is perfectly experienced in all aduantages and opportunities for spirituall assaults , and working vpon the reliques of mans proud nature , doth cunningly draw him to aduance aboue that which is meet within himselfe , in his owne opinion , the worth of his owne graces and vertues . which that he may conuey and repr●sent to the view of the world , with an excellencie proportionable to his owne ouerweening conceite ; he is forced to admit the secret and insensible poyson of priuie hypocrisie , which he doth more easily at the first entertaine , because the pestilencie and bitternesse thereof is not discernable by reason of the predominancie and sweetnesse of the fresh present graces of gods spirit in his soule . but when by afflictions or disgraces , by some extraordinary temptation or particular checkes from the ministery of the word , the vglinesse of it is discouered to his conscience ; hee for euer abhorres it , as a consuming canker , that would fret out the very heart of grace , and extinguish the life of sincerity ; and therefore with much humiliation and feruencie doth pray against it , striue against it , and by the mercies of god preuaile against it . this kind of hypocrisie belongs not to my present purpose ; onely by the way let mee giue aduertisement to the child of god , for to him onely i speake in this point : to the end he may keepe his heart vnblameable in holinesse , and preserue the true relish and sound ioy of good actions entire , and vndistempered : that he would strongly fence his heart , with a gracious and vnfained humility , against priuie pride the mother of this hypocrisie ; as against a close , vndermining , and a most dangerous enemie ; and the more seriously and watchfully for these reasons : partly drawne from the nature of the sinne ; and partly from the state of his soule . from the nature of the sinne : first , other sinnes grow from poysonous and pestilent roots ; as adulterie , from idlenesse ; faction , from discontent ; murder , from malice ; iesting out of the word of god , from a a prophane heart ; the killing of soules , from nonresidency ; enuie and flatterie , from a base and vnmanly weakenes of minde ; violent ambition , from a distrustfull independency vpon god ; scorning of godlinesse , from a reprobate sense : but this sinne springet● from a faire and vnsuspected fountaine , euen from zeale , godly duties , and good actions . secondly , other grosse sinnes spread themselues vniuersally ouer the whole corrupt masse of all the sons of men ; but this doth single out the chosen of god , and takes vp his seate in the sanctified soule . thirdly , this sinne doth vnauoidably wind it selfe into the heart of a man , with a slie and peculiar kind of insinuation . for when a godly man for a good action or inward grace doth seeme to disclaime pride in his conscience , hee may be proud that he is not proud , euen of his humilitie , and that he is able to descrie his pride and corruptions more then others can doe . so endlesse are the mazes of satans circular temptations . fourthlie , there is no depth of knowledge , no measure of grace , no eminencie of zeale can bee exempted from hazard of surprisal , by this last and most cunning encounter of satan by priuie pride . paul , that great instrument of gods greatest glorie , in whom there was a matchlesse concurrence of diuine graces , and varietie of all manner of afflictions , notable meanes to keepe the heart of man in humilitie ; yet lest hee should be exalted out of measure through the abundance of reuelations , there was giuen vnto him a pricke in the flesh , the messenger of satan to buffet him . reasons taken from the state of the regenerate soule , are these . first , let the best and most mortified man turne the eie of his conscience from the fruitlesse and dangerous speculations of his owne worthinesse , and fasten it a while vpon his corruptions and infirmities , vpon his many deficiences in religious duties and executions of his calling , wants and weaknesses in prayer and inward deuotion , his dulnesse and vncheerefulnes in religious exercises , his omissions of seruices and occasions for the enlarging of the kingdome of christ , his cold and sometimes cowardly prosecution of good causes , his now and then slinking from a bold profession of sinceritie , for feare of the vaine and wretched imputations of worldlings , &c. and out of this consideration , he will be so farre from selfe-conceitednesse , and a partiall ouerualuing of his owne gifts and vertues , that hee will find much matter and iust cause to renew his repentance , to stand vpon his guard against spirituall pride , to continue and encrease his humiliation , to double his zeale and resolution for the glorifying of god , and subduing his owne secret corruptions . secondly , let him consider , how before his calling hee marched furiously and desperately vnder satans colours , in the pursuite of pleasures , vanities and worldly honours ; with how resolute hatred and contempt he opposed against sinceritie and sauing grace , as against needlesse precisenesse and folly , how fearelesly and how farre he ran in the paths of iniquitie , and the sinful passages of the kingdome of darkenes ; where no reward was to be expected but shame and miserie . but after it pleased the lord to place his angell in the way to stop the torrent of his impieties and to set his sacred word before his eies , as a glorious light to direct him in the waies of righteousnesse ; let him remember how often hee hath started aside for false and imaginarie feares , how often hee hath stumbled euen in the euen path through his own heedlesnesse , how often hee hath stood still in his way , either gazing on the painted and lying glory of the world , or listening to the allurements and deceitfull charmes of his owne flesh . nay , how sometimes he hath bin inforced to retire by some cunning traine and malicious stratageme of satan . so that since his conuersion hee hath but run faintly and slowly , and won little ground in the race of godlinesse , although there be set before him the price of ● ● high calling , the highest aduancement of the soule , fulnesse of ioy , and the pretious treasures of immortalitie . and if he demurre a while soundly vpon this point , he may for euer feare lest a selfe-liking of his owne excellencie , be iustly plagued with a scandalous fall into some grosse sinne , which besides it owne particular sting , will vnto his great discomfort awake the old sinnes of his vnregeneration , like so many sleeping lions , with open mouthes to charge afresh vpon the conscience with new terrors and fearefull vexations . thirdly , let the godly christian looke vp at the liberall and mercifull hand of god , which out of the bottomlesse depth of his owne bountie hath reached vnto him , whatsoeuer gifts he hath ; whether of bodie , or mind , of honours or outward possessions , of nature or grace : and he shall find far greater reason to be continually grieued and humbled , that the bright and vnspotted beames of gods sanctifying spirit are soulely darkened and lessened in his body of death , then to be exalted in his owne conceit , in that it hath pleased god of his meere and free mercie to illighten the darkenes of his heart ; without which supernaturall illumination he should haue liued in blindnesse and miserably vntil death , and after this life bin cast out into vtter darkenesse and remedilesse desolation . fourthly , let him take heed how he harbors and nourishes this viper of spirituall pride in the bosome of his soule ; lest it taking vnseasonable heate and warmth from his zeale , endanger the whole frame of his new man. either by perswading him to embrace some groundlesse singularitie of vnwarrantable opinions , which by reason of his vertues will spread more plausibly , and by consequent more dangerously . for a perswasion of integritie is not onely a motiue to roote an opinion deepely in a mans owne apprehension , but also a meanes to make it more currant and passable with the admirers of his graces . or else this spirituall pride , may by gods iust iudgement draw vpon him a deadnesse of heart , a dulnes of zeale , an intermission of operations of grace , which the child of god doth infinitly more feare then any affliction or crosse that can possibly befall him from prophane men , either vpon his body , or state , or good name . these reasons may iustly mooue euery faithfull christian , with much earnestnesse and prayer to labour after , and settle surely in his heart a true and vndissembled humilitie , as the onely soueraigne meanes to preserue the life and vigour of his graces in his owne soule , their fruit and benefit to others , their blessing and acceptation with god ; and with the watchfullest eie of his spirituall wisdome , to hold in perpetuall iealousie the cunning sleights and windings of this insinuatiue sinne of priuie pride , that both so pestilent a canker may be kept out of the soule , and the passage may be stopt to priuie hypocrisie ; with which , i told you before , satan doth endeauor with might and maine to discomfort and disgrace the actions and exercises , euen of the child of god. the second kind of hypocrisie is grosse hypocrisie ; by which a man professeth that which is not in his heart at all , and so deceiues others , but not his owne heart . and this is most properly hypocrisie : for the greeke word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , signifieth a stage-plaier ; who sometimes putteth on the roabes and maiestie of a prince , himselfe being of a base and neglected state : or the grauitie and wisdome of a counseller , himself being of roguish & dissolute conditions : sometimes he representeth a chast and modest louer , his owne life being a practise of vncleannesse : sometimes he assumeth a good and honest vocation , his own being accursed and vnwarrantable . euen such is the grosse hypocrite vpon the stage of this world ; a very painted sepulchre and whited wall , glorious indeed in outward fashions and solennities , in shewes and representations to the eie of the world ; but if it were possible for a man to make an exact inquirie into the close and hidden passage of his heart , he should find many black and bloodie proiects , for compassing reuenge euen vpon surmised opposites , many ambitious steps built vpon flatterie and dissembling basenesse and briberie for his rising and preferments ; many stinging swarmes of fierie lusts and impure thoughts , which are either spent in speculatiue wantonnesse and the adulteries of the heart , or else for feare of the worlds notice , breake out onely into a strange and secret filthinesse . in a word vnder the vaile of his outward religiousnesse , hee should see a perfect anatome of the infinite and deceitfull corruptions of the heart of man , and many plausible and politicke conu●iances to bleare the eies of the world , howsoeuer wretched man vpon his owne fillie and forlorne soule he certainely drawes an exceeding waight of vengeance . this kind of hypocrite is more miserable and of lesse hope then the open sinner . first , because he sinneth against the light of his conscience , which manner of sinning makes him incapable of sauing graces . for how can that heart which to naturall hardnesse addeth a voluntary obfirmation in sinne and resistance to godly motions , receiue the softening and sanctifying spirit of god ? how should those vnrulie affections be tamed by the power of religion , who please themselues , and hold it their greatest glory to seeme most moderate outwardly , when inwardly they boile most intemperately in lust , pride , malice , contempt of zealous simplicity , and in other soulest pollutions ? how should the brightnesse of wisedome shine , where the windowes of the soule are shut close , wilfully and vpon set purpose ? secondly , by reason of the shining lampe of an outward profession , howsoeuer he want the oyle of grace in his heart , he so dazles the eyes of men , that he barres himselfe of those reproofes and wholesome admonitions , whereby the open sinner is many times confounded and amazed in his conscience , humbled and cast downe in himselfe , and happily reclaimed and conuerted . thirdly , all publicke reprehensions and aduertisements from the ministery of the word , although they be as so many loud cries sounding in his cares , to awake him out of the dead slumber of hypocrisie ; he either interprets to proceed from some particular malice , or indiscreet heate ; and so passes them ouer with a bitter and peremptor●e censure : or else out of the pride of his heart hee posteth them ouer from himselfe , as not infamous or notorious in the worlds opinion , and transfers them vpon the open sinners , being assured that in the iudgement of others whom hee blinds and deludes by his art of seeming , they belong not to him . fourthly , he is iustly obnoxious to an extraordinarie measure of gods hatred and indignation . for euery ingenuous man out of the grounds of morality , holdeth in greatest detestation a doubling and dissembling companion ; as a fellow of extreme basenesse and seruility , most vnworthie to be entertained either into his inward affections and approbation or outward seruices and imployments ; how much more the god of heauen and earth , who seeth cleerely into the inmost closet of the heart ? for hell and destruction are before the lord , how much more the hearts of the sons of men ? i say , how much more must he needs double his infinite hatred of sin against the double iniquity of hypocrisie ? how must his soule abhorre that wretched creature , which beares the world in hand , and makes a shew vnto men , that he stands for god and his honour and seruice ; but indeed is a close factor for satan , his owne pleasures and the powers of darkenes ? and as the hypocrite is subiect to gods extraordinarie hatred ; so is hee liable to an extraordinarie weight of vengeance : for when the wrath of the lord is once enkindled against him , it is powred out like fire , and burnes euen to the bottome of hell . his feare commeth like an horrible desolation , and his destruction like a whirlewind . terrors shall take him as waters , and a tempest shall carrie him away by night : and so certaine are these plagues , that as though the hypocrite were already turned into a diuell , or into the very fierie lake , it is said in the gospell , of other sinners , that they shall haue their portion with the hypocrite , where shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth . good lord , it is strange and fearefull , that so noble and excellent a creature as man , endewed with reason and vnderstanding like an angell of god ; hauing besides the pretiousnes of the holy booke of god , those great and vniuersall motiues , the immortality of the soule , the resurrection of the dead , the ioyes of the kingdome of heauen , the endlesse paines of the wicked , which except he be a damned atheist , he doth certainely beleeue ; and whereas hee might liue on earth with vnconquerable comfort , and shine hereafter as the brightnes of the firmament , bee a companion of saints and angels , and stand in the glorious presence of the highest maiestie for euer and euer : yet for all this will euen wilfully against the light of his conscience , and with the certaine knowledge of his heart , by his grosse hypocrisie , secret abominations and vncleannes , priuie practises for some wretched pleasures and preferments , make himselfe in the eyes of god , howsoeuer he deceiue men , a very incarnate diuell vpon earth ; and after this life , iustly heape vpon his body and soule all the horrours and despaires , tortures and plagues which a created nature is capable of . oh that the hypocrite would consider these things in time , lest the wrath and fierie ielousie of the lord breake forth vpon him suddenly and ineuitably like sorrowes vpon a woman in trauell , and teare him in pieces when there bee none that can deliuer him . well may he carrie the matter smoothly for a time , and by his iugling dissimulation cast a mist about him , and inwrap himselfe in darkenesse from the eye of the world ; yet let him know that in the meane time his sinnes are writing by the hand of gods iustice , with the point of a diamond in the register of his conscience , and when their number and measure is accomplished , the lord will come against him euen with whole armies of plagues and vengeance , as against the most hatefull obiect of his reuenging iustice , the most base and vnnaturall opposite to so pure a maiesty , and the most notorious and transcendent instrument of satans deepest malice . this kind of hypocrite belongs not to my present purpose ; and therefore i leaue him , without sound and timely repentance , to some strange and markeable iudgement euen in this life : or if he passe these few daies honourably and prosperouslie , as it is many times the lot of the wicked , lot him expect vpon his deaths-bed the fierie darts of satan empoysoned with hellish malice and cruelty , to be fastned deepely in his soule , and such pangs and anguish of conscience , that will possesse him of hell before hand . or if he depart out of this world without sense of his sinne , or else at the best with some formall and perfunctorie shew of penitencie ; yet let his heart tremble for the feares that it shall feare at the great and terrible day of the lord , when the vizard of his hypocrisie shall certainely be pulde off his face , and he ashamed and confounded in the presence of the blessed trinity , of angels , and all the men that euer were , and irrecouerably abandoned from the face of god and from the fruition of his ioyes , to the most consuming flame of the fire of hell , and the lothsomest dungeon of the bottomlesse pit . the third kind of hypocrisie is formall hypocrisie , by which a man doth not onely deceiue others with a shew of piety and outward forme of religion ; but also his owne heart with a false conceit and persuasion that he is in a happie state , when as in truth his soule was neuer yet seasoned with sauing grace and the power of religion . and i beseech you marke me in this point : it is of greatest consequence to euery one for a sound triall and examination of the state of his conscience , whether he yet liue the life of god , and stand in the state of grace , or lie enthralled in the setters and slauerie of sinne and satan . for herein i must tell you how farre a man may proceed in outward profession of the truth , in supernaturall decrease of sinfulnesse , in some kinds and measure of inward graces , and yet come vtterly short of true happinesse ; and without an addition of the truth of regeneration and a sound conuersion , shall bee cut off for euer from all hope of immortality , and shall neuer bee able to stand firme and sure in the day of the lord iesus . for a more perspicuous explication of this point , conceiue with me those perfections which may befall a man as yet vnregenerate and in state of damnation . we may suppose in him : first , all those gifts which the possibility of nature can conferre vpon him , all ornaments of arts and knowledge , of wisedome and policie , not onely that which is purchased by experience , obseruation , and imployment in points of state ; but also the spirit of gouernment , as saul had . to these wee may adde , gentlenesse and fairenesse of conditions , an exactnesse of ciuill honesty and morall iustice , immunity from grosse and infamous sinnes . and thus far the heathens may goe : and thus far we proceeded in our last discourse . but in these times of christianity a reprobate may goe farre further then euer the most innocent heathen that euer liued could possibly ; though some of them were admirable for their mild and mercifull disposition , some for their vertuous seueritie , some for integritie of life , some for constancie and resolution in goodnes some for preferring the vnspottednesse of their life before most exquisit tortures . for to all these he may adde a glorious profession of the gospell , a performance of all outward duties and exercises of religion , many workes of charity and monuments of his rich magnificence . nay , besides all this he may be made partaker of some measure of inward illumination , of a shadow of true regeneration , there being no grace effectually wrought in the faithfull , whereof a resemblance may not be sound in the vnregenerate . this last point will more clearely appeare vnto you out of the . of luke , and the . to the hebrewes . in the . of luke , the hearer resembled vnto the stonie ground , is the formall hypocrite ; who is there said , to beleeue for a time , and therefore by the inward , though more generall and inferior working of the spirit , may haue a temporarie faith begot in him . in which faith we may consider these degrees . first , he may be endewed with vnderstanding and knowledge in the word of god. he may be perswaded that it is diuinely inspired , and that it is most true . he may see clearely by the law of god the grieuous intollerablenesse of his sinnes , and the heauie iudgements due vnto them . he may bee amazed and terrified with fearefull horror , and remorse of conscience for his sinnes . he may giue assent vnto the couenant of grace in christ , as most certaine and sure ; and may conceiue , that christs merits are of an inualuable price , and a most pretious restoratiue to a languishing soule . he may be perswaded in a generalitie and confused manner , that the lord will make good his couenant of grace vnto the members of his church ; and that he will plentifully performe all the promises of happinesse vpon his children . he may be troubled in mind with grudgings and distractions , with reluctation and scruples before the commission of sinne , out of the strength of naturall conscience , seconded with a seruile apprehension of diuine vengeance , but especially illightned with some glimmerings of this temporarie faith . much adoe was there euen with pilate , inward trouble and tergiuersation , before he would bee brought to giue iudgement on christ. herod was sorie before he beheaded iohn baptist. and these men i hope , were farre short of the perfections attaineable by the formall hypocrite . after a sinne committed besides the outward formes of humiliation , by the power of this temporarie faith , he may bee inwardly touched and affected with some kind and degree of repentance and sorrow ; i meane not onely that which is a preparatiue to despaire and hellish horror , but which may sometimes preuent temporall iudgements , as in achab , and with a slumbering and superficiall quiet , secure the conscience for a time . and from this faith may spring fruits : some kind and measure of hope , loue , patience and other graces . it is said in the euangelists , that that hearer which we call the formall hypocrite , receiues the word with ioy . whence may be gathered : first , that with willingnesse and cheerefulnesse , hee may submit himselfe to the ministerie of the word . with forwardnesse and ioyfulnesse , hee may follow and frequent sermons . with a discourse of the sufferings of christ , he may be moued euen vnto teares for compassionate indignation , that so glorious and infinite innocencie should be vext with al manner of indignities and torments for the grosse and willfull impieties of sinfull men . he may loue and reuerence , giue countenance and patronage to the ministers , whom he heares with gladnesse . for it is the nature of man , to be kindly and louingly affected vnto him that brings him a message of ioy and comfort . he may esteeme the negligent , or no hearers of the word of god , as prophane and of feared consciences : which do not onely abandon the necessary meanes of saluation , but that they may with more securitie and absolutenesse reape in this life what sensuall profit or pleasure soeuer the world yeeldeth , endeuour to banish and extinguish all thought and notice of heauen or holinesse . the word of god by this temporary faith and other graces may worke such a change in him , as is called the vncleane spirits going out of a man : matth. . . a flying from the pollutions of the world : . pet. . . a washing : . pet. . . and may haue such power vpon him , that he may doe many things therafter . herod is said to haue reuerenced iohn , to haue heard him gladly , and to haue done many things : marke . . to these for illustration , and because we are hereafter to consider their differences from a true , entire and vniuersall sanctification ; we may adde those fiue degrees incident to the reprobate : heb. . first , hee may bee illightened in his vnderstanding , with some glimpses of heauenly light . secondly , he may haue some taste in his heart of the heauenly gift . thirdly , he may be made partaker of the holy ghost , the authour and fountaine of all graces . he may in some measure enioy the good word of god , the glorious instrument of the conuersion of soules . he may haue some taste and feeling euen of the powers of the world to come . nay , and besides all these , that which nailes him fast vnto formalitie , and makes him with contentment to walke in a plodding course of outward profession ; is a perswasion that he is already in the way of life , when as yet hee neuer entred no not the very first step vnto it . for indeed he may be perswaded , though from false and mistaken grounds , that he is rich in heauenly things and hath need of nothing , and that he is already possessed of the kingdome of grace & intituled to the kingdome of glory ; and yet bee most wretched and miserable , and poore , and blind , and naked . his state in this case being not vnlike the dreame of a poore or hungry man , which in his sleepe filleth himselfe with varietie of dainties , or tumbles himselfe amid his rich treasures and heapes of gold : but when he awaketh , behold he is faint , his soule longeth , and he embraceth nothing but emptines and aire ; yea , and besides , the very imaginary fruition of his supposed happinesse , when he is awaked , encreaseth his languishing , and doubles the sense of his necessities . euen so the formall hypocrite in this life dreames of much comfort to come , makes sure of heauen , thinkes himselfe the onely man , his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , as the apostles calles it , his forme of godlinesse in his conceit , is the onely true state of saluation ; whatsoeuer is short of him , is prophanenesse ; whatsoeuer is aboue him is precisenesse . but when vpon his deaths bed hee awaketh , and hath his conscience illightned , and his particular sinnes reuealed vnto him , in stead of catching a crowne of glorie , which he hath vainely possest in his hopefull securitie , he graspeth nothing but feare and amazement , anguish and sorrow . yea , and now his former false perswasion of his happie state enlargeth the gulfe of his despaire , and makes him more sensible of his present and vnexpected miseries . giue me leaue i beseech you to enlarge this point , and to acquaint you with some reasons of this perswasion . for a false perswasion of alreadie being in the state of grace , is a barre that keeps thousands from the state of grace indeed . the good spirit of god you know doth perswade euerie regenerate man by a sweet and silent inspiration , out of a consideration of an vniuersall change and sanctification , and present sinceritie in all the powers and parts of his soule and body , & calling , that he is most certainly in the state of grace and heire of heauen . whence spring perpetually whole riuers of vnspeakeable comfort , that most then refresh his soule when hee is neerest to bee ouerwhelmed of the maine ocean of the worlds bitternesse and pressures . in a lying resemblance to this sacred worke of the holie ghost in the hearts of gods children , satan lest he be wanting to his , puts on the glory of an angell of light ; and insinuateth into the imagination of the formall hypocrite some flashes of comfort and conceites that he is in state of grace , and shall be saued . whence issues a cursed security , a wretched opposition to more sinceritie then he finds in himselfe , a slumber and benummednes of conscience , an impatiencie of hauing his formalitie censured by the ministerie of the word ; a neglect of a more sound search into the state of his soule . for satan in his angelicall forme tels him that more strictnesse and purity is but onely a proud hypocrisie and pretence of such as affect a transcendencie aboue the ordinarie degrees of holines , and bids him take heed of being too busie and pragmaticall in taking notice of euery small corruption and infirmitie ; for tendernes of conscience , and a too nice apprehensiuenes of euery little sinne , will vncomfortablie enchaine him to melancholy , vnsociablenes , and some degrees of despaire . and howsoeuer , saith satan , some preachers of preciser humour out of their vnhallowed zeale and censorious austerity breath out nothing against thee but fire and brimstone , indignation and wrath , damnation and horrour ; yet take not these things to heart , but let such peremptorie comminations passe as malicious thunderbolts , discharged from too fierie spirits , begot by indiscreet heate , and directed to priuate ends . thus this wilie serpent cries peace , peace vnto his soule , when god knowes there is no peace towards , but noise and tumbling of garments in blood , and burning and deuouring of fire . the conscience indeed may bee asleepe for a while , like a fierce wild beast gathering vigour and puissance , that being awaked by the hand of god at the approch of sicknesse or death , may more implacably rent , deuoure and torment for euer . but i come to the grounds of this persuasion . i told yee before that the spirit of god assures his children that they are in state of grace , out of a consideration of an vniuersall sincerity in all their waies . but satan for his children hath other reasons , which i conceiue to be such as these : first , the formall hypocrite is notablie confirmed that his state is good , when he compares himselfe with those which are more sinfull : as murderers , adulterers , drunkards , prophaners of the sabbath , vsurers , swearers , liers , iesters out of the word of god , and fellowes of such notorious ranke . but if besides the disclaiming of these , his conscience bee able to informe him of his ciuill honesty , externall iustice , some workes of charity , &c. why then the matter is put out of all controuersie , and he presently canonized a saint in his owne conceite . you may see his picture in the . of luke : o god i thanke thee , that i am not as other men are , extortioners , vniust , adulterers , or as this publican . there is his exemption from common prophanenes . i fast twice in the weeke , i giue tithe of all that i possesse . there is his outward iustice and religious solennities . but you must not conceiue that the formall hypocrite doth proclaime this in publicke with such grosse and palpable ostentation : nay , perhaps when it arises hee lets it not rest long in his owne thoughts , left by this vanity his vertues lose their grace and he his comfort . but certaine it is , a consciousnes of his being free from infamous impieties , of his morall honestie , performance of outward duties of religion , and some inward , in some measure , though not vniuersally , nor to the degree of the children of god , is one of the best grounds he hath for his assurance of being in state of saluation . parallel to this of luke is that , prou. . vers . . there is a generation that are pure in their owne conceit , and yet are not washed from their filthinesse . that is , they imagine their temper of religion , their pitch of holinesse , their formall christianity to bee the very right path to heauen , when indeed they were neuer truely humbled with a sense and sight of their sinnes out of the law and iudgements of god. they were neuer acquainted with the pangs of conscience in a new birth or the mysteries of saluation . but within are full of hollowheartednesse , lukewarmenesse and much bitternes against true godlinesse and the power thereof . the second reason whereby the formall hypocrite is moued to thinke his state to be good , and the way of his life to be right , is a preiudice which he conceiues from the imputations which the world layeth vpon the children of god : such as are pride , hypocrisie , singularity , melancholie , simplicitie and the like . but before i descend to these particulars , giue me leaue to propose vnto you the fountaine and ground of them , which i take to bee , that great and eternall ▪ opposition which is naturally betwixt light and darkenesse , the life of grace , and a death in sinne , sincerity and prophanenesse , the children of god and the wicked . gods children , you know , in this world liue as sheepe amongst wolues . in the stormie times of the church their persecutors are indeed euen wolues in the euening , for their insatiable crueltie and vnquenchable thirst in drinking vp the blood of the saints : and in the halcyon daies and fairest times of the church , yet they haue those which will bee pricks in their eyes , and thornes in their sides . if they cannot vexe them in a higher degree , yet they will bee sure to lay on loade with base indignities , disgraces , slanders and lying imputations . and their hatred is of that strange nature and quality , that it is discharged euen against the goodnesse of the godly , their zeale , their forwardnesse in religion , their faithfulnesse in their calling and the like , as against it proper obiect . this is plaine in ieremie : ieremie neither borrowed on vsurie , nor lent on vsurie , hee was free from all colour of giuing offence or doing wrong : nay , his gratious heart was so wholly melted in compassion , that he wished that his head were full of water , and his eyes a fountaine of teares , that he might weepe day and night for the destructions of his people . and yet of that people euery one contended against him , there was not a man but hee cursed him . the onely reason was , because whatsoeuer the lord said , that he faithfully spoke , and kept nothing backe , but shewed them all the counsell of god. it is yet more plaine in dauid , psal. . . they also that reward euill for good , are mine aduersaries , because i follow goodnesse . the word there in the originall insinuateth such an extreme and deadly hatred , that from thence comes the diuels name , satan . so that howsoeuer this enmitie betwixt the world and the children of light be many times bridled by the restraining spirit of god , sometimes by the ingenuousnesse of the wicked , or their morall vertue or policie or some by-respect , or by accident bee turned into loue ; because by the presence and praiers of the godly they many times escape iudgements , and receiue blessings . yet i say , howsoeuer it be thus bridled , in it selfe it is more then ordinary or naturall , and hath in it some degree and mixture of hellish virulencie . ordinarie hatred expires in the downe-fall of his aduersarie : nay , any one of generous mind out of the interest he challengeth in the common state of humanitie , will commiserate the distresse and affliction euen of his greatest and basest enemie ; but much more of one of noble spirit and eminent worth , and more then that , of one that hath followed him with all offices of kindnes and loue : yet the flame of this hatred is so fi●rce & so set on fire by hell , that it is not extinguished euen with the blood of his supposed opposite , but barbarously sports in his miseries , & with insolēcy tramples vpon his desolations . this appeareth clearely in the example of dauid , psal. . . but in mine aduersity they reioyced , and gathered themselues together : the abiects assembled themselues against me , and i knew not ; they tare mee and ceased not . who without indignation can thinke vpon these leaud companions and base drunkards , that with the false scoffers at bankets gnashed their teeth and cruelly insulted ouer the miserie and disgrace of that man , that was a man after gods owne heart , of incomparable excellency , and so kindly affected towards them , that when they were sicke , he clothed himselfe with a sacke , he humbled his soule with fasting , and mourned as one that mourneth for his mother ? you see then the fountaine both of the greater stoods of bloodie persecutions , and the lesser streames of inferiour vexations ; as slanders , railings and false imputations . to some particulars whereof i now come . first for pride . it is most certaine that pride truely so called , is the most pes●lent and incompatible opposite that grace hath : and therefore hee that is most sanctified , most fights against it . for besides that this fiery dart is deepely impoysoned in our corrupted nature , satan knowes out of his owne experience how to manage it with notable cunning ; and he followes this weapon with such eagernesse and confidence , that after it is broken vpon the shield of faith , yet he labours with might and maine to fasten some splinter or other , euen in the soule humbled for sinne and vowed vnto the seruice of god , as i told you in the first part of priuie hypocrisie . but i appeale vnto the consciences of the children of god , whether many times the world doth not interpret that to be pride in their actions and cariage , which is nothing else but a gracious freedome of spirit , arising from a consciousnesse of their innocencie and independancy , whereby they are inabled to stand with courage against corruptions and the sinnes of the time , to follow good causes with boldnesse , and with resolution to defend a knowne and warrantable truth , and indeed to prefer the saluation of their soules before the gaining of the whole world . innocencie makes them as bold as lions : the wicked flee when none pursueth ; but the righteous are bold as a lion. and their warrant is out of isai. . vers . . . hearken vnto me ye that know righteousnesse , the people in whose heart is my law. feare ye not the reproch of men , neither be ye afraid of their rebukes . for the moath shall eate them vp like a garment , and the worme shall eate them like wooll : but my righteousnesse shall be for euer , and my saluation from generation to generation . independancie holds their hearts vpright in all their actions , that they are neither swaid awrie by partialities , or secret relations to wrong ends . i meane not independancie in respect of lawes , gouernment , authoritie , charitie , vnitie with the church or the like , i meane no such independancie : but in respect of basenesse , flatterie , corruption , temporizing , indirect prosecution of their honours and preferments , &c. which are setters of satan , by which he confines many to a wretched slauery euen in this life , and without repentance to endlesse miserie hereafter . secondly , hypocrisie is many times by the world vniustlie laid vnto the charge of the children of god. dauid had his ful portion in this imputation , as appeareth in many psalmes . the causes for this time i conceiue to be two . the first may bee suspiciousnesse , an argument euer of worthlesnesse and impotencie . for insufficiencie is most apprehensiue and suspicious . i know there is a godly iealousie , and a iealousie of state ; but i meane that suspition which is opposed as an extreame to that imperfect vertue the moralists cal immuniti● from suspicion , by which a man doth cast the worth , actions and affections of another in his owne mould , and thinks euery man obnoxious to al the infirmities he finds in himselfe . hence it is , that he which indeed is truly an hypocrite , and neuer passed the perfection of the pharisee , doth most confidently brand the child of god with that name , hoping therby to giue some poore satisfaction to his own thoughts , that would gladly rest in a formality , and notice to the world , that howsoeuer there may be pretences , yet indeed there is none better then himselfe . the second cause is a disabilitie , and blindnesse in the naturall man of discerning and acknowledging the operations of grace . for let a man be otherwise neuer so eminently or vniuersally qualified ; yet without the experience of the power of godlinesse vpon his owne soule , he cannot see , hee will not bee perswaded of the actions of grace in another man , and therefore interprets them to be nothing but hypocrisie , and onely pretended , vainegloriouslie to gainean opinion of more then ordinarie pietie . what the conceit of an vnregenerate man is of the state of grace , is plaine out of the conference of our blessed sauiour and nicodemus . nicodemus was a great rabbi in israel , a famous doctor in the law and the prophets , in which no doubt hee had many times read the doctrine of regeneration : yet when he comes to be examined of the power and practise of it , he holds the new birth , ( without which no man can euer see god ) to be as impossible as for an old man to returne into his mothers wombe and be borne againe . euen such is the iudgement of others in his state , of the fruits , effects and course of sanctification . and therefore i maruel that any child of god wil afflict his soule , hang downe the head , or remit one iot of his zeale in goodnesse for vniust censures in this kind : sith hee knowes that naturall men though neuer so wise , so learned , or glorious in the world , want spirituall taste , and therefore cannot rellish the fruits of the spirit , are blind and cannot see or iudge of the light of grace , are in darkenesse and cannot comprehend it . thirdly , the formall hypocrite doth settle himselfe with more resoluednesse in his opinion of being in state of grace , when he sees the world account the children of god but a company of fellowes , who , out of a proud singularitie , diuide themselues from the common fashions and customes of the world ; not considering that if euer he meane to saue his soule , he must be singular too in holinesse and sanctification ( for i meane not in vnwarrantable opinion , or separation from the church . ) except his righteousnesse exceede the righteousnesse of the scribes and pharisees , what singugular thing doth he ? that is , except to his ciuill honesty and outward performance of religious duties , there bee added a singularitie of sauing grace , and except besides all other ornaments of mind , if it were possible , possest in full perfection , there be yet moreouer inspired that blessed and pretious vigor that quickens him to eternall life , he cannot enter into the kingdome of heauen . this note of singularitie hath in all ages bin imputed to those , that with a good conscience haue laboured to keepe themselues blamelesse and pure in the midst of a naughtie and crooked generation . behold , saith isaiah , chap. . vers . . i and the children whom the lord hath giuen me , are as signes and wonders in israel , by the lord of hosts , which dwelleth in mount sion . it had bin no wonder had they bin onely as signes and wonders amongst the enemies of god , and nations of vncircumcision ; but that they should be signes and wonders in israel ! god had chosen him but one little vineyard amongst all the spatious forests of the earth ; out of the glory of all the kingdomes of the world he had chosen him but one handfull of people ; and yet in that vineyard , his faithfull ones are but as the berries after the shaking of an oliue tree , two or three in the top of the v●most boughs , and foure or fiue in the high branches . in that little people , his children are but as the first fruits : so that euen in israel they are become as monsters and spectacles of amazement . then so it is indeed , that a man drawne out of the darknesse of this world and illightned with grace , is like a starre new created in the skie , that drawes all the world to gaze vpon it . nay , and he drawes not onely the eies of men vpon him , but is an eie-sore vnto thē . for thus speaketh the wicked of the righteous man : wisd. . . . it grieueth vs also to looke vpon him , for his life is not like other mo●s : his waies are of another fashion . he counteth vs as bastards , and he withdraweth himselfe from our w●ies as from filthinesse ; he commendeth greatlie the latter end of the iust , and boasteth that god is his father . fourthly , the formall hypocrite is well pleased with his present state , and very vnwilling to embrace more forwardnesse ; because it is commonly thought , that the state of a true christian indeed , is a life full of vncomfortablenesse , melancholy , austeritie and sadnesse . the heart of man is naturally greedie of ioy and contentment , and is either weakely or strongly refreshed according to the vanity or soundnes of the comfort in which it reposeth , but it must either enioy it in some kind and measure , or it will waste and consume it selfe . hence it is , that those who want inward and spirituall ioy arising from the testimonie of a good conscience , from an assurance of remission of their sinnes and the fauour of god , hunt after worldly contentments and carnall ioies . at home in their owne hearts they find little comfort , rather much terrour if their consciences awake , and therefore they seeke to refresh themselues amid their treasures , honors and sports ; at plaies , in tauernes with merrie companie , and many other such miserable comforters ; nay they had rather be necessarily imploied then solitarie , not so much to auoid idlenesse as bitings of conscience . yea , some had rather cease to be men , then that their consciences should awake vpon them , and therefore they labour to keepe it asleepe and to drowne sorrow for sinne , with powring in of strong drinke . but let them looke vnto it , though it goe downe pleasantly ; yet secretly and insensiblie it strengthens the rage , and sharpens the sting of the worme that neuer dies , against the day of their visitation ; for in the end , saith * salomon , it will bite like a serpent , and hurt like a cock●trice . this outward and worldly ioy , because the children of god doe not pursue , because they will not relie vpon those broken staues of reed , they are est●emed the onely melancholike and discontented men . but i maruell when or with what eyes the worldlings looke vpon the faithfull christian. it may be , while hee is yet in the sore trauell of his new-birth , and humbled vnder the mightie hand of god with affliction of conscience for his sinne . if so , then they should know that men must mourne for their sins as one that mourneth for his onely son : and be sorie for them , as one is sorie for the death of his first borne . there must be in them a great mourning as the mourning of hadadrimmon in the valley of megiddon : as it is zac. . . and this sorrow is a blessed sorrow , for it brings forth immortality . and either themselues must haue a part in it , or they shall neuer be made partakers of the fulnesse of ioy at gods right hand . what though the child of god lie for a night in the darkenesse of sorrow and weeping for his sins ? marke a while , and the day will dawne , and a day-starre will arise in his hart that will neuer set , vntill it hath conducted him vnto the light that no man can attaine vnto : the sunne of righteousnesse will presently appeare and will drie away his teares , and with euerlasting light will shine vpon him for euermore . but it may bee the worldlings take notice euen of the whole course and best state of the child of god , and yet can see nothing therein but vncomfortable strictnesse , and sad austerity . but then i must tell them , they looke onely vpon him with carnall eyes and deceiue themselues : for so indeed he doth not appeare a boisterous nimrode , or dissolute ruffler amid the vanities and delicacies of the world ; that is for satans reuellers , who haue smiling countenances , but bleeding consciences ; glorious outsides , but within nothing but rottennesse and prophanenes , much laughing when the heart is sorrowfull . but if they were able with illightened eyes to pierce into the inward parts of gods child , they should see within , hope alreadie feasting vpon the ioyes of eternity : they should see faith holding fast the writings by which the kingdome of heauen is conueied vnto his soule , sealed with the precious blood of the sonne of god ; that nor man nor diuell is able to wrest out of it hand : they should see the white stone mentioned in the reuelation , wherein there is a new name written , which no man knoweth sauing hee that receiueth it . whence springeth such a strong comfort and high resolution in the affaires of heauen , that no sword of the tyrant , no flame of cruelty , not the combination of heauen and earth shall euer be able to amaze , abate or extinguish . fifthly , the formall hypocrite doth more confidently continue in a selfe liking of his owne state , though the state of vnregeneration ; because he seeth those that besides his outward forme of religion are indewed with an inward and vnfained sinceritie in all their waies , to be reputed but as the ofscouring of all things , the simple fellowes and precise fooles of the world . they haue indeed beene so accounted in all ages . for the hearts of wicked men being stuft with prophanenes and earthly pleasures , being swelled with ambition and worldly wisedome , easilie bring forth pride and contempt : and therefore they looke a farre off at the children of god , as at fellowes of base and neglected condition , of low spirits , of humble resolutions , of weake minds , vnable to manage affaires and occurrents for their preferments , of no dexterity to plant themselues in the face and glorie of the world ; when god knowes if they could be perswaded that there were no heauen but vpon earth ; and that the power and exercise of godlines were nothing but an vnnecessarie precisenes ; if they would enlarge their consciences proportionablie to the vast gulfe of the times corruptions ; if they durst make a couenant with death and an agreement with hell , and put the euill day farre from them ; sure they might outstep many of these great ones in their proiects of policie and the precedencies of the world : but sith they cannot , they da●e not , they will neuer by the grace of god be so perswaded ; they are well content with their continuall feast , a good conscience , while the others are fatted with their wine and their corne and their oyle against the day of slaughter . and then at that day they will change their minds . for goe , i beseech you , into the sanctuarie of the lord and vnderstand their end ; they are now vpon the stage of this world in their full glory ; but were they as mighty as leuiathan , as cruell as dragons ; could they reare their honours to the height of the clouds , nay , aduance their thrones aboue beside the starres of god , yet they must downe , they haue but one part to play , they must make their beds in the dust ; and then when they are once disroabde of their greatnes and glory , and stript naked of their honours and preferments , and without all mitigation by worldly comforts left vnto the ful rage of a stinging conscience ; then they change their note and alter their iudgements , and sigh for griefe of mind , and say within themselues : these are they whom we sometime had in derision and in a parable of reproch : we fooles thought their life madnes , and their end without honour . how are they counted among the children of god , and their portion is among the saints ! therefore wee haue erred from the way of truth , and the light of righteousnes hath not shined vnto vs , and the sunne of vnderstanding rose not vpon vs : wee haue wearied our selues in the way of wickednesse and destruction , and wee haue gone thorow dangerous waies : but we haue not knowne the way of the lord. but here by the way i must giue this caueat lest i bee mistaken in this last point , or that which followes : i doe not diuide by necessary and ineuitable diuorce greatnesse and godlinesse , holines and high places ; god forbid : i make betwixt them no other opposition then dauid doth in the . psal. himselfe being most holy and most honourable . i rather infinitely desire to inflame the noble and worthie spirits of all those whom the lord hath aduanced i● gifts , in greatnesse , in honours , in gouernment or any kind of precedencie aboue their brethren , to a proportionable excellencie of zeale and sanctification . for certainely as power , policie , authority being abused and not sanctified to the owners , become in the meane time strong pillars for the supporting of the kingdome of darkenesse , pestilent instruments of much mischiefe , and hereafter shall be soundly payed with an answerable degree of extraordinarie vengeance , horrour and torment : so great wisedome , great knowledge , great honours , being imployed impartially , resolutely and vnreseruedly , in soliciting and furthering the causes of god , in strengthening the cold and languishing state of his religion , in refreshing the hearts of his saints which ordinarily are opprest and disgraced by the cruelties of prophane men , procure in the meane time great honour to his great name , great good vnto his church , great ioy vnto his angels , great comfort vnto the soules of the owners , and fairer and brighter crownes of glory to their heads in the world to come . and so i come to the third reason , whereby the formall hypocrite doth falsly perswade himselfe to be in the state of true happines and saluation : and that is an outward happinesse and successe in worldly matters , much plenty and prosperity in his outward state . for thus he reasons in his owne thoughts , and plaies the cunning sophister to deceiue his owne soule . the lord , thinks he with himselfe , hath maruellously encreased me in riches and honours , he hath strangely continued vnto me my health and harts desires : the secret influence of his blessing hath still followed and prospered me in all my businesses and affaires ; therefore doth he conclude , vndoubtedly i am protected from aboue , my state is the state of grace , these many louing fauours must needs argue , that i am in high sauour with god , and these outward blessings are signes that my seruices are sanctified and accepted of him . but in the schooles we should tell him that this is a fallacy à non-causa . for all outward happinesses are for speciall reasons , and by particular indulgence more often , and very plentifully in this world vouchsafed to the wicked and prophane . this appeares ierem. . vers . . . wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper ? why are all they in wealth that rebelliously transgresse ? thou hast planted them , and they haue taken roote : they grow and bring forth fruit . mal. . vers . . euen they that worke wickednesse are set vp , and they that tempt god , y●a , they are deliuered . iob . vers . . &c. wherefore doe the wicked liue and wax old , and grow in wealth ? their seed is established in their sight with them , and their generation before their eies . their houses are peaceable , and the rod of god is not vpon them . they send foorth their children like sheepe , and their sonnes dance . they take the tabret and harpe , and reioyce in the sound of the organs . let him therefore that thus concludes the happines of his soule from his worldly prosperitie , know and consider , that as the end and reward of the godly and wicked is different in place and nature ; the one being the highest heauens , and the highest aduancement of the soule to the fulnesse of glorie and blisse ; the other the lowest hell , and the very extremitie of the greatest miseries and vexations , which a created nature can possibly endure . so experience of all times teacheth vs , and heauenly iustice requires a contrarie manner of passage and proceeding to these ends . the wicked in this world doe easily run vp without rub or interruption , many times with acclamation and applause , all the golden steps of honours and preferments ; but vpon the highest staire they find the most slipperie standing , and the top of their earthly felicitie is the most immediate and certaine descent vnto their greatest downefall . they are roially mounted here vpon earth , and gallop swiftly ouer the faire and greene plaines of plentie and pleasures ; but at the end of their race they are ouerturned horse and man , and tumbled headlong into the pit of destruction . they fairelie glide ouer the sea of this world with full saile , with much calmenesse and sereniti● , and richly laden , but in the brightest sunshine , and when they least suspect it , they suddenlie and without recouerie , sincke into the gulfe of darknes and desolation . but it is iust otherwise with the children of god , for they many times in this their pilgrimage sticke fast in the mirie clay of pouertie and contempt , sometimes they are inclosed euen in a horrible pit , as dauid speakes , of feare and terrour of conscience for their sinnes . they are by the way companions to dragons and ostriches , they walke among rebels , thornes and scorpions , that rent and teare , a●d sting them with many oppressions and cruell slanders . neither is the danger in the way all ; they haue persequuters which are swifter then the eagles of the heauen , who pursue and hunt them vpon the mountaines euen like partridges , and lurk for them in the wildernesse , as those that lie in wait for blood . nay , yet besides all these vexations from the world , the immediate malice of hell raiseth many tempests of temptation against them , and sometimes euen all the waues and flouds of god himselfe goe ouer their heads . this the way , the race , and the euening of gods children in this world ; but ioy comes in the morning , their end is peace , their reward is a bright morning starre , their hauen is endlesse happines and life eternall . the reasons of this contrarie state and condition of the wicked and godly in this life may bee these . first for the flourishing of the wicked . one reason may be , the notable cunning and policie of satan , in plotting and contriuing the prosperity of those whom he perceiues & hopes it wil insnare , and in whose harts it begets hardnes , pride , insolency and forgetting of god. for we must vnderstand , that the diuel euer proportiones his traines and temptations most exactly , euen at a haires breadth ▪ to the tempers , humours and dispositions of men . if he meete with an ambitious and working spirit , he is well enough content to lighten him the way to hell with some ray or beame of al that great glory of the world which hee offered christ , if hee will fall downe and worship him . little cares hee , so that he may keepe a man fast in his hold vntill the day of execution , whether in the meane time he lie in a lower dungeon of discontented retirednesse , or in the golden fetters , or some more honourable seruitude and glorious miserie . if he meete with a base and earthly minded fellow , that preferres a little transitorie trash before the pretiousnesse of his owne soule , and the lasting treasures of immortalitie ; why he can easily prouide a golden wedge , and cast in his way to enrich him ; he can compasse for him , though by bloudy meanes and mercilesse enclosure , a naboths vineyard to enlarge his possessions . for all is one to him so he keepe him his owne , whether by want and pouertie he driue a man to impatiencie , murmuring , and independencie vpon the prouidence of god , or by heaping vpon him abundance of wealth , and filling him a full cup of temporall happinesse , he cast him into a deepe sleepe of carnall securitie , and a senselesnesse in al matters of sanctification and saluation . but whereas satan hath found by much experience , that such as are fenced with riches and honours , doe many times falsely assume vnto themselues a conceit of greatnesse and goodnesse of protection , and immunitie from dangers , so that they are more fearelesse of the iudgements of god , because they are not plagued like other men , more carelesse of storing themselues with spirituall comfort against the day of visitation , because they are in the meane time plentifully encompassed with worldly contentments , more regardles and neglectiue of the ministery of the word , because they would not willingly be tormented before their time ; therefore , i say , hee followes with more hope and better successe this temptation by prosperitie . and the rather , because crosses , afflictions and heauie accidents , are many times liuely instructions and compulsions to bring a man to the knowledge of god and himselfe ; to abandon all confidence in earthlie things , and to embrace the most comfortable and heauenlie state of true christians . wherefore if any man be content to stand for satans kingdom , either by open and profest impietie , or by close conueiances and secret practises and conniuencie ; he will be sure to prepare , incline and dispose all occasions , meanes and circumstances for his aduancement into reputation with the world . and how potent he is in these cases , y●u may conceiue , sith he swaies the corruptions of the time , sith he rules and raignes in the hearts and affections of the most men ; and is euer the arch-plotter in all simoniacall , indirect , corrupt and vnconscionable consultations and compacts . the second reason of the flourishing of the wicked in this life , is their large and vnlimited consciences : for if a man once haue so hardned his heart by often grieuing the good spirit of god , and repelling his holy motions ; if he haue once so darkned the eie of his conscience , by offering violence to the tendernesse , and neglecting the checks thereof , that hee can now entertaine and digest without scruple or reluctation , any meanes though neuer so indirect , any condition , though neuer so base , any aduantage , though neuer so vnconscionable or dishonourable ; it will be easie enough for him to thriue in the world and raise himselfe . for what , i pray you , were not the papists now able to do , who haue enlarged their consciences like hell , nay ; they haue stretched them beyond the whole compasse of all hellish darkenesse , euen into a vault of their owne ; what , i say were not they able to do , except they were countermanded by that irrefragable , eternall , and particular decree of god , that babylon must now downe as irrecouerably , as the great milstone in the reuelation cast with violence into the sea ? why certainly they were able by their policies & principles , not onely to reestablish their former antichristian tyranny , but to cast the whole christian world , nay this and the other world , and the whole frame of nature into combustion , darknesse and confusion . and no maruell : for these fellowes consciences can without ●emorse digest euen the sacred bloud of kings , and swallow downe with delight the ruines and desolations of whole kingdomes . their bloudie superstition hath so quite and fearefully extinguisht all sense of common honesty , and put out the light of natural equity , and the common notions of right and wrong ; that they broch with bold faces the cursed poison of equiuocation , the diuels old imposture in oracles , a very straight passage to damned atheisme , and the dissolution of all humaine society : that to them the breach of the lawes of god , of nature and nations , is meritorious and worthie canonization , if it serue any way to the aduancement of their execrable idolatrie ; to the repairing of their decaying babylon , and to reare their italian idoll , the priest of rome yet a little higher aboue all that is called god. in this respect then , that the wicked dare enlarge their consciences to the vtmost bounds of any pleasure , gaine or preferment , they haue great aduantage for the ingrossing of all worldly happinesse , and may easily purchase a monopoly of earthly prosperity . out of this widenes of conscience proceed much mincing and excusing , many interpretations , fauourable constructions , and distinctions of sinnes : as for example , that vsurie is of two sorts , biting , and toothlesse ; when all kind of vsurie is pestilent , and most certainely damned in the booke of god. that symonie is either buying the gifts of the holy ghost , or buying church-liuings ; as though this latter were not so soule and enormous when it is able in short time to bring a curse and confusion vpon the most glorious and best setled church in the world . that of lies , some are pernicious , some are officious , and for a greater good ; whenas euen the learneder sohoolemen , who are far enough from precisenes , hold euery kind of lie to be a sin indispensable ; whenas a●stin● that worthy father & great disputer , admits not a lie for the saluation of a mans soule , which is farre more worth then the whole world : nay when a man is not to tell a lie for the glory of god , as it appeareth , iob . then which there can be no greater good . of oaths , that some are greater and more bloody ; some are lesser , ordinary and more tolerable ; as though custome and commonnesse made these latter excusable and vnpunishable , when as the plague of god hangs continually ouer the head of what swearer soeuer , ready euery houre to seaze vpon him , and sinke him downe into the bottome of hell . the flying booke of gods curse and vengeance shall enter into the house of the swearer , and shall not onely cut him off , but shall consume the very timber thereof , and the stones thereof . neither doth this plague rest within priuate walles , but it wastes the glory and prosperitie of whole kingdomes . because of oathes , saith ieremie , the land mou●neth ▪ and the pleasant places of the wildernes are dried vp : nay if it were possible that the breath of the swearer should reach vnto the heauens , it would euen staine the glory of the starres , and rot those faire and immortall bodies , it is infected with such a canker and pestilencie ; and so immediat●ly strikes at the face of almightie god. many other such leaud distinctions of sinnes there are , framed and followed by the sensuall , greedy and ambitious affections of prophane men that they may more pleasingly to themselues , and more plausiblie to the world , compasse their ends and desires . no maruell then though they haue the wicked world at will. the third reason of the flourishing of the wicked , is , because they are men of this world ; and therefore they haue onely their portion and full felicitie here . their heauen is vpon earth : their pleasures in their life time with the rich man in the gospell . for as the euerlasting couenant of inward peace , grace and glory , is peculiarly confirmed to the children of the spirit : so many times in great measure the temporall promises of outward happinesses are performed vpon the children of the flesh . when god had established vpon isaak the euerlasting promises of loue , mercy and blessednesse : yet he was content to make ismael a great man vpon earth . concerning ismael , saith he to abraham , i haue heard thee : loe i haue blessed him , and will make him fruitfull , and will multiplie him exceedingly . twelue princes shall hee beget , and i will make a great nation of him . fourthly and lastly , the prosperitie of the wicked makes them more inexcusable , and their damnation more iust before the tribunall of god. for it is iust with him to bring a greater measure of tribulation and anguish vpon them , in whom his many fauors a●d louing kindnesses haue brought forth vnthankfulnes & rebellion : & that wrath is most iustly returned vpon their heads , which by despising the riches of his bountifulnesse , and patience and long sufferance , leading them to repentance ; they haue heapt vp as a treasure vnto themselues against the day of wrath , and of the declaration of the iust iudgement of god. you haue heard the reasons of the happinesse of the wicked in this life : but it is not so with gods children . for they must mourn in this vale of teares while the world reioyceth . and as the wicked are fild and fatted with worldly happinesse and plentie against the day of wrath : so gods children must bee prepared and fitted with afflictions , for the glory which shall be reuealed . they are shortly to become inhabitants of that great and glorious city , whose foundations are pretious stones , whose gates are margarites , whose streets are pure gold , as the shining glasse ; they must bee companions of the blessed angels , and stand in the presence of that great and sacred maiesty ; and therefore in this life they must be cast into the lords furnace , that in the fire of affliction they may be more and more purified from earthlines and corruption ; and so with holinesse and humilitie prepared for that high perfection of heauenly beautie , glory and blisse . let euery godly man then with comfort and benefit vndergoe those crosses which the lord layeth vpon him : for they are vnto him as looking glasses , wherein god sees his faith and dependance vpon his prouidence ; the world his pati●nce and constancie ; himselfe the spots of his soule , his decayes of grace , the breaches of his conscience , his neglect of the duties of his calling , his coldnes in religigious seruices , his fall from his first loue : so that by them , god is pleased and glorified , others edified and instructed , himselfe humbled , recouered by repentance , and more sanctified . i haue staied long vpon the third reason of the formall hypocrites false persuasion of being in state of grace . the reason is ; because ciuill honesty , performance of outward duties of religion , and worldly prosperitie meeting together in an vnregenerate man , many times breed a very strong conceit of his being the child of god , and an obstinate impatiencie of hearkning & stepping forward to grace , or any further perfection . i come now to the fourth reason , wherby the formall hypocrite doth falsly persuade himselfe to be in the state of true happinesse and saluation , and that is : a misconceit of gods iustice , and a straining and racking of his mercy beyond his truth and promise : so making the way to heauen broder then the scripture hath made it , and himselfe more blessed then he is indeed . mans heart is naturally empoysoned with pride and hypocrisie , and therefore is hardly drawne hartily to acknowledge the horrible vglinesse of his sin ; or that gods proceeding against it with such waight of vengeance is equall . hence comes much indulgence , and partiall censuring of our owne sinnes , transferring them vpon allurements , occasions , circumstances , necessitie and the like : much lessening and impairing gods iustice , but amplifying his mercies , euen to the securing of vnwarrantable courses . adam immediately after his fall shifteth off his sin vpon his wife ; nay , he is so blind in spirituall iudgement of diuine purity , that rather then hee will crie guiltie , he will fasten the fault by consequent vpon god himselfe . the woman , saith hee , which thou gauest to bee with mee , shee gaue mee of the tree , and i did eate . so gladly would sensuall men persuade themselues , that either their sinnes deserue not so strict account and great iudgements ; or that god doth exercise too much rigour in inflicting them . for out of their worldly wisedome they measure and esteeme the vnspotted and infinite ocean of the iustice of god , by the finite , muddie and imperfect streame of humane iustice . lawes and constitutions of states and kingdomes are bridles to curbe and moderate our corruption , that we become sociable and peaceable ; but they cut off only from the body politique by finall execution , those that are of notorious and desperate condition , such as are theeues , murtherers , traitors and the like . a verie proportionable conceit , i am persuaded , of diuine iustice and comminations in the law of god , lurkes in the hearts of many ; they thinke that those sinnes that arise ineuitably out of our corrupt nature , or that are committed by strong temptation , or that are lesse pernicious , are , i know not how , naturally pardonable ; and that if they bee of the ciuiller sort , if they bee outwardly conformable in their liues , and harbour good meanings and intentions in matters of religion , though they neuer trouble themselues with more strictnesse , and a course of sanctification , yet they thinke that god will bee mercifull in the end , and that it will goe well enough with them ; and that onely fellowes of infamous note , such as are swearers , liers , vsurers , adulterers and the like , shall be excluded finally out of heauen . but i would haue these men know , that though the sea of gods mercie be bottomlesse , though the promises of grace be many and pretious , yet not one drop of all that great sea , not one iot of all those gracious promises , belongs to any , saue onely vnto him that groanes and sighs vnder the heauie waight and burthen of his sins , that is of a broken and contrite hart , that trembles at his word , that vndissembledly sorrowes and repents for al his sins , forsakes them , and resignes vp himselfe in holy obedience to all his commandements . i would haue them know , that he is as infinitely iust , as hee is infinitely mercifull , and will as certainelie powre all the plagues and curses in his booke vpon the impenitent sinner , as he will performe all his promises of grace to the faithfull christian. the fifth reason whereby the formal hypocrite doth falsly perswade himselfe to bee truly happie , and so by consequent that keeps him short of the state of grace , may be this : when by some good motion of gods spirit stirred vp in him by the preaching of the word , he begins to set and addresse himselfe to a sanctified vse and exercise of religion , and to a faithfull and constant course of true holinesse indeed ; hee presentlie meets with a sore and strong opposition by his owne inward corruptions , by temp●ations of satan , and vexation from the world ; which he perceiuing , and being very sensible of such sudden disturbance from his former securitie , perswades himselfe , that the passage to grace is not so rough and boisterous , and therefore retires and reposeth himselfe vpon his formall christianitie , as the best state he sees any possibility of attaining vnto . but if hee will saue his soule , he must acknowledge and feele by his owne experience the truth of that saying of isai. . , he that refraineth from euill , maketh himselfe a pray . for what child of god is there truly conuerted , who at the very first step out of the world , and the vanities thereof , met not with many crosses and discouragements ? he knowes , and may remember full well whosoeuer he bee , how his owne flesh fretted when it felt it selfe snaffled and guided by the law of the spirit ; how by making conscience of sinne he laid himself more open to the aduantages , wrongs and insultations of his enemies ; how the companions of his former leaudnesse and iniquitie railed and raged against him , as against an apostata from goodfellowship and high resolution . and satan , that he may giue edge and vigour to all these vexations , hee busilie bestirres himselfe , and casts about to hinder our conuersion . while a prisoner lies in a dungeon fast in fetters , the iaylor is quiet and secure ; but if hee once knocke off his bolts , breake the prison and escape , there is presently a tumultuous clamour in the house , the countrie is raised , and he is followed with hue and cry : euen so while we lie quietly in the captiuitie of sinne , vnder the chaines of eternall death , he neither disquiets himselfe nor vs : but if by the mercies of god we bee once enlarged , and set foot into the libertie and light of grace ; why then all the powers of hell are presently in armes and vprore , and with much malice and furie the instruments of darkenes are set on foot to regaine vs into his kingdome . this point appeares in the fifth of the canticles : our blessed sauiour is there said to stand at the doore and knocke , being full of the pretious dew and drops of diuine grace , and waiting patiently in the cold and darknesse of the night ; but yet we see , what ado and stirre there is with the christian soule , before she can get vp out of the bed of pleasures and vanitie ; the sweetnesse of sinne and sensualitie had so deepely possest and bewitched her , that by her excuses and delaies she hazards so great saluation and happines , tendered vnto her by her spo●se . yea , and at length after she is resolued to renounce her pleasures , and in some good measure hath conquered her inward corruptions , so that shee opens the doore & followes christ ; besides other troubles and encumbrances she finds abroad , the very watchmen that should haue told her the way , and directed her after her spouse , euen they set vpon her , and smite her , and wound her , and take away her vaile . euery man then that will come vnder the banner of christ , and haue part in the conquest , must together with the new man put on a christian courage , both to tame and represse the rebellions of his owne flesh , and to withstand and repell assaults and persecutions from abroad . the sixth reason , whereby the formal hypocrite doth falsely perswade himselfe to bee in state of true happines , may be , an obseruation of the death and ends of other men , whose liues , he perswades himselfe , come short of those perfections and degrees of goodnesse he findes in himselfe . as if he take notice of a notorious sinner , who vpon his deaths-bed by a perfunctorie shew of penitencie , and some formall eiaculations for mercy and pardon , makes the world beleeue he dies a saint . or if he obserue the end of an honest ciuill man , yet neuer acquainted with the power of grace , to bee quiet , peaceable , and confident , without impatiency , feare or despaire ; he presently out of a comparatiue examination of his owne state , ( which he finds , not onely free from notorious sinnes , but besides morall honestie , graced with outward religiousnesse ) i say he presently conceiues his owne workes in respect of theirs , to be works of supererogation , his owne life certainely to be without all exception , and so himselfe without all danger of damnation . and this conceit is notably confirmed , if there follow some glorious and flattering panegyricke of funerall commendation . for then he holds the assurance of his happinesse to be sealed vnto him by the mouth of the minister , and so with resolution and obstinacie sticks fast in his present state and will no further . mistake me not in this last point , beloued in christ iesus . for first , i do not go about to confine the boundles and vnlimited mercies of god , nor absolutely to exclude repentance from the deaths bed . i know that pretious truth , registred in ezechiel : * at what time soeuer a sinner , &c. like a pearle in a ring , and a starre in his orbe , shines , amongst many other gracious promises in the booke of god , with speciall comfort , vnspeakable and glorious , vpon the darkened and drouping soule of euerie true penitent , at what time soeuer . but yet this i say in this point ; that any man that knowes , and is acquainted rightly and truly with the narrownesse of the way to heauen , the nature of gods iustice , the cunning sleights of satan , the difficultie of true repentance , how fearefully mans heart is hardned by custome and continuance in sin ; he would not deferre his repentance to his old age , or deaths-bed for ten thousand worlds . i adde this : that as a sudden death in respect of time , or a death , wherein appeares much impatiencie , fiercenesse and vncomfortable behauiour , by reason of the qualitie of the disease , or some extraordinarie temptation for the time , or that god will be so glorified , by iustly hardning the wicked , may bee the way to euerlasting happinesse : so a lingring , patient , and lamblike death , may be a passage to endlesse woe and miserie . for that great iudgement is to passe vpon our soules , not according to the strange effects & symptoms of our sicknesse , not according to the short moment and violent passions of our death , but according to the actions of our health , the former affections of our hearts , and the generall course of our life . secondly , i would by no meanes be too busie , or vncharitable in my iudgement vpon those , which haue alreadie stood , or fal●e to their owne master . but as i esteeme that crueltie and malice most sauage and vile that is discharged vpon the body , or good name of the dead ; so i would haue also a charitable conceit follow the soule of the departed , so farre as spirituall , wisdome a good conscience , diuine truth , the glory of god , the safetie of the soules of the liuing , will giue leaue : but no further . thirdly , neither doe i mislike or condemne funerall sermons . i could rather wish ; that as the death of his saints is precious in the sight of god , so that it might be glorious in the eyes of men . i could rather desire , that the iust prayses , and true sincerity of the child of god were published euen by some seraphicall tongue ; that both the glory of his graces might passe along and shine bright to all posterity ; and that such a fire of zeale for imitation , might be enkindled in the hearts of all the hearers , ( especially the present occasion making their minds more capable of persuasion ; ) that they passing thorow the same course of holinesse , might at length be made partakers of the same happinesse with the saints of god. only in these cases i would haue that spirituall discretion , truth , and conscience vsed , that neither the godly be iustly grieued and offended , the wicked heartned and hardened in their courses , & false conceit of happines ; nor the faithfulnes and sincerity of the ministery disgraced and scandalized . thus farre i haue laid open vnto you the state of formall hypocrisie : in which may concurre immunity from notorious sinnes , all naturall and morall perfections , admirable variety of learning , policy , and all other acquired ornaments of the mind : an outward performance of all duties of religion , some measure of inward illumination , a resemblance and shadow of the whole body of true regeneration , and a persuasion ( as you haue now last heard ) of being in state of grace . euen thus farre a man may goe in the profession of christian religion , and yet be a stranger from the power of faith , and from the life of godlinesse . i now come by reasons and arguments to disable it in those points which haue not beene touched , for challenging any interest in the true happinesse of a man. and first to proue , that a performance of outward duties of religion , without the power of grace vpon the soule , and an vniuersall sanctification in all the faculties thereof , cannot produce any sound comfort in the heart , or acceptation with god. my first reason is that principle generally receiued with all schoole diuines ; and very sound and orthodox in true diuinity . the iniquitie , defect , or exorbitancie of any particular , of one circumstance , maketh an action euill : but an absolute integritie of all concurrents is required to make a good worke acceptable to god , comfortable and profitable to a christian : the end must be good , the glory of god ; the action it selfe in it owne nature must be iust & warrantable ; the circumstances honest and seasonable ; the meanes direct and lawfull ; the fountaine , the hart , sincere and sanctified . if this last be wanting especially , though otherwise it be neuer so gloriously conucied , neuer so wisely managed , of neuer so goodly a shew to the eyes of the world , yet it is not only mard and defaced , and no action of grace , but odious and abominable in the sight of god. the moralists by the light of nature saw a truth proportionable to this , euen in the actions of vertue : the truth and worth wherof they did censure and esteeme , not by the bare outward action , but by the inward , free and independent vprightnesse of the mind : and therefore to an action truely vertuous they required a resolued knowledge , an irrespectiue and aduised freedome of spirit , a constant and easie habit of the mind , an entire loue to the fairenesse of vertue . so that whatsoeuer honest actions sprung from passion , humour , scare , respect , ambition or the like , they accounted vertuous and good , onely by accident and occasion , not inwardly and essentially : whereupon they hold , that many great and honourable atchieuements of ancient worthies amongst the heathens , howsoeuer they were admirable in the eyes of men , and beneficiall to the publicke state ( for sometimes out of some sudden eleuation of spirit , or pang of vaine-glorie , they were euen prodigall of their liues and blood , for the good and deliuerance of their countrie : ) yet to the authours and actors themselues they were not the true workes of vertue , but of ambition , and a desire of immortall fame . it is euen so in the higher actions of grace and religion : besides the outward performance , god requires sinceritie of heart and truth in the inward parts , to make them gratious and acceptable . and howsoeuer otherwise they may purchase them a name amongst men , prosperity in the world , some lesse torment in hell , and procure good vnto others , yet except they proceed from a faith vnfained , and a pure conscience , to the christians themselues , in respect of all heauenly happinesse , they are fruitles and vnprofitable . my second proofe is out of the . of matth. except your righteousnesse exceed the righteousnesse of the scribes and pharisies , ye shall not enter into the kingdome of heauen . the outward righteousnesse of the scribes and pharisies was famous in those times , and much admired : so that if god did not principally respect the heart ; if that were not true in the . of luke ; that which is highly esteemed amongst men , is abomination in the sight of god ; they might not onely haue carried away the garland for piety on earth ; but haue iustly seemed to haue beene the onely heires to a crowne of immortality in the heauens . for besides their forbearance and protestation against grosser sinnes , murther , theft , adulterie , idolatrie and the like , they were frequent and solemne in prayers , fastings , almes-deeds , and that with farre greater strictnesse and deuotion , then the religious actions of formall hypocrisie are performed in these times of the gospell . besides , i doubt not but many of them were persuaded , that their way was the way of life , and that they were in the state of true happinesse : and yet for all this , except wee exceede their righteousnesse , the speech is peremptorie , we shall not enter into the kingdome of heauen . for we see in the . of mat. what a chaine of curses , out of the mouth of our blessed sauiour , did iustly draw them into the bottome of hell . thirdly , this truth is manifest out of the doctrine of the prophets : esai . , mich. . hag. . psal. . and many other places . whence ariseth this conclusion : that the principall and holiest exercises , the most solemne and sacred actions of religion , without sinceritie and sanctification of heart , are but as the cutting off a dogs necke , and the offering of swines blood . their sacrifices , oblations , and incense ▪ their n●w moon●s , their sabbaths and solemne feasts were things commanded by gods own● mouth ; ye● where they were performed with impure and prop●ane hearts , he tel● them , that his soule hated them , that they were a burthen vnto him , and that he was wearie of them . for if the lords contentment had finally rested in the worke wrought , and not chieflie respected the inward affection of the worker , had he required onely the ceremoniall action of sacrificing , and not the spirituall conformitie of the heart to his will ; why he had not need to desire sacrifices of them , nor expected supplie from their hands ; as appeareth in that sacred anti royall contestation of god with his people , about the question of his worship , psal. . i will not reproue thee for thy sacrifices , ( s●ith god ) or thy burnt offerings , that haue not beene continually before me . i will take no bullocke out of thine house , or goates out of thy folds . for all the beasts of the forrest are mine , and the beasts on a thousand ●ils . i know all the sowl●s on the mountai●es , and the w●ld b●asts of the fi●ld are mine . if i be hungrie ▪ i will not tell the● : for the world is mine , and all that therein i● . will i ●ate the flesh of b●ls ? or drinke the blood of goat●s ? nay , if we consider god in his absolute soueraignty , and essentiall glory , euen that is true of the most sanctified works of gods child , which is in iob. . . if thou b●● righteous , wh●t 〈…〉 ? or what receiue●h he● at thine hand ? and that of dauid , psal. . . my we●doing extendeth not vnto th● . for what can that little sparke of holinesse in vs , which doth first too proceed from him , and is onely darkened in ou● corruptions ; adde vnto that infinite g●ory , and 〈◊〉 , and 〈◊〉 , that no man can attain● vnto ; with which he hath incomprehensiblie li●n ●ncompassed frō al●terni●y ? only i●ple●seth him of his infinit goodnesse , and out of a gratious desire of our saluation , to accept our sincerity though mix● with imperfections , and to crown his owne gra●●● in vs ▪ 〈◊〉 then shall appeare the bare outwardnes of hollowhearted christians ? if the heart bee wanting , what magnificence or glory of outward seruices shall be able to dazle his sight , whose eyes are ten thousand times brighter then the sunne , and sees clea●ely our inmost thoughts ? wherewith shall we come b●fo●● th● 〈◊〉 or what shall we offer vnto him ? will the lord be pleased with ten thousands of rams , or with ten thousand riuers of oil● ? shall we giue our first borne for our transgression , euen the fruite of our bodie , for the ●inne of our soule ? no ; though we● gaue all that wee had to the poore , and our owne bodie● to bee burnt : nay , if it were possible , that by our meanes we could vindicate the soules of all men now liuing from the iawes of eternall death ; yet all would profit vs nothing , except our harts be first purged by faith , pure from an euill conscience , and possest of a sound and constant loue to god , his word , his honour , his truth , and seruants . let this then be the conclusion to this point : though a man were a moral saint , an angell amongst the phrisees , absolute in all other perfections , yet without the inward power of grace to giue them life , he is but a spectacle of commis●ration to angels , & to mē ; euen as that body is , which adorned with sundry other exquisite beauties , wanteth eye-sight , the chiefest grace that nature hath in that kind to bestow . or as a cunning organist , skilful in the outward touch of his instrument , yet without wind inspired , cannot possibly strike the care , or please the heart with any m●lodious noise : so though his actions be flourished ouer with a faire tincture of outward religiousnesse , and he exact in morall honesty , yet without the breath and life of grace infused , there can be no true spiritual harmony in his affections , wo●ds or conuersation , th●t either will beget sound ioy and spirituall delight in the soule , or be pleasing in the ●ares of almightie god. you see then beloued in christ iesus , that the performances of outward duties of religion , euen the best , s●●h as are prayers ▪ hearing the word of god , rec●iuing the sacraments , almes-deeds and the like , though they bee good in themselues , commanded of god , necessarie to be done of euerie christian ; yet if they be diuided from inward sanctification and sinceritie of heart , are so far●e from putting vs into possession of true happines , that they are odious and abominable in the sight of god. i told you in the beginning , if you remember , that besides outward righteousnesse , the formall hypocrite may beleeue for a time , and therefore by the inward , though more generall and infe●iour working of the spirit , may haue a temporarie faith begot in him : and this faith may bring forth some fruits , and some kinds of inward graces . but that all this comes short of saluation , appeares in the parable : for there the hearer compared to the stonie ground , which i call the formall hypocrite , is one of the reprobate hearers , vpon whom the word is not the power of god to saluation . as for those fiue degrees added out of the sixth to the hebrues , of which i told you the formall hypocrite may be partaker ; it is manifest out of the same chapter , that they come short of the state of grace . for a man but so furnished , may not onely fall b●cke to a worse , and more ordinarie state of a r●probate , but euen to the depth of all impietie and apostasie . he may not onely haue his measure of inward illumination , all his lighter ioy and comfort in gods word quite extinguisht ; but become a wilfull and malicious scorner of true godlinesse . he may not onely grieue , and quench the spirit ; but hee may tread vnder foot the sonne of god , count the bloud of the testament , as an vnholy thing , and despite the very spirit of grace , so that it may be impossible , that hee should be renewed againe by repentance . in the last place i told you , that besides all these , the formall hypo●rite might entertaine a perswasion of his being in the state of true happinesse ; and so with contentment and securitie walke in the path that leads to eternall death : but how weak and false the reasons and motiues to this perswasion were , i haue before largely deliuered . it remaines therfore , that i should now lay downe certaine markes and properties of difference , betwixt the state of formall hypocrisie and sauing grace : but i must referre a large prosecution and distinct treatise of them to some other place and time . yet at this time , by the grace of god , i shall deliuer so much , that any man that will deale faithfully with his owne conscience , and follow me with attention to the end , may in some good measure be informed , whether hee lie yet in the shadow of death , or liue in the light of grace . some difference then , first , may arise , out of the distinction of the degrees and workings of faith . which that you may better conceiue , you must remember three sorts of faith : historicall , temporarie , sauing or iustifying faith . historicall faith , is not only a knowledge of the word of god , but also an assent of the heart to the truth of it . and this is of two sorts : either infused , which is wrought in vs by the illightning spirit of god , and staying it selfe vpon his authoritie : or acquired , which is produced by the light of reason , discourse , and created testimony . the latter is to bee found in the diuels ; for they beleeue and tremble . and in the papists ; for their faith is no better , according to their grounds and principles . my reason is this briefly ; for i will deliuer my selfe of this point in a word . the iesuites by their iugling haue cast themselues into a circle about the faith of the truth , and diuinitie of scriptures ; and that is this : ask any papist in this land ; how he beleeues scripture to be the word of god , and diuinely inspired ; he will answere , because th● church deliuereth it so to be . and why beleeueth he the testimonie of the church ? because it it is infallibly guided by the spirit . and how doth that appeare ? because it is so contained in scripture , as in iohn . the spirit will leade you into all truth . and how shall wee know this scripture of iohn , to bee the word of god and diuinely inspired ? because the church deliuereth it so to bee ; and so they must needs run round in this circulation . now i would propose to the papists , the choice of these three ; one of which they must of necessitie accept : first , whether they wil run round in this circle , & wax giddy , and fall , and sink into that pit , where poperie was first hatcht ; or they wil break the circle at the authoritie of the scriptures , and so by consequent , they must fall to our side , and the truth ; or they will breake it at the testimonie of the church , and so all their faith , as i told you , must needs be onely acquired , because it depends on a finite and created testimonie , and consequently comes farre short of saluation . i doubt not , but the papists will acknowledge and approoue that difference betwixt infused and acquired faith consented vpon by the schoolemen : that infused faith , relieth immediately vpon an increated authoritie ; but acquired , vpon a finite and created testimonie . i know the iesuites , a kind of men inspired with a transcendencie of antichristian imposture , labour busilie to passe plausibly and handsomly out of this circle : but if their shifts be thorowly sisted , & they followed with force of argument ; it is certaine , they will either be driuen into the circle againe , or enforced to start out , at the one of those breaches i told you of . beca●us , one of them , after hee had long tired himselfe in this circle , and at last by the helpe of gregorius de val. and former iesuites got out , but with shamefull absurditie and inconuenience ; in a poore reuenge to relieue himselfe , he threatens vs with another circle ; and so writes a treatise de circulo caluinistico ; but very weakely and falsly , as might be demonstrated euen out of the sounder schoolemen , in their question of the last resolution of faith . but i intended no discourse of controuersie , but of sanctification ; and therefore i proceed , and take the formall hypocrite along further towards the state of grace . for besides knowing , and assenting to the truth of gods word by an historicall faith , hee may by the vertue of a temporarie faith , adde three degrees moe . that is : he may moreouer professe it in outward seruices of religion : he may inwardlie reioice in it : he may bring forth some kind of fruit . but these things are onely found in him , so long as they do not mainely cr●sse , but are compatible with his worldly peace , wealth , libertie , and other delightfull contentments . here therefore i must leaue him ; and acquaint you with those workings and degrees of sauing faith ; which qualified , as i shall propose them , are peculiar to gods child ; and so distinguish and diuide the regenerate man , from the state of formall hypocrisie . they are these ▪ a feeling and speciall approbation of the word of life and promises of saluation : a most feruent expetition and thirsting for the enioyment of them : an effectuall apprehension ; a particular application ; a full perswasion ; a delight and ioy thence rising , sound , and vnconquerable . that you may vnderstand these , you must conceiue , that the soule of gods child , comming fresh out of the pangs and terrors of his new-birth ( a mysterie to the formall hypocrite ) humbled vnder the mightie hand of god , by a sight and sense of his sinnes , lookes vpon the whole body of diuine truth , as vpon a precious iewel , wherin christ & his gratious promises shine vnto him especially , as a stone of inestimable worth and valuation ; whereupon with a peculiar dearenes he sets such a liking , that with it hee holds himselfe an heire of heauen ; without it a child of endlesse perdition . hence followes an expetition and desire of it , enforced with groanes vnutterable , and a gasping for it , as the dry and thirstie ground for drops of raine . thirdly , hee apprehends it with a fast and euerlasting hold . fourthly , hee applies it closely and particularly to his owne soule . fifthly , he is truely and fully perswaded by gods good spirit , out of a consideration of his vniuersall change , that it is his owne for euer . last●y ▪ he lies downe in peace that passeth all vnderstanding : he is filled with ioy , that no man can take from him : he delights in the grace apprehended , as in a treasure farre more deare vnto him then the glory of infinite worlds , or life it selfe . from the power and workings of this inward grace , spring outward actions ; both in his generall calling of christianity , and his particular vocation , which by the mercies of god are faithfull , constant , vniforme , impartiall , resolute , vniuersall , comfortable . whereas those which are produced by the more weake and inferiour degrees of temporarie faith , incident to the formall hypocrite , are weake , wauering , many times interrupted , variable ; guided much by occasions ; & the time , forced by hope or feare ; swayed by secret respects to priuate ends , and worldly contentments . but these more inward markes of difference , howsoeuer by a sweete and gratious experience they be felt , and acknowledged of the child of god ; yet generally , and to the vnregenerate , they are hidden mysteries , and vndiscernable to the brightest eye of the naturall man. therefore i will come to those markes of difference betwixt the state of formall hypocrisie , and sauing grace , which are more outward , familiar , and more generally , and casilie discernable . of which one may be this : the power of grace doth beget in a regenerate man , a watchfulnesse , care and conscience of smaller offences , of secret sins , of sinfull thoughts , of appearances of euill , of all occasions of sinne , of prophane companie , of giuing iust offence in indifferent actions and the like : whereas the formall hypocrite taketh not such things as these much to heart , but either makes no conscience of them at all , holding it a point of precisenes to be too conscionable ; or else proportions it to serue his owne turne , or to giue satisfaction to others . and in forbearance of sinnes , he hath an especiall eye onely at those that may notoriously disgrace him in the world , entangle him in danger of law , or vexe his conscience with some extraordinarie terror . let those then examine themselues at this marke ; who , howsoeuer shame keepe them from vncleane practises , and grosser acts of filthines ; yet inwardly boyle in speculatiue wantonnesse and adulteries of the heart . those , who howsoeuer their indirect meanes speed not for mounting themselues to high estate , yet spend their best thoughts all their life long , in proiecting and contriuing , as though they were borne to aduance themselues , and not to honour god in their ●allings . those , who though they doe not enclose , oppresse and grind the faces of the poore ; yet haue their hearts exercised in couetousnes . those , who though they haue forsakē some sins , yet maintain in themselues one known sweet sinne . those , who though lawes , and feare of danger restraine from railing with open mouthes against our state , yet harbour secret repinings , murmurings , vnthankfulnesse , and discontentments . euen a contemptuous thought of a king , or lawfull authority , is a sinne of high nature : and me thinkes , for the miraculousnesse of the discouerie ; is paralleld in ecclesiastes , to the bloodinesse of actuall murther . that which hath wings ( saith the preacher ) shall declare the matter . lastly , let those examine themselues at this marke , who offer themselues to those sinfull occasions , breeders of many strange and fearefull mischiefes , i meane prophane and obscene playes . pardon me beloued , i cannot passe by those abominable spectacles , without particular indignation . for i did euer esteeme them , since i had any vnderstanding in the waies of god , the grand empoysoners of grace , ingenuousnes , and all manly resolution : greater plagues and infections to your soules , then the contagious pestilence to your bodies : the inexpiable staine and dishonour to this famous city : the noisome wormes that canker and blast the generous and noble buds of this land ; and doe by a slie and bewitching insinuation so empoyson all seeds of vertue , and so weaken and emasculate all the operations of the soule , with a prophane , if not vnnaturall dissolutenes ; that whereas they are planted in these worthie houses of law , to be fitted and enabled for great and honourable actions , for the publicke good , and the continuance of the glory and happinesse of this kingdome , they licentiously dissolue into wicked vanities and pleasures , and all hope of their euer doing good , either vnto god , the church , their countrie or owne soules , melteth as the winter ice , and floweth away as vnprofitable waters . these infamous spectacles are condemned by all kind of sound learning , both diuine and humane . distinctions deuised for their vpholding and defence , may giue some shallow and weake contentment to partiall and sensuall affections , possest with preiudice : but how shall they be able to satisfie and secure a conscience sensible of all appearance of euill ? how can they preserue the inclinablenesse of our corrupt nature from infection , at those schooles of leaudnes and s●nkes of all sins , as ( to omit diuines councels , fathers , moralists , because the point is not directly incident ) euen a * polititian calleth them . alas , are not our wretched corruptions raging and fierie enough , being left to themselues dispersed at their naturall liberty ; but they must be vnited at these accursed theaters , as in a hollow glasse to set on flame the whole body of our natural vitiousnesse at once , and to enrage it further with lust , fiercenesse , and effeminatenes , beyond the compasse of nature ? doth any man thinke it possible that the power of sauing grace , or the pure spirit of god can reside in his hart , that willingly & with ful consent seeds his inward concupiscence , with such variety of sinfulll vanities and leaud occasions , which the lord himselfe hath pronounced to be an abomination vnto him ? how can any man that euer felt in his hart , either true loue or feare of so dreadfull a maiestie , as the lord of heauen and earth , endure to be present , especially with delight and contentment , at oathes , blasphemies , obscenities , and the abusing sometimes of the most pretious things in the booke of god , whereat wee should tremble , to most base and scurrill iests ? certainely euery child of god is of a right noble and heroicall spirit ; and therfore is most impatient in hearing any wrong , indignitie or dishonour offered to the word , name , or glory of his almightie father . a second marke of difference may be this : the power of sauing grace doth subdue and sanctifie our affections with a conscionable and holy moderation ; so that they become seruiceable to the glory of god , and for a more resolute cariage of good causes , and zealous discharge of all christian duties . but the bridling of passions in the formall hypocrite , is not so much of conscience , as artificiall , politique , for aduantage , and by the guidance of morall discretion : so that if they be tempted by strong occasions , and violent obiects , they many times breake out , to the dishonour of god , the disgrace of a christian profession , and the discouery of their hypocrisie . let euery man then examine himselfe at this marke , and with a single eye and vpright heart take a view of his affections ; whether his ioy be inward and spirituall , that is , in the assurance of gods fauour , in his word , in his children , in prayer , and a continuall practise of godlinesse ; or outward and ca●uall , that is , in the attainement of greatnesse and wo●dly pleasures , in the increase of his corne and wine , and oile . whether he loue the peace of conscience farre more de●rely then the fauour of men , or his owne life : whether hee bee more zealous for the honour and praise of god , then his owne : whether he be more affraid of secret sinnes , then open shame ; of offending god , then outward afflictions : whether he be more angry in the cause of religion , and concerning gods glory , or for his owne priuat wrongs . and so thorow out the rest of his affections . let the fierce and desperate gallants consider this point ; which vpon euery light occasion , and termes of disgrace , are ready , out of a graceles & vngrounded opinion of declining cowardize , to sheath their swords in the bodie of their brother . and let them assure themselues , that the meeke and mercifull spirit of god , will neuer consist with such bloodie and vntamed affections ; his holy motions will not come into their secret , neither will his sauing grace be ioyned with their assembly . for in their wrath they will kill a man , and in their selfe-will they will destroy the image of god. cursed bee their wrath , for it is fierce ; and their rage , for it is cruell . oh that they would but marke and foresee , into what an ineuitable , and endlesse maze of certaine misery and vengeance they enter , when they enter into the field , vpon either offer , or acceptance of challenge . if they be slaine , they are accessaries to their owne vntimely murder : they violentlie and wilfully pull themselues from the land of the liuing , to the abhorred regions of death : they cruelly , and irrecouerably rent their owne poore soules from time of grace and repentance : they extinguish all hope of posteritie ; and perhaps their house and family determines in that bloudie act . but that which is the accomplishment of all miseries and terrour , they iustly fall into the hands of the liuing god , who will certainely iudge them after the manner of them that shead their owne bloud ; and will giue them the bloud of wrath , and of iealousie . and whereas they looked to leaue a name behind them , it shall rot away with as vile detestation , as their carcases in the graue : the memoriall of the iust , faith salomon , shall be blessed : but the name of the wicked shall rot . if it doe liue , it shall liue to their shame and infamy . for i dare say this boldly ; there was neuer any man rightly informed , either in the principles of nature , or in the gracious way to heauen , in the sober passages of moraliti● , or in the iustice of state and policie , or acquainted with the fairenesse of true honour , that euer gaue any allowance , or euer will to the reputation of manhood , falsely so called , purchased in priuat quarrell in the field . this is then all they get : for the losse of soule and bodie , of heauen and earth , of name and posteritie , they onely gaine the damned applause of diuels , swaggerers and wicked men . but if it fall out otherwise , that they be not kild , but kill ; marke what befals them● they depart the field drunken with blood , as with new wine , and therefore they shall be sure at length to be fild with drunkennes , and with sorrow , euen with the cup of destruction and trembling ; they shall drinke of it deepe and large , and wring it out to the very dregs . for presently after the murder committed , they haue caines fearefull marke stampt vpon them : the furies of conscience ; and cries of blood , shal for euer persecute them with restlesse horrour : as they clothed themselues with rage like a raiment , so shall it now come into their bowels like water , and sinke like oile into their bones . in the meane time they shall liue in the hell of conscience vpon earth , and expect euerie houre to be tumbled into the h●ll of wicked diuels for euermore in the world to come . let me then in the name and feare of god aduise them ; if they would win an opinion of true valor indeed , if they look for any portion in the mercies of god , or honour amongst his saints , to settle and compose such wild affection● by the word of truth ; to turne the greatnesse of their courage and gallantnesse of spirit , to the subduing and conquering of their owne corruptions , and to the wrastling against principalities and powers , against the worldly gouernours , the princes of the darknesse of this world , against spiritual wickednesses , which are in the high places . this fight is christian , and couragious indeed , the victory is glorious , the reward is immortalitie . a third note of difference may be this : euery child of god by the power of sauing grace , doth hunger and thirst after all those meanes god hath ordained , or offers for his furtherance in the way to heauen , and for his comforting and confirming in a christian course ; and doth make a holy vse of whatsoeuer is either publickly or priuately laid vpon him for his amendment : and therefore he continually profits and proceeds in sanctification by his word , his iudgements and his mercies : by the exercise , obseruation and sense of which , hee growes sensiblie in heauenly knowledge , faith , humiliation , repentance , thankfulnesse , and all other spirituall graces . but the formall hypocrite doth so farre take notice and regard of them , as they further his temporal happinesse , and as his neglect of them , by consequent threatneth danger and ouerthrow to his outward worldlie state . for the present perhaps , hee is mooued with the hearing of the word of god , with the terror of his iudgements , while they lie with some extraordinarie waight vpon himselfe , or the whole land ; and with the sweetnesse of his mercies , because they secure him in his prosperitie . but these things sinke not into his soule with the power of mortification , to the destroying of his sinfull affections , and the shaking off of euery knowne sinne . beloued in our lord and sauiour christ iesus , let vs euery one of vs , i beseech you , trie himself faithfully by this note of difference : and the rather because our gracious god hath most plentifully and incomparablie vouchsafed vs in this land all meanes to bring vs vnto heauen . he hath vis●ted vs with his word , his iudgements and mercies , to the astonishment of the whole world . now let vs consider , whether as they haue bred admiration in men and angels , so they haue brought saluation to our owne soules . first , for his word . for these fiftie yeeres , you know , hee hath spread out his hands all the day long ; he hath sent all his seruants , the preachers of his word , rising vp earely , and sending them , saying : returne now euery man from his euill way , and am●nd your workes . let vs then examine our selues in this point . hath this glorious gospell , which hath so long shined bright in our eies , and sounded loud in our cares , hath it , i say , bin mightie in operation vpon our soules , in planting in them the power of true godlinesse ? doe wee daily grow more sound by it in the knowledge of the truth ; and see more particularly into the way and whole course of christianitie ? doth it continually build vs vp more strongly in faith , repentance , and an holy obedience to all his commandements ? why then blessed is our ●ase : for this powerful experience in our soules of daily growth in godlinesse by the word , is a notable mark vnto vs that we are in the state of grace ; and so al the blessings in the book of god belong vnto vs , and pleasures moe , then the starres of the firmament in number . but if otherwise ( which is rather to be feared ) if we haue either bin no hearers , or but now and then , as our worldly commodities would giue vs leaue , or hearers onelie of forme and fa●●●on , not of zeale and conscience to profit by it , and yeeld obedience vnto it , or onely hearers and no doers , why then we may assure our selues , we are yet short of the state of grace ; and marke what will be the end , both of vs and the whole land ; it must needs be the same with that of iuda and ierusalem ( for they were as wel beloued of god as euer england can be ) goe , saith god vnto ieremie , goe and tell the men of iuda , and the inhabitants of ierusalem : i haue sent you all my seruants the prophets , rising vp earely , and sending them ; but you would not encline your care , you would not obay me ; therefore thus saith the lord of hosts , the god of israel : behold , i will bring vpon iuda , and vpon all the inhabitants of ierusalem , all the euill that i haue pronounced against them . i will doe vnto this house , whereupon my name is called , wherein also ye trust , as i haue done vnto shilo . i will cast them out of my sight : and will make ●his city a curse vnto all the nations of the earth . and the lord was so vnremoueable and setledly resolued vpon this point ( sith hee had so long preached vnto them by his prophets , as he hath done vnto this land , and it would doe no good ) that he bids the prophet meddle no more , for he would neuer heare him againe : therefore ( saith he ) thou shalt not pray for this people , neither lift vp crie or prayer for them , neither intreat mee , for i will not heare thee . the iudgements vpon this land haue beene many and fearefull . i doubt not , but we haue seene with our eyes , euen those which are very neere fore-runners of that great and terrible day of the lord. wee haue seene strange and prodigious apparitions in the aire : we haue had vnheard of plots and practises against our state. our land hath long and extraordinarily groaned vnder a sore and durable plague , which hath stucke close to the bowels of this city . the sea hath broke out of her bounds , and swept away many as righteous as our selues : we haue felt such extremity of heate and cold , of which i thinke these parts of the world are not naturally capable ; so certaine is it that the finger of god hath beene in them . the poore of the land euen now grieuously sigh , and pine with a present famine . let vs then examine our selues in this point . haue wee laid all these iudgements vnto our hearts ? haue we beene truely humbled by them ? haue we by a diligent search taken notice of our sinnes and grieued for them , and abandoned them ? haue we mourned and cried for all the abominations that are done amongst vs ? why then blessed is our case , our state is the state of grace ; we shall be sure to be marked and sealed in the foreheads , by the angell of god , for his seruants , before the vials of final desolation be powred vpon this kingdome . but if otherwise ( which is rather to be feared ) if hee hath smitten vs , and we haue not sorrowed ; if he hath corrected vs for amendment , and we are not bettered , but rather worse and worse ; we may assure ourselues we yet want a gracious marke , and effect of the power of true godlines ; and marke what will be the end both of vs and our whole land ; it can be no other then that of his owne people . and thus he dealt with them by his iudgements , euen as a physition with his patient . a physition while there is any hope of recouerie in his patient ; he vseth the benefit of all the rules of art , all variety of meanes , prescribing diet , letting blood , ministring pils and potions ; but when he once perceiues the naturall heate to b● so decayed , and strength of nature spent , that his physicke will worke no more good vpon him , but rather hasten his ruine then his recouerie , hee then leaues him to the pangs of death and dissolution of soule and body . euen so deales god with his people , while there is any hope of repentance , he visits them by all kind of castigations , all maner of punishments : but when all sense of religion , all heate of zeale , and life of grace haue so vtterly forsaken the hearts of men ; that they are rather broken then bowed , rather hardened then humbled by his iudgements ; hee giues them ouer to their owne iust confusion . he leaues them finally , neuer more to bee intreated , to lamentations , mournings and woe ; to the feare , to the pit , and to the snare : to the lion , the wolfe , and the leopard . thou hast stricken them ( saith ieremie ) but they haue not sorrowed , thou hast consumed them , but they haue refused to rec●iue correction : they haue made their faces harder then a stone , and haue refused to returne . wherefore a lion out of the forrest shall stay them , and a wolfe of the wilderness shall destroy them : a leopard shall watch ouer their cities , euery one that goeth out then●● , shall be torne in peeces , because their trespasses are many , and their rebellions are encreased . this course of gods proceeding in his iudgements , we may see most cleerely in the . of amos. he first gaue them cleann●sse of teeth in all their cities , and scarcenes of bread in all their places ; and yet they returned not vnto him : he withheld the raine from them , when there were yet three moneths to the haruest ; so that two or three cities wandred vnto one citie to drinke water , but they were not satisfied : and yet they returned not vnto him . he smote them with blasting & mildew ; their gardens and their vineyards , their figtrees , and their oliue trees did the palmer worme deuoure : and yet they returned not vnto him . pestilence he sent amongst them after the maner of egypt : and yet they returned not vnto him . therfore , saith the lord , thus will i doe vnto thee o israel . he speakes after the manner of a man , in whom iust indignation stops passage vnto speech , and who wants words to expresse the horriblenesse of the punishments hee purposes to inflict : therefore thus and thus will i doe vnto thee o israel , euen so as he threatned in the beginning of the chapter : the daies shall come vpon you , that you shall be taken away with thornes , and your posterity with fish-hookes . as if he should haue said , i will make no more triall by iudgements ; i will now doe a thing in israel , whereof whosoeuer shall heare , his two eares shall tingle ; yea , and all his heartstrings shall tremble . i will now sweepe you all away with the beesome of vtter destruction . this is certainely now iust our case ( for to crie peace , peace , where there is no peace towards , is wicked and to no purpose ▪ to bring conceits and smoothings to this place , will neuer serue the turne ; either for the discharge of our consciences , or the sauing of your soules ) i say this is iust our case : we are euen already come to this last point and period : by our many impieties and impenitency , wee haue brought our gracious god to that question in the , of isa. vvherefore should ye be smitten any more ? for ye fall away more and more . or rather to this conclusion in the . of amos ; therefore thus will i do vnto thee , o nation not worthie to be loued . he hath made triall by so many iudgements , and so many times , and all in vaine ; that the very next iudgement we may iustly feare and expect , without true and timely repentance , will euen be the beesome-of-vtter desolation . as the iudgements vpon this land haue beene great and fearefull ; so many and wonderfull haue beene his mercies vpon vs , and such i am persuaded , as greater the sun neuer saw , 〈◊〉 of men enioyed . i will onely name two , wh●ch cannot 〈◊〉 ●ee fresh in ●uery mans memorie : the contr●uing of our peace , at the death of our late soueraign of euer glorious memorie : and our deliuerance from the gu●powder treason . of which two when first euery man heard , me thinks hee should haue beene afraid , lest hee had beene in a dreame : as it is said of the israelites , psalm . ● . vvhen the lord brought againe the captiuitie of s●on , we were like them that dreame . both that , and these our blessings were things so incredible , and beyond all expectation . you know a little before the queenes death , the wisest were at their wits ends , and euery one stood amazed and astonished for the feares his heart did feare . the iesuites from beyond seas insolently insulted ouer vs , and told vs in their bookes , that this kingdome would shortly become a prey to the greedie ambition of all the neighbour nations ; that huge clouds of blood hung ouer our heads , and would melt and dissolue at the queenes death . but it was neither so , nor so . they are the false prophets of the beast in the reuelation , no maruell though they lied : for he that dwels in the heauen laughed them to scorne , our gratious god had them in derision . and when diuels and papists looked and wished , that this land should haue beene clothed , euen with blood and fire , as with a garment ; out of the infinite depth of his vnsearchable mercies he couered it with peace , ioy and happinesse , euen as the seas are couered with water . in the gunpowder treason , the necke of our whole state , both of church and common-wealth , the glory of this famous and flourishing kingdome , the hope of posterity was laid as it were vpon the blocke : the instrument of death was lifted vp by the damned instrument of the popes malice and cruelty , he was euen ready to giue the mortall stroke ; and had not the angell of the lord stepped in , in the verie nicke ; had not our mercifull god , by his most miraculous and immediate prouidence put to his helping hand , when our case was desperate and all hope past , he had cut off from vs the roote and the branch , the name and the remnant , the son and the nephew . our land that before was as the garden of eden , had bin by this time a desolate wildernesse : our church , which was before a harbour of saints , had been by this time a poole of snakes ; i meane an habitation of papists . the faire body of this citie , that before was enliued with matchlesse glory and worth , should by this time haue bin a rent and dismembred carcase ; and that which is worst of al , the neglected and forlorne lims , inspired with the doctrine of diuels . let vs then examine our selues in this point . haue these incomparable blessings melted our hearts into teares of repentance & thankfulnes ? haue these cords of loue drawn vs neerer vnto our god in all knowledge , loue and obedience ? why then we may assure our selues of a good testimony , that our soules are seasoned with grace . but if it be quite otherwise : if these great and vndeserued mercies haue bred in vs a more frozen coldnesse in the seruice of god , a more presumptuous securitie and a sounder and sweeter sleepe in sin ▪ if since our miraculous deliuerance , vnparalleld by all nations , times and stories ; there hath bin amongst vs no lesse prophaning of gods name and sabbaths then before , no lesse pride and drunkenesse , no lesse oppression and vsurie , no lesse vncleannesse and vnconscionablenes in our callings , no lesse ignorance in the word of god , and backwardnesse in the waies of holinesse , no lesse contempt of godlinesse and godly men : nay , if all these gather head and heart , more ripenesse and readinesse to receiue the flame of gods fierce and last wrath : if there bee rather a sensible decay of the feare of god , of zeale , and true sinceritie amongst vs : if prophanenesse , atheisme , poperie , and a luke-warmenesse in religion , like a mightie torrent , rush in violently vpon vs daily more and more , and fearefully preuaile and domineere in most places : why then , ( you are a people of vnderstanding ) i leaue it to your owne consciences , to consider what must needs shortly befall vs , except we gather our selues before the decree come foorth ; vnlesse by speedy humiliation and vnfained repentance , wee preuent so great and fearefull iudgements . and the rather , because wee may assure our selues , while the diuell is in hell , and the pope at rome , the priests and iesuits , those notorious and transcendent instruments of blood and death , will be working in the vaults of darknes for the confusion of the children of light , the subuersion of the kingdome of christ , and by consequent the ruine of our church and common wealth . little know we , what fearefull and hellish plot may be euen now in hatching and hammering , or how neere it is to the birth , while we are most secure . and for vs in the meane time , without repentance , and rooting out idolatrie , to depend still vpon immediate and miraculous discoueries and deliuerances , is at the least an vnhallowed and desperate presumption . i cannot follow distinctly at this time , any more differences betwixt the state of sauing grace and formall hypocrisie . for conclusion therefore onely , i will acquaint you more fullie with the effects of sauing grace , and follow in few words the trace and steps of the spirit of god in the great worke of regeneration ; that thereby euery man may examine his conscience , iudge himselfe , and trie what his state is . the working and propertie of this sauing grace , and true godlinesse vouchsafed peculiarly and onely to gods children , which doth translate them from darkenesse to light , from the corruption of nature , to a state of supernaturall blessednesse , you may thus conceiue and vnderstand . it is like leauen ( for so the power of gods word is compared in the gospell ) it is of a spreading nature : first , it seates it selfe in the heart ; after it is dispersed ouer all the powers and parts both of soule and body ; ouer all the actions and duties of a man whatsoeuer : it softneth and changeth the heart : it purgeth the inmost thoughts : it awakes the conscience , and makes it tender and sensible of the least sinne : it sanctifies the affections : it conformes the will vnto the will of god : it illightnes the vnderstanding with sauing knowledge : it stores the memory with many good lessons , for comforts , instructions and directions in a godly life : it seasons the speech with grace : it so rectifies , and guides all a mans actions , that they proceed from faith , they are warrantable out of gods word , they are accomplisht by good meanes , and wholly directed to the glory of god. nay , yet it spreads further , and kindles a desire and zeale for the saluation of the soules of others , especially of all those that any way depend vpon vs : so that the child of god doth euer embrace all meanes and opportunities for the communicating of his graces and comforts , and the bringing of others to the same state of happinesse with himselfe . let then , i beseech you , euery mans conscience goe a little along with me ; and secretly , but faithfully answere to these few interrogatories which i shall propose very briefly and plainely , that euery man may easily-vnderstand . hast thou felt by thine owne experience this great worke of regeneration and change wrought vpon thy soule ? hath the powerfull word of god , by the inward , speciall and effectuall working of his spirit , broken and bruised thy hard and stonie heart ? hath it pierced and purged the very closest and most vnsearchable corners thereof ? hath it humbled it with the sight of thy sinnes , and sense of gods iudgements ? hath it filled it with fearefull terrours , compunction , remorse and true sorrow for thy life past ? hath it after quieted and refreshed it with a sure faith in christ iesus , and a delight in heauenly things ? hath it mortified thy inward corruptions , and broke the heart of thy sweet sinne ? hath it planted a holy moderation in all thy affections ; that whereas heretofore they haue been enraged with lust , with immoderate anger , with ambition ▪ with insatiable desire for the enlargement of thy wealth , possessions and greatnesse , and with hatred of gods dearest seruants and their holinesse ; are they now inflamed with zeale for gods honour , truth and seruice ; with a feruent loue vnto the lord and his saints ; with christian courage , to oppose against the sinnes of the time , to defend goodnesse and good causes , to contemne the lying slanders and prophane scoffes of worthlesse men ? hath it begot in ●hy will an hunger and thirst after the spirituall food of thy soule , the word and sacraments ; so that thou haddest rather part with any worldly good , then not enioy the incomparable benefit of a conscionable and constant ministery ? are thy thoughts , of which heretofore thou hast made no great conscience , but letten them wander vp and downe at rondom wickedly , idely and wantonly ; are they now , i say , bounded within a sacred compasse , and spent vpon holie things , and the necessary affaires of thy honest and lawfull calling ? is thy vnderstanding informed , and acquainted with the mysterie of saluation , which the world , and the wise men thereof , account nothing but madnesse and follie ? is thy memorie , which hath heretofore been stuffed with trash and toies , vanities and follies , now capable and greedy of diuine knowledge ? are thy words , which heretofore haue been full of prophanenesse and worldlinesse , now directed to glorifie god , and to giue grace vnto the hearers ? nay yet further besides this inward renouation of the faculties of thy soule ; hath the power of grace sanctified all thy outward actions ? dost thou now order in euery particular , al the businesse of thy vocation religiously , conscionably , and by direction out of the word of god ? art thou inwardly affected , and faithfull in the performance of religious duties ? as in hearing the word of god , in sanctifying the sabbath , in prayer and the rest . dost thou now heare the word of god , not onely of course and custome , but of zeale and conscience to reforme thy selfe by it , and to liue after it ? doe not the weeke daies duties , and worldly cares drowne thy mind on the sabbath ; but that thou dost the whole day entirely , freely and cheerefully attend the worship of god ? dost thou exercise daily with fruit and feeling , prayer , that precious comfort of the faithfull christian ? thou being conuerted , dost thou labour the conuersion of others , especially of those which are committed any way to thy charge , and for whom thou must giue a more strict account ; as if thou be a master of a family , dost thou pray with them , and instruct them in the doctrine of saluation , and waies of godlinesse ? dost thou now not onely sticke at , and forbeare great and grosse sinnes , but dost thou euen hate the garment spotted of the flesh , and al appearance of euill ? doth the tendernes of thy conscience checke thee for the least sinnes , and make thee fearefull to offend , though it bee but in a wandring cogitation ? after euery fall into infirmities , art thou carefull to renew thy repentance , and learne wisedome and watchfulnesse to auoid them afterwards ? doest thou feele thy selfe profit ; grow and encrease in these fruits and effects of grace ? and hast thou such a gratious tast of the glory of god , and of eternall life , that thou art euen willing and desirous to meet thy sauiour in the clouds ; not so much for to be rid out of the miseries of this life , as to be freed from the heauie burthen of sinne which hangs on so fast , and to enioy his presence in the heauens for euer ? in a word , as thy soule giues life , spirit , and motion to thy whole body , and euery part thereof ; doth the spirit of god euen so inspire thy soule and body , and all thy actions with the life of grace ? why then , thou hast past the perfections of the formal hypocrite , and art possest of the state of true blessednesse ; thou art then happie that euer thou wast borne ; thy way is certainely the way of life : and i can assure thee , and i dare boldly pronounce it , that thou art already vtterly out of the reach of all the powers of hell : satan is chained vp , for euer doing thee any deadly hurt : all the creatures are reconciled vnto thee , and at league with thee : thou hast filled the angels with joy at thy conuersion , they will for euer guard thee : thou shalt neuer more be afraid for any euill tidings . though the earth be moued , and though the mountaines fall into the midst of the sea , thy heart shall abide strong , vnshaken and comfortable . when thou fallest downe vpon thy bed of sicknes , thou shalt find no mortall poyson in thy flesh ; no sting in death ; no darkenes in the graue ; no amazement at that great and fearefull day . for all the merits and sufferings of christ are thine ; all the comforts of gods children are thine ; all the blessings in the booke of god are thine ; all the ioyes of heauen are thine : euen all things are thine , and thou art christs , and christ is gods. onely stand fast in the faith ; quit thy selfe like a man , and be strong ; gird thy sword vpon thy thigh ; buckle fast vnto thee the whole armour of god ; ride on because of the word of truth ; and the lord thy god be with thee . breake thorow for a while with vndaunted courage the bitternesse of the worlds malice ; the keene razours of empoysoned tongues ; th● teares and tediousnesse of a few & wretched daies ; for thou art nearer the price of the high calling , then when thou first beleeuedst : shine more and more in faith , in patience , in loue , in knowledge , obedience , and all other christian graces , vntill the perfect day , vntill thou reach the height of heauen , and the full glory of the saints of god. i now proceed more distinctly to other markes of difference betwixt the state of grace , and formall hypocrisie . some notes of distinction for my purpose may be raised out of those places of scripture , which i proposed , for to acquaint you with the kinds of perfection , and degrees of goodnesse ; whereof a man as yet vnregenerate is capable , and may bee partaker . in the . of luke , the hearer resembled vnto the stonie ground , is the formall hypocrite . hee receiues the word of god with ioy , as doth the faithfull christian , though ●ot in the same measure : but here is the speciall point and marke that differenceth the one from the other : the word and faith in the formall hypocrite haue no roots : they are not deepely and soundly rooted and planted in his vnderstanding , conscience , thoughts , affections , and actions . first , they are not rooted and fastened in his vnderstanding , by those two sacred and gratious habits , which are called by the apostle , col. . . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 : heauenly knowledge , or speculatiue wisedome in the mysteries of saluation : and spirituall prudence , or a sanctified vnderstanding in the practicall affaires of the soule . these two , as i conceiue , for diuine reuelations , and matters of heauen , answe●e in a proportion to those two intellectuall habits , sapientia and prudentia mentioned by aristotle eth. . for naturall truth , and ciuill actions . sapientia , you know out of the schooles , is a worthie habit compounded of intelligentia ; which is a naturall light and ability of apprehending and acknowledging speculatiue principles , the foundations and fountaines of all humane knowledge : and of scientia ; which is an habituall and exact knowledge of all necessarie conclusions and deductions by the force of reason , and labour of discourse thence issuing , and grounded thereupon . but prudentia , though it be seated in the vnderstanding ; yet it is practicall , in respect of the obiect and the end ; and is the soueraigne and guide of all other vertues . it doth euer amid the many varieties , vncertainties , and passages of humane actions , wisely , and honestly consult and aduise , iudge , and resolue ; manage , and execute . euen iust so , these two heauenly habits , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , heauenly wisedome , and spirituall prudence , shed into euery sanctified vnderstanding by the fountaine of grace , are busied and exercised about supernaturall truths , and matters of eternall life . by the first , the child of god hauing the eyes of his mind opened and illightened , doth see the great mysterie of saluation , the secrets of the kingdome , the whole counsell , and the wonders of the law of god : hee doth know what the hope is of his calling , and what the riches of his glorious inheritance is in the saints : hee comprehends what is the breadth , and the length , and the depth , and the heighth . by the second he is enabled with a iudicious sincerity to deliberate , and determine in cases of conscience ; in the perplexities of tentations ; in all straites , ambiguities , and difficulties incident to the consideration and cariage of a christian ; and with spirituall discretion to guide and conduct all the actions of grace , and euery particular , both in his generall and speciall calling . this explication premised , i come to tell you , that the word of god doth not take sure and lasting root , doth not dwell plentifully in the vnderstanding of the formall hypocrite , by these two diuine habits . first , there is a right noble branch of diuine knowledge and heauenly wisedome , springing out of the mysterie of regeneration ; in which , as i take it , the formall hypocrite is for the most part vtterly ignorant . he knowes not that dark and fearefull passage , which leades from the vanities and corruptions of nature , and out of the dominions of darkenesse and death , thorow strange terrors and torments of soule , into the rich and glorious happines of the state of grace , and kingdome of christ. he knowes not the variety and power of tentations ; the causes , degrees , the wofull consequents and recoueries of spirituall desertions , relapses , and decaies of grace . he hath no skill in the nature , symptomes , and remedies of afflicted consciences : in the secret workings and right vses of afflictions , infirmities , scandals , and disgraces . he is not acquainted with satans transformations into the glory of an angell ; with his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , & 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , as the apostle calleth them : that is , his depths , his profound plots and contriuances , moulded by malice and suttlety in his owne large vnderstanding ; furnished with the experience of our corruptions , and the successe of his many tentations for some thousands of yeeres ; managed with all the crafts and policies of the most darke and hidden corners of hell . he is not acquainted with his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , as they are called ephes. . : his exquisite method , in the wilie conueiance of his stratagems and insidiations ; in ordering his assaults , and discharging his fierie darts . how sometimes he keepes as it were a method of nature , in striking at the root , and labouring to stop or poyson the fountaine of spirituall life , which is faith : that so the fruits of godlinesse may wither , and the streames of diuine grace may drie vp . satan knowes full well that the liuely or languishing exercise of other inward graces , the cold , or zealous performance of all outward duties , depend vpon the weakenes or strength of our faith : and therefore if he perceiue , that by a free and vitall operation of a strong faith , our zeale , our hope , our patience , our faithfulnes in our calling , and other graces bee maintained in their heate , vigour and excellency , he labours might and maine to weaken , shake , and beate downe our faith , and that by such meanes as these : first , by suggesting to the child of god , a consideration of the flourishing of the wicked ; how imperiouslie and prosperously they domineere and reuell it in the world ; how they spread themselues like a greene bay tree , and bring their enterprises to passe : while himselfe lies trampled vpon by their insolencies , oppressions and prophane censures ; while perhaps hee lingers and pines vnder some heauie crosse and long visitation ; and for al his prayers , his groanes , his patience , yet finds small comfort , no deliuerance , for ends best knowne vnto his heauenly father ; so that hee may outwardly euen perish in his troubles . this is a shroud temptation , and in some measure preuailed against dauid ; it made so tall , and well rooted a cedar to stagger : nay , this tempest had neere ouerturned him ; this blow had wounded his faith to death , had he not in good time stept into the sanctuarie of the lord , and vnderstood the end of these men ; how suddenly they are destroyed , perished , and horribly consumed : and considered howsoeuer the godly bee vext with men or diuels for the daies of their vanitie in this miserable world ; yet it euer goes well with them at the last . a second meanes , by which satan endeuours the weakning of our faith is this : he curiouslie obserues all seasons and aduantages ; and therefore if he spie our minds to bee ouercast with some cloud of melancholy , the seate many times of vnnecessarie distrusts and feares ; or to be cast downe with some sad and heauy accident , and worldly discomfort ; he presently afresh represents vnto the view of our conscience , the many and great sinnes of our vnregeneration in their foulest shape ; that so by this renewed horror , he terrifying and affrighting vs , may raise new doubtings and amazements , and in some measure loosen the hand and hold of faith . a third weapon , by which he striketh at our faith , i take to be one of his own immediate suggestions , and that is this : while the heart of a godly man is refreshing it selfe sweetly and plenteouslie with an assurance of his future happinesse and eternall enioyment of endlesse iores in heauen ; satan , that out of his cruell malice hee may mixe some hellish poison son with these riuers of comfort , labours to cast into his mind , euen some thoughts of impossibilitie of the performance of the promises of saluation , and of the attainement of that excellent waight of glorie : and would gladly make him thinke it incredible , that hee should euer bee crowned with immortalitie ; or be so gloriouslie partaker thorow all eternitie of vnspeakeable comforts aboue . this temptation , as i take it , doth not much disquiet the formall hypocrite , or any vnregenerate man. for because his perswasion of happinesse to come , is false and misgrounded , and that hee hath no sound assurance of heauen ; satan is too wilie to suggest vnto him doubts and distractions of this nature . but wheresoeuer it lights , it is of feareful consequence ; and therfore not to bee debated vpon by the thoughts , or disputed with satan ; that is not the way to conquer this temptation ; but suddenly , and resolutely to bee repeld by the power of prayer , and out of an holy contempt of so base and lying malice , to be cast as dung vpon the face of the tempter : so that the faithfull christian for al this , may maintaine and possesse his hart in patience , and vnconquerable comfort out of these two considerations : first , if hee bee a diuell and prince of hell , as gods child feeles sensibly and certainely by this present immediate suggestion ; why then vndoubtedly there is the glory of infinite maiestie in heauen , angels , saints , boundlesse and endlesse blessednesse of euerlasting time . secondly , he is to consider , that in the daies of his securitie and worldlinesse , no such scruples arose in his thoughts : and therefore it is onely a malicious tricke of the enemie of all true comfort , to defeate vs of our heauen vpon earth , our assurance of heauen in the world to come . a fourth way of weakening our faith is this : if satan , by taking in the nicke , the tide of our fraile and impotent affections , by casting vs vnawares vpon occasions and allurements ; or by the suddennesse , subtiltie or violence of some temptation , be able to hale vs againe into some grosse and scandalous sinne , to which , by reason of our naturall disposition and custome , wee were often , and most principally obnoxious before our calling : why then , from th●nce he drawes and enforceth vpon vs discomfortable , and faith-killing conclusions . he presently infers vpon such relapses ; that we haue deceiued our owne soules , that our holinesse indeed is but hypocrisie , that our faith is but temporary , and our conuersion counterfeit : otherwise the grace of god would be sufficient for vs , and the power of his sanctifying spirit , would at the least so farre restraine vs , bridle and mortifie our corruptions , that we should not breake out againe , and backslide into a sinne so much loathed and repented of : otherwise , as our sweet , and master-sinne in the time of our vnregeneration , made the deepest gash , the widest gap into our consciences ; so if we were indeed in the state of grace , wee should most carefully and tenderly close vp that wound , and bee most vigilan● and solicitous in fencing and fortifying that breach before any other . by this meanes satan many times giues a sore blow to our faith , and breeds much heauinesse and discomfort in the soule . thus satan in his temptations , sometimes proceedes by a method , a it were of nature , in striking at faith , the roote and heart of our spirituall life . but if h● be not able to fasten his fierie darts vpon the shield of fai●h ; why then he takes a contrary course and method , as it may best fit his aduantage , and more easie insinuation . for he attempts the dulling and diminishing of our zeale , and forwardnesse in religion , and other fruits of faith , and inferiour parts of sanctification . and that by such meanes as these . one weapon , by which he labours to wound our feruencie , and faithfulnesse in duties of holinesse , and to hinder the entire exercise of the graces of sanctification , is prosperiti● and freedome from discomforts and miserie . for if he once espie vs to be encompassed with worldly peace , reputation amongst men , honours and offices , plenty of wealth and preserments ; he is euer then in good hope ( by the helpe of the natural aptnes of worldly happines to ensnare and intangle ) to beget in our hearts , worldlinesse and securitie , the two great and dangerous consumptions of spirituall life . for if worldlinesse once take possession of our hearts , it wasts by little and little , our ioy in heauenly things , our comfort in the communion of saints , our longings for the incomprehensible and euerlasting happinesse : it banisheth all thought of the worth of our soules , of the spirituall state of our conscience , of the vanitie and change of this present life , of the glorious rising againe of our bodies , and the immortalitie of the second life : and in stead thereof filleth vs with earthlie cares , with feares , iealousies , griefe , hopes , wishes , independance vpon the prouidence of god , and a thousand platformes for the encreasement and securing of our outward felicitie . and securitie , it makes vs insensible of gods iudgements , of our falling from our first loue , of the danger wherein we stand : it makes vs put farre from vs the euill day ; and to thinke our mountaine so strong , that wee shall neuer bee mooued , but continue in our happie state , and die in the nest . secondly , he seekes to weaken our practise of godlinesse , by fastening vpon vs vncheerefulnesse , and vnprofitablenesse in the meanes of the preseruation of grace . for if he can once make vs cold and negligent , or onely formall , and cursorie in the daily examination of our consciences , in hearing the word of god , in the godly exercises with our schollers or families , in publike prayer , or our more priuate striuing with god by groanes and sighes , for the supplie of some grace , or remooueall of some corruption ; then there euer followes a languishing and decay of the life of grace . if we but perfunctorily receiue the heauenly food into our vnderstandings ; and being hindered by distractions , carelesnesse or worldlie cares , not digest it by meditation and conference , and by spirituall exercise of seruent prayer conuey it into the seuerall parts of our soules ; our new man wil quickly fall into a consumption . thirdly , hee doth notably dull and darken our holinesse and sinceritie , by casting vs vpon vngodlie and prophane company : which hath i know not what secret and bewitching power to transforme others into their owne fashions and conditions ; and to make them sometimes to condemne their former forwardnes and zeale in the seruice of god. for as the feed cast into the earth drawes vnto it self by little and little the property of that soyle whereunto it is transported , vntil at length it becomes like y t which doth there naturally grow : so the spirits and manners of men commonly conforme themselues to those with whom they ordinarily conuerse . lamentable then is their case , base their resolution , and miserable their comfort , who for aduantage , faction , foresight and hope of future gratifications , or any other by-respect , plunge themselues into such companies , where perhaps they may enioy many pleasant passages of wit , set , and artificiall disports , and passing the time , direction in their worldly affaires , combination against the power of religion , and the true professors thereof : but where they shall find no furtherance in the way to heauen , no comfort in heauenly things , no encouragement to piety , no counsell in tentations , no consolation vpon their deaths-bed . o how much better were it , for these few and wretched daies , to sort and solac● themselues amongst the saints of god , with whom they might shine as glorious lights together in the earth , and hereafter in the heauens aboue the brightnesse of the sun for euermore ; rather then prophanely to sport themselues in meshech , and for a season proudly to ruffle it in the tents of kedar , where there is no light of grace , no ioynt expectation of eternity , but darkenesse of sinne , and shadow of death ! mistake me not in this point : i would not haue men goe out of the world , or become separists . i would rather haue them , if they will vnderstand paul aright , be made all things to all men , that they might by all meanes saue some : that is , i would haue the children of god not be wanting in any offices of kindnesse or pietie , but to yeeld and communicate themselues so far as dutie , charity , humanitie , necessitie of their generall or particular calling vpon good warrant , and iust occasion m●y challenge and exact at their hands . but as for a free and full communication of the secrets of their soule , of their dearest affections of their spirituall estate , of their ioyfullest and best expence of time ; i would haue that onely vouchsafed and conueied into the faithfull bosome of a true christian , and confined to grace , as it peculiar and principall object . let their goodnesse , and good deeds spread without limit ; but their delight and intimatenes , is to bee restrained and appropriated to the saints that are on the earth , and to the truely excellent , which are onely the godly . hence it is that gods children are many times censured for morositie , vnsociablenes , disdainefulnesse of spirit , and opposition to good fellowship ; when god knowes they can find no taste in the white of an egge , no strength in a broken staffe of reed , no comfort in the men of the world , who haue their portion in this life ; and therefore they would not part with their paradise of communion of saints , or comfortable communication with god in their solitarines , for the companie of kings , and a world of carnall contentments . fourthly , satan doth sometime worke a soule decay of grace , and exercise of godlinesse , by putting into our heads some inordinate plot and forecast , for preferment and greatnes . for if he can once set our thoughts busily on foot for proiecting and contriuing , with excessiue desire , ambition and greedinesse ; some honour , office , or high place ; why then , farwell zeale ; farwell taking part with gods children ; farwell an vnshaken resolution , in standing for the honour , truth , and seruice of god ; and a christian courage in reprouing sins . for then we must liue reseruedly ; we must be content to part with our libertie , and be depriued of our selues : we must labour to satis●ie and accommodate our selues to the humours , pleasures , and passions of men . in a word , our whole cariage must hold a necessarie and exact correspondence with the men and meanes that are able to promote vs ; for so v●certaine and irregular are the reuolutions of mens fauours , that many times if a man but misse , or mistime one ceremony or circumstantiall obseruance , it is enough to cast him off , and vtterly cashire him from his hopes & ends . most miserable and seruile is their life , that thus forsake the strong tower of their saluation , and claspe their hand of faith about the arme of flesh . for they do not onely bereaue themselues of that worthie freedome of spirit , which an honest heathen would not exchange for his life : but also as they grow into a habit of seruitude and base engagements vnto men ; so they grow into a flauerie vnto sinne , and bondage vnto the corruptions of the time : and the higher they rise into fauor with prophane greatnes and policie , the deeper they sinke into the miseries of basenes and flatterie , and the high displeasure of almightie god : and at length , if they attaine their ends , ( for sometimes they die in the tedious prosecution of some vndeserued dignitie ) they double their discomforts , and encrease their account . for commonly where the pursuit and purchase of any honour and preferment hath beene base and indirect ; there the discharge and execution is formall , vaineglorious , and vnconscionable . thus you see a second method of satan , whereby he goes about to kill the fruits of faith ; and to cause , if not an vtter cessation , yet much weakenes and interruptions in the operations of grace . many moe such depths , and proceedings hee hath in his tentations . as for example : if he meet with notoriously wicked men ; as drunkards , swearers , vncleane persons and the like ; he tempts them to atheisme , a reprobate sense , contempt of gods worship and seruice , and to the great offence . to defend their leaud and gracelesse courses ; to glorie in their sinnes , and in their dexterity of making others drunke with the same iniquitie . he stickles & strikes the bargaine betwixt them , and death and hell ; and enters as it were bond for the performance of the couenant . hee tempts them to scorning ; and by their scoffings and railings , in some fort , to the despiting of the spirit of grace in the children of light ; which is a soule signe of a feared conscience , and a fearefull preparatiue to sinne against the holy ghost . these are satans standard-bearers ▪ and the●fore he inspires them with extraordinarie boldnes , and desperatenesse in sinning ; and teacheth them to march furiouslie in variety of rebellions against the maiestie of heauen . if he meete with honest ciuill men , heelabours to perswade them , that iust and vpright dealing with their neighbours , good meanings and intentions in matters of religion , are the verie life of the seruice of god , and a sufficient way to heauen : and to conceiue sinne , and sinceritie , to be nothing else but morall vertues and vices ; the power of sanctification , to be nothing but good education ; the practise of godlinesse , to be nothing but sober and honest behauiour ; and the whole mysterie of christianity , to be onely a graue and stayed ciuilitie : and the much adoe about faithfull and conscionable preaching , to bee onely the humor of some odde fellowes , that would be accounted singular and seraphicall . if he meete with formall hypocrites , who besides immunitie from grosse sinnes , and their ciuill honestie , are carefull and fashionable in the outward duties of religion , yet short of a sound conuersion ; hee labours might and maine to settle in them an opinion , that the state of regeneration is nothing but precisenesse and puritanisme ; that sauing sincerity and a true practise of holines , is onely a transcendent idea , consisting in pure abstraction , conceiued in the irregular and stirring heads of some busie and pragmaticall fellowes , shadowed onely with a number of faire shewes and pretences , but really existent and acted no where . and that they may more securely and obstinately rest vpon this persuasion , he furnisheth them with a notable art of misconceiuing and misinterpreting the actions of grace , and of making , by odious exaggerations , a little hole in the coate of a sound christian , as wide as hell . hence it is that dauid is many times made sport with , and merrilie iested vpon by them , with the false scoffers at their feasts and bankets , and hath things laid to his charge , with much confidence , but without al conscience , which , god thou knowest , he neuer knew . hence it is , that many times those actions , in which , for the truth and vprightnesse of his heart , and the iustnesse and innocency of his cause , he dare appeale to the tribunal of god , the impartiall searcher of the inmost thoughts , and seuere reuenger of all falshood ; yet are racked by vile and base misconstructions , and interpr●ted to be the workes of darknes and deceit . and if they take a godly man but tripping in some lesser error in his cariage , and that perhaps but forged in their owne wilfull misconceit ; they thence raise matter , not only of triumph and insultation , but which is much more feareful , of chearing , applauding , and confirming themselues in their present wretched state . but if satan meete with a man , that by the grace of god is already entred into the panges of his trauell in the new birth , and with sorrow for his sinnes is smitten downe into the place of dragons , and couered with the shadow of death ; then he eagerly striues to stiffle the new man in the wombe ; and by presenting to his view the vgly visage of his many and outragious transgressions , the curse of the law , and the wrath of god ; which he yet makes more grizlie and fierce by his owne hellish malice ; to plunge him into the bottomlesse gulfe of irrecouerable horror and desperation . but if by the mercies of god hee sinke not , but betime lay hold vpon the iustice of christ , and that boundlesse compassion , which neuer knew how to breake the bruised reed , or quench the smoaking flaxe ; but holds a broken and contrite heart farre more pretious , then a sacrifice of the beasts on a thousand mountaines , and then ten thousand riuers of oile : why then he stands like a great red dragon in his way , at the very first entrance into the kingdome of light , and profession of sinceritie , and casts out of his mouth flouds of persecutions , vexations and oppositions ; that so he may ouerwhelme and crush him before he come to any growth or strength in christ , and a full comprehension of the mysterie of grace . and to this end hee sets on foot , and fire too , and whets with keene razors many a leaud and prophane tongue , to scoffe , disgrace and discourage him in his narrow , but blessed passage to immortalitie , by reproches , slanders , exprobration of his former life ; by odious names of hypocrite , singularist , puritane , a fellow of irregular conscience and stirring humour , of a factious and contradictious spirit , and such like . but if hee also passe these pikes , and these sharpe swords , ( for so dauid calles spitefull tongues , ) out of a consideration of that truth in paul : euery one that will liue godly in christ iesus shall suffer persecution ; and that in the calmest time of the church : amongst many other , he shall be sure at the least to bee continually scourged and vext with strife of tongues : for euerie faithfull christian knowes by good experience , that euer now and then , as he shall stirre in a good cause , stand against the corruptions of the place where he liues , with conscience and faithfulnesse discharge his calling ; hee shall presentlie haue the spirit of prophanenesse to slie in his face , with brutish and implacable malice and insolencie : but yet , i say , if he be able with his lord and sauiour to endure this speaking against of sinners ; and to esteeme it , as it is indeed , his crowne and comfort : why then satan casts about another way ; and hee labours sometimes to fasten vpon him some vnwarrantable opinions , thereby scandalously and vnnecessarliy to disquiet him , to defraud him of an entire fruition of the comforts of holinesse , and to hinder and interrupt him in the prosecution of his glorious seruice of god. sometimes to puffe him vp with a selfe-conceit of his owne excellencie , seeing himselfe aduanced as farre aboue the common condition of men , and the richest and happiest worldling , as heauen aboue earth , light aboue darkenesse , endlesse happinesse aboue eternall miserie : that so , as the apothecaries ointment by a dead flie , his good actions and spirituall graces , may receiue staine and infection by priuie pride : of the nature and remedies whereof i haue before discoursed . these and many others be the temptations of a babe in christ , and fitted to the infancie of regeneration . but if satan meet with a strong man in christ , he tempts him by those two methods i told you of before , somtimes by wasting his zeale , sometimes by weakening his faith , and a thousand moe . amid which infinite varietie , he is for the most part constant in one point of policy , and that is this : he cōceales his greatest fury , his most desperate assault vnto the last : he reserues his fieriest dart , his deadliest poison , his sharpest sting , his gunpouder-plot vntill he meete vs on our deaths bed . wherefore , beloued in christ iesus , we had need euery man to be strongly and soundly prepared and armed against that great and last encounter with satan ; vpon which depends our euerlasting estate , either in the ioies of heauen , or paines of hell . oh at that day , ( and we little know how neere it is ) it is not our deepe reaches and vnfathomd policies and proiects , the countenance and patronage of great personages , our merrie and plesant companions , or the pluralitie of liuings and preferments , that can yeeld vs any comfort or assistance in that terrible and fearefull combat . nay , though we now little thinke vpon it , all the worldly contentments , that we haue either indirectly purchased , or vnconscionably imploid , he will then turne vnto vs into scorpions , stings and wormes of conscience . onely at that day a good conscience will hold out as armour of proofe ; which , as it hath bin on earth a continuall feast , so their it will bee vnto vs a great and euerlasting iubilee for euermore . by this ▪ time you easily perceiue , and i am very sensible of the digression i haue made : but i haue done it , onely to giue you a taste of that part of diuine knowledge about the depths of satan , and spirituall state of sanctified soules and afflicted consciences ; which i take to be gods childs peculiar , and in which the formall hypocrite hath little skil or exercise . for the deepe and diuine ponderations of this nature , vpon these points , doe not much take vp or trouble his mind and meditations . it is a pretious knowledge , abstracted by an holy experience from the practise and actions of true and sound regeneration ; and therefore it is transcendent to his most happie naturall capacitie , to the depth of his worldly wisedome , and to the greatest height of his speculations , though otherwise neuer so vniuersall and profound . now as concerning other parts of diuine knowledge , and other points of religion ; hee may be furnished with store of rare and excellent learning , in fathers , schoolemen , commentaries , cōtrouersies ; he may be endewed with suttletie in disputing and defending the truth of god : yea , and in resoluing cases of cōscience too , so far as a formal obseruatiō , and popish doctors can leade him . for their resolutions in that kind , are only busied about cases incident to their antichristian hierarchy , about perplexities arising out of their wil-worship and bloudy superstition , and determination of some particulars in the commandements , which may fall within the capacitie of an vnregenerate man : but their profession , i meane the papacie , cannot possibly reach vnto the heart of godlines , the mysterie of regeneration , and the sauing power of the life to come . nay yet besides this , the formall hypocrite may be made partaker of some degrees of the spirit of illumination , in vnderstanding , and interpreting the book of god , for the good of his church and children . for i doubt not , but many haue much light of iudgement , that haue little integritie of conscience ; and are inspired with the spirit of illumination for the good of others , that haue no part in the spirit of sanctification and sound conuersion for their owne happinesse . but yet me thinks there may be conceiued some differences betwixt the child of god , and the formall hypocrite , in the very speculation and knowledge of gods truth , and in apprehension of things diuine in the vnderstanding : which i take to be such as these : first , the light of diuine knowledge in the formall hypocrite , doth onely discharge his beames and brightnes vpon others , but neuer returnes and reflect● on his owne soule to an exact discouerie of the darkenesse of his owne vnderstanding , the disorder of his affections , the slumber of his conscience , the deadnesse of his heart : but euery child of god is euer in some measure , both a burning and shining lampe ; he is both illightned and inflamed inwardly in his owne vnderstanding , heart and affections , and also the brightnesse of his christian vertues , are euer dispersed and working vpon others . wheresoeuer hee liues , he shines as a light , amid a naughtie and crooked generation , in the sight and censure of god , the blessed angels , and good men ; though to the iudgement of the world , and eye of prophanenesse , his glorious graces euer did and euer will appeare to bee nothing but darkenesse and dissembling . you may conceiue this difference thus : the sun beames , you know , are not onely cast and shed into the inferior orbs and aire ; but are first rooted in the sunne , and doe inwardly and vniuersally fill with light that faire and glorious body . it is otherwise in the moone : for howsoeuer she receiue light , for the cheering and comforting other bodies , yet she remaines darke within , and in respect of her selfe , it serues onely to make her spots more conspicuous . it is iust so in the point wee haue in hand : the light of diuine knowledge in the child of god , doth not onely shine vpon the soules of others for their instruction and refreshing ; but doth first fully illuminate his owne , though not to an excellencie of degree ; for that is reserued for heauen ; yet to a perfection of parts , of which only our mortalitie is capable . but in the formall hypocrite , howsoeuer it may sometimes dispell ignorance and errors from the minds of others ; yet within he is darkenesse in the abstract in respect of sauing light , as is euery vnregenerate man , ephes. . . and his light of knowledge in respect of himselfe , serues onely to make his sinnes more soule and sinfull , his damnation more iust , and himselfe more inexcusable . for he that knowes his masters will , and doth it not , shall be beaten with many stripes . secondly , the knowledge of diuine mysteries in gods child , is entertained and enioyed with a peculiar kind of sweetnes ; with an impression of incomparable ioy and pleasure : it is far sweeter vnto him then hony , and the hony combe : hee hath more delight in it , then in all manner of riches : it is more precious vnto him then gold , yea then much fine gold : it begets and stirres in him flagrant desires and affections correspondent to it pretiousnesse and excellencie . but it is not so with the formall hypocrite ; for his earthly-mindednesse , by which his affections are as it were glued vnto the fashions of the world ; if he were sensible of it , would tell him that it is many times not so sweete vnto him as his pleasures : his close couetousnes or other vnconscionablenes in his calling , if his conscience were illightned would informe him , that many times it is not so deare vnto him as gold . thirdly , the child of god hath an humble and gratious resolution , a sweet and willing submission euer mixt with his diuine knowledge , of being mastered , guided and gouerned by it ; though against the violent bent of his owne inclination , and the current of the time : but the formall hypocrite if he deale faithfully with his owne heart , may feele in himselfe a secret subordination and subiection of his vnderstanding therein , to his wealth , honours , and worldly preferments . fourthly , in apprehension of diuine truth in the formall hypocrite , the power of naturall discourse , and light of reason beares the chiefest sway ; and therefore hee stickes , as it were in the bone and barke , in generalities , and vncertainties : but in the child of god , the sacred illustration of gods spirit doth plentifully concurre ; and therefore hee is able to prie into and pierce the marrow and pith of gods holy truth , the particular veines , and the sauing sense thereof . i come now to the other habit , which the apostle calleth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , spirituall prudence , by which the word and faith take no root in the vnderstanding of the formall hypocrite . this habit , i told you , is a spirituall prudence , or a sanctified vnderstanding in the practicall affaires of the soule ; by which a regenerate man is inabled , with a iudicious sinceritie to deliberate and determine in cases of conscience , in the perplexities of tentations , in all straites , ambiguities and difficulties incident to the consideration and cariage of a christian ; and with spirituall discretion to guide and conduct all the actions of grace , and euery particular , both in his generall and speciall calling . this wisedome , as i take it , is an attendant vpon iustifying faith , and onely and inseparablie annexed vnto sauing grace ; and therefore the formall hypocrite , though i place him in the highest perfection , that is attaineable in the state of vnregeneration , is vtterly vncapable of it , and a meere stranger vnto it , as he is vnto the life of god. by this holy wisedome , dauid , psalm . . vers . . is said to be wiser then his aduersaries ; that is , then saul , and all his politicke states-men , then his teachers , then the ancient . if wisedome were lost , me thinks it should bee found amongst polititians , the oracles of imperiall depthes and secrets of state ; the pillars of common-wealths and kingdomes : amongst profound doctors and rabbins ; the fathers of knowledge and learning : amongst the ancient , whose age is many times crowned with ripenesse of iudgement , with variety of experience and obseruation . and yet by this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , spirituall prudence ( for the same word is vsed there by the septuagints , which the apostle hath col. . . ) dauid farre surmounted them all ; in respect of which , the flower and quintessence of all their wisedome and policies , was nothing but glorious follie and profound simplicitie . hence it is that many a poore soule illiterate and neglected , proudly passed by , and many times trampled vpon with disgrace and vexation , by worldly wisemen ; yet liuing vnder a constant and conscionable ministrie , is infinitely more wise then the greatest clerkes , and learnedest doctours , both in giuing counsell and aduise in spirituall affaires , and in conducting their owne soules , in these strangely prophane and desperate daies , thorow the strait way to heauen . hence then you may see a cleere difference . the formall hypocrite , so farre as naturall wit , goodnes of education , ciuill honesty , morall discretion , politicke wisedome can illighten and leade him , may manage his actions and affaires with exactnesse and reputation , gloriously and without exception in the sight and iudgement of the world . nay , besides , sometimes by an addition of some inferiour , and more generall graces of gods spirit , hee may set vpon them such an outward glistering , that they may dazle the eyes of the best discerning spirit , and deceiue his owne heart with a false persuasion , that they are the true actions of piety , and pleasing vnto god. but ouer and aboue all these , ( which is neuer to be found in the vnregenerate ) there is in the vnderstanding of the child of god , a more excellent and superior vigor , that inspires his actions with a high and more heauenly nature , that breathes into them the life of grace , that guides them with truth and singlenes of heart , and sinceritie in all circumstances , to the glorie and acceptation of god , the comfort of his owne conscience , and good of his brethren . there is a farre clearer and brighter eye shining in the soule of euery regenerate man , in respect whereof the fairest lights of all other knowledge and wisedome are egyptian darkenesse , which doth euer faithfully descry and discouer vnto him the straite , though vnbeaten path to immortality , thorow all the passages and particulars of his life : it reueales vnto him the wisest and most conscionable resolution in all spirituall debatements ; the best and fittest seasons of reprouing sinnes and winning soules vnto god ; many obliquities of actions , iniquitie of many circumstances ; the right vses of his owne afflictions , disgraces and infirmities , which the formall hypocrite cannot possibly discerne , because he is starke blind on this eye . amongst infinite , i will giue one instance of the gratious workings , and power of this diuine habit : let vs imagine an euill report or false slander to bee vniustly raised , and without ground vpon the formall hypocrite , though it seldome befall such ; for commonly prophane men are more countenanced , better conceiued and spoken of by the greater part , and by great men , then they deserue . yet if it so fall out ; this or the like is his behauiour : he perhaps proclaimes and protests his cleerenesse in the case too ambitiously and impotently ; not with that humilitie and spirituall discretion : he pleaseth and applaudeth himselfe in his innocency , for this particular , boisterously and with clamour , which perhaps secretly breeds a more generall pharisaicall selfe-conceit of the rest of his waies : he angerly contests with the iniquitie , and ingratitude of the world , for casting such base indignities and aspersions vpon goodnesse and vertue : he would gladly beare it out brauely , and make others think that he passeth it without wound or passion ; but indeed he inwardly chases and frets , and is much grieued and gauled with worldly sorrow for it : the reason is , his reputation with men is dearer vnto him , then the glory of god ; his chiefest good and comfort in this world , is the worlds good opinion of him . but in all this , he is so farre from working any spirituall good out of it , that he rather entertaines a secret encouragement to be that indeed , which the world censures him to be , then for a bare conceald conscience of his innocency , to debarre himselfe of a full fruition of the present times . but let vs now on the other side , conceiue a child of god to be wickedly and wrongfully slandered : for it is properly his lot and portion in this life , to be loaden with leaud and lying censures , with vniust and odious imputations ; sometimes to haue many grieuous things , and fearefull abominations fathered vpon him , without al sense , honestie or probabilitie , which he neuer did , he neuer knew . and if once ill reports raised falslie vpon the godly be on wing , they flie as swift as the eagles of the heauens . diuels are speedie dromedaries to carrie such newes : they presently passe thorow tauernes and ale-houses , citie and countrie , gath and ascalon ; they run farre and wide , as currant and authenticall , vnder the broad-seale of good fellowship , neuer more to be controlled and reuerst , vntill the matter be brought before that high and euerlasting iudge . but marke , i pray you , the carriage of gods child in these cases : he doth indeed sweetly and comfortably enioy the consciousnesse of his owne vprightnesse ; though his aduersaries bee neuer so potent , or cunning to threape him down , yet vntil he die , as iob speaks , he will not take away his innocencie from himselfe . when the sharpe and empoisoned arrowes of bitter malice and calumniations come thickest vpon him , euen with haile shot , his truly noble , and diuinely resolued soule , is infinitly satisfied with that in iob : behold now , my witnesse is in the heauen , and my record is on high . yet he doth labor to cleare himselfe so farre , as the honour of god , the satisfaction of the godly , and danger of iust scandall require . but the gracious considerations and holy practise , which in these afflictions of his good name , spirituall prudence principallie ministers and suggests vnto him , are such as these : first , he considers , that howsoeuer he be innocent from the slander , yet the finger of god is in it , as it was in directing the dogged malice of cursed shemei , vpō the roial person of dauid ; & therfore he gathers , that the lord would thereby giue him notice , that some other things in him are amisse : that some secret corruption , by which his blessed spirit is grieued , is to be subdued and mortified ; y t some grace is to be repaired ; some of his waies to be amended : perhaps his languishing zeale is to be reuiued and inflamed ; his heart much duld with the contagious prophanenesse , and formalitie of the times is to be quickned , and more enlarged for gods seruice ; repentance and humiliation for some former sinne , not thorowly repented of , or in part resumed , is to be renewed . perhaps the lord hath thereby an holy purpose to reueale vnto him , the omission of some duties in his calling , or some smaller faults , yet scandalous , whereof before he was not sensible . or it may be , to preuent some sinne to come , either that with which he is falsly charged , or some other , to which his fraile nature is more inclining . or lastly , by this experience to prepare him with courage , and furnish him with wisdome , to comfort others in the like case , or to glorifie his name by patience in some more publicke and notorious disgrace and vexation to bee indured in this kind . hereupon the child of god doth presently make a priuie search into his soule , doth narrowly fift the state of his conscience , and after due and impartiall examination , feelingly and faithfully addresse himself to prayer , practise of these considerations , and reformation of what he finds amisse . secondly , this outward crosse vpon his good name by false surmises and suspicions , makes him retire into himselfe , and more fruitfully and cheerefully to enjoy all his inward comforts , his hope and delight in heauenly things , the assurance that his name is written in the booke of life ; which no malice of men , or policie of hell is euer able to blot out . it makes him with more feruent and greedy attention to listen for the trumpet of that last and fearefull day , more longingly and with fixed eies , to wait for the lord iesus in the cloudes ; who , as he will punish all prophane opposites to holinesse with euerlasting perdition from the presence of the lord , and from the glory of his power : so vndoubtedly , with the brightnesse of his comming , hee will then at the furthest , before men and angels bring forth his righteousnesse as the light , and his iudgement as the nooneday . thirdly , by the mercies of god , for any such wretched and lying slander , he is not so cast downe with worldly sorrow ; he doth not so farre gratifie satan and malicious men , as to ioyne hands with them for the afflicting of his owne soule , with needlesse discomforts , or discouraging himselfe in his calling : but rather he raiseth matter of comfort , encouragement , and reioycing . for thereby he is made more like , and conformable to his head christ iesus ; who endured the crosse , and such speaking against of sinners , and despised the shame for the ioy that was set before him . hee hath thereby more waight and degrees added to his blessednesse , more massines , and brightnesse to his crowne of immortalitie : blessed are ye , faith christ when men reuile you , and say all manner of euill against you for my sake falslie ; reioyce and be glad , for great is your reward in heauen . and therfore in despite of malice and falshood , he runnes on ioyfully in his race ; and hauing the attestation of a cleare conscience , the acclamations of saints and angels , hee little cares for the barking of dogs by the way , bu● followes hard towards the marke for the price of the high calling of god in christ iesus . such as these are the thoughts and behauiour , spirituall wisdome acquaints the child of god with ; when his good name is wronged , & wounded with slanders & false reports . i conclude the whole point : the knowledge and practicall wisdome about heauenly matters in the formall hypocrite , are dull , cold , plodding , formall , seruiceable , and subordinate to his worldly happinesse . his knowledge is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , a forme of knowledge : rom. . . his practise is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , a forme of godlinesse : . tim. . . all is forme and outwardnesse : they are not deeply and soundly rooted in them by sanctifying grace ; nor inwardly inspired with supernaturall and spirituall life . but diuine knowledge in the child of god , is called , the spirit of reuelation , ephes. . . his practicall wisdome is spirituall , colos. . . that is , quick , actiue , feruent , zealous , stirring ; not into irregularities and exorbitancies , as worldly wisdom many times misconstrues , but against the corruptions of the times , and working out of all actions , occasions and occurrents , euen out of miseries , slanders and infirmities , some glory vnto god , some good vnto his children , some comfort vnto his owne soule . i now proceed to tell you , that the word of god is not rooted in the conscience of the formall hypocrite , which is the hearer resembled vnto the stony ground . the whole and entire worke of conscience , as you well know , out of the schooles , consisteth in a practicall syllogisine : the proposition ariseth out of the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , an habit of practicall principles , and generall fountaines of our actions . the assumption is properlie 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , conscientia , an actuall application of our knowledge to this , or that particular act or obiect . whence followes the immediate , and necessarie issue and office of conscience : to testifie , in respect of things simplie done , or not done : in respect of things to bee done , either to excite and encourage , or to restraine and bridle : in respect of things done well , o● wickedly , to excuse and comfort , or accuse and terrific . for example : the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , which is as it were a treasurie of rules and lessons for direction in our actions , proposeth the iniquitie of a lie euen out of nature . aristotle condemnes it , eth. . . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 : a lie is starke naught and discommendable . the sounder schoolemen demonstrate euery lie , though it be officious , & for a greater good , to be against nature , and indispensable . natures purpose is frustrated , and her law transgrest when speech and words , which she intends to be euer the true messengers of the conceits and apprehensions of the mind , are abused to falshood and equiuocation . but this practicall principle of not lying , howsoeuer it be cleere in nature , yet it receiues further illustration from the booke of god. therefore the proposition may be thus framed : euery liar shall be banished from the holy mountaine of the lord : psalm . . and shall be barred out of the new ierusalem for euermore : reuel . . . the conscience of the liar doth assume and tell him ; but i haue thus and thus lied for aduantage , and greater good : then it followes : therefore i must be banished from the holy mountaine of the lord , and barred out of the new ierusalem for euermore . a conclusion of condemnation and terror . such is the arguing of conscience for things past : but thus it worketh about things to be done : let vs imagine a man to deliberate with himselfe whether he should be non-resident or no. his habit of practicall principles , if he will deale faithfully with his owne soule , especially by the helpe of the honester casists , may yeeld him matter enough out of nature against non-residencie , as might easilie appeare , if the point were incident . but sith the case is cleere , ezech. . he may thus frame his practicall syllogisme : the non-resident must answere for the blood of those soules , which by his vnconscionable and vnwarrantable absence , & negligence in his charge haue perished in their sins . but sith i know not how soone i shall come to iudgement , my poore soule shall not appeare before my blessed sauiour , red with the blood of those soules , for which his precious blood was shed . therefore i will not be non-resident . you see here a restraint from non-residencie , that bloodie gangrene , that with remorselesse greedines eates and deuoures the pretious soules of men . this short explication of the nature of conscience thus premised , you may easily conceiue with mee thus much ; that accordingly as the practicall vnderstanding of a man is furnished with principles and rules for guiding his actions , according to the nature of them , and soueraignty they hold in the conscience , such and thereafter commonly is his life and actions . i except the grosse hypocrite ; for hee sinneth against the knowledge of his heart , and light of his conscience : therefore the sound of feare is already in his eares ; and in his prosperitie the destroyer shall come vpon him . hee beleeueth not to returne out of darkenesse , for he seeth the sword before him . affliction and anguish shall make him afraid : they shall preuaile against him as a king ready to the battel . god shall run vpon him , euen vpon his necke ; and against the most thicke part of his shield : because hee hath couered his face with falshood , and inwrapped himselfe in a cloud of hypocrisie . the point then must bee exemplified in other sorts of men . first , the notorious sinner , by reason of his delightfull conuersing with the wicked , and custome in the workes of darkenesse ; doth obscure , smother , and in some measure extinguish in his conscience , not onely the light of supernaturall truth , but of nature too : therefore hee runnes headlong without restraint or bridle , into desperate villanies and outragious rebellions . he drawes in sinne with cartropes , and worketh all maner of vncleanenesse with greedinesse : he is bound with his sinnes , and couered with iniquities , as a field is hedged in with bushes , and the path therof couered with thorns , whereby no man may trauell . it is shut vp , and is appointed to be deliuered by fire . secondly , the papist he entertaines and treasures vp for his practicall principles , the bloodie dictates of the pope of rome , that man of sinne , and vicegerent of satan ; which are so farre from receiuing strength or warrant , either from nature , or diuine truth , that they hold strong contradiction and eternall opposition to both : and therefore his conscience is enlarged like tophet . for it can without scruple , or remorse , nay , with hope of heauen , and a brighter crowne of glory , digest euen the sacred blood of kings , and swallow downe with ease the ruines and desolations of whole kingdomes . he can meritoriously butcher his brother in the streets with prodigious cruelty , as in that horrible massacre at par●s . he can bee dispensed with , and discharged from oaths , and truth of speech , the necessarie and soueraigne instruments of all iustice and society amongst men . he may expect canonization for blowing vp of parliaments , and tearing in peeces the royall limbes of the lords anoynted , and the strong sinewes of the worthiest state vnder heauen : and after saile towards the popish paradise , which is indeed the pit of hell , thorow a sea of innocent blood , without any checke or counterblast of conscience . thirdly , the ciuill honest man hath his * conscience informed with rules of naturall honesty , and generall notions of right and wrong , and therewith contents himselfe . and therefore he frames himselfe with sober cariage , faire conditions , iust and vpright dealing towards men , so that he is well spoken of , and reputed by the world a good neighbour , a sober wise man , of harmelesse behauiour , no medler , a peaceable man : and these are excellent , if not seuered , but seruiceable to true pietie , and sauing knowledge . peace is a pretious thing , if it may bee purchased and possest without impeach and preiudice to holinesse and a good consc●●nce . follow peace with all m●n , and holinesse , without which no man shall see the lord. peace and holinesse must goe together : if otherwise , it is an holy peace to bee at warre with the corruptions of the time : and to be at peace with sinne , is to war against god and his owne soule . but the meerely ciuill honest man , by his practicall principles , is led no further , but to the executions of morall honestie ; as for instruction in heauenly mysteries and diuine knowledge , hee doth not much meddle with , care for , or seeke after ; but onely for companie and fashion . fourthly , the formall hypocrite , besides the direction of naturall light in his conscience , doth interesse and acquaint himselfe with practicall principles out of supernaturall truths and the word of god , for the performance of religious duties and seruices ; but hee puts them in practise with reseruation , with his owne exceptions and limitations : hee is onely so farre guided by them in his life and conuersation , as they are compatible with his worldly happines : and therefore in the time of persecution , as it is in the parable , hee falleth away . but by persecution you must vnderstand , not onely the fierie triall and striuing vnto blood ; but also inferiour and not so smarting afflictions and tentations ; as it is cleere if we compare the three euangelists in their narration of the parable . it is many times , disgraces , and contumelies for his profession , displeasure and discountenance of great ones , the hazarding of some profit and preferment , the losse of friends , and fauour of the world or the like , that makes him slinke and yeeld , and desperately to cast himselfe into the current of the times , there to swimme with others for a while , with full saile of outward prosperitie , vntill he drowne himselfe in perdition , and sincks suddenly into the gulfe of endlesse woe and miserie . hence it is that mat. . . he is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , a temporizer : hee is not thorow , sound , resolute , and true-hearted for godlines , good causes , and to good men . for many times , when the honour of god is put as it were in the one scale of the balance , and his owne contentment in the other ; he suffers some worldly profit or pleasure , the gratification or satisfaction of some great man ; the purchase of some fellowship , benefice , or spirituall dignitie , ( for sometimes it proues perhaps as deere as a purchase ) the greedie desire , and pursuit of some vndeserued office or honour ; the enioyment of prophane company , or coherence with worldly wise men ; the pleasure of some secret and sweet sinne , or such like ; i say , he suffers these to weigh downe the exceeding waight of heauenly blisse , the vnualuable treasure of a good conscience , and the infinit glory of god. which is strangely miserable ; sith all the worth , wisdome , power , excellencie , and whatsoeuer other happinesse of man , al the highest , and greatest treasures and glory vnder the sunne , without the feare and fauour of god , if they were put in the waights with vanitie , vanitie would waigh them all downe . so thought dauid , psal. . the children of men are vanitie , the chiefemen are lies : to lay them vpon a balance , they are altogether lighter then vanitie it selfe . lastly , the child of god , besides the better and more speciall apprehensions of nature , stores his conscience , his treasurie of practicall principles , with many sacred and sauing lessons and rules out of heauenlie truth and gods holie word ; but so , that in his practise of them , he stands not vpon termes of pleasure , profit or preferments ; but doth whollie and entirely resigne vp himselfe in obedience , and humilitie to be guided and gouerned by them , without restriction or cuasion , in his thoughts , affections and actions , thorow the whole course of his life . therefore , luke . . the hearer compared vnto the good ground , ( which is the child of god , to whom in al my discourse i oppose the stony ground , which i call the formall hypocrite ) is said to be of an honest and good heart : that is , downe-right for godlinesse and good men , without hollownesse , faintheartednesse , or slinking . hee makes christianitie as it were his trade , he sweates and toiles in it , as the end for which he was created , and placed in this world : and as he receiues the word of god into his honest and good heart ; so there he treasures it vp , and keeps it faithfully . the word in the original , is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . he keeps it though it be with much difficultie , strugling and colluctation with his owne corruptions , the temptations of satan , and vanities of the world ; who cunninglie conspire and labour ioyntlie to plucke it vp , and wrest it from him : and he brings foorth fruite with patience . he yeelds no ground , though he meete a a lion in the way , or a tyrant in the face . in the day of trial and encountring with dangers and vngodly oppositions , he shrinkes not but stands fast , and suffers himselfe rather to be ouerflowne , then to be carried downe the streame of the sinfull fashions and wicked waies of the world . he knowes full well , howsoeuer he goes now on his way weeping , yet he caries precious seed ; and therefore the time will come shortly , that he shall doubtlesse come againe with ioy , and bring his sheaues with him . crosses , disgraces and tribulations may beget in the formall hypocrite , fainting and defection : but in gods child they bring foorth patience , experience , hope and resolution . euer when he enters consultation with himselfe , whether god must be obaied and glorified , or man pleased and satisfied ; he is quickly resolued out of that in isai. . . i , euen i , am he , that comfort you . who art thou , that thou shouldest feare a mortall man , and the sonne of man , which shall bee made as grasse ? and forgettest the lord thy maker , that hath spread out the heauens , and laid the foundations of the earth ? he considers the heauie iudgement determined , and reserued for all fearefull men , al spirituall cowards , and saint-hearted in the christian warfare ; who more feare men then god , and for their fauour and countenance , part with the protection of the almightie , and the comforts of a good conscience : they shall be punished with vnbeleeuers , with the abominable , with murtherers , and whoremongers , with idolaters , and hers , in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone , which is the second death : reuel . . . you may now cleerely conceiue the point i haue in hand ; how the word of god , is not rooted in the conscience of the formall hypocrite . the ordinarie intelligencers to his conscience are examples , custome , opinion , worldly wisdome , common preiudice against a strict course of sanctification ; precedencie and practise of greater men , for true goodnesse , many times ouerprized , and misualued by the worlds flattering censure ; the common naturall notions of right and wrong . but if vpon some extraordinarie good motion , by guidance of diuine rules , he sometimes crosse the current of the times , enter a profession of sinceritie , and some correspondence with gods children , it is but for a spirt , an essay , like a morning cloud , and as the morning dew . for as soone as his feruour in religious affaires , and furtherance of good things doth once by the fury of hell , crueltie of prophane men , malice of the world , enkindle and stirre vp against him , i say not onely a fierie triall , but euen some smarting heate of lesser persecution , some railing and slanderous tongue , which schorches like coales of iuniper , a disconccit and dereliction in his friends and old acquaintance , disgrace with the world , discountenance of greatnesse , vnlikelihood of rising and preferment ; if it once raise against him stormes of iealousies , enuies and molestations ; why , then he is gone , he slinks and starts aside like a broken bow . all his former good motions , purposes and endeauours melt as the winter ice ; and goe away like the morning dew . for the formall hypocrite euer when he seeles disturbance in his present securitie , interruption of his former contentments , hazard of his temporall felicitie , he begins strongly to suspect himselfe of too much forwardnesse , of vnseasonable and preposterous zeale , of distemper , and indiscretion in matters of religion ; and therfore giues backe , and falles away into his former plodding course of formalitie ; and that perhaps without any check of conscience : but if any scruples , and reluctation arise in his heart , out of his worldly wisdome , he interprets this yeelding to the times to be but an ordinarie and pardonable infirmitie ; and therfore notwithstanding slatters and deceiues himselfe with hope of heauen , which is a strong barre to keepe him out of the state of grace , and vnacquainted with the glorious comforts of sound and sauing sinceritie . but the sacred light of gods holy truth , is habituated and incorporated into the conscience of gods child , and is the onely and constant rule and square , by which , with all humilitie , vprightnesse of heart , a free , entire submission and obedience vnto it , he frames al his thoughts , affections and actions . and in this light , he walkes with a settled constancie and grounded resolution , thorow pouertie and oppression , contumelies and contempt , slanders and indignities , good report or ill report . for he hath his eie still fastned vpon eternitie , he hath the crowne of glory alreadie in sight , the inestimable pretiousnesse and euerlasting beautie whereof , rauisheth and possesseth his truly free and great heart with such a longing and feruencie , that hee is at a point with all that is vnder the sunne ; that he doth not only contemne , patiently endure , and vanquish al asperities and difficulties ; but euen with reioycing entertaine and embrace ( if the tyranny of the times so require ) the vtmost , that malice and crueltie can inflict vpon him . there is no other consideration or creature , either in heauen or earth , can separate him from the loue of god in christ iesus , or from his glorious seruice in al good conscience . and as the word of god is planted and rooted in the conscience of gods child , for his direction and constancie in the waies of godlinesse : so is it also there fastned for his forbearance of sinnes ; by these three properties , which are not to be found in the formall hypocrite : remorse for sinnes past , by which he is saued from relapses and backslidings . a present sensiblenesse of al manner of sinnes , whereby his present integritie and vnblameablenes , is happily preserued . an habituall tendernesse , by which he is armed and senced against the corruptions of the time , vnconscionable courses , and commission of sinnes to come . in remorse for sins past , i comprise a more ful knowledge , an vniuersall reuelation of his sinnes , by the light of gods word , and power of his spirit : and that both in extension and intension , both in number and grieuousnesse : a sense and feeling of them in their true waight , as they are able to sinke him downe into the bottom of hell . much sorrow and anguish , for the staine and guiltinesse they haue left behind them , and for that they prouoke to iust wrath , so louing and gratious a god. and lastly , a loathing of them , so that hee neuer casts his eies backe vpon them , but with an addition , of a new and particular detestation . he neuer enters meditation of the soule & hainous passages of his former life , but with shame and horror . euery solemne reuiew of his time of darknes and vnregeneration , makes the wound of his remorse to bleed afresh . by sensiblenes i vnderstand a quicke and present apprehension and feeling of euery sin , whether it bee publicke or priuate , open or secret , in our selues or others , as well in our thoughts and affections , as in our words and actions , in our generall or particular calling , more grosse and infamous , or slips and stumblings , scandals , and appearances of euill . habituall tendernes is a gracious temper & disposition of the conscience , wherby it is apt to be gauled & smart , at the first enteruiew with the iniquities of the time ; and at euery occurrence of corruptions and all vnconscionable attempts . these properties of tendernesse , aptnesse to smart , easines to bleed at the apprehension and approch of sinne , are peculiar to a conscience illightened , sanctified , and purged by the blood of christ ; neuer incident to the best naturall conscience , or furnished with the choysest notions and perfections of ciuill honesty and formalitie : for these are neuer so straite laced , but can let downe at the least without distaste or checke , common sinnes , lesser euils , the gainefull and honourable errors and obliquities of the time . hence it is that all prophane and vnregenerate men , wanting the curbe of a sober and sanctified conscience , haue euer infinite aduantage , for getting the start and precedencie , in compassing the comforts , glory , and preferments of the world . for they , when the atchieuement of any honour , happinesse or high place is on foot , aduise presently with th● ordinarie informers , and counsellers of their conscience , custome , example , multitude , worldly wisedome , the sway of the times and such like : but with the word of god and godly christians , onely so farre as they doe not crosse their ends , and contradict those plots and contriuances which they haue laid for their aduancement vnto high roomes . and thus they may passe with reasonable quietnes , without grudging or grieuing of a conscience so guided , thorow a a thousand corruptions and indirections , basenesse , flatteries , sinfull engagements , vnwarrantable courses . any of which , if it should meete with a conscience once soundly frighted with horrour of former sinnes , softned and sanctified by the blood of the lambe , would not onely rubbe off the skin and gaule it , but make it bleed to death . but worldly men are at a point , they must and will enioy the world ; for here they haue their portion and heauen . they esteeme it their greatest happines to bee admired and adored aboue others ; and therefore venture vpon whatsoeuer vnlawfull and indirect procurements , which may bring them to high places : rather then they will be defeated and disappointed in the pursuit of worldly happinesse , they will thorow , whether it be thicke or thinne , right or wrong , force or fraud , staine of reputation , or wound of conscience ; simonie or flatterie , friend or foe all is one : though in the meane time they strike their owne poore soules thorow with many sorrowes ; though when they are most glorious in their owne conceit , & in the ●ie of the world ; in the iust censure of god , angels , and sound christians they be most vile & contemptible : and indeed in this seeming sun-shine of worldly prosperitie , they treasure vp vnto themselues strange feares and astonishments , snares , fire and brimstone , and stormie tempests against their latter end . it is otherwise with gods child in such affaires : he still takes counsell and direction at the oracle of god ; with cornelius resolution , to heare or forbeare whatsoeuer is there commanded or forbidden ; and so followes the comforts of this world onely so farre as it will giue him leaue , warrant and assistance . but if he be to enter any corrupt course , or to passe thorow any vniustifiable meanes , for the attainement of his purpose and preferment ; there presently comes into his mind such considerations as these : hee conceiues with himselfe , that the passage into any place of office , or honour by corruption , is euer attended with the curse of god ; and so no true comfort to be expected in the enioyment and execution : that the restlesse humor , and proud spirit of ambition euer haunts and possesses men of least worth , and worst conscience : that he which truely feares god neuer desires height of place for the glory or gaine ; but onely with a sobor indifferencie , thither enclines and caries his affections and hopes , and that with trembling at the waightinesse of the charge , where it pleaseth diuine prouidence by honest and lawfull meanes to plant or transplant him , for the imployment of his talent ; and where hee may most glorifie god , benefit the church , and keepe a good conscience . he thinkes vpon the vanitie and miserie of all things we enioy in this world ; of that strict and great account hee must very shortly make vnto the lord , and iudge of all the world ; of the length of that eternity , thorow all which is vnauoidably to be endured an euerlasting estate , either in the ioyes of heauen , or paines of hell . out of such thoughts as these springs his truely noble & christian resolution ; that he had rather want preferment while the world stands , and end his daies in a retired and innocent obscuritie , then by casting himselfe into the common fashions and corruptions of the world , forfeit the fruit and comfort of his former integrity , wound his conscience , and serue the time : that he is farre more willing to endure any affliction or disgrace with gods children , then to enioy the pleasures of sin , and glory of the world for a season . i now come in the third place , to tell you that the word of god is not rooted in the thoughts of the formall hypocrite ; which is the hearer resembled vnto the stonie ground ; and thence riseth a very notable and most speciall difference betwixt him and the child of god , truely possest of the glorious state of grace . and i beseech you marke mee in this point . for the thoughts of a man doe farre more cleerely , and impartially distinguish the power of sanctification from the state of formality , then words , actions , and all outwardnesse of cariage . for in these many times is much cunning and enforcement , artificiall and fained behauiours ; counterfeit and formall conueiances , disguisements , and hypocrisies . they are liable to the lawes of men , open and obuious to the eye and iudgement of all ; and therefore feare of punishment , reproch , and base reputation , shame , & speech of the world , hope of reward and rising ; desire of maintaining a good opinion for honesty and religion ; of holding some gainfull coherence with gods children ; are of great power to restraine them , and to keepe them within good compasse and moderation . so that a mans words and actions , may be faire , ingenuous , and honourable ; whose thoughts are base , prophane and abominable . but thoughts are the free , immedi●●● and inuisible productions of the heart , neuer taken within the walke of humane iustice , by their naturall secrecie exempted from mans most priuie search , and all executions of state. their aberrations are onely censurable by the searcher of all hearts ; no eye pries into these secrets ; but that which is ten thousand times brighter then the sunne : and therefore millions of thoughts , many thousand formes of imagination spring continually out of the harts of men , which without feare or maske , without restraint or reseruation doe vndissemblingly resemble and represent the true state and disposition of the heart : so that from them we may be euer sure to take infallible notice , whether the heart as yet onely worke naturally , in framing them , in it owne sinfull mould , and feeding them with consent and delight ; or else be taught and guided by a supernaturall power , to compose them according to the light of gods word , and holy motions of his sanctifying spirit . let vs then consider what deepe roote the word of god doth take , and what speciall soueraignty it doth exercise in the thoughts of a sanctified man ; whereby hee is cleerely differenced from all states of vnregeneration ; euen that of formall hypocrisie , which i place in a degree aboue ciuill honesty , and in the highest perfection attainable by an vnregenerate man. we will then for our present purpose conceiue these differences betwixt the child of god , and the formall hypocrite in this point of thoughts . first , in respect of their nature , forms , & maner of working . streames doe resemble and expresse the nature and propertie of those fountaines whence they spring : so ordinarily , thoughts and imaginations follow the temper and constitution of the heart , wherein they are moulded . i say , ordinarily ; for as wee doe not passe our iudgements of the depth of a riuer , or quality of the water , when by suddennesse of inundation , or incursion of neighbor brooks , it is growne into a torrent , and becomne muddie for a while : so neither are we to censure , or take measure of our thoughts by some vncouth motions , and extraordinarie stirrings , we somtimes feele in them , but according to the ordinarie current , and generall sway , they commonly hold and exercise in our hearts . for sometimes , euen the vnregenerate may haue good purposes and inclinations towards sinceritie , earnest longings for the happinesse of the saints , and the heauenlinesse of their latter end ; some flashes of comfort and perswasion , though from false grounds , that the spirituall state of their soule is safe and sound : but such thoughts as these in such men , spend their life in their birth ; as they rise , so they glide and passe away without all fruit , true comfort , or profit to their owne soules . on the otherside , the calmnesse and serenitie of sanctified thoughts in a good christian , may sometimes be fouly disquieted and interrupted , either by some sudden eruption of the relikes of our owne sinfull nature , by violent inuasion of some enticing obiect from abroad , or by the malicious , and immediate iniections of satan . but because such thoughts as these oppose against the general and settled purpose of gods child ; hee well knowes , out of his spirituall wisdom and holy experience , how to repell and bridle them , how to repent of them , and pray against them , how to bee humbled , and bettered by them , in setting a stronger guard , and more narrow watch ouer his heart for afterward , left he be vnawares surprized the second time . sith therefore the heart of a notorious sinner is hardnesse it selfe ; for besides naturall obduration , it is yet further , and more fearefully hardned by a desperate extinguishment of those lesser sparkes of a generall inclination to ciuil● honesty , by a long custome in a dissolute course , by the contagious company of leaud and gracelesse companions , by the curse of god vpon his wilfull continuance in sinne ; therefore i say , his thoughts are all continually , and resoluedly sinne , and that in a high and horrible degree : wickednesse hath so enwoouen it selfe into his heart , that within he is very corruption . and whereas amongst all other comforts of life , sleepe doth most sweetly feed and refresh nature ; yet the humour of sinning is farre more naturall vnto him , and more dominant in his affections , then desire of sleep . for he cannot sleepe , except hee hath done euill ; and his sleepe departeth , except hee cause some to fall . he imagineth mischiefe vpon his bed : psal. . . when he is encompassed with the feares and darknes of the night , an image and representation of his graue , and of the horror of that great day ; when his mind is retired from worldly affaires , the noise and tumult of men ; when it is most actiue , powerfull , and fitted for diuine contemplation ; euen then are his thoughts as blacke as hell , and deepest in the works of darkenesse ; then is he plotting and contriuing mischiefe : how to compasse his pleasures , and accomplish the lusts of his heart , where to crowne himselfe with fresh rose-buds ; by what meanes to set forward the trade of drunkennesse , and to enlarge the number of satans reuellers , that with more contentment and companie he may leaue some tokens of his pleasures and swaggering in euery place : how to supplant his brother , oppresse his neighbour , grieue and disgrace gods seruants ; indeed how to become an absolut● villaine vpon earth , and the foulest fiend in hell . you see what are the thoughts of the notorious sinners obdurate heart , which is as full of hardnesse , as the moone of light ; and therefore inforced , as it were , to emptie and discharge it selfe of some stonines , by transfusing an iron sinew into the necke , and a brasen brow into the face . neither iudgement nor mercie will bend and encline him to grace : no admonition or ministery of the word , wil make him blush at his open and profest impietie : so that his heart doth not onely greedily entertaine , what leaudnesse doth ordinarilie spring from corruption of nature , and is suggested by others ; but being past all sense , both of shame and sinne , becomes one of the diuels new inuentours , and sets the thoughts busily on work for the deuice of strange villanies and mischiefs , and for addition of new formes , fashions , and circumstances of sinning . no better are the thoughts of the grosse hypocrite , another kind of sinner , but fully as soule and abominable . for if we could look into his heart , though his outward life be ordered smoothly and ciuilly ; yet we should see within a bloody slaughter-house of malice , crueltie and reuenge , an hateful stewes of impure imaginations and adulteries of the heart , a forge of much mischiefe , of furious and fierie rage against the power of grace , an insatiable gulfe of greedie desires for wealth and riches , for vndeserued respect and reuerence in the world ; indeed a cage of all vncleane and rauenous birds . here is only the differēce ; the notorious sinner dares act and execute the abominations of his hart in the sight of the sun : but the grosse hypocrite would gladly sinne vnseene , and go to hell with as little noise and notice of the world as may be ; and therefore he drawes a curtaine of cosenage and hypocrisie betwixt the sight of the world and foulenesse of his sinne . in the hearts of ahab and iezebel was nothing but blood and murder , couetousnesse , oppression , and mercilesse enclosure ; onely vpon the vgly visages of these soule fiends , they put a vizard of a fast , formall witnesses , and legall proceeding . the ordinarie thoughts then of the grosse hypocrite are the same , as vile and hellish , as those of the notorious sinner . nay he doubles his iniquitie , and addes waight ●o the vengeance preparing for him ; in that he straines the vtmost veine of his wit , and founds the depth of his damned policie , to clothe them with faire pretences , and colourable shifts , as they passe and present themselues vnto the world in words and actions , and in that he labours to seeme a saint , while he is in truth an incarnat diuell . but the thoughts of the formall hypocrite ; for with him i am specially to deale , ( i haue onely added in this point , the notorious sinner , and grosse hypocrite , for further distinction and illustration ) i say his thoughts , as they come certainly short of true sanctification , so they are farre better then these now mentioned . for we suppose his heart to be seasoned with goodnesse of nature and ciuill honesty , to haue tasted of the generall graces of gods spirit , and in some sort of the powers of the world to come ; and therefore his thoughts are more faire , ingenuous , sober and moderate , then those soule and hateful ones of the notorious sinner , and grosse hypocrite . his heart will rise , and be affrighted with suggestions of infamous consequence and markeable horror ; as those of atheisme , crueltie , drunkennesse , adulterie , her●sie and such like : but notwithstanding , because it is not softned and sanctified by speciall grace , without much scruple or conscience , it will let the imaginations loose to much idlenesse and vanitie , to many fruitlesse conceits , impertinencies and prophane wandrings ; but especially into the endlesse maze of worldly cares & earthlymindednes . for he doth in some sort in his practise approue and iustifie that wicked and pestilent prouerb : thoughts are free . they are free indeed , in respect of obnoxiousnes to humane iustice , in respect of discouerie and danger from any creature ; but the eie and vengeance of heauen takes first and speciall notice of them , and holds them punishable , as the principals , and chiefe plotters of al transgressions . words and actions are as it were sinnes at second hand , the very first life and freshest vigour of all ill is immediately receiued , and inspired into the thoughts . hence it is , that peter aduiseth simon magus , to pray god , if it were possible , that the thought of his heart might be forgiuen him : as though there lay the greatest guilt , and deepest staine before god. by the way before i passe to the thoughts of gods child , obserue one speciall marke of difference in this point , betwixt the true christian , and formall hypocrite . the formall hypocrite doth euer harbour and maintaine in himselfe ▪ one sweet pleasing bosome sinne or other , as voluptuousnes , worldlinesse , a greedy pursuit of temporall felicitie , an excessiue desire of greatnesse , and note in the world , an opposition to sinceritie , a delight in good fellowship , or some such like carnall contentment or secret sinne : on which his mind most runs ; whereupon the best and the flower , the feruency and dearenes of his thoughts are spent . gods word , honor , and seruice , checkes of conscience , motions of the spirit , ministrie of the word , admonition of friends , saluation of soule , by an vnreasonable and inconsequent discourse of his sensuall reason , are all made subordinate and seruiceable to this idoll : to which with much delight he daily sacrificeth the noblest and immediate workes and issues of his soule . as for the state of his conscience , spirituall affaires , care of heauen , that one necessarie thing ; these things take vp his thoughts but at reuersion , by starts , by accident ; and when they come into the heart , their entertainement is very cold and strange , their abode short ; and while they stay , they are apprehended and enioyed with much wearinesse and weaknesse . i conceiue this to be the reason : hee hath a full taste and present feeling of the pleasures of his sweet sinne ; hee hath sensible and certaine possession of worldly contentments , but no reall and sound assurance by sauing faith , and his forsaking all sinne , of the ioyes and comforts aboue ; and therefore doth greedily follow and feed vpon the present , with consent of his erring iudgement , delight of heart , the best of his affections , and most of his thoughts . and as for hereafter , sith he is conscious to himselfe , of an honest ciuill life , of a sober formall cariage in the affaires of religion , and that he is not infamous with any notoriousnesse in the world , but as good as the best , a few precise fellowes of purer straine onely excepted , whose pretence and profession of extraordinary sanctity , is nothing ( in his conceit ) but humour and hypocrisie ; he therefore , i say , for hereafter , referres himselfe at all aduentures vnto the mercy of god , and to the lot and condition of many thousands which are in the same case and state with himselfe . but it is otherwise with gods child : for by the power of sanctifying grace , as hee hath also mortified all other : so specially he hath broke the very heart of the sweete sinne of his vnregeneration . and as in a besieged citie , where the greatest and most dangerous breach is made , there the inhabitants concurre with chiefest care , and highest resolution , to fortifie and make resistance : euen so sith he knowes and feeles , that before his calling his delightfull and darling sinne most fearefully wasted his soule , and wounded his conscience , hee makes sure to imploy his thoughts with speciall edge and indignation , to countermine , preuent , resist , abominate and abandon all thought of that sinne : and now by the grace of god , sit● the heart , the fountaine , is purged and sanctified , the streame and heate of their intention and delight is caried another way . for he hath found that rich and inestimable treasure in the gospell ; and therfore he sels all that he hath ; he parts with euery pleasure ; he casts out of his conceit whatsoeuer hath beene formerly deare and pretious vnto him , and lets all his thoughts , with loose raines , greatest ioyfulnesse and oftenest meditation run after it , and sweetly refresh themselues with the glory and comfort of it . if a man vpon the way should find some pretious orient pearle , hardly could he keepe his eyes from gazing vpon it ; his excesse of ioy would eas●ly command and confine the sight to so rare and hopefull an object , vntill hee meet with some skilfull lapidarie , or come where hee might thorowly bee acquainted with the worth , and fully enioy the wealth of it . euen so , after a man by the illightened eye of his soule , and the hand of sauing faith , once seaze and lay sure hold vpon the pearle of great price , the graces of gods spirit and eternall life , the heart is presently so filled with loue and admiration , that for euer after it spends the most , the dearest , and the noblest thoughts vpon it : and they once set on foot , are so cheered and rauished with the heauenly beautie thereof , that they follow with continuall increase of feruencie and longing , vntill they come vnto the cleere vision and full possession of it , at the right hand of god , in the endlesse ioyes of the world aboue . the thoughts then of a true christian are of a farre more heauenly temper , diuine nature , and higher straine , then the largest heart of the best vnregenerate man , can or doth possiblie comprehend . the formall hypocrit may haue his mind worthily busied in points of deepest learning , in the mysteries of state , & affaires of kingdomes , in the best and highest considerations which nature , art , moralitie , or policy can afford , nay , he may sometimes entertaine into his thoughts with ioy , the promises of grace , the happinesse of the saints , the ioyes of heauen and the like ; though these haue neuer any root or long residence in him . but that the word of grace should so emplant it selfe into the inner man , that the thoughts should neuer be so well or welcome to the heart , as when they are wading in the great mysterie of godlines , and with an holy wisedome plotting for the inlargement of christs glorious kingdome in himselfe and others : that it should make all other discourses of the mind subordinate and contributarie to such heauenly meditations ; and to this end set bounds and limits to the millions of imaginations that daily arise , and erect an holy regiment amongst them ; i say , this is the speciall prerogatiue of a sanctified man. for he alone , because of his truth , sincerity and vprightnesse in the inner parts , makes conscience of idle , vaine , and wandring thoughts , ( of which the formall hypocrite , either takes no notice at all , or not much to heart . ) hee is as much cast downe , vext and grieued with their disorder and exorbitancie , as with the errors and infirmities of his words and actions ; and therefore establisheth as it were a gratious gouernment amongst them , to keepe out confusion , idlenes , and rebellion . he confines them to a reuerent and feeling meditation vpon gods word and workes , to a care of conscionable managing the affaires of his calling ; onely sometimes , but sparingly with many cautions , exceptions , and seasonablenes , letting them out to honest recreations . whatsoeuer thought is wandring without this compasse or within it vnsincere , is sinful : so that if he take any stragling , without these limits , any enticers to vanities and impertinencies , any obtruders and disturbers of so happie inward peace ; he presently apprehends them , by the watchfull eye of his spirituall wisedome ; examines them by the law of god , arraignes them in the consistorie of an illightened conscience , and so cuts them off in time by the power of grace , and sword of the spirit ; that is , by opposing against them at the first rising in the heart , by present repentance , prayer , and after-watchfulnesse ; he blessedly rids himselfe of the miseries , and distraction of prophane and troublesome thoughts . that this is no idea , i now propose vnto you ▪ howsoeuer it so be to euery vnregenerate man , and so when hee heares it he conceiues of it ; for little knowes hee what adoe euery child of god hath with his thoughts ; i say that this is no idea , or idle abstraction , appeares pregnantly and plentifully in dauids practise ; who for all the strong enticements , ordinarilie incident to the pleasures of a court , and naturall libertie of princes , although the cares and waight of a kingdome lay vpon him , and that his royall innocencie was still haunted and assailed with such indignities and vexations , which might almost haue swayed the blessed and quiet thoughts of a glorious angell to distraction and discontentment ; yet for all this the law of god did still principally take vp his heart , and that day and night . gods word and workes , his statutes and iudgements , were meate and drinke vnto his mind , and his meditation continually , as is more then plaine in many places of the . psalm . oh , saith he in the . portion , how loue i thy law ! it is my meditation continually . so vnexpresseable here was his pang of holy loue vnto gods law , that hee prefixeth a particle of zeale , and extraordinarie passion ; oh , saith hee : and where the heart hath once truely and sixedly set it loue , there all the thoughts feast themselues with dearest apprehensions , and with greatest impatiencie of all other imployment . this is the verie case then of all gods seruants , they meditate on the word of god most contentedly and continually , because they loue it farre before and aboue all earthly things ; and so dearely doe they loue it ; because in it with speciall security are conueied vnto them all the rich treasures of mercy , remission of sinnes , spirituall comfort , and eternall life , and particularly sealed vnto them by 〈◊〉 spirit of the same word . salomon confirmes this worthie 〈◊〉 of his father , by his testimony , prou. . . the thoughts of the iust are right , iudgement , or iustice ; for so the word signifies in the originall ; but the suttle deuices of the wicked are deceit . the thoughts of all vnregenerate men are commonly , either rooting in the earth , or drowned in pleasures , or running after preferment , or ranging vp and downe idly and prophanely , or fruitleslie melancholike ; or if sometimes they glance , or settle themselues vpon good things , they are still as a menstruous clout , and abomination to the lord : because their consciences are not renewed , their hearts purged , their persons sanctified and accepted . but the thoughts of euery child of god are ordinarily working , for the maintenance and furthering of gods glory and good causes , for procuring true good to their brethren , especially in spirituall things , for increasing grace in themselues , and their store of comfort against the day of triall . and if so be ( which sometimes befals the best ) they be crost by sinful motions in themselues , or suggestions of satan , yet by their surprizing , and suppressing them at the very first rising and assault , and by present repentance , they are vndoubtedly euer pardoned vnto them in christ iesus . giue me leaue , i pray you , to illustrate this varietie and difference of thoughts , which i haue now largely laid downe vnto you ; in our selues , for the neerer pressing of our consciences , and that in the matter of elections . let vs imagine a notorious sinner to haue a voice and hand in such businesse . his very first thoughts would bee to haue no thought at all of oath or statute , of conscience or honestie , of honour of his colledge , or good of the church : but would resolue out of the prophane principles of his vast conscience , and by the benefit of a large acception of charitie , to bee indifferent for all commers . only in his cho●ce , h●e would haue an eie to the maine , that the state of good-fellowship should take no disparagement or diminution ; and therefore he would most carefully cast about with himselfe by all meanes , to defeate and preuent the purposes , and to stoppe the passage especially of all puritanes . you must know by the way , that these are a very dangerous kind of men , able to blow vp whole houses , by their too fierie zeale against idlenesse , drunkennesse , other shamefull corruptions , close and politike cariages of many rotten and vnconscionable causes and the like . for by * puritanes in this place , i only vnderstand them , ( for euen such are so branded ) who make conscience of studie , and religious education of schollers , who are readie euer , and resolute to vphold goodnesse in a house , though they be crusht , disgraced and disoffic'd ; who out of a gracious and ingenuous freedom of spirit , wil be their owne men in elections , and other collegiate seruices ; and not suffer their consciences to be led hood-winkt to serue other mens humours and priuate ends ; who chuse rather in a neglected state , sweetly to enioy the continuall feast and perpetuall paradise of a sincere heart , true and inward comfort , the societie of gods seruants , then for many times full dearely bought fauours and offices , to enthrall and violence both their iudgements and affections , to liue reseruedly , vnder a maske , and at a haires breadth for all occasions and obseruances , so wearing out a little miserable time in a glorious and countenanced slauery : in a word , who of the two would rather saue their soules , then prosper in the world . now such fellowes as these , thinks he with himselfe , which seeme , as it were , by an hypocriticall monopoly , to haue engrost all sinceritie , honestie and good conscience , must be kept out ; or if by some dysaster , they creep in amōgst vs , be curbd and kept vnder , else shal not we sway and domineere . hereupon all the labour of his wit , and toile of his thoughts would bee , to plant a thorne , where a vine should grow , and to burden these sacred and honourable mansions , designed onely for gracious and golden wits , with leaden drones , and swarmes of worthlesse and witlesse creatures . secondly , the thoughts of the grosse hypocrite in this waightie businesse of elections , would bee as vtterly void of all conscionable , and ingenuous considerations , as the notorious sinners . first , he would commune with his own couetous heart , ( for commonly worldlinesse is the master sinne in the grosse hypocrite , therefore i follow the thoughts rising thence ) he would within himselfe cast a greedy and rauenous eie vpon the condition of all the competitours for the place , and at length conclude , and be sure to seaze vpon that party , let his learning or honestie be what it would , where in all likelihood he might make the richest pray , and sucke out the greatest aduantage : either purchase a great friend , strengthen his faction , gratifie his fauourites , receiue a present bribe , or else , which is a secret , but a sinfull policie , by weighing circumstances , marking insinuations , and former cariages , expect the largest after gratification , close and indirect considerations , and the most liberal new-yeeres gifts , ( for in them certainely sometimes lurkes corruption . ) these things thus thought vpon , there followes now in him , an addition to the iniquitie of the notorious sinner . he is not content to be thus starke naught , but he must double his sin by seeming good ; it is not enough for him to be thus cursedly pestilent to the place where he liues , but hee must enlarge the mischiefe , by putting on a vizard of piety : he therfore in a second place would beate his braines , how he might varnish ouer this villany , with most probable and fairest pretences . the bribe must come in vpon other termes , with other circumstances , then the grossenesse of that vile sinne is wont to be conuaied ; hee thinkes how he may deale openly , and in the eie of the world with men , without all suspition , while the matter is carried vnderhand by suttle , mediate , and most exercisde agents in the goodly affaires of abominable corruption . lastly , he is much troubled in mind , how for all this he may continue a good opinion with good men , and giue satisfaction to those , whom he deceiues by his seeming : but by much practise he makes this reasonable easie ; for politicke hypocrisie hath so many faces , turnings and euasions , that it can too easily insinuate with , and satisfie vnsuspicious , innocent and charitable sinceritie . hee can tell them of some depths in the mysterie of gouernment , which euery precise vnderling cannot comprehend ; that some libertie and dispensation must be giuen to statute-discretion , against the bare letter , and strict meaning of the statute ; that wee liue not in platoes common-wealth , or mores eutopia , but in corrupt times , in the very confluence of all the sins of former ages ; and therfore it is vtterly impossible to keepe a mans selfe so passingly pure from all spice of contagion ; that something must needs be yeelded to the times , else there is no liuing , at least no prospering in the world . thus the grosse hypocrite is euer as thoughtfull for outward plaistering , as secret plotting . thirdly , let vs conceiue what would bee the inward discourse and workings of the heart in the formall hypocrite , about disposing his voice in elections . his thoughts in these cases perhaps , would not be extremely base , nor grosly wicked : it may be he would be able to cleare euen his conscience and inmost conceit ; much more to wash his hands from the hatefull and crying sinne of downe-right briberie . this horriblenes is onely for notorious sinners , and grosse hypocrites . nay , out of some sudden pang of highest resolution , that ingenuousnesse of nature , or morall honestie can produce , he might take heart to answer and withstand the suites and importunitie of greatnesse and great meanes : only with this reseruation , so that his present happines be not therby mainly hazarded , nor hope of his future preferment certainely cut off . for we must still hold this principle concerning the formall hypocrite ; if hee bee brought to a iumpe , hee will euer make euen gods holy word , conscience , religion , desires and intreaties of godly men , and all to yeeld and stoope to the worldly comforts hee presently enioies , but vpon as faire termes , and with as plausible conueiance as may be . it may be , he will be good in many things , and outwardly in all ; but say the prophets what they will , he must into the house of rimmon , god must be mercifull vnto him in one thing or other : he is short of the state of grace , and by consequent , hath no sound and reall assurance of heauen aboue ; and therefore he will haue some sweetnesse in the meane time , he wil inioy some shadow at least of one heauen or other vpon earth . so that if we suppose such an one , to take a view in his thoughts of al that stand for a place , he would resolue for goodnes and honesty , so far as the security & safety of his maine contentments would giue him leaue , so far as the light of reason , and glimmerings of generall graces were able to leade him : but because he is still too respectiue of his own particular , wants the eie of spiritual discretion , & suffers his conscience to be cooled , and countermanded by worldly wisedome ; he may i grant by constraint occasionally or by accident , consent and concur vpon the worthiest ; but ordinarily , for meere loue of religiousnesse , hee doth not make within his owne heart , a free , vnpassionate , impartiall , sincere and conscionable choice . for let him otherwise bee neuer so wise or honest , yet he is a meere stranger to the mysterie of godlines , vtterly vnapprehensiue of the singular and supernaturall operations of the life of grace ; and therefore cannot discerne betwixt resolute sincerity , and true turbulencie : whereupon it may often come to passe , that by a promiscuous confusion of these two most different spirits , he may so much as in him lies , repell farre the best , to the vnsatisfiable wrong of the partie , and the vnualuable losse of the house which should enioy him . there is one point further in deliberations of this nature , in which hee would iumpe with the notorious sinner : in aduising with himselfe for a fit man , if by the way his thoughts should be crossed , with a man of knowne , professed , and practised forwardnesse in religion ; hee would passe him ouer with contempt and indignation ; for thus would he thinke with himselfe : if such a fellow come in amongst vs , we shall haue all moulded anew after the strict modell of his irregular conscience ; wee should be troubled with new tricks and erections , for the encreasement of study and reformation of manners ; he would bee stil standing and striuing for an ideall and abstractiue purity in elections , and other affaires of the colledge , so that our former quietnesse and peace would be much dissweetned with his tartnesse , and too much precisenesse . thus would he bee as hote and heady against the power of grace , as the notorious sinner . for though there bee many different degrees of ilnesse , of vnregenerate men ; some are farre more sober , tolerable , and moderate then others , yet all commonly agree in this , that they are bitter and implacable opposites to the profession and practise of sound and sauing sinceritie . gods faithfull ones euer were , and euer will bee signes and wonders euen in israel : isa. . . monsters vnto the * great men of the world , as dauid was , psalm . . . a scorne , reproch , and derision to them that are round about them : psalm . . . they shall euer be accounted men of an odde fashion , and singular cariage from other men , wisd. . . precise , humorous , hypocriticall and the like . mistake me not ; i apologize not for any vnwarrantable opinion tending to separation ; it is onely sanctification , true and vndissembled holinesse , without which none shall euer see the face of god , or glory of heauen , which i stand for , and intend in all my discourse . but by the way let mee tell you this , in this generall and ioynt-conspiracie of all kinds of naturall men , against the spirituall state of true christians , and the soueraignty of gods sanctifying spirit in them ; the meere ciuill honest man , and formall hypocrite , as i take it , are transported with more fiercenesse and rage against them , then the grosse hypocrite , and notorious sinner . this i take to be the reason ; the grosse hypocrite hee sins against the light of his owne conscience , and with the certaine knowledge of his heart ; and therefore doth not much enuie and grudge the righteous man his excellencie aboue his neighbour , and saluation of his soule : the notorious sinner in his more sober mood , and cold blood will confesse himselfe to be out of the way , promise and protest amendment , or at least reserues in his heart a resolution to repent when he is old : but the meere ciuill honest man and the formall hypocrite thinke their owne state to bee as good as the best ; and whatsoeuer is more , and besides that which they find in themselues , to be but needlesse precisenes , and affected singularity ; and therefore are many times gauld and grieued , that the truely gratious and conscionable cariage of gods seruants , doth censure and condemne their outwardnes and formalitie in religion , and make it plainely appeare , that their case without sound conuersion and imbracement of sinceritie , is the very state of wretchednes and of death . but now fourthly and lastly , in elections the thoughts of gods child , in whose heart alone the word of god doth chiefly rule , and is deepely rooted , would bee these or the like . in the first place there comes into his mind a reuerent feare of that god , who hath mercifully aduanced him to his place , wherein hee expecteth conscience and faithfulnesse ; he considers that solemne and sacred oath which hee takes in the sight of him who seeth all hearts and cogitations ; for a resolute and vnswayed vprightnesse in the disposing of his voice ; that vpon the integritie or vnconscionablenesse in election , depends the miserie and confusion , or happinesse and flourishing of an house . hee further calleth to mind out of his experience , that commonly those fellowes who thrust into societies , offices , and high roomes , by shufling and violence , by faction and preposterous fauour ; by cunning , or corruption , become pernicious and dishonorable to the places where they liue ; they are still thornes in the sides , and pricks in the eyes of all that loue grace and goodnesse : they either turne idle , truly factious , or notoriously scandalous , by misspending the vnualuable pretiousnesse of their golden houres , in tauerns , ale-houses , or some other course of good-fellowship , to the inexpiable and eternall dishonour of those houses , of which they should bee ornaments : and when they haue done much hurt and mischiefe here , they are the onely men to bargaine for , buy , or compasse by indirect and sinister dealing , benefices , and spirituall promotions abroad : of which being possest , they either by vnconscionable and cruell negligence , and non-residence in their charge , betray the soules of their people to wildnesse and barbarisme , to ignorance , prophanenesse , or poperie ; or else by a prophane and vnhallowed handling of gods word , by daubing with vntempered morter , as the prophet speakes , so strengthen the hands of the wicked , that they cannot returne from their wicked waies and kill the heart of the righteous , and make them sad whom the lord hath not made sad , that the bruised reed is quite broken , and the smoaking flaxe vtterly put out . now thinkes the child of god with himselfe out of his spirituall wisedome , if such an one as these should bee chosen by my default and faintheartednesse ; i should in some sort and measure be iustly guiltie , and answerable before that high and euerlasting iudge , of the many miseries and mischiefes , which ordinarily ensue vpon so vnhappie a choice . hereupon after a mature and impartiall suruay of all circumstances considerable in the partie , the statute and whole businesse ; he singles out him with sinceritie and singlenesse of heart , whom in conscience he thinks most sufficient ; and there hee stickes with a truely christian and vnshaken resolution , pitcht by the verie power and strength of heauen : and come what come will , tempests , or faire weather ; preferment , or pouertie ; threatnings or flatterie ; policie , or persuasion ; priuate importunities , or frownings of greatnesse ; he is at a point , infinitely rather to keepe a good conscience , and saue his soule , then to enioy the present , and gaine the whole world . for hee well knowes that the day is at hand , euen that great and fearefull day , when the consciousnesse of one gratious action , performed with vprightnesse of heart , will breed more comfort , then the glory , riches , and soueraignty of the whole earth . to conclude this point : as vnregenerate and sanctified thoughts differ much in their workings euen about the same obiects : so there are some , which are gods childs peculiar , with which the state of vnregeneration is vtterly vnacquainted . they are such as these : first , thoughts full of scare and astonishment , all hell and horrour , which rise out of the heart , when it is first stricken with sense of gods wrath at the sight of his sinnes . these are scorched , in verie manie , euen with the flames of hell in their conuersion : they burne sometimes the verie marrow out of their bones , and turne the best moysture in them into the drought of summer . no a print or skarre of these wofull and wounded thoughts , appeare in the heart of the formall hypocrite . this hell vpon earth , is onely passed thorow by the heires of heauen , while the children of hell haue commonlie their heauen vpon earth . secondly , thoughts b composed al of pure comfort , ioy , heauen , immortalitie , the sweet and louely issues of the spirit of adoption . these flow onely from the fountaine of grace , and spring vp in that soule alone , which hauing newly passed the strange agonies , and sore pangs of the new-birth , is presently bathed in the blood of christ , lulled in the bosome of gods dearest mercies , and secured with the seale , and secret impression of his eternall loue , and sacred spirit , not only from the rage of hell ; but also of an euerlasting and roiall inheritance aboue . o● the heart of the vnregenerate man is farre too narrow , base and earthy to comprehend the vnmixed pleasure● , the glorious sunshine of those blessed and ioyfull thoughts , which immediatelie follow vpon the stormes of feares and terrour , ordinarily incident to a sound conuersion . thirdly , thoughts of spirituall rauishment , and vnutterable rapture , slashes of eternall light , raised sometimes in the hearts of the saints , and occasionally inspired by the spirit of all & endlesse comfort ; which with vnconceiueable amazement and admiration feed vpon , and fill themselues with the ioies of the second life , in such an vncouth extasie and excesse , as is farre aboue , and without the compasse and conc●it of all worldly comforts , the tongue of angels , or heart of man. in this point , i appeale to the conscience of the true christian , ( for i know full well , that all my discourse is a parable , and paradoxe to the prophane ) whether hee hath not sometimes , as it were , a sea of comfort rained vpon his heart , in a sweet shower from heauen , and such a sensible taste of the euerlasting pleasures , by the glorious presence of inward ioy and peace , as if he had the one foot in heauen alreadie , and with the one hand had laid hold vpon the crown of life : especially after a zealous heate , & feeling feruencie in praier , after an entire , gracious , and profitable sanctifictation of the sabbath , at the time of some great and extraordinarie humiliation entertaind , and exercised with fruit and sinceritie , when he hath freshly with deepest groanes and sighes , and new struglings of spirit , renewed his repentance vpon occasion of relapse into some old , or fall into some new sin , when the empoisoned arrowes of cruell and fierie tongues , pointed with malice , policy and prophanenesse come thickest vpon him ; and yet retyring into his owne innocent heart , he finds no cause of such mercilesse vexation , but defence of gods truth , and profession of holinesse . nay , sometimes vpon on the deaths-bed , to a soule conscious of an vpright and vnspotted life , the ioies of heauen present themselues before the time ; so longing a sympathy is there betwixt the life of grace and endles glory . such like ioyfull springings , and heauenly eleuations of hart as these which i haue now mentioned , are the true christians peculiar ; no stranger can meddle with them , no heart can conceiue them , but that which is the temple of gods pure and blessed spirit . thus farre of the difference of their thoughts , in respect of their nature and manner of working : now in a second place , gods child is notably differenced from the formall hypocrite by the seasonablenesse of his thoughts , and their holy seruing the time . in a body of best and exactest constitution , the senses are quicke and nimble , and sharpliest discerne , with greatest life and vigour apprehend their obiects , and are most sensibly affected , or displeased with their conuenience , or antipathy : euen so in a hart of a true spiritual temper , seasoned and softned with the dew of grace ; the thoughts are actiue , readie , and addrest with zeale & contentment , to encline and apply themselues to the condition of the times , and varietie of occasions offered for some holy vse , to the bettering of the soule , and the enlarging of gods glory . in the time of fasts & sackcloth ; if gods iudgements be threatned out of the pulpit , or executed from heauen ; when the church weares her mourning weed , sincerity droupes , and the godly hang down their heades ; in such blacke and dismall daies , they are impatient of all temporall comfort , they willingly put on sadnesse , to entertaine penitencie , humiliation and sorrow : but they are clothed with ioy and lightsomnesse , when mercie and saluation are wisely , and seasonably proclaimed out of the booke of life ; when religion spreads and prospers , and diuine truth hath free passage , when whole states haue escaped the bloodie papists gunpowder , and the roiall breasts of kings their empoisoned kniues , and in such like ioyful and happy times . thus the thoughts , and inmost affections of gods child haue their changes , their seueral seasons and successions , as it pleaseth the lord to offer , or execute mercie or iudgement out of his word , or in the world abroad . but the thoughts of the formall hypocrite , though they suffer indeed many alterations , and distractions about earthly obiects ; they ebbe and flow with discontent or comfort , as his outward state is fauoured or frowned vpon by the world : yet spirituall occurrents , obseruable with deuotion and reuerence for the good of the soule , haue no great power to worke vpon them ; sacred times , or daies of affliction , are not wont to make any such impression , or to breed extraordinary stirrings , and motions in them . let iudgements blast , or mercies blesse a kingdome ; let gods word find smooth and euen way , or rubs and opposition ; let prophanenesse be countenanced , or sinceritie cherished , he takes no thought : so he may sleepe in a whole skinne , and keepe entire his worldly comforts ; his thoughts continue heauie , dull and formall . hee may conforme and consort with the times in his outward gestures , words and actions ; but ordinarily his thoughts admit no change , saue onely , so farre as his priuate temporall felicitie is endangered by publicke iudgements , or enlarged by showers of mercies and blessings from heauen . i cannot enlarge this point at this time : only i will giue one instance in their difference of thoughts vpon the sabbath day . the sabbath day is , as it were , the faire day of the soule , wherein it should not onely repaire and furnish it selfe with new spiritual strēgth , with greater store of knowledge , grace and comfort : but also feast with it heauenly friends , the blessed saints and angels , vpon those glorious ioies and happie rest , which neuer shall haue end . euery child of god therefore , which hath alreadie a reall interest in that eternall rest , makes not only conscience of doing his owne waies , seeking his owne will , speaking a vaine word on that day : but also in some good measure makes it the very delight of his heart , the loue and comfort of his inward thoughts , so that he may consecrate it as glorious to the lord. he doth not onely giue quiet and cessation to his body from worldly businesse ▪ and works of his calling ; but also empties his head , and disburdens his thoughts of al earthly cares , that so they may wholly and entirely intend the holy motions of gods spirit , and spend themselues in godly and extraordinarie meditations , fitting the feast day of the soule , and the lords holy day . this is the desire , longing and endeuour of his heart , thus to sanctifie the sabbath ; and if at any time he be turned awrie from this vprightnesse by companie , or his owne corruptions , he is after much grieued and vext with it , repents and praies for more zeale , conscience and care for the time to come . but the formall hypocrite , howsoeuer he may on that day forbeare and abstaine from his ordinarie sinnes , labours , sports and idlenes ; howsoeuer he may outwardly exercise and execute all duties and seruices of religion ; though indeed more of custome and for fashion , then with heartie and true deuotion : nay , he may haue other thoughts on that day , but onely so farre , as the bare solemnitie of the time and the greater presence can alter them : yet i dare boldly say it , no formall hypocrite , no kind of vnregenerate man can possibly make the sabbath his delight , as is required , isai. . . and which is presupposed to make vs capable of the blessings following in the same place : then shalt thou delite in the lord , and i will make thee to moun● vpon the high places of the earth , & feed thee with the heritage of iacob thy father : for the mouth of the lord hath spoken it . he cannot for his life sequester his thoughts at all , not euen on that day , from worldlinesse and earthly pleasures , to diuine and sacred meditations . doe what hee can , he cannot beate and keepe them off from worldly obiects ; they will not leaue their former hants , or be restrained from plotting , or pleasing themselues with weeke-day businesses . lord , it is strange that the soule of a man , so noblely furnished with powers of highest contemplation ; being so strongly and sensiblie possest with consciousnesse , and conceit of it owne immortality , and hauing the restlesse and vnsatisfied desires of it wide capacity , neuer fild but with the maiestie of god himselfe , and the glory of an immortall crowne , should be such a stranger to heauen , the place of it birth and euerlasting abode ; that vpon that day , whereon , as vpon the golden spot and pearle of the weeke , the lord hath stamped his owne sacred seale of institution , and solemne consecration for his owne particular seruice , and speciall honour ; yet , i say , vpon that day it cannot settle and continue it owne thoughts and motions vpon those vnmixed and blessed ioyes , and the way vnto them ; without which it shall bee euerlastingly miserable , and burne hereafter in that fierie lake , whose flames are fed with infinite riuers of brimstone , and the endlesse wrath of god , for euer and euer . now i pray you tell mee , when wee shall haue raigned hereafter many millions of yeeres in heauen , what thoughts will remaine of this little inch of time vpon earth ? when we haue passed thorow a peece of eternitie , where will appeare the minute of this miserable life ? and yet our thoughts and affections are so glued vnto the world , as though eternitie were vpon earth , and time only in heauen . you are men capable of worthiest and highest eleuations of spirit ; i beseech you , resume this meditation at your leisure ; methinks it should be able to breed thoughts of a far more noble and heauenly temper , then ordinarilie arise and are nourished in the hearts of men . but to follow my yurpose . certaine it is , not the best vn●egenerate men can endure an entire and exact sanctification of the sabbath ; it is not a iubilie to their hearts , and the ioy of their thoughts : for they cannot abide to haue their minds stay long in a feeling meditation vpon spirituall affaires , vpon the examination of their former life , the state of the other world , the sleights and tentations of satan , the day of death , the tribunall of heauen and such like . for though the best of them may haue a persuasion of their being in the state of grace , as i haue largely proued heretofore : yet sith it is wrongly and falsely grounded , it cannot abide the search and touchstone : hence it is , that of all things they loue not to bee alone . they may please themselues well enough in solitarinesse , vpon some priuate businesse ; for the more profound plotting and contriuing worldly matters ; for a more free , but filthie exercise of the adulteries of the heart , and contemplatiue fornication ; to feed vpon dull and fruitles melancholie ; to let their thoughts wildly range and runne riot into a world of imaginations , to diue into the mysteries of nature , or depths of state : but to be alone onely for this purpose , that the mind may more fully and immediately worke vpon the spirituall state of the soule , and impartially inquire into the conscience ; they cannot , they will not endure it ; and therefore commonly cast themselues into one knot of goodfellowship or other , that they may merrily passe away that time ; for an houre of which ( the time of grace being once expired ) they would giue ten thousand worlds , yet shall neuer bee able to purchase it againe . but gods children when they are alone haue inward comfort and heauenly matter enough to worke vpon : a pleasing contentment and satisfaction , arising from an humble and sober remembrance of a well spent life , doth infinitely more refresh them , then all the reuellings and pleasant deuices of merrie companions : nay , manie times in their seasonable solitarinesse , diuine graces are more operatiue , and stirring , and raise inflamed motions of delight and ioy . now in a third place , we are to consider that the child of god is yet further very much differenced from the formall hypocrite , by his skill and dexteritie in ruling ; by his holy wisedome , and godly iealousie in watching ouer his thoughts . the heart in which gods spirit is not resident , with speciall grace and sanctifying power ; howsoeuer the words may be watched ouer , and the outward actions reformed , lies commonly still naked and open without speciall guard or settled gouernment . for the best naturall man is too impatient of restraint and seuerity ouer the power of imagination and freedome of his thoughts ; they being naturally exempted and priuiledged from all humane and created soueraignty , and the vnc●ssantnesse of their workings and perpetuall presence in the mind would make the abridgement of their libertie more sensible and distastfull . it may be out of the natural grounds of ciuill honesty , & some generall apprehension of the power of the world to come ; he may be so farre solicitous about his thoughts , tha● if any start vp of more soule and monstrous shape , enticing him to some grosse and infamous sinne , which would disgrace him in the world , or breed extraordinarie horrour in his conscience : he presently sets against it , disclaimes , abandons and expels it . he may bee of experience and skill to conquer and suppresse thoughts of heauinesse , and melancholie ; although in this point he many times fearefully deceiues himselfe ; taking the holy motions of gods spirit enclining him to godly sorrow for his sinnes ; to be melancholicke thoughts tending towards too much strictnes and vnnecessarie discomfort : so grieuing the good spirit , and stopping against himselfe the verie first and necessarie passage to saluation . thus the formall hypocrite may haue sometimes and in part , a sleight misguided and generall care and ouersight of his thoughts : but because the depth of his deceitfull heart , and the many corruptions that are daily and hourely hatched in it , were neuer ript vp and reuealed vnto him by the power and light of sauing grace , he cannot hold that hand ouer his heart as he ought ; hee doth not keepe a solemne particular , and continual watch and ward ouer his thoughts , which is little enough to keepe a christian in sound comfort and inward peace ; he hath no heart with such anxiety , and care to looke vnto his heart ; he doth not so often and seriously thinke vpon his thoughts , holding it the last and least of a thousand cares . but euery child of god , certainly makes it his chiefest care , and one of his greatest christian toiles , to guard his heart , and guide his thoughts . hee followes in some good measure by his practise that holy counsell of salomon , prou. . . aboue all watch and ward keepe thine heart . the word in the originall is borrowed from the affaires of warre . let vs imagine a citie not onely begirt with a strait and dangerous siege of cruel and blood-thirstie enemies , but also within infested with lurking commotioners , and traitors to the state ; how much doe you thinke would it stand that citie vpon , with all vigilant policie , to stand vpon it guard for preuention of danger ? it is iust so with the heart ; not onely satan is euer waiting opportunitie , to throw in his fierie darts , and sensuall obiects from abroad , like false simons to insinuate themselues ; but also , it feeles , to it much vexation , many rebellious stirrings within it owne bowels . the tender conscience of a true christian is verie sensible of all this danger , and by his owne experimentall and practicall knowledge hee is acquainted with the many breaches , and desolations made in the soule , both by these open enemies , and secret rebels ; and therefore furnisheth himselfe daily , with much holy wisedome and watchfulnesse ; with experience and dexteritie in this great spiritual affaire of guarding and guiding his hart . we may take a view of this his sanctified and christian wisedome in gouerning his thoughts , in these foure points . in a timely discouerie and wise defeatment of satans stratagems and policies ; whether hee deale by suggestions raised from the occasions , and aduantages of his temper and naturall constitution ; of his temporall state , either happinesse , or contempt ; of his infancie , or growth ; weaknes , or strength in christianity ; of the condition of his calling , companie , place where hee liues , or the like : or whether he come addrest with his owne more fearefull immediat iniections ; which he sometimes presents in his owne likenesse : as when he casts into the christians mind distrusts , and doubts about the truth of heauen , and of diuine and heauenly truth , concerning the certaintie , and being of all that maiestie and glory aboue ; for such thoughts as these , are somtimes offered to the most sanctified soule ; bernard cals thē terribilia de side , horribilia de diuinitate . but marke here the cariage of gods child , hee doth not wrastle with these hel-bred thoughts , he sets not his naturall reason vpon them ; for thence perhaps would follow inclinations to atheisme , desperateness●● in sinning , and other fearefull consequents : but at the very first approch , abandons and abominates them to the very pit of hell whence they came ; he praies , repents , and is humbled by them , and thence clearely sees they are none of his ; and so in despite of such diuellish malice , walkes on comfortably in his way to heauen . if satan speed not in this blacke shape ; he at othertimes puts on the glorie of an angell : and perhaps may bring into his remembrance euen good things , but out of their due time , that he may hinder him of some greater good . as at the preaching of the word , he may cast into his mind vnseasonably godly meditations , that so he may distract and depriue him of the blessings of a profitable hearer : at the time of prayer , he may fil his head with holy instructions , that so hee may coole his seruencie , and bereaue him of the benefit of so blessed an exercise . with these , and a thousand moe such like vexations in his thoughts , the child of god is sore troubled and much exercised . secondly , another branch of spiritual wisdome in watching ouer his thoughts , is busied about those sinfull pleasures , which vpon the remembrance of his former old iniquities may reinfect the soule . for a man may commit the same sin , a thousand times , by renewing the pleasures of it in his thoughts . though the act be past , yet as often as the mind runnes ouer the passages and circumstances of the same sin , with the same delight , so often the soule is polluted with a new staine , and laden with more guiltinesse . whereas therfore the sensuall sweetnes of a mans beloued sinnes , hath before his calling , got such strong hold and hant in his affections , that it will be stil afterward with baites and allurements , soliciting euen the renewed heart , if not to the iteration of the grosse act , yet at least to enioy it in thought : it doth very much behooue the child of god , to be warie and watchful in this point . if he remit but a little of his heate of zeale against sinne , and seruencie of his first loue , or grow regardles of his thoughts , it will presently gather power and opportunitie for reentrie . here then is the toile and triall of christian wisdome and watchfulnesse ouer the thoughts . if when the soule pleasures of former sinnes be represented vnto the mind , hee hath either learned to smother them at their first stealing into the heart , by opposing against them , a consideration of the many wounds , and much waste they haue formerly made in his soule : or else by his growth & strength in grace , be able to looke backe vpon them without delight , to retaine them onely for renewing repentance , and to dismisse them with loathing and detestation . full sweet is the comfort , and great the happinesse of that christian , who hath his corruptions so farre mortified , and the remission of his sinnes so surely sealed vnto him ; that the thoughts of his former pleasing sinnes can neither tickle him with delight and new desire , nor affright him with * horrour . for the one , oh , saith blessed austin in his confessions , what shal i returne vnto my gracious god , that i can now looke my sinnes in the face , and not be afraid ? but here the wisest christian may be easily plunged ouer head and eares into one of satans most deceitfull depths , except he be very warie : for in the solitarie musings vpon his former sinnes , to this good end , that he may vtterly grow out of loue with them , and further loath them ; satan is euer readie ( for both his craft and malice are endlesse ) secretly to adde tinder to the fire of his affection , so to inflame him with fresh loue and liking of that sinne , which at that time he most labours , and hath euer greatest reason to abhorre . and the tide of affections being once on foot towards an old pleasing sinne ; it is a great measure of grace must stop the torrent of them . in watching therefore ouer the thoughts , the brightest eie of spirituall wisdome , hath need to intend this point to descrie this depth . thirdly , another speciall care the child of god hath in guarding the heart , is to banish and keepe out idlenesse , vanitie of mind , melancholie , worldly sorrow , inward fretting , euill desires , wandring lusts , wishes without deliberation and such like . he holds a waking , and iealous eie ouer those many baites and lures , which spring & sprout eftsoones from the fountaine and rootes of originall corruption ; which the state of mortalitie neuer suffers to be vtterly plucked vp , and dried away in this life : he knowes full well , if these young cockatrices be not crushed while they are in hatching ; that is , if wandring and wicked thoughts bee not stifled when they begin to stirre first in the mind , they wil first enuenome the vnderstanding , the vnderstanding the will , the will the affections , the affections once enraged , & hauing the raines like wild horses , will carrie a man headlong into a world of wickednesse . aboue all , hee makes sure euer to haue in readinesse and at hand , preseruatiues and counter-poisons against the baites of those three grand empoisoners , the lust of the flesh , the lust of the eies , and the pride of life . there are these maine obiects , about which especially , actuall concupiscence is sinfully exercised , riches , pleasures , honours : if he once let his thoughts claspe about any of these with immoderate desire and delight , he is gone . for so riches will bring foorth couetousnesse , and couetousnesse begets vsurie , oppression , enclosure , buying and selling offices and dignities , grinding the faces of the poore , and a thousand moe mischiefes : it deuours all naturall and honest affections , and turnes them into earth , it makes kindred , friends , acquaintance , contentments seruiceable to it greedy humor : nay it makes a man to contemne himselfe body and soule for this transitorie trash . pleasures inflame lust , and lust so emasculates all the powers of the soule , that its noblest operations become brutish : it begets a wanton eie , a lasciuious eare , obscene talke , filthie iests , delight in plaies , and hateful pictures , besides many other secret and fearefull abominations not to be conceiued without horrour , much lesse to bee named . honours breed ambition , and ambition bids the soule speake vnto a man , in the language of neroes mother ; occidar modo imperes : bee some body in the world while thou staiest heere , though i lie in the flames of hell euerlastingly hereafter . deepely then doth it concerne euery true christian with iealousie and trembling , narrowly to watch and obserue the first and secret motions of the heart , lest he should vnawares be wofully caught , and ensnared in that blacke and accursed chaine : the first lincke of which , growes out of naturall corruption , and the last reacheth the height of sinne , and depth of hell . wee may see foure links of it : iam. . . . about the breeding of sinne ; and other foure , heb. . about it growth and perfection . first , an idle sinfull thought begins to draw , as it were , the heart aside from the presence and consideration of god almightie , to a sight and suruay of the pleasures of sinne . secondly , it hauing , as it were , the heart by it selfe , puts on a baite , allures and entices , holding a conference and parley with the will , about the sweetnesse of pleasures , riches , honours , glory and such like . thirdly , the will accepts of the motion , consents , plots and forecasts for the accomplishment , the affections adde heate and strength , the heart trauels with iniquitie ; and so at length by the help of opportunitie , sinne is brought forth . if you looke vpon the originall in s. iames , you will easily gather these foure degrees . now further by often iteration of the act of sinning with delight and custome , the heart is hardned ; so that no terrour of iudgement , nor promise of mercie will enter . secondly , it becomes an euill heart , and is wholly turned into sinne , it drinkes vp iniquitie like water , and feedes vpon it , as the horsleech on corrupt blood . thirdly , it growes an vnfaithfull heart , and then a man begins to say within himselfe , there is no god , at least in respect of prouidence , and care ouer the world , and executions of iudgement vpon sinners : he bids him depart from him , and saies to him ; i desire not the knowledge of thy waies ; who is the almighty , that i should serue him ? or what profit should i haue if i should pray vnto him ? fourthly followes an vtter falling away from god , grace , and all goodnesse , without all sense , checke , or remorse of sinne , shame , and his most accursed state ; and so immediately from this height of sinne , into the fiercest flamea and lowest pit of hell . for if the first degree deserue eternall death , what confusion must befall this babell ? you see in what danger he is that giues way vnto his first sinfull motions . lastly , a principall imployment of holy wisedome in guarding the thoughts , is spent in giuing a wise and humble entertainement vnto the good motions of gods blessed spirit : and in furnishing and supplying the mind with store of profitable and godly meditations . for as vnregenerate men giue commonly easie passage to pleasing worldly thoughts ; but suppresse gratious stirrings , & inclinations to godly sorrow , repentance & sincerity ; as though they were tentations to precisenes : so contrarily gods child labours by all meanes to stoppe the way to the first sinfull sensuall thoughts ; but alwaies desires with speciall humilitie , and reuerence to imbrace all the motions of gods spirit , warranted and grounded in his word : hee deerely and highly esteemes them , cherisheth and feeds them with spirituall ioy , and thankfulnesse of heart , with prayer , meditation and practise . for if a man begin once to be neglectiue of godly motions , by little and little he grieues the spirit ; at length he quencheth it , at last he is in danger of despighting it ; if not by profession and directly , yet in his practise , and by an indirect opposition , in slandering and persecuting spirituall graces in gods children . besides this worthie care of entertaining and nourishing good motions , hee is prouident to gather and treasure vp store of good matter and heauenly businesses for the continuall exercise of his mind : left that noble power of his soule should be taken vp with trisles and vanitie , feede vpon earth , or weare and wast it selfe with barren and lumpish melancholie . hee is much grieued and vexed if he find at any time his heart caried away with transitorie delights , carnall and vnprofitable thoughts ; or his mind musing impertinently , and gazing vpon the painted and vanishing glory of the world : especially sith there is such plentifull and pretious choice of best meditations , obuious to euery christian , able to fill with endlesse contentment all the vnderstandings of men and angels for euer . as the incomprehensible gloriousnesse of god , in the infinite beauty of his owne immediate maiesty , and sacred attributes in his word and workes ; in his iudgements and mercies ; in his church and sacraments . the miraculousnesse of our redemption , and all the comfortable and glorious passages thereof . the great mysterie of godlinesse , the power of grace , trade of christianity and course of sanctification ; matter of sweetest contemplation . concerning our selues there is to be thought vpon all the affaires of our calling , the particulars , perplexities , and cases of conscience incident vnto them . our present vilenesse , and fearefull infirmities ; the miseries and frailtie of this life ; the traines of satan , the terrors of hell ; that great iudgement , euen at hand . in our spirituall state , how to preserue our first loue , escape relapses , grow in grace , keepe a good conscience , come to heauen . and when the ●ie of our vnderstanding is dazled with those higher considerations , or wearied with these inferiour ; it might refresh it selfe with the speculatiue fruition of many inuisible comforts , with variety of heauenly things , concerning the immortality of our soules , the large promises of euerlasting blessednesse , the glorious rising againe of our bodies , the ioyes and rest of gods saints aboue , and that which is the crowne and conclusion of all , our owne most certaine blissefull state of happinesse and eternity in the second world . if men had grace and comfort to enlarge their harts to such meditations as these ; what roome would there be for earthli-mindednes , vanities and impertinencies , much lesse for proud , ambitious , couetous , lustfull , enuious and reuengefull thoughts . thus far of the care and conscience of the true christian , in watching ouer and guiding his thoughts ; which is a speciall marke of difference from all states of vnregeneration : for the regenerate onely keepe the last commandement ; which rectifies the inward motions of the heart . now lastly in a fourth place , and in a word ; gods child is distinguished from the formall hypocrite , in respect of the issue of his thoughts . the most comfortable and sanctified soule , is neuer in such perpetuall serenitie , but that it is sometimes as it were ouerclouded with dumps of heauinesse ; and inwardly disquieted with it owne motions , or the suggestions of satan . while this flesh is vpon it , it shall be sorrowfull ; and while it is in this vale of teares , it must mourne . there is not an heart so sweetely and resoluedly composed for heauen ; but is sometimes dissetled with thoughts of indignation : and that especially , as appeareth by dauid , psalm . . and . when follie is set in great excellencie ; when men neither of worth , conscience , or ingenuitie , are aduanced to high roomes , domineere in the world , and imperiously insult ouer sincerity ; when the wicked prosper , and spread themselues in fresh pleasures and honours like greene bay-trees ; when those haue their eyes standing out for fatnes , and more then heart can wish ; to whom pride and insolencie are as a chaine , and who are couered with prophanenesse and crueltie , as with a garment . but here marke the diff●●ence . discontentfull discourses in the mind of the formall hypocrite either breake out into desperate conclusions , and fearefull horrour , although this be but seldome ; ( for commonly this kind of vnregenerate man liues flourishingly , and dies fairely in the eye of the world : exemplarie , and irrecouerable despaire in this life , doth oftnest befall either the notorious sinner , the meere ciuill honest man , or especially the grosse hypocri●e ; ) therefore i would rather say that in him such discontentfull debatements , are either appeased by some opposite conceit of stronger worldly comfort ; abandoned by entertainment of outward mirth ; diuerted by companie , pleasures , and ioyfull accidents , composed by worldly wisedome or the like . but heauie-hearted thoughts in gods child , though for a while not vtterly without some aspersion of distrust , fretting , and discontent ; yet commonly at length being mingled with faith , and managed with spirituall wisedom ; by the grace of god , breake out into fairer lightening of comfort , greater heate of zeale , more liuely exercise of faith , gratious speeches , and many blessed resolutions . i will but onely giue one instance , and that in dauid , a man of singular experience in spirituall affaires . looke the beginnings of the . and . psalmes . and you shall find dauid to haue beene in a heauie dumpe , and sore conflict in his owne heart with strong tentations vnto impatiencie . he recounts the issue , of the dispute with himselfe , in the beginnings of these psalmes . yet saith he in the . for all this god is good vnto israel : euen to the pure in heart . in the . yet let diuels and men rage and combine , yet my soule keepeth silence vnto god , of him commeth my saluation , &c. his many wrongs , vexations and indignities together with the implacable malice , and impotent insultations of his aduersaries , had no doubt a little before much run in his mind . let vs conceiue such as these to haue beene his thoughts ; and that thus or in the like maner ; hee communed and confered with his royall selfe . lord , thinks he with himselfe ; i haue with lowest humilitie , and vprightnesse of heart resigned mine owne soule ; nay , i haue vowed and resolued that my crowne and scepter , my court and whole kingdome , shall for euer bee seruiceable to my gratious god , and that great maiesty aboue . my mind is neuer truely pleased and ioyfull ; but when it is gazing and meditating vpon the excellent beautie of his glorious being ; vpon his bottomlesse goodnes , and immeasurable greatnesse . his word and sacred lawes are better and dearer vnto me , then thousands of gold and siluer . his saints vpon earth are onely my solace , and their sincerity the delight of mine heart . for mine innocency , from those imputations which are charged vpon mee , i dare appeale vnto the strictest tribunall of heauen . why then how comes it to passe , that i am become a spectacle of disgrace and contempt , to heauen and earth , to men and angels , to gods people , and that which grieues me more , to gath and askelon ? saul , for all the seruice i haue done to hi● ▪ and to the state , hunts me vp and downe like a partridge in the mountaines . dogged doeg , he hath informed against ahimelech for releeuing me ; and so caused the sacred blood of . priests to be spilt as water vpon the ground . malice and furie driue me into the wildernesse , ( for lions and tigers are more mercif●● , then madded and enraged prophanenes : ) but there the barbarous ziphims haue betraied me to the king. i am railed vpon , not onely by base and worthlesse companions , by fellowes of prostituted conscience and conuersation , that were tolerable : but euen princes , and those that sit in the gate speake against me . not only drunkards make songs and iest vpon me : but euen great men , with authoritie and imperiousnesse carrie in triumph my distressed , and forsaken innocencie . nay , & that which is the complement of miserie and discomfort ; mine owne familiars , with whom i haue many times sweetly and secretly consulted , they haue also deceiued me , as a brook ; and as the rising of the riuers , they are passed away . but marke now the issue of this conflict , and inward dispute with himself . had a notorious sinner bin in these straits , perhaps hee would haue burst out into desperate conclusions and furious attempts , had a papist bin here , he would presently haue had recourse vnto the iesuits fellowes , which are by definition , refined and sublimated friers , composed all of fire , bloud and gunpowder , inspired by the powers of darknesse , with a transcendent rage against gods truth , sworne solemnely in the blackest consistory of hell , to the death of kings , desolation of states , combustion of the whole christian world , and destruction of infinite soules . these men would presently haue addrest some bloody and prodigious villaine with a kniffe , poyson or gunpowder to haue killed the king , and to haue blowne vp saul , and all his court . had a formall hypocrite bin in this case , seeing these crosses and miseries befall him ; he perhaps would haue presently recoiled from these courses of opposition , though in a good cause , closed with some great man in the court , and cast himself into the current of the times . but marke dauids cariage in this point : his noble 〈◊〉 like a glorious sunne , breaks thorow these clouds , and stormes of inward troubles , these strong temptations to impatiencie and discontent ; he puts on more strength of faith and patience , and shines brighter in all spirituall graces , me thinkes hee reacheth the very meridian of all christian comfort and high resolution . for as you may see in the forecited . psalme : he doth not onely fortifie his owne hart with vnconquerable confidence in god● protection ; but also with an holy triumph , insults ouer the insolencies of his aduersaries , and already washeth his princely feete in the blood of the wicked . hee tels them , they shall bee slaine euery mothers sonne of them , and that in feareful and horrible manner : as if a man should come vpon the backe of a rotten and tottering wall , and with great strength and furie push it downe : euen so , when they were most swelled with pride and prophanenes , the wrath and vengeance of god , should like a fierce tempest and whirlewind , seaze suddenlie vpon them , and hurle them out of their place . finis . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e * w●ll a man spoile his gods ? yet haue ●e spoiled me . but yee say , vvherein ●aue we spoiled thee ? in tithes and offerings . ye are curs●d with a curse : ●or ye haue spoiled me , euen this whole nation . malach. . . notes for div a -e luke . . isai. . . notes for div a -e matth. . . p●alm . . . psalm . . . prou. . . psalm . . . eccles. . . eccles. . . chap. . . iob . chap. . , . . pro. . . a cato , homo vir●●ti similimus , qui nunquā rectè fecit , vt facere vider●t●r , sed quia all ●●r facere non potera● ; cuique idsolum visum est rationem haeb●re , quòd haberet iustitiā ; omnibus humani● vitij● immunis , semper fortunam in sua potestate habuit . paterculus lib. . b splendida pecca●a . c cap. . . matth. . prou. . . pet. . . ● . tim. . . chap. . . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 prou. . . * prou. . . chap. . . * but let no man beare himselfe presumptuously vpon this comfortable promise , but consider well the condition : for it is thus in the text : but if the wicked will returne from all his sinnes , that he hath done , and keep● all my statutes , and do th●● which is law full and right , he shall surely liue , and shall not die . ezech . . chap. . . * theatra desinire possumus , surpitudinis , vi●iorumque omnium sentinam ▪ ac scholam . ●odin . ●e repub . lib. . cap. . d●ut . . . prou. . . chap. . chap. . . vers. . . cor. . . psalm . ● . . ti●o . . . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . chap. . . * for i may take conscience for the habit of practicall principles , as doth origen , basil , damascen , ierom. origen calleth conscientia , paedagogus animae sociatus : basil , naturale iudicatorium : damascen , lux intellectus nostrit ierom ▪ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the only men ; those that are men indeed . rom. . . . prou. . . isal. . . . kings . . * the world is come to that wretched passe , and height of prophanenesse , that euen honestie and sanctification , is many times odiouslie branded by the nick-name of puritanisme . * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 licet in●erpretari , vel 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , vel magnos . [ magnis ] ●eddidis calumus . ezech. . . a i doe not hereby exempt the state of vnregene a●ion from all tremblings and terrors of conscience for sin●e ; but only make it a priuiledge of gods ch●ldren , to passe quite thorow them into the spirituall pleasures , and paradise of the kingdom● of grace , and to be able with an holy amazement and thankfulnesse , to looke back vpon the ska●●es and prints of those former wounds , of a truly humbled and broken heart , alreadie healed , and ●weethe closed vp with the blood of christ ▪ whereas in others , they commonly either work but a half con●●●sion , are expell●d with ou●war● mirth , or end in despa●re . b i meane those blessed stirrings of the har● , vnspeakable and glorious , vvhen the seale of remission of sinnes , is first set vnto the soule by t●e spirit of ad●ption . esay . . lib. de conscientia . * i meane horror of iudgement , not detestation . the last conflicts and death of mr. thomas peacock, batchelour of divinity, and fellow of brasen-nose colledge in oxford published by e.b. from the copy of that famous divine mr robert bolton, late minister of broughton in northhampton-shire. bolton, robert, - . this text is an enriched version of the tcp digital transcription a of text r in the english short title catalog (wing b a). textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. the text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with morphadorner. the annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. this text has not been fully proofread approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. earlyprint project evanston,il, notre dame, in, st. louis, mo a wing b a estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) the last conflicts and death of mr. thomas peacock, batchelour of divinity, and fellow of brasen-nose colledge in oxford published by e.b. from the copy of that famous divine mr robert bolton, late minister of broughton in northhampton-shire. bolton, robert, - . bagshaw, edward, - . [ ], , [ ] p. printed by george miller ..., london : . edited by edward bagshaw--nuc pre- imprints. reproduction of original in the bodleian library. eng peacock, thomas, or - . suffering -- religious aspects. a r (wing b a). civilwar no the last conflicts and death of mr thomas peacock, batchelour of divinity, and fellow of brasen-nose colledge in oxford: published by e.b. f bolton, robert b the rate of defects per , words puts this text in the b category of texts with fewer than defects per , words. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images - marika ismail sampled and proofread - marika ismail text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the last conflicts and death of mr thomas peacock , batchelour of divinity , and fellow of brasen-nose colledge in oxford : published by e.b. from the copy of that famous divine , mr robert bolton , late minister of broughton in north-hampton shire . london , printed by george miller dwelling in black-fryers . . the preface to the reader . christian reader , i had not performed a trust , had not i published this ensuing narrative ; and i had not paid a debt which i doe and shall ever owe to the publike , had not i made it common . mr bolton ( a man of precious memory , and famous in his generation ) desired me upon his death-bed , to publish such of his papers as i thought fit for the presse , which i have already done . this copy being found amongst them , ( though penned by another hand ) i durst not withhold , being to my knowledge intended by him for the presse , in memory of his familiar friend , and spirituall father , mr thomas peacock ; who was a very godly minister of christ , and of rare example for humility and holines of life ; for a religious care in educating his scholars , and for exceeding charity to the bodies and souls of poor distressed christians . and yet this godly man , that for piety had in him the root of an oak , when god cast him upon his bed of sicknes , and suffered satan to winnow him , he was no more in his hands then a leaf tossed too and fro with the winde . gods dealings with him in these his last conflicts , are of singular use in these present times , in which the ends of the world , and the dreggs of schisme and sinne are come upon us at once . first , for caution to the true servants of god , to take heed of small sinnes ; for from the lesser sinnes and infirmities of mr peacock , the devil did thence take a rise to cast him into the most bitter spirituall desertion that we shall lightly read of : under which he had sunk , had not god wonderfully pat to his hand , by making the issue of his afflictions more glorious and comfortable , then the combate was grievous and terrible . it was a memorable saying of francis spira , which he spake to his mournfull children and friends , beholding that sad spectacle of his finall despaire , earnestly wishing them to take heed of committing the smallest sinnes against conscience ; by this means , saith he , i fell into greater sinnes , till i came to deny the gospel of christ , and after that to renounce it in writing , and deliberately to subscribe to it with my hand , though ( saith he ) i heard a voice in my conscience telling me , spira , doe not subscribe it ; after which i thought i heard the voice of christ whom i denyed before men , to pronounce the sentence of death upon my soul , and to exclude me from salvation . and thus he dyed . secondly , for confutation of sundry sorts in religion , in these unhappy dayes of civill warre , as naturally producing them as mud and filth doe toads and vermin . some there are that quite abrogate the law , which christ came to fulfill , and so make the gate of heaven wider then ever our saviour made it , by admitting lawlesse persons into it . holy bradford was of another minde , who was wont to say , that the gate of heaven was so strait , that he which halted could not enter into it ; and the way so narrow , that he which reeled could not walk in it . others there are , whe though they doe not wholly destroy the law , yet they cast it into a dead sleep , thinking it unlawfull in the children of god to be sorry , or to mourn for sinne , contrary to the doctoine of the primitive fathers , teaching this lesson , semper doleat paeniten● ; & de dolore gaudeat ; let the penitent person alwaies mourn , and rejoyce in that mourning ; agreeing with the rule of our saviour , blessed are they that mourn , for they shall be comforted . nay , i lately heard it not without horrour ; that some men , in outward appearance of great sanctity , doe hold an opinion , that it is a fault in godly men to pray for pardon of sin , ( all sinnes being pardoned in christ before they pray ) contrary to the prayer of our saviour , forgive us our trespasses . neither mr peacock , nor any of those godly divines that came to comfort him , knew this kinde of doctrine ; neither we , nor the churches of god , till within these few late unhappy dayes . what will become of our reformed religion , streaming down to us in the blood of so many martyrs , if god by a miracle of mercy should not shorten these our miserable dayes ? for whiles some are taking from us the ten commandements , others , the lords prayer , there is scarce any thing left us of christianity but our creed , and how long we shall enjoy this , the lord in heaven knowes . for so long as the civill sword of warre devoures so much protestants blood from without , and a worse civill warre of sinne and separation , destroyes so many protestant souls from within , we may justly feare that we shall either want sound orthodox protestants to maintain it ; or we shall want a creed for them to maintain . i shall , for conclusion , desire that reader into whose hands this ensuing discourse shall fall , to observe three things concerning mr peacock , a man whom i well knew , and blesse god that ever i knew him . . that the sorest and sharpest afflictions doe very often befall the dearest and choisest servants of god : i mean , not outward and temporall afflictions , common to good and bad : but inward and spirituall afflictions , and the heaviest of these spirituall desertions , whereby god withdrawes his glorious countenance from his children : and satan in liew thereof , shews them his ugly visage , thereby convincing a secure world . that it is no easy matter to goe to heaven , and that the safest and surest way to it , is to sayl by the gates of hell . if the righteous can scarcely be saved ( saith the apostle ) where shall the wicked and sinner appear ? . that the deepest humiliations of gods children , doe usually determine in the highest consolations . and hereby the wicked , who like ravening wolves hunt after such opportunities , doe misse of their prey , and returne ashamed when they consider what end god hath made . and thus it fell out with mr peacock here . . lastly , though a spirituall desertion be the highest affliction that befalls gods childe ; yet it discovers in him the greatest sincerity of an upright heart ; for at such a time he is so farre from hiding his sinnes , that he cares not what shame he puts upon himself , so god may have glory . for in a spirituall desertion , though the soul of a christian be extreamly distressed through the terrour of sinne ; yet at the same time hath it a true touch of grace , though not of the comforts of it : like iron touched with the load-stone , it stands directly northward , though with much trembling : so doth the soul of a christian stand directly heaven-ward in this hellish agony : and the absence of god and of his consolations , is the cause of those bitter convulsion-fits in the soul . and assoon as ever the comforts of grace shine upon it , those former tremblings of heart for grief , are presently changed into leapings for joy ; just as the same wrinkles of the face , which serve for crying when the heart is grieved , serve for laughter when it is filled with joy . this was the case of mr peacock , in this manner he grieved , in this manner he rejoyced , and this happy issue god made of his bitter afflictions . so that amidst the numerous and various afflictions of gods dear saints and children , this conclusion of the prophet david remaines sure and firm , mark the upright man , and behold the just , for the end of that man is peace . so i rest , thine in the lord e.b. mr peacoks visitation . master peacock , the servant of god , in the beginning of his visitation , for the space of two weeks and foure dayes , was full of most heavenly consolations ; shewing by sweet meditations , and gracious ejaculations , the entertainment he found with his god in his sicknes , with whom he so much desired to be acquainted in his health . we are ( saith one comming to visit him ) miserable comforters : nay ( saith he ) ye are good , for this is the priviledge even of gods children , that their very presence affords comfort . sometimes he craved pardon for his actions , & for the circumstances by them badly observed : otherwhile he desired to have some matter given him to meditate upon . finally he said , his hope was firmly setled on the rock christ iesus . he hoped that the lord would give him a place , though it were in the lowest room of his saints . and he thanked god he had no trouble of conscience , the lord did not suffer satan to vex him ; in so much that some seeing his great comfort , feared left he would be overtaken with sorrow before his death : he much rejoyced that the lord had so disposed of him , that he had seen his friēds in the countrey . here first was his yeelding unto death suspected , and his hoped recovery doubted . calling some of his friends aside , i thought ( saith he ) i had been in a good estate , but i see it now farre otherwise : for these things my conscience layes against me : first , i brought up my scholars in gluttony , letting thē eat their fill of meat , when they mealed with me . this some endeavoured to pull out , by putting into his minde , . the preventing of many inconveniencies . . his well known moderation . . the great care he took for good conference , when they were at table with him . but ( saith he ) while i was talking , they did undoe themselves . and further , i did unadvisedly expound places of scripture at the table many times ; and for these i feel now a hell in my conscience . again , i have procured my own death , by often eating like a beast , when i came jostling up and down to my friends in the countrey ; and now i see before my face those dishes of meat wherewith i clogged my stomack . well ( saith one to him ) if all the things you accuse your self of were undone , would you doe them again ? nay : why then doubt not but a reprobate would desire to be saved , if a desire would serve the turne : indeed he may have a desire , but of bare willingnes , not with an intent and purpose in using of the means . another time a worthy friend of his asking him how he did : he cryed out , sinne , sinne , sinne : what doth any lye on your conscience ? yea. what ? my unconsideratenes , i did eat too much of such meat to breakfast such a morning : my self being an eye-witnes of his great abstinence , could not choose but admire the tendernes of his self-accusing conscience . well ( said he ) god be thanked there is no greater . as we must not extenuate our sinnes , so neither must we too much aggravate our sinne . let drunkards and gluttons have those terrible horrours . i thank god i never continued in any known sinne against my conscience . he was willing that he should pray with him : kneeling down he said , he was then uncapable of prayers . afterward he kneeled down of his own accord : shortly after he broke out into such speeches , a damnable , wretched &c. these are nor your words ( saith one ) you cannot deny but you have had good experience of gods mercies . i cannot . then be comforted , for whom he loveth once , he loveth to the end . yet satan took such advantage of his infirmities , that though he could finde some comfort , yet no particular assurance . you have lived profitably ( said one ) i have endeavoured . you are now humbled , and the lord looks that you should ask mercy . m. dod was sent for , who being come , they were private awhile , afterwards we comming in to them , m. dod put him in minde of gods kindenes : whereof he shewed to him foure parts . . to take small things in good part . . to passe by infirmities . . to be easily intreated . . to be intreated for the greatest . sir , there is now in you the image of the old adam , sin and sorrow : there shall be in you the image of the new , holines and happinesse . the life to come may be set out by three things . . the estate of itself , happines , holines , and glory . . by the the company , every one shall love you better then any one , even the best , can love you here . . the place . there are three differences between the afflictions of the good and of the bad . . in the cause , for they come to the good for gods love . . in the measure , as farre as they need , and are able to bear . . in the end , for their good . of those former doubts we afterwards heard not a word from him . upon the sabbath-day he desired to be alone : after noon he was fearfully troubled . in his countenance appeared evident tokens of a sorrowfull minde , born up with a weak body ; his spirit was wounded , satan had foiled him . those his terrible wrestlings with tentations , gripes of conscience , and restles terrours , none can understand , ( much lesse expresse ) but he which felt them . satan had winnowed him , and shewed him nothing but chaffe . his tender conscience was goared with the fiery darts of the devil , pointed with the edge of sinne , and sense of gods heavy wrath . as through a false glasse , the dazled eye of his astonished and amazed soul , could see nothing but hideously appearing sinne , and the terrible image of death and damnation . he had drunk deeply of the cup of the dreggs of hell . his adversary had represented unto him his once most gracious god , now as a most severe judge displeased , angry , and chiding with him ; yea yeelding him up into his clawes : that so by this deadly stratagem , he might take from him all hope of help that way , and so not onely stop the sensible flowing of gods grace , and cut the chains of gods love , whereby he had tyed him , and would draw him after him , but finally break his christian heart . oh that you had seen , or that we that were present had had eyes to have seen his seeming forlone soul . what with barkings of conscience , and with the too heavy burthen of sinne , vvaves of fearfull thoughts , blustering blasts , and surging storms of gods heavy displeasure , he vvas tossed , turmoyled , dashed against the rocks of despaire , and more then in danger of his souls shipwrack : happy were we if neither through frowardnes , nor blindenes of judgement , we did inconsiderately passe by , or prophanely deride gods judgements , by thinking that they either happen casually , or by forgetting of them suddenly . if we could but rightly discerne it , we should finde nothing more profitable , then to have the image of this gracious ( though now afflicted ) soul in our hearts . hereby we may see that the righteous being scarcely saved , there is no place for the wicked and ungodly to appeare . and truly we may think that god sent it even for our sake , that we ( with whom it is too usuall to dally with the lord ) might know that it is a fearfull thing to fall into his hands . our faith is then tryed in earnest , when as the lord hideth his face from us . for if we love god above all things , it cannot be but upon the losse of the relish of his favour , or taste of his displeasure , our souls should be in bitternes , pricked , tormented , wounded , thrust thorow , yea , and swallowed up with desolation . it is a wonder of the world , how we carefully will seek physick , use dyet , by any means to avoid a bodily pang , and how careles we are of the unsupportable fits of the souls mortall sicknes . it is not in our power to apprehend grace when we will , and a harder matter is it then we can conceive , to lift up a poor soul cast down with the sense of gods wrath . if a violent passion may so farre transport the minde , what may we think of this restles trembling , when the soul after long tossings , seeth it self drowned , and wholly overwhelmed with the deluge of sorrow , proceeding from the everlasting threats , and shame , and confusion of face in the presence of the almighty ? consider the body loaden with a burthen , neither portable nor evitable ; and thence gather the stranglings of an overladen soul . consider a man ready to fall from an high tower unto the earth ; and thence gather the estate of another falling from heaven to hell with a spirituall ruine . consider a childe , when the mother hideth her face from it , and terrifieth it with a bugboe ; and herein take view of the estate of a poor christian ( whose chiefest happines having therein consisted , ( to wit ) in being joyned , and united to his heavenly father , having now lost his presence , or being affrighted with the devil , as if he were ready to lay hands on him . consider the estate of a debtor , cast off by his best creditours : and gather that of a christian being banker-out with his god . consider the estate of a man , once in favour , afterwards adjudged to death by a prince , without hope of pardon or repriving : and gather that of a christian , who after his citation and arraignment at the tribunal seat of god , stands condemned , and is wholly deprived of obtaining pardon , and delivered into the hands of the devil . the lord needs not to seek wilde beasts to punish us , or such like cruell executioners of his wrath to torment us , he may finde enough within us ; all the furyes and devils cannot invent a more greivous torment : one by it apprehended needeth not more accusers or tormentours . his many never-thoughts of sinne ( as if he stirred a nest of wasps ) come buzzing about his eares , and as a man indebted once laid hold of , make him faster daily : his loving friends may stand by the prison and call him , but he being fast fettered , cannot stirre forth . you shall see him now in his purgatory , ( not that papisticall sinne-satisfying fiction , the popes jayle ) but that hot fiery furnace wherein the lord trieth his metall , whether it be good or reprobate . and suppose that he had died at the worst ( as in the lords justice he might , to the hardening of those that will not be softened ) as no man should rather judge him by the inch of his death , then the length of his life ; so i for my part neither did in him , nor doe in my self so much feare his death , as i did , and doe desire his life . you may observe the courses which god taketh in visiting his children to be divers : some are comfortable and without any great admixture of discomfort : others heavy , but without horrour : others horrible , yet all of them are in the issue gracious . but to leave any further digression , and to come again to the matter in hand . when one came unto him , he brake out into these words , oh how wofull and miserable is my estate , that thus must converse with hel-hounds ! he being with these words strangely moved , went to call some of his best able friends to comfort him . to them he complayned , that the lord had cursed him . being demanded how he knew it : he answered , why ! the event sheweth it . it being replyed , then such and such were cursed ▪ he answered , i have no grace . how doe those then ? they once had none . i was a foolish glorious hypocrite ; it is against the course of gods proceeding to save me , he hath otherwise decreed , he cannot . put your trust in god . i cannot , no more then an horse . doe you desire to beleive ? no more theèn a post , then an horsshoe . i know you cannot deny but that you have sought gods glory . not sincerely . there is a secret mixture of pride and hypocrisy , even in the best . i have no more sense of grace then these curtains , then a goose , then that block . let the testimony of your life past comfort you , especially in the calling of a tutour . i did the businesse thereof perfunctorily , when i handled hard authours , i came often unprepared , and read shamefully . be of good courage , and the lord will comfort your heart . ' it is ended , there is no such matter . why doe you think so ? you shall see the event , god will yet bring it to passe . tush , tush , trifles . what doe you think of your former doctrine ? very good . let it comfort you . it cannot . you desire it could. if it might . there is nothing unpossible to god . which stands with his decree : oh , oh , miserable , and wofull , the burthen of my sinne lyeth heavy upon me : i doubt it will break my heart . behold your comforts . nothing to me , i pray you hold your peace , doe not trouble your self idly , you vex me , your words are as daggers to my heart . another time some of the younger sort said to him , remember , sir , the good counsels that you have given us heretofore . those were ordinary . you may see many others in the like estate . not such as mine . see david . what doe you speak to me of david ? good sir , endeavour to settle your minde ; yes , to play with hell-hounds . will you pray ? i cannot . you were wont heretofore . yes , by a custom and vain glory . suffer us to pray for you . take not the name of god in vain , by praying for a reprobate . here you may see the glory of god preferred before his own salvation , rather willing to have the means of his salvation neglected , then the lord dishonoured . suffer us to pray for our selves . look to it , you would now shew your faculty in praying . can you say , amen ? no , but in a certain gerall fashion . one prayed , and in the mean time he rested most quietly . i pray you ( saith he , when prayer was ended ) goe hence to bed , doe not trouble your selves in vain . let not the devil delude you , abusing your minde and tongue , i know you speak not these words . i wonder that intelligent scholars should speak thus . we are perswaded you are in as good estate as our selves . look how it is with your selves in truth . one that watched with him , asked him , sir , how can you discern this change by the absence of god , if you never enjoyed his presence ? i thought i had it once , but now i see it is farre otherwise . but god deals with you , as he dealt with the church , isa. . . he forsook it a while , and hid his face from it , but he returned to it again , and so ( no doubt ) the case stands with you . never , add not affliction to the afflicted ; oh me wretch ! groaning pitifully . hope no worse of your self , then we doe of you . all of us have seen cleerly which way your carriage was still sent , after the spirit : and we are assured that you will come to the spirit , howsoever you seem to have lost your way . to all particulars he would answer , i desire grace generally , i did good outwardly , all hypocritically . one asked him , doe you love such an one ? his most dear , and worthy to be dear friend . yes . why ? for his goodnes . why then you are gods childe , for by this we know we are translated from death to life , because we own the brethren . many like forcible proofs he would shift off with his former evasions , and afterwards became more wary against himself , either loth to grant any thing , or granting it staggeringly , or , what then ? fearing lest he should be pressed , he wished , that some were put in minde , . of their great care for building , and too small care for scholars in them . . their giving so long leave of absence from the colledge , and desired amendment . after noon came a worthy governour of a colledge in our university , and requested him to be of good comfort , and to pluck up his spirit . i cannot . why can you not ? because i have no grace , no more then a backstock . why doe you think so ? by this affliction . doe you desire grace ? i cannot . ( he spake most strongly ) i can as well leap over the church . but are you not sorry that you cannot desire it ? i cannot . would you not be in heaven ? i would not . one standing by , said , the devil himself would , if he could. " by the way , you shall have the opinion of a much respected minister apposite hereto , which he gave in private . a proud man , saith he , will scorne to seek any good from his enemy : so the devils pride will not let him think himself beholding to god for heaven , if he might get it . " you have ( said one ) the testimony of faith , you love the brethren . i did not . doe not you love us ? no . * the devil now seeth he should be cast into straits , if you should grant this ; what is it that doth most trouble you ? i undertook too much upon me foolishly : i had gotten a little logick and greek , and meanly instructed in the rules , did set my self to read to scholars ; and afterwards undertook other busines , which distracted my minde and body from them , i have destroyed a thousand souls . you may see the falsehood of him that suggesteth this unto you : you never had a thousand : he puts a false glasse before you . the good effects of your pains appears in many of your scholars . oh they were of themselves capable . name one in whom they doe not ? there is one . ( pointing at a master of arts there present ) he justified his care of him , and gave thanks to god that ever he came to him . it is not so , i did foolishly . you confesse you did foolishly , therefore not of malice . again , cōsider what would have become of many of them if you had not taken them . better , farre better . all in the colledge know the contrary . but i feel it . it is false , believe not the devil . it is too true . when vvill you make amends ? god will give you your hearts desire . never . are you sorry that he vvill not ? no , there is no grace in my heart : it is dead . such was davids case . what doe you compare me with him ? behold christ himself . nothing to me . god can make his death available . he cannot . he is omnipotent . in me he cannnot , because it stands with his purpose . whom god loveth once , he loveth to the end . but he did never love me . you have tasted of his love . i deceived my self in a certain vain-glory : i exposed my head to many things , outwardly all . you could say the lords prayer , and therein call him father . hypocritically i was wont to enquire of master mason , what was meant by abba-father ; rather in curiosity , then truly to be edified . god will give a good issue . never , i have no sense . we will pray with you . doe not dishonour god . it is well that you will not have god dishonoured : here he sticked , saying , i pray trouble me not with distinctions . after came one , who with vehement action of body , pressed and urged him to trust in god . i cannot ( said he ) i cannot , he will not have me saved , his sentence is passed . doe you desire to be saved ? no. do you desire to desire ? no . would you be damned ? no. look at the sinnes of other men as great as yours , and yet they are saved . they were good and godly , they found grace : here is the difference , my sinnes are horrible : he repeated that towards his scholars . all of us know you took pains . outwardly you did your best . no. i see novv what it is , you strictly look back to your own actions , as a justiciary , who will none of gods mercy , and now he hath justly met with you , your judgement is just . these words affected him strangely : another willed him to look to it , it seemed neer popery . doe you hope to be justified by your merits ? i fear to be damned for my sinnes . the other asked , whether he could say , amen ? no. have you no tongue ? what is that to the purpose ? name jesus , i cannot . if i had your tongue in my hand , i would make you speak . turning his speech to a friend present , oh ( saith he ) if you did but feel my greif but an houre , you would have compassion . the other replyed , if you were in the fire you would wish to get out . i had rather be in the fire then here . i will pray for you . sinne not . let the fault be mine . although my purpose was barely to relate the passages of this gracious mans visitation , and to referre to your spirituall eye what you could tracke and finde therein , yet let your gentle construction withhold from me the deserved censure of bold blindnes , in that now and then i point at some things which your quick sight may sooner or better apprehend . the devils malicious policy was great toward him , in that he assaulted him most strongly in that , which might and ought to have been his greatest comfort . again , i saw that the opinion of the physician helps somewhat in bodily maladies or diseases , whereas in that his estate , his soul remained as it were uncapable of comfort from the souls physician . he much respected some few . he dolefully poured out his soul in the bosome of a well willer , on this manner ; i took upon me too proudly many things , and being negligent , performed nothing : cursed be the day when i took scholars . if i had not taken them , i had been happy ; with a great flourish , i was stirring many wayes , and in the mean space left the essence of my calling , teaching scholars . what , saith the other , what shall i now doe , when i see you thus tossed ? well , for i was an hypocrite , and now therefore there is no hope of comfort for me in gods presence : i have no sense of it . the sunne is in the firmament , though it may be hid in a cloud . this comparison agreeth not to me . what then would you counsell me to doe ? abide within the bounds of your calling : take not too much on you , and the lord will blesse you . will it avail me to hear sermons . yes , if you mean to be saved . what good shall i reap thence ? nothing from the bare hearing . oh , this heavy lumpish fear hath oft-times shaken me , and now it hath broken out . another said , you know the poor in spirit are blessed . i am not such . you see you are empty of all good , you feel your burthen . i pray you goe your wayes . he turned his head aside , and stopped his eares : what though you have done but little good , if you have but given a cup of cold water , &c. he thrusted him away with his foot , either ( as some thought ) being troubled with his shrill voice , or ( as he replyed ) through the devils subtilty . that evening he was grievously afflicted . suddenly he brake out ; oh if god! the standers by endeavoured to cherish this good motion , and said to him , he will give you grace . i doubt it . then presently after he uttered this prayer , oh god , give me a spark of grace , and enlarge my heart that it may apprehend it . he asked a friend , how he might give satisfaction for some speeches . mr dod , although he departed on saturday , and had then an unseasonable journey , yet being requested by letters , returned on tuesday following . he at the first sight started up , as desirous to meet him , oh mr dod , and in friendly sort complained , i have no grace . i will not ( saith mr dod ) beleive every one that saith he hath grace , nor every one that saith he hath none : answer the devil as christ did . a man must not alwaies be led by sense ; let us enquire by the effects , and it may suffice , if we can finde but one , yea the least it is enough . you forgive your enemies , and love them , and would doe them no hurt if you could ? yes . then your sinnes are forgiven . an hypocrite may give alms and fast , but this he cannot . that is a small matter . i think it to be a great one , yea , such an one that i had need to pray for ; that is put for a reason in the lords prayer , and if christ had thought any more forcible , he would have given it . sir , that is true , but in those that are elected . doe not you put an exception , where god hath not . i would not handle you as i doe , but that i know your estate : i come hither to cherish you , you love your good friends ? i cannot . had you rather that bad or good men should be with you ? good . yet you say , you doe not love them : a sow will be with swine : there is no fellowship between light and darknes . would you believe your self , or the physician touching the estate of your body ? the physician . believe not your self then , now you are sick , yet shall be restored . it is impossible . why so ? if you had sinned so much as you could , you could not have sinned so much as adam , yet he is in heaven . it repented him . doth it not you ? no . doth your sicknes or sinne more trouble you , or had you rather have grace , or health ? grace . well then . but it cannot be . god will wash you . i have no water . god will bring it with him . he hath denyed it . he hath offered it by his ministers , which are as the buckets to draw and pour it . you must not look now that god should come to you himself . doe you think it a small favour of god that so many good friends come to you ? god did send none to comfort cain or ahithophel . think of that saying of manoahs wife , if the lord would kill us , he would not have shewed us all these things , iudg. . . behold the properties of christs sheep : they are . weak , . sick , . broken , . driven away , . lost , ezek. . . you are such , see therefore your comfort , he will . strengthen , . heal , . binde up , . bring again , and . seek you . you finde your self a great debtor : the lord hath pardoned : onely he looks that you should come to him for an acquittance . this fight is not yours , but the lords , chron. . . put your trust in him . if you ask me , how may i ? it followeth , beleive his prophets , and you shall prosper . you may remember that christ did pray for peter , that his faith might not fail , but it failed afterwards . how came that to passe ? that failing did rather strengthen it . for whereas he gloried that if al should deny christ , yet he would not : had he been asked , doest thou promise this by thine own strength , or by mine ? he must have answered , mine , for otherwise he would have requested his help , making him hereby to seek to christ for the strengthening of his faith . this happeneth to you , because you credit the suggestion of carnall reason , and not the word rather . oh the cunning of the adversary ! deal not with him by cunning , but hold him to the word , seek for strength in god to resist him . you may see the apostles in the tempest , it was from their weaknes that they distrusted , yet of god that they prayed . i cannot pray . here what st iames saith , is any man sick , &c. afflictions further prayer , but most sicknesses hinder : wherefore behold your friends , whose mindes as the lord hath stirred up to pray for you : so will he also stirre up himself to hear them . their prayers are yours , yea , you have the prayers of many which never knew you . and as god said to cain , sinne lyeth at the door , ready as it were to doe him an ill turne : so his promised blessing doth as it were expect you . if your salvation were now in your own hands , it is likely you would yeild up all : but your name is written in the heart of christ . sir , let me watch with you this night . no . why ? because it would hurt you . he ( fearing the conclusion ) said , here is a snatching argument : nay rather , i will not suffer you , because you would trouble me . in the morning m. dod came again to him , and asking him how he did , he answered , wretchedly , lamentably , abhominably , no stamp of grace in me . doe you desire to be eased ? infinitely . oh if god would give me a drop : i was so foolish that i would alwaies be doing something , but did nothing well . i pray you tell me what was the calling of the good thief upon the crosse ? doe not you think that god can put a distinction between his grace and our corruptions ? behold the church sometimes helples and hopeles , and ionah in that his bed , god seeth you , though you see not him . but i feel horrour . where misery is , there is grace much more : then especially appeareth the excellency of the physician , when health is least hoped . the devil doth abuse your minde and tongue against your self : but doubt not , the lord will cast down the strong holds of carnall reason . onely doe not suppresse that grace of god , which although it appeareth but small , as big as a mans hand , yet it shall be increased into a mighty rain , by which your dry soul shall be moistened . christ rising again , did first appear to mary magdalen that sinner , after commanded her to tell it first to peter , which had denied him . see thence his mercy . the godly in their afflictions doe but forget their comforts ; god helps their memory , helps all . the godly losing his sense of gods favour , is like to a man that hath lost his purse , which if he could finde , he were rich enough . but the wicked cannot be brought to remembrance , because they never knew it . thus he suffered him to rest a while , afterwards returning with others , prayed . then he was asked , how he did . miserably . doe not you search into the secrets of god . it is too true and manifest . sir , doe not alwaies be digging in at your sinnes . a wound continually rubbed cannot be cured . suffer the plaisters of the word of god to rest upon it , that it may be holpen . oh , if i had ! oh , if it would please god! i had rather then any thing in this or other three thousand worlds . who now giveth this desire unto you ? of our selves we cannot think a good thought : god giveth both the will and the deed . a desire is a sure token . but i cannot truly desire . you doe not desire falsely , therefore : truly what doe you dissemble ? here is a trick . you must needs distinguish between unperfect desire and hypocriticall . will you know whether your desire be true ? there are two signes thereof : constancy , and a conscionable using of the means : you have found these in you , doth this argument hold ? you doe not feel , therefore you have it not ? i know when you would have denyed such an argument : if that did follow , it should fare well with the reprobate , he hath no sense of the wrath of god , therefore he is not under it . elizabeth said , whence is it that the mother of the lord should come unto me ? surely from their christian heart . truly i could hardly have come to you , but that i thought i was bound in conscience , because i know you to be the servant of the lord : when you were well , if we should have come with proofs out of the word of the lord , you would have believed us . yes . why not now when your judgement is blinded ? oh , the iudgement of god ! call it as he calleth it , corrections . oh , my insensible heart ! oh , dead ! a dead man cannot perceive himself dead , and god quickneth the dead . oh , if he would enlarge my heart ! this desire is good ; but it is without savour . god in mercy will yeild you a comfortable rellish : consider i pray you ; whereas man may object , the lord is strong and terrible . it followeth , mercifull withall . but i am backward in seeking it . he is gracious , more forward then thou canst be backward : but i have provoked . him ; he is slow to anger : but my sinnes are great , but he is abundant in goodnes and in truth . the lord hath promised that he on his part will be our god , and we on our part shall be his people . for a while he commended him to god : shortly after returning , he prayed with him . cast your burthen upon god . he hath rejected me . who made you his counsellour ? secret things belong unto god , but revealed things unto us : will you make almanackes ? he doth manifest it : oh mine abominable bringing up of youth ! he withall groaned most deeply . if you had done as well as the justest man , you should stand in need of the merits of christ . i , or another may bring arguments , but it belongs to the lord to fasten them on the heart . i say to you as noah did to iaphet , god perswade iaphet , &c. what if your sinnes were as crimson , god can make them as snow . that is true of those that are capable . behold , we make your estate our own , we have part in your sorrow : who hath thus ( think you ) disposed our hearts ? god . and doe you think that he which causeth us to love you , doth not love you himself ? i fear i did too much glory in matters of private service to god . the neerer we come to god , the more we see our own vilenesse . this is the use which i make of it , blessed be god which hath not put our estate in our own hands , but kept it in his . the devil hath now winnowed you , and you think all is gone out , but god holdeth what is his . an artificer can distinguish drosse from the metall , cannot god his from yours ? well , with iob lay your hand on your mouth , and hold your peace , and so good rest have you : onely consider your comfort , though it be but small , whence it came , even from gods word and servants , no otherwise . when he returned again to take and give farewell , he began to complain : oh , great and grievous ! the lord knoweth what power he hath given you : a father will put a greater burthen upon a stronger sonne . but see the difference . when an earthly father or master setteth his on wo●k , they must doe it with their own strength ; but the lord setteth on work , and giveth strength to be not discouraged . you are now in your calling : oh , mine heart is miserable ! what then ? a father loveth his sonne as well when he is sleeping , as when he is waking . sir , i have known you heretofore , and although , if i were in your case , i might doe as you doe , yet i remain the servant of god , as you certainly are . the holy ghost calls to your remembrance what you have heretofore taught , and now heard : and although i shall be absent in body , yet shall i be present in minde . be not too covetous to seek abundance by and by . if iacob could say to es●u , i have seen thy face , as though i had seen the face of god , much more should you think so of the children of god that come to you . i thank god ( saith he ) he hath begun to ease me . he will in his good time . god grant . thus he took his last farewell . although vve depart from our friends in the way , yet vve shall meet at the end . one told master dod that he had uttered such words . now the lord hath made me a spectacle . whereupon he counselled one that attended on him , to be sparing in admitting commers in , or speakers , left his brain should be too much heated . a friend of his comming to him , asked him , dare your murmure and repine against god ? why should i so ? god be blessed . it is a signe of grace . but i have no meanes . you have had them offered . but not given with effect . they shall , i doubt not . god grant : but i doe not feel it . he received a letter from a friend very respective , and much respected of them both : wherein were written these very words : " i heard , i know not hovv true , that our dear christian friend mr peacock is in great danger : which hath much greived and afflicted my heart , and vvrung from me very bitter teares . if his extremities be such , his tentations are very like to be fore . tell him from me ( as one vvho did ever , with dearest intimatenes knovv and converse with him ) that i can assure him in the word of life and truth , frō a most just and holy god , whose minister i am , that he is undoubtedly one of his saints , designed for immortality , and those endles joyes in another world . " when it was read to him ; at those words i can assure him , &c. ( he said ) oh , take heed , take heed ; doe you think he vvould or durst assure you , unles he knew on what grounds ? i did deceive my self , now god hath revealed more . another time one requested him , that he would make his friends partakers of the least comfort that the lord bestovved upon him , as they had been partakers of his grief . if i had it , i would willingly communicate it . search and take notice of the least . how should i have any , since god denyeth the means ? doe you think sense is a fruit of faith ? yes , at this season , although the husbandman hath sown much , yet he seeth nothing above ground . applications doe not prove , hold your peace , my heart is broken . then the promise is yours . i would gladly ask you one thing , now you will ask twenty . doe you seek for grace in your heart ? i cannot . how then can you know whether it be there or no ? it is dead . the lord in whose hand the disposing thereof is , dispose it for your good and his glory . i thank you . what doe you think of that place , whose sins you remit , they are remitted , &c. you know how farre they may goe . howsoever , sir , the bargain is not now to be made between god and you . shortly after came one whom he much esteemed . oh i love ( said he ) your company , for the graces in you , and much more to the same purpose . suddainly he brake out into this ejaculation , oh god , reconcile me unto thee , that i may taste one dramme of thy grace , by which my miserable soul may receive comfort . one secretly willed that man to desire him to repeat it again . doe not trouble me with repetitions . there being a sermon , he bade them about him goe thither . after he called one , and asked him whether the preacher ( being acquainted with his course of preaching ) did use his accustomed divisions . he told one , satan had borne him in hand , and had deluded him : to whō the other answered , i hope that god will restore you as before , to glorify him here . no . no . yea , if you were weaker , i would hope notwithstanding . i desire nothing more . god be thanked , you have laboured carefully for his glory . i would labour after another fashion . in the night he prayed and repeated his belief . and after resting a while , he called these that watched with him , bear witnesse , i said not , i believe , but in generall , and as desiring that i might believe . one comming to visit him , asked him , how is it with you ? my minde was grievously puzzled with sundry distractions this night , but now i feel my burthen more light , i thank god . he was put in minde of that place , isa. . , , , &c. oh thou afflicted and tossed with tempests , and not comforted ; behold , i will lay thy stones with faire colours , and thy foundations with saphyrs ; and i will make thy windowes of agates , and thy gates of carbuncles : and all thy borders of pleasant stones , &c. for a little while i hid my self from thee , but with everlasting kindnes will i have mercy on thee . he lifted up his eyes : thereupon being asked what the lord did say to his soul , that had long refused comfort ? take heed , be not too bold , look to the foundation . and then prayed . lord grant me the comfort of thy deliverance , and forgive me my foolishnes , that i may praise thy name . then he complained of his idle speeches . upon the sabbath day one came to him , willing him to put his hand to a note of certain debts . this is not a day for that . we will goe to sermon . god speed you . now you cannot goe to church to serve the lord , i pray him to come to you . amen . he hardly suffered any to stay with him . at evening one did read something to him in master downams warfare , and asked him , doe you think it to be true ? yes . therefore you must not trust your sense : what not such as mine are ? but i will not now dispute . when they were helping him up and putting on his cloathes ; upon some occasion one said to him to this effect : a childe will not much grieve at the laying aside of an old coat , when he hath a new made , whē you shall put on that , there shall be no longer nakednes , the resurrection will amend all . to those that die in the lord . no doubt you will dye in him , having lived in him . i have answered you before . but i would not believe you in that case . the next day a friend of his being to goe forth of town , asked him , whether he would have any thing with him , for he was to leave him , and knew not whether ever he should see him again here . look to your calling , that it be as well inward as outward . he counselled another ; to be stirring for the glory of god . to one standing by , he said . i am thinking . what ? on a form to get grace . put your trust in god . so i doe . i omit how , and tell you that with great patience , he continually submitted himself to advise in any means for his good : in putting his temporall estate in order ; he dealt mercifully with his poorest debtors , yea , with some which might well pay it . his worthy patron ( for so he often called him ) whom for honours sake i name , sir robert harley , sent his man to him with some aurum potabile , together with a book which a doctour had made in the praise thereof . comming to him , and asking him how he did , oh ( said he ) if it would please god that i might live with him . anon after he said to one , i have been thinking of arguments by which i might pleade my cause with god , and i have found : but what if dying thus , i should be judged an apostata ? man is not the judge at whose tribunall you must stand or fall . there came in many of our cheif fellowes . one of them requested him to make confession of his faith willingly . but i would think of it first . musing awhile , he called them . truly my heart and soul have been farre lead , and deeply troubled with tentations and stings of conscience : but i thank god they are eased in good measure : wherefore i desire that i be not branded with the note of a forlorne or reprobate : such questions , oppositions , and all tending thereto , i renounce : now help me , and put me in minde . what doe you think of your former doctrine ? most true : in it i have lived , and will dye ; i have not dealt hypocritically in it . are you willing to die ? truly i will tell you : my patron who of late sent me potable gold , hath taken order that i might live with him contentedly in the ministery : but i submit my self to the will of god . doe you desire the glory of god , and the salvation of your brethren ? most : help my memory , what mo●e ? doe you forgive all wrongs ? yes , and desire that mine may be : and now i thank you . sir , i remember a thing wantonly done towards you , pointing at one present . you sent me a knife for a new-years-gift ; and i tyed two verses to it , and sent it back : i pray pardon me if any thing — for mine unconsiderate speeches in the time of my tentations , i heartily and humbly ask forgivenes . you did then ( saith one ) seem to rely somewhat upon inherent righteousnes , as if you sought in your self whereby you should be saved : indeed we knew your conversation to be unreproveable : no i dare not affirm it : i trust in nothing but in the name of iesus . have you any certainty in him ? i would not be pressed to a particular assurance in this grievous agony . we desire you to inform them that shall come unto you of your estate . my unability is great : they then praied , . giving god thanks , that whereas before they had craved his mercy for his servant , he had heard them , and manifested to his glory , how he never forsaketh his : and besought him , because he knew the malice of the enemy , to perfect his good work , and not suffer him to be tempted above his strength . now , sir , we tell you one thing to your comfort , we never heard you speak any thing against god or man , thorowout the time of your visitation , but wholly against your self . i have been bold thus to argue with god , if he hath shewed mercy to such and such , why should not i likewise have hope ? he complained once , how , while he was visiting the sick , ( in which work many poor souls found the ready mercifulnes of his heart , and now feel a great want ) he lighted upon doubts ; which that he might more fully satisfy , when the like might be moved , he studyed too earnestly . one brought him a note book which he had lent . ( alwayes willing to communicate what he had most private ) here is a book ( said he ) of great pains , &c. to a stranger , a worthy gentleman that came to visit him , he said , the lord is mercifull to me , and i have cause of rejoycing , &c. afterwards a reverend governour came to him , to whom he complained of his sinne and misery . you look not ( said he ) for any thing in your self . no , for nothing . you would amend if you had space . oh if i had — certainly — think on this . as the lord hath heard the ejaculations and grones of your spirit in your infirmity , so he will now . if he will be glorified by your life , you shall live ; submit your self to him , let him choose for you . my faith is weak . all , you know , are here but in part , you desire notwithstanding to runne to that which is perfect : so you may see how low many have been brought , some ( said he ) have been idolatours , was not manasses such an one ? yes . and behold gods servants from the beginning of the bible to the end , they have slipped . lot had shrewd slips , but yet here the testimony of the apostle of him ; he was just and righteous . you have been wearied and heavy loaden . yes . for such is the end of christs comming : your desire is a token of favour : for by how much the neerer we come , the more we thirst . think now on his loving kindnes ; he hath begun , and he will finish whom you have served . i did endeavour , but vile imperfections , &c. it is our greatest perfection here to see our imperfections . shortly after came to him many young gentlemen , to whom he said , live in gods fear , that you may die in his favour : otherwise the oxe and the asse will condemn you ; i spent my time foolishly and prodigally . you have ( said one ) remembred that sufficiently ; remember also christ . that is true , christ is to be remembred , and our sinnes to be remembred also . the night following , which was wednesday night , the sun of righteousnes spread gracious beams at his setting , which were comfortable tokens of a glorious rising . his last swan-like song , as he uttered it , was pen'd by some as he uttered it . one comforting him by his bead-side some two houres or more before his death , he brake out into these speeches ; quid de salute mea sentiam expectatis ut explicarem : usque adeo indulget deus ijs quos semel dilexerit , ut eos nunquam deserat , atque ideo me in coelos transiturum pro certo habeo : felicissima sunt ea vincula in quae me conjecit deus benignissimus ; you all expect that i should declare what i thinke of my own salvation : god is so indulgent to those whom he hath ever loved , that he never forsakes them , and therefore i am assured i shall goe to heaven : most happy are those fetters into which i was cast by a most mercifull god . one telling him , you have fought a good fight , &c. he said , expetit , expedit ut contendam ad coelum ; tollite , tollite , eripite , eripite , ut coelum adeam : deus indulget ingenuitati bonorum . it is requisite , it is requisite that i should contend for heaven : take me up , take me up , carry me hence , carry me hence , that i may go to heaven ; god doth cherish the ingenuity of the good . being put in minde of gods mercy towards him , he made answer : oh , the sea is not so full of water , nor the sunne of light , as god is of goodnes , his mercy is ten thousand times more . being likewise remembred of gods goodnes towards him , in filling his heart with such comforts , after so great tentations , he said : i doe ( god be praised ) feel such comfort from that : what shall i call it ? agony , saith one , nay , that is too little : that had i five hundred worlds , i could not not make satisfaction for such an issue . being moved to lift up his heart in token of thankfulnesse unto his god , he uttered these words : what , shall i extoll the magnificence of god , which is unspeakeable , and more then any heart can conceive ? nay rather let us with humble reverence acknowledge his great mercy : what great cause have i to magnify the great goodnes of god , that hath humbled , nay rather exalted such a wretched miscreant of so base condition to an estate so glorious and stately ! the lord hath honour'd me with his goodnes : i am sure he hath provided a glorious kingdom for me . the joy that i feel in my heart is uncredible . he made likewise protestation of that which he alwayes before taught against justification by inherent righteousnes , and appealing to the knowledge of some there present , what he continually maintained , in that ( saith he ) i still remain a protestant . after three chapters read to him , revel. . revel. . rom. . oh , ( saith he ) they be glorious comforts : will you have any more read ? yea , a psalm , if you please , and named the . one beginning to read it , he desired that it might be sung : one asking him , will you sing ? yea , said he , as well as i can . the psalm being sung , afterwards the . of iohn was read unto him : one comforting him by applying to him that in particular , which christ in generall performed for the good of the faithfull , he said , blessed be god , very often , i am a thousand times happy to have such felicity thrown upon me , a poor wretched miscreant . after a little rest , lord iesus ( said he ) unto thy hands : lord receive my soul , lord lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon me , and be mercifull unto me . then very weak he repeated the lords prayer twice , and his belief once very plainly , and distinctly with a strong voice , to the great admiration of the hearers : so he slept in the lord . december . anno . the post-script to the reader . this copy of m. boltons , and intended by him for the presse , was by m. edward bagshaw ( overseer of m. boltons will , and specially intrusted for the printing of it ) delivered about nine years since to m. george miller , printer of m. boltons works , to be by him printed , as he had done his other books , m. miller carried it to the licenser , who kept it long in his hands , and at last refused it , as too precise for those times : while it was in the licensers hands , one m. milburne of intimate acquaintance with him , got a copy of it , and printed it about five years since : but upon examination , the transcribed copy was found imperfect , and by that means the book proved unsaleable . when this present copy was almost printed , m. miller had notice of such a book , and not before . this is thought fit to be made known , that the reader might understand that this present copy is the onely true approved copy , and licensed by an eminent divine of the assembly , as a fit and usefull book for these present times . finis . imprimatur edm. calamy . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a e- dr ayer provost of queens colledge . * this conclusiō was tasteed on him before , which now he ●●●fts off . m. dod. m. bolton . dr ayery . a short and priuate discourse betweene mr. bolton and one m.s. concerning vsury. published by e.b. by mr. boltons owne coppy bolton, robert, - . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a stc estc s this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) a short and priuate discourse betweene mr. bolton and one m.s. concerning vsury. published by e.b. by mr. boltons owne coppy bolton, robert, - . bagshaw, edward, d. . [ ], , [ ] p. printed by george miller dwelling in blacke-friers, london : . e.b. = edward bagshaw. running title reads: a discourse betweene m. bolton and m.s. concerning vsury. the last leaf is blank. reproduction of the original in the cambridge university library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng usury -- religious aspects -- early works to . - tcp assigned for keying and markup - apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images - judith siefring sampled and proofread - judith siefring text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion a short and private discourse betweene mr. bolton and one m. s. concerning usury . published by e. b. by mr. boltons owne coppy . devt. . . thou shalt not lend upon vsury to thy brother . london , printed by george miller dwelling in blacke-friers , . to the reader . love ( saith the wisest of men ) is as strong as death , the importuning whereof hath made me breake open those bars and once more awaken the spirit of m. bolton , by exposing to publicke view these papers of his , written with his owne hand , for the convincing of the world of that profitable and wealthy sinne of vsury ; wherein though he and others have bestowed much paines : yet so sweet is the gainefullnesse of that craft , as that it will never receive a finall conviction till the generall judgement . this small tract was written to one m. s. a man of no great note , and of lesse learning , occasioned upon a quarrell 〈◊〉 tooke at a sermon of his preached against usury , which afterward brake forth into a set battell , though it prooved impar congressus to m. s. who by challenging m. bolton , thrust himselfe upon the greatest infelicity of warre , as first to bee disarmed , and afterward to bee kill'd in the field with his owne weapons . the gaine that m. s. made by that silver shrine , whetted his invention to maintaine by humane argument , what hee was loath to part with by divine commandement . had this author lived , it was his purpose to have made this little tract of vsury a compleate treatise , by stating the question , by distinguishing it from other contracts and bargaines that are common amongst men ( which though they equall that other contract by vsury in point of gaine , yet doe not participate with it in point of crime ) by handling the many cases of conscience touching the point of restitution , wherein i know hee was acquainted with many rare experimen●s . but death which determined his daies , put an end to this labour . so that i now present it to the reader as i finde it in his owne coppy without addition or alteration , which can hardly bee done to any thing of his without wrong to the worke. neither should i ( had it beene feosable ) have given way unto it . for i had rather put any imperfect worke of his upon the charity of the world , which it usually affoords to such interceptions by death , then abuse it , or the trust reposed in me , by publishing under his name any counterfeit stuffe . in this little worke i desire to put the reader in minde of one or two things remarkable in this author . the earnest indignation of his spirit against any manner of sinne , especially grosse sinne as this of vsury . and then his sweet melting and compassionate heart in freeing men from it , which if all other instances which might be given of him in this kind should be lost and perish . this one passage of his written in the last worke that ever he put out , and uttered a little before his death would make it good . for having in that booke proposed twenty considerations to keepe men from sinne ( the best that ever i read ) he thus in conclusion breaths out his affectionate spirit , page . now my most thirsty desire and earnest entreaty is , that every one into whose hands by gods providence this booke of mine shall fall , after the perusall of them , would pause a while upon purpose that he may more solemnely vow and resolve , that ever hereafter when he shall be set upon and assaulted by allurement unto any sinne , he will first have recourse unto these twenty considerations i have here recommended to him to helpe in such cases , and with a punctuall seriousnesse let them sinke into his heart before he proceed and pollute himselfe . i could bee content , if it were pleasing unto god , that these lines which thou now readest were writ with the warmest blood in my heart , to represent unto thine eye the deare affectionatenesse of my soule for thy spirituall and eternall good , so that thou wouldest be throughly perswaded , and now before thou passe any further sincerely promise so to doe . so that i may as truly say of him as was once said of anselme , nihil in mundo quantum peccare timebat , hee feared nothing in the world so much as sinne . compare these times and the want of such a man in them , and then count how invaluable his losse is . for so highly was he esteemed in that countrey where he bestowed his ministeriall paines , that many of his hearers who beheld his white haires could point at him , and say with that famous leontius , that when that snow melted there would bee a flood : and so it prooved ; for i dare boldly write it , there was not a minister in norhampton-shire that ever lived there more desired , or dyed more lamented . i will looke no further into his quiet grave , i onely desire my reader kindely to accept of this worke for the authors sake who meant it much better . and for my sake who meerely for the readers good have undergone the paines to present it as it is . this is but iustice and all the reward i looke for , middle temple may . . edvvard bagshavve . a short and private discourse betweene mr. bolton and one m.s. concerning usury . it seemes m. s. saint austin is in some request with you ; for you place him in the front of your treatise , which you might easily have contrived into a few lines , telling us : so saith iewell , perkins , &c. in such a booke , such a page : but will you stand to that ancient fathers authority in your point of usury ? heare him i pray you : in psal. . nolo sit is faeneratores , & ideò nolo , quia deus non vult . i would not have you to bee usurers , and therefore i would not have you to be so , because god would not have you to be so . a little after : vnde apparet deum hoc nolle ? dictum est alio loco . qui pecuniam suam non dedit ad vsuram . et quam detestabile sit , & quam odiosum , quam execrandum , puto quia & ipsi faeneratores noverunt . how appeares it , that god would not have you to be usurers ? it is said in another place . hee that putteth not his money to vsury . how detestable a thing it is , to give money upon usury , how odious , how execrable , i suppose , the usurers themselves are not ignorant . and upon psal. . audent etiam faeneratores dicere non habeo aliud unde vivam . hoc mihi & latro diceret , deprehensus in fa●ce , &c. — hoc mihi & leno diceret emens puellas ad prostitutionem , &c. the usurers also , saith saint austin , dare say , they have not whereupon els to live : so ( saith he ) may the robbers say , taken in the theeves haunt , &c. — so may the bawde say , who buyeth young women for prostitution , &c. or will you stand to the judgement of those worthy men , ( for so you call them at the bottome of your first page ) which saint austin produced against iulian ? heare them also . saint basil : in psal. . an ignoras , inquit , quòd major tibi peccatorum exurgat acervus , quam sit accessus opum , quem ex usuris venaris ? knowest thou not , that a greater heape of sinnes growes upon thee , then is the accession of riches , which thou hunts after by usury . saint gregory hom . in ecclesiast . aiatis , inquit , dixit deus ; crescite & multiplicamini : auri autem faetus , nempe faenus , ex quonam consistit matrimonio ? &c. — hic est ille partus , quem parturit qui dem avaritia , parit autem iniquitas , & obstetricatur inhumanitas . this is that young one ( speaking of usury ) with which covetousnesse travailes ; iniquity brings forth ; and inhumanity playes the mid-wife . saint ambrose , an other of those worthy men , hath detested and discoursed against usury very excellently , and eloquently in a whole booke de tobia : in the . chap. whereof , hee compares the divell and an usurer together . chap. . silicitum est : cur vocabulum refugis ? cur velamen obteris ? si illicitum est : cur incrementum requiris ? if usury be lawfull , why doest thou decline the name ? why puts thou a vaile over it ? if it be unlawfull , why receivest thou any increase ? saint hierom , in psal. . in lege usurae accipi prohibentur . vsura est , plus accipere , quam dare . taking of usury is forbidden in the law. and usury is to take more , then was given . and in ezek. chap. . page . repetens ab his quibus tribuit , ( meaning in the case of usury ) ampliùs quam dederat , vivere non poterit , sed in suo sanguine morietur . chrysost. hom. . in mat. pag. . nihil praesenti usurâ turpius , nihilque crudelius . si quidem hujusmodi faenerator negotiatur discrimina , & uberiores ( ut putat ) quaestus de alterius infaelicitate consequitur , atque insuper quasi pietatis mercedem reposcit , velut metuens ne immisericors fore videatur : cum profectò pretextu miserendi , atque opem ferendi , majorem misero foveam crudelitatis effoderit , speciejuvandi atterens inopem , ac manum porrigendo deijciens : & quasi inportum , ex tempestate suscipiens , sed improviso turbine in multò magis crudele naufragium , velut inter scopulos , ac latentia saxa demergens . i have given you a taste of those worthy men , how worthily , they cut the throate of your usury . i might quote many more of the fathers to the same purpose : but that it is not my purpose , but onely to let you seee how you have wounded your selfe at unawares , by writing those passages out of saint austin . i meane in this respect : as iulian the pelagian became saint austins and their opposite , in point of pelagianisme : so you proove opposite to austin and the same worthies in point of usury . but you have , as you suppose , some late divines on your side . and i will also suppose so for the present : and oppose against them three hundred and eighteene , the learnedest and greatest divines in the whole christian world , congregated at nicaea in the more * pure and primitive times , * in the yeare of our lord . or thereabouts condemning usury , from those words psal. . qui pecuniam suam non dedit ad usuram : hee that putteth not his money out to usury . can. . i could name them every one unto you , and so make a farre larger catalogue then yours . for here are . odds . yours being but . nay in a word ; for any thing i can learne , or know , i may oppose in this point all other councells , that ever mentioned it , fathers , all the learned of former ages , the whole current of the christian world from christ unto our age . none of which have stood for usury , for the space of fifteene hundred yeares after christ . but these , you will say , are humane authorities . and so are yours . yet mark the odds . i oppose to your few supposed patrons of usury of late times , the generall judgement of the church for this fifteene hundred yeares . for the covetousnesse of these times hath made a controversie , which in former ages was never doubted of . * nay , ( i imagine you know who hath made it good ) authority of all sorts , divine , and humane ; ecclesiasticall , and prophane ; naturall , and morall : of all ages , old , new , midling : of all churches , primitive , romane , reformed : of all common-weales , jewish , christian , heathenish : of all lawes , forraine and domesticall . nay m. s. will you heare the words of one of your own men , whom you muster up in your catalogue as one of yours : i meane b. iewell . these are his words : upon thess. chap. . ver . . pag. . but what speake i , saith he , of the ancient fathers of the church ? ( having produced many against vsury ) there was never any religion , nor sect , nor state , nor degree , nor profession of men , but they have disliked it : usury sc. philosophers , greekes , latines , lawyers , divines , catholicks , hereticks : all tongues and nations have ever thought an usurer as dangerous , as a theefe . the very sence of nature prooveth it to be so . if the stones could speake , they would say as much . these are the very words of one , whom you pretend to be on your side . but let us come to the scriptures . and dare you indeed m. s. stand to the triall of that pure and heavenly touchstone ? consider then these places : exod. . . levit. . , . deut. . . psal. . . ezek. . , . and . . pro. . . luke . . now m. s. against these many places condemning vsury ; bring you so much as one , to allow it . you are not able to bring one rightly understood . here is then as great odds in divine , as humane authorities . what will you doe now ? fall to your shifts . in the scriptures , say you , . mention is made of the poore expressely ; and therefore you conceive , and conclude , that if you forbeare the poore , you may be an usurer to the rich. and for this purpose usurers urge exod. . . levit. . . . may you not m. s. as well reason thus from ver . . of the same chap. thou shalt not afflict any widow or fatherlesse childe : here mention is onely made of the widow and fatherlesse : therefore , if these bee forborne , thou maist afflict a married woman , or a childe that hath a father ? may you not by the like reason proove it no sin to rob a rich man : because prov. . . it is said : rob not the poore , because he is poore . then all robbery is not forbidden , but onely that towards the poore , ( may you say ) and therefore we may rob the rich , because he is rich , and may well spare it ? you may clearely see the poorenesse and weakenesse of your collection , by these three absurd paralell inconsequences . moses forbiddeth to oppresse an hired servant , that is poore and needy : deut. . . therefore , if he be rich and wealthy , you may oppresse him. this is usurers logique . see psal. . , . . in other places of scripture , as psal. . . ezek. . , . and chap. . . prov. . . which are as it were commentaries , and expositions of the law , there is no mention of the poore , but vsury is absolutely forbidden without respect of persons . nay to prevent this shift , and to demonstrate this evasion to be very frivolous . in the very text deut. ● . . there is no mention of the poore at all , but the law is delivered in generall termes : thou shalt not lend upon vsury to thy brother . now he is your brother whether he be rich or poore . the partition wall is now taken away , and both jew and gentile , rich and poore are brethren ; and therefore we must exact usury of none , except we would be worse then jewes . our saviour christ luke . . gives this testimony to the very sinners of his time amongst the jewes , that they would lend one unto an other , that they might receive so much , as they lent . and therefore not so much , as the least usury was lawfull towards a brother , whether he were poore or rich . if the scriptures had put such a difference betweene the poore and the rich , as betweene the israelite and cananite : to the rich thou maist ; but to the poore thou shalt not lend upon vsury : then the case were cleare . but deut. . , . god makes opposition , not betweene the poore and the rich : but betweene an israelite and cananite . for by stranger in that place , is meant the hittites , the gergashites , the amorites , the cananites , the perisites , the hivites and jebusites , and no other stranger as may be collected , levit. . . so also doth saint ambrose de tobia , cap. . paulus fagius annot. in cald. paraphras . in deut. . . iun. annot. ibid. expound it . what these the jewes were commanded to destroy , deut. . . and usury was as teeth given them , and allowed by god to eate them up withall : whence that of saint ambrose de tobia , cap. . ab hoc usuram exige , quem non sit crimen occidere . seest thou a man , whom thou maist lawfully kill ? take use of him , but not of thy brother . . in the lawes of usury , and other prohibitions of oppression , expresse mention is made of the poore and helplesse , because . the poore are soonest , and easiest oppressed of the rich ; as the lowest hedge is oftnest stepped over . . it is a more grievous sinne to oppresse the poore . . those onely who have need , have just occasion to borrow . . shall a speciall instance in some one object , which makes the sinne forbidden extreamely hatefull , abridge and restraine the generality of a law ? will the exageration of a sinne in the highest degree make all those actions no sinne , which come not to that degree ? because it is an heinous offence to steale a cow from a poore man , is it not a sinne to steale a sheepe from a rich man , that can spare it full well , and perhaps never misse it ? . nay m. s. will you stand in this exception to the verdict of your owne witnesse in the very point for which you produce him ; i meane of the rarest iewell , that ever the english church enjoyed . these are his words upon thess. chap. . pag. . thus much saith he , i thought expedient to speake of the loathsome , & foule trade of usury — i call god for a record unto my soule , i have not decived you , i have spokē unto you the truth . if i be deceived in this matter , o god thou hast deceived me . thy word is plaine . thou saiest : thou shalt take no vsury . thou saiest , he that taketh increase shall not live . what am i , that i should hide the words of my god , or keepe them backe from the hearing of this people . the learned old fathers taught us , it is no more lawfull to take usury of our brother , then it is to kill our brother , &c. marke the last words . and then looke backe , upon pag. . lin . . where he saith : he is thy brother , whether he be poore , or rich : and then conclude plainely , that the worthiest of your pretended patrons , condemnes usury-taking , either of rich or poore . aspidis morsui similis est pecunia usuraria . qui ab aspide percutitur quasi delectatus vadit in somnum , & sic per suavitatem soporis moritur . he that is bitten by usury , ( saith chrysostome ) is as he , that is stung of a serpent : it lulls him asleepe so sweetly and secretly , that the poore man is undone before he be aware . . if usury finde a man rich , * yet it bringeth with it a paire of canniballs chops , and many cruell teeth , to eate out the very heart of his estate , except he cunningly heale himselfe by some other covetous way , or unconscionable course . hence it is that saint chrysostome compares usury to an aspe , which together with the poyson infufes a delightfull sleepe , but in that sweete insensiblenesse takes away life : so the usurers money refreshes for a time , but by little , and little , sucks out the very life-bloud of a mans estate . and that of saint basil to to those , that objected , that many by the imployment of money borrowed upon usury , grew rich : but i thinke , * moe saith he , have come to the halter . his meaning is , by paying usury they have growne poore , and so fallen a stealing , and at last come to hanging . to speake more fitly to these sinnes : but i thinke moe have prooved bankerupts . and againe , how many of your usurers are free lenders to the poore , except it be in cunning , out of a deepe hypocrisie to colour their usurious cruelty ? . if the law of lending to the poore , without usury , should inferre the lawfullnesse of lending to the rich upon usury : how should gods purpose in those places , for the benefit of the poore have place ? because by this meanes , it would come to passe , that the poore should very hardly , or not borrow at all . for how few would lend to the poore for nothing , when as they might lawfully lend to the rich upon usury . now it were better for the poore , that he might borrow upon usury , then that he might not borrow at all . the scripture , saith the usurer , forbids onely byting vsury : 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 morsury , which commeth of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 mordere , to bite . there is , thinkes he , a certaine toothlesse , or not byting usury , which is tollerable . . what will not covetousnesse catch at , to nourish its greedy , and cruell humour ? nesheck is the common , and ordinary name whereby all usury is signified in the hebrew tongue . and doth metaphorically intimate , and import the aggravation of the sinne , not a distinction of the kindes of usury . epithets and originals serve more to amplifie and exaggerate , then to distinguish . see t. pag. . hence it is also that usury in the chaldee is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 chabulia , i. e. perditio , quòd omnes opes perdat & devastet . . the scriptures condemne not onely nesheck , but also tarbith . and that not onely in the comments of the prophets : ezech. . . and . . prov. . . but in the very text of the law it selfe , levit. . . vetarbith . and v. . vbemarbith . nesheck is the ordinary word in the scriptures , to signifie usury . which the holy ghost useth to expound by other two words tarbith and marbith , both derived from the same roote 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to increase , so that he which exacteth an increase , or gaine above his principall , or requireth more by covenant , then he lent , he taketh tarbith , or marbith , that is usury . which is condemned also , saith that most worthy calvin , ( whom you produce as a patron ) in pentateuchum , pag. . that he may cut off , saith he , such cavills as these : vtrumque nomen conjungit — ac generaliter damnat quamlibet sortis accessionem : he couples both the words together — and generally condemnes any addition , or increase above the principall . for why should tarbith bee added unto nesheck , both in the letter of the law , and the prophets ? it must be added : either 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , to make a gradation ; as if not biting usury onely were forbidden , but any increase whatsoever : or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , that is by way of exposition , and so of equall latitude with nesheck , onely declaring what god meant by biting usury , namely any increase in that kinde whatsoever . and therefore let not us distinguish these words which the holy ghost confounds , saith a worthy man ; and much lesse upon this frivolous distinction , let us build our practise or hazard the eternall salvation of our foules . for we know who hath said : he that putteth forth to vsury , or taketh increase ; shall he live ? he shall not live , he shall die the death ; and his bloud shall bee upon him. . all usury biteth . money so lent commeth not empty home : but biteth off , knaweth away , and bringeth with it some part of the borrowers wealth , and substance . who if he cannot licke himselfe whole againe , or heale his wound by biting others , ( as commonly they doe ) he findeth and feeleth in the end , that usury hath teeth . biting is individuall , and essentiall both to the name , and nature of usury . it ever bites , and stings one , or other , lesse , or more , either the borrower , or the common-wealth . either like the morning wolfe , it sucks out the life , the bloud , and the marrow of a poore man : or like a mastive it snatches a peece and portion out of the borowers substance : or like a waspe or the dog-flie , it stings him , one way , or other in his estate . all sorts of usury , even from that centesima the hundreth part monethly , which nehemiah complaineth of , which is twelve in the hundred ; unto that semiuncianum foenus ten shillings in an hundred pounds , hath teeth . some more empoisoned , bloudy fangs then other : but all bite . in every tarbith there is a nesheck , 〈◊〉 in every usury . but suppose the borrower sometimes in respect of the event , or by accident , be not so bitten , or damnified : yet the common-wealth , and especially the communalty pay for it . our divines expresse the point thus : if money be lent to spend upon necessaries , there is no question made , but the borrower is sore bitten in paying usury , when he hath spent the principall : if it be lent to lay out for gaine , then must the borrower first be sure of so much cleare gaine , as will pay the use ; which is a reasonable gaine of it selfe : for the usurers of nine , or ten in the hundred doe live richly of that accursed trade : yea many honest tradesmen , will confesse , that if they could with their owne free stock , raise the like gaine , one time with an other , that the usurer doth with his money ; and with the like security of the principall , they would think , they had made a very good market , notwithstanding all their care , and travell . this reasonable gaine then , must first bee raised by the borrower , to pay the usurer ; and over and above , he must exceed this reasonable gaine , to maintaine himselfe , and his servants , because this gaine is none of his. if he doe not exceed then , and that in some proportion , hee hath lost his labour , and shall feele himselfe sore bitten . and if the borrower doe exceed the usurers gaine , to maintaine himselfe ; i demand then who paieth this excessive gaine over and above that reasonable gaine , of ten in the hundred ? who but the common-weale ? not so , saith the usurer ; for the borrower must sell , as the market goeth . it is very true . therefore , say i , if he and his fellowes be not able to raise the market , to their owne price , they shall bee loosers : if they can inhaunce it , ( as they may the more easily , because the number of such borrowers is great , and because the rest desiring to sell as deare as they can , will most willingly joyne with them ) then the common-weale must needs beare the burthen , and especially the poorer sort , who buying all by peece-meale , at the last hand , must bee sore bitten , though they know not by whom . it is incredible , to consider how great the biting and burthen of the common-wealth is in this case . for who doubts , but that many millions of pounds are put out to vsury in this land yearely : partly in money borrowed upon vsury ; partly in wares taken on trust , whether by merchants themselves , or by retailers from them , or by the particular buyers from the retailers : the usury of every million , which are many , after ten in the hundred , being an hundred thousand pounds . of which biting and burthen the common-wealth might be eased , if vsury were abolished . heare your owne man , whom you produce as a patron of vsury , that reverend and worthy iewell : upon thess. . pag. . a merchant taketh up of his neighbour an hundred pounds , and must answer againe an hundred and ten pounds . he bestoweth it all in corne , and buyeth for his hundred pounds , an hundred quarters of corne . he sendeth it to the market , the people have need of it , and buy it . if he sold it for eight groats a bushell , he might make up his hundred pounds , and be a gainer . but unlesse he make up an hundred and ten pounds to discharge his vsury , he must needs be a looser , and undone . but undone he will not be : hee will rather undoe many others . therefore he setteth price at three shillings , and so maketh his money , and paieth the usurer , and saveth himselfe , and is no looser . who then paieth the ten pounds ? who is the looser ? any man may see . the poore people which buy the corne . they finde it and feele it in every morsell they eate . thus , saith he , if the merchant borrower be not hindred by the usurer : yet the people that buyeth his wares are plagued . thus it is no hard matter to finde , that howsoever vsury bee used , it is alwaies dangerous , and beguileth the people , and is therefore the destruction , and overthrow of the common-wealth . . m. dike tells us pag. . how full of subtle and sophisticall wit our hearts are in cunning distinctions for the confusion of our soules . he instanceth in some particulars . . if that pregnant text , saith he , cor. . . be prest against long haire : it is shame for a man , to weare long haire . it will be replyed : it is onely to be understood of such haire , that is as long as womens . . if the negligence of pastours be checkt by that expresse commandement : feede the flocke : that is saith the deceitfull heart : either , by thy selfe , or by another . . i may add a third and a very fit instance . if the usurer be prest with this and other places . his most ordinary answeris : they are to be understood of biting not of toothlesse vsury , &c. but what , as he there intimates , if these , and the like , proove to bee rotten distinctions , and false glosses upon their beds of death , as indeed they are ; what 's then their case ? as they have leaned in their life time upon such broken staves of reed : their confidence in that dreadfull houre will be but as the spiders house . the law of moses concerning vsury is judiciall not morrall ; politicall onely , and proper to the jewish nation ; not perpetuall , and binding all . . . prohibition of biting vsury , usurers will confesse , is morrall , but , it appeares in answer to the second objection ; that , that vsury which is forbidden in the law , is biting , ergo , &c. or thus : that which is unjust and uncharitable is forbidden by the morrall law : but when out of the uncertaine negotiation of the borrower , the lender covenanteth for certaine gaine , and accordingly exacteth his covenanted gaine ; as well out of the borrowers losse , as out of his gaine , which is the practise of the vsurer , ( for in the contract of actuall vsury there is an absolute covenant for certaine gaine , which the borrower , whether he shall gaine or loose is absolutely bound to pay together with the principall ) is unjust and uncharitable , ergo , &c. great and certaine gaine accrewes to the vsurer : sometimes out of little gaine ; sometimes out of no gaine ; sometimes out of losse ; alwaies out of uncertainties ; alwaies out of labour and paines , out of care and cost , out of hazard and perill to the borrower . is this conscionable ? . the law of free lending is morrall , renewed by our saviour , mat. . . deut. . . luke . . therefore the law , which forbiddeth vsury , or lending for gaine , is morrall : for the same law , which commandeth the affirmative , condemneth the negative . . the holy prophets raunge it amongst the greatest abominations , and most hainous transgressions of the morrall law : with lying , backbiting , deceit , wrong , bribery : psal. . with idolatry , oppression , adultery , cruelty , unmercifullnesse to the poore , bloud-shed , and murther : ezek. . with the profanation of holy things , with the abomination of uncleanenesse , with the unnaturall sins of incest , ezek. . so doth the doctrine of our church : verily so many as increase themselves by vsury , by extortion , by perjury , by stealth , by deceits and craft ; they have their goods of the divels gift . homily for the daies of rogation weeke , p. . p. . excep . god permitted the letting out of vsury to the stranger , therefore the prohibition cannot bee morrall : for god is not wont to permit any transgression of the morrall law. rep. nay . sith the same vsury , which is forbidden in the law is permitted towards a stranger , therefore this permission of vsury is prooved to be judiciall , and the prohibition morrall . this permission rather prooves it to be unlawfull in it selfe : for if it were lawfull in it selfe , it should not need to be permitted . the putting away of a mans innocent wife , being a thing simply , and in it selfe evill ; was notwithstanding permitted to the jewes . if by stranger , wee understand stranger at large : i answer thus : as that permission which gave leave to the jewes to put away their innocent wives with a bill of divorcement , doth not disprove the law forbidding adultery to bee morrall , but prooveth it selfe to be judiciall : so permission of vsury towards strangers doth not proove the law forbidding vsury to be morrall ; but it selfe is evidently prooved to bee judiciall . and there may bee reasons also of this tolleration . . the hard-heartednesse , and covetousnesse of the jewes might be such , that if they were not permitted to practise vsury towards strangers , they would exercise it against their brethren . . and the injustice of the gentiles with whom they did traffique , such , as they would be sure to exact vsury of the jewes . therefore , that neither the gentiles , by inequality of negotiation should eate up the jewes , nor yet the jewes should oppresse one another by vsury , it might be , that in these civill respects the lord permitted it towards the gentiles . which tolleration in civill respects might absolve the jewes in the externall court , but not in the court of conscience : no more then the toleration of divorce did dispence with that hardnesse of their hearts before god. but if by stranger be meant onely , the remnant of the cananites , as * saint ambrose , and * saint hierome amongst the ancient : iunius , and tremelius of latter time have expounded it : which i take to be the righter sence : see before pag. . dow. pag. . i answer thus : permission of vsury towards the cananite doth no more proove the law against vsury not to bee morrall , then the allowonce of man-slaughter in warre doth proove the law forbidding murther to be judiciall . for although the law cendemning vsury be never so perpetuall , or morrall ; yet notwithstanding as other commandements of god ; so is it to bee understood with this limitation , and restraint ; namely , unlesse god otherwise appoint . all other theft , as well as vsury , is forbidden in the morrall law , but if god , by speciall warrant allow the israelites to spoile the aegyptians at their departure out of aegypt , they may lawfully doe it . it is a fearefull morrall transgression , for a father to kill his onely sonne : but if the lord bid abraham kill his owne sonne ; hee is authorized to doe it . mortall princes dispense with their lawes , who then dare abridge this royall prerogative in the mighty lord of heaven and earth ? whose holy will is the rule of justice . god appointed his people to destroy the cananites , numb . . . and it was fittest by litle and litle . see exod. . , . deut. . . vsury therefore was a fit consumption so to eate them out . whereupon saith s. ambrose . ab hoc usuram exige , quem non sit crimen occidere . thou maist lawfully take vsury of him , whom thou maist lawfully kill . but howsoever , the partition wall is now broken downe : and there is no such difference of brother and stranger . i am sure amongst those , that professe the name of christ : and therefore , it is execrable amongst us , without all contradiction . these three precedent , are the most ordinary starting holes , the vsurers haunt : others are sometimes urged ; but not with that pertinacy , and confidence . such as these : i deale , saith the vsurer , as i would be dealt with ; and doe as i would bee done by : and therefore all that while , i hope i doe no wrong . i would willingly pay ten in the hundred , if i had need , and then why may i not take so . . that royall principle of nature , doe as thou wouldst be done by : must be expounded and understood according to the grounds of a good conscience , dictates of right reason , and rules of a just and rectified will : not out of the mists and miseries of a depraved and exorbitant judgement . otherwise , abimelech , saul , and others of that desperate ranke , and resolution , might conclude that it were lawfull for them to kill other men , because they were willing to be killed themselves : see iudges . . sam. . . for they might say : they did but as they would be done by . it would also follow very absurdly : the magistrate being in the malefactors case , would gladly be pardoned ; therefore he must pardon the malefactor . some man would be content , villanously to prostitute his wife , whom he cares not for himselfe , to others ; therefore he may abuse an other mans wife , whom he loves better . these and the like absurd , and abominable non-consequents demonstrate the vanity of the vsurers inference : and that , that royall law , and rule of our saviovr christ is not generall , but restraineable to that will of man , which is ruled by nature , and gods law. . we must then have recourse to this generall fountaine of the second table , and fetch light and direction thence , when we have no expresse and speciall word in gods booke : but the scriptures have clearely and directly determin'd and resolv'd the point of vsury . . if the vsurer were in the borrowers case , he would not willingly , as he pretends , give ten in the hundred ; i meane with an absolute and free will ; but of force and constraint ; because without paying after that rate he cannot have it . if a man would borrow upon vsury , either to ingrosse or forestall , or to compasse some unlawfull matter ; that were a corrupt will , and no rule . but if his desire so to borrow were just and lawfull , ( as in some cases it may be ) then it is no entire will , but mixt and forced by some necessity , for the avoiding of a greater evill ; and therefore deemed in the eye both of law and reason to be no will at all . he that would borrow ; should have need to borrow ; for a needlesse desire is unlawfull : and hee who hath need to borrow , would not willingly borrow , but for need ; much lesse , would he pay vsury , if with convenience he might borrow freely . therefore the will of the borrower , in this case , is either corrupt , or no will at all ; and so consequently without the compasse of christs rule . the will of the borrower in this case , is like the will of an honest traveller , in giving his purse to the arrant thiefe , for feare he should loose both purse , and life : is this man willing , thinke you to loose his money ? or like the will of a man , whose house being on fire , plucks downe part thereof to save the rest . willingly indeed as the case stands with him , yet not simply but upon necessity . so the borrowers will is not free , but forced : and so will against will. vsury is not forbidden in the new testament , therefore in all likely-hood no such sinne , as you say it is . . though it be not forbidden by name in the new testament , yet that prooveth it not to be lawfull . an argument drawne from the testimony of some one part of the scripture negatively , doth not hold . it is sufficient , that it is forbidden in the old testament , and namely , in the morrall law of god which is common , and perpetuall . . biting vsury is not mentioned in the new testament , and yet condemned , by the vsurers themselves . . neither are remooving the neighbours marke , polygamie , jealousie , treason , tyranny , &c. by those very names censured in the new testament , and yet are manifest and grosse transgressions of the morrall law. . though vsury expressely and by name , be not censured in the new testament : yet by necessary consequence it is , which is sufficient . . sometimes under the affirmative , mat. . . . sometimes under the generall , ephes. . . thess. . . . sometimes by an argument drawne from the greater , luke . . for if i must lend without respect of mine owne profit , or without expectation of any benefit , or gaine thereby ; as they most expound that place , then much more must i lend without a covenant , especially without an absolute covenant for gaine . and if i must lend without expectation of the principall , as others understand it , then much more without expectation of an over-plus above the principall . . sometimes by an argument drawne from the lesse , luke . . doe sinners lend one to an other without vsury ? and shall not christians much rather ? may not aman , as well take use for his money , as the land-lord rent for the ground which he letteth ? no. for : . the land hath a fruitfull use in it selfe , answerable to the rent : both without mans helpe , as in meadowes , pastures , woods , mines , &c. as also with , as in arable grounds , wherein the rent is proportioned according to the fruitfullnesse thereof . but money being spent in the use thereof ; * the gaine that is raised thereby , is not the fruit of the money ; but of his skill , and industry , that doth imploy it , and therefore must needs be uncertaine . and what gaine is raised , ought to belong to him , by whose paines , and industry , it ariseth . so thou demandest thy gaine out of the fruit of his paines , and industry ; not out of the fruit of the money . and it is a strange thing , that whereas an lb. worth of land , which is fruitfull by nature of it selfe , will scarcely yeeld lb by the yeare : yet an vsurer will have out of his money , which hath no fruitfull use in it selfe lb. &c. thus he wofully requires gaine for an other mans paines , industry , hazard , cost , and charge . . the property of the ground belongeth to the land-lord ; and therfore the profit belongeth partly to him ; in respect of the fruitfull use , of that which is his owne , partly to the tenant , for his labour and charges . . in things let , the letter alienating the use , and not the property is to receive the selfesame particular , and individuall thing , after it hath beene used , being for the most part , the worse , and impaired by using . and therefore receives profit for the thing hyred . as in the letting of an house , wherein they often instance , saying , why may not a man , as well take lb. for an hundred in a yeare : as lb. for an house in some great city , which cost him an lb. the use of the house is habitation ; and though it bee kept tenant-able : yet it growes worse , and towards ruine in the more substantiall materialls . but in money it is otherwise . the very same is not to be restored , but so much in value . whence m. greenham reasoneth : recompence is to bee made , where the thing is the worse for using : but money is not the worse for lending ; therefore nothing is to bee taken , for the lending of it . . he that letteth any thing , beareth the hazard of the thing he lets . as the land-lord of the ground ; not onely of the title : but also of all casualties , and calamities any way incident : as overflowing by sea , invasion by enemies , &c. in which cases , he is as well to loose his rent , as the tenant his labour , and charges . a thing that is hired , if it perish without the default of the hirer it perisheth to the owner : . because he is the owner . . because it went for the hire . according to the equity of gods law , exod. . . if the owner thereof stand by ( to wit , that it may appeare , not to be the borrowers default ) the borrower shall not make it good . for if it be an hired thing , it came for the hire . but i● money , the borrower standeth to all the hazard , in common equity : because the borrower is the right owner for the time , and in all right , every thing perisheth to the right owner . . now it is a rule in law : to whom the hazard appertaineth , to him the fruit and profit belongeth . . and whereas the principall may perish , without the borrowers default : to covenant for certaine gaine , for that which is hazardable , is unjust . but if there were nothing els , it is more then sufficient : that letting land to tenants is not disallowed by gods word , or any other learning ; in any time or age , &c. but lending for use is condemned by gods booke , and all other learning ; and in all ages . but as the world goes now , saith the usurer , & as mens manners now are , common-wealths cannot stand ; trafficke cannot be maintained , tradesmen cannot live without it , ergo , &c. . by this argument saith * chemnitius , may the whole scripture be overthrowne . for the world will not walke in the waies of gods commandements : must we therefore say , that those are not sinnes , which are manifestly condemned in scriptures ? . how then did the state of the jewes consist without it , which was of gods owne constituting ? to say absolutely , that common-weales cannot stand without it , is to derogate from gods wisedome , in ordering his own people , amongst whom he would suffer no usury . . if the jewes had thus pleaded in those times of that toleration : that their common-wealth could not stand without the bill of divorce : yet notwithstanding , if any had put away his wife , save in the case of adultery , though he might have escaped in the externall court : yet was he not absolved in the court of conscience , and before gods tribunall . so though an usurer were now able truly to say , ( which he cannot ) that the common-weale could not stand without usury : yet for all that , woe unto them that put their hands unto that cursed and cruell trade . . if it were so ; the argument prooves no more then this ; that usury is a necessary evill : and this necessity argueth not the lawfullnesse of usury , but the wretchednesse of the world , which as saint iohn saith , lieth in evill . a drunkard hath brought his body into such an habit , that unlesse hee drinke abundantly , even to the turning of his braine , hee is sicke againe . is not drunkennesse in that person sinnefull , because so necessary ? a sonne of belial , by prophane education , and continuall haunting wicked company , hath brought himselfe to that passe , that it is almost , as necessary to him to sweare as speake : is blasphemy in this man no iniquity , because custome hath brought upon him this cursed necessity ? some men according to saint paul have so hardened their hearts , that they now cannot repent : is impenitency in them no sinne , because their owne corruption , and custome have made it necessary ? if this necessity , they talke of , were impos'd by god , this reason were good : usury is necessary , therefore lawfull . but sith men and states have drawne it upon themselves , by their corruptions , and custome of sinne , it doth rather aggravate , then extenuate the fault . and certaine it is , cities , incorporations , and townes have drawne upon themselves this necessity by such ca●t-ropes of iniquity , as these : . hardnesse of mens hearts , and want of charity in those , who be well able to lend , and will not , whereby many are forced to pay usury . . the covetous desire , and pride of borrowers , who out of an insatiable appetite to compasse great matters , doe take up great summes of money for money ; that no money is to bee spared , for such as bee true borrowers indeed . . falsehood and deceit in disappointing one another of their monies at the times appointed ; so as missing of their owne , they are compelled to take up of others , or els to shut up their doores , as they say . now if a pretended necessity springing from the hardnesse of mens hearts , and corruptions of the times bee sufficient to justifie usury ; then by the same argument may any other sinne be defended . gods law did ever intend , that men should lend one unto an other : in charity to the poore ; in friendship to their equals , to receive the like curtesie againe . which duty , if men would performe , there were no necessity of usury . . it may be , without taking up money of the usurer , the tradesman cannot live in that bravery , and fashion , nor drive his trade to that height , nor purchase so much land , keepe such a port , and state , &c. but let him know , that it is a thousand times more comfortable to carrie a lower saile , to content himselfe with moderate and lawfull meanes of getting , to keepe a good conscience ; then to inrich himselfe by such practises , as be either forbidden , or doubtfull . better is a little with the feare of the lord , then great treasure with trouble ; trouble of conscience , at the houre of death . whosoever laieth this for his ground ; that he will be rich : worth so many hundreds within such a time , &c. must needs ensnare his conscience with many necessary evills , whereof usury is one . for they that will be rich , saith the apostle , fall into temptations and snares , which drowne men in perdition , and destruction . but the law of the land allowes it , saith the vsurer therefore i hope it is lawfull . . i denie the consequent , no law of man can abrogate , or disanull the law of god. it is not the law of man , but the law of god , which is the rule of our conscience . the law of man may cleare thee from civill penalties in the outward court , and before the magistrate : but it cannot free thee from the guilt of sinne in the court of conscience , and vengeance due by the morrall law. . but the truth is , the vsurer doth grossely mistake . for vsury is branded , and censurable both by . the common law. . statute law. . ecclesiasticall law. . the common law did anciently expose the vsurer wholy to the censure of the church . but if the vsurer died in this sinne , so that the power of the church could extend no further , because he died out of the church : yet then the common law discover'd and dischargt its edge and hatred against this cruell sin ; by taking vengeance upon him in his goods , and posterity . omnes res mobiles , & omnia catalla , quae fuerunt vsurarij mortui , ad usus domini regis capientur , penès quemcunque inveniantur res illae . haeres quoque ipsius hac eadem de causâ exhaeredatur secundum jus regni , & ad dominum , vel domines revertetur haereditas . randulphus de glanduilla , hen. . lib. . cap. . his goods were all forfeited to the king , and his lands returned to the lords of the fee. neither was this meant of any immoderate vsury above ten in the hundred . for the same glanvile , who was lord chiefe justice of england , in the daies of henry the second , teacheth , that vsury is committed , when a man having lent anything , that doth consist upon number , weight , or measure , doth take anything over , and above his loane , lib. . cap. . edvardo rege . . . de vsurarijs . vsurarios quoque defendit rex edvardus , ne remaneret aliquis in toto regno suo . et si quis inde convictus esset , quod foenus exigeret , omni substantiâ propriâ careret , & posteà pro exlege haberetur ? hoc autem asserebat ipserex , se audisse in curiâ regis francorum , dum ibidem moraretur , quod vsura radix omnium vitiorum esset so detestable was an vsurer in the eye of the common law , before any thing was provided by statute . . as concerning the statute-law now in force ; men ( looking onely upon the practise of usurers , and connivency of magistrates ; not upon the act of parliament it selfe made anno . cap. . ) very much mistake , when they conceive that vsury hath any approbation thence . for how can it be said to allow it ? . sith the title of it , is an act against vsury . . and the statute it selfe calls it a sinne , and detestable , and forbidden by the law of god. these are the words : for as much as all vsury being forbidden by the law of god , is sinne , and detestable : what security then hast thou to thy conscience out of this statute , for thy practise of vsury ? nay how doth it permit it ? sith all vsury above ten in the hundred is thereby to be punished with the forfeiture of the triple valew of the principall : nay , any at all , whether it bee after the rate of ten in the hundred , or under , though it were but of one in the hundred , is to bee punished with the forfeiture of the vsury or increase . heare the proviso of that noblest parliament of late . iacob . . in their act against vsury . provided , that no words in this law contained , shall be construed , or expounded , to allow the practise of vsury , in point of religion or conscience . . even the latest canons , can. . ranke vsury amongst notorious crimes . would have usurers presented ; severely punished ; not admitted to the holy communion , till they be reformed . heare our churches doctrine . verily so many as increase themselves by vsury , by extortion , by perjury , by stealth , by deceits , and craft ; they have their goods of the divels gift . hom. for the daies of rogation weeke . p. . p. ppp . jjj. but both are gainers , may the usurer say , both the borrower , and the lender . here then is no breach of charity , &c. . by the same reason , may a man justifie the officious lie to keepe his friend out of danger . but the truth is , both lying , and vsury , whatsoever good , or gaine come by them , are starke nought , because forbidden in the booke of god. wherein , it is a constant rule . that we may not doe evill , that good may come thereof . suppose a fellow sell an . stollen sheepe to some of his customers for lb. here they are both gainers : but yet for all that , there is notorious villany . a minister comes to a covetous patron ; gives him an lb. for a presentation to a living of an lb. per annum . here , they are both gainers : but yet for all that , here is execrable simony . . if the borrower gaine by accident , in respect of the event , or any accidentall concurrence ; it is no thankes to the usurer : for his contract neverthelesse is unequall , and unconscionable : because hee covenanteth for certaine gaine , out of the borrowers uncertaine traffique , from that , which hath no fruitfull use in it selfe , but is spent in using , ( i meane money : ) alwaies out of labour and paines , care , and cost , hazard , and perill to the borrower . whether he gaine , or loose , whether he sinke , or swimme ; or whatsoever become of the principall , whether it be lost by fire , or be taken away by theeves , or perish by shipwracke , or miscarry by any other calamity ; he having made an absolute covenant for the restitution of the principall with vsury , is ready by vertue of the same to demand it , as well out of the losse of the borrower , as out of his gaine . now thus , out of the uncertaine negotiation of the borrower to covenant for certaine gaine , is not onely uncharitable , but also unjust , and unequall . exc. but the borrower , will the usurer say , is in a manner sure to gaine . rep. why then ( say i ) will you not adventure with him ? for if the lender will be content to hazard his principall ; so that , he will not onely looke for no gaine , but when the borrower gaineth ; but also will be content to beare part with him in his losse , he shall not deale by vsury , but by partnership . . where there is no justice , there can be no charity : but usurious contracts are unjust , therefore uncharitable . an usurious contract including an absolute covenant for gaine , provideth for the lenders certaine gaine , as well out of the borrowers losse , as out of his gaine , which is very unequall , and unconscionable . but see the injustice of vsury punctually and plentifully prooved by m. fenton . pag. , , &c. it is against justice , because there is a certainty of gaine exacted , where no gaine is , or can be certaine . . there is a breach , and violating of charity , where an act of charity , liberality and mercy is turned into an act of selfe-love , and covetousnesse and cruelty : but in the exercise of usury , the contract of mutation , which the lord hath ordained , to be an act of charity , and liberality , is turned into an act of selfe-love , and covetousnesse and cruelty , therefore it cannot be denied , but charity is thereby violated , and liberality set to sale . . into an act of selfe-love : for whereas by the ordinance of god , and by the law of nature , lending is free , and charitable , intending the good of the borrower , and not of the lender : vsury hath made it illiberall , and uncharitable , intending the lenders profit chiefly , if not onely , and seeking , yea covenanting for the lenders gaine , as well out of the losse of the borrower , as out of his gaine . lending was not ordained to be a contract of negotiation , but an act of charity , and liberality , wherein the lender should not respect his owne gaine , but the borrowers good ; lending therefore upon vsury is made an act of selfe-love , wherein the good of the borrower is sought either not at all , or but in a secondary respect , as it serveth or furthereth the lenders gaine . . into an act of covetousnesse : for lending hath these three fountaines : . christian charity . when a man lendeth for the lords sake to his needy neighbour , looking for nothing againe . . civill love , and humanity , when he lendeth to pleasure his friend , looking for his own againe . . covetousnesse , when he looketh for more then his owne . . into an act of cruelty . a good man , saith david , is mercifull and lendeth . he then that perverteth this act of bounty and mercy to prey upon the want and necessity of his brother , by covenanting absolutely for gaine by lending where he beares no hazard , is unmercifull . he that increaseth his riches by vsury and interest , gathereth them for him , that will be mercifull to the poore . by which antithesis , it seemes that salomon sets mercy in opposition unto vsury . see d. fent . pag . and therefore luther doubted not to call the vsurer a blood-sucker of the people . neither doth usury onely deprave the duty of lending , but quite drie up the fountaine of love , for all free loane . whereupon saith bucer , a man may seeme now adaies , to be very impudent , that shall desire to borrow freely : for he that lendeth freely , doth for the most part make this account of his benefit , that besides the forbearance of his money , wherewith he doth pleasure the borrower ; he doth as much for him besides , as if he gave him the tenth part of the principall , out of his purse . there are two acts of liberality : dono dare , & mutuo dare . to give freely , and to lend freely . and this latter , whereby one man doth supply the necessities of an other , is so necessary , that humane societies cannot stand without it . usury having stept into the roome of free lending , you shall have vsurers , and patrons of usury not ashamed to say , that common-wealths cannot stand without usury . without lending indeed they cannot , but without usury , they both might , and ought . see before more particularly , how usury offendeth , both against private , and publike charity : and is ever hurtfull either to the particular men that doe borrow , or els to the body of the common-wealth , whose common profit is in all contracts especially to bee regarded , pag. . . charity is kinde , cor. . . vsury cruell . charity seeketh not her owne , vcr. . vsury seeketh an other mans : what conjunction then betweene charity and vsury ? . suppose the borrower be sometimes holpen by vsury , yet notwithstanding all vsury is against charity : for the practise of it cannot stand with charity , and our allegiance to god , who hath forbidden it , denounced his judgements against it , made gracious promises to them that will doe the contrary : nor with our charity , and duty to our countrey , unto which usury is in many respects noy some : nor with that love , which wee owe to our owne soules ; for whosoever putteth forth to vsury , or taketh increase , he shall not live , but die the death . nay vsury is ever repugnant to charity , if not as a hurtfull thing to our neighbour , yet as an unjust thing in it selfe . as hath beene prooved . but i hope , saith the usurer , i may take use of one , that is richer , and wealthier then my selfe , &c. . if thy friend be rich and wealthy , and have meanes of his owne , to supply his wants , he ought not to borrow . the holy ghost in the borrower presupposeth need . and by lending in such a case to agreedy dealer in the world , that seekes to ingrosse , and forestall commodities , and covetously to compasse great matters , thou approoves thy selfe no good steward of gods blessings ; and may so make thy selfe in some sort accessary to his ambitious , covetous , and irregular humour , and practises ; and maist give him weapons to doe hurt withall . but if thy wealthy friend have some present occasionall need , ( as the richest may have ) then if thou canst spare it , lend in kindnesse , and neighbourhood , to receive like curtesie againe an other time . this in such a case , is consideration enough for a christian , because the heathens desired no more but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 : for even sinners , saith christ , lend to sinners to receive the like : the like kindnesse an other time upon the like occasion . humane society cannot stand without lending , and borrowing , saith basil. and wherefore hath god made men sociable creatures , but to helpe one another upon such occasions ? in a word , to those , who have no need to borrow , we need not lend . but if we do lend , we must lend freely : or if we will looke to gaine , by those , which need not our help , we must deale with them , by some honest contract of negotiation . for loane is such a contract , as god hath appointed to be free ; and where it is not free , he hath condemned it with fearefull termes under the name of vsury . in humane societies , saith ch●mnitius , god would not have all things set to sale ; but he requireth that some duties should be free , which are deformed , and depraved , if either they be sold as things saleable , or set to hire as mercinary duties . . thou must wrong neither rich nor poore : but out of the uncertaine negotiation of the borrower to covenant for certaine gaine in that manner , as i have said before ; and to compound for profit onely , and to pluck thy neck and shoulder from all perill , and losse-bearing is unjust ; ergo , &c. . thou shalt not lend upon vsury to thy brother , saith the law , deut. . , now saith iewel , he is thy brother , whether he be poore or rich . see before pag. . and he is against you a witnesse of extraordinary validity , because you pretend he is for you . is not the use of money for a time worth money ? and therefore if no more be taken , then the use is worth , there is no iniquity . . so money which was ordained to bee the price of all wares , and the measure of all bargaines , is made a ware , contrary to the nature of it . for quod est medium venditionis , non potest esse terminus . kockermans distinction therefore of mensura acqu●rendi : and . modus acquirendi , is idle , & petitio principij : a begging of the thing in question . for the question is whether money may be a modus acquirendi . . the rule holds in buying and selling , but not in acts of charity ; therein it is no good rule . thou bidst , for the purpose , thy poore neighbours to dinner : this is money worth , for it cost thee money , and saveth them money at home : yet thou wilt not set a price upon it . why ? because it is a worke of charity . thou bidst thy rich neighbour sometimes ; that which he eateth is worth money : yet thou wilt take none , but think foule scorne it should be offered . why ? because it is an act of kindnesse , of neighbour-hood , of friendship . these things may not be bought or sold , the nature of them is to be free . lending is a worke of mercy to the poore , of kindnesse to thy neighbour , and therefore is ever f●ee . it is an unjust thing to sell charity , or friendship , as it is to sell justice : both are naught ; this is bribery , and that is usury . . i insinuated before , the reason why money cannot bee lawfully let , as well , as other things : none of those respects are incident unto money for which hire is lawfully required . for . things which may be let have a fruitfull use in themselves , which a man may let , and alienate for a time , reserving the property to himselfe : but money , and those other things , which are the subject of usury , are spent in the use , have no fruitfull use , which either may bee severed from the property , or valued apart . . the hirer after the enjoyment of the thing hired , restoreth the selfe same particular , being for the most part impaired in the use . the borrower of money restoreth not the same particular impaired in the use , but the full value of the principall , rather with better then the worse . . the letter to hire , as he retaines the property : so hee beareth the hazard : but it is contrary in usury . . to say nothing of the cost and charge , the letter to hire , is many times at , with those things he letteth : whereas the vsurer is at no cost at all . but may not the usurer as well receive lb. for his lb. in a yeare , as the merchant by imploiment of his lb. perhaps lb. or above , nay i know not how much sometimes . i justifie none iniquity , or exorbitancy in traffique , or any other trade . but for the present instance , there is great difference . in the merchants negotiation there is considerable : . necessary cost . . industry . . hazard . for all which , or any one of them , a proportionable gaine may be allowed . but in vsury none of these are to bee found , and therefore no gaine should accrew thence . doth the vsurer take any paines for the gaine of his money ? nothing lesse . vsury is a gainefull idlenesse , whereby men doe eate of the sweate of other mens browes . for whether they eate , or drinke ; sleepe , or wake ; worke , or play ; be sicke , or whole , &c. their gaine by vsury commeth in alike . is he at any cost for the bringing in of his gaine ? not of a halfe-penny . doth he beare any hazard ? it is no part of his meaning . he requires a covenant of the borrower for the paiment both of the principall , and also of the use , at a certaine time . for performance of which , before he will lend his money , he will have what security he please : by bonds , statutes , pawnes , sureties one way , or other : so that if the principall , or any part thereof be lost , it is lost to the borrower , but it is safe to the usurer , by the very contract of vsury , ratified by other securities . but the use i take , may some of them say , is moderate , and more reasonable , i take not above . in the . or under , &c. . why then i say , thou art like a kind thiefe , who having taken s. from a man by the hie-way , throwes back perhaps some ten groates to beare his charges home . . by so doing , thou sin'st lesse indeed then those cruell , and cut-throat cannibals that besides after . in the . must have a loade of coales or some other gratuity . but for all that , thou art not freed from usurious guilt , and greedinesse . suppose a malefactour at barre should cry out unto the judge ; that whereas his fellow-prisoners , some of them had stolne horses , others broke houses , others rob'd by the hie way , others killed men ; he onely had but stolen a few sheepe : would this acquit him ? nay he would be burned in the hand for a rogue at least . let no man blesse himselfe in the willing practise of lesser sins : any lien in willingly and delightfully will ruine the soule eternally . a pen-knife thrust unto the heart will dispatch a man as well , as all the daggers that stab'd caesar in the senate house . modica sunt , saith one , quae perdunt nos . they be those little ones , that undoe us . a moate in the eye , if it be not got out in time , may grow to a pin and web . a mans conscience may suffer shipwrack as well upon a sand , as upon a rock . a rock is a great one , a sand is a heape of little ones . see my exposition upon the creed , pag. . . when men make question of moderate usury , whether that be lawfull or not : they might as well make question , saith chemnitius , whether moderate adultery , or moderate lying , or moderate theft is lawfull : for as adultery , as lying , as theft are things in themselves and unlawfull , so is usury . but the borrower , saith the usurer , holds himselfe much beholding unto me , tells mee that i very much releeve his necessity , that i helpe , and pleasure him exceedingly , and that he could not tell what to doe without his money . . even so , suppose a poore man lying by the high way , ready to die for hunger , and there comes a baker by ; from whom he intreates a penny loafe : the baker meaning , ( as usurers commonly doē ) to take advantage of the poore mans extremity , seeemeth unwilling to sell him any ; will not the poore man in this extreme necessity , bee most willing to give twelve pence , for that which is not worth two pence ? yes undoubtedly , he would in such a case with all his heart give six pence for a penny loafe , and thanke him too , and tell him perhaps he saves his life by it . but for all this , the cruelty of the baker were much to be condemned , that would prey so unmercifully upon the bleeding misery of his dying brother . semblambly , a poore man in danger to be driven out of home , and harbour as they say , or in some other heavy distresse , would be ready to tell the usurer , that he doth him an high pleasure , that but for his money , he should be undone , &c. yet for all this , the mercies of the usurer in such a case , were but cruelty , as salomon saith somewhere of all the wicked . . thou easest and pleasures him indeed with the principall for a time , but thou eatest him up and plaguest with the use . thou art in this point like ioab , who took amasa by the beard to kisse him ; but secretly thrust his sword into the fifr rib , and dispatcht him : thou comforts him for a while with the loane ; but by little and little , cuts his throat with the usurious lucre . there is a worme in latine called teredo , that useth to breed in wood ; which is very soft to touch , yet hath such steely teeth , that it eates into the hard timber : so the usurer is a soft beast , at first to handle , but in continuance of time , his canniball chops devoure both flesh and bone , marrow and life of the borrowers estate . the ivy claspes about the oke , as a lover and a friend , as though it would keepe it warme , and cherish it ; but thereby it growes up , overtops the oke , and sucks out the juice and sap , that it cannot prosper : so just doth the vsurer pleasure the borrower . see before pag. . and pag. . . the kindnesse and good thou doest to the borrower in this case , is like that , which thou shouldest doe to a man in a burning ague , in giving him cold water to drinke : for the present it refreshes him , but after it doubles his paine , and increaseth his danger . whereupon saith saint ambrose , the offering of the money is flattering and pleasant , but the exacting of vsury is most cruell and unmercifull . . heare saint chrysostome in his time : ( for the same cunning , and cavilling did also colour vsurers covetousnesse then . ) noli m●hi dicere , quaeso , gaudet , & gratiam habet , quod sibi soenore pecuniam colloces : id enim crudelitate tuâ coactus fecit . doe not tell me , saith he , that he is glad , and gives theethankes , because thou wilt let him have money to use : for he is constrained by thy cruelty to doe so . but what say you to the case of orphans ? what shall become of fatherlesse children , widowes , and distracted men of their wits ? suppose all these , for their maintenance , have a stock of money left them : they being not able to imploy it , how shall they be maintained , but by the use of it ? for if they spend of their stock , what will become of them when their stock is gone ? . i might well bee excused from answering this objection , at this time , because our common vsurers , against whom , i now purposely deale , and dispute are not babes and mad men , except it bee spiritually , but many times of great understanding and wisedome in worldly matters . . if vsury be sinnefull in it selfe , it is evill in all , though in some more , in some lesse . if it bee forbidden in gods booke , as it is in many places directly and clearely , what circumstances , good meanings , motives , end , or any thing can make it lawfull ? except the royall prerogative of the mighty lord of heaven and earth , who is the lawgiver , and whose holy will is the rule of justice , interpose and declare it selfe otherwise , as in the present point , in the ●ase of strangers for a time . though therefore , the reliefe of the fatherlesse , and widowes be good , yet must it not be done by vsury : for that is to do evill that good may ensue , which is condemned by the holy ghost , romanes . . . the usurer should rather aske what shall become of those orphanes , and widowes which have not stocke ; for whom not withstanding god doth graciously provide , though they use no unlawfull meanes . . there were widowes , fatherles , and men distracted amongst the jewes ; in that excellent common-wealth , constituted by god himselfe ; and yet no allowance of vsury unto them . if almighty god in wisedome had thought it meete to have tolerated vsury in these persons , he might as well have mentioned the same , as he doth the toleration of lending to strangers . but it seemes to have beene so farre from gods meaning , that in the very same place a where he maketh a law for the safe-guard of orphanes , and widowes , presently , and b immediately upon it , is annexed the law against vsury . shall these then , who are so well provided for , by a speciall law of god , bee transgressors of the very next law unto it ? . widow-hood , and fatherlesnesse , in respect of the former state of having husband and parents , are a state of humiliation , for the outward condition of this life : but by this unhappy trade of vsury , they are made a state of exaltation . for whereas , in the daies of husband and parents , their stocke by honest , and lawfull negotiation , was subject unto manifold perills ; and by perill unto great , and daily losses : the practise of vsury now , doth provide by sufficient bonds against all these , with great increase of gaine : bonds so sufficient , and absolute , that except god dissolve them beyond all expectation , they are strongly secured against any disaster , or danger . so against gods ordinance , and intention , labour to turne a crosse into blessing . . the lord hath vouchsafed to orphanes , and widowes a singular priviledge of many very gracious promises peculiarly made unto them : * let them therefore , or their friends for them , depend upon the gracious providence , and promises of god , in the use of lawfull meanes : let them imploy their goods in some honest trade , or negotiation , wherein they have as good cause to expect a blessing from god , as any other ; or let them deale by partnership : or by annuities for their lives ; or purchase lands , or rents for ever ; or let some other honest course be taken , which wise men can easily devise , if they list , and were as hearty for gods glory , as earthly gaine . and let not children bee tainted and maintained with the contagious , and insinuating sinne of usury . exc. well then , saith the worldling , suppose for instance , the stocke bee imployed in partnership , or any other course of traffique , in which the orphanes stand to the hazard of the principall ; i would know in such a case , what would become of the fatherlesse children , if the principall perish ; were they not quite undone ? rep. i answer , who are wee , that wee should exempt orphanes from being subject to gods providence , and ordering . doe not all mens goods in the world depend upon gods disposing and blessing ? doe not all men stand to his providence , and must be subject thereunto ? shall orphanes then onely be exempted , that god shall have nothing to doe with their stocks ; but blesse he , or curse he ; they must be sure to be provided for , to have still so much certaine yearely ; and to have their principall secured ? this ought not to be . especially , sith they are honoured with so many excellent particular promises of gods providence , and singular protection . but some learned men allow it , &c. and so m. s. i come to survay your hold for usury , the weakest of many rotten ones . you have marshal'd together eighteene . . suppose all these were on your side , i oppose against them , many moe , very worthy , and learned men in this age , the testimonies of all the learned in former ages both christian and heathen , the censures of councels , the authority of the word of god. see before , page , . nay heare your owne man , as you pretend . worthy iewell : but what speake i , saith he , of the ancient fathers of the church , ( having produced many against usury ) there was never sect , nor state , nor degree , nor profession of men , but they have disliked it : philosophers , greekes , latines , lawyers , divines , catholicks , hereticks : all tongues , and nations have ever thought an usurer as dangerous , as a theefe . the very sense of nature proveth it to be so , if the stones could speake , they would say as much . the generall current , and consent of the church for above this fifteene hundred yeares without opposition , hath condemned it : what a weake hold then is your handfull m. s. ? . divines pretended for usury deale with it , as the apothecary doth with poyson , working and tempering it with so many cautions , and limitations , that in the end , they make it no vsury at all . see in this point , dow. posit . of usury pag. . dow. pag. . &c. fent . pag. . after they have examined the point , and answered the reasons , as they think , which are usually brought against usury by the schoole ; yet in conclusion put all their limitations together , they agree upon no usury at all , as it shall be defined by and by . single them out one from an another ; there is not any one of them , who dares defend any such ordinary usury , as is amongst us practised with greatest moderation . fent . pag. . and therefore in the third place , i say : . though some have somewhat declined the beaten way in this point : . transported perhaps with some prejudice against the truth , by reason of some weake * arguments they have met with in the point . . or because in detestation of usury , some lawfull contracts also have beene condemned by some for usury , which doe but coast upon it : yet where dwelt that divine , that to this day durst ever appeare in print , a patron of usury properly and truly so called , commonly practised at this day in this land , and condemned in the booke of god : which onely i ordinarily preach against , and at this time oppose . and thus define : ( for upon purpose , i deferred the definition to this place , as fittest and most seasonable . ) usury is a gaine above the principall , exacted by covenant , meerely for liew of lending . or thus : usury is gaine upon covenant , for loane . or thus : a lending for gaine by compact . see how this definition distinguisheth vsury from all other contracts : f. pag. , . dow. pag. . &c. this i say , is vsury truly and properly so called , commonly practised now adaies ; forbidden in the booke of god , questioned by covetousnesse , onely in this last century past : and which i censure in my book , and sermons , and oppose in this discourse . there is , as some call it , . a liberall vsury : which is onely a gratuity or free gift , which the borrower finding himselfe much benefited by the lenders curtesie , doth of his owne accord , in testimony of his thankefullnesse freely give to the lender , who neither intended when hee lent , nor expected whiles hee forbore , any gaine , much lesse covenanted for it . but in this case , although the lender receive some allowance , above the principall , yet he committeth not vsury : because neither the contract , which he made , was lending for gaine : neither is the over-plus , which he receiveth againe , either covenanted , or intended , or required for loane : but a gratuity , or thankfull curtesie , which may with good conscience bee given and received from an able and willing giver . there is also , as some call it ; . a recompencing usury , which is nothing els , but a just recompence , which the debtour , having through his default beene the effectuall cause of the creditors hinderance , doth owe unto him by the law of nature . understand it thus : a man lendeth for a time freely ; that time being expired , his money is retained longer against his will ; for want whereof . hee is damnified . if the lender receive an over-plus in this case above the principall , answerable to the dammage , which hee hath suffered ; this is no vsury , but due and just satisfaction . no usury , because increase is not taken for the loane . forloane is a voluntary act : whereas this money was not willingly lent , but retained by force after the time , it was due . if the lender had beene damnified , by the forbearance of his money , during that time , which hee lent it , he could in strict justice have exacted no satisfaction , because it was his owne voluntary act : volenti non fit injuria . but the time being come out ; to receive over-plus for his losse sustained , is no usury ; but a just recompence , which is properly termed interest : which may grow due , say divines two waies : . ex damno emergente , by losse arising : for example ; i lend thee an lb. which thou undertakest to repay at the end of sixe moneths : which time being expired , and thou either through negligence , or unfaithfullnesse , failing of thy promise , i incurre a losse ; as the forfeiture of a bond , bargaine , or lease , &c. or by taking up money upon vsury , to prevent that losse &c. . ex lucro cessante , by gaine ceasing . as when by missing my money at the day , till which i lent it ; i am hindred , of buying at the best hand , provision for my house , wares for my trade , stocke for my grounds , or some other certaine or very likely gaine . ( where by the way we may see why it is called interest : because one may say intersuit meâ habuisse : it behoved me , it stood me upon to have had it : and now by your default i sustaine this losse , i am thus hindred ) now in these two cases , i may lawfully provide for mine indemnity , by exacting an equall recompence at thine hands : and thou art bound in conscience to make good this losse , or hinderance , which through thy default i sustaine . but herein observe such cautions and conditions as these . . that interest is to be rated , and proportioned not according to the gaine or benefit which the borrower hath reaped , by the imploiment of the money ; but according to the hinderance , or losse , which the creditor sustaineth through the borrowers default . . that interest is not to be required , nisi post moram : but onely after delay , and default committed by the borrower : for untill then , the borrower , ( unlesse he were such an one as could compell the creditor to lend ) is not the effectuall cause of the creditors losse . . neither is it ever to be required after delay ; but onely then , when the creditor hath indeed sustained losse , or hinderance , by the borrowers delay . . that the creditor doe not voluntarily incurre any losse , meaning to lay the burthen thereof on the borrower , but do his true endeavour to avoid it . . that he put difference betweene him that breakes day , through negligence and unfaithfullnesse : and him , that breakes day through want and necessity , which he did not foresee : and let him remember ; that where is no fault there ought to be no punishment . . that the estimation of the interest , be not referred to the creditors owne arbitrement ( for it is not fit , that every creditor should be his owne 〈◊〉 ) but committed to the judgement of some other honest and discreet men . such conditions as these , attended , and observed , it is lawfull for the creditor , in the forenamed cases , to require an over-plus besides his principall : which over-plus notwithstanding , is not vsury . for there is great difference betwixt them : . in vsury the lender intendeth , and seeketh gaine : by interest , he onely provideth for his indemnity : or thus : the usurer seeketh by lending to bee a gainer : but the receiver of interest truly so called , seeketh onely to be no looser . . vsury is intended , or perhaps covenanted for , in the very contract : interest is not intended at the first , but happeneth after delay . . vsury is a gaine , which from the time of the contract , untill the time of paiment , accrueth to the lender : interest is a recompence of the losse , which after the day appointed for the paiment , the creditor sustaineth through the borrowers default . . vsury is against equity , conscience , and reason : interest standeth with them all . when as therefore men pretend the honest name of interest to their gainefull vsury , it is pernicious sophistry , saith melancton . exc. but may not i , may some vsurer say , expect consideration for the gaine which i might have raised from the imploiment of my money , all that time , which i lent it ; as well as 〈◊〉 recompence post moram as they say after delay , &c. i might have imployed it my selfe , and perhaps have beene a good gainer : . and therefore i have forborne it to my hinderance , and by consequent deserve recompence even for the time of lending before delay . rep. i answer in order to the three branches of this exception : to the first : by no meanes . for by the ordinance of god , and law of nature , lending is free and charitable , intending the good of the borrower and not of the lender : and therefore ought not at all to become saleable and mercenary . an act of charity should not be bought and sold. see before in divers pages : and luke . , . where lending is commanded , without providing for indemnity , in receiving the principall , if so their brothers need truely require : much more without requiring an overplus above the principall : which christ saith in the same place even sinners would doe . now therefore , if there could no other reason be given , why men should lend freely , and not for gaine , yet this alone were sufficient , because god would have us lend freely , and not for gaine . it ought to have beene argument sufficient to our first parents , to restraine them from the forbidden fruit ; that god had forbidden it ; though they had had other reasons to induce them to eare thereof . and as in that case , so in this , it is sinne , and folly , to enter into disputation against the word of god , according unto which , we shall be judged in the last day . the will of god , is the rule of justice , and whatsoever he willeth , it is therefore good , and just , because he willeth it ; and consequently simple , and absolute obedience must be performed thereunto , whatsoever arguments , impediments , or inconveniences can be pretended to the contrary . secondly , thou mightest , saiest thou , have imployed it thy selfe . but how ? by negotiation and traffique ? that 's not likely . usurers love not to be adventurers ; there is too much hazard in traffique . but suppose thou haddest , it may be thou shouldest have beene a looser : and therefore , set thy feare of losse by adventuring , which thou escapest by not hazarding the principall , against thy hope of gaine , which thou looked to receive , if thou haddest adventured : and let thy possible game , which thou hast missed , bee recompenced with the possible losse , which thou hast escaped . and know this , that the hinderance of uncertaine gaine is not to be allowed after delay , much lesse before : neither can uncertaine hopes be sold with a good conscience for certaine gaine , especially to those that doe not buy them . thirdly , but thou forbearest thy money to thy hinderance . lay aside usurious pretences . canst thou not indeed without thine hinderance forbeare thy money ? consider then the state of him that is to borrow . . is he a prodigall , or riotous person ? feed not his sensuall humour and vanity . . is he a covetous dealer in the world , that seekes to compasse great matters ; and to be an engrosser , or forestaller of commodities to the prejudice of the common-wealth ? make not thy selfe accessary to his covetous practises : to such , thou oughtest not to lend . . hath the party no great need to borrow ? to such , thou needest not lend : or if thou doest ; thine , hinderance , if thou sustainest any , is meerely voluntary , and of such an hinderance , thou canst require no recompence of him , who hath not beene the effectuall cause thereof . . is the party an honest man , and hath need to borrow ? then if the lord hath enabled thee to lend , thou art bound to lend , though thou shalt sustaine some hinderance : yea sometimes , though thou shouldest hazard the principall , thou must willingly yeeld unto both , as imposed of the lord : neither must thou seeke gaine out of his need , but lend freely for the lords sake , who requireth this duty at thy hand . see deut. . . psalme . . matth. . . luke . . but before i passe out of this point , let mee acquaint you with an hypocriticall tricke of some cunning usurers . who if they heare a man preach , or argue against vsury ; and feele themselves toucht : they presently labour to dawbe and divert , by asking , whether hee meane all vsury : and they hope all vsury in generall is not to be dislikt , &c. is there not some usury allowed by some divines , as liberall usury , recompencing usury , &c. whereas they cannot but know in their owne consciences , except they wilfully blind themselves , that this is nothing to the purpose ; that they meddle not these waies , that hence , they get no patronage , or defence at all for their wretched trade , and practise of vsury truely so called ; poysoned by the covenant for certaine gaine , where it is uncertaine , whether the borrower shall gaine at all or loose . which differs formaliter as they say , from these now mentioned . for they are onely called so improperly , and equivocally , as we speake in the schooles : * as a dead man is called a man. i say the 〈◊〉 , ( which is not to bee found in liberall , or recompencing usury ) empoisoneth . for it is said , exod. . . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 non imponet is super cum vsuram , you shall not impose , or lay upon him usury . and workes of mercy , bounty , or favour , as giving , and lending ; are in their owne natures not any waies capable of bargaine , and sale . see before many reasons to this purpose scattered here and there , as occasion was offered . but lest any mistake , and deceive themselves , and others : consider the latitude , which divines give to this terme of covenant in the definition of usury truely so called . it may bee either . reall , by pawne laid in both for principall , and vse . . or literall , by writing without pawne , as by bill , booke , or bond. . or personall , without writing , in taking an other man for surety besides the borrower . . or verball , either by promise without surety before witnesse , or by secret stipulation , betweene themselves without witnesse . . or silent , without word , witnesse , writing , or pawne . and this silence : either of one party , thus : an usurer saith : i will lend you thus much money ; but so much use you shall pay mee : the borrower takes it in silence : this silence is a promise ; and that promise a covenant . nay where there is silence on both sides , there may bee an vsurious covenant . a common borrower comes to a common vsurer , to take up an hundred pound for three moneths : there is neither bill , bond , promise , nor demand for any use : onely this : the borrower knowes , how that vsurer never lendeth ▪ his money but for . in the . likewise the usurer knowes , how that borrower never taketh up , but upon use . the very act of borrowing , and lending in these two parties , by common intendment , is a covenant for vsury : and every covenant whatsoever , whether it bee silent , or expresse ; whether it bee bare , and naked in promise ; or invested by further security , if it bee a covenant for loane , it is vsury . i know in this point of vsury , the wit of man , which will worke like a moale , to get into the earth , is set on foote by covetousnesse to spin out many fine and suttle threds , and to put forth many curious , and intricate cases , which may seeme at first proposition , to promise nothing but faire dealing and conscionable contract , and so upon the suddaine puzel and perplexe a good divine , not so experienced in worldly dealings , ( for it is an easie matter to cast a stone into a poole , which seven wise men will hardly get out . ) but such spiders webs , upon exacter search , proving envenomed with some ufurious bane , are so farre from disingaging , that they ensnare their covetous , consciences in more deepe , and damnable hypocrisie . some instances in cunning contracts palliated with honest pretences , but upon true search , and due inquisition poysoned with usurious cruelty . i. a man having no charge to leave behind him , or little care of them , lends out an hundred pound upon condition to receive a lb. at yeares end , if he be then living ; but if he die , his executors shall receive but fourescore . this cunning case is corrupted with vsury , say good divines : . because the gaine is certaine , in respect of the lender , and that for the loane onely . . because there is no respect had , whether the borrowers gaine bee lawfull , or not : nay , whether hee gaine any thing at all , or no. . because the lender doth not adventure the principall . . because hee doth not rely upon gods providence , for disposing and ordering of his goods : but will bee sure of gaine , if hee live ; howsoever it goes with the borrower . in a word , his case standeth thus : hee hopes to live many yeares ; and when hee dies , hee is sure to die but once : then shall his executors pay twenty in the hundred , of such summes onely , as then shall be abroad at use . under colour of this adventure , hee lends his money , and lives upon the 〈◊〉 while hee liveth . and so takes a course , by this covenant , to bee an vsurer , if he live . no condition shall barre him from it , but onely death . then of necessity , he must die an usurer by vertue of the same covenant . and doth any such brainelesse worldling thinke , that his executors , after his death can redeeme his soule from that sinne , wherein he died , by paying so much in the hundred , of his wealth , which then shall be none of his ? what suttle snares are twisted by greedy wits , to strangle their owne foules , more unobservedly ? for in this case usury is masked under the habit of hazard , and adventure . or let the same case bee put in respect of a mans childe : besides proportionable iniquity , as in the precedent . it were seven to one , the childe should bee living at the yeares end . and where the adventure i● not sensible and proportionable , it is but a mockery . ii. a man ashamed of open , and visible vsury , doth sometimes practise it mystically , under the colour of selling , thus : when the seller exacteth an over-plus , more then the just value of the ware , onely for the time of forbearance , which himselfe granteth to the buyer . by just value ] i meane an equality betweene the wa●e , and the price , according to the common estimation , at the time of the sale . which equality notwithstanding hath his latitude : neither must wee thinke presently , that price to bee unjust , which is but a little under , or over the precise arithmeticall equality . and therefore , the seller who granteth time , so long , as he keepeth himselfe within the latitude or compasse , of an ordinary , and equall price , may not be thought guilty of vsury . and sometimes it may so fall out , ( but in such cases let men take heed , lest the deceitfullnesse of their owne hearts ensuare them ) that the buyer will not bee brought to give the equall price , unlesse hee have time for paiment : in which case , though the buyer may perhaps thinke , that he payeth the dearer for the forbearance , yet there is no vsury ; because the seller doth not sell the dearer for time . onely for the time of forbearance ] i speake so , because there may bee some other reasons , why the seller granting time , may sell the dearer : . when he knowes , that , the value of the thing , will bee more at the day of paiment , then at the day of sale ; he may sell it for so much more , as in all likelihood , it will be clearely more worth ; his charges , and hazard , ( if there shall be any ) and the impairing , or diminishing of the thing , ( if it bee subject thereunto ) for the meane time being deducted . . if the thing which hee selleth , hath a fruitfull use , and yet notwithstanding , that use shall bee in all likely-hood of no lesse price at the day of paiment , then it was , at the day of the sale , hee may take so much the more , as the fruitfull use of the thing , is in the meane time clearely worth , the estimation of the hazard , and charge , being deducted . for the time , which himselfe granteth to the buyer ] i add this ; because if the buyer detaining the price longer , then the appointed time , shall bee an effectuall cause of losse , or hinderance , to the seller , hee is to allow him interest , properly so called : and the seller may with good conscience exact it of him , especially , if not through want , but through negligence , and unfaithfullnesse , hee useth delay . but when a man selleth his ware , for more then the just price , onely because hee giveth time to the buyer , hee doth indeed sell time , which is not his to sell : and so under the contract of selling , hee committeth vsury : for when the seller is content to grant time to the buyer for the paiment of the price agreed upon , it is all one , as if he lent that money , for such a time : for the voluntary forbearing of money due to him for his ware , is all one with loane : and upon such forbearing the buyer becomes a debtor , and the seller a creditor . for example : thou sellest 〈◊〉 for . pounds to bee paid at the end of sixe moneths , which thou wouldest have sold for lb. in present money . this men may call what they will , but it is vsury , after the rate of twenty in the hundred . some divines more briefly thus : to sell wares for time , and in respect of time , to fell dearer , may bee free from vsury . . either in respect of the rising of the commodity so sold ; if by the ordinary course of seasons , it will bee worth more , at the day of paiment of the money , then it was , at the time of sale , and delivery . . or in case , a man can neither vent his commodity for present money , nor keepe it longer without corruption , or detriment to the ware ; nor forbeare the money , without sensible prejudice to himselfe . these may seeme valuable considerations , without compasse of this teane . but admit a man will sell dearer of purpose , for the forbearance ; and forbeare of purpose , onely , that hee may sell dearer ; without pregnant likely-hood of the market rising , at the time of paiment , or of damnifying himselfe by keeping his ware , or such like valuable considerations ; that is vsury . for it is all one , as if he lent so much money for lucre upon covenant . iii. sometimes vsury masketh under the colour of buying , thus : a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 unto an other lb. the principall to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by lb. a yeare in ten yeares ; and ten pound a yeare over-plus , for the use of that money : this were extreame vsury within the statute . if therefore purposely to avoide the statute , hee should agree with the borrower , to alter the nature of the contract , thus : with the same lb. he will purchase an annuity of lb. foe ten yeares of the same partie : this is * bargaine and sale , yet is it the very same thing , in truth ; differing onely in the parchment , and manner of covenanting ; subject to the same iniquity , and inequality ; poysoned with their joynt purpose of avoiding the penalty of usury , by other conveiances . for if their purpose could by any precedent communication of borrowing or other pregnant circumstances be discovered , the same statute would condemne them of vsury . but yet , if simply , without any pretence , such annuity of rent bee bought , and sold , wee cannot condemne it for vsury . howbeit , if it be an unreasonable bargaine , or bee injurious unto any by circumstances , it may bee a breach of justice , and charity in an other kinde . see ● . pag. . down . . i will give you a taste of the truth of my two latter answers to the last objection , in some of the worthiest of your supposed writers of usury . . concerning your first author , t. c. his manuscript is punctually and exactly answered by an orthodoxe learned divine , who was ten * yeares professour of the hebrew tongue in cambridge , d. pie ; in his booke called , vsuries spright conjured : published . to which , for any thing i could ever heard , not any vsurer , ecclesiastique or laick , or any of their proctors , brokers , or dependants any way , have replied any one word . and therefore that answer stands authenticall , and impregnable , untill some man say something against it . . concerning bishop iewell ; i wonder at their foreheads , who offer to ranke him amongst the patrons of vsury . j never read in papist or other a more grosse and unconscionable falsification . for iewell , reade him upon thess. . . you have him here , or ought to have him in your churches : is as resolute , plentifull , and mighty against usury , as ever any i read in my life . he is so punctuall , and precise ; so universall and absolute against it ; that heare his owne words , ibid. pag. . in the point of letting out the money of widowes , orphans and men distracted . he that taketh money to usury , saith he , whether he gaine , or lose , or whatsoever happen unto him , he must answer the whole stock he borrowed . and this is it that undoeth so many , and maketh them bankrupts . but this happeneth not in this case ▪ he that occupieth the orphanes money or stocke , is changed onely to use it as his owne , and no otherwise . if it perish or decay , or miscarry without his fault , hee is not bound to answer it . therefore as i said it is no usury . in the sect. next before , thus : this is not vsury ( saith he ) why ? because hee that taketh the stocke of the orphan , or of the mad man or of the diseased merchant i● not bound to answer all adventures , and casualties that happen . as , if to like use i take a stocke in cattell , and they die without my default : or a stocke in money , or wares , and the wares be burnt by fire , or the money stollen without my default , i am not bound to answer the principall : therefore it is no usury . here now m. s. come you in with your owne wofull glosse : and will needs make m. iewell , ( for so you call him here ) the most noble , resolute , powerfull confuter and confounder of vsury , that ever j read , to bee on your side . if a man bee not bound , say you , to answer it , ( as m. iewell saith ) i pray you in what case shall the poore orphane , mad man , or sicke merchant be in , if their stocke bee gone ? it had beene better for them , to have had their stocke lying still in their hands , and to have lived of it , then when it is gone to starve for hunger . these are your owne words m. s. iewell makes no such quere ; therefore iewell is of none of yours ; whom notwithstanding you put in your catalogue , by such a trick of falsification as i never read . but what shall become of the orphans , &c. say you if their stocke be gone ? and what shall become of those , say j , that have no stocke at all ? whom notwithstanding god graciously provides for , though they use no usurious , or injurious waies of getting . who are we that we should exempt orphans or any from being subject to gods providence , and ordering ? let this bee the pestilent property of usurers , to sow , as saint chrysostome said , without land , plow , or raine ; upon the matter not to trust gods providence : see fent . pag. . and further about orphans ; see before pag. . &c. . as concerning perkins . his third condition vol. . pag. . upon the eight commandement : which is this : hee must sometimes be so farre from taking gaine , that hee must not require the principall , if his debtor be by inevitable and just casualties brought behind , &c. in the place quoted by you in his exposition of christs sermon in the mount : hee onely approoves liberall and recompencing vsury , which i handled before ; not usury truly and properly so called , commonly practised in this kingdome , and that which j ever preach against and here oppose . . willet is an other in the catalogue . heare his owne words cutting the heart of usurers , and vsury properly so called , commonly practised amongst us . this consideration , saith he , given for the loane of money must not be ex pacto : it must not be agreed upon by any certaine compact , and covenant : as the words here are lo cesimun : non imponet is : you shall not impose , or lay upon him vsury . as it is not lawfull to covenant with a man certainely to pay so much : hee may loose by using this money ; he may be in hazard also of the principall : for the lender then to receive a certaine gaine , where the borrower is a certaine looser , were not iust : such indifferency must bee used , as that the lender bee contented ; as to bee made partaker of the gaine that commeth by his money , so also proportionably to beare part of the losse . upon exod. . pag. . . iunius is an other in the muster . but hee also so tempers vsurious poyson with cautions , and conditions as hee calls them ; that he breakes the neck of the common vsury practised amongst us . the first is in respect of the manner ( the transcriber saith measure , falsely , if not cunningly ) ▪ and what is that ? that the creditor doe not impose it unhonestly : but the debtor honestly offer it . in his third caution he hath this passage : if no profit bee reaped by the debtor , let the creditor take heed lest hee cruelly covet and feeke after his owne commodity , from the unprofitable labour and losse of the debtor . . zanchius is also urged . but heare him also so farre from approoving our common usury , that hee utterly confounds in these words : imo hoc aio esse debes o creditor , ut si debitor non solum non fecit lucrum , sed etiam accepit damnum , tu quoque damni aliquid cum illo patiaris : hoc enim postulat aequitas & charitas . jn . ad eph. pag. . nay thou oughtest saith he , o creditor to bee of this resolution ; that if the debtor , not onely make no gaine ; but also hath received losse , thou also must suffer with him some part of the losse . for this equity and charity require . . your virell allowes that gaine for lending , which is taken according to order of law. but our lawes , as appeares clearely before , pag. , , &c. take no order to take any vsury ; nay our common law abominates it ; our statute law calls it a detestable sinne and forbidden by the law of god ; therefore we of this land must take no usury . . that polanus doth not approove , but condemne usury properly and truly so called , commonly practised in this kingdome , seemes manifest , by divers passages : he makes three kindes of it : . gainefull . . recompensing . . punishing . the first , which is the same with our common vsury , practised in this kingdome , hee thus defines : a gainefull vsury is theft , which is committed , when any receives gaine , onely in liew of lending , having received no dammage , by any fault of the borrower . under this kinde he compriseth all b kinde of usury , which either oppresseth the poore ; or makes men poore . how vsury bites , and makes men poore ; see before , page . &c. his reasons for which hee damnes this vsury are many : the sixt declares his meaning against that usury which we pursue with just indignation , and is commonly and cursedly practised almost now every where . it runs thus : this gainefull vsury is wicked ; sith by it , the vsurer seekes gaine out of that thing , the losse , or hazard whereof belongeth not unto him ; but to the debror . it is an unjust thing to gape for gaine , out of an other mans losse . mutuatio debet esse gratuita : i.e. absque alicujus lucri exactione , & captatione , aut doni acceptatione . ibid. pag. . borrowing ought to bee free , without exaction , and captation of gaine , or receiving of gaine . it seemes by such passages as these ; that polanus was no patron of usury properly so called . at the close , let me speake unto you ; as saint austin did sometimes unto his hearers : haec fratres charissimi , si vobis ego non dixero rationem pro animabus vestris in die judicij redditurus ero . quicunque autem magis mihi irasti , quam se emendare voluerit , non habet unde per ignorantiam se possit ante tribunal aeterni judicis excusare , ut dicat se non fuisse admonitum , nec a malis prohibitum , nec ad ea , quae sunt deo placita castigatione , & admonitione frequentissimâ provocatum . sed credimus de domini misericordia , quod ita negligentibus quibusque inspirare dignabitur , ut sibi magis , vel peccatis suis , quam medicamentis sacerdotatibus irascantur . et quomodo aegrotantes a carna libus med cis requirunt sanitatem corporum , sic a spiritalibus medicamenta desiderent animarum . august . de tempore serm. . beloved brethren , if i admonish you not of these things , i must give an account for your soules at the day of judgement . but whosoever will rather bee angry with mee , then amend himselfe , hath no excuse for his ignorance before the tribunall of the eternall judge : as that hee was not prohibited from evill , or provoked to good . but our trust is in the mercy of god , that by his holy inspirations hee will so worke upon all negligent hearers , that they will bee angry rather with themselves and their sinnes , then with the wholesome medicines of the priest : and as sicke people desire health of body from their carnall physitions , so they will earnestly desire the health of their soules from those that are spirituall . finis . perlegi tractatum hunc de vsurâ , in quo nihil reperio quò minùs cum utilitate imprimatur tho : wykes r. p. episc. lond. cap. domest . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e cant. . . acts . . instructions for comforting afflicted consciences . pag. . &c. usque pag . de vita anselmi lib. . in oper ans. sozem. hist. lib. . notes for div a -e * of whom beza somewhere professeth , that the sun never beheld a more divine meeting since the apostles times . * see the same also in corrupter times . wet . book pag. . * 〈◊〉 pag. ● . ob. . answ. . see fenton pag. . chrys. hom. . ope. imper . * hence that of iunius . nos itaque damnandam esse , & intolerandā omnem usuram non possumus adfirmare , sed eam solùm quae pauperes , egentes opprimit , aut pauperes facit . appen . ad expl. levit. pag. . * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 basil , hom adu . usur . ob. . answ. . ezek. . . ob. . answ. . mat. . * lib de tobia . cap. . * lib. . in ezek. . lib de 〈◊〉 obia . cap. . ob. . answ. . hottom . de usur . . arist. eth. . . ob. . answ. . ob. . answ. . * how money is unlawfull . see fent . pag. , . because it may be subject to cavill . ibid. pag. . commodatorius non tenetur de casu fortuito , nisi se adstrinxerit . cod. lib. . tit. . leg. . see dow. how usury differs from the lawfull contract of location . pag. . ob. . answ. . * p. . loc. com. pag. . hoc argumento posset tota scriptura everti . mundus enim non vult in viâ manda t●rum dei ambulare . num igitur ducendū est , non esse peceata , quae in scriptura manifestè damnantur ? rom. . . luke ● . . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . pro. . . tim. . . ob. . answ. . accusatio enim potius , quam executati● , vbi mand●ti est a perta transgressio aug de civit , lib. . . leges boni regis edvardi ▪ qui regnare coepit anno salutis . pro exlege for an outlavv , and so deprived of the kings protection , and of his lavves . ob. . answ. . rom. . . it is unjust to exact any money , where there is no cōmutation : but the usurer the principall being safe doth exact vsury , not for any thing els , but for the duty of lending only . ergo , it is unjust to exact usury . psal . . & . . in decalog . append. in psal. . o●b . . answ. . deut. . , , luke . . loc. com. de pauper . cap. . object . . answ. object . . answ. see f pag . object . . answ. . vsura est peccatum non solùm in se , sed etiam secundum se , & ideo ex nullâ circumstantiâ benè potest fieri . schoolemen . object . . answ. oblatio quidem blanda , sed immanis exactio . de tobia cap. . object . . answ. . deut. . . a exod. . , , . b ver. . * exod. . . & . . deut. . . chap . . chap. . . . chap. . . . psal. . . psal. . . esa. . . . chap. . . jer. . . chap. . . chap . . zach . . mal. . . king . mat. . . jam. . . object . answ. . iewell upon thess . . pag. . * as that taken from barrennesse of money and the unnaturall brood of usury , &c. see fen. pag. , . usura est lucrum ex mutuo pactum . si debitor usu alieni aeris multum lucratus est , vel magnum aliquod damnum evasit , certè ex gratitudinis officio , & mutuo respectu charitatis obligatur ad antidora . rectè enim dititur in officijs charitatis , primo loco illis tenemur obnoxij , a quibus nos beneficium accepisse agnoscimus . nec peccat creditor accipiendo , quia differunt officia charitatis , & usura . sed sic levissima occasione quaeritur praetextus usurae . si enim vel pactum , vel intentio precedit , quòd alias non erat mutuaturus , nisi ultra sortem gratitudinis loco aliquid accipere● , revera est usura , quocunque nomine appelletur . chemnit . loc. com. de paup . pag. . lib. de definit . appellat . wee are not bound to lend to any but to such as be in want : and to such , if we be able , we must lend freely . * if a man should set out the excellency of a man , discoursing of the admirable faculties of the soule , the goodly structure of his body , &c. were not hee ridiculous that should step out and say : but i hope he meanes not all this of man in generall . for a dead man hath no such thing , &c so , &c. the venome and poyson of the unconscionable covenant and by consequent that life of iniquity is not found in liberall , or recompencing usury . see for this purpose , claytons case adjudged to be usury . l. cooke p. . of reports . * though it be bargaine , & sale : yet upon the matter , the very same , under an other forme of covenant : the very intention maketh it usury . * see his book against usury . pag. . nempe si creditor saenus non imperat turpiter , sed debitor bonestè offert . sin autem utilitas ad ipsum nulla redierit , ut caveat creditor , ne ex lalabore inutili debitoris sui , aut etiam damnoso suam ipsius utilitatem inhumanè captet . appen . ad expl levitici . pag. . a usura lucratoria , est surtū quod committitur , cum quis lucrum accipit solius mutuation is causâ , nullo dāno accepto culpâ ejus , qui mutuò sumpsit . pol. syntag. tom. . cap . pag. . b hujus species est usura usurarum , &c. item omnis usura , quae pauperes opprimit , aut pauperes facit . ibid. quia est ini . qua , quum per eam usur arius quaerat lucrum ex eâre , cujus damnum , aut periculum ad eum non spectat , sed ad debiterē . injustum est exalterius damno lucrum captare ibid pag. .