Three tractates by Jos. Hall, D.D. and B.N.
         Selections. 1646
         Hall, Joseph, 1574-1656.
      
       
         
           1646
        
      
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             Three tractates by Jos. Hall, D.D. and B.N.
             Selections. 1646
             Hall, Joseph, 1574-1656.
          
           275, [20], 242 p. : port.
           
             Printed by M. Flesher, for Nat. Butter,
             London :
             1646.
          
           
             Engraved t.p.
             Imperfect: "The peace-maker" with individual title page and paging, [20], 242 p. at end is lacking in filmed copy.
             Reproduction of original in Bodleian Library.
             The devout soule -- The free prisoner, or, The comfort of restraint -- The remedy of discontentment, or, A treatise of contentation in whatsoever condition -- The peace-maker.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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           Christianity.
        
      
    
     
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           THREE
           TRACTATES
           ,
           
             
               The
               Devout
               Soul.
               
            
             
               The
               Free-Prisoner
               .
            
             
               The
               Remedie
               of
               Discontentment
               .
            
          
        
         
           
             To
             which
             may
             be
             added
          
           The
           Peace-maker
           .
        
         
           BY
           JOS.
           HALL
           ,
           D.
           D.
           and
           B.
           N.
           
        
         
           LONDON
           .
        
         
           Printed
           by
           
             M.
             Flesher
          
           ,
           for
           NAT
           :
           BUTTER
           .
        
         
           
             M.
             DC
             .
             XLVI
          
           .
        
      
       
         
         
         
           TO
           ALL
           CHRISTIAN
           READERS
           ,
           
             Grace
             and
             Peace
          
           .
        
         
           THat
           in
           a
           time
           when
           wee
           heare
           no
           noise
           but
           of
           drums
           &
           Trumpets
           ,
           and
           talk
           of
           nothing
           but
           arms
           ,
           and
           sieges
           ,
           and
           battels
           ,
           I
           should
           write
           of
           Devotion
           ,
           may
           seem
           to
           some
           of
           you
           strange
           and
           unseasonable
           ;
           to
           me
           ,
           contrarily
           ,
           it
           seems
           most
           fit
           and
           opportune
           :
           For
           when
           can
           it
           be
           more
           proper
           to
           direct
           our
           addresse
           to
           the
           Throne
           of
           Grace
           ,
           then
           when
           we
           are
           in
           the
           very
           jaws
           of
           Death
           ?
           Or
           when
           should
           we
           goe
           to
           seek
           the
           face
           of
           our
           God
           ,
           rather
           ,
           then
           in
           the
           needfull
           time
           of
           trouble
           ?
        
         
         
           Blessed
           be
           my
           God
           ,
           who
           in
           the
           midst
           of
           these
           wofull
           tumults
           ,
           hath
           vouchsafed
           to
           give
           me
           these
           calme
           ,
           and
           holy
           thoughts
           ;
           which
           I
           justly
           suppose
           ,
           he
           meant
           not
           to
           suggest
           ,
           that
           they
           should
           be
           smoothered
           in
           the
           brest
           wherein
           they
           were
           conceived
           ,
           but
           with
           a
           purpose
           to
           have
           the
           benefit
           communicated
           unto
           many
           ;
           Who
           is
           there
           that
           needs
           not
           vehement
           excitations
           ,
           and
           helps
           to
           Devotion
           ?
           and
           when
           more
           then
           now
           ?
           In
           a
           tempest
           the
           Mariners
           themselves
           doe
           not
           onely
           cry
           every
           man
           to
           his
           God
           ,
           but
           awaken
           Jonah
           ,
           that
           is
           fast
           asleep
           under
           the
           hatches
           ,
           and
           chide
           him
           to
           his
           prayers
           .
           Surely
           ,
           had
           we
           not
           been
           failing
           in
           our
           Devotions
           ,
           we
           could
           not
           have
           been
           thus
           universally
           miserable
           ;
           That
           
           duyy
           ,
           the
           neglect
           wherof
           is
           guilty
           of
           our
           calamity
           ,
           must
           in
           the
           effectuall
           performance
           of
           it
           ,
           be
           the
           meanes
           of
           our
           recovery
           .
           Be
           but
           devout
           ,
           and
           we
           cannot
           miscarry
           under
           judgements
           ;
           Woe
           is
           me
           ,
           the
           teares
           of
           penitence
           ,
           were
           more
           fit
           to
           quench
           the
           publique
           flame
           ,
           then
           blood
           .
           How
           soon
           would
           it
           cleare
           up
           above
           head
           ,
           if
           we
           were
           but
           holily
           affected
           within
           ?
           Could
           we
           send
           our
           zealous
           Ambassadours
           up
           to
           heaven
           ,
           we
           could
           not
           faile
           of
           an
           happy
           peace
           .
           I
           direct
           the
           way
           ;
           God
           bring
           us
           to
           the
           end
           ;
           For
           my
           own
           particular
           practice
           ;
           God
           is
           witnesse
           to
           my
           soule
           ,
           that
           (
           as
           one
           ,
           the
           sense
           of
           whose
           private
           affliction
           is
           swallowed
           up
           of
           the
           publique
           )
           I
           cease
           not
           dayly
           to
           ply
           the
           Father
           of
           mercies
           with
           my
           fervent
           prayers
           ,
           that
           
           he
           would
           ,
           at
           last
           ,
           be
           pleased
           ,
           after
           so
           many
           streames
           of
           blood
           ,
           to
           passe
           an
           act
           of
           Pacification
           in
           heaven
           :
           And
           what
           good
           heart
           can
           doe
           otherwise
           ?
           Brethren
           ,
           all
           ye
           that
           love
           God
           ,
           and
           his
           Church
           ,
           and
           his
           Truth
           ,
           and
           his
           Anointed
           ,
           and
           your
           Country
           ,
           and
           your selves
           ,
           and
           yours
           ,
           joyn
           your
           forces
           with
           mine
           ,
           and
           let
           us
           by
           an
           holy
           violence
           make
           way
           to
           the
           gates
           of
           heaven
           with
           our
           Petition
           ,
           for
           mercy
           and
           peace
           ;
           and
           not
           suffer
           our selves
           to
           be
           beaten
           off
           from
           the
           threshold
           of
           Grace
           ,
           till
           we
           be
           answered
           with
           a
           condescent
           .
           He
           ,
           whose
           goodnesse
           is
           wont
           to
           prevent
           our
           desires
           ,
           will
           not
           give
           denials
           to
           our
           importunities
           .
        
         
           Pray
           ,
           and
           Farewell
           .
           
             Norwich
             .
             
               March
               20.
               1643.
               
            
          
        
      
    
     
       
         
           
             
             
               THE
               DEVOVT
               SOULE
               .
            
             
               
                 SECT
                 .
                 I.
                 
              
               
                 DEvotion
                 is
                 the
                 life
                 of
                 Religion
                 ,
                 the
                 very
                 soul
                 of
                 Piety
                 ,
                 the
                 highest
                 imploiment
                 of
                 grace
                 ;
                 and
                 no
                 other
                 then
                 the
                 prepossession
                 of
                 heaven
                 by
                 the
                 Saints
                 of
                 God
                 here
                 upon
                 earth
                 ;
                 every
                 improvement
                 whereof
                 is
                 of
                 more
                 advantage
                 and
                 value
                 to
                 the
                 Christian
                 soule
                 ,
                 then
                 all
                 the
                 profits
                 and
                 contentments
                 which
                 this
                 world
                 can
                 afford
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 There
                 is
                 a
                 kind
                 of
                 Art
                 of
                 Devotion
                 (
                 if
                 we
                 can
                 attain
                 unto
                 it
                 )
                 whereby
                 the
                 practice
                 thereof
                 may
                 be
                 much
                 advanced
                 :
                 Wee
                 
                 have
                 known
                 indeed
                 some
                 holy
                 souls
                 ,
                 which
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 generall
                 precepts
                 of
                 piety
                 ,
                 and
                 their
                 own
                 happy
                 experiments
                 of
                 Gods
                 mercy
                 ,
                 have
                 ,
                 through
                 the
                 grace
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 grown
                 to
                 a
                 great
                 measure
                 of
                 perfection
                 this
                 way
                 ;
                 which
                 yet
                 might
                 have
                 been
                 much
                 expedited
                 ,
                 and
                 compleated
                 ,
                 by
                 those
                 helps
                 ,
                 which
                 the
                 greater
                 illumination
                 and
                 experience
                 of
                 others
                 might
                 have
                 afforded
                 them
                 :
                 Like
                 as
                 we
                 see
                 it
                 in
                 other
                 faculties
                 ;
                 there
                 are
                 those
                 ,
                 who
                 out
                 of
                 a
                 naturall
                 dexterity
                 ,
                 and
                 their
                 own
                 frequent
                 practice
                 ,
                 have
                 got
                 into
                 a
                 safe
                 posture
                 of
                 defence
                 ,
                 and
                 have
                 handled
                 their
                 weapon
                 with
                 commendable
                 skill
                 ,
                 whom
                 yet
                 the
                 Fence-schoole
                 might
                 have
                 raised
                 to
                 an
                 higher
                 pitch
                 of
                 cunning
                 :
                 As
                 nature
                 is
                 perfited
                 ,
                 so
                 grace
                 is
                 not
                 a
                 little
                 furthered
                 ,
                 by
                 Art
                 ;
                 since
                 it
                 pleaseth
                 the
                 wisdome
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 to
                 work
                 ordinarily
                 upon
                 the
                 soul
                 ,
                 not
                 by
                 the
                 immediate
                 power
                 of
                 miracle
                 ,
                 but
                 
                 in
                 such
                 methods
                 ,
                 and
                 by
                 such
                 means
                 ,
                 as
                 may
                 most
                 conduce
                 to
                 his
                 blessed
                 ends
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 true
                 ,
                 that
                 our
                 good
                 motions
                 come
                 from
                 the
                 Spirit
                 of
                 God
                 ;
                 neither
                 is
                 it
                 lesse
                 true
                 ,
                 that
                 all
                 the
                 good
                 counsails
                 of
                 others
                 proceed
                 from
                 the
                 same
                 Spirit
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 good
                 Spirit
                 cannot
                 be
                 crosse
                 to
                 itselfe
                 ;
                 he
                 therefore
                 that
                 infuses
                 good
                 thoughts
                 into
                 us
                 ,
                 suggests
                 also
                 such
                 directions
                 ,
                 as
                 may
                 render
                 us
                 apt
                 both
                 to
                 receive
                 and
                 improve
                 them
                 :
                 If
                 God
                 be
                 bounteous
                 ,
                 we
                 may
                 not
                 be
                 idle
                 ,
                 and
                 neglective
                 of
                 our
                 spirituall
                 aids
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 SECT
                 .
                 II.
                 
              
               
                 II
                 you
                 tell
                 me
                 (
                 by
                 way
                 of
                 instance
                 in
                 a
                 particular
                 act
                 of
                 Devotion
                 )
                 that
                 there
                 is
                 a
                 gift
                 of
                 prayer
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 the
                 Spirit
                 of
                 God
                 is
                 not
                 tyed
                 to
                 rules
                 ;
                 I
                 yeeld
                 both
                 these
                 ;
                 but
                 withall
                 ,
                 I
                 must
                 say
                 there
                 are
                 also
                 helps
                 of
                 prayer
                 ,
                 
                 and
                 that
                 we
                 must
                 not
                 expect
                 immediate
                 inspirations
                 :
                 I
                 finde
                 the
                 world
                 much
                 mistaken
                 in
                 both
                 ;
                 They
                 think
                 that
                 man
                 hath
                 the
                 gift
                 of
                 prayer
                 ,
                 that
                 can
                 utter
                 the
                 thoughts
                 of
                 his
                 heart
                 roundly
                 unto
                 God
                 ,
                 that
                 can
                 expresse
                 himselfe
                 smoothly
                 in
                 the
                 phrase
                 of
                 the
                 holy
                 Ghost
                 ,
                 and
                 presse
                 God
                 with
                 most
                 proper
                 words
                 ,
                 and
                 passionate
                 vehemence
                 :
                 And
                 surely
                 this
                 is
                 a
                 commendable
                 faculty
                 ,
                 wheresoever
                 it
                 is
                 :
                 but
                 this
                 is
                 not
                 the
                 gift
                 of
                 prayer
                 ;
                 you
                 may
                 call
                 it
                 ,
                 if
                 you
                 will
                 ,
                 the
                 gift
                 of
                 Elocution
                 .
                 Doe
                 we
                 say
                 that
                 man
                 hath
                 the
                 gift
                 of
                 pleading
                 ,
                 that
                 can
                 talk
                 eloquently
                 at
                 the
                 Barre
                 ,
                 that
                 can
                 in
                 good
                 termes
                 loud
                 and
                 earnestly
                 importune
                 the
                 Judge
                 for
                 his
                 Client
                 ;
                 and
                 not
                 rather
                 he
                 that
                 brings
                 the
                 strongest
                 reason
                 ,
                 and
                 quotes
                 his
                 books
                 ,
                 and
                 precedents
                 with
                 most
                 truth
                 ,
                 and
                 clearest
                 evidence
                 ,
                 so
                 as
                 may
                 convince
                 the
                 Jury
                 ,
                 and
                 perswade
                 the
                 Judge
                 ?
                 Doe
                 we
                 
                 say
                 he
                 hath
                 the
                 gift
                 of
                 preaching
                 ,
                 that
                 can
                 deliver
                 himselfe
                 in
                 a
                 flowing
                 manner
                 of
                 speech
                 ,
                 to
                 his
                 hearers
                 ,
                 that
                 can
                 cite
                 Scriptures
                 ,
                 or
                 Fathers
                 ,
                 that
                 can
                 please
                 his
                 auditory
                 with
                 the
                 flowers
                 of
                 Rhetorick
                 ;
                 or
                 rather
                 ,
                 he
                 ,
                 that
                 can
                 divide
                 the
                 Word
                 aright
                 ,
                 interpret
                 it
                 soundly
                 ,
                 apply
                 it
                 judiciously
                 ,
                 put
                 it
                 home
                 to
                 the
                 conscience
                 ,
                 speaking
                 in
                 the
                 evidence
                 of
                 the
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 powerfully
                 convincing
                 the
                 gainsayers
                 ,
                 comforting
                 the
                 dejected
                 ,
                 and
                 drawing
                 every
                 soul
                 nearer
                 to
                 heaven
                 ?
                 The
                 like
                 must
                 we
                 say
                 for
                 prayer
                 ;
                 the
                 gift
                 whereof
                 he
                 may
                 be
                 truly
                 said
                 to
                 have
                 ,
                 not
                 that
                 hath
                 the
                 most
                 rennible
                 tongue
                 ,
                 (
                 for
                 prayer
                 is
                 not
                 so
                 much
                 a
                 matter
                 of
                 the
                 lips
                 ,
                 as
                 of
                 the
                 heart
                 )
                 but
                 he
                 that
                 hath
                 the
                 most
                 illuminated
                 apprehension
                 of
                 the
                 God
                 to
                 whom
                 he
                 speaks
                 ,
                 the
                 deepest
                 sense
                 of
                 his
                 own
                 wants
                 ,
                 the
                 most
                 eager
                 longings
                 after
                 grace
                 ,
                 the
                 ferventest
                 desires
                 of
                 supplyes
                 from
                 heaven
                 ;
                 
                 and
                 in
                 a
                 word
                 ,
                 whose
                 heart
                 sends
                 up
                 the
                 strongest
                 groans
                 and
                 cries
                 to
                 the
                 Father
                 of
                 mercies
                 .
              
               
                 Neither
                 may
                 we
                 look
                 for
                 Enthusiasmes
                 ,
                 and
                 immediate
                 inspirations
                 ;
                 putting
                 our selves
                 upon
                 Gods
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 solemn
                 exercises
                 of
                 our
                 invocation
                 ,
                 without
                 heed
                 ,
                 or
                 meditation
                 ;
                 the
                 dangerous
                 inconvenience
                 whereof
                 hath
                 been
                 too
                 often
                 found
                 in
                 the
                 rash
                 ,
                 and
                 unwarrantable
                 expressions
                 ,
                 that
                 have
                 fallen
                 from
                 the
                 mouths
                 of
                 unwary
                 suppliants
                 ;
                 but
                 we
                 must
                 addresse
                 our selves
                 with
                 due
                 preparation
                 ,
                 to
                 that
                 holy
                 work
                 ;
                 we
                 must
                 digest
                 our
                 suits
                 ;
                 and
                 fore-order
                 our
                 supplications
                 to
                 the
                 Almighty
                 ;
                 so
                 that
                 there
                 may
                 be
                 excellent
                 and
                 necessary
                 use
                 of
                 meet
                 rules
                 of
                 our
                 Devotion
                 .
              
               
                 He
                 ,
                 whose
                 Spirit
                 helps
                 us
                 to
                 pray
                 ,
                 and
                 whose
                 lips
                 taught
                 us
                 how
                 to
                 pray
                 ,
                 is
                 an
                 alsufficient
                 example
                 for
                 us
                 :
                 all
                 the
                 skill
                 of
                 men
                 ,
                 and
                 Angels
                 ,
                 cannot
                 afford
                 a
                 more
                 exquisite
                 modell
                 of
                 supplicatory
                 
                 Devotion
                 ,
                 then
                 that
                 blesser
                 Saviour
                 of
                 ours
                 gave
                 us
                 in
                 the
                 mount
                 ;
                 led
                 in
                 by
                 a
                 divine
                 ,
                 and
                 heart-raising
                 preface
                 ,
                 carried
                 out
                 with
                 a
                 strong
                 and
                 heavenly
                 enforcement
                 ;
                 wherein
                 an
                 awfull
                 compellation
                 makes
                 way
                 for
                 petition
                 ;
                 and
                 petition
                 makes
                 way
                 for
                 thanksgiving
                 ;
                 the
                 petitions
                 marshalled
                 in
                 a
                 most
                 exact
                 order
                 ,
                 for
                 spirituall
                 blessings
                 ,
                 which
                 have
                 an
                 immediate
                 concernment
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 first
                 place
                 ;
                 then
                 for
                 temporall
                 favours
                 ,
                 which
                 concern
                 ourselves
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 second
                 ;
                 so
                 punctuall
                 a
                 methode
                 had
                 not
                 been
                 observed
                 by
                 him
                 that
                 heareth
                 prayers
                 ,
                 if
                 it
                 had
                 been
                 all
                 one
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 to
                 have
                 had
                 our
                 Devotions
                 confused
                 ,
                 and
                 tumultuary
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 SECT
                 .
                 III.
                 
              
               
                 THere
                 is
                 commonly
                 much
                 mistaking
                 of
                 Devotion
                 as
                 if
                 
                 it
                 were
                 nothing
                 but
                 an
                 act
                 of
                 vocall
                 prayer
                 ,
                 expiring
                 with
                 that
                 holy
                 breath
                 ,
                 and
                 revived
                 with
                 the
                 next
                 task
                 of
                 our
                 invocation
                 ;
                 which
                 is
                 usually
                 measured
                 of
                 many
                 ,
                 by
                 frequence
                 ,
                 length
                 ,
                 smoothnesse
                 of
                 expression
                 ,
                 lowdnesse
                 ,
                 vehemence
                 ;
                 Whereas
                 ,
                 indeed
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 rather
                 an
                 habituall
                 disposition
                 of
                 an
                 holy
                 soul
                 ,
                 sweetly
                 conversing
                 with
                 God
                 ,
                 in
                 all
                 the
                 forms
                 of
                 an
                 heavenly
                 (
                 yet
                 awful
                 )
                 familiarity
                 ;
                 and
                 a
                 constant
                 intertainment
                 of
                 ourselves
                 here
                 below
                 with
                 the
                 God
                 of
                 spirits
                 ,
                 in
                 our
                 sanctifyed
                 thoughts
                 ,
                 and
                 affections
                 ;
                 One
                 of
                 the
                 noble
                 exercises
                 whereof
                 ,
                 is
                 our
                 accesse
                 to
                 the
                 throne
                 of
                 grace
                 in
                 our
                 prayers
                 ;
                 whereto
                 may
                 be
                 added
                 ,
                 the
                 ordering
                 of
                 our
                 holy
                 attendance
                 upon
                 the
                 blessed
                 word
                 and
                 sacraments
                 of
                 the
                 Almighty
                 :
                 Nothing
                 hinders
                 therefore
                 ,
                 but
                 that
                 a
                 stammering
                 suppliant
                 may
                 reach
                 to
                 a
                 more
                 eminent
                 devotion
                 ,
                 then
                 he
                 that
                 can
                 deliver
                 himselfe
                 
                 in
                 the
                 most
                 fluent
                 and
                 pathetical
                 forms
                 of
                 Elocution
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 our
                 silence
                 may
                 be
                 more
                 devout
                 then
                 our
                 noise
                 .
                 We
                 shall
                 not
                 need
                 to
                 send
                 you
                 to
                 the
                 Cels
                 or
                 cloysters
                 for
                 this
                 skill
                 ;
                 although
                 it
                 will
                 hardly
                 be
                 beleeved
                 ,
                 how
                 far
                 some
                 of
                 their
                 contemplative
                 men
                 have
                 gone
                 in
                 the
                 Theory
                 hereof
                 ;
                 Perhaps
                 ,
                 like
                 as
                 Chymists
                 give
                 rules
                 for
                 the
                 attaining
                 of
                 that
                 Elixir
                 ,
                 which
                 they
                 never
                 found
                 ;
                 for
                 sure
                 they
                 must
                 needs
                 fail
                 of
                 that
                 perfection
                 they
                 pretend
                 ,
                 who
                 erre
                 commonly
                 in
                 the
                 object
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 always
                 in
                 the
                 ground
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 faith
                 ;
                 stripped
                 ,
                 by
                 their
                 opinion
                 ,
                 of
                 the
                 comfortablest
                 use
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 certainty
                 of
                 application
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 SECT
                 .
                 IV.
                 
              
               
                 AS
                 there
                 may
                 be
                 many
                 resemblances
                 betwixt
                 Light
                 and
                 Devotion
                 ,
                 so
                 this
                 one
                 especially
                 ,
                 that
                 as
                 there
                 is
                 a
                 light
                 
                 universally
                 diffused
                 through
                 the
                 ayre
                 ,
                 and
                 there
                 is
                 a
                 particular
                 recollection
                 of
                 light
                 into
                 the
                 body
                 of
                 the
                 sun
                 ,
                 and
                 starres
                 ;
                 so
                 it
                 is
                 in
                 Devotion
                 ;
                 There
                 is
                 a
                 generall
                 kind
                 of
                 Devotion
                 that
                 goes
                 through
                 the
                 renewed
                 heart
                 and
                 life
                 of
                 a
                 Christian
                 ,
                 which
                 we
                 may
                 term
                 Habituall
                 ,
                 and
                 Virtuall
                 ;
                 and
                 there
                 is
                 a
                 speciall
                 ,
                 and
                 fixed
                 exercise
                 of
                 Devotion
                 ,
                 which
                 wee
                 name
                 Actuall
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 soul
                 that
                 is
                 rightly
                 affected
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 is
                 never
                 void
                 of
                 an
                 holy
                 Devotion
                 ;
                 where
                 ever
                 it
                 is
                 ,
                 what
                 ever
                 it
                 doth
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 still
                 lifted
                 up
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 fastned
                 upon
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 converses
                 with
                 him
                 ;
                 ever
                 serving
                 the
                 Lord
                 in
                 feare
                 ,
                 and
                 rejoycing
                 in
                 him
                 with
                 trembling
                 .
              
               
                 For
                 the
                 effectuall
                 performance
                 whereof
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 requisite
                 first
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 heart
                 be
                 setled
                 in
                 a
                 right
                 apprehension
                 of
                 our
                 God
                 ;
                 without
                 which
                 ,
                 our
                 Devotion
                 is
                 not
                 thanklesse
                 only
                 ,
                 but
                 sinfull
                 :
                 With
                 
                 much
                 labour
                 therefore
                 ,
                 and
                 agitation
                 of
                 a
                 mind
                 illuminated
                 from
                 above
                 ,
                 we
                 must
                 find
                 our selves
                 wrought
                 to
                 an
                 high
                 ,
                 awfull
                 ,
                 adorative
                 ,
                 and
                 constant
                 conceit
                 of
                 that
                 incomprehensible
                 Majesty
                 ,
                 in
                 whom
                 we
                 live
                 ,
                 and
                 move
                 ,
                 and
                 are
                 ;
                 One
                 God
                 ,
                 in
                 three
                 most
                 glorious
                 Persons
                 ,
                 infinite
                 in
                 wisdome
                 ,
                 in
                 power
                 ,
                 in
                 justice
                 ,
                 in
                 mercy
                 ,
                 in
                 providence
                 ,
                 in
                 al
                 that
                 he
                 is
                 ,
                 in
                 al
                 that
                 he
                 hath
                 ,
                 in
                 all
                 that
                 he
                 doth
                 ;
                 dwelling
                 in
                 light
                 inaccessible
                 ,
                 attended
                 with
                 thousand
                 thousands
                 of
                 Angels
                 ;
                 whom
                 yet
                 we
                 neither
                 can
                 know
                 ,
                 (
                 neither
                 would
                 it
                 avail
                 us
                 if
                 we
                 could
                 )
                 but
                 in
                 the
                 face
                 of
                 the
                 eternall
                 Son
                 of
                 his
                 Love
                 ,
                 our
                 blessed
                 Mediatour
                 God
                 and
                 Man
                 ;
                 who
                 sits
                 at
                 the
                 right
                 hand
                 of
                 Majesty
                 in
                 the
                 highest
                 heavens
                 ;
                 from
                 the
                 sight
                 of
                 whose
                 glorious
                 humanity
                 ,
                 we
                 comfortably
                 rise
                 to
                 the
                 contemplation
                 of
                 that
                 infinite
                 Deity
                 ,
                 whereto
                 it
                 is
                 inseparably
                 united
                 ;
                 in
                 and
                 by
                 him
                 ,
                 
                 (
                 made
                 ours
                 by
                 a
                 lively
                 Faith
                 )
                 finding
                 our
                 persons
                 ,
                 and
                 obedience
                 accepted
                 ,
                 expecting
                 our
                 full
                 redemption
                 ,
                 and
                 blessednesse
                 .
                 Here
                 ,
                 here
                 must
                 our
                 hearts
                 be
                 unremoveably
                 fixed
                 ;
                 In
                 his
                 light
                 must
                 we
                 see
                 light
                 :
                 no
                 cloudy
                 occurrences
                 of
                 this
                 world
                 ,
                 no
                 busie
                 imployments
                 ,
                 no
                 painfull
                 sufferings
                 must
                 hinder
                 us
                 from
                 thus
                 seeing
                 him
                 that
                 is
                 invisible
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 SECT
                 .
                 V.
                 
              
               
                 NEither
                 doth
                 the
                 devout
                 heart
                 see
                 his
                 God
                 aloof
                 off
                 ,
                 as
                 dwelling
                 above
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 circle
                 of
                 heaven
                 ,
                 but
                 beholds
                 that
                 infinite
                 Spirit
                 really
                 present
                 with
                 him
                 ;
                 
                   The
                   Lord
                   is
                   upon
                   thy
                   right
                   hand
                   ,
                
                 saith
                 the
                 Psalmist
                 ;
                 Our
                 bodily
                 eye
                 doth
                 not
                 more
                 certainly
                 see
                 our
                 own
                 flesh
                 ,
                 then
                 the
                 spirituall
                 eye
                 sees
                 God
                 close
                 by
                 us
                 ;
                 Yea
                 ,
                 in
                 us
                 ;
                 A
                 mans
                 own
                 soul
                 is
                 not
                 so
                 intimate
                 to
                 himselfe
                 ,
                 as
                 
                 God
                 is
                 to
                 his
                 soul
                 ;
                 neither
                 doe
                 we
                 move
                 by
                 him
                 only
                 ,
                 but
                 in
                 him
                 :
                 What
                 a
                 sweet
                 conversation
                 therefore
                 ,
                 hath
                 the
                 holy
                 soule
                 with
                 his
                 God
                 ?
                 What
                 heavenly
                 conferences
                 have
                 they
                 two
                 ,
                 which
                 the
                 world
                 is
                 not
                 privy
                 to
                 ;
                 whiles
                 God
                 entertaines
                 the
                 soule
                 with
                 the
                 divine
                 motions
                 of
                 his
                 Spirit
                 ;
                 the
                 soul
                 entertains
                 God
                 with
                 gracious
                 compliances
                 ?
                 Is
                 the
                 heart
                 heavy
                 with
                 the
                 grievous
                 pressures
                 of
                 affliction
                 ?
                 the
                 soule
                 goes
                 in
                 to
                 his
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 pours
                 out
                 it self
                 before
                 him
                 in
                 earnest
                 bemoanings
                 ,
                 and
                 supplications
                 ;
                 the
                 God
                 of
                 mercy
                 ansers
                 the
                 soul
                 again
                 ,
                 with
                 seasonable
                 refreshings
                 of
                 comfort
                 :
                 Is
                 the
                 heart
                 secretly
                 wounded
                 and
                 bleeding
                 with
                 the
                 conscience
                 of
                 some
                 sin
                 ?
                 it
                 speedily
                 betakes
                 it self
                 to
                 the
                 great
                 Physitian
                 of
                 the
                 soul
                 ,
                 who
                 forthwith
                 applies
                 the
                 balme
                 of
                 Gilead
                 for
                 an
                 unfailing
                 and
                 present
                 cure
                 :
                 Is
                 the
                 heart
                 distracted
                 with
                 doubts
                 ?
                 the
                 soul
                 retires
                 to
                 
                 that
                 inward
                 Oracle
                 of
                 God
                 for
                 counsail
                 ,
                 he
                 returns
                 to
                 the
                 soul
                 an
                 happy
                 setlement
                 of
                 just
                 resolution
                 :
                 Is
                 the
                 heart
                 deeply
                 affected
                 with
                 the
                 sense
                 of
                 some
                 special
                 favour
                 from
                 his
                 God
                 ?
                 the
                 soul
                 breaks
                 forth
                 into
                 the
                 passionate
                 voice
                 of
                 praise
                 and
                 thanksgiving
                 ;
                 God
                 returns
                 the
                 pleasing
                 testimony
                 of
                 a
                 cheerfull
                 acceptation
                 :
                 Oh
                 blessed
                 soul
                 ,
                 that
                 hath
                 a
                 God
                 to
                 go
                 unto
                 upon
                 all
                 occasions
                 ;
                 Oh
                 infinite
                 mercy
                 of
                 a
                 God
                 ,
                 that
                 vouchsafes
                 to
                 stoop
                 to
                 such
                 intirenesse
                 with
                 dust
                 and
                 ashes
                 .
                 It
                 was
                 a
                 gracious
                 speech
                 of
                 a
                 
                 worthy
                 Divine
                 upon
                 his
                 death-bed
                 ,
                 now
                 breathing
                 towards
                 heaven
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 should
                 change
                 his
                 place
                 ,
                 not
                 his
                 company
                 :
                 His
                 conversation
                 was
                 now
                 before-hand
                 with
                 his
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 holy
                 Angels
                 ;
                 the
                 only
                 difference
                 was
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 was
                 now
                 going
                 to
                 a
                 more
                 free
                 and
                 full
                 fruition
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 of
                 life
                 ,
                 in
                 that
                 region
                 of
                 glory
                 above
                 ,
                 whom
                 he
                 had
                 truely
                 
                 (
                 though
                 with
                 weaknesse
                 and
                 imperfection
                 )
                 enjoyed
                 in
                 this
                 vale
                 of
                 tears
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 SECT
                 .
                 VI.
                 
              
               
                 NOw
                 ,
                 that
                 these
                 mutuall
                 respects
                 may
                 bee
                 sure
                 not
                 to
                 cool
                 with
                 intermission
                 ,
                 the
                 devout
                 heart
                 takes
                 all
                 occasions
                 both
                 to
                 think
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 speak
                 to
                 him
                 .
                 There
                 is
                 nothing
                 that
                 he
                 sees
                 ,
                 which
                 doth
                 not
                 bring
                 God
                 to
                 his
                 thoughts
                 .
                 Indeed
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 creature
                 ,
                 wherin
                 there
                 are
                 not
                 manifest
                 footsteps
                 of
                 omnipotence
                 ;
                 Yea
                 ,
                 which
                 hath
                 not
                 a
                 tongue
                 to
                 tell
                 us
                 of
                 its
                 Maker
                 .
                 
                   The
                   heavens
                   declare
                
                 
                 
                   the
                   glory
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   firmament
                   sheweth
                   his
                   handy-work
                   ;
                   One
                   day
                   telleth
                   another
                   ,
                   and
                   one
                   night
                   certifieth
                   another
                   :
                   Yea
                   ,
                   O
                   Lord
                   ,
                   how
                   manifold
                   are
                   thy
                   works
                   !
                   in
                   wisedome
                   hast
                   thou
                
                 
                 
                   made
                   them
                   all
                   :
                   The
                   earth
                   is
                   full
                   
                   of
                   thy
                   riches
                   ,
                   so
                   is
                   the
                   great
                   and
                   wide
                   sea
                   ,
                   where
                   are
                   things
                   creeping
                   innumerable
                   ,
                   both
                   small
                   and
                   great
                   beasts
                   :
                
                 Every
                 herbe
                 ,
                 flower
                 ,
                 spire
                 of
                 grasse
                 ,
                 every
                 twigge
                 and
                 leafe
                 ;
                 every
                 worm
                 and
                 flye
                 ;
                 every
                 scale
                 and
                 feather
                 ;
                 every
                 billow
                 and
                 meteor
                 ,
                 speaks
                 the
                 power
                 and
                 wisdome
                 of
                 their
                 infinite
                 Creator
                 ;
                 Solomon
                 sends
                 the
                 sluggard
                 to
                 the
                 Ant
                 ;
                 Esay
                 sends
                 the
                 Jews
                 to
                 the
                 Oxe
                 and
                 the
                 Asse
                 ;
                 Our
                 Saviour
                 sends
                 his
                 Disciples
                 to
                 the
                 Ravens
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 the
                 Lillies
                 of
                 the
                 field
                 ;
                 There
                 is
                 no
                 creature
                 of
                 whom
                 we
                 may
                 not
                 learn
                 something
                 ;
                 we
                 shall
                 have
                 spent
                 our
                 time
                 ill
                 in
                 this
                 great
                 school
                 of
                 the
                 world
                 ,
                 if
                 in
                 such
                 store
                 of
                 Lessons
                 ,
                 we
                 be
                 non-proficients
                 in
                 devotion
                 .
                 Vain
                 Idolaters
                 make
                 to
                 themselves
                 images
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 wherby
                 they
                 sinfully
                 represent
                 him
                 to
                 their
                 thoughts
                 and
                 adoration
                 ;
                 could
                 they
                 have
                 the
                 wit
                 and
                 grace
                 to
                 
                 see
                 it
                 ,
                 God
                 hath
                 taken
                 order
                 to
                 spare
                 them
                 this
                 labour
                 ,
                 in
                 that
                 he
                 hath
                 stamped
                 in
                 every
                 creature
                 such
                 impressions
                 of
                 his
                 infinite
                 power
                 ,
                 wisdome
                 ,
                 goodnes
                 ,
                 as
                 may
                 give
                 us
                 just
                 occasion
                 to
                 worship
                 and
                 praise
                 him
                 with
                 a
                 safe
                 and
                 holy
                 advantage
                 to
                 our
                 souls
                 :
                 
                   For
                   the
                   invisible
                   things
                   of
                   God
                   from
                   the
                   Creation
                   of
                   the
                   world
                   ,
                   are
                   clearly
                   seen
                   ,
                   being
                   understood
                   by
                   the
                   things
                   that
                   are
                   made
                   ,
                   even
                   his
                   eternall
                   power
                   and
                   Godhead
                   .
                
                 And
                 indeed
                 ,
                 wherefore
                 serve
                 all
                 the
                 volumes
                 of
                 Naturall
                 history
                 ,
                 but
                 to
                 be
                 so
                 many
                 Commentaries
                 upon
                 the
                 severall
                 creatures
                 ,
                 wherein
                 we
                 may
                 reade
                 God
                 ;
                 and
                 even
                 those
                 men
                 who
                 have
                 not
                 the
                 skill
                 ,
                 or
                 leisure
                 to
                 peruse
                 them
                 ,
                 may
                 yet
                 out
                 of
                 their
                 own
                 thoughts
                 ,
                 and
                 observation
                 ,
                 raise
                 from
                 the
                 sight
                 of
                 all
                 the
                 works
                 of
                 God
                 sufficient
                 matter
                 to
                 glorifie
                 him
                 .
                 Who
                 can
                 be
                 so
                 stupide
                 as
                 not
                 to
                 take
                 notice
                 of
                 the
                 industry
                 of
                 the
                 
                 Bee
                 ,
                 the
                 providence
                 of
                 the
                 Ant
                 ,
                 the
                 cunning
                 of
                 the
                 Spider
                 ,
                 the
                 reviving
                 of
                 the
                 Flye
                 ,
                 the
                 worms
                 indeavour
                 of
                 revenge
                 ,
                 the
                 subtilty
                 of
                 the
                 Fox
                 ,
                 the
                 sagacity
                 of
                 the
                 hedge-hog
                 ;
                 the
                 innocence
                 and
                 profitablenesse
                 of
                 the
                 sheep
                 ,
                 the
                 laboriousnesse
                 of
                 the
                 Oxe
                 ,
                 the
                 obsequiousnesse
                 of
                 the
                 Dog
                 ,
                 the
                 timerous
                 shifts
                 of
                 the
                 Hare
                 ,
                 the
                 nimblenesse
                 of
                 the
                 Dear
                 ,
                 the
                 generosity
                 of
                 the
                 Lion
                 ,
                 the
                 courage
                 of
                 the
                 Horse
                 ,
                 the
                 fiercenesse
                 of
                 the
                 Tiger
                 ;
                 the
                 cheerfull
                 musick
                 of
                 Birds
                 ,
                 the
                 harmlesnesse
                 of
                 the
                 Dove
                 ,
                 the
                 true
                 love
                 of
                 the
                 Turtle
                 ,
                 the
                 Cocks
                 observation
                 of
                 time
                 ,
                 the
                 Swallows
                 architecture
                 ;
                 shortly
                 ,
                 (
                 for
                 it
                 were
                 easie
                 here
                 to
                 be
                 endlesse
                 )
                 of
                 the
                 severall
                 qualities
                 ,
                 and
                 dispositions
                 of
                 every
                 of
                 those
                 our
                 fellow-creatures
                 ,
                 with
                 whom
                 we
                 converse
                 on
                 the
                 face
                 of
                 the
                 earth
                 ;
                 and
                 who
                 that
                 takes
                 notice
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 cannot
                 fetch
                 from
                 every
                 act
                 ,
                 and
                 motion
                 of
                 theirs
                 ,
                 some
                 
                 monition
                 of
                 duty
                 ,
                 and
                 occasion
                 of
                 devout
                 thoughts
                 ?
                 Surely
                 ,
                 I
                 fear
                 many
                 of
                 us
                 Christians
                 ,
                 may
                 justly
                 accuse
                 our selves
                 as
                 too
                 neglective
                 of
                 our
                 duty
                 this
                 way
                 ;
                 that
                 having
                 thus
                 long
                 spent
                 our
                 time
                 in
                 this
                 great
                 Academy
                 of
                 the
                 world
                 ,
                 we
                 have
                 not
                 ,
                 by
                 so
                 many
                 silent
                 documents
                 ,
                 learned
                 to
                 ascribe
                 more
                 glory
                 to
                 our
                 Creator
                 ;
                 I
                 doubt
                 those
                 creatures
                 ,
                 if
                 they
                 could
                 exchangetheir
                 brutality
                 with
                 our
                 reason
                 ,
                 being
                 now
                 so
                 docible
                 as
                 to
                 learn
                 of
                 us
                 so
                 far
                 as
                 their
                 sense
                 can
                 reach
                 ,
                 would
                 approve
                 themselves
                 better
                 scholars
                 to
                 us
                 ,
                 then
                 we
                 have
                 been
                 unto
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 Withall
                 ,
                 I
                 must
                 adde
                 that
                 the
                 devout
                 soul
                 stands
                 not
                 always
                 in
                 need
                 of
                 such
                 outward
                 monitors
                 ,
                 but
                 finds
                 within
                 it self
                 ,
                 sufficient
                 incitements
                 to
                 raise
                 up
                 it self
                 to
                 a
                 continuall
                 minding
                 of
                 God
                 ;
                 and
                 makes
                 use
                 of
                 them
                 accordingly
                 ;
                 and
                 ,
                 if
                 at
                 any
                 time
                 ,
                 being
                 taken
                 up
                 with
                 importunate
                 
                 occasions
                 of
                 the
                 world
                 ,
                 it
                 finds
                 God
                 missing
                 but
                 an
                 hour
                 ,
                 it
                 chides
                 it self
                 for
                 such
                 neglect
                 ,
                 and
                 sets
                 it self
                 to
                 recover
                 him
                 with
                 so
                 much
                 more
                 eager
                 affection
                 :
                 as
                 the
                 faithfull
                 Spouse
                 in
                 the
                 Canticles
                 ,
                 when
                 she
                 finds
                 him
                 
                 whom
                 her
                 soul
                 loved
                 ,
                 withdrawn
                 from
                 her
                 for
                 a
                 season
                 ,
                 puts
                 her self
                 into
                 a
                 speedy
                 search
                 after
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 gives
                 not
                 over
                 till
                 she
                 have
                 attained
                 his
                 presence
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 SECT
                 .
                 VII
                 .
              
               
                 NOw
                 as
                 these
                 many
                 monitors
                 both
                 outward
                 and
                 inward
                 ,
                 must
                 elevate
                 our
                 hearts
                 very
                 frequently
                 ,
                 to
                 God
                 ;
                 so
                 those
                 raised
                 hearts
                 must
                 not
                 entertain
                 him
                 with
                 a
                 dumb
                 contemplation
                 ,
                 but
                 must
                 speak
                 to
                 him
                 in
                 the
                 language
                 of
                 spirits
                 :
                 All
                 occasions
                 therefore
                 must
                 be
                 taken
                 of
                 sending
                 forth
                 pious
                 and
                 heavenly
                 
                 ejaculations
                 to
                 God
                 ;
                 The
                 devout
                 soul
                 may
                 doe
                 this
                 more
                 then
                 an
                 hundred
                 times
                 a
                 day
                 ,
                 without
                 any
                 hinderance
                 to
                 his
                 speciall
                 vocation
                 :
                 The
                 Huswife
                 at
                 her
                 Wheel
                 ,
                 the
                 Weaver
                 at
                 his
                 Loom
                 ,
                 the
                 Husbandman
                 at
                 his
                 Plough
                 ,
                 the
                 Artificer
                 in
                 his
                 Shop
                 ,
                 the
                 Traveller
                 in
                 his
                 way
                 ,
                 the
                 Merchant
                 in
                 his
                 Warehouse
                 may
                 thus
                 enjoy
                 God
                 in
                 his
                 bufiest
                 imployment
                 ;
                 For
                 ,
                 the
                 soul
                 of
                 man
                 is
                 a
                 nimble
                 spirit
                 ;
                 and
                 the
                 language
                 of
                 thoughts
                 needs
                 not
                 take
                 up
                 time
                 ;
                 and
                 though
                 we
                 now
                 ,
                 for
                 examples
                 sake
                 ,
                 cloath
                 them
                 in
                 words
                 ,
                 yet
                 in
                 our
                 practice
                 we
                 need
                 not
                 .
                 Now
                 these
                 Ejaculations
                 may
                 be
                 either
                 
                   at
                   large
                
                 ,
                 or
                 Occasionall
                 :
                 At
                 large
                 ,
                 such
                 as
                 those
                 of
                 old
                 
                   Jacob
                   ,
                   O
                   Lord
                   I
                   have
                   waited
                   for
                   thy
                   salvation
                
                 ;
                 or
                 that
                 of
                 
                   David
                   ,
                   O
                   save
                   me
                   for
                   thy
                   mercies
                   sake
                   :
                
                 And
                 these
                 ,
                 either
                 in
                 matter
                 of
                 Humiliation
                 ,
                 or
                 of
                 Imploration
                 ,
                 or
                 of
                 Thanksgiving
                 .
                 In
                 all
                 which
                 ,
                 we
                 cannot
                 
                 follow
                 a
                 better
                 pattern
                 then
                 the
                 sweet
                 singer
                 of
                 Israel
                 ,
                 whose
                 heavenly
                 conceptions
                 we
                 may
                 either
                 borrow
                 ,
                 or
                 imitate
                 .
              
               
                 In
                 way
                 of
                 Humiliation
                 ,
                 such
                 as
                 these
                 .
                 
                   Heal
                   my
                   soul
                   ,
                   O
                   Lord
                   ,
                   for
                   I
                   have
                   sinned
                   against
                   thee
                   .
                   Oh
                   remēber
                
                 
                 
                   not
                   my
                   old
                   sins
                   ,
                   but
                   have
                   mercy
                   upon
                   me
                   .
                   If
                   thou
                   wilt
                   be
                   extream
                   to
                
                 
                 
                   mark
                   what
                   is
                   done
                   amisse
                   ,
                   O
                   Lord
                   who
                   may
                   abide
                   it
                   ?
                   Lord
                   thou
                   knowest
                   the
                   thoughts
                   of
                   man
                   that
                
                 
                 
                   they
                   are
                   but
                   vain
                   ;
                   O
                   God
                   ,
                   why
                
                 
                 
                   abhorrest
                   thou
                   my
                   soul
                   ,
                   and
                   hidest
                   thy
                   face
                   from
                   me
                   ?
                
              
               
                 In
                 way
                 of
                 
                   Imploration
                   .
                   Vp
                
                 
                 
                   Lord
                   ,
                   and
                   help
                   me
                   O
                   God
                   ;
                   Oh
                   let
                   my
                   heart
                   be
                   sound
                   in
                   thy
                   statutes
                   ,
                
                 
                 
                   that
                   I
                   be
                   not
                   ashamed
                   .
                   Lord
                   ,
                
                 
                 
                   where
                   are
                   thy
                   old
                   loving
                   mercies
                   ?
                   Oh
                   deliver
                   me
                   ,
                   for
                   I
                   am
                   helplesse
                   ,
                   and
                   my
                   heart
                   is
                   wounded
                   within
                   me
                   .
                   Comfort
                   the
                   soul
                   of
                   thy
                   servant
                   ,
                
                 
                 
                   for
                   unto
                   thee
                   ,
                   O
                   Lord
                   ,
                   due
                   I
                   lift
                   up
                   my
                   soul
                   .
                   Goe
                   not
                   far
                   from
                
                 
                 
                   me
                   O
                   God.
                   O
                   knit
                   my
                   heart
                   unto
                   thee
                   that
                   I
                   may
                   fear
                   thy
                   Name
                   .
                   
                   Thou
                   art
                   my
                   helper
                   and
                   redeemer
                   ,
                
                 
                 
                   O
                   Lord
                   make
                   no
                   long
                   tarrying
                   .
                   Oh
                   be
                   thou
                   my
                   help
                   in
                   trouble
                   ,
                   for
                
                 
                 
                   vain
                   is
                   the
                   help
                   of
                   man.
                   Oh
                   guide
                
                 
                 
                   me
                   with
                   thy
                   counsell
                   ,
                   and
                   after
                   that
                   receive
                   me
                   to
                   thy
                   glory
                   .
                   My
                
                 
                 
                   time
                   is
                   in
                   thy
                   hand
                   ,
                   deliver
                   me
                   from
                   the
                   hands
                   of
                   mine
                   enemies
                   .
                   Oh
                   withdraw
                   not
                   thy
                   mercy
                   from
                
                 
                 
                   me
                   ,
                   O
                   Lord.
                   Lead
                   me
                   ,
                   O
                   Lord
                   ,
                   in
                   thy
                   righteousnesse
                   because
                   of
                
                 
                 
                   mine
                   enemies
                   .
                   O
                   let
                   my
                   soul
                   live
                   ,
                
                 
                 
                   and
                   it
                   shall
                   praise
                   thee
                
                 .
              
               
                 In
                 way
                 of
                 
                   Thankesgiving
                   :
                   Oh
                
                 
                 
                   God
                   ,
                   wonderfull
                   art
                   thou
                   in
                   thine
                   holy
                   places
                   .
                   Oh
                   Lord
                   ,
                   how
                   glorious
                
                 
                 
                   are
                   thy
                   works
                   !
                   and
                   thy
                   thoughts
                   are
                   very
                   deep
                   .
                   Oh
                   God
                   ,
                   who
                   is
                   like
                
                 
                 
                   unto
                   thee
                   !
                   The
                   Lord
                   liveth
                   ,
                   and
                
                 
                 
                   blessed
                   be
                   my
                   strong
                   helper
                   .
                   Lord
                   ,
                   thy
                   loving
                   kindnesse
                   is
                   better
                   then
                   life
                   it self
                   .
                   All
                   thy
                   works
                   praise
                
                 
                 
                   thee
                   ,
                   O
                   Lord
                   ,
                   and
                   thy
                   Saints
                   give
                   thanks
                   unto
                   thee
                   .
                   Oh
                   how
                   manifold
                
                 
                 
                   are
                   thy
                   works
                   !
                   in
                   wisedome
                   hast
                   thou
                   made
                   them
                   all
                   .
                   Who
                   is
                
                 
                 
                   God
                   but
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                   and
                   who
                   hath
                   
                   any
                   strength
                   except
                   our
                   God
                   ?
                   We
                
                 
                 
                   will
                   rejoyce
                   in
                   thy
                   salvation
                   ,
                   and
                   triumph
                   in
                   thy
                   Name
                   ,
                   O
                   Lord.
                   Oh
                   that
                   men
                   would
                   praise
                   the
                
                 
                 
                   Lord
                   for
                   his
                   goodnesse
                   .
                   Oh
                   how
                   plentifull
                   is
                   thy
                   goodnesse
                   ,
                   which
                   thou
                   hast
                   laid
                   up
                   for
                   them
                   that
                   fear
                   thee
                   !
                   Thou
                   Lord
                   hast
                   never
                
                 
                 
                   failed
                   them
                   that
                   seek
                   thee
                   .
                   In
                   thy
                   presence
                   is
                   the
                   fulnesse
                   of
                   joy
                   ,
                   and
                
                 
                 
                   at
                   thy
                   right
                   hand
                   there
                   is
                   pleasure
                   for
                   evermore
                   .
                   Lord
                   ,
                   what
                   is
                   man
                   that
                   thou
                   art
                   mindful
                   of
                   him
                   ?
                   Not
                
                 
                 
                   unto
                   us
                   Lord
                   ,
                   not
                   unto
                   us
                   ,
                   but
                   unto
                
                 
                 
                   thy
                   Name
                   give
                   the
                   praise
                
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 SECT
                 .
                 VIII
                 .
              
               
                 OCcasionall
                 Ejaculations
                 are
                 such
                 ,
                 as
                 are
                 moved
                 upon
                 the
                 presence
                 of
                 some
                 such
                 object
                 as
                 carries
                 a
                 kinde
                 of
                 relation
                 or
                 analogy
                 to
                 that
                 holy
                 thought
                 which
                 we
                 have
                 entertained
                 .
                 Of
                 this
                 nature
                 I
                 finde
                 that
                 ,
                 which
                 was
                 practised
                 in
                 
                 S.
                 Basils
                 time
                 ;
                 that
                 ,
                 upon
                 the
                 lighting
                 of
                 candles
                 ,
                 the
                 manner
                 was
                 to
                 blesse
                 God
                 in
                 these
                 words
                 ,
                 Praise
                 be
                 to
                 God
                 the
                 Father
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Son
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Holy
                 Ghost
                 ;
                 which
                 that
                 Father
                 says
                 was
                 anciently
                 used
                 ;
                 but
                 who
                 was
                 the
                 Authour
                 of
                 it
                 he
                 professeth
                 to
                 be
                 unknown
                 :
                 to
                 the
                 same
                 purpose
                 was
                 the
                 Lucernarium
                 ,
                 which
                 was
                 a
                 part
                 of
                 the
                 evening
                 office
                 of
                 old
                 ;
                 For
                 which
                 there
                 may
                 seem
                 to
                 be
                 more
                 colour
                 of
                 reason
                 ,
                 then
                 for
                 the
                 ordinary
                 fashion
                 of
                 apprecation
                 ,
                 upon
                 occasion
                 of
                 our
                 sneesing
                 ;
                 which
                 is
                 expected
                 ,
                 and
                 practised
                 by
                 many
                 ,
                 out
                 of
                 civility
                 :
                 Old
                 and
                 reverend
                 Beza
                 was
                 wont
                 to
                 move
                 his
                 hat
                 with
                 the
                 rest
                 of
                 the
                 company
                 ,
                 but
                 to
                 say
                 withall
                 ,
                 
                   Gramercy
                   Madame
                   la
                   Superstition
                
                 ;
                 Now
                 ,
                 howsoever
                 in
                 this
                 ,
                 or
                 any
                 other
                 practice
                 ,
                 which
                 may
                 seem
                 to
                 carry
                 with
                 it
                 a
                 smack
                 of
                 superstition
                 ,
                 our
                 devotion
                 may
                 be
                 groundless
                 
                 and
                 unseasonable
                 ,
                 yet
                 nothing
                 hinders
                 but
                 that
                 we
                 may
                 take
                 just
                 and
                 holy
                 hints
                 of
                 raising
                 up
                 our
                 hearts
                 to
                 our
                 God.
                 As
                 when
                 vve
                 doe
                 first
                 look
                 forth
                 ,
                 and
                 see
                 the
                 heavens
                 over
                 our
                 heads
                 ,
                 to
                 think
                 ,
                 the
                 
                   Heavens
                   declare
                   thy
                
                 
                 
                   glory
                   ,
                   O
                   God.
                
                 When
                 we
                 see
                 the
                 day
                 breaking
                 ,
                 or
                 the
                 Sun
                 rising
                 ,
                 
                   The
                   day
                   is
                   thine
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   night
                   is
                
                 
                 
                   thine
                   ,
                   thou
                   hast
                   prepared
                   the
                   light
                   and
                   the
                   Sun.
                
                 When
                 the
                 light
                 shines
                 in
                 our
                 faces
                 ,
                 
                   Thou
                   deckest
                
                 
                 
                   thy self
                   with
                   light
                   as
                   with
                   a
                   garment
                
                 ;
                 or
                 ,
                 
                   Light
                   is
                   sprung
                   up
                   for
                
                 
                 
                   the
                   righteous
                
                 .
                 When
                 we
                 see
                 our
                 Garden
                 imbellisht
                 with
                 flowers
                 ,
                 
                   The
                   earth
                   is
                   full
                   of
                   the
                   goodnesse
                
                 
                 
                   of
                   the
                   Lord.
                
                 When
                 we
                 see
                 a
                 rough
                 sea
                 ,
                 
                   The
                   waves
                   of
                   the
                   sea
                   rage
                   horribly
                   ,
                   and
                   are
                   mighty
                   ;
                   but
                
                 
                 
                   the
                   Lord
                   that
                   dwelleth
                   on
                   high
                   ,
                   is
                   mightier
                   then
                   they
                   .
                
                 When
                 we
                 see
                 the
                 darknesse
                 of
                 the
                 night
                 ,
                 The
                 
                 
                   darknesse
                   is
                   no
                   darknesse
                   with
                   thee
                   .
                
                 When
                 we
                 rise
                 up
                 from
                 our
                 bed
                 ,
                 or
                 our
                 seat
                 ,
                 
                   Lord
                   thou
                   knowest
                   
                   my
                   down-sitting
                   ,
                   and
                   my
                   uprising
                
                 ;
                 
                 
                   thou
                   understandest
                   my
                   thoughts
                   afar
                   off
                   .
                
                 When
                 we
                 wash
                 our
                 hands
                 ,
                 
                   Wash
                   thou
                   me
                   ,
                   O
                   Lord
                   ,
                   and
                
                 
                 
                   I
                   shall
                   be
                   whiter
                   then
                   snow
                   .
                
                 When
                 we
                 are
                 walking
                 forth
                 ,
                 
                   Oh
                   hold
                   thou
                   up
                   my
                   goings
                   in
                   thy
                   paths
                   ,
                
                 
                 
                   that
                   my
                   footsteps
                   slip
                   not
                
                 .
                 When
                 we
                 hear
                 a
                 passing
                 bell
                 :
                 
                   Oh
                   teach
                
                 
                 
                   me
                   to
                   number
                   my
                   days
                   ,
                   that
                   I
                   may
                   apply
                   my
                   heart
                   to
                   wisdome
                   :
                
                 or
                 ,
                 
                   Lord
                   ,
                   let
                   me
                   know
                   my
                   end
                   ,
                   and
                
                 
                 
                   the
                   number
                   of
                   my
                   days
                
                 .
              
               
                 Thus
                 may
                 we
                 dart
                 out
                 our
                 holy
                 desires
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 upon
                 all
                 occasions
                 ;
                 Wherein
                 ,
                 heed
                 must
                 be
                 taken
                 that
                 our
                 Ejaculations
                 be
                 not
                 ,
                 on
                 the
                 one
                 side
                 ,
                 so
                 rare
                 ,
                 that
                 our
                 hearts
                 grow
                 to
                 be
                 hard
                 and
                 strange
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 but
                 that
                 they
                 may
                 be
                 held
                 on
                 in
                 continuall
                 acknowledgement
                 of
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 acquaintance
                 with
                 him
                 ;
                 and
                 ,
                 on
                 the
                 other
                 side
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 be
                 not
                 so
                 over-frequent
                 in
                 their
                 perpetuall
                 reiteration
                 ,
                 as
                 that
                 they
                 grow
                 to
                 be
                 (
                 like
                 that
                 of
                 
                 the
                 Romish
                 votaries
                 )
                 fashionable
                 ;
                 which
                 if
                 great
                 care
                 be
                 not
                 taken
                 ,
                 will
                 fall
                 out
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 utter
                 frustrating
                 of
                 our
                 Devotion
                 .
                 Shortly
                 ,
                 let
                 the
                 measure
                 of
                 these
                 devout
                 glances
                 be
                 ,
                 the
                 preserving
                 our
                 hearts
                 in
                 a
                 constant
                 tendernesse
                 ,
                 and
                 godly
                 disposition
                 ;
                 which
                 shall
                 be
                 further
                 actuated
                 upon
                 all
                 opportunities
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 exercises
                 of
                 our
                 more
                 enlarged
                 ,
                 and
                 fixed
                 Devotion
                 :
                 Whereof
                 there
                 is
                 the
                 same
                 variety
                 that
                 there
                 is
                 in
                 Gods
                 services
                 ,
                 about
                 which
                 it
                 is
                 conversant
                 .
              
               
                 There
                 are
                 three
                 main
                 businesses
                 wherein
                 God
                 accounts
                 his
                 service
                 ,
                 here
                 below
                 ,
                 to
                 consist
                 ;
                 The
                 first
                 is
                 ,
                 our
                 addresse
                 to
                 the
                 throne
                 of
                 Grace
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 pouring
                 out
                 of
                 our
                 souls
                 before
                 him
                 in
                 our
                 prayers
                 :
                 The
                 second
                 is
                 ,
                 the
                 reading
                 and
                 hearing
                 his
                 most
                 holy
                 Word
                 ;
                 The
                 third
                 is
                 ,
                 the
                 receit
                 of
                 his
                 blessed
                 Sacraments
                 ;
                 In
                 all
                 which
                 there
                 is
                 place
                 and
                 use
                 for
                 a
                 setled
                 Devotion
                 .
              
            
             
               
               
                 SECT
                 .
                 IX
                 .
              
               
                 TO
                 begin
                 with
                 the
                 first
                 work
                 of
                 our
                 actuall
                 ,
                 and
                 enlarged
                 Devotion
                 :
                 Some
                 things
                 are
                 pre-required
                 of
                 us
                 ,
                 to
                 make
                 us
                 capable
                 of
                 the
                 comfortable
                 performance
                 of
                 so
                 holy
                 and
                 heavenly
                 a
                 duty
                 ;
                 namely
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 heart
                 be
                 clean
                 first
                 ,
                 and
                 then
                 that
                 it
                 be
                 clear
                 :
                 clean
                 from
                 the
                 defilement
                 of
                 any
                 known
                 sin
                 ;
                 clear
                 from
                 all
                 intanglements
                 and
                 distractions
                 :
                 What
                 doe
                 we
                 in
                 our
                 prayers
                 ,
                 but
                 converse
                 vvith
                 the
                 Almighty
                 ?
                 and
                 either
                 carry
                 our
                 souls
                 up
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 or
                 bring
                 him
                 down
                 to
                 us
                 ?
                 now
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 no
                 hoping
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 can
                 entertain
                 God
                 in
                 an
                 impure
                 heart
                 :
                 Even
                 we
                 men
                 loath
                 a
                 nasty
                 and
                 sluttish
                 lodging
                 ;
                 how
                 much
                 more
                 will
                 the
                 floly
                 God
                 abhorre
                 an
                 habitation
                 spiritually
                 filthy
                 ?
                 I
                 finde
                 that
                 even
                 the
                 
                   unclean
                   spirit
                
                 
                 made
                 that
                 a
                 motive
                 of
                 his
                 repossession
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 found
                 
                   the
                   house
                   swept
                   and
                   garnished
                
                 :
                 Satans
                 
                 cleanlinesse
                 is
                 pollution
                 ;
                 and
                 his
                 garnishment
                 ,
                 disorder
                 and
                 wickednesse
                 ;
                 without
                 this
                 he
                 findes
                 no
                 welcome
                 ;
                 Each
                 spirit
                 looks
                 for
                 an
                 entertainment
                 answerable
                 to
                 his
                 nature
                 ;
                 How
                 much
                 more
                 will
                 that
                 God
                 of
                 spirits
                 ,
                 who
                 is
                 purity
                 it self
                 ,
                 look
                 to
                 be
                 harboured
                 in
                 a
                 cleanly
                 room
                 ?
                 
                   Into
                   a
                   malicious
                   soul
                
                 
                 
                   wisdome
                   shall
                   not
                   enter
                   ,
                   nor
                   dwell
                   in
                   the
                   body
                   that
                   is
                   subject
                   unto
                   sin
                
                 ;
                 What
                 friend
                 would
                 be
                 pleased
                 that
                 we
                 should
                 lodge
                 him
                 in
                 a
                 Lazar-house
                 ?
                 or
                 who
                 would
                 abide
                 to
                 have
                 a
                 toad
                 lie
                 in
                 his
                 bosome
                 ?
                 Surely
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 not
                 in
                 the
                 verge
                 of
                 created
                 nature
                 to
                 yeeld
                 any
                 thing
                 that
                 can
                 be
                 so
                 noisome
                 and
                 odious
                 to
                 the
                 sense
                 of
                 man
                 ,
                 as
                 sin
                 is
                 to
                 that
                 absolute
                 ,
                 and
                 essentiall
                 Goodnesse
                 :
                 His
                 pure
                 eyes
                 cannot
                 endure
                 the
                 sight
                 of
                 sin
                 ;
                 neither
                 can
                 he
                 endure
                 
                 that
                 the
                 sinner
                 should
                 come
                 within
                 the
                 sight
                 of
                 him
                 ;
                 
                   Away
                   from
                   me
                   ,
                   ye
                   wicked
                   ,
                
                 is
                 his
                 charge
                 ,
                 both
                 here
                 ,
                 and
                 hereafter
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 the
                 priviledge
                 and
                 happinesse
                 of
                 the
                 pure
                 in
                 heart
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 shall
                 see
                 God
                 ;
                 see
                 him
                 both
                 in
                 the
                 end
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 the
                 way
                 ;
                 injoying
                 the
                 vision
                 of
                 him
                 ,
                 both
                 in
                 grace
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 glory
                 :
                 this
                 is
                 no
                 object
                 for
                 impure
                 eyes
                 :
                 Descend
                 into
                 thy self
                 therefore
                 ,
                 and
                 ransack
                 thy
                 heart
                 ,
                 who
                 ever
                 wouldst
                 be
                 a
                 true
                 Client
                 of
                 Devotion
                 ;
                 search
                 all
                 the
                 close
                 windings
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 with
                 the
                 torches
                 of
                 the
                 law
                 of
                 God
                 ;
                 and
                 if
                 there
                 be
                 any
                 iniquity
                 found
                 lurking
                 in
                 the
                 secret
                 corners
                 thereof
                 ,
                 drag
                 it
                 out
                 and
                 abandon
                 it
                 ;
                 and
                 when
                 thou
                 hast
                 done
                 ,
                 that
                 thy
                 fingers
                 may
                 retain
                 no
                 pollution
                 ,
                 say
                 with
                 the
                 holy
                 Psalmist
                 ;
                 
                   I
                   will
                   wash
                   my
                   hands
                
                 
                 
                   in
                   innocence
                   ,
                   so
                   will
                   I
                   goe
                   to
                   thine
                   Altar
                   .
                
                 Presume
                 not
                 to
                 approach
                 the
                 Altar
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 there
                 to
                 offer
                 the
                 sacrifice
                 of
                 thy
                 Devotion
                 ,
                 
                 with
                 unclean
                 hands
                 :
                 Else
                 thine
                 offering
                 shall
                 be
                 so
                 far
                 from
                 winning
                 an
                 acceptance
                 for
                 thee
                 ,
                 from
                 the
                 hands
                 of
                 God
                 ;
                 as
                 that
                 thou
                 shalt
                 make
                 thine
                 offering
                 abominable
                 .
                 And
                 if
                 a
                 beast
                 touch
                 the
                 Mount
                 ,
                 it
                 shall
                 die
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 SECT
                 .
                 X.
                 
              
               
                 AS
                 the
                 soul
                 must
                 bee
                 clean
                 from
                 sin
                 ,
                 so
                 it
                 must
                 be
                 clear
                 and
                 free
                 from
                 distractions
                 .
                 The
                 intent
                 of
                 our
                 devotion
                 is
                 to
                 welcome
                 God
                 to
                 our
                 hearts
                 ;
                 now
                 where
                 shall
                 we
                 entertain
                 him
                 ,
                 if
                 the
                 rooms
                 be
                 full
                 thronged
                 with
                 cares
                 ,
                 and
                 turbulent
                 passions
                 ?
                 The
                 Spirit
                 of
                 God
                 will
                 not
                 endure
                 to
                 be
                 crowded
                 up
                 together
                 with
                 the
                 vvorld
                 in
                 our
                 strait
                 lodgings
                 ;
                 An
                 holy
                 vacuity
                 must
                 make
                 way
                 for
                 him
                 in
                 our
                 bosomes
                 .
                 The
                 divine
                 pattern
                 of
                 Devotion
                 ,
                 in
                 whom
                 the
                 Godhead
                 dwelt
                 bodily
                 ,
                 retires
                 
                 into
                 the
                 Mount
                 to
                 pray
                 ;
                 he
                 that
                 carried
                 heaven
                 with
                 him
                 ,
                 would
                 even
                 thus
                 leave
                 the
                 world
                 below
                 him
                 .
                 Alas
                 ,
                 how
                 can
                 we
                 hope
                 to
                 mount
                 up
                 to
                 heaven
                 in
                 our
                 thoughts
                 ,
                 if
                 we
                 have
                 the
                 clogges
                 of
                 earthly
                 cares
                 hanging
                 at
                 our
                 heels
                 !
                 Yea
                 ,
                 not
                 onely
                 must
                 there
                 be
                 a
                 shutting
                 out
                 of
                 all
                 distractive
                 cares
                 ,
                 and
                 passions
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 professed
                 enemies
                 to
                 our
                 quiet
                 conversing
                 with
                 God
                 in
                 our
                 Devotion
                 ,
                 but
                 there
                 must
                 be
                 also
                 a
                 denudation
                 of
                 the
                 minde
                 from
                 all
                 those
                 images
                 of
                 our
                 phantasie
                 (
                 how
                 pleasing
                 soever
                 )
                 that
                 may
                 carry
                 our
                 thoughts
                 aside
                 from
                 those
                 better
                 objects
                 :
                 We
                 are
                 like
                 to
                 foolish
                 children
                 ,
                 who
                 when
                 they
                 should
                 be
                 stedfastly
                 looking
                 on
                 their
                 books
                 ,
                 are
                 apt
                 to
                 gaze
                 after
                 every
                 butterfly
                 ,
                 that
                 passeth
                 by
                 them
                 ;
                 here
                 must
                 be
                 therefore
                 a
                 carefull
                 intention
                 of
                 our
                 thoughts
                 ,
                 a
                 restraint
                 from
                 all
                 vain
                 ,
                 and
                 idle
                 rovings
                 ,
                 and
                 an
                 
                 holding
                 our selves
                 close
                 to
                 our
                 divine
                 task
                 :
                 Whiles
                 Martha
                 is
                 troubled
                 about
                 many
                 things
                 ,
                 her
                 devouter
                 sister
                 ,
                 having
                 chosen
                 the
                 better
                 part
                 ,
                 plies
                 the
                 one
                 thing
                 necessary
                 ,
                 which
                 shall
                 never
                 be
                 taken
                 from
                 her
                 ;
                 and
                 whiles
                 Martha
                 would
                 feast
                 Christ
                 with
                 bodily
                 fare
                 ,
                 she
                 is
                 feasted
                 of
                 Christ
                 with
                 heavenly
                 delicacies
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 SECT
                 .
                 XI
                 .
              
               
                 AFter
                 the
                 heart
                 is
                 thus
                 cleansed
                 ,
                 and
                 thus
                 cleared
                 ,
                 it
                 must
                 be
                 in
                 the
                 next
                 place
                 decked
                 with
                 true
                 humility
                 ,
                 the
                 cheapest
                 ,
                 yet
                 best
                 ornament
                 of
                 the
                 soul
                 .
                 If
                 the
                 wise
                 man
                 tel
                 us
                 ,
                 
                   that
                   pride
                   is
                   the
                
                 
                 
                   beginning
                   of
                   sin
                
                 ;
                 surely
                 ,
                 all
                 gracious
                 dispositions
                 must
                 begin
                 in
                 humility
                 .
                 The
                 foundation
                 of
                 all
                 high
                 and
                 stately
                 buildings
                 must
                 be
                 laid
                 low
                 :
                 They
                 are
                 the
                 lowly
                 valleys
                 that
                 soak
                 in
                 the
                 showers
                 of
                 heaven
                 ,
                 which
                 the
                 steep
                 hils
                 
                 shelve
                 off
                 ,
                 and
                 prove
                 dry
                 and
                 fruitlesse
                 .
                 
                   To
                   that
                   man
                   will
                   I
                   look
                
                 
                 (
                 saith
                 God
                 )
                 
                   that
                   is
                   poor
                   ,
                   and
                   of
                   a
                   contrite
                   spirit
                   ,
                   and
                   trembleth
                   at
                   my
                   Word
                   :
                
                 Hence
                 it
                 is
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 more
                 eminent
                 any
                 man
                 is
                 in
                 grace
                 ,
                 the
                 more
                 he
                 is
                 dejected
                 in
                 the
                 sight
                 of
                 God
                 ;
                 The
                 father
                 of
                 
                 the
                 faithfull
                 comes
                 to
                 God
                 under
                 the
                 style
                 of
                 
                   dust
                   and
                   ashes
                   :
                   David
                
                 under
                 the
                 style
                 of
                 
                   a
                   worm
                   and
                   no
                   man
                   :
                   Agur
                
                 the
                 son
                 of
                 Jakeh
                 ,
                 under
                 
                 the
                 title
                 of
                 
                   more
                   brutish
                   then
                   any
                   man
                   ;
                   and
                   one
                   that
                   hath
                   not
                   the
                   understanding
                   of
                   a
                   man
                   :
                
                 John
                 Baptist
                 ,
                 
                 
                   as
                   not
                   worthy
                   to
                   carry
                   the
                   shooes
                   of
                   Christ
                   after
                   him
                
                 ;
                 Paul
                 ,
                 
                 
                   as
                   the
                   least
                   of
                   Saints
                   ,
                   and
                   chief
                   of
                   sinners
                   :
                
                 On
                 the
                 contrary
                 ,
                 the
                 more
                 vile
                 any
                 man
                 is
                 in
                 his
                 own
                 eies
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 more
                 dejected
                 in
                 the
                 sight
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 the
                 higher
                 he
                 is
                 exalted
                 in
                 Gods
                 favour
                 :
                 Like
                 as
                 the
                 Conduict-water
                 ,
                 by
                 how
                 much
                 lower
                 it
                 fals
                 ,
                 the
                 higher
                 it
                 riseth
                 .
                 When
                 therefore
                 we
                 would
                 appear
                 before
                 God
                 ,
                 in
                 our
                 solemn
                 
                 devotions
                 ,
                 we
                 must
                 see
                 that
                 we
                 empty
                 our selves
                 of
                 all
                 proud
                 conceits
                 ,
                 and
                 find
                 our
                 hearts
                 fully
                 convinced
                 of
                 our
                 own
                 vilenesse
                 ,
                 yea
                 nothingnesse
                 in
                 his
                 sight
                 .
                 Down
                 ,
                 down
                 with
                 all
                 our
                 high
                 thoughts
                 ;
                 fall
                 we
                 low
                 before
                 our
                 great
                 and
                 holy
                 God
                 ;
                 not
                 to
                 the
                 earth
                 only
                 ,
                 but
                 to
                 the
                 very
                 brim
                 of
                 hell
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 conscience
                 of
                 our
                 own
                 guiltinesse
                 ;
                 for
                 though
                 the
                 miserable
                 wretchednesse
                 of
                 our
                 nature
                 may
                 be
                 a
                 sufficient
                 cause
                 of
                 our
                 humiliation
                 ,
                 yet
                 the
                 consideration
                 of
                 our
                 detestable
                 sinfulnes
                 is
                 that
                 which
                 will
                 depresse
                 us
                 lowest
                 in
                 the
                 sight
                 of
                 God.
                 
              
            
             
               
                 SECT
                 .
                 XII
                 .
              
               
                 IT
                 is
                 fit
                 the
                 exercise
                 of
                 our
                 Devotion
                 should
                 begin
                 in
                 an
                 humble
                 confession
                 of
                 our
                 unworthinesse
                 .
                 Now
                 for
                 the
                 effectuall
                 furtherance
                 of
                 this
                 our
                 self-dejection
                 ,
                 
                 it
                 wil
                 be
                 requisite
                 to
                 bend
                 our
                 eyes
                 upon
                 a
                 threefold
                 object
                 ;
                 To
                 look
                 inward
                 into
                 our selves
                 ,
                 upward
                 to
                 heaven
                 ,
                 downwards
                 to
                 hell
                 .
                 First
                 ,
                 to
                 turn
                 our
                 eyes
                 into
                 our
                 bosomes
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 take
                 a
                 view
                 (
                 not
                 without
                 a
                 secret
                 self-loathing
                 )
                 of
                 that
                 world
                 of
                 corruption
                 that
                 hath
                 lyen
                 hidden
                 there
                 ;
                 and
                 thereupon
                 to
                 accuse
                 ,
                 arraign
                 ,
                 and
                 condemn
                 our selves
                 before
                 that
                 awfull
                 Tribunall
                 of
                 the
                 Judge
                 of
                 heaven
                 ,
                 and
                 earth
                 ;
                 both
                 of
                 that
                 originall
                 pollution
                 ,
                 which
                 wee
                 have
                 drawn
                 from
                 the
                 tainted
                 loyns
                 of
                 our
                 first
                 parents
                 ;
                 and
                 those
                 innumerable
                 actuall
                 wickednesses
                 derived
                 there-from
                 ;
                 which
                 have
                 stayned
                 our
                 persons
                 and
                 lives
                 .
                 How
                 can
                 we
                 be
                 but
                 throughly
                 humbled
                 ,
                 to
                 see
                 our
                 souls
                 utterly
                 overspread
                 with
                 the
                 odious
                 and
                 abominable
                 leprosie
                 of
                 sin
                 :
                 We
                 finde
                 that
                 Vzziah
                 bore
                 up
                 stoutly
                 a
                 while
                 ,
                 against
                 the
                 Priests
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 
                 in
                 the
                 maintenance
                 of
                 his
                 sacrilegious
                 presumption
                 ,
                 but
                 when
                 he
                 saw
                 himself
                 turn'd
                 Lazar
                 ,
                 on
                 the
                 suddain
                 ,
                 he
                 is
                 confounded
                 in
                 himself
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 a
                 depth
                 of
                 shame
                 hastens
                 away
                 from
                 the
                 presence
                 of
                 God
                 to
                 a
                 sad
                 ,
                 and
                 penitentiall
                 retirednesse
                 .
                 Wee
                 should
                 need
                 no
                 other
                 arguments
                 to
                 loath
                 ourselves
                 ,
                 then
                 the
                 sight
                 of
                 our
                 own
                 faces
                 ,
                 so
                 miserably
                 deformed
                 with
                 the
                 nasty
                 and
                 hatefull
                 scurfe
                 of
                 our
                 iniquity
                 :
                 Neither
                 onely
                 must
                 we
                 be
                 content
                 to
                 shame
                 ,
                 and
                 grieve
                 our
                 eyes
                 with
                 the
                 foule
                 nature
                 and
                 condition
                 of
                 our
                 sins
                 ,
                 but
                 we
                 must
                 represent
                 them
                 to
                 our selves
                 in
                 all
                 the
                 circumstances
                 that
                 may
                 aggravate
                 their
                 hainousnesse
                 .
                 Alas
                 ,
                 Lord
                 ,
                 any
                 one
                 sin
                 is
                 able
                 to
                 damn
                 a
                 soul
                 ;
                 I
                 have
                 committed
                 many
                 ,
                 yea
                 numberlesse
                 :
                 they
                 have
                 not
                 possessed
                 me
                 single
                 ,
                 but
                 ,
                 as
                 that
                 evill
                 spirit
                 said
                 ,
                 their
                 name
                 is
                 Legion
                 ;
                 neither
                 have
                 I
                 committed
                 these
                 
                 sins
                 once
                 ,
                 but
                 often
                 ;
                 Thine
                 Angels
                 (
                 that
                 were
                 )
                 sinned
                 but
                 once
                 ,
                 and
                 are
                 damned
                 for
                 ever
                 ;
                 I
                 have
                 frequently
                 reiterated
                 the
                 same
                 offences
                 ,
                 where
                 then
                 (
                 were
                 it
                 not
                 for
                 thy
                 mercy
                 )
                 shall
                 I
                 appear
                 ?
                 neither
                 have
                 I
                 only
                 done
                 them
                 in
                 the
                 time
                 of
                 my
                 ignorance
                 ,
                 but
                 since
                 I
                 received
                 sufficient
                 illumination
                 from
                 thee
                 ;
                 It
                 is
                 not
                 in
                 the
                 dark
                 that
                 I
                 have
                 stumbled
                 ,
                 and
                 faln
                 ,
                 but
                 in
                 the
                 midst
                 of
                 the
                 clear
                 light
                 and
                 sun-shine
                 of
                 thy
                 Gospel
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 the
                 very
                 face
                 of
                 thee
                 my
                 God
                 ;
                 neither
                 have
                 these
                 been
                 the
                 ships
                 of
                 my
                 weaknesse
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 bold
                 miscarriages
                 of
                 my
                 presumption
                 ;
                 neither
                 have
                 I
                 offended
                 out
                 of
                 inconsideration
                 ,
                 and
                 inadvertency
                 ,
                 but
                 after
                 and
                 against
                 the
                 checks
                 of
                 a
                 remurmuring
                 conscience
                 ;
                 after
                 so
                 many
                 gracious
                 warnings
                 ,
                 and
                 fatherly
                 admonitions
                 ,
                 after
                 so
                 many
                 fearfull
                 examples
                 of
                 thy
                 judgements
                 ,
                 after
                 so
                 infinite
                 obligations
                 of
                 thy
                 favors
                 .
              
               
               
                 And
                 thus
                 having
                 look't
                 inward
                 into
                 ourselves
                 ,
                 and
                 taken
                 an
                 impartiall
                 view
                 of
                 our
                 own
                 vilenesse
                 ,
                 it
                 will
                 be
                 requisite
                 to
                 cast
                 our
                 eyes
                 upward
                 unto
                 heaven
                 ,
                 and
                 there
                 to
                 see
                 against
                 whom
                 we
                 have
                 offended
                 ;
                 even
                 against
                 an
                 infinite
                 Majesty
                 ,
                 and
                 power
                 ,
                 an
                 infinite
                 mercy
                 ,
                 an
                 infinite
                 justice
                 ;
                 That
                 power
                 and
                 Majesty
                 which
                 hath
                 spread
                 out
                 the
                 heavens
                 as
                 a
                 Curtain
                 ,
                 and
                 hath
                 laid
                 the
                 foundations
                 of
                 the
                 earth
                 so
                 sure
                 that
                 it
                 cannot
                 be
                 moved
                 ;
                 who
                 hath
                 shut
                 up
                 the
                 sea
                 with
                 bars
                 and
                 doors
                 ,
                 and
                 said
                 ,
                 
                 Hitherto
                 shalt
                 thou
                 come
                 and
                 no
                 further
                 ,
                 and
                 here
                 shalt
                 thou
                 stay
                 thy
                 proud
                 waves
                 ;
                 who
                 doth
                 whatsoever
                 he
                 will
                 in
                 heaven
                 and
                 in
                 earth
                 ;
                 who
                 commandeth
                 the
                 Devils
                 to
                 their
                 chains
                 ,
                 able
                 therefore
                 to
                 take
                 infinite
                 vengeance
                 on
                 sinners
                 .
                 That
                 mercy
                 of
                 God
                 the
                 Father
                 ,
                 who
                 gave
                 his
                 own
                 Son
                 out
                 of
                 his
                 bosome
                 for
                 our
                 redemption
                 ;
                 That
                 mercy
                 of
                 
                 God
                 the
                 Son
                 ,
                 who
                 ,
                 thinking
                 it
                 
                 no
                 robbery
                 to
                 be
                 equall
                 unto
                 God
                 ,
                 for
                 our
                 sakes
                 made
                 himself
                 of
                 no
                 reputation
                 ,
                 and
                 took
                 upon
                 him
                 the
                 form
                 of
                 a
                 servant
                 ;
                 and
                 being
                 found
                 in
                 fashion
                 as
                 a
                 man
                 ,
                 humbled
                 himself
                 ,
                 and
                 became
                 obedient
                 to
                 the
                 death
                 ,
                 even
                 the
                 accursed
                 death
                 of
                 the
                 crosse
                 ;
                 That
                 mercy
                 of
                 God
                 the
                 holy
                 Ghost
                 ,
                 who
                 hath
                 made
                 that
                 Christ
                 mine
                 ,
                 and
                 hath
                 sealed
                 to
                 my
                 soul
                 the
                 benefit
                 of
                 that
                 blessed
                 redemption
                 ;
                 Lastly
                 ,
                 that
                 justice
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 which
                 as
                 it
                 is
                 infinitely
                 displeased
                 with
                 every
                 sin
                 ,
                 so
                 will
                 be
                 sure
                 to
                 take
                 infinite
                 vengeance
                 on
                 every
                 impenitent
                 sinner
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 from
                 hence
                 it
                 will
                 be
                 fit
                 and
                 seasonable
                 for
                 the
                 devout
                 soul
                 ,
                 to
                 look
                 downward
                 into
                 that
                 horrible
                 pit
                 of
                 eternal
                 confusion
                 ;
                 &
                 there
                 to
                 see
                 the
                 dreadfull
                 ,
                 unspeakable
                 ,
                 unimaginable
                 torments
                 of
                 the
                 damned
                 ;
                 to
                 represent
                 unto
                 it self
                 the
                 terrors
                 of
                 
                 those
                 everlasting
                 burnings
                 ;
                 the
                 fire
                 and
                 brimstone
                 of
                 that
                 infernal
                 Tophet
                 ;
                 the
                 merciless
                 and
                 unweariable
                 tyranny
                 of
                 those
                 hellish
                 executioners
                 ;
                 the
                 shrieks
                 ,
                 and
                 howlings
                 ,
                 and
                 gnashings
                 of
                 the
                 tormented
                 ;
                 the
                 unpitiable
                 ,
                 interminable
                 ,
                 unmitigable
                 tortures
                 of
                 those
                 ever-dying
                 ,
                 and
                 yet
                 never-dying
                 souls
                 .
                 By
                 all
                 which
                 ,
                 we
                 shall
                 justly
                 affright
                 our selves
                 into
                 a
                 deep
                 sense
                 of
                 the
                 dangerous
                 and
                 wofull
                 condition
                 wherein
                 we
                 lye
                 in
                 the
                 state
                 of
                 nature
                 and
                 impenitence
                 ,
                 and
                 shall
                 be
                 driven
                 with
                 an
                 holy
                 eagernesse
                 to
                 seek
                 for
                 Christ
                 ,
                 the
                 Son
                 of
                 the
                 ever-living
                 God
                 ,
                 our
                 blessed
                 Mediatour
                 ;
                 in
                 and
                 by
                 whom
                 onely
                 ,
                 we
                 can
                 look
                 for
                 the
                 remission
                 of
                 all
                 these
                 our
                 sins
                 ,
                 a
                 reconcilement
                 with
                 this
                 most
                 powerfull
                 ,
                 mercifull
                 ,
                 just
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 deliverance
                 of
                 our
                 souls
                 from
                 the
                 hand
                 of
                 the
                 nethermost
                 hell
                 .
              
            
             
               
               
                 SECT
                 .
                 XIII
                 .
              
               
                 IT
                 shall
                 not
                 now
                 need
                 ,
                 or
                 boot
                 to
                 bid
                 the
                 soul
                 which
                 is
                 truly
                 apprehensive
                 of
                 all
                 these
                 ,
                 to
                 sue
                 importunately
                 to
                 the
                 Lord
                 of
                 life
                 for
                 a
                 freedome
                 ,
                 and
                 rescue
                 from
                 these
                 infinite
                 pains
                 of
                 eternall
                 death
                 ,
                 to
                 which
                 our
                 sins
                 have
                 forfaited
                 it
                 ;
                 and
                 for
                 a
                 present
                 happy
                 recovery
                 of
                 that
                 favour
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 better
                 then
                 life
                 .
                 Have
                 we
                 heard
                 ,
                 or
                 can
                 we
                 imagine
                 some
                 hainous
                 Malefactor
                 ,
                 that
                 hath
                 received
                 the
                 sentence
                 of
                 death
                 ,
                 and
                 is
                 now
                 bound
                 hand
                 ,
                 and
                 foot
                 ,
                 ready
                 to
                 be
                 cast
                 into
                 a
                 den
                 of
                 Lyons
                 ,
                 or
                 a
                 burning
                 furnace
                 ,
                 with
                 what
                 strong
                 cryes
                 ,
                 and
                 passionate
                 obsecrations
                 he
                 plies
                 the
                 Judge
                 for
                 mercy
                 ?
                 we
                 may
                 then
                 conceive
                 some
                 little
                 image
                 of
                 the
                 vehement
                 suit
                 ,
                 and
                 strong
                 cryes
                 of
                 a
                 soul
                 truly
                 sensible
                 of
                 the
                 danger
                 of
                 Gods
                 wrath
                 deserved
                 
                 by
                 his
                 sin
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 dreadfu●
                 consequents
                 of
                 deserved
                 imminent
                 damnation
                 ;
                 Although
                 wha●
                 proportion
                 is
                 there
                 betwixt
                 ●
                 weak
                 creature
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Almighty
                 ;
                 betwixt
                 a
                 moment
                 ,
                 and
                 eternity
                 ?
              
               
                 Hereupon
                 therefore
                 followe●
                 a
                 vehement
                 longing
                 (
                 uncapabl●
                 of
                 a
                 denyall
                 )
                 after
                 Christ
                 ;
                 an●
                 fervent
                 aspirations
                 to
                 that
                 Saviour
                 ,
                 by
                 whom
                 only
                 we
                 receive
                 a
                 full
                 and
                 gracious
                 deliverance
                 from
                 death
                 and
                 hell
                 ;
                 and
                 a
                 full
                 pardon
                 and
                 remission
                 of
                 all
                 ou●
                 sins
                 ;
                 and
                 ,
                 if
                 this
                 come
                 not
                 the
                 sooner
                 ,
                 strong
                 knocking
                 's
                 at
                 the
                 gates
                 of
                 heaven
                 ,
                 even
                 so
                 lou●
                 that
                 the
                 Father
                 of
                 mercies
                 cannot
                 but
                 heare
                 and
                 open
                 :
                 Neve●
                 did
                 any
                 contrite
                 soul
                 beg
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 that
                 was
                 not
                 prevented
                 by
                 his
                 mercy
                 ;
                 much
                 more
                 doth
                 he
                 condescend
                 when
                 he
                 is
                 strongly
                 intreated
                 ;
                 our
                 very
                 intreaties
                 are
                 from
                 him
                 ,
                 he
                 puts
                 into
                 us
                 those
                 desires
                 which
                 he
                 graciously
                 answers
                 ;
                 
                 now
                 therefore
                 doth
                 the
                 devout
                 soul
                 see
                 the
                 God
                 of
                 all
                 comfort
                 to
                 bow
                 the
                 heavens
                 ,
                 and
                 come
                 down
                 with
                 healing
                 in
                 his
                 wings
                 ;
                 and
                 heare
                 him
                 speak
                 peace
                 unto
                 the
                 heart
                 thus
                 thoroughly
                 humbled
                 ;
                 Feare
                 not
                 ,
                 thou
                 shalt
                 not
                 dye
                 but
                 live
                 .
                 Be
                 of
                 good
                 cheer
                 ,
                 thy
                 sins
                 are
                 forgiven
                 thee
                 .
                 Here
                 therefore
                 comes
                 in
                 that
                 divine
                 grace
                 of
                 Faith
                 ,
                 effectually
                 apprehending
                 Christ
                 the
                 Saviour
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 infinite
                 satisfaction
                 and
                 merits
                 ;
                 comfortably
                 applying
                 all
                 the
                 sweet
                 promises
                 of
                 the
                 Gospell
                 ;
                 clinging
                 close
                 to
                 that
                 all-sufficient
                 Redeemer
                 ;
                 and
                 in
                 his
                 most
                 perfect
                 obedience
                 emboldning
                 it self
                 ,
                 to
                 challenge
                 a
                 freedome
                 of
                 accesse
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 confidence
                 of
                 appearance
                 before
                 the
                 Tribunall
                 of
                 heaven
                 ;
                 and
                 now
                 the
                 soul
                 clad
                 with
                 Christs
                 righteousnesse
                 ,
                 dares
                 look
                 God
                 in
                 the
                 face
                 ,
                 and
                 can
                 both
                 challenge
                 and
                 triumph
                 over
                 all
                 the
                 powers
                 of
                 darknesse
                 :
                 For
                 ,
                 
                   being
                   
                   justified
                   by
                   faith
                   ,
                   we
                   have
                   peace
                
                 
                 
                   with
                   God
                   through
                   Jesus
                   Christ
                   our
                   Lord.
                   
                
              
            
             
               
                 SECT
                 .
                 XIV
                 .
              
               
                 BY
                 how
                 much
                 deeper
                 the
                 sense
                 of
                 our
                 misery
                 and
                 danger
                 is
                 ,
                 so
                 much
                 more
                 welcome
                 and
                 joyfull
                 is
                 the
                 apprehension
                 of
                 our
                 deliverance
                 ;
                 and
                 so
                 much
                 more
                 thankfull
                 is
                 our
                 acknowledgement
                 of
                 that
                 unspeakable
                 mercy
                 :
                 The
                 soul
                 therefore
                 that
                 is
                 truly
                 sensible
                 of
                 this
                 wonderfull
                 goodnesse
                 of
                 it's
                 God
                 ;
                 as
                 it
                 feeles
                 a
                 marvellous
                 joy
                 in
                 it self
                 ,
                 so
                 it
                 cannot
                 but
                 break
                 forth
                 into
                 cheerfull
                 and
                 holy
                 (
                 though
                 secret
                 )
                 gratulations
                 :
                 
                   The
                   Lord
                   is
                   full
                   of
                
                 
                 
                   compassion
                   ,
                   and
                   mercy
                   ,
                   long
                   suffering
                   ,
                   and
                   of
                   great
                   goodnesse
                   ;
                   he
                   keepeth
                   not
                   his
                   anger
                   for
                   ever
                   ;
                   he
                   hath
                   not
                   dealt
                   with
                   me
                   after
                   my
                   sins
                   ,
                   nor
                   rewarded
                   me
                   after
                   mine
                
                 
                 
                   iniquities
                   :
                   What
                   shall
                   I
                   render
                   unto
                   
                   the
                   Lord
                   for
                   all
                   his
                   benefits
                   towards
                   me
                   ?
                   I
                   will
                   take
                   the
                   cup
                   of
                   salvation
                   ,
                   and
                   call
                   upon
                   the
                   Name
                   of
                   the
                   Lord.
                   I
                   will
                   thank
                   thee
                   ,
                   for
                
                 
                 
                   thou
                   hast
                   heard
                   me
                   ,
                   and
                   hast
                   not
                   given
                   me
                   over
                   to
                   death
                   ,
                   but
                   art
                   become
                   my
                   salvation
                   .
                   O
                   speak
                   good
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   all
                   ye
                   works
                   of
                   his
                   ;
                   Praise
                   thou
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                   O
                   my
                   soul
                   .
                
              
            
             
               
                 SECT
                 .
                 XV.
                 
              
               
                 THe
                 more
                 feelingly
                 the
                 soul
                 apprehends
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 more
                 thankfully
                 it
                 digests
                 the
                 favours
                 of
                 God
                 in
                 it's
                 pardon
                 ,
                 and
                 deliverance
                 ,
                 the
                 more
                 freely
                 doth
                 the
                 God
                 of
                 mercy
                 impart
                 himself
                 to
                 it
                 ;
                 and
                 the
                 more
                 God
                 imparts
                 himself
                 to
                 it
                 ,
                 the
                 more
                 it
                 loves
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 more
                 heavenly
                 acquaintance
                 and
                 entirenesse
                 grows
                 betwixt
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 it
                 ;
                 and
                 now
                 that
                 love
                 which
                 was
                 but
                 a
                 spark
                 at
                 first
                 ,
                 grows
                 into
                 a
                 flame
                 ,
                 and
                 wholly
                 takes
                 
                 up
                 the
                 soul
                 .
                 This
                 fire
                 of
                 heavenly
                 love
                 in
                 the
                 devout
                 soul
                 ,
                 is
                 ,
                 and
                 must
                 be
                 heightned
                 more
                 and
                 more
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 addition
                 of
                 the
                 holy
                 incentives
                 of
                 divine
                 thoughts
                 ,
                 concerning
                 the
                 means
                 of
                 our
                 freedome
                 &
                 deliverance
                 .
                 And
                 here
                 ,
                 offers
                 it self
                 to
                 us
                 that
                 bottomlesse
                 abysse
                 of
                 mercy
                 in
                 our
                 Redemption
                 ,
                 wrought
                 by
                 the
                 eternall
                 Son
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 the
                 just
                 ,
                 by
                 whose
                 stripes
                 we
                 are
                 healed
                 ;
                 by
                 whose
                 bloud
                 we
                 are
                 ransomed
                 ;
                 where
                 none
                 will
                 befit
                 us
                 but
                 admiring
                 and
                 adoring
                 notions
                 .
                 We
                 shall
                 not
                 disparage
                 you
                 ,
                 O
                 ye
                 blessed
                 Angels
                 ,
                 and
                 Archangels
                 of
                 heaven
                 ,
                 if
                 we
                 shall
                 say
                 ,
                 ye
                 are
                 not
                 able
                 to
                 look
                 into
                 the
                 bottome
                 of
                 this
                 divine
                 love
                 ,
                 wherewith
                 God
                 so
                 loved
                 the
                 world
                 that
                 he
                 gave
                 his
                 onely
                 begotten
                 Son
                 ,
                 that
                 whosoever
                 beleeveth
                 in
                 him
                 should
                 not
                 perish
                 ,
                 but
                 have
                 everlasting
                 life
                 :
                 None
                 ,
                 oh
                 ,
                 none
                 can
                 comprehend
                 this
                 mercy
                 ,
                 but
                 
                 he
                 that
                 wrought
                 it
                 .
                 Lord
                 !
                 what
                 a
                 transcendent
                 ,
                 what
                 an
                 infinite
                 love
                 is
                 this
                 ?
                 what
                 an
                 object
                 was
                 this
                 for
                 thee
                 to
                 love
                 ?
                 A
                 world
                 of
                 sinners
                 ?
                 Impotent
                 ,
                 wretched
                 creatures
                 ,
                 that
                 had
                 despighted
                 thee
                 ,
                 that
                 had
                 no
                 motive
                 for
                 thy
                 favour
                 but
                 deformity
                 ,
                 misery
                 ,
                 professed
                 enmity
                 ?
                 It
                 had
                 been
                 mercy
                 enough
                 in
                 thee
                 ,
                 that
                 thou
                 didst
                 not
                 damn
                 the
                 world
                 ,
                 but
                 that
                 thou
                 shouldst
                 love
                 it
                 ,
                 is
                 more
                 then
                 mercy
                 .
                 It
                 was
                 thy
                 great
                 goodness
                 to
                 forbear
                 the
                 acts
                 of
                 just
                 vengeance
                 to
                 the
                 sinfull
                 world
                 of
                 man
                 ,
                 but
                 to
                 give
                 unto
                 it
                 tokens
                 of
                 thy
                 love
                 ,
                 is
                 a
                 favour
                 beyond
                 all
                 expression
                 :
                 The
                 least
                 gift
                 from
                 thee
                 had
                 been
                 more
                 then
                 the
                 world
                 could
                 hope
                 for
                 ;
                 but
                 that
                 thou
                 shouldst
                 not
                 stick
                 to
                 give
                 thine
                 onely
                 begotten
                 Son
                 ,
                 the
                 Son
                 of
                 thy
                 love
                 ,
                 the
                 Son
                 of
                 thine
                 essence
                 ,
                 thy
                 coequall
                 ,
                 coeternall
                 Son
                 ,
                 who
                 was
                 more
                 then
                 ten
                 thousand
                 worlds
                 ,
                 to
                 redeem
                 this
                 one
                 forlorn
                 
                 world
                 of
                 sinners
                 ,
                 is
                 love
                 above
                 all
                 comprehension
                 of
                 men
                 and
                 Angels
                 .
                 What
                 diminution
                 had
                 it
                 been
                 to
                 thee
                 and
                 thine
                 essentiall
                 glory
                 ,
                 O
                 thou
                 great
                 God
                 of
                 heaven
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 souls
                 that
                 sinned
                 should
                 have
                 died
                 and
                 perished
                 everlastingly
                 ?
                 yet
                 so
                 infinite
                 was
                 thy
                 loving
                 mercy
                 ,
                 that
                 thou
                 wouldest
                 rather
                 give
                 thy
                 onely
                 Son
                 out
                 of
                 thy
                 bosome
                 ,
                 then
                 that
                 there
                 should
                 not
                 be
                 a
                 redemption
                 for
                 beleevers
                 .
              
               
                 Yet
                 ,
                 O
                 God
                 ,
                 hadst
                 thou
                 sent
                 down
                 thy
                 Son
                 to
                 this
                 lower
                 region
                 of
                 earth
                 ,
                 upon
                 such
                 terms
                 ,
                 as
                 that
                 he
                 might
                 have
                 brought
                 down
                 heaven
                 with
                 him
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 might
                 have
                 come
                 in
                 the
                 port
                 and
                 Majesty
                 of
                 a
                 God
                 ,
                 cloathed
                 with
                 celestiall
                 glory
                 ,
                 to
                 have
                 dazeled
                 our
                 eyes
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 have
                 drawn
                 all
                 hearts
                 unto
                 him
                 ;
                 this
                 might
                 have
                 seemed
                 ,
                 in
                 some
                 measure
                 ,
                 to
                 have
                 sorted
                 with
                 his
                 divine
                 magnificence
                 ;
                 But
                 thou
                 wouldst
                 have
                 him
                 to
                 appear
                 in
                 the
                 wretched
                 
                 condition
                 of
                 our
                 humanity
                 :
                 Yet
                 ,
                 even
                 thus
                 ,
                 hadst
                 thou
                 sent
                 him
                 into
                 the
                 world
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 highest
                 estate
                 ,
                 and
                 pomp
                 of
                 royalty
                 ,
                 that
                 earth
                 could
                 afford
                 ,
                 that
                 all
                 the
                 Kings
                 and
                 Monarchs
                 of
                 the
                 world
                 should
                 have
                 been
                 commanded
                 to
                 follow
                 his
                 train
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 glitter
                 in
                 his
                 Court
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 the
                 knees
                 of
                 all
                 the
                 Potentates
                 of
                 the
                 earth
                 should
                 have
                 bowed
                 to
                 his
                 Soveraign
                 Majesty
                 ,
                 and
                 their
                 lips
                 have
                 kissed
                 his
                 dust
                 ,
                 this
                 might
                 have
                 carried
                 some
                 kind
                 of
                 appearance
                 of
                 a
                 state
                 next
                 to
                 divine
                 greatnesse
                 ;
                 but
                 thou
                 wouldst
                 have
                 him
                 come
                 in
                 the
                 despised
                 form
                 of
                 a
                 servant
                 :
                 And
                 thou
                 ,
                 O
                 blessed
                 Jesu
                 ,
                 wast
                 accordingly
                 willing
                 ,
                 for
                 our
                 sakes
                 ,
                 to
                 submit
                 thy self
                 to
                 nakednesse
                 ,
                 hunger
                 ,
                 thirst
                 ,
                 wearinesse
                 ,
                 temptation
                 ,
                 contempt
                 ,
                 betraying
                 ,
                 agonies
                 ,
                 scorn
                 ,
                 buffeting
                 ,
                 scourgings
                 ,
                 distention
                 ,
                 crucifixion
                 ,
                 death
                 :
                 O
                 love
                 above
                 measure
                 ,
                 without
                 example
                 ,
                 beyond
                 
                 admiration
                 !
                 Greater
                 love
                 (
                 thou
                 saiest
                 )
                 hath
                 no
                 man
                 ,
                 then
                 this
                 ,
                 that
                 a
                 man
                 lay
                 down
                 his
                 life
                 for
                 his
                 friends
                 ;
                 But
                 ,
                 oh
                 ,
                 what
                 is
                 it
                 then
                 ,
                 that
                 thou
                 ,
                 who
                 wert
                 God
                 and
                 man
                 ,
                 shouldst
                 lay
                 down
                 thy
                 life
                 ,
                 (
                 more
                 precious
                 then
                 many
                 worlds
                 )
                 for
                 thine
                 enemies
                 !
                 Yet
                 ,
                 had
                 it
                 been
                 but
                 the
                 laying
                 down
                 of
                 a
                 life
                 ,
                 in
                 a
                 fair
                 and
                 gentle
                 way
                 ,
                 there
                 might
                 have
                 been
                 some
                 mitigatiō
                 of
                 the
                 sorrow
                 of
                 a
                 dissolution
                 ;
                 there
                 is
                 not
                 more
                 difference
                 betwixt
                 life
                 and
                 death
                 ,
                 then
                 there
                 may
                 be
                 betwixt
                 some
                 one
                 kind
                 of
                 death
                 ,
                 and
                 another
                 ;
                 Thine
                 ,
                 O
                 dear
                 Saviour
                 ,
                 was
                 the
                 painfull
                 ,
                 shameful
                 ,
                 cursed
                 death
                 of
                 the
                 crosse
                 ;
                 wherein
                 yet
                 ,
                 all
                 that
                 man
                 could
                 doe
                 unto
                 thee
                 was
                 nothing
                 to
                 that
                 inward
                 torment
                 ,
                 which
                 in
                 our
                 stead
                 ,
                 thou
                 enduredst
                 from
                 thy
                 Fathers
                 wrath
                 ;
                 when
                 in
                 the
                 bitternesse
                 of
                 thine
                 anguished
                 soul
                 ,
                 thou
                 cryedst
                 out
                 ,
                 
                   My
                   God
                   ,
                   my
                   God
                   ,
                   why
                   hast
                   thou
                   forsaken
                   
                   me
                   ?
                
                 Even
                 thus
                 ,
                 wast
                 thou
                 content
                 to
                 be
                 forsaken
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 wretched
                 sinners
                 might
                 be
                 received
                 to
                 mercy
                 ;
                 O
                 love
                 stronger
                 then
                 death
                 ,
                 which
                 thou
                 vanquishedst
                 !
                 more
                 high
                 ,
                 then
                 that
                 hell
                 is
                 deep
                 ,
                 from
                 which
                 thou
                 hast
                 rescued
                 us
                 !
              
            
             
               
                 SECT
                 .
                 XVI
                 .
              
               
                 THe
                 sense
                 of
                 this
                 infinite
                 love
                 of
                 God
                 cannot
                 choose
                 but
                 ravish
                 the
                 soul
                 ,
                 and
                 cause
                 it
                 to
                 goe
                 out
                 of
                 it self
                 ,
                 into
                 that
                 Saviour
                 who
                 hath
                 wrought
                 so
                 mercifully
                 for
                 it
                 ;
                 so
                 as
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 nothing
                 in
                 it self
                 ,
                 but
                 what
                 it
                 hath
                 ,
                 or
                 is
                 ,
                 may
                 be
                 Christs
                 .
                 By
                 the
                 sweet
                 powers
                 therefore
                 of
                 Faith
                 and
                 Love
                 the
                 soul
                 findes
                 it self
                 united
                 unto
                 Christ
                 ,
                 feelingly
                 ,
                 effectually
                 ,
                 indivisibly
                 :
                 so
                 as
                 that
                 it
                 is
                 not
                 to
                 be
                 distinguished
                 betwixt
                 the
                 acts
                 of
                 both
                 :
                 
                   To
                   me
                
                 
                 
                   to
                   live
                   is
                   Christ
                
                 ,
                 saith
                 the
                 blessed
                 
                 Apostle
                 ;
                 and
                 elsewhere
                 ,
                 
                   I
                   live
                   ,
                   yet
                   not
                   I
                   ,
                   but
                   Christ
                   liveth
                   in
                   me
                   ,
                
                 
                 
                   and
                   the
                   life
                   which
                   now
                   I
                   live
                   in
                   the
                   flesh
                   ,
                   I
                   live
                   by
                   the
                   faith
                   of
                   the
                   Son
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                   who
                   loved
                   me
                   ,
                   and
                   gave
                   himselfe
                   for
                   me
                   ;
                   My
                   beloved
                   is
                
                 
                 
                   mine
                   ,
                   and
                   I
                   am
                   his
                   ,
                
                 saith
                 the
                 Spouse
                 of
                 Christ
                 in
                 her
                 Bridall
                 song
                 .
                 O
                 blessed
                 union
                 ,
                 next
                 to
                 the
                 hypostaticall
                 ,
                 whereby
                 the
                 humane
                 nature
                 of
                 the
                 Son
                 of
                 God
                 is
                 taken
                 into
                 the
                 participation
                 of
                 the
                 eternall
                 Godhead
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 SECT
                 .
                 XVII
                 .
              
               
                 OUt
                 of
                 the
                 sense
                 of
                 this
                 happy
                 union
                 ariseth
                 an
                 unspeakable
                 complacency
                 and
                 delight
                 of
                 the
                 soul
                 in
                 that
                 God
                 and
                 Saviour
                 ,
                 who
                 is
                 thus
                 inseparably
                 ours
                 ,
                 and
                 by
                 whose
                 union
                 we
                 are
                 blessed
                 ;
                 and
                 an
                 high
                 appreciation
                 of
                 him
                 above
                 all
                 the
                 world
                 ;
                 and
                 a
                 contemptuous
                 under
                 —
                 valuation
                 of
                 all
                 earthly
                 things
                 ,
                 in
                 comparison
                 
                 of
                 him
                 ;
                 And
                 this
                 is
                 no
                 other
                 then
                 an
                 heavenly
                 reflection
                 of
                 that
                 sweet
                 contentment
                 ,
                 which
                 the
                 God
                 of
                 mercies
                 takes
                 in
                 the
                 faithfull
                 soul
                 ;
                 
                   Thou
                   hast
                   ravisht
                
                 
                 
                   my
                   heart
                   ,
                   my
                   sister
                   ,
                   my
                   Spouse
                   ,
                   thou
                   hast
                   ravisht
                   my
                   heart
                   with
                   one
                   of
                   mine
                   eyes
                   .
                   Thou
                   art
                   beautifull
                   ,
                   O
                   my
                   Love
                   ,
                
                 as
                 Tirzah
                 ,
                 
                   comely
                   as
                   Jerusalem
                   ;
                   Turne
                   away
                   thine
                   eyes
                   from
                   me
                   ,
                   for
                   they
                   have
                   overcome
                   me
                   .
                   How
                   fair
                   is
                   thy
                   love
                   ,
                   my
                   sister
                   ,
                   my
                   Spouse
                   ?
                   How
                   much
                   better
                   is
                   thy
                   love
                   then
                   wine
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   smell
                   of
                   thine
                   ointments
                   better
                   then
                   all
                   spices
                   .
                
                 And
                 the
                 soul
                 answers
                 him
                 again
                 in
                 the
                 same
                 language
                 of
                 spirituall
                 dearnesse
                 ;
                 
                   My
                   beloved
                   is
                
                 
                 
                   white
                   and
                   ruddy
                   ;
                   the
                   chiefest
                   among
                   ten
                   thousand
                   .
                   Set
                   me
                   as
                   a
                   seal
                   upon
                   thine
                   heart
                   ,
                   as
                   a
                   seal
                   upon
                
                 
                 
                   thine
                   arm
                   ,
                   for
                   love
                   is
                   as
                   strong
                   as
                   death
                   :
                
                 And
                 as
                 in
                 an
                 ecstaticall
                 qualm
                 of
                 passionate
                 affection
                 ;
                 
                   Stay
                   me
                   with
                   flaggons
                   ,
                   and
                   comfort
                
                 
                 
                   me
                   with
                   apples
                   ,
                   for
                   I
                   am
                   sick
                   of
                   love
                   .
                
              
            
             
               
               
                 SECT
                 .
                 XVIII
                 .
              
               
                 VPon
                 this
                 gracious
                 complacency
                 will
                 follow
                 an
                 absolute
                 self-resignation
                 ,
                 or
                 giving
                 up
                 our selves
                 to
                 the
                 hands
                 of
                 that
                 good
                 God
                 ,
                 whose
                 we
                 are
                 ,
                 &
                 who
                 is
                 ours
                 ;
                 and
                 an
                 humble
                 contentednesse
                 with
                 his
                 good
                 pleasure
                 in
                 all
                 things
                 ;
                 looking
                 upon
                 God
                 with
                 the
                 same
                 face
                 ,
                 whether
                 he
                 smile
                 upon
                 us
                 in
                 his
                 favours
                 ,
                 or
                 chastise
                 us
                 with
                 his
                 loving
                 corrections
                 ;
                 If
                 he
                 speak
                 good
                 unto
                 us
                 ;
                 
                   Behold
                   the
                   servant
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   ;
                   be
                   it
                   unto
                   me
                   according
                   to
                   thy
                   word
                
                 ;
                 If
                 evill
                 ,
                 
                   It
                   is
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                   let
                   him
                   doe
                   whatsoever
                   he
                   will
                   :
                
                 Here
                 is
                 therefore
                 a
                 cheerfull
                 acquiescence
                 in
                 God
                 ;
                 and
                 an
                 hearty
                 reliance
                 ,
                 and
                 casting
                 our selves
                 upon
                 the
                 mercy
                 of
                 so
                 bountifull
                 a
                 God
                 ;
                 who
                 having
                 given
                 us
                 his
                 Son
                 ,
                 can
                 in
                 and
                 with
                 him
                 deny
                 us
                 nothing
                 .
              
            
             
               
               
                 SECT
                 .
                 XIX
                 .
              
               
                 VPon
                 this
                 subacted
                 disposition
                 of
                 heart
                 wil
                 follow
                 a
                 familiar
                 (
                 yet
                 awfull
                 )
                 compellation
                 of
                 God
                 ;
                 and
                 an
                 emptying
                 of
                 our
                 soules
                 before
                 him
                 in
                 all
                 our
                 necessities
                 .
                 For
                 that
                 God
                 ,
                 who
                 is
                 infinitly
                 mercifull
                 ,
                 yet
                 will
                 not
                 have
                 his
                 favours
                 otherwise
                 conveighed
                 to
                 us
                 then
                 by
                 our
                 supplications
                 :
                 the
                 style
                 of
                 his
                 dear
                 ones
                 is
                 ,
                 His
                 people
                 that
                 prayeth
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 own
                 style
                 is
                 ,
                 The
                 God
                 that
                 heareth
                 prayers
                 :
                 To
                 him
                 therfore
                 doth
                 the
                 devout
                 heart
                 pour
                 out
                 all
                 his
                 requests
                 with
                 all
                 true
                 humility
                 ,
                 with
                 all
                 fervour
                 of
                 spirit
                 ,
                 as
                 knowing
                 ,
                 that
                 God
                 will
                 hear
                 neither
                 proud
                 prayers
                 ,
                 nor
                 heartlesse
                 :
                 wherein
                 his
                 holy
                 desires
                 are
                 regulated
                 by
                 a
                 just
                 method
                 ;
                 First
                 ,
                 suing
                 for
                 spirituall
                 favours
                 ,
                 as
                 most
                 worthy
                 ;
                 then
                 for
                 temporall
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 appendences
                 of
                 better
                 ;
                 and
                 in
                 both
                 ,
                 ayming
                 at
                 the
                 
                 glory
                 of
                 our
                 good
                 God
                 ,
                 more
                 then
                 our
                 own
                 advantage
                 :
                 And
                 in
                 the
                 order
                 of
                 spirituall
                 things
                 ,
                 first
                 and
                 most
                 for
                 those
                 that
                 are
                 most
                 necessary
                 ,
                 and
                 essentiall
                 for
                 our
                 souls
                 health
                 ,
                 then
                 for
                 secondary
                 graces
                 ,
                 that
                 concern
                 the
                 prosperity
                 and
                 comfort
                 of
                 our
                 spirituall
                 life
                 :
                 Absolutely
                 craving
                 those
                 graces
                 that
                 accompany
                 salvation
                 ,
                 all
                 others
                 ,
                 conditionally
                 ,
                 and
                 with
                 reference
                 to
                 the
                 good
                 pleasure
                 of
                 the
                 munificent
                 Giver
                 ;
                 Wherein
                 ,
                 heed
                 must
                 be
                 taken
                 ,
                 that
                 our
                 thoughts
                 be
                 not
                 so
                 much
                 taken
                 up
                 with
                 our
                 expressions
                 ,
                 as
                 with
                 our
                 desires
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 we
                 doe
                 not
                 suffer
                 our selves
                 to
                 languish
                 into
                 an
                 unfeeling
                 length
                 ,
                 and
                 repetition
                 of
                 our
                 suits
                 :
                 Even
                 the
                 hands
                 of
                 a
                 Moses
                 ,
                 may
                 in
                 time
                 grow
                 heavy
                 ;
                 so
                 therefore
                 must
                 we
                 husband
                 our
                 spirituall
                 strength
                 ,
                 that
                 our
                 devotion
                 may
                 not
                 flagge
                 with
                 overtyring
                 ,
                 but
                 may
                 be
                 most
                 vigorous
                 at
                 the
                 last
                 .
                 And
                 as
                 we
                 must
                 enter
                 
                 into
                 our
                 prayers
                 ,
                 not
                 without
                 preparatory
                 elevations
                 ,
                 so
                 must
                 we
                 be
                 carefull
                 to
                 take
                 a
                 meet
                 leave
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 at
                 their
                 shutting
                 up
                 :
                 following
                 our
                 supplications
                 ,
                 with
                 the
                 pause
                 of
                 a
                 faithfull
                 ,
                 and
                 most
                 lowly
                 adoration
                 ;
                 and
                 as
                 it
                 were
                 sending
                 up
                 our
                 hearts
                 into
                 heaven
                 ,
                 to
                 see
                 how
                 our
                 prayers
                 are
                 taken
                 ;
                 and
                 raising
                 them
                 to
                 a
                 joyfull
                 expectation
                 of
                 a
                 gracious
                 and
                 successefull
                 answer
                 frō
                 the
                 father
                 of
                 mercies
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 SECT
                 .
                 XX.
                 
              
               
                 VPon
                 the
                 comfortable
                 feeling
                 of
                 a
                 gracious
                 condescent
                 ,
                 follows
                 an
                 happy
                 fruition
                 of
                 God
                 in
                 all
                 his
                 favours
                 ;
                 so
                 as
                 we
                 have
                 not
                 them
                 so
                 much
                 ,
                 as
                 God
                 in
                 them
                 ;
                 which
                 advanceth
                 their
                 worth
                 a
                 thousand
                 fold
                 ,
                 and
                 as
                 it
                 were
                 brings
                 down
                 heaven
                 unto
                 us
                 ;
                 whereas
                 ,
                 therefore
                 ,
                 the
                 sensuall
                 man
                 rests
                 onely
                 in
                 the
                 
                 meer
                 use
                 of
                 any
                 blessing
                 ,
                 as
                 health
                 ,
                 peace
                 ,
                 prosperity
                 ,
                 knowledge
                 ,
                 and
                 reacheth
                 no
                 higher
                 ;
                 the
                 devout
                 soul
                 ,
                 in
                 ,
                 and
                 through
                 all
                 these
                 ,
                 sees
                 ,
                 and
                 feels
                 a
                 God
                 that
                 sanctifies
                 them
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 enjoys
                 therein
                 his
                 favour
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 better
                 then
                 life
                 ;
                 Even
                 we
                 men
                 are
                 wont
                 ,
                 out
                 of
                 our
                 good
                 nature
                 ,
                 to
                 esteem
                 a
                 benefit
                 ,
                 not
                 so
                 much
                 for
                 its
                 own
                 worth
                 ,
                 as
                 for
                 the
                 love
                 ,
                 and
                 respect
                 of
                 the
                 giver
                 :
                 Small
                 legacies
                 for
                 this
                 cause
                 finde
                 dear
                 acceptation
                 ;
                 how
                 much
                 more
                 is
                 it
                 so
                 betwixt
                 God
                 and
                 the
                 devout
                 soul
                 ?
                 It
                 is
                 the
                 sweet
                 apprehension
                 of
                 this
                 love
                 that
                 makes
                 all
                 his
                 gifts
                 ,
                 blessings
                 .
                 Doe
                 we
                 not
                 see
                 some
                 vain
                 churl
                 ,
                 though
                 cryed
                 down
                 by
                 the
                 multitude
                 ,
                 herein
                 secretly
                 applauding
                 himself
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 hath
                 bags
                 at
                 home
                 ?
                 how
                 much
                 more
                 shall
                 the
                 godly
                 man
                 finde
                 comfort
                 against
                 all
                 the
                 crosses
                 of
                 the
                 world
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 is
                 possessed
                 of
                 him
                 that
                 possesseth
                 all
                 things
                 ;
                 even
                 
                 God
                 Al-sufficient
                 ;
                 the
                 pledges
                 of
                 whose
                 infinite
                 love
                 he
                 feels
                 in
                 all
                 the
                 whole
                 course
                 of
                 Gods
                 dealing
                 with
                 him
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 SECT
                 .
                 XXI
                 .
              
               
                 OUt
                 of
                 the
                 true
                 sense
                 of
                 this
                 inward
                 fruition
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 the
                 devout
                 soul
                 breaks
                 forth
                 into
                 cheerfull
                 thanksgivings
                 to
                 the
                 God
                 of
                 all
                 comfort
                 ,
                 praising
                 him
                 for
                 every
                 evill
                 that
                 it
                 is
                 free
                 from
                 ;
                 for
                 every
                 good
                 thing
                 it
                 enjoyeth
                 :
                 For
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 keeps
                 a
                 just
                 Inventory
                 of
                 all
                 Gods
                 favours
                 ,
                 so
                 it
                 often
                 spreads
                 them
                 thankfully
                 before
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 layes
                 them
                 forth
                 (
                 so
                 near
                 as
                 it
                 may
                 )
                 in
                 the
                 full
                 dimensions
                 ;
                 that
                 so
                 ,
                 God
                 may
                 be
                 no
                 loser
                 by
                 him
                 in
                 any
                 act
                 of
                 his
                 beneficence
                 .
                 Here
                 therefore
                 every
                 of
                 Gods
                 benefits
                 must
                 come
                 into
                 account
                 ;
                 whether
                 eternall
                 ,
                 or
                 temporall
                 ,
                 spirituall
                 or
                 bodily
                 ,
                 outward
                 or
                 
                 inward
                 ,
                 publique
                 or
                 private
                 ,
                 positive
                 or
                 privative
                 ,
                 past
                 or
                 present
                 ,
                 upon
                 our selves
                 or
                 others
                 .
                 In
                 all
                 which
                 ,
                 he
                 shall
                 humbly
                 acknowledge
                 both
                 Gods
                 free
                 mercy
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 own
                 shamefull
                 unworthinesse
                 ;
                 setting
                 off
                 the
                 favours
                 of
                 his
                 good
                 God
                 the
                 more
                 ,
                 with
                 the
                 foyle
                 of
                 his
                 own
                 confessed
                 wretchednesse
                 ,
                 and
                 unanswerablenesse
                 to
                 the
                 least
                 of
                 his
                 mercies
                 .
              
               
                 Now
                 as
                 there
                 is
                 infinite
                 variety
                 of
                 blessings
                 from
                 the
                 liberall
                 hand
                 of
                 the
                 Almighty
                 ,
                 so
                 there
                 is
                 great
                 difference
                 in
                 their
                 degrees
                 ;
                 For
                 ,
                 whereas
                 there
                 are
                 three
                 subjects
                 of
                 all
                 the
                 good
                 we
                 are
                 capable
                 of
                 ;
                 The
                 Estate
                 ,
                 Body
                 ,
                 Soul
                 ;
                 and
                 each
                 of
                 these
                 doe
                 far
                 surpasse
                 other
                 in
                 value
                 ,
                 (
                 the
                 soul
                 being
                 infinitely
                 more
                 worth
                 then
                 the
                 body
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 body
                 far
                 more
                 precious
                 then
                 the
                 outward
                 estate
                 )
                 so
                 the
                 blessings
                 that
                 appertain
                 to
                 them
                 ,
                 in
                 severall
                 ,
                 differ
                 in
                 their
                 true
                 estimation
                 
                 accordingly
                 .
                 If
                 either
                 we
                 doe
                 not
                 highly
                 magnifie
                 Gods
                 mercy
                 for
                 the
                 least
                 ,
                 or
                 shall
                 set
                 as
                 high
                 a
                 price
                 upon
                 the
                 blessings
                 that
                 concern
                 our
                 estate
                 ,
                 as
                 those
                 that
                 pertain
                 to
                 the
                 body
                 ,
                 or
                 upon
                 bodily
                 favours
                 ,
                 as
                 upon
                 those
                 that
                 belong
                 to
                 the
                 soul
                 ,
                 we
                 shall
                 shew
                 our selves
                 very
                 unworthy
                 ,
                 and
                 unequall
                 partakers
                 of
                 the
                 Divine
                 bounty
                 .
                 But
                 it
                 will
                 savour
                 too
                 much
                 of
                 earth
                 ,
                 if
                 we
                 be
                 more
                 affected
                 with
                 temporall
                 blessings
                 ,
                 then
                 with
                 spirituall
                 and
                 eternall
                 .
                 By
                 how
                 much
                 nearer
                 relation
                 then
                 ,
                 any
                 favour
                 hath
                 to
                 the
                 Fountain
                 of
                 goodness
                 ,
                 and
                 by
                 how
                 much
                 more
                 it
                 conduceth
                 to
                 the
                 glory
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 ours
                 in
                 him
                 ;
                 so
                 much
                 higher
                 place
                 should
                 it
                 possesse
                 in
                 our
                 affection
                 and
                 gratitude
                 .
                 No
                 marvell
                 therefore
                 if
                 the
                 Devout
                 Heart
                 be
                 raised
                 above
                 it self
                 and
                 transported
                 with
                 heavenly
                 raptures
                 ,
                 when
                 ,
                 with
                 Stephens
                 eyes
                 ,
                 it
                 beholds
                 the
                 Lord
                 Jesus
                 standing
                 
                 at
                 the
                 right
                 hand
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 fixing
                 it self
                 upon
                 the
                 consideration
                 of
                 the
                 infinite
                 Merits
                 of
                 his
                 Life
                 ,
                 Death
                 ,
                 Resurrection
                 ,
                 Ascension
                 ,
                 Intercession
                 ,
                 and
                 finding
                 it self
                 swallowed
                 up
                 in
                 the
                 depth
                 of
                 that
                 Divine
                 Love
                 ,
                 from
                 whence
                 all
                 mercies
                 flow
                 into
                 the
                 Soul
                 ;
                 so
                 as
                 that
                 it
                 runs
                 over
                 with
                 passionate
                 thankfulnesse
                 ,
                 and
                 is
                 therefore
                 deeply
                 affected
                 with
                 all
                 other
                 his
                 mercies
                 ,
                 because
                 they
                 are
                 derived
                 from
                 that
                 boundlesse
                 Ocean
                 of
                 Divine
                 goodnesse
                 .
                 Unspeakable
                 is
                 the
                 advantage
                 that
                 the
                 soul
                 raises
                 to
                 it self
                 by
                 this
                 continuall
                 exercise
                 of
                 thanksgiving
                 ;
                 for
                 the
                 gratefull
                 acknowledgement
                 of
                 favours
                 ,
                 is
                 the
                 way
                 to
                 more
                 ;
                 even
                 amongst
                 men
                 (
                 whose
                 hands
                 are
                 short
                 and
                 strait
                 )
                 this
                 is
                 the
                 means
                 to
                 pull
                 on
                 further
                 beneficence
                 ;
                 how
                 much
                 more
                 from
                 the
                 God
                 of
                 all
                 Consolation
                 ,
                 whose
                 largest
                 bounty
                 diminisheth
                 nothing
                 of
                 his
                 store
                 ?
                 And
                 
                 herein
                 the
                 Devout
                 Soul
                 enters
                 into
                 its
                 Heavenly
                 Task
                 ;
                 beginning
                 upon
                 earth
                 those
                 Hallelujahs
                 ,
                 which
                 it
                 shall
                 perfect
                 above
                 in
                 the
                 blessed
                 Chore
                 of
                 Saints
                 and
                 Angels
                 ,
                 ever
                 praising
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 saying
                 ;
                 
                   Blessing
                   ,
                   and
                   Glory
                   ,
                   and
                   Wisdome
                   ,
                   and
                   Thankesgiving
                   ,
                   and
                   Honour
                   ,
                   and
                   Power
                   ,
                   and
                   Might
                   ,
                   be
                   unto
                   our
                   God
                   for
                   ever
                   and
                   ever
                   .
                
              
               
                 Amen
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 SECT
                 .
                 XXII
                 .
              
               
                 NOne
                 of
                 all
                 the
                 services
                 of
                 God
                 can
                 be
                 acceptably
                 ,
                 no
                 not
                 unsinfully
                 performed
                 without
                 due
                 devotion
                 ;
                 as
                 therefore
                 in
                 our
                 prayers
                 &
                 thanksgivings
                 ,
                 so
                 in
                 the
                 other
                 exercises
                 of
                 Divine
                 Worship
                 ,
                 (
                 especially
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 reading
                 and
                 hearing
                 of
                 Gods
                 Word
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 our
                 receipt
                 of
                 the
                 blessed
                 Sacrament
                 )
                 it
                 is
                 so
                 necessary
                 ,
                 that
                 without
                 it
                 ,
                 we
                 offer
                 to
                 God
                 a
                 meer
                 carcass
                 of
                 religious
                 
                 duty
                 ,
                 and
                 profane
                 that
                 Sacred
                 Name
                 we
                 would
                 pretend
                 to
                 honour
                 .
                 First
                 then
                 ,
                 we
                 must
                 come
                 to
                 Gods
                 Book
                 ,
                 not
                 without
                 an
                 holy
                 Reverence
                 ,
                 as
                 duly
                 considering
                 both
                 what
                 and
                 whose
                 it
                 is
                 ;
                 Even
                 no
                 other
                 ,
                 then
                 the
                 Word
                 of
                 the
                 ever-living
                 God
                 ,
                 by
                 which
                 we
                 shall
                 once
                 be
                 judged
                 .
                 Great
                 reason
                 have
                 we
                 therefore
                 ,
                 to
                 make
                 a
                 difference
                 betwixt
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 writings
                 of
                 the
                 holiest
                 men
                 ,
                 even
                 no
                 less
                 then
                 betwixt
                 the
                 Authours
                 of
                 both
                 :
                 God
                 is
                 true
                 ,
                 yea
                 ,
                 truth
                 it self
                 :
                 and
                 that
                 which
                 David
                 said
                 in
                 his
                 haste
                 ,
                 S.
                 Paul
                 says
                 in
                 full
                 deliberation
                 ,
                 
                 
                   Every
                   man
                   is
                   a
                   Lyer
                
                 .
                 Before
                 we
                 put
                 our
                 hand
                 to
                 this
                 Sacred
                 Volume
                 ,
                 it
                 will
                 be
                 requisite
                 to
                 elevate
                 our
                 hearts
                 to
                 that
                 God
                 whose
                 it
                 is
                 ,
                 for
                 both
                 his
                 leave
                 and
                 his
                 blessing
                 :
                 
                   Open
                   mine
                   eyes
                
                 ,
                 saith
                 the
                 sweet
                 Singer
                 of
                 
                 Israel
                 ,
                 
                   that
                   I
                   may
                   behold
                   the
                   wondrous
                   things
                   of
                   thy
                   Lan.
                
                 Lo
                 ,
                 Davids
                 eyes
                 were
                 open
                 before
                 to
                 
                 other
                 objects
                 ;
                 but
                 when
                 he
                 comes
                 to
                 Gods
                 Book
                 ,
                 he
                 can
                 see
                 nothing
                 ,
                 without
                 a
                 new
                 act
                 of
                 apertion
                 :
                 Letters
                 he
                 might
                 see
                 ,
                 but
                 Wonders
                 he
                 could
                 not
                 see
                 ,
                 till
                 God
                 did
                 unclose
                 his
                 eyes
                 ,
                 and
                 enlighten
                 them
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 not
                 therefore
                 for
                 us
                 ,
                 presumptuously
                 to
                 break
                 in
                 upon
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 think
                 by
                 our
                 naturall
                 abilities
                 to
                 wrest
                 open
                 the
                 precious
                 Caskets
                 of
                 the
                 Almighty
                 ;
                 and
                 to
                 fetch
                 out
                 al
                 his
                 hidden
                 treasure
                 thence
                 ,
                 at
                 pleasure
                 ;
                 but
                 we
                 must
                 come
                 tremblingly
                 before
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 all
                 humility
                 crave
                 his
                 gracious
                 admission
                 .
                 I
                 confesse
                 I
                 finde
                 some
                 kinde
                 of
                 envy
                 in
                 my self
                 ,
                 when
                 I
                 reade
                 of
                 those
                 scrupulous
                 observances
                 of
                 high
                 respects
                 given
                 by
                 the
                 Jews
                 to
                 the
                 Book
                 of
                 Gods
                 Law
                 :
                 and
                 when
                 I
                 reade
                 of
                 a
                 Romish
                 Saint
                 ,
                 that
                 never
                 read
                 the
                 Scripture
                 but
                 upon
                 his
                 knees
                 ,
                 
                 and
                 compare
                 it
                 with
                 the
                 carelesse
                 neglect
                 whereof
                 I
                 can
                 accuse
                 my self
                 ,
                 and
                 perhaps
                 some
                 
                 others
                 :
                 Not
                 that
                 we
                 would
                 rest
                 in
                 the
                 formality
                 of
                 outward
                 Ceremonies
                 of
                 reverence
                 ,
                 wherein
                 it
                 were
                 more
                 easie
                 to
                 be
                 superstitious
                 then
                 devout
                 ;
                 but
                 that
                 our
                 outward
                 deportment
                 may
                 testifie
                 ,
                 and
                 answer
                 the
                 awefull
                 disposition
                 of
                 our
                 hearts
                 :
                 whereto
                 we
                 shall
                 not
                 need
                 to
                 be
                 excited
                 ,
                 if
                 we
                 be
                 throughly
                 perswaded
                 of
                 the
                 Divine
                 Originall
                 ,
                 and
                 authority
                 of
                 that
                 Sacred
                 Word
                 .
                 It
                 was
                 motive
                 enough
                 to
                 the
                 Ephesians
                 zealously
                 to
                 plead
                 for
                 ,
                 and
                 religiously
                 to
                 adore
                 the
                 Image
                 of
                 their
                 Diana
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 was
                 
                   the
                   Image
                   that
                   fell
                   down
                   from
                   Jupiter
                   .
                
                 
                 Beleeve
                 we
                 ,
                 and
                 know
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 Scripture
                 is
                 inspired
                 by
                 God
                 ;
                 and
                 we
                 can
                 entertain
                 it
                 with
                 no
                 other
                 then
                 an
                 awefull
                 addresse
                 ,
                 and
                 we
                 cannot
                 be
                 Christians
                 if
                 we
                 doe
                 not
                 so
                 beleeve
                 .
              
               
                 Every
                 clause
                 therefore
                 of
                 that
                 God-inspired
                 Volume
                 ,
                 must
                 be
                 ,
                 as
                 reverently
                 received
                 by
                 us
                 ,
                 so
                 seriously
                 weighed
                 ,
                 and
                 carefully
                 
                 laid
                 up
                 ;
                 as
                 knowing
                 ,
                 that
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 tittle
                 therein
                 without
                 his
                 use
                 .
                 What
                 we
                 reade
                 ,
                 we
                 must
                 labour
                 to
                 understand
                 ;
                 what
                 we
                 cannot
                 understand
                 ,
                 we
                 must
                 admire
                 silently
                 ,
                 and
                 modestly
                 inquire
                 of
                 .
                 There
                 are
                 plain
                 Truths
                 ,
                 and
                 there
                 are
                 deep
                 Mysteries
                 .
                 The
                 bounty
                 of
                 God
                 hath
                 left
                 this
                 Well
                 of
                 Living-water
                 open
                 for
                 all
                 :
                 what
                 runnes
                 over
                 is
                 for
                 all
                 commers
                 ;
                 but
                 every
                 one
                 hath
                 not
                 wherewith
                 to
                 draw
                 .
                 There
                 is
                 no
                 Christian
                 that
                 may
                 not
                 enjoy
                 Gods
                 Book
                 ,
                 but
                 every
                 Christian
                 may
                 not
                 interpret
                 it
                 ;
                 those
                 shallow
                 Fords
                 that
                 are
                 in
                 it
                 ,
                 may
                 be
                 waded
                 by
                 every
                 Passenger
                 ,
                 but
                 there
                 are
                 deeps
                 wherein
                 he
                 that
                 cannot
                 swim
                 ,
                 may
                 drown
                 .
                 
                   How
                   can
                   I
                   without
                   a
                   Guide
                   ?
                
                 said
                 that
                 Ethiopian
                 Eunuch
                 :
                 Wherefore
                 serves
                 the
                 tongue
                 of
                 the
                 Learned
                 ,
                 but
                 to
                 direct
                 the
                 Ignorant
                 ?
                 Their
                 modesty
                 is
                 of
                 no
                 less
                 use
                 then
                 the
                 others
                 skill
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 a
                 wofull
                 condition
                 of
                 a
                 Church
                 when
                 no
                 
                 man
                 will
                 bee
                 ignorant
                 .
              
               
                 What
                 service
                 can
                 our
                 eyes
                 do
                 us
                 in
                 the
                 ways
                 of
                 God
                 without
                 our
                 thoughts
                 ?
                 our
                 diligent
                 and
                 frequent
                 reading
                 ,
                 therefore
                 ,
                 must
                 be
                 attended
                 with
                 our
                 holy
                 meditation
                 :
                 we
                 feed
                 on
                 what
                 we
                 read
                 ,
                 but
                 we
                 digest
                 only
                 what
                 we
                 meditate
                 of
                 :
                 What
                 is
                 in
                 our
                 Bible
                 ,
                 is
                 Gods
                 ;
                 but
                 that
                 which
                 is
                 in
                 our
                 hearts
                 ,
                 is
                 our
                 own
                 :
                 By
                 all
                 which
                 our
                 care
                 must
                 be
                 ,
                 not
                 so
                 much
                 to
                 become
                 vviser
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 become
                 better
                 ,
                 labouring
                 still
                 to
                 reduce
                 all
                 things
                 to
                 godly
                 practice
                 .
              
               
                 Finally
                 ,
                 as
                 we
                 enter
                 into
                 this
                 task
                 with
                 the
                 lifting
                 up
                 of
                 our
                 hearts
                 for
                 a
                 blessing
                 ,
                 so
                 we
                 shut
                 it
                 up
                 in
                 the
                 ejaculations
                 of
                 our
                 thanksgiving
                 to
                 that
                 God
                 ,
                 who
                 hath
                 blessed
                 us
                 with
                 the
                 free
                 use
                 of
                 his
                 Word
                 .
              
            
             
               
               
                 SECT
                 .
                 XXIII
                 .
              
               
                 OUr
                 eye
                 is
                 our
                 best
                 guide
                 to
                 God
                 our
                 Creator
                 ,
                 but
                 our
                 ear
                 is
                 it
                 that
                 leads
                 us
                 to
                 God
                 our
                 Redeemer
                 .
                 
                   How
                   shall
                   they
                   beleeve
                   except
                   they
                   hear
                   ?
                
                 Which
                 that
                 we
                 may
                 effectually
                 doe
                 ,
                 our
                 devotion
                 suggests
                 unto
                 us
                 some
                 duties
                 before
                 the
                 act
                 ,
                 some
                 in
                 the
                 act
                 ,
                 some
                 after
                 the
                 act
                 .
              
               
                 It
                 is
                 the
                 Apostles
                 charge
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 should
                 be
                 swift
                 to
                 hear
                 ,
                 but
                 heed
                 must
                 be
                 taken
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 make
                 not
                 more
                 haste
                 then
                 good
                 speed
                 :
                 we
                 may
                 not
                 be
                 so
                 forward
                 as
                 not
                 to
                 
                   look
                   to
                   our
                   foot
                
                 
                 when
                 we
                 goe
                 to
                 the
                 House
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 lest
                 if
                 we
                 be
                 too
                 ready
                 to
                 hear
                 ,
                 we
                 offer
                 
                   the
                   sacrifice
                   of
                   Fools
                
                 .
                 What
                 are
                 the
                 foot
                 of
                 the
                 soul
                 ,
                 but
                 our
                 affections
                 ?
                 If
                 these
                 be
                 not
                 set
                 right
                 ,
                 we
                 may
                 easily
                 stumble
                 ,
                 and
                 wrench
                 at
                 Gods
                 threshold
                 .
                 Rash
                 actions
                 can
                 never
                 
                 hope
                 to
                 prosper
                 ;
                 as
                 therefore
                 to
                 every
                 great
                 Work
                 ,
                 so
                 to
                 this
                 ,
                 there
                 is
                 a
                 due
                 preparation
                 required
                 ;
                 and
                 this
                 must
                 be
                 done
                 by
                 meditation
                 first
                 ,
                 then
                 by
                 praier
                 .
                 Our
                 meditation
                 first
                 sequesters
                 the
                 heart
                 from
                 the
                 world
                 ,
                 and
                 shakes
                 off
                 those
                 distractive
                 thoughts
                 ,
                 which
                 may
                 carry
                 us
                 away
                 from
                 these
                 better
                 things
                 :
                 for
                 what
                 room
                 is
                 there
                 for
                 God
                 ,
                 where
                 the
                 world
                 hath
                 taken
                 up
                 the
                 lodging
                 ?
                 
                   We
                   cannot
                   serve
                   God
                   and
                   Mammon
                   .
                
                 Then
                 secondly
                 ,
                 it
                 seizes
                 upon
                 the
                 heart
                 for
                 God
                 ,
                 fixing
                 our
                 thoughts
                 upon
                 the
                 great
                 businesse
                 we
                 go
                 about
                 ;
                 recalling
                 the
                 greatnesse
                 of
                 that
                 Majesty
                 into
                 whose
                 presence
                 we
                 enter
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 main
                 importance
                 of
                 the
                 service
                 we
                 are
                 undertaking
                 ;
                 and
                 examining
                 our
                 intentions
                 wherewith
                 we
                 addresse
                 our selves
                 to
                 the
                 work
                 intended
                 ;
                 I
                 am
                 now
                 going
                 to
                 Gods
                 House
                 ;
                 Wherefore
                 doe
                 I
                 goe
                 thither
                 ?
                 Is
                 it
                 to
                 see
                 ,
                 or
                 to
                 be
                 seen
                 ?
                 Is
                 it
                 
                 to
                 satisfie
                 my
                 own
                 curiosity
                 in
                 hearing
                 what
                 the
                 Preacher
                 will
                 say
                 ?
                 Is
                 it
                 to
                 satisfie
                 the
                 law
                 ,
                 that
                 requires
                 my
                 presence
                 ?
                 Is
                 it
                 to
                 please
                 others
                 eyes
                 ,
                 or
                 to
                 avoid
                 their
                 censures
                 ?
                 is
                 it
                 for
                 fashion
                 ?
                 is
                 it
                 for
                 recreation
                 ?
                 or
                 is
                 it
                 with
                 a
                 sincere
                 desire
                 to
                 doe
                 my
                 soul
                 good
                 ,
                 in
                 gaining
                 more
                 knowledge
                 ,
                 in
                 quickning
                 my
                 affections
                 ?
                 Is
                 it
                 in
                 a
                 desire
                 to
                 approve
                 my self
                 to
                 my
                 God
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 conscience
                 of
                 my
                 humble
                 obedience
                 to
                 his
                 command
                 ,
                 and
                 my
                 holy
                 attendance
                 upon
                 his
                 Ordinance
                 ?
                 And
                 where
                 we
                 finde
                 our
                 ends
                 amisse
                 ,
                 chiding
                 and
                 rectifying
                 our
                 obliquities
                 ;
                 where
                 just
                 and
                 right
                 ,
                 prosecuting
                 them
                 towards
                 a
                 further
                 perfection
                 .
              
               
                 Which
                 that
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 done
                 ,
                 our
                 meditation
                 must
                 be
                 seconded
                 by
                 our
                 prayers
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 an
                 unholy
                 rudenesse
                 to
                 press
                 into
                 the
                 presence
                 of
                 that
                 God
                 whom
                 we
                 have
                 not
                 invoked
                 :
                 Our
                 prayer
                 must
                 be
                 ,
                 that
                 God
                 would
                 yet
                 
                 more
                 prepare
                 us
                 for
                 the
                 work
                 ,
                 and
                 sanctifie
                 us
                 to
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 bless
                 us
                 in
                 it
                 ;
                 that
                 he
                 would
                 remove
                 our
                 sinnes
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 would
                 send
                 down
                 his
                 Spirit
                 into
                 our
                 hearts
                 ,
                 which
                 may
                 inable
                 us
                 to
                 this
                 great
                 service
                 ;
                 that
                 he
                 would
                 bless
                 the
                 Preacher
                 in
                 the
                 delivery
                 of
                 his
                 sacred
                 message
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 would
                 be
                 pleased
                 to
                 direct
                 his
                 messengers
                 tongue
                 to
                 the
                 meeting
                 with
                 our
                 necessities
                 ;
                 that
                 he
                 would
                 free
                 our
                 hearts
                 from
                 all
                 prejudices
                 and
                 distractions
                 ;
                 that
                 he
                 would
                 keep
                 off
                 all
                 temptations
                 ,
                 which
                 might
                 hinder
                 the
                 good
                 entertainment
                 ,
                 and
                 success
                 of
                 his
                 blessed
                 Word
                 :
                 Finally
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 would
                 make
                 us
                 truly
                 teachable
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 ordinance
                 the
                 power
                 of
                 God
                 to
                 our
                 salvation
                 .
              
               
                 In
                 the
                 act
                 of
                 hearing
                 ,
                 Devotion
                 cals
                 us
                 to
                 
                   Reverence
                   ,
                   Attention
                   ,
                   Application
                   .
                   Reverence
                
                 to
                 that
                 great
                 God
                 ,
                 who
                 speaks
                 to
                 us
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 mouth
                 of
                 a
                 weak
                 man
                 ;
                 
                 for
                 ,
                 in
                 what
                 is
                 spoken
                 from
                 Gods
                 Chair
                 ,
                 agreeable
                 to
                 the
                 Scriptures
                 ,
                 the
                 sound
                 is
                 mans
                 ,
                 the
                 substance
                 of
                 the
                 message
                 is
                 Gods.
                 Even
                 an
                 Eglon
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 hears
                 
                 of
                 a
                 message
                 from
                 God
                 ,
                 riseth
                 out
                 of
                 his
                 seat
                 .
                 It
                 was
                 not
                 Saint
                 Pauls
                 condition
                 onely
                 ,
                 but
                 of
                 all
                 his
                 faithfull
                 servants
                 ,
                 to
                 whom
                 he
                 hath
                 committed
                 the
                 word
                 of
                 reconciliation
                 ;
                 
                   They
                   are
                   Ambassadours
                   for
                   Christ
                   ;
                   as
                
                 
                 
                   if
                   God
                   did
                   beseech
                   us
                   by
                   them
                   ,
                   they
                   pray
                   us
                   in
                   Christs
                   stead
                   to
                   be
                   reconciled
                   to
                   God
                   :
                
                 The
                 Ambassy
                 is
                 not
                 the
                 bearers
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 kings
                 ;
                 and
                 if
                 we
                 doe
                 not
                 acknowledge
                 the
                 great
                 King
                 of
                 heaven
                 in
                 the
                 voice
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ,
                 we
                 cannot
                 but
                 incur
                 a
                 contempt
                 .
              
               
                 When
                 therefore
                 we
                 see
                 Gods
                 messenger
                 in
                 his
                 Pulpit
                 ,
                 our
                 eye
                 looks
                 at
                 him
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 it
                 said
                 with
                 
                   Cornelius
                   ,
                   We
                   are
                   all
                   here
                   present
                   before
                   God
                   to
                   hear
                   all
                   things
                   that
                
                 
                 
                   are
                   commanded
                   thee
                   of
                   God
                
                 ;
                 whence
                 cannot
                 but
                 follow
                 together
                 
                 with
                 an
                 awfull
                 disposition
                 of
                 mind
                 ,
                 a
                 reverent
                 deportment
                 of
                 the
                 body
                 ;
                 which
                 admits
                 not
                 a
                 wild
                 and
                 roving
                 eye
                 ,
                 a
                 drouzy
                 head
                 ,
                 a
                 chatting
                 tongue
                 ,
                 a
                 rude
                 and
                 indecent
                 posture
                 ;
                 but
                 composes
                 it self
                 to
                 such
                 a
                 site
                 as
                 may
                 befit
                 a
                 pious
                 soul
                 in
                 so
                 religious
                 an
                 imployment
                 .
                 Neither
                 do
                 we
                 come
                 as
                 authorized
                 Judges
                 to
                 sit
                 upon
                 the
                 preacher
                 ,
                 but
                 as
                 humble
                 Disciples
                 to
                 sit
                 at
                 his
                 feet
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 SECT
                 .
                 XXIV
                 .
              
               
                 REverence
                 cannot
                 but
                 draw
                 on
                 Attention
                 ;
                 We
                 need
                 not
                 be
                 bidden
                 to
                 hang
                 on
                 the
                 lips
                 of
                 him
                 whom
                 we
                 honour
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 the
                 charge
                 of
                 the
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 
                   Let
                   him
                   that
                   hath
                   an
                   ear
                   hear
                
                 ;
                 Every
                 one
                 hath
                 not
                 an
                 eare
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 those
                 that
                 have
                 an
                 ear
                 ,
                 every
                 one
                 heareth
                 not
                 ;
                 The
                 soul
                 hath
                 an
                 ear
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 the
                 body
                 ;
                 if
                 both
                 these
                 ears
                 doe
                 not
                 meet
                 together
                 in
                 one
                 act
                 ,
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 hearing
                 :
                 Common
                 
                 experience
                 tels
                 us
                 that
                 when
                 the
                 mind
                 is
                 otherwise
                 taken
                 up
                 ,
                 we
                 doe
                 no
                 more
                 hear
                 what
                 a
                 man
                 says
                 ,
                 then
                 if
                 we
                 had
                 been
                 deaf
                 ,
                 or
                 he
                 silent
                 .
                 Hence
                 is
                 that
                 first
                 request
                 of
                 Abig●il
                 to
                 
                   David
                   ;
                   Let
                   thine
                
                 
                 
                   handmaid
                   speak
                   to
                   thine
                   ears
                   ,
                   and
                   hear
                   the
                   words
                   of
                   thine
                   handmaid
                
                 ;
                 and
                 Job
                 so
                 importunately
                 urgeth
                 his
                 friends
                 :
                 
                   Hear
                   diligently
                
                 
                 
                   my
                   speech
                   and
                   my
                   declaration
                   with
                   your
                   ears
                   .
                
                 The
                 outward
                 ear
                 may
                 be
                 open
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 inward
                 shut
                 ;
                 if
                 way
                 be
                 not
                 made
                 through
                 both
                 ,
                 we
                 are
                 deaf
                 to
                 spirituall
                 things
                 .
                 
                   Mine
                   ear
                   hast
                   thou
                   boared
                
                 ,
                 
                 or
                 digged
                 ,
                 saith
                 the
                 Psalmist
                 ;
                 the
                 vulgar
                 reads
                 it
                 ,
                 
                   my
                   ears
                   hast
                   thou
                   perfected
                
                 :
                 Surely
                 our
                 ears
                 are
                 grown
                 up
                 with
                 flesh
                 ;
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 passage
                 for
                 a
                 perfit
                 hearing
                 of
                 the
                 voyce
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 till
                 he
                 have
                 made
                 it
                 by
                 a
                 spirituall
                 perforation
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 now
                 that
                 the
                 ear
                 is
                 made
                 capable
                 of
                 good
                 counsell
                 ,
                 it
                 doth
                 as
                 gladly
                 receive
                 it
                 ;
                 taking
                 in
                 every
                 
                 good
                 lesson
                 ,
                 and
                 longing
                 for
                 the
                 next
                 :
                 Like
                 unto
                 the
                 dry
                 and
                 chopped
                 earth
                 ,
                 which
                 soaks
                 in
                 every
                 silver
                 drop
                 ,
                 that
                 falls
                 from
                 the
                 clouds
                 ,
                 and
                 thirsteth
                 for
                 more
                 ,
                 not
                 suffering
                 any
                 of
                 that
                 precious
                 liquor
                 to
                 fall
                 beside
                 it
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 SECT
                 .
                 XXV
                 .
              
               
                 NEither
                 doth
                 the
                 devout
                 man
                 care
                 to
                 satisfie
                 his
                 curiosity
                 ,
                 as
                 hearing
                 only
                 that
                 he
                 might
                 hear
                 ;
                 but
                 reducts
                 all
                 things
                 to
                 a
                 saving
                 use
                 ;
                 bringing
                 all
                 he
                 hears
                 ,
                 home
                 to
                 his
                 heart
                 ,
                 by
                 a
                 self-reflecting
                 application
                 ;
                 like
                 a
                 practiser
                 of
                 the
                 art
                 of
                 memory
                 ,
                 referring
                 every
                 thing
                 to
                 it's
                 proper
                 place
                 ;
                 If
                 it
                 be
                 matter
                 of
                 comfort
                 ,
                 There
                 is
                 for
                 my
                 sick
                 bed
                 ,
                 There
                 is
                 for
                 my
                 outward
                 losses
                 ,
                 There
                 for
                 my
                 drouping
                 under
                 afflictions
                 ,
                 There
                 for
                 the
                 sense
                 of
                 my
                 spirituall
                 desertions
                 ;
                 If
                 matter
                 
                 of
                 doctrine
                 ,
                 There
                 is
                 for
                 my
                 settlement
                 in
                 such
                 a
                 truth
                 ,
                 There
                 for
                 the
                 conviction
                 of
                 such
                 an
                 error
                 ,
                 There
                 for
                 my
                 direction
                 in
                 such
                 a
                 practice
                 ;
                 If
                 matter
                 of
                 reproof
                 ,
                 he
                 doth
                 not
                 point
                 at
                 his
                 neighbour
                 ,
                 but
                 deeply
                 chargeth
                 himself
                 ;
                 This
                 meets
                 with
                 my
                 dead-heartednesse
                 and
                 security
                 ,
                 This
                 with
                 my
                 worldly
                 mindednesse
                 ,
                 This
                 with
                 my
                 self-love
                 and
                 flattery
                 of
                 mine
                 own
                 estate
                 ,
                 This
                 with
                 my
                 uncharitable
                 censoriousnesse
                 ,
                 This
                 with
                 my
                 foolish
                 pride
                 of
                 heart
                 ,
                 This
                 with
                 my
                 hypocrisie
                 ,
                 This
                 with
                 my
                 neglect
                 of
                 Gods
                 services
                 ,
                 and
                 my
                 duty
                 ;
                 Thus
                 in
                 all
                 the
                 variety
                 of
                 the
                 holy
                 passages
                 of
                 the
                 Sermon
                 ,
                 the
                 devout
                 mind
                 is
                 taken
                 up
                 with
                 digesting
                 what
                 it
                 heares
                 ;
                 and
                 working
                 it self
                 to
                 a
                 secret
                 improvement
                 of
                 all
                 the
                 good
                 counsell
                 that
                 is
                 delivered
                 ,
                 neither
                 is
                 ever
                 more
                 busie
                 ,
                 then
                 when
                 it
                 sits
                 still
                 at
                 the
                 feet
                 of
                 Christ
                 .
                 I
                 cannot
                 therefore
                 approve
                 the
                 practice
                 
                 (
                 which
                 yet
                 I
                 see
                 commonly
                 received
                 )
                 of
                 those
                 ,
                 who
                 think
                 it
                 no
                 small
                 argument
                 of
                 their
                 Devotion
                 ,
                 to
                 spend
                 their
                 time
                 of
                 hearing
                 ,
                 in
                 writing
                 large
                 notes
                 frō
                 the
                 mouth
                 of
                 the
                 Preacher
                 ;
                 which
                 however
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 an
                 help
                 for
                 memory
                 in
                 the
                 future
                 ,
                 yet
                 cannot
                 (
                 as
                 I
                 conceive
                 )
                 but
                 be
                 some
                 prejudice
                 to
                 our
                 present
                 edification
                 ;
                 neither
                 can
                 the
                 brain
                 get
                 so
                 much
                 hereby
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 heart
                 loseth
                 .
                 If
                 it
                 be
                 said
                 ,
                 that
                 by
                 this
                 means
                 ,
                 an
                 opportunity
                 is
                 given
                 for
                 a
                 full
                 rumination
                 of
                 wholesome
                 Doctrines
                 afterwards
                 :
                 I
                 yeeld
                 it
                 ,
                 but
                 withall
                 ,
                 I
                 must
                 say
                 that
                 our
                 after-thoughts
                 can
                 never
                 doe
                 the
                 work
                 so
                 effectually
                 ,
                 as
                 when
                 the
                 lively
                 voice
                 sounds
                 in
                 our
                 ears
                 ,
                 and
                 beats
                 upon
                 our
                 heart
                 ;
                 but
                 herein
                 I
                 submit
                 my
                 opinion
                 to
                 better
                 judgments
                 .
              
            
             
               
               
                 SECT
                 .
                 XXVI
                 .
              
               
                 THe
                 food
                 that
                 is
                 received
                 into
                 the
                 soul
                 by
                 the
                 ear
                 ,
                 is
                 afterwards
                 chewed
                 in
                 the
                 mouth
                 thereof
                 by
                 memory
                 ,
                 concocted
                 in
                 the
                 stomach
                 by
                 meditation
                 ,
                 and
                 dispersed
                 into
                 the
                 parts
                 by
                 conference
                 and
                 practice
                 ;
                 True
                 Devotion
                 findes
                 the
                 greatest
                 part
                 of
                 the
                 work
                 behinde
                 ;
                 It
                 was
                 a
                 just
                 answer
                 that
                 
                   John
                   Gerson
                
                 
                 reports
                 ,
                 given
                 by
                 a
                 Frenchman
                 ,
                 who
                 being
                 askt
                 by
                 one
                 of
                 his
                 neighbours
                 if
                 the
                 Sermon
                 were
                 done
                 ;
                 no
                 saith
                 he
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 said
                 ,
                 but
                 it
                 is
                 not
                 done
                 ,
                 neither
                 will
                 be
                 ,
                 I
                 fear
                 ,
                 in
                 hast
                 .
                 What
                 are
                 we
                 the
                 better
                 if
                 we
                 hear
                 and
                 remember
                 not
                 ?
                 if
                 we
                 be
                 such
                 auditours
                 as
                 the
                 Jews
                 were
                 wont
                 to
                 call
                 sieves
                 ,
                 that
                 retain
                 no
                 moisture
                 that
                 is
                 poured
                 into
                 them
                 ?
                 What
                 the
                 better
                 if
                 we
                 remember
                 ,
                 but
                 think
                 not
                 seriously
                 of
                 what
                 we
                 hear
                 ;
                 or
                 if
                 we
                 practice
                 
                 not
                 carefully
                 what
                 wee
                 think
                 of
                 ?
                 Not
                 that
                 which
                 we
                 hear
                 is
                 our
                 own
                 ,
                 but
                 that
                 which
                 we
                 carry
                 away
                 :
                 although
                 all
                 memories
                 are
                 not
                 alike
                 ,
                 one
                 receives
                 more
                 easily
                 ,
                 another
                 retains
                 longer
                 ;
                 It
                 is
                 not
                 for
                 every
                 one
                 to
                 hope
                 to
                 attain
                 to
                 that
                 ability
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 can
                 goe
                 away
                 with
                 the
                 whole
                 fabrick
                 of
                 a
                 Sermon
                 ,
                 and
                 readily
                 recount
                 it
                 unto
                 others
                 ;
                 neither
                 doth
                 God
                 require
                 that
                 of
                 any
                 man
                 ,
                 which
                 he
                 hath
                 not
                 given
                 him
                 ;
                 Our
                 desires
                 and
                 endeavours
                 may
                 not
                 be
                 wanting
                 wher
                 our
                 powers
                 fail
                 ;
                 It
                 will
                 be
                 enough
                 for
                 weak
                 memories
                 if
                 they
                 can
                 so
                 lay
                 up
                 those
                 wholesom
                 counsels
                 which
                 they
                 receive
                 ,
                 as
                 that
                 they
                 may
                 fetch
                 them
                 forth
                 when
                 they
                 have
                 occasion
                 to
                 use
                 them
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 what
                 they
                 want
                 in
                 the
                 extent
                 of
                 memory
                 ,
                 they
                 supply
                 in
                 the
                 care
                 of
                 their
                 practice
                 ;
                 Indeed
                 that
                 is
                 it
                 ,
                 wherein
                 lies
                 the
                 life
                 of
                 all
                 religious
                 duties
                 ,
                 and
                 without
                 
                 which
                 〈…〉
                 the
                 Philosopher
                 〈…〉
                 vertue
                 ,
                 I
                 must
                 say
                 of
                 true
                 godliness
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 consists
                 in
                 action
                 ;
                 Our
                 Saviour
                 did
                 not
                 say
                 ,
                 
                   Blessed
                   are
                   ye
                   if
                   ye
                   know
                   these
                   things
                
                 ;
                 But
                 ,
                 
                   If
                   ye
                   know
                   these
                   things
                   ,
                   blessed
                   are
                   ye
                   if
                   ye
                   doe
                   them
                   .
                
                 The
                 end
                 of
                 our
                 desire
                 of
                 the
                 sincere
                 milk
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ,
                 is
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 may
                 
                   grow
                   thereby
                
                 in
                 the
                 stature
                 of
                 all
                 Grace
                 ,
                 unto
                 the
                 
                 
                   fulnesse
                   of
                   God.
                
                 
              
            
             
               
                 SECT
                 .
                 XXVII
                 .
              
               
                 THe
                 highest
                 of
                 all
                 Gods
                 services
                 are
                 his
                 Sacraments
                 ;
                 which
                 therefore
                 require
                 the
                 most
                 eminent
                 acts
                 of
                 our
                 Devotion
                 .
                 The
                 Sacrament
                 of
                 initiation
                 ,
                 which
                 in
                 the
                 first
                 planting
                 of
                 a
                 Church
                 is
                 administred
                 onely
                 to
                 those
                 of
                 riper
                 age
                 and
                 understanding
                 ,
                 cals
                 for
                 all
                 possible
                 reverence
                 ,
                 and
                 religious
                 addresses
                 
                 of
                 the
                 receivers
                 ;
                 wherein
                 the
                 Primitive
                 times
                 were
                 punctually
                 observant
                 ,
                 both
                 for
                 substance
                 ,
                 and
                 ceremony
                 ;
                 now
                 ,
                 in
                 a
                 setled
                 and
                 perpetuated
                 Church
                 ,
                 in
                 which
                 the
                 vertue
                 of
                 the
                 Covenant
                 descends
                 from
                 the
                 parent
                 to
                 the
                 child
                 ,
                 there
                 seems
                 to
                 be
                 no
                 use
                 of
                 our
                 preparatory
                 directions
                 :
                 Onely
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 fit
                 that
                 our
                 Devotion
                 should
                 call
                 our
                 eyes
                 back
                 ,
                 to
                 what
                 we
                 have
                 done
                 in
                 our
                 infancy
                 ,
                 and
                 whereto
                 we
                 are
                 ever
                 obliged
                 ;
                 that
                 our
                 full
                 age
                 may
                 carefully
                 endeavour
                 to
                 make
                 our
                 word
                 good
                 ,
                 and
                 may
                 put
                 us
                 in
                 mind
                 of
                 our
                 sinfull
                 failings
                 .
                 That
                 other
                 Sacrament
                 of
                 our
                 spirituall
                 nourishment
                 ,
                 which
                 our
                 Saviour
                 (
                 as
                 his
                 farewell
                 )
                 left
                 us
                 for
                 a
                 blessed
                 memoriall
                 of
                 his
                 death
                 and
                 passion
                 ,
                 can
                 never
                 be
                 celebrated
                 with
                 enough
                 Devotion
                 .
                 Farre
                 be
                 it
                 from
                 us
                 to
                 come
                 to
                 this
                 feast
                 of
                 our
                 God
                 ,
                 in
                 our
                 common
                 garments
                 ;
                 the
                 soul
                 must
                 be
                 trimmed
                 
                 up
                 ,
                 if
                 we
                 would
                 be
                 meet
                 guests
                 for
                 the
                 Almighty
                 .
                 The
                 great
                 Master
                 of
                 the
                 feast
                 will
                 neither
                 abide
                 us
                 to
                 come
                 naked
                 ,
                 nor
                 ill
                 clad
                 :
                 Away
                 therefore
                 ,
                 first
                 with
                 the
                 old
                 beastly
                 rags
                 of
                 our
                 wonted
                 corruptions
                 :
                 Due
                 examination
                 comes
                 in
                 first
                 ,
                 and
                 throughly
                 searches
                 the
                 soul
                 ,
                 and
                 findes
                 out
                 all
                 the
                 secret
                 nastiness
                 ,
                 and
                 defilements
                 that
                 it
                 hides
                 within
                 it
                 ;
                 and
                 by
                 the
                 aid
                 of
                 true
                 penitence
                 ,
                 strips
                 it
                 of
                 all
                 those
                 loathsome
                 clouts
                 ,
                 wherewith
                 it
                 was
                 polluted
                 ;
                 Sin
                 may
                 not
                 be
                 cloathed
                 upon
                 with
                 grace
                 ;
                 Joshuahs
                 
                 filthy
                 garments
                 must
                 be
                 pluckt
                 off
                 ,
                 ere
                 he
                 can
                 be
                 capable
                 of
                 precious
                 robes
                 :
                 Here
                 may
                 be
                 no
                 place
                 for
                 our
                 sinfull
                 lusts
                 ,
                 for
                 our
                 covetous
                 desires
                 ,
                 for
                 our
                 naturall
                 infidelity
                 ,
                 for
                 our
                 malicious
                 purposes
                 ,
                 for
                 any
                 of
                 our
                 unhallowed
                 thoughts
                 ;
                 The
                 soul
                 clearly
                 devested
                 of
                 these
                 and
                 all
                 other
                 known
                 corruptions
                 ,
                 must
                 in
                 the
                 next
                 placae
                 in
                 stead
                 thereof
                 ,
                 be
                 
                 furnished
                 with
                 such
                 graces
                 and
                 holy
                 predispositions
                 ,
                 as
                 may
                 fit
                 it
                 for
                 so
                 heavenly
                 a
                 work
                 .
                 Amongst
                 the
                 graces
                 requisite
                 ,
                 Faith
                 justly
                 challengeth
                 the
                 first
                 place
                 ,
                 as
                 that
                 which
                 is
                 both
                 most
                 eminent
                 ,
                 and
                 most
                 necessarily
                 presupposed
                 to
                 the
                 profitable
                 receit
                 of
                 this
                 Sacrament
                 ;
                 for
                 whereas
                 the
                 main
                 end
                 of
                 this
                 blessed
                 banquet
                 is
                 the
                 strengthening
                 of
                 our
                 faith
                 ,
                 how
                 should
                 that
                 receive
                 strength
                 ,
                 which
                 hath
                 not
                 beeing
                 ?
                 to
                 deliver
                 these
                 sacred
                 viands
                 to
                 an
                 unbeleever
                 ,
                 is
                 to
                 put
                 meat
                 into
                 the
                 mouth
                 of
                 a
                 dead
                 man
                 :
                 Now
                 therefore
                 must
                 the
                 heart
                 raise
                 up
                 it self
                 to
                 new
                 acts
                 of
                 beleeving
                 ,
                 and
                 must
                 lay
                 faster
                 hold
                 on
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 bring
                 him
                 closer
                 to
                 the
                 soul
                 ;
                 more
                 strongly
                 applying
                 to
                 it self
                 ,
                 the
                 infinite
                 merits
                 of
                 his
                 most
                 perfect
                 obedience
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 his
                 bitter
                 death
                 and
                 passion
                 ;
                 and
                 erecting
                 it self
                 to
                 a
                 desire
                 and
                 expectation
                 of
                 a
                 more
                 vigorous
                 :
                 and
                 
                 lively
                 apprehension
                 of
                 it's
                 omnipotent
                 Redeemer
                 .
                 Neither
                 can
                 this
                 faith
                 be
                 either
                 dead
                 ,
                 or
                 solitary
                 ;
                 but
                 is
                 still
                 really
                 operative
                 ,
                 and
                 attended
                 (
                 as
                 with
                 other
                 graces
                 ,
                 so
                 )
                 especially
                 with
                 a
                 serious
                 repentance
                 ;
                 whose
                 wonderfull
                 power
                 is
                 ,
                 to
                 undoe
                 our
                 former
                 sins
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 mold
                 the
                 heart
                 and
                 life
                 to
                 a
                 better
                 obedience
                 :
                 A
                 grace
                 so
                 necessary
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 want
                 of
                 it
                 (
                 as
                 in
                 extream
                 corruption
                 of
                 the
                 stomach
                 )
                 turns
                 the
                 wholesom
                 food
                 of
                 the
                 soul
                 into
                 poyson
                 ;
                 An
                 impenitent
                 man
                 therefore
                 comming
                 to
                 Gods
                 board
                 ,
                 is
                 so
                 far
                 from
                 benefiting
                 himself
                 ,
                 as
                 that
                 he
                 eats
                 his
                 own
                 judgement
                 :
                 Stand
                 off
                 from
                 this
                 holy
                 table
                 ,
                 all
                 ye
                 that
                 have
                 not
                 made
                 your
                 peace
                 with
                 your
                 God
                 ;
                 or
                 that
                 harbour
                 any
                 known
                 sin
                 in
                 your
                 bosome
                 ;
                 not
                 to
                 eat
                 is
                 uncomfortable
                 ,
                 but
                 to
                 eat
                 in
                 such
                 a
                 state
                 is
                 deadly
                 ;
                 yet
                 rest
                 not
                 in
                 this
                 plea
                 ,
                 that
                 ye
                 cannot
                 come
                 because
                 ye
                 
                 are
                 unreconciled
                 ;
                 but
                 (
                 as
                 ye
                 love
                 your
                 souls
                 )
                 be
                 reconciled
                 that
                 you
                 may
                 come
                 .
              
               
                 Another
                 Grace
                 necessarily
                 pre-required
                 is
                 charity
                 to
                 our
                 brethren
                 ,
                 and
                 readinesse
                 to
                 forgive
                 ;
                 For
                 this
                 is
                 a
                 communion
                 ,
                 as
                 with
                 Christ
                 the
                 head
                 ,
                 so
                 with
                 all
                 the
                 members
                 of
                 his
                 mysticall
                 body
                 :
                 This
                 is
                 the
                 true
                 Love-feast
                 of
                 God
                 our
                 Saviour
                 ,
                 wherein
                 we
                 professe
                 our selves
                 inseparably
                 united
                 both
                 to
                 him
                 &
                 his
                 ;
                 If
                 there
                 be
                 more
                 hearts
                 then
                 one
                 at
                 Gods
                 table
                 ,
                 he
                 will
                 not
                 own
                 them
                 ;
                 These
                 holy
                 elements
                 give
                 us
                 an
                 Embleme
                 of
                 our selves
                 :
                 This
                 bread
                 is
                 made
                 up
                 of
                 many
                 grains
                 ,
                 incorporated
                 into
                 one
                 masse
                 ;
                 and
                 this
                 wine
                 is
                 the
                 confluent
                 juice
                 of
                 many
                 clusters
                 ;
                 neither
                 doe
                 we
                 partake
                 of
                 severall
                 loaves
                 ,
                 or
                 variety
                 of
                 liquors
                 ,
                 but
                 all
                 eat
                 of
                 one
                 bread
                 ,
                 and
                 drink
                 of
                 one
                 cup.
                 Here
                 is
                 then
                 no
                 place
                 for
                 rancour
                 and
                 malice
                 ;
                 none
                 for
                 secret
                 
                 grudgings
                 and
                 heart-burnings
                 ;
                 
                   Therefore
                   ,
                   if
                   thou
                   bring
                   thy
                
                 
                 
                   gift
                   to
                   the
                   Altar
                   ,
                   and
                   there
                   remembrest
                   that
                   thy
                   brother
                   hath
                   ought
                   against
                   thee
                   ,
                   leave
                   there
                   thy
                   gift
                   ,
                   and
                   goe
                   thy
                   way
                   ;
                   first
                   be
                   reconciled
                   to
                   thy
                   brother
                   ,
                   and
                   then
                   come
                   and
                   offer
                   thy
                   gift
                   .
                
              
               
                 Neither
                 may
                 we
                 doe
                 as
                 those
                 two
                 emulous
                 Commanders
                 of
                 Greece
                 did
                 ,
                 who
                 resolved
                 to
                 leave
                 their
                 spight
                 behinde
                 them
                 at
                 mount
                 Athos
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 take
                 it
                 up
                 again
                 in
                 their
                 return
                 ;
                 here
                 must
                 be
                 an
                 absolute
                 ,
                 and
                 free
                 acquitting
                 of
                 all
                 the
                 back-reckonings
                 of
                 our
                 unkindnesse
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 may
                 receive
                 the
                 God
                 of
                 peace
                 into
                 a
                 clear
                 bosome
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 SECT
                 .
                 XXVIII
                 .
              
               
                 BEsides
                 these
                 graces
                 there
                 are
                 certain
                 holy
                 pre-dispositions
                 so
                 necessary
                 that
                 without
                 them
                 our
                 souls
                 can
                 never
                 hope
                 to
                 receive
                 
                 true
                 comfort
                 in
                 this
                 blessed
                 Sacrament
                 ;
                 whereof
                 the
                 first
                 is
                 an
                 hungring
                 and
                 thirsting
                 desire
                 after
                 these
                 gracious
                 means
                 of
                 our
                 salvation
                 :
                 What
                 good
                 will
                 our
                 meat
                 doe
                 us
                 without
                 an
                 appetite
                 ?
                 surely
                 without
                 it
                 ,
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 expectation
                 of
                 either
                 relish
                 ,
                 or
                 digestion
                 ;
                 as
                 therefore
                 those
                 that
                 are
                 invited
                 to
                 some
                 great
                 feast
                 ,
                 care
                 first
                 to
                 feed
                 their
                 hunger
                 ere
                 they
                 feed
                 their
                 body
                 ;
                 labouring
                 by
                 exercise
                 to
                 get
                 a
                 stomach
                 ,
                 ere
                 they
                 employ
                 it
                 ;
                 so
                 it
                 concerns
                 us
                 to
                 do
                 here
                 :
                 and
                 ,
                 as
                 those
                 those
                 that
                 are
                 listlesse
                 ,
                 and
                 weak
                 stomached
                 ,
                 are
                 wont
                 to
                 whet
                 their
                 appetite
                 with
                 sharp
                 sawces
                 ,
                 so
                 must
                 we
                 by
                 the
                 tart
                 applications
                 of
                 the
                 law
                 ,
                 quicken
                 our
                 desires
                 of
                 our
                 Saviour
                 here
                 exhibited
                 .
              
               
                 Could
                 we
                 but
                 see
                 our
                 sins
                 ,
                 and
                 our
                 miseries
                 by
                 sin
                 ;
                 Could
                 we
                 see
                 God
                 frowning
                 ,
                 and
                 hell
                 gaping
                 wide
                 to
                 swallow
                 us
                 ,
                 we
                 should
                 not
                 need
                 to
                 be
                 bidden
                 to
                 
                 long
                 for
                 our
                 deliverer
                 ;
                 and
                 every
                 pledge
                 of
                 his
                 favour
                 would
                 be
                 precious
                 to
                 us
                 .
              
               
                 Upon
                 the
                 apprehension
                 of
                 our
                 need
                 of
                 a
                 Saviour
                 and
                 so
                 happy
                 a
                 supply
                 thereof
                 presented
                 unto
                 us
                 ,
                 must
                 needs
                 follow
                 a
                 renued
                 act
                 of
                 true
                 thankfulnesse
                 of
                 heart
                 to
                 our
                 good
                 God
                 ,
                 that
                 hath
                 both
                 given
                 us
                 his
                 dear
                 Son
                 to
                 work
                 our
                 redemption
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 blessed
                 Sacrament
                 to
                 seal
                 up
                 unto
                 us
                 our
                 redemption
                 thus
                 wrought
                 and
                 purchased
                 ;
                 And
                 with
                 souls
                 thus
                 thankfully
                 elevated
                 unto
                 God
                 ,
                 we
                 approach
                 with
                 all
                 reverence
                 ,
                 to
                 that
                 heavenly
                 table
                 ,
                 where
                 God
                 is
                 both
                 the
                 Feast-master
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Feast
                 .
                 What
                 intention
                 of
                 holy
                 thoughts
                 ,
                 what
                 fervour
                 of
                 spirit
                 ,
                 what
                 depth
                 of
                 Devotion
                 must
                 we
                 now
                 finde
                 in
                 our selves
                 ?
                 Doubtlesse
                 ,
                 out
                 of
                 heaven
                 no
                 object
                 can
                 be
                 so
                 worthy
                 to
                 take
                 up
                 our
                 hearts
                 .
                 What
                 a
                 clear
                 representation
                 is
                 here
                 of
                 the
                 great
                 
                 work
                 of
                 our
                 Redemption
                 ?
                 How
                 is
                 my
                 Saviour
                 by
                 all
                 my
                 senses
                 here
                 brought
                 home
                 to
                 my
                 soul
                 ?
                 How
                 is
                 his
                 passion
                 lively
                 acted
                 before
                 mine
                 eyes
                 ?
                 For
                 lo
                 ,
                 my
                 bodily
                 eye
                 doth
                 not
                 more
                 truly
                 see
                 bread
                 and
                 wine
                 ,
                 then
                 the
                 eye
                 of
                 my
                 faith
                 sees
                 the
                 body
                 and
                 bloud
                 of
                 my
                 dear
                 Redeemer
                 ;
                 Thus
                 was
                 his
                 sacred
                 body
                 torn
                 and
                 broken
                 ;
                 Thus
                 was
                 his
                 precious
                 bloud
                 poured
                 out
                 for
                 me
                 ;
                 My
                 sins
                 (
                 wretched
                 man
                 that
                 I
                 am
                 )
                 helped
                 thus
                 to
                 crucifie
                 my
                 Saviour
                 ;
                 and
                 for
                 the
                 discharge
                 of
                 my
                 sins
                 would
                 he
                 be
                 thus
                 crucified
                 :
                 Neither
                 did
                 he
                 onely
                 give
                 himself
                 for
                 me
                 ,
                 upon
                 the
                 crosse
                 ,
                 but
                 lo
                 ,
                 he
                 both
                 offers
                 and
                 gives
                 himself
                 to
                 me
                 in
                 this
                 his
                 blessed
                 institution
                 ;
                 what
                 had
                 his
                 generall
                 gift
                 been
                 without
                 this
                 application
                 ?
                 now
                 my
                 hand
                 doth
                 not
                 more
                 sensibly
                 take
                 ,
                 nor
                 my
                 mouth
                 more
                 really
                 eat
                 this
                 bread
                 ,
                 then
                 my
                 soul
                 doth
                 spiritually
                 receive
                 ,
                 and
                 feed
                 on
                 the
                 
                 bread
                 of
                 life
                 ;
                 O
                 Saviour
                 ,
                 thou
                 art
                 the
                 living
                 bread
                 that
                 came
                 down
                 from
                 heaven
                 ;
                 Thy
                 flesh
                 is
                 meat
                 indeed
                 ,
                 and
                 thy
                 bloud
                 is
                 drink
                 indeed
                 :
                 Oh
                 that
                 I
                 may
                 so
                 eat
                 of
                 this
                 bread
                 ,
                 that
                 I
                 may
                 live
                 for
                 ever
                 ;
                 He
                 that
                 commeth
                 to
                 thee
                 ,
                 shall
                 never
                 hunger
                 ,
                 he
                 that
                 beleeveth
                 in
                 thee
                 ,
                 shall
                 never
                 thirst
                 :
                 Oh
                 that
                 I
                 could
                 now
                 so
                 hunger
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 thirst
                 for
                 thee
                 ,
                 that
                 my
                 soul
                 could
                 be
                 for
                 ever
                 satisfied
                 with
                 thee
                 ;
                 Thy
                 people
                 of
                 old
                 ,
                 were
                 fed
                 with
                 Manna
                 in
                 the
                 wildernesse
                 ,
                 yet
                 they
                 died
                 ;
                 that
                 food
                 of
                 Angels
                 could
                 not
                 keep
                 them
                 from
                 perishing
                 ;
                 but
                 oh
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 hidden
                 Manna
                 ,
                 which
                 giveth
                 life
                 to
                 the
                 world
                 ,
                 even
                 thy
                 blessed
                 self
                 ,
                 give
                 me
                 ever
                 of
                 this
                 bread
                 ,
                 and
                 my
                 soul
                 shall
                 not
                 die
                 but
                 live
                 :
                 Oh
                 the
                 precious
                 juice
                 of
                 the
                 fruit
                 of
                 the
                 Vine
                 ,
                 wherewith
                 thou
                 refreshest
                 my
                 soul
                 ▪
                 Is
                 this
                 the
                 bloud
                 of
                 the
                 grape
                 ?
                 Is
                 it
                 not
                 rather
                 thy
                 bloud
                 of
                 the
                 New
                 testament
                 ,
                 that
                 
                 is
                 poured
                 out
                 for
                 me
                 ?
                 Thou
                 speakest
                 ,
                 O
                 Saviour
                 ,
                 of
                 new
                 wine
                 that
                 thou
                 wouldest
                 drink
                 with
                 thy
                 Disciples
                 ,
                 in
                 thy
                 Fathers
                 kingdome
                 ,
                 can
                 there
                 be
                 any
                 more
                 precious
                 and
                 pleasant
                 ,
                 then
                 this
                 ,
                 wherewith
                 thou
                 chearest
                 the
                 beleeving
                 soul
                 ?
                 our
                 palate
                 is
                 now
                 dull
                 and
                 earthly
                 ,
                 which
                 shall
                 then
                 be
                 exquisite
                 and
                 celestiall
                 ;
                 but
                 surely
                 no
                 liquor
                 can
                 be
                 of
                 equall
                 price
                 or
                 soveraignty
                 with
                 thy
                 bloud
                 ;
                 Oh
                 how
                 unsavoury
                 are
                 all
                 earthly
                 delicacies
                 to
                 this
                 heavenly
                 draught
                 ▪
                 O
                 God
                 ,
                 let
                 not
                 the
                 sweet
                 taste
                 of
                 this
                 spirituall
                 Nectar
                 ever
                 goe
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 mouth
                 of
                 my
                 soul
                 ;
                 Let
                 the
                 comfortable
                 warmth
                 of
                 this
                 blessed
                 Cordiall
                 ever
                 work
                 upon
                 my
                 soul
                 ,
                 even
                 till
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 ,
                 the
                 last
                 moment
                 of
                 my
                 dissolution
                 .
                 Doest
                 thou
                 bid
                 me
                 ,
                 O
                 Saviour
                 ,
                 doe
                 this
                 in
                 remembrance
                 of
                 thee
                 ?
                 Oh
                 ,
                 how
                 can
                 I
                 forget
                 thee
                 ?
                 How
                 can
                 I
                 enough
                 celebrate
                 thee
                 for
                 this
                 
                 thy
                 unspeakable
                 mercy
                 ?
                 Can
                 I
                 see
                 thee
                 thus
                 crucified
                 before
                 my
                 eies
                 ,
                 &
                 for
                 my
                 sake
                 thus
                 crucified
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 remember
                 thee
                 ?
                 Can
                 I
                 finde
                 my
                 sins
                 accessary
                 to
                 this
                 thy
                 death
                 ,
                 and
                 thy
                 death
                 meritoriously
                 expiating
                 all
                 these
                 my
                 grievous
                 sins
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 remember
                 thee
                 ?
                 Can
                 I
                 hear
                 thee
                 freely
                 offering
                 thy self
                 to
                 me
                 ,
                 and
                 feel
                 thee
                 graciously
                 conveighing
                 thy self
                 into
                 my
                 soul
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 remember
                 thee
                 ?
                 I
                 doe
                 remember
                 thee
                 O
                 Saviour
                 ;
                 but
                 oh
                 that
                 I
                 could
                 yet
                 more
                 effectually
                 remember
                 thee
                 ;
                 with
                 all
                 the
                 passionate
                 affections
                 of
                 a
                 soul
                 sick
                 of
                 thy
                 love
                 ;
                 with
                 all
                 zealous
                 desires
                 to
                 glorifie
                 thee
                 ,
                 with
                 all
                 fervent
                 longings
                 after
                 thee
                 ,
                 and
                 thy
                 salvation
                 ;
                 I
                 remember
                 thee
                 in
                 thy
                 sufferings
                 ,
                 Oh
                 doe
                 thou
                 remember
                 me
                 in
                 thy
                 glory
                 .
              
            
             
               
               
                 SECT
                 .
                 XXIX
                 .
              
               
                 HAving
                 thus
                 busied
                 it self
                 with
                 holy
                 thoughts
                 in
                 the
                 time
                 of
                 the
                 celebration
                 ,
                 the
                 devout
                 soul
                 breaks
                 not
                 off
                 in
                 an
                 abrupt
                 unmannerlinesse
                 ,
                 without
                 taking
                 leave
                 of
                 the
                 great
                 Master
                 of
                 this
                 heavenly
                 feast
                 ,
                 but
                 with
                 a
                 secret
                 adoration
                 ,
                 humbly
                 blesseth
                 God
                 for
                 so
                 great
                 a
                 mercy
                 ,
                 and
                 heartily
                 resolves
                 and
                 desires
                 to
                 walk
                 worthy
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 Jesus
                 ,
                 whom
                 it
                 hath
                 received
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 consecreate
                 it self
                 wholly
                 to
                 the
                 service
                 of
                 him
                 that
                 hath
                 so
                 dearly
                 bought
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 hath
                 given
                 it
                 these
                 pledges
                 of
                 it's
                 eternall
                 union
                 with
                 him
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 devout
                 soul
                 hath
                 thus
                 sup't
                 in
                 heaven
                 ,
                 and
                 returnes
                 home
                 ,
                 yet
                 the
                 work
                 is
                 not
                 thus
                 done
                 :
                 after
                 the
                 elements
                 are
                 out
                 of
                 eye
                 and
                 use
                 ,
                 there
                 remains
                 a
                 digestion
                 of
                 this
                 celestial
                 food
                 ,
                 by
                 holy
                 meditation
                 ;
                 and
                 
                 now
                 it
                 thinks
                 ,
                 Oh
                 what
                 a
                 blessing
                 have
                 I
                 received
                 to
                 day
                 !
                 no
                 lesse
                 then
                 my
                 Lord
                 Jesus
                 ,
                 with
                 all
                 his
                 merits
                 ;
                 and
                 in
                 and
                 with
                 him
                 ,
                 the
                 assurance
                 of
                 the
                 remission
                 of
                 all
                 my
                 sins
                 ,
                 and
                 everlasting
                 salvation
                 :
                 How
                 happy
                 am
                 I
                 ,
                 if
                 I
                 be
                 not
                 wanting
                 to
                 God
                 and
                 my self
                 ?
                 How
                 unworthy
                 shall
                 I
                 be
                 ,
                 if
                 I
                 doe
                 not
                 strive
                 to
                 answer
                 this
                 love
                 of
                 my
                 God
                 and
                 Saviour
                 ,
                 in
                 all
                 hearty
                 affection
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 all
                 holy
                 obedience
                 ?
              
               
                 And
                 now
                 after
                 this
                 heavenly
                 repast
                 ,
                 how
                 doe
                 I
                 feel
                 my self
                 ?
                 what
                 strength
                 ,
                 what
                 advantage
                 hath
                 my
                 faith
                 gotten
                 ?
                 how
                 much
                 am
                 I
                 neerer
                 to
                 heaven
                 then
                 before
                 ?
                 how
                 much
                 faster
                 hold
                 have
                 I
                 taken
                 of
                 my
                 blessed
                 Redeemer
                 ?
                 how
                 much
                 more
                 firm
                 &
                 sensible
                 is
                 my
                 interest
                 in
                 him
                 ?
              
               
                 Neither
                 are
                 these
                 thoughts
                 ,
                 &
                 this
                 examination
                 the
                 work
                 of
                 the
                 next
                 instant
                 onely
                 ,
                 but
                 they
                 are
                 such
                 ,
                 as
                 must
                 dwell
                 upon
                 the
                 heart
                 ;
                 and
                 must
                 often
                 solicite
                 
                 our
                 memory
                 ,
                 and
                 excite
                 our
                 practise
                 ,
                 that
                 by
                 this
                 means
                 we
                 may
                 frequently
                 renue
                 the
                 efficacy
                 of
                 this
                 blessed
                 Sacrament
                 ,
                 and
                 our
                 souls
                 may
                 batten
                 more
                 and
                 more
                 ,
                 with
                 this
                 spirituall
                 nourishment
                 ,
                 and
                 may
                 be
                 fed
                 up
                 to
                 eternall
                 life
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 SECT
                 .
                 XXX
                 .
              
               
                 THese
                 are
                 the
                 generalities
                 of
                 our
                 Devotion
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 of
                 common
                 use
                 to
                 all
                 Christians
                 ;
                 There
                 are
                 besides
                 these
                 certain
                 specialties
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 appliable
                 to
                 severall
                 occasions
                 ,
                 times
                 ,
                 places
                 ,
                 persons
                 ;
                 For
                 there
                 are
                 morning
                 ,
                 and
                 evening
                 Devotions
                 ;
                 Devotions
                 proper
                 to
                 our
                 board
                 ,
                 to
                 our
                 closet
                 ,
                 to
                 our
                 bed
                 ,
                 to
                 Gods
                 day
                 ,
                 to
                 our
                 own
                 ;
                 to
                 health
                 ,
                 to
                 sicknesse
                 ,
                 to
                 severall
                 callings
                 ,
                 to
                 recreations
                 ;
                 to
                 the
                 way
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 field
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 to
                 our
                 home
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 student
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 souldier
                 ,
                 to
                 
                 the
                 Magistrate
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 Minister
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 husband
                 ,
                 wife
                 ,
                 child
                 ,
                 servant
                 ;
                 to
                 our
                 own
                 persons
                 ,
                 to
                 our
                 families
                 ;
                 The
                 severalties
                 whereof
                 ,
                 as
                 they
                 are
                 scarce
                 finite
                 for
                 number
                 ,
                 so
                 are
                 most
                 fit
                 to
                 be
                 left
                 to
                 the
                 judgement
                 ,
                 and
                 holy
                 managing
                 of
                 every
                 Christian
                 ;
                 neither
                 is
                 it
                 to
                 be
                 imagined
                 ,
                 that
                 any
                 soul
                 which
                 is
                 taught
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 hath
                 any
                 acquaintance
                 with
                 heaven
                 ,
                 can
                 be
                 to
                 seek
                 in
                 the
                 particular
                 application
                 of
                 common
                 rules
                 to
                 his
                 own
                 necessity
                 or
                 expedience
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 result
                 of
                 all
                 ,
                 is
                 ,
              
               
                 A
                 devout
                 man
                 is
                 he
                 that
                 ever
                 sees
                 the
                 invisible
                 ,
                 and
                 ever
                 trembleth
                 before
                 that
                 God
                 he
                 sees
                 ;
                 that
                 walks
                 ever
                 ,
                 here
                 on
                 earth
                 ,
                 with
                 the
                 God
                 of
                 heaven
                 ;
                 and
                 still
                 adores
                 that
                 Majesty
                 with
                 whom
                 he
                 converses
                 ;
                 that
                 confers
                 hourely
                 with
                 the
                 God
                 of
                 spirits
                 in
                 his
                 own
                 language
                 ;
                 yet
                 so
                 ,
                 as
                 no
                 familiarity
                 can
                 abate
                 of
                 his
                 aw
                 ,
                 nor
                 fear
                 abate
                 ought
                 of
                 
                 his
                 love
                 .
                 To
                 whom
                 the
                 gates
                 of
                 heaven
                 are
                 ever
                 open
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 may
                 goe
                 in
                 at
                 pleasure
                 to
                 the
                 throne
                 of
                 grace
                 ,
                 and
                 none
                 of
                 the
                 Angelicall
                 spirits
                 can
                 offer
                 to
                 challenge
                 him
                 of
                 too
                 much
                 boldnesse
                 :
                 Whose
                 eies
                 are
                 well
                 acquainted
                 with
                 those
                 heavenly
                 guardians
                 ,
                 the
                 presence
                 of
                 whom
                 he
                 doth
                 as
                 truly
                 acknowledge
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 they
                 were
                 his
                 sensible
                 companions
                 .
                 He
                 is
                 well
                 known
                 of
                 the
                 King
                 of
                 glory
                 ,
                 for
                 a
                 daily
                 suitor
                 in
                 the
                 Court
                 of
                 heaven
                 ,
                 &
                 none
                 so
                 welcome
                 there
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 :
                 He
                 accounts
                 all
                 his
                 time
                 lost
                 that
                 fals
                 beside
                 his
                 God
                 ;
                 and
                 can
                 be
                 no
                 more
                 weary
                 of
                 good
                 thoughts
                 ,
                 then
                 of
                 happinesse
                 .
              
               
                 His
                 bosome
                 is
                 no
                 harbour
                 for
                 any
                 known
                 evill
                 ;
                 and
                 it
                 is
                 a
                 question
                 whether
                 he
                 more
                 abhorres
                 sin
                 ,
                 or
                 hell
                 ;
                 His
                 care
                 is
                 to
                 entertain
                 God
                 in
                 a
                 clear
                 ,
                 and
                 free
                 heart
                 ,
                 and
                 therefore
                 he
                 thrusts
                 the
                 world
                 out
                 of
                 doors
                 ,
                 and
                 humbly
                 beseeches
                 God
                 to
                 welcome
                 
                 himself
                 to
                 his
                 own
                 :
                 He
                 is
                 truly
                 dejected
                 ,
                 and
                 vile
                 in
                 his
                 own
                 eies
                 :
                 Nothing
                 but
                 hell
                 is
                 lower
                 then
                 he
                 ;
                 every
                 of
                 his
                 slips
                 are
                 hainous
                 ,
                 every
                 trespasse
                 is
                 aggravated
                 to
                 rebellion
                 ;
                 The
                 glory
                 and
                 favours
                 of
                 God
                 heighten
                 his
                 humiliation
                 ;
                 He
                 hath
                 lookt
                 down
                 to
                 the
                 bottomles
                 deep
                 ,
                 &
                 seen
                 with
                 horror
                 what
                 he
                 deserved
                 to
                 feel
                 everlastingly
                 ;
                 His
                 crys
                 have
                 been
                 as
                 strong
                 ,
                 as
                 his
                 fears
                 just
                 ;
                 &
                 he
                 hath
                 found
                 mercy
                 more
                 ready
                 to
                 rescue
                 him
                 ,
                 then
                 he
                 could
                 be
                 importunate
                 :
                 His
                 hand
                 could
                 not
                 be
                 so
                 soon
                 put
                 forth
                 as
                 his
                 Saviours
                 ,
                 for
                 deliverance
                 .
                 The
                 sense
                 of
                 this
                 mercy
                 hath
                 raised
                 him
                 to
                 an
                 unspeakable
                 joy
                 to
                 a
                 most
                 fervent
                 love
                 of
                 so
                 dear
                 a
                 Redeemer
                 ;
                 that
                 love
                 hath
                 knit
                 his
                 heart
                 to
                 so
                 meritorious
                 a
                 deliverer
                 ,
                 and
                 wrought
                 a
                 blessed
                 union
                 betwixt
                 God
                 and
                 his
                 soul
                 .
                 That
                 union
                 can
                 no
                 more
                 be
                 severed
                 from
                 an
                 infinite
                 delight
                 ,
                 then
                 that
                 delight
                 can
                 be
                 severed
                 
                 from
                 an
                 humble
                 ,
                 and
                 cheerfull
                 acquiescence
                 in
                 his
                 munificent
                 God
                 ;
                 And
                 now
                 ,
                 as
                 in
                 an
                 heavenly
                 freedome
                 ,
                 he
                 pours
                 out
                 his
                 soul
                 into
                 the
                 bosome
                 of
                 the
                 Almighty
                 ,
                 in
                 all
                 faithfull
                 suits
                 for
                 himself
                 and
                 others
                 ;
                 so
                 ,
                 he
                 enjoys
                 God
                 in
                 the
                 blessings
                 received
                 ,
                 and
                 returns
                 all
                 zealous
                 praises
                 to
                 the
                 giver
                 .
              
               
                 He
                 comes
                 reverently
                 to
                 the
                 Oracles
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 brings
                 not
                 his
                 eye
                 ,
                 but
                 his
                 heart
                 with
                 him
                 ,
                 not
                 carelesly
                 negligent
                 in
                 seeking
                 to
                 know
                 the
                 revealed
                 will
                 of
                 his
                 maker
                 ,
                 nor
                 too
                 busily
                 inquisitive
                 into
                 his
                 deep
                 counsels
                 ;
                 not
                 too
                 remisse
                 in
                 the
                 letter
                 ,
                 nor
                 too
                 peremptory
                 in
                 the
                 sense
                 :
                 gladly
                 comprehending
                 what
                 he
                 may
                 ,
                 and
                 admiring
                 what
                 he
                 cannot
                 comprehend
                 .
                 Doth
                 God
                 call
                 for
                 his
                 ear
                 ?
                 He
                 goes
                 awfully
                 into
                 the
                 holy
                 presence
                 and
                 so
                 hears
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 he
                 should
                 now
                 hear
                 his
                 last
                 :
                 Latching
                 every
                 word
                 that
                 drops
                 from
                 the
                 Preachers
                 
                 lips
                 ,
                 ere
                 it
                 fall
                 to
                 the
                 ground
                 ,
                 and
                 laying
                 it
                 up
                 carefully
                 where
                 he
                 may
                 be
                 sure
                 to
                 fetch
                 it
                 .
                 He
                 sits
                 not
                 to
                 censure
                 ,
                 but
                 to
                 learn
                 ,
                 yet
                 speculation
                 and
                 knowledge
                 is
                 the
                 least
                 drift
                 of
                 his
                 labour
                 ;
                 Nothing
                 is
                 his
                 own
                 but
                 what
                 he
                 practiseth
                 .
                 Is
                 he
                 invited
                 to
                 Gods
                 feast
                 ?
                 he
                 hates
                 to
                 come
                 in
                 a
                 foul
                 and
                 slovenly
                 dresse
                 ;
                 but
                 trims
                 up
                 his
                 soul
                 ,
                 so
                 ,
                 as
                 may
                 be
                 fit
                 for
                 an
                 heavenly
                 guest
                 :
                 Neither
                 doth
                 he
                 leave
                 his
                 stomach
                 at
                 home
                 cloyed
                 with
                 the
                 world
                 ,
                 but
                 brings
                 a
                 sharp
                 appetite
                 with
                 him
                 ;
                 and
                 so
                 s●eds
                 as
                 if
                 he
                 meant
                 to
                 live
                 for
                 ever
                 .
                 All
                 earthly
                 delicates
                 are
                 unfavoury
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 in
                 respect
                 of
                 that
                 celestiall
                 Manna
                 :
                 Shortly
                 ,
                 he
                 so
                 eats
                 and
                 drinks
                 ,
                 as
                 one
                 that
                 sees
                 himself
                 set
                 at
                 Table
                 with
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 Angels
                 ;
                 and
                 rises
                 and
                 departs
                 full
                 of
                 his
                 Saviour
                 ;
                 and
                 in
                 the
                 strength
                 of
                 that
                 meal
                 walks
                 vigorously
                 and
                 cheerfully
                 on
                 towards
                 his
                 glory
                 .
                 Finally
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 well
                 knows
                 that
                 
                 he
                 lives
                 ,
                 and
                 moves
                 ,
                 and
                 hath
                 his
                 beeing
                 in
                 God
                 ,
                 so
                 he
                 referres
                 his
                 life
                 ,
                 motions
                 ,
                 and
                 beeing
                 wholly
                 to
                 God
                 ;
                 so
                 acting
                 all
                 things
                 as
                 if
                 God
                 did
                 them
                 by
                 him
                 ,
                 so
                 using
                 all
                 things
                 ,
                 as
                 one
                 that
                 enjoyes
                 God
                 in
                 them
                 ;
                 and
                 in
                 the
                 mean
                 time
                 so
                 walking
                 on
                 earth
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 doth
                 in
                 a
                 sort
                 carry
                 his
                 heaven
                 with
                 him
                 .
              
            
          
        
      
       
         
           
             
             
               THE
               FREE
               PRISONER
               :
               OR
               ,
               The
               COMFORT
               of
               RESTRAINT
               .
            
             
               Written
               Some
               while
               since
               in
               the
               Tower
               ,
               BY
               
                 I.
                 H.
                 B.
                 N.
              
               
            
          
        
         
           
             
             
             
               The
               Free
               Prisoner
               :
               
                 OR
                 The
                 Comfort
                 of
                 Restraint
              
               .
            
             
               
                 SECT
                 .
                 I.
                 
              
               
                 
                   SIR
                   :
                
              
               
                 WHiles
                 you
                 pity
                 my
                 affliction
                 ,
                 take
                 heed
                 lest
                 you
                 aggravate
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 your
                 thoughts
                 make
                 it
                 greater
                 then
                 it
                 is
                 in
                 my
                 own
                 ;
                 It
                 is
                 true
                 ,
                 I
                 am
                 under
                 restraint
                 ;
                 What
                 is
                 that
                 to
                 a
                 man
                 ,
                 that
                 can
                 be
                 free
                 in
                 the
                 Tower
                 ,
                 and
                 cannot
                 but
                 be
                 a
                 prisoner
                 abroad
                 ?
                 Such
                 is
                 my
                 condition
                 ,
                 and
                 every
                 Divine
                 Philosophers
                 with
                 me
                 .
                 Were
                 my
                 walls
                 much
                 straiter
                 then
                 they
                 are
                 ,
                 they
                 cannot
                 hold
                 me
                 in
                 ;
                 It
                 is
                 a
                 bold
                 word
                 to
                 say
                 ,
                 
                 
                   I
                   cannot
                   ,
                   I
                   will
                   not
                   be
                   a
                   prisoner
                   :
                
                 It
                 is
                 my
                 Soul
                 that
                 is
                 I
                 :
                 my
                 flesh
                 is
                 my
                 partner
                 ,
                 (
                 if
                 not
                 my
                 servant
                 )
                 not
                 my self
                 :
                 However
                 my
                 body
                 may
                 be
                 immured
                 ,
                 that
                 agile
                 spirit
                 shall
                 flye
                 abroad
                 ,
                 and
                 visit
                 both
                 earth
                 ,
                 and
                 heaven
                 at
                 pleasure
                 .
                 Who
                 shall
                 hinder
                 it
                 from
                 mounting
                 up
                 (
                 in
                 an
                 instant
                 )
                 to
                 that
                 supream
                 region
                 of
                 blisse
                 ,
                 and
                 from
                 seeing
                 that
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 eye
                 of
                 faith
                 ,
                 which
                 S.
                 Paul
                 saw
                 in
                 extasie
                 ;
                 and
                 when
                 it
                 hath
                 viewed
                 that
                 blessed
                 Hierarchy
                 of
                 heaven
                 to
                 glance
                 down
                 through
                 the
                 innumerable
                 ,
                 and
                 unmeasurable
                 globes
                 of
                 light
                 (
                 which
                 move
                 in
                 the
                 firmament
                 ,
                 and
                 below
                 it
                 )
                 into
                 this
                 elementary
                 world
                 ;
                 and
                 there
                 to
                 compasse
                 seas
                 and
                 lands
                 ,
                 without
                 shipwrack
                 ,
                 in
                 a
                 trice
                 ,
                 which
                 a
                 Drake
                 ,
                 or
                 Cavendish
                 cannot
                 doe
                 ,
                 but
                 with
                 danger
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 some
                 years
                 navigation
                 ;
                 And
                 if
                 my
                 thoughts
                 list
                 to
                 stay
                 themselves
                 in
                 the
                 passage
                 ;
                 with
                 what
                 variety
                 can
                 my
                 soul
                 be
                 taken
                 up
                 
                 of
                 severall
                 objects
                 ;
                 Here
                 ,
                 turning
                 in
                 to
                 the
                 dark
                 vaults
                 ,
                 and
                 dungeons
                 of
                 penall
                 restraint
                 ,
                 to
                 visit
                 the
                 disconsolate
                 prisoners
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 fetch
                 from
                 their
                 greater
                 misery
                 ,
                 a
                 just
                 mitigation
                 of
                 mine
                 own
                 ;
                 There
                 ,
                 looking
                 in
                 to
                 the
                 houses
                 of
                 vain
                 jollity
                 ,
                 and
                 pitying
                 that
                 which
                 the
                 sensuall
                 fools
                 call
                 happinesse
                 ;
                 Here
                 stepping
                 in
                 to
                 the
                 Courts
                 of
                 great
                 Princes
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 them
                 observing
                 the
                 fawning
                 compliances
                 of
                 some
                 ,
                 the
                 trecherous
                 underworking
                 of
                 others
                 ;
                 hollow
                 friendships
                 ,
                 faithlesse
                 ingagements
                 ,
                 fair
                 faces
                 ,
                 smooth
                 tongues
                 ,
                 rich
                 suits
                 ,
                 viewing
                 all
                 save
                 their
                 hearts
                 ,
                 &
                 censuring
                 nothing
                 that
                 it
                 sees
                 not
                 ;
                 There
                 calling
                 in
                 at
                 the
                 low
                 cottages
                 of
                 the
                 poor
                 ,
                 and
                 out
                 of
                 their
                 empty
                 cupboard
                 furnishing
                 it self
                 with
                 thankfulnesse
                 ;
                 Here
                 so
                 over-looking
                 the
                 Courts
                 of
                 Justice
                 ,
                 as
                 not
                 willing
                 to
                 seerigour
                 or
                 partiality
                 ;
                 There
                 listing
                 what
                 they
                 say
                 in
                 those
                 meetings
                 
                 which
                 would
                 passe
                 for
                 sacred
                 ,
                 and
                 wondring
                 at
                 what
                 it
                 hears
                 .
                 Thus
                 can
                 ,
                 and
                 shall
                 ,
                 and
                 doth
                 my
                 nimble
                 spirit
                 bestir
                 it self
                 in
                 a
                 restless
                 flight
                 ,
                 making
                 onely
                 the
                 Empyreall
                 heaven
                 ,
                 the
                 bounds
                 of
                 it's
                 motion
                 ;
                 not
                 being
                 more
                 able
                 to
                 stand
                 still
                 ,
                 then
                 the
                 heavens
                 themselves
                 ,
                 whence
                 it
                 descended
                 :
                 Should
                 the
                 iron
                 enter
                 into
                 my
                 soul
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 did
                 into
                 that
                 good
                 Patriarchs
                 ,
                 yet
                 it
                 cannot
                 fetter
                 me
                 :
                 No
                 more
                 can
                 my
                 spirit
                 be
                 confined
                 to
                 one
                 place
                 ,
                 then
                 my
                 body
                 can
                 be
                 diffused
                 to
                 many
                 .
                 Perhaps
                 therefore
                 you
                 are
                 mistaken
                 in
                 my
                 condition
                 ;
                 for
                 what
                 is
                 it
                 I
                 beseech
                 you
                 that
                 makes
                 a
                 prisoner
                 ?
                 Is
                 it
                 an
                 allotment
                 to
                 the
                 same
                 room
                 without
                 change
                 ,
                 without
                 remove
                 ?
                 What
                 is
                 that
                 still
                 to
                 a
                 minde
                 that
                 is
                 free
                 ?
              
               
                 And
                 why
                 is
                 my
                 body
                 then
                 more
                 a
                 prisoner
                 then
                 the
                 best
                 mans
                 soul
                 ;
                 that
                 ,
                 you
                 know
                 ,
                 is
                 peremptorily
                 assigned
                 ,
                 for
                 inhabitation
                 
                 to
                 this
                 house
                 of
                 clay
                 till
                 the
                 day
                 of
                 dissolution
                 :
                 Why
                 more
                 then
                 the
                 starres
                 of
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 which
                 have
                 remained
                 fixed
                 in
                 their
                 first
                 stations
                 ever
                 since
                 they
                 were
                 first
                 created
                 ?
                 Why
                 more
                 then
                 those
                 great
                 persons
                 which
                 keep
                 up
                 for
                 state
                 ;
                 or
                 Dames
                 for
                 beauty
                 ?
                 Why
                 more
                 then
                 those
                 Anachorites
                 whom
                 we
                 have
                 seen
                 willingly
                 coop'd
                 up
                 for
                 merit
                 ?
                 How
                 much
                 more
                 scope
                 have
                 we
                 then
                 they
                 ?
                 We
                 breathe
                 fresh
                 aire
                 ,
                 we
                 see
                 the
                 same
                 heavens
                 with
                 the
                 freest
                 travellers
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 SECT
                 .
                 II.
                 
              
               
                 BUt
                 we
                 have
                 (
                 you
                 will
                 say
                 )
                 bounds
                 for
                 our
                 restraint
                 ,
                 which
                 the
                 free
                 spirit
                 hates
                 ;
                 as
                 never
                 being
                 pleased
                 ,
                 but
                 with
                 a
                 full
                 liberty
                 both
                 of
                 prospect
                 and
                 passage
                 ;
                 Any
                 barre
                 ,
                 whether
                 to
                 the
                 foot
                 ,
                 or
                 to
                 the
                 eye
                 ,
                 is
                 a
                 death
                 :
                 Oh
                 vain
                 affectation
                 of
                 wilde
                 ,
                 and
                 
                 roving
                 curiosity
                 !
                 if
                 their
                 desires
                 cannot
                 be
                 bounded
                 ,
                 yet
                 their
                 motions
                 must
                 ;
                 When
                 they
                 have
                 the
                 full
                 sight
                 of
                 heaven
                 above
                 them
                 ,
                 they
                 cannot
                 clime
                 up
                 into
                 it
                 ;
                 they
                 cannot
                 possibly
                 see
                 that
                 whole
                 glorious
                 contignation
                 ;
                 and
                 when
                 the
                 whole
                 earth
                 lyes
                 open
                 before
                 them
                 ,
                 they
                 can
                 measure
                 but
                 some
                 small
                 pieces
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 How
                 can
                 they
                 be
                 quiet
                 till
                 they
                 have
                 purchased
                 
                   Tycho
                   Brahe
                
                 his
                 prospective
                 Trunk
                 of
                 thirty
                 two
                 foot
                 long
                 ,
                 whereby
                 they
                 may
                 discover
                 a
                 better
                 face
                 of
                 Heaven
                 ;
                 some
                 lesser
                 Planets
                 moving
                 round
                 about
                 the
                 Sun
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Moonets
                 about
                 Saturn
                 and
                 Jupiter
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Mountains
                 ,
                 Seas
                 ,
                 and
                 Vallies
                 in
                 the
                 Moon
                 ?
                 How
                 can
                 they
                 rest
                 till
                 having
                 acquainted
                 themselves
                 with
                 the
                 constellations
                 of
                 our
                 Hemisphere
                 ,
                 they
                 have
                 passed
                 the
                 Equinoctiall
                 ,
                 and
                 seen
                 the
                 triangle
                 ,
                 the
                 crosse
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 clouds
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 rest
                 of
                 the
                 unknown
                 Stars
                 that
                 move
                 above
                 
                 the
                 other
                 Pole
                 ?
                 And
                 when
                 all
                 this
                 is
                 done
                 they
                 are
                 but
                 who
                 they
                 were
                 ,
                 no
                 whit
                 better
                 ,
                 no
                 whit
                 wiser
                 ,
                 and
                 perhaps
                 far
                 lesse
                 happy
                 then
                 those
                 ,
                 who
                 never
                 smelt
                 any
                 but
                 their
                 own
                 smoke
                 ;
                 never
                 knew
                 any
                 star
                 ,
                 but
                 Charles-wayn
                 ,
                 the
                 Morning-star
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Seven
                 .
                 For
                 me
                 ,
                 I
                 doe
                 not
                 envie
                 ,
                 but
                 wonder
                 at
                 the
                 licentious
                 freedome
                 ,
                 which
                 these
                 men
                 think
                 themselves
                 happy
                 to
                 enjoy
                 ;
                 and
                 hold
                 it
                 a
                 weaknesse
                 in
                 those
                 mindes
                 ,
                 which
                 cannot
                 finde
                 more
                 advantage
                 and
                 pleasure
                 in
                 confinement
                 ,
                 and
                 retirednesse
                 ;
                 Is
                 it
                 a
                 small
                 benefit
                 ,
                 that
                 I
                 am
                 placed
                 there
                 ,
                 where
                 no
                 oathes
                 ,
                 no
                 blasphemies
                 beat
                 my
                 ears
                 ?
                 where
                 my
                 eyes
                 are
                 in
                 no
                 perill
                 of
                 wounding
                 objects
                 ;
                 where
                 I
                 hear
                 no
                 invectives
                 ,
                 no
                 false
                 doctrines
                 ,
                 no
                 sermocinations
                 of
                 Ironmongers
                 ,
                 Felt-makers
                 ,
                 Coblers
                 ,
                 Broom-men
                 ,
                 Groomes
                 ,
                 or
                 any
                 other
                 of
                 those
                 inspired
                 ignorants
                 ;
                 no
                 curses
                 ,
                 
                 no
                 ribaldries
                 :
                 where
                 I
                 see
                 no
                 drunken
                 comeslations
                 ,
                 no
                 rebellious
                 routs
                 ,
                 no
                 violent
                 oppressions
                 ,
                 no
                 obscene
                 rejoycings
                 ,
                 nor
                 ought
                 else
                 that
                 might
                 either
                 vex
                 ,
                 or
                 afright
                 my
                 soul
                 .
                 This
                 ,
                 this
                 is
                 my
                 liberty
                 :
                 who
                 whiles
                 I
                 sit
                 here
                 quietly
                 lock'd
                 up
                 by
                 my
                 Keeper
                 ,
                 can
                 pity
                 the
                 turmoiles
                 and
                 distempers
                 abroad
                 ,
                 and
                 blesse
                 my
                 own
                 immunity
                 from
                 those
                 too
                 common
                 evils
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 SECT
                 .
                 III.
                 
              
               
                 IS
                 it
                 the
                 necessity
                 and
                 force
                 of
                 the
                 restraint
                 ;
                 since
                 those
                 things
                 which
                 we
                 do
                 voluntarily
                 ,
                 are
                 wont
                 to
                 passe
                 from
                 us
                 with
                 delight
                 ,
                 which
                 being
                 imposed
                 seem
                 grievous
                 to
                 us
                 ?
                 Why
                 should
                 not
                 I
                 have
                 so
                 much
                 power
                 over
                 my
                 will
                 as
                 to
                 make
                 that
                 voluntary
                 in
                 me
                 ,
                 to
                 undergo
                 ,
                 which
                 another
                 wils
                 forcibly
                 to
                 inflict
                 ?
                 the
                 mind
                 that
                 is
                 truly
                 subacted
                 
                 to
                 Grace
                 ,
                 can
                 so
                 frame
                 it self
                 to
                 what
                 it
                 must
                 suffer
                 ,
                 as
                 that
                 it
                 finds
                 a
                 kind
                 of
                 contentment
                 in
                 patience
                 ;
                 Thus
                 we
                 daily
                 doe
                 to
                 the
                 Almighty
                 ,
                 whose
                 will
                 ,
                 by
                 our
                 humble
                 submission
                 ,
                 we
                 make
                 ours
                 ;
                 and
                 pray
                 that
                 we
                 may
                 do
                 so
                 :
                 And
                 who
                 can
                 restrain
                 us
                 without
                 him
                 ?
                 If
                 therefore
                 my
                 wise
                 and
                 holy
                 God
                 think
                 it
                 best
                 to
                 cage
                 me
                 up
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 cōmand
                 of
                 authority
                 (
                 upon
                 what
                 cause
                 soever
                 )
                 why
                 should
                 not
                 I
                 think
                 this
                 enclosure
                 a
                 better
                 liberty
                 :
                 who
                 know
                 there
                 is
                 perfect
                 freedome
                 in
                 his
                 obedience
                 ?
                 So
                 then
                 ,
                 if
                 constraint
                 make
                 a
                 prisoner
                 ,
                 I
                 am
                 none
                 ;
                 who
                 am
                 most
                 willingly
                 ,
                 where
                 my
                 God
                 will
                 have
                 me
                 :
                 And
                 ,
                 if
                 my
                 will
                 did
                 not
                 often
                 carry
                 me
                 out
                 of
                 my
                 own
                 walks
                 at
                 home
                 ,
                 why
                 cannot
                 it
                 as
                 well
                 confine
                 me
                 to
                 a
                 larger
                 compasse
                 of
                 the
                 Tower
                 ?
              
            
             
               
               
                 SECT
                 .
                 IV.
                 
              
               
                 IS
                 it
                 solitude
                 and
                 infrequence
                 of
                 visitation
                 ?
                 This
                 may
                 perhaps
                 be
                 troublesome
                 to
                 a
                 man
                 that
                 knows
                 not
                 to
                 entertain
                 himself
                 ;
                 but
                 ,
                 to
                 him
                 that
                 can
                 hold
                 continuall
                 discourse
                 with
                 his
                 own
                 heart
                 ,
                 no
                 favour
                 can
                 be
                 greater
                 ;
                 For
                 of
                 all
                 other
                 ,
                 these
                 self-conferences
                 are
                 most
                 beneficiall
                 to
                 the
                 soul
                 ;
                 Other
                 mens
                 communication
                 may
                 spend
                 the
                 time
                 with
                 more
                 advantage
                 of
                 learning
                 or
                 mirth
                 ;
                 but
                 none
                 can
                 yeeld
                 us
                 so
                 much
                 spiritual
                 profit
                 ,
                 as
                 our
                 own
                 soliloquies
                 :
                 And
                 when
                 all
                 is
                 done
                 ,
                 the
                 Greeks
                 said
                 well
                 ;
                 It
                 is
                 not
                 much
                 ,
                 but
                 usefull
                 
                 that
                 makes
                 truly
                 wise
                 .
                 Besides
                 this
                 ,
                 we
                 can
                 never
                 have
                 the
                 opportunity
                 of
                 so
                 good
                 company
                 ,
                 as
                 when
                 we
                 are
                 alone
                 :
                 Now
                 ,
                 we
                 enjoy
                 the
                 society
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 Angels
                 ,
                 which
                 we
                 cannot
                 so
                 freely
                 do
                 in
                 a
                 throng
                 of
                 visitants
                 :
                 
                 When
                 God
                 would
                 expresse
                 his
                 greatest
                 intirenesse
                 with
                 his
                 Church
                 ,
                 
                   Ducam
                   eam
                   in
                   solitudinem
                
                 ,
                 saith
                 he
                 :
                 
                   I
                   will
                   bring
                   her
                   into
                
                 
                 
                   the
                   wildernesse
                   ,
                   and
                   there
                   speak
                   comfortably
                   to
                   her
                   .
                
                 We
                 cannot
                 expect
                 so
                 sweet
                 conversation
                 with
                 God
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 presence
                 of
                 others
                 ,
                 as
                 apart
                 .
                 Oh
                 the
                 divine
                 benefit
                 of
                 an
                 holy
                 solitarinesse
                 ,
                 which
                 no
                 worldly
                 heart
                 can
                 either
                 know
                 ,
                 or
                 value
                 !
                 What
                 care
                 I
                 for
                 seeing
                 of
                 men
                 ,
                 when
                 I
                 may
                 see
                 him
                 that
                 is
                 invisible
                 ?
                 What
                 care
                 I
                 for
                 chatting
                 with
                 friends
                 ,
                 when
                 I
                 may
                 talk
                 familiarly
                 with
                 the
                 God
                 of
                 heaven
                 ?
                 What
                 care
                 I
                 for
                 entertaining
                 mortall
                 guests
                 ,
                 when
                 I
                 may
                 with
                 Abraham
                 &
                 his
                 nephew
                 Lot
                 feast
                 the
                 Angels
                 of
                 God
                 :
                 and
                 (
                 which
                 were
                 too
                 great
                 a
                 word
                 ,
                 if
                 God
                 himself
                 had
                 not
                 spoken
                 it
                 )
                 be
                 attended
                 by
                 them
                 ?
              
            
             
               
               
                 SECT
                 .
                 V.
                 
              
               
                 IS
                 it
                 the
                 reproach
                 &
                 ignominy
                 that
                 commonly
                 attends
                 the
                 very
                 name
                 of
                 an
                 imprisonment
                 ?
                 weak
                 mindes
                 may
                 be
                 affected
                 with
                 every
                 thing
                 :
                 but
                 ,
                 with
                 solid
                 judgements
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 not
                 the
                 punishment
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 cause
                 that
                 makes
                 either
                 the
                 Martyr
                 ,
                 or
                 the
                 malefactor
                 .
                 S.
                 Pauls
                 bonds
                 were
                 famous
                 :
                 and
                 
                   Petrus
                   ad
                   vincula
                
                 is
                 not
                 without
                 a
                 note
                 of
                 yearly
                 celebrity
                 :
                 and
                 it
                 were
                 hard
                 ,
                 if
                 so
                 many
                 blessed
                 Martyrs
                 ,
                 and
                 Confessors
                 ,
                 who
                 have
                 lived
                 ,
                 &
                 dy'd
                 in
                 Jayls
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 truths
                 sake
                 ;
                 should
                 not
                 have
                 brought
                 prisons
                 (
                 such
                 as
                 they
                 may
                 be
                 )
                 into
                 some
                 credit
                 .
                 Shortly
                 ,
                 as
                 notorious
                 crimes
                 may
                 be
                 at
                 liberty
                 ,
                 so
                 even
                 innocence
                 may
                 be
                 under
                 restraint
                 ;
                 yet
                 those
                 crimes
                 no
                 whit
                 the
                 better
                 ,
                 nor
                 this
                 innocence
                 the
                 worse
                 .
              
               
                 Besides
                 (
                 that
                 which
                 perhaps
                 
                 came
                 not
                 within
                 your
                 freer
                 thoughts
                 )
                 every
                 restraint
                 is
                 not
                 for
                 punishment
                 ;
                 there
                 is
                 a
                 restraint
                 for
                 safety
                 ,
                 a
                 
                   salva
                   custodia
                
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 arcta
                 ,
                 such
                 is
                 this
                 of
                 ours
                 :
                 This
                 strong
                 Tower
                 serves
                 not
                 so
                 much
                 for
                 our
                 prison
                 ,
                 as
                 for
                 our
                 defence
                 ;
                 what
                 horror
                 soever
                 the
                 name
                 may
                 carry
                 in
                 it
                 :
                 I
                 blesse
                 God
                 for
                 these
                 wals
                 ,
                 out
                 of
                 which
                 I
                 know
                 not
                 where
                 we
                 could
                 (
                 for
                 the
                 time
                 )
                 have
                 been
                 safe
                 from
                 the
                 rage
                 of
                 the
                 mis-incensed
                 multitude
                 :
                 Poor
                 seduced
                 souls
                 ,
                 they
                 were
                 taught
                 it
                 was
                 piety
                 to
                 be
                 cruell
                 ;
                 and
                 were
                 misperswaded
                 to
                 hate
                 &
                 condemn
                 us
                 for
                 that
                 ,
                 (
                 which
                 should
                 have
                 procured
                 their
                 reverence
                 ,
                 and
                 honour
                 )
                 even
                 that
                 holy
                 station
                 which
                 we
                 hold
                 in
                 Gods
                 Church
                 ;
                 and
                 to
                 curse
                 those
                 of
                 us
                 ,
                 who
                 had
                 deserved
                 nothing
                 but
                 their
                 thanks
                 and
                 prayers
                 :
                 rayling
                 on
                 our
                 very
                 profession
                 in
                 the
                 streets
                 ;
                 and
                 rejoycing
                 in
                 our
                 supposed
                 ruine
                 :
                 Father
                 ,
                 forgive
                 
                 them
                 ,
                 for
                 they
                 knew
                 not
                 what
                 they
                 did
                 :
                 Here
                 we
                 were
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 danger
                 of
                 this
                 mis-raised
                 fury
                 ,
                 and
                 had
                 leisure
                 to
                 pray
                 for
                 the
                 quenching
                 of
                 those
                 wilde
                 fires
                 of
                 contention
                 ,
                 '
                 and
                 causlesse
                 malice
                 ,
                 which
                 (
                 to
                 our
                 great
                 grief
                 )
                 we
                 saw
                 wicked
                 incendiaries
                 daily
                 to
                 cast
                 amongst
                 Gods
                 dear
                 &
                 well-minded
                 people
                 .
                 Here
                 we
                 have
                 well
                 and
                 happily
                 approved
                 with
                 the
                 blessed
                 Apostle
                 ,
                 that
                 (
                 what
                 ever
                 our
                 restraint
                 be
                 )
                 the
                 Word
                 of
                 God
                 is
                 not
                 bound
                 ;
                 With
                 what
                 liberty
                 ,
                 with
                 what
                 zeal
                 ,
                 with
                 what
                 successe
                 hath
                 that
                 been
                 preached
                 by
                 us
                 to
                 all
                 commers
                 ?
                 Let
                 them
                 say
                 ,
                 whether
                 the
                 Tower
                 had
                 ever
                 so
                 many
                 ,
                 such
                 guests
                 ,
                 or
                 such
                 benedictions
                 ;
                 so
                 as
                 if
                 the
                 place
                 have
                 rendered
                 us
                 safe
                 ,
                 we
                 have
                 endeavoured
                 to
                 make
                 it
                 happy
                 ;
                 Wherin
                 our
                 performances
                 have
                 seemed
                 to
                 confute
                 that
                 which
                 *
                 Cornelius
                 Bishop
                 of
                 Rome
                 long
                 since
                 observed
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 mind
                 laden
                 
                 with
                 heavy
                 burdens
                 of
                 affliction
                 ,
                 is
                 not
                 able
                 to
                 doe
                 that
                 service
                 ,
                 which
                 it
                 can
                 doe
                 when
                 it
                 is
                 free
                 and
                 at
                 ease
                 ;
                 Our
                 troubles
                 through
                 Gods
                 mercy
                 made
                 us
                 more
                 active
                 ,
                 and
                 our
                 labours
                 more
                 effectuall
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 SECT
                 .
                 VI.
                 
              
               
                 ADde
                 unto
                 these
                 (
                 if
                 you
                 please
                 )
                 the
                 eminent
                 dignity
                 of
                 the
                 place
                 ,
                 such
                 ,
                 as
                 is
                 able
                 to
                 give
                 a
                 kinde
                 of
                 honour
                 to
                 captivity
                 ,
                 the
                 ancient
                 seat
                 of
                 Kings
                 ,
                 chosen
                 by
                 them
                 ,
                 as
                 for
                 the
                 safe
                 residence
                 of
                 their
                 royall
                 persons
                 ,
                 so
                 for
                 their
                 treasury
                 ,
                 their
                 wardrobe
                 ,
                 their
                 Magazine
                 ;
                 all
                 these
                 precious
                 things
                 are
                 under
                 the
                 same
                 custody
                 with
                 our selves
                 ;
                 sent
                 hither
                 ,
                 not
                 as
                 to
                 a
                 prison
                 ,
                 but
                 a
                 repository
                 ;
                 and
                 why
                 should
                 we
                 think
                 our selves
                 in
                 any
                 other
                 condition
                 ?
                 How
                 many
                 worthy
                 inhabitants
                 make
                 
                 choice
                 to
                 fixe
                 their
                 abode
                 within
                 these
                 wals
                 ,
                 as
                 not
                 knowing
                 where
                 to
                 be
                 happier
                 ?
                 the
                 place
                 is
                 the
                 same
                 to
                 us
                 ,
                 if
                 our
                 will
                 maybe
                 the
                 same
                 with
                 theirs
                 ;
                 they
                 dearly
                 purchase
                 that
                 ,
                 which
                 cost
                 us
                 nothing
                 but
                 our
                 fees
                 ;
                 nothing
                 makes
                 the
                 difference
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 meer
                 conceit
                 of
                 Liberty
                 ,
                 which
                 whiles
                 I
                 can
                 give
                 to
                 my self
                 ,
                 in
                 my
                 thoughts
                 ,
                 why
                 am
                 I
                 pityed
                 as
                 miserable
                 ,
                 whiles
                 their
                 happinesse
                 is
                 applauded
                 ?
              
               
                 You
                 see
                 then
                 how
                 free
                 I
                 am
                 in
                 that
                 which
                 you
                 mis-call
                 my
                 prison
                 ;
                 see
                 now
                 ,
                 how
                 little
                 cause
                 I
                 have
                 to
                 affect
                 this
                 liberty
                 ,
                 which
                 you
                 imagine
                 me
                 to
                 want
                 ;
                 since
                 I
                 shall
                 be
                 ,
                 I
                 can
                 be
                 no
                 other
                 then
                 a
                 prisoner
                 abroad
                 :
                 There
                 is
                 much
                 difference
                 of
                 prisons
                 ;
                 One
                 is
                 strait
                 and
                 close
                 locked
                 ,
                 so
                 far
                 from
                 admitting
                 visitants
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 scarce
                 allows
                 the
                 sun
                 to
                 look
                 in
                 at
                 those
                 crosse-barred
                 grates
                 ;
                 another
                 ,
                 is
                 more
                 large
                 and
                 spacious
                 ,
                 yeelding
                 both
                 walks
                 ,
                 and
                 
                 accesse
                 ;
                 Even
                 after
                 my
                 discharge
                 from
                 these
                 wals
                 ,
                 I
                 shall
                 be
                 yet
                 sure
                 to
                 be
                 a
                 prisoner
                 ,
                 both
                 these
                 ways
                 ;
                 For
                 ,
                 what
                 is
                 my
                 body
                 but
                 my
                 prison
                 in
                 the
                 one
                 ?
                 and
                 what
                 is
                 the
                 world
                 ,
                 but
                 my
                 prison
                 in
                 the
                 other
                 kinde
                 ?
              
            
             
               
                 SECT
                 .
                 VII
                 .
              
               
                 TO
                 begin
                 with
                 the
                 former
                 ,
                 never
                 was
                 there
                 a
                 more
                 close
                 prisoner
                 then
                 my
                 soul
                 is
                 for
                 the
                 time
                 to
                 my
                 body
                 ;
                 Close
                 in
                 respect
                 of
                 the
                 essence
                 of
                 that
                 spirit
                 ,
                 which
                 since
                 it's
                 first
                 Mittimus
                 ,
                 never
                 stir'd
                 out
                 from
                 this
                 strait
                 room
                 ;
                 never
                 can
                 doe
                 ,
                 till
                 my
                 gaole-delivery
                 .
              
               
                 If
                 you
                 respect
                 the
                 improvement
                 of
                 the
                 operatiōs
                 of
                 that
                 busie
                 soul
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 any
                 where
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 successively
                 every
                 where
                 ;
                 no
                 place
                 can
                 hold
                 it
                 ,
                 none
                 can
                 limit
                 it
                 ;
                 but
                 if
                 you
                 regard
                 the
                 immortall
                 ,
                 and
                 immateriall
                 substance
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 fast
                 
                 lockt
                 up
                 within
                 these
                 wals
                 of
                 clay
                 ,
                 till
                 the
                 day
                 of
                 my
                 changing
                 come
                 ;
                 even
                 as
                 the
                 closest
                 captive
                 may
                 write
                 letters
                 to
                 his
                 remotest
                 friends
                 ,
                 whilest
                 his
                 person
                 is
                 in
                 durance
                 ;
                 I
                 have
                 too
                 much
                 reason
                 to
                 acknowledge
                 my
                 native
                 Jayle
                 ,
                 and
                 feel
                 the
                 true
                 Symptomes
                 of
                 it
                 to
                 my
                 pain
                 ;
                 what
                 darkness
                 of
                 sorrow
                 have
                 I
                 here
                 found
                 ?
                 what
                 little-ease
                 of
                 melancholick
                 lodgings
                 ?
                 what
                 manacles
                 and
                 shakles
                 of
                 cramps
                 ?
                 yea
                 what
                 racks
                 of
                 torturing
                 convulsions
                 ?
              
               
                 And
                 if
                 there
                 be
                 others
                 ,
                 that
                 finde
                 less
                 misery
                 in
                 their
                 prison
                 ,
                 yet
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 good
                 soul
                 ,
                 but
                 findes
                 equall
                 restraint
                 :
                 That
                 spirituall
                 substance
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 imprisoned
                 within
                 us
                 ,
                 would
                 fain
                 be
                 flying
                 up
                 to
                 that
                 heaven
                 whence
                 it
                 descended
                 ;
                 these
                 wals
                 of
                 flesh
                 forbid
                 that
                 evolation
                 ,
                 (
                 as
                 Socrates
                 cal'd
                 it
                 of
                 old
                 )
                 and
                 will
                 not
                 let
                 it
                 out
                 ,
                 till
                 the
                 God
                 of
                 spirits
                 (
                 who
                 placed
                 it
                 there
                 )
                 
                 shall
                 unlock
                 the
                 doors
                 ,
                 and
                 free
                 the
                 prisoner
                 by
                 death
                 ;
                 He
                 that
                 insused
                 life
                 into
                 Lazarus
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 might
                 call
                 him
                 from
                 the
                 prison
                 of
                 the
                 grave
                 ,
                 must
                 take
                 life
                 from
                 us
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 cals
                 us
                 out
                 of
                 this
                 prison
                 of
                 flesh
                 ;
                 
                   I
                   desire
                   to
                   be
                   loosed
                   ,
                   and
                   to
                   be
                   with
                   Christ
                   ,
                
                 (
                 saith
                 the
                 Apostle
                 )
                 as
                 some
                 versions
                 expresse
                 it
                 ;
                 whiles
                 we
                 are
                 chained
                 to
                 this
                 flesh
                 ,
                 we
                 can
                 have
                 no
                 passage
                 to
                 heaven
                 ,
                 no
                 free
                 conversation
                 with
                 our
                 Saviour
                 :
                 Although
                 it
                 was
                 the
                 singular
                 priviledge
                 of
                 that
                 great
                 Doctor
                 of
                 the
                 Gentiles
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 was
                 in
                 heaven
                 before
                 his
                 dissolution
                 :
                 whether
                 in
                 the
                 body
                 ,
                 or
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 body
                 ,
                 he
                 knew
                 not
                 :
                 How
                 far
                 that
                 rapture
                 extended
                 ,
                 whether
                 to
                 both
                 soul
                 and
                 body
                 ,
                 if
                 he
                 knew
                 not
                 ,
                 how
                 should
                 we
                 ?
                 But
                 this
                 we
                 know
                 ,
                 that
                 such
                 extasie
                 and
                 vision
                 was
                 in
                 him
                 ,
                 without
                 separation
                 of
                 the
                 soul
                 from
                 the
                 body
                 ;
                 which
                 another
                 should
                 hope
                 for
                 in
                 vain
                 :
                 And
                 for
                 him
                 ,
                 
                 so
                 he
                 saw
                 this
                 glory
                 of
                 Paradise
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 could
                 not
                 yet
                 enjoy
                 it
                 :
                 Before
                 he
                 ,
                 or
                 we
                 ,
                 can
                 be
                 blessed
                 with
                 the
                 fruition
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 vve
                 must
                 be
                 loosed
                 :
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 freed
                 from
                 our
                 clog
                 ,
                 and
                 our
                 chain
                 of
                 this
                 mortall
                 body
                 .
              
               
                 What
                 but
                 our
                 prison
                 wals
                 can
                 hinder
                 us
                 here
                 ,
                 from
                 a
                 free
                 prospect
                 ?
                 What
                 but
                 these
                 wals
                 of
                 flesh
                 can
                 hinder
                 me
                 from
                 a
                 clear
                 vision
                 of
                 God
                 ?
                 I
                 must
                 now
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 time
                 ,
                 see
                 as
                 I
                 may
                 :
                 Nothing
                 can
                 enter
                 into
                 my
                 soul
                 ,
                 but
                 what
                 passes
                 through
                 my
                 senses
                 ,
                 and
                 partakes
                 ,
                 in
                 some
                 sort
                 ,
                 of
                 their
                 earthlinesse
                 ;
                 when
                 I
                 am
                 freed
                 from
                 them
                 ,
                 I
                 shall
                 see
                 as
                 I
                 am
                 seen
                 ;
                 in
                 an
                 abstracted
                 and
                 heavenly
                 way
                 ;
                 so
                 as
                 one
                 spirit
                 apprehends
                 another
                 :
                 I
                 do
                 now
                 ,
                 at
                 the
                 best
                 ,
                 see
                 those
                 spirituall
                 objects
                 darkly
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 eye
                 of
                 faith
                 ,
                 as
                 in
                 a
                 glasse
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 not
                 one
                 of
                 the
                 clearest
                 neither
                 :
                 (
                 Alas
                 ,
                 what
                 dim
                 representations
                 are
                 these
                 ,
                 that
                 I
                 can
                 attain
                 to
                 here
                 ,
                 
                 of
                 that
                 Majesty
                 ,
                 whose
                 sight
                 shal
                 make
                 me
                 blessed
                 ?
                 )
                 I
                 shall
                 once
                 see
                 as
                 I
                 am
                 seen
                 ,
                 face
                 to
                 face
                 ;
                 the
                 face
                 of
                 my
                 glorified
                 soul
                 shall
                 see
                 the
                 face
                 of
                 that
                 all-glorious
                 Deity
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 that
                 sight
                 be
                 eternally
                 happy
                 ;
                 It
                 is
                 enough
                 for
                 a
                 prisoner
                 in
                 this
                 dungeon
                 of
                 clay
                 ,
                 to
                 know
                 of
                 ,
                 and
                 fore-expect
                 such
                 felicity
                 ,
                 vvhereof
                 these
                 earthly
                 gieves
                 render
                 him
                 as
                 yet
                 uncapable
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 SECT
                 .
                 VIII
                 .
              
               
                 WOE
                 is
                 me
                 !
                 how
                 many
                 prisons
                 do
                 we
                 passe
                 ?
                 so
                 soon
                 as
                 ever
                 this
                 divine
                 soul
                 is
                 insused
                 into
                 this
                 flesh
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 a
                 prisoner
                 :
                 neither
                 can
                 any
                 more
                 passe
                 out
                 of
                 this
                 skin
                 ,
                 till
                 this
                 frame
                 of
                 nature
                 be
                 demolished
                 :
                 And
                 now
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 soul
                 of
                 this
                 Embryon
                 is
                 instantly
                 a
                 prisoner
                 to
                 the
                 body
                 ,
                 so
                 the
                 body
                 is
                 also
                 a
                 prisoner
                 in
                 the
                 womb
                 ,
                 wherein
                 it
                 is
                 formed
                 :
                 what
                 darknesse
                 ,
                 what
                 
                 closenesse
                 ,
                 what
                 uneasinesse
                 ,
                 what
                 nuisance
                 is
                 there
                 in
                 this
                 dungeon
                 of
                 nature
                 ?
                 There
                 he
                 must
                 lie
                 in
                 an
                 uncouth
                 posture
                 ,
                 for
                 his
                 appointed
                 month
                 ,
                 till
                 the
                 native
                 bonds
                 being
                 loosed
                 ,
                 &
                 the
                 doors
                 forced
                 open
                 ,
                 he
                 shall
                 be
                 by
                 an
                 helpfull
                 obstetrication
                 drawn
                 forth
                 into
                 the
                 larger
                 prison
                 of
                 the
                 vvorld
                 ;
                 there
                 indeed
                 he
                 hath
                 elbow-room
                 enough
                 :
                 but
                 al
                 that
                 wide
                 scope
                 cannot
                 free
                 him
                 from
                 a
                 true
                 incarceratiō
                 :
                 Who
                 knows
                 not
                 that
                 there
                 are
                 many
                 differences
                 ,
                 and
                 latitudes
                 of
                 restraint
                 ?
                 A
                 Simeon
                 may
                 imprison
                 and
                 enchain
                 himself
                 in
                 the
                 compasse
                 of
                 a
                 pillar
                 ,
                 not
                 allowing
                 himself
                 the
                 ease
                 of
                 his
                 whole
                 dimensiōs
                 ;
                 Peter
                 may
                 be
                 lockt
                 up
                 in
                 a
                 larger
                 Jayle
                 ,
                 betwixt
                 his
                 two
                 Leopards
                 (
                 as
                 that
                 father
                 terms
                 thē
                 ;
                 )
                 S.
                 Paul
                 may
                 be
                 two
                 years
                 allowed
                 to
                 be
                 a
                 prisoner
                 in
                 his
                 own
                 
                 hired
                 house
                 ,
                 but
                 under
                 the
                 guard
                 of
                 his
                 keeper
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 vvithout
                 his
                 chain
                 :
                 There
                 are
                 those
                 who
                 
                 upon
                 hainous
                 ,
                 and
                 dangerous
                 occasions
                 ,
                 may
                 be
                 kept
                 close
                 under
                 many
                 locks
                 ;
                 there
                 are
                 prisoners
                 at
                 large
                 ,
                 vvho
                 have
                 the
                 liberty
                 of
                 the
                 Tower
                 ;
                 yet
                 even
                 these
                 last
                 ,
                 notwithstanding
                 the
                 allowance
                 of
                 spacious
                 walks
                 ,
                 &
                 fresh
                 gardens
                 ,
                 are
                 no
                 other
                 then
                 acknowledged
                 prisoners
                 :
                 Such
                 is
                 my
                 condition
                 to
                 the
                 world
                 ,
                 whē
                 I
                 am
                 at
                 my
                 fullest
                 liberty
                 :
                 It
                 is
                 true
                 ,
                 that
                 when
                 I
                 look
                 back
                 to
                 the
                 straitnesse
                 of
                 my
                 first
                 ,
                 and
                 native
                 prison
                 ,
                 and
                 compare
                 it
                 with
                 the
                 large
                 extent
                 of
                 that
                 wide
                 world
                 ,
                 into
                 which
                 I
                 am
                 brought
                 ,
                 I
                 may
                 well
                 with
                 Isaacs
                 Herds-men
                 ,
                 say
                 ,
                 
                   Rehoboth
                   ,
                   For
                
                 
                 
                   now
                   ,
                   the
                   Lord
                   hath
                   made
                   me
                   room
                   :
                
                 but
                 when
                 I
                 compare
                 that
                 world
                 ,
                 wherein
                 I
                 am
                 ,
                 with
                 that
                 whereto
                 I
                 aspire
                 ,
                 and
                 vvhich
                 I
                 know
                 to
                 be
                 above
                 ,
                 and
                 look
                 to
                 enjoy
                 ;
                 I
                 can
                 see
                 nothing
                 here
                 ,
                 but
                 meer
                 prison-vvals
                 ,
                 and
                 professe
                 my
                 life
                 to
                 be
                 no
                 other
                 then
                 a
                 perpetuall
                 durance
                 .
              
            
             
               
               
                 SECT
                 .
                 IX
                 .
              
               
                 IF
                 Varro
                 said
                 of
                 old
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 
                 world
                 was
                 no
                 other
                 then
                 the
                 great
                 house
                 of
                 little
                 man
                 ,
                 I
                 shall
                 be
                 bold
                 to
                 adde
                 what
                 kind
                 of
                 house
                 it
                 is
                 ;
                 It
                 is
                 no
                 other
                 then
                 his
                 prison
                 ,
                 yea
                 ,
                 his
                 dungeon
                 .
              
               
                 Far
                 be
                 it
                 from
                 me
                 to
                 disparage
                 the
                 glorious
                 work
                 of
                 my
                 omnipotent
                 Creator
                 :
                 I
                 were
                 not
                 worthy
                 to
                 look
                 upon
                 this
                 large
                 ,
                 and
                 glittering
                 roof
                 of
                 heaven
                 ,
                 nor
                 to
                 see
                 the
                 pleasant
                 varieties
                 of
                 these
                 earthly
                 landskips
                 ,
                 if
                 I
                 did
                 not
                 adore
                 that
                 infinite
                 power
                 ,
                 and
                 wisdome
                 which
                 appears
                 in
                 this
                 goodly
                 ,
                 and
                 immense
                 fabricke
                 ;
                 and
                 confesse
                 the
                 marvellous
                 beauty
                 of
                 that
                 majestick
                 ,
                 and
                 transcendent
                 workmanship
                 ;
                 Rather
                 when
                 I
                 see
                 the
                 
                   Moon
                   and
                   the
                   Starres
                   ,
                   which
                   thou
                   hast
                   ordained
                   ,
                
                 
                 I
                 say
                 with
                 the
                 Psalmist
                 ,
                 
                   Lord
                   what
                   is
                   man
                
                 ?
              
               
               
                 But
                 ,
                 O
                 God
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 no
                 dishonour
                 to
                 thee
                 ,
                 that
                 though
                 this
                 be
                 a
                 fair
                 house
                 ,
                 yet
                 thou
                 hast
                 one
                 so
                 much
                 better
                 then
                 it
                 ,
                 as
                 a
                 Palace
                 is
                 beyond
                 a
                 Jayle
                 .
              
               
                 This
                 beauty
                 may
                 please
                 ,
                 but
                 that
                 ravisheth
                 my
                 soul
                 :
                 Here
                 is
                 light
                 ,
                 but
                 dim
                 ,
                 and
                 dusky
                 ,
                 in
                 respect
                 of
                 that
                 inaccessible
                 light
                 ,
                 wherein
                 thou
                 dwellest
                 :
                 Here
                 is
                 a
                 glorious
                 sun
                 ,
                 that
                 illumineth
                 this
                 inferiour
                 world
                 ,
                 but
                 thou
                 art
                 the
                 sun
                 who
                 enlightenest
                 that
                 world
                 above
                 :
                 Thou
                 ,
                 to
                 whom
                 thy
                 created
                 Sun
                 is
                 but
                 a
                 shadow
                 .
              
               
                 Here
                 we
                 converse
                 with
                 beasts
                 ,
                 or
                 at
                 the
                 best
                 ,
                 with
                 men
                 ;
                 there
                 with
                 blessed
                 soules
                 ,
                 and
                 heavenly
                 Angels
                 :
                 Here
                 some
                 frivolous
                 delights
                 are
                 intermixed
                 with
                 a
                 thousand
                 vexations
                 ;
                 There
                 in
                 thy
                 presence
                 is
                 the
                 fulnesse
                 of
                 joy
                 :
                 So
                 then
                 ,
                 let
                 the
                 sensuall
                 heart
                 mis-place
                 his
                 paradise
                 here
                 in
                 the
                 world
                 ,
                 it
                 shall
                 not
                 passe
                 for
                 other
                 with
                 me
                 ,
                 then
                 my
                 prison
                 :
                 How
                 can
                 it
                 ?
                 Why
                 should
                 
                 it
                 ?
                 for
                 what
                 other
                 terms
                 doe
                 I
                 find
                 here
                 ?
              
               
                 What
                 blind
                 light
                 looks
                 in
                 here
                 at
                 these
                 scant
                 loopeholes
                 of
                 my
                 soul
                 ?
                 Yea
                 ,
                 what
                 darknesse
                 of
                 ignorance
                 rather
                 possesses
                 me
                 ?
                 what
                 bolts
                 and
                 shackles
                 of
                 heavy
                 crosses
                 doe
                 I
                 beare
                 about
                 me
                 ?
                 how
                 am
                 I
                 fed
                 here
                 with
                 the
                 bread
                 of
                 afdiction
                 ?
                 how
                 am
                 I
                 watched
                 and
                 beset
                 with
                 evill
                 spirits
                 ?
                 how
                 contumeliously
                 traduced
                 ?
                 how
                 disdainefully
                 lookt
                 upon
                 ?
                 how
                 dragging
                 the
                 same
                 chaine
                 with
                 the
                 worst
                 malefactors
                 ?
                 how
                 disabled
                 to
                 all
                 spirituall
                 motions
                 ?
                 how
                 restrained
                 from
                 that
                 full
                 liberty
                 of
                 injoying
                 my
                 home
                 ,
                 and
                 my
                 God
                 in
                 it
                 ,
                 which
                 I
                 daily
                 expect
                 in
                 my
                 dissolution
                 ?
                 when
                 therefore
                 ,
                 I
                 am
                 released
                 from
                 these
                 walls
                 ,
                 I
                 am
                 still
                 imprisoned
                 in
                 larger
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 shall
                 be
                 till
                 the
                 Lord
                 of
                 the
                 spirits
                 of
                 al
                 flesh
                 (
                 who
                 put
                 me
                 here
                 )
                 shal
                 set
                 me
                 free
                 ;
                 and
                 all
                 the
                 daies
                 of
                 my
                 appointed
                 time
                 wil
                 I
                 wait
                 ,
                 til
                 this
                 my
                 changing
                 come
                 .
              
            
             
               
               
                 SECT
                 .
                 X.
                 
              
               
                 YOu
                 see
                 then
                 by
                 this
                 time
                 ,
                 how
                 little
                 reason
                 I
                 have
                 to
                 be
                 too
                 much
                 troubled
                 with
                 this
                 imprisonment
                 ,
                 or
                 my
                 friends
                 for
                 me
                 ;
                 But
                 indeed
                 ,
                 there
                 are
                 some
                 sorts
                 of
                 Prisoners
                 ,
                 which
                 neither
                 you
                 nor
                 I
                 can
                 have
                 tears
                 enow
                 to
                 bewaile
                 :
                 and
                 those
                 especially
                 of
                 two
                 kinds
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 one
                 ,
                 those
                 that
                 are
                 too
                 much
                 affected
                 with
                 an
                 outward
                 bondage
                 :
                 The
                 other
                 ,
                 those
                 that
                 are
                 no
                 whit
                 affected
                 with
                 a
                 spirituall
                 .
              
               
                 In
                 the
                 first
                 rank
                 are
                 they
                 that
                 sinke
                 under
                 the
                 weight
                 of
                 their
                 Irons
                 ;
                 Poore
                 impotent
                 soules
                 ,
                 that
                 groaning
                 under
                 the
                 cruelty
                 of
                 a
                 Turkish
                 thraldome
                 ,
                 or
                 a
                 Spanish
                 Inquisition
                 ,
                 want
                 Faith
                 to
                 beare
                 them
                 out
                 ,
                 against
                 the
                 impetuous
                 violences
                 of
                 their
                 tormentors
                 :
                 I
                 sorrow
                 for
                 their
                 suffering
                 ;
                 
                 but
                 for
                 their
                 fai●●●●
                 more
                 :
                 could
                 they
                 see
                 the
                 Gro●●●
                 of
                 glory
                 ,
                 which
                 the
                 right●
                 〈◊〉
                 Judge
                 holds
                 ready
                 for
                 their
                 ●●ctorious
                 Patience
                 ,
                 they
                 〈◊〉
                 not
                 but
                 contemne
                 paine
                 ,
                 〈◊〉
                 all
                 the
                 pomp
                 of
                 Death
                 ,
                 and
                 ●●●fesse
                 that
                 their
                 Light
                 affliction
                 (
                 which
                 is
                 but
                 for
                 〈…〉
                 )
                 works
                 for
                 them
                 a
                 far
                 more
                 ●●●ceeding
                 and
                 eternall
                 weight
                 of
                 glory
                 :
                 But
                 alas
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 the
                 weaknesse
                 of
                 their
                 eyes
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 onely
                 look
                 at
                 the
                 things
                 that
                 are
                 seen
                 ,
                 close
                 walls
                 ,
                 heavy
                 〈◊〉
                 sharp
                 scourges
                 ,
                 merciless
                 racks
                 ,
                 and
                 other
                 dreadfull
                 engines
                 of
                 torture
                 ,
                 and
                 see
                 not
                 the
                 things
                 that
                 are
                 not
                 seen
                 ,
                 the
                 glorious
                 reward
                 of
                 their
                 victory
                 ,
                 blessedness
                 .
                 Had
                 they
                 had
                 Stephens
                 eyes
                 ,
                 they
                 would
                 have
                 emulated
                 his
                 martyrdome
                 ;
                 Surely
                 whosoever
                 shall
                 but
                 read
                 the
                 story
                 of
                 the
                 Mother
                 and
                 the
                 seaven
                 Brothers
                 in
                 the
                 Maccabees
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 of
                 the
                 fourty
                 Armenian
                 Martyrs
                 
                 frozen
                 to
                 death
                 ,
                 reported
                 by
                 Gaudentius
                 ,
                 and
                 shall
                 there
                 see
                 the
                 fainting
                 revolter
                 dying
                 uncomfortably
                 in
                 the
                 Bath
                 ,
                 whiles
                 the
                 other
                 thirty
                 and
                 nine
                 (
                 together
                 with
                 their
                 new
                 converted
                 Keeper
                 )
                 are
                 crowned
                 by
                 an
                 Angell
                 from
                 heaven
                 ,
                 cannot
                 choose
                 (
                 except
                 he
                 have
                 nothing
                 but
                 Ice
                 in
                 his
                 bosome
                 )
                 but
                 find
                 in
                 himself
                 a
                 disposition
                 emulous
                 of
                 their
                 courage
                 ,
                 and
                 ambitious
                 of
                 their
                 honour
                 ;
                 But
                 alas
                 ,
                 what
                 ever
                 our
                 desires
                 ;
                 and
                 purposes
                 may
                 be
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 not
                 for
                 every
                 one
                 to
                 attain
                 to
                 the
                 glory
                 of
                 Martyrdome
                 ;
                 this
                 is
                 the
                 highest
                 pitch
                 ,
                 that
                 earthly
                 Saints
                 are
                 capable
                 of
                 :
                 He
                 must
                 be
                 more
                 then
                 a
                 man
                 ,
                 whom
                 pain
                 and
                 death
                 cannot
                 remove
                 from
                 his
                 holy
                 resolutions
                 ,
                 and
                 especially
                 ,
                 the
                 lingering
                 execution
                 of
                 both
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 well
                 if
                 an
                 age
                 can
                 yeeld
                 one
                 ,
                 Mole
                 :
                 In
                 what
                 terms
                 shal
                 I
                 commemorate
                 thee
                 ,
                 O
                 thou
                 blessed
                 Confessor
                 ,
                 the
                 great
                 example
                 of
                 invincible
                 
                 constancy
                 ,
                 in
                 these
                 backsliding
                 times
                 ,
                 (
                 if
                 at
                 least
                 thy
                 rare
                 perseverance
                 be
                 not
                 more
                 for
                 wonder
                 then
                 imitation
                 )
                 whom
                 thirty
                 yeares
                 tedious
                 durance
                 in
                 the
                 Inquisitory
                 at
                 Rome
                 ,
                 could
                 not
                 weary
                 out
                 of
                 thy
                 sincere
                 profession
                 of
                 the
                 Evangelical
                 truth
                 ?
                 All
                 this
                 while
                 thou
                 wert
                 not
                 allowed
                 the
                 speech
                 ,
                 the
                 sight
                 of
                 any
                 ,
                 but
                 thy
                 persecutors
                 :
                 Here
                 was
                 none
                 to
                 pity
                 thee
                 ,
                 none
                 to
                 exhort
                 thee
                 :
                 If
                 either
                 force
                 of
                 perswasion
                 ,
                 or
                 proffers
                 of
                 favour
                 ,
                 or
                 threats
                 of
                 extremity
                 ,
                 could
                 have
                 wrought
                 thee
                 for
                 thy
                 perversion
                 ,
                 thou
                 hadst
                 not
                 at
                 last
                 dyed
                 ours
                 .
                 Blessed
                 be
                 the
                 God
                 of
                 all
                 comfort
                 ,
                 who
                 having
                 stood
                 by
                 thee
                 ,
                 and
                 made
                 thee
                 faithfull
                 to
                 the
                 death
                 ,
                 hath
                 now
                 given
                 thee
                 a
                 crown
                 of
                 life
                 and
                 immortalitie
                 ;
                 and
                 left
                 thee
                 a
                 noble
                 pattern
                 of
                 Christian
                 fortitude
                 ,
                 so
                 much
                 more
                 remarkable
                 ,
                 as
                 lesse
                 frequently
                 followed
                 .
              
               
                 Whether
                 I
                 look
                 into
                 the
                 former
                 ,
                 
                 or
                 the
                 present
                 times
                 I
                 finde
                 the
                 world
                 full
                 of
                 shrinking
                 professors
                 .
              
               
                 Amongst
                 the
                 first
                 Christians
                 ,
                 persecution
                 easily
                 discovered
                 four
                 sorts
                 of
                 cowardly
                 Renegadoes
                 ;
                 The
                 first
                 ,
                 and
                 worst
                 ,
                 whom
                 they
                 justly
                 styled
                 Idolaters
                 ,
                 that
                 yeelded
                 to
                 all
                 the
                 publike
                 forms
                 of
                 worship
                 to
                 those
                 false
                 Gods
                 :
                 The
                 second
                 ,
                 Sacrificers
                 ,
                 who
                 condescended
                 so
                 far
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 some
                 kind
                 of
                 immolation
                 unto
                 those
                 fained
                 deities
                 ,
                 or
                 ,
                 at
                 least
                 ,
                 to
                 a
                 tasting
                 of
                 those
                 things
                 which
                 were
                 thus
                 offered
                 :
                 The
                 third
                 ,
                 Incensers
                 ,
                 such
                 as
                 (
                 with
                 Marcellinus
                 himself
                 )
                 came
                 on
                 so
                 far
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 cast
                 some
                 grains
                 of
                 incense
                 into
                 the
                 Idols
                 fire
                 :
                 The
                 last
                 were
                 their
                 Libellaticks
                 ,
                 such
                 as
                 privately
                 by
                 themselves
                 ,
                 or
                 by
                 some
                 allowed
                 proxey
                 ,
                 denyed
                 the
                 faith
                 ,
                 yet
                 with
                 their
                 mony
                 bought
                 out
                 this
                 ignominy
                 ,
                 &
                 sin
                 of
                 any
                 publique
                 Act
                 of
                 Idolatry
                 .
              
               
                 Not
                 to
                 speak
                 of
                 those
                 many
                 
                 thousands
                 which
                 fell
                 down
                 before
                 Solyman
                 the
                 second
                 ,
                 and
                 held
                 up
                 their
                 finger
                 to
                 fignifie
                 their
                 conversion
                 to
                 his
                 Mahometisme
                 ,
                 for
                 ease
                 of
                 their
                 taxations
                 ;
                 how
                 many
                 doe
                 we
                 hear
                 of
                 daily
                 of
                 all
                 nations
                 ,
                 and
                 some
                 (
                 which
                 I
                 shame
                 and
                 grieve
                 to
                 say
                 )
                 of
                 our
                 own
                 ,
                 who
                 yeild
                 to
                 receive
                 circumcision
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 renounce
                 their
                 Saviour
                 ?
                 Oh
                 the
                 lamentable
                 condition
                 of
                 those
                 distressed
                 Christians
                 ▪
                 If
                 constant
                 to
                 their
                 professio
                 they
                 live
                 in
                 a
                 perpetual
                 purgatory
                 of
                 torment
                 ;
                 If
                 revolting
                 ,
                 they
                 run
                 into
                 the
                 danger
                 of
                 an
                 everlasting
                 damnation
                 in
                 hel
                 ;
                 Even
                 this
                 gentle
                 restraint
                 puts
                 me
                 into
                 the
                 meditatiō
                 of
                 their
                 insupportable
                 durance
                 ;
                 Why
                 doe
                 not
                 all
                 Christian
                 hearts
                 bleed
                 with
                 the
                 sense
                 of
                 their
                 deplorable
                 estate
                 ?
                 why
                 is
                 not
                 our
                 compassion
                 heightned
                 ,
                 according
                 to
                 the
                 depth
                 of
                 their
                 perill
                 ,
                 and
                 misery
                 ?
              
               
                 What
                 are
                 our
                 bowels
                 made
                 of
                 ,
                 if
                 they
                 yearn
                 not
                 at
                 their
                 unexpressible
                 
                 calamity
                 ?
                 Ye
                 rich
                 Merchants
                 ,
                 under
                 whose
                 imployment
                 many
                 of
                 these
                 poor
                 souls
                 have
                 thus
                 unhappily
                 miscarried
                 ,
                 how
                 can
                 you
                 blesse
                 your selves
                 in
                 your
                 bags
                 ,
                 whiles
                 you
                 see
                 the
                 members
                 of
                 Christ
                 your
                 Saviour
                 ,
                 thus
                 torn
                 from
                 him
                 ,
                 for
                 want
                 of
                 a
                 petty
                 ransome
                 ?
                 Ye
                 eminent
                 persons
                 whom
                 God
                 hath
                 advanced
                 to
                 power
                 and
                 greatness
                 ,
                 how
                 can
                 you
                 sleep
                 quietly
                 upon
                 your
                 pillows
                 ,
                 whiles
                 you
                 think
                 of
                 the
                 cold
                 and
                 hard
                 lodgings
                 ,
                 the
                 hungry
                 bellies
                 ,
                 the
                 naked
                 and
                 waled
                 backs
                 of
                 miserable
                 Christians
                 ?
                 Lastly
                 ,
                 what
                 fervent
                 prayers
                 should
                 we
                 all
                 ,
                 that
                 professe
                 the
                 dear
                 name
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 powre
                 out
                 unto
                 the
                 God
                 of
                 heaven
                 for
                 the
                 strengthning
                 of
                 the
                 faith
                 and
                 patience
                 of
                 these
                 afflicted
                 souls
                 against
                 the
                 assaults
                 of
                 violence
                 ?
                 and
                 for
                 their
                 happy
                 and
                 speedy
                 deliverance
                 out
                 of
                 their
                 wofull
                 captivity
                 ?
              
            
             
               
               
                 SECT
                 .
                 XI
                 .
              
               
                 THese
                 prisoners
                 are
                 worthy
                 of
                 our
                 deep
                 compassion
                 ;
                 as
                 those
                 ,
                 who
                 are
                 too
                 sensible
                 of
                 their
                 own
                 misery
                 ;
                 Others
                 there
                 are
                 ,
                 who
                 are
                 so
                 much
                 more
                 worthy
                 of
                 greater
                 pity
                 ,
                 by
                 how
                 much
                 they
                 are
                 lesse
                 apprehensive
                 of
                 their
                 need
                 of
                 it
                 ;
                 plausible
                 prisoners
                 under
                 a
                 spirituall
                 tyranny
                 ;
                 whose
                 very
                 wils
                 are
                 so
                 captived
                 to
                 the
                 powers
                 of
                 darkness
                 ,
                 that
                 to
                 choose
                 they
                 would
                 be
                 no
                 other
                 then
                 bondmen
                 ;
                 pleasing
                 themselves
                 in
                 those
                 chains
                 ,
                 whose
                 weight
                 is
                 enough
                 to
                 sink
                 their
                 souls
                 into
                 hell
                 ;
                 such
                 are
                 they
                 ,
                 who
                 have
                 yeelded
                 themselves
                 over
                 to
                 bee
                 enthralled
                 by
                 any
                 known
                 sin
                 ;
                 No
                 men
                 under
                 heaven
                 doe
                 so
                 much
                 applaud
                 themselves
                 in
                 the
                 conceit
                 of
                 their
                 liberty
                 ;
                 none
                 so
                 great
                 slaves
                 as
                 they
                 ;
                 If
                 the
                 very
                 Stoick
                 Philosophers
                 had
                 not
                 enough
                 evinced
                 
                 this
                 truth
                 ,
                 Divinity
                 should
                 :
                 Indeed
                 ,
                 the
                 world
                 is
                 a
                 worse
                 kind
                 of
                 Algier
                 ,
                 full
                 of
                 miserable
                 captives
                 ;
                 Here
                 lies
                 one
                 so
                 fettered
                 in
                 lust
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 rots
                 again
                 ;
                 there
                 another
                 ,
                 so
                 laden
                 with
                 drunken
                 excesse
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 can
                 neither
                 goe
                 norstand
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 very
                 deed
                 is
                 not
                 his
                 own
                 man
                 :
                 Here
                 one
                 so
                 pinched
                 with
                 golden
                 fetters
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 can
                 neither
                 eat
                 ,
                 nor
                 sleep
                 ;
                 nor
                 at
                 all
                 enjoy
                 himself
                 :
                 there
                 ,
                 another
                 so
                 pined
                 with
                 envy
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 is
                 forced
                 to
                 feed
                 on
                 his
                 own
                 heart
                 :
                 Here
                 ,
                 one
                 so
                 tormented
                 with
                 anger
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 is
                 stark
                 mad
                 for
                 the
                 time
                 ;
                 and
                 cares
                 not
                 how
                 he
                 mischieves
                 himself
                 in
                 a
                 furious
                 desire
                 to
                 hurt
                 others
                 ;
                 there
                 ,
                 another
                 ,
                 so
                 racked
                 with
                 ambition
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 is
                 stretched
                 beyond
                 his
                 own
                 length
                 ,
                 and
                 lives
                 in
                 the
                 pain
                 of
                 a
                 perpetuall
                 self-extention
                 .
              
               
                 These
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 others
                 of
                 this
                 kinde
                 are
                 most
                 miserable
                 prisoners
                 ,
                 chained
                 up
                 for
                 everlasting
                 darknesse
                 :
                 So
                 much
                 more
                 worthy
                 
                 of
                 our
                 pity
                 ,
                 as
                 they
                 are
                 lesse
                 capable
                 of
                 their
                 own
                 :
                 Spend
                 your
                 compassion
                 (
                 if
                 you
                 please
                 )
                 upon
                 these
                 deplorable
                 subjects
                 ;
                 But
                 for
                 me
                 ,
                 wish
                 me
                 (
                 if
                 you
                 wil
                 )
                 as
                 free
                 from
                 any
                 imputation
                 of
                 evill
                 ,
                 as
                 I
                 was
                 ,
                 and
                 am
                 from
                 the
                 thought
                 of
                 it
                 ;
                 wish
                 me
                 in
                 your
                 free
                 champian
                 ,
                 where
                 I
                 may
                 have
                 no
                 hedge
                 so
                 much
                 as
                 to
                 confine
                 my
                 eye
                 :
                 wish
                 me
                 happy
                 in
                 the
                 society
                 of
                 so
                 dear
                 and
                 and
                 noble
                 a
                 Friend
                 ;
                 but
                 in
                 the
                 mean
                 while
                 ,
                 think
                 of
                 me
                 no
                 otherwise
                 ,
                 then
                 as
                 a
                 Free
                 prisoner
                 ,
                 And
              
               
                 
                   Yours
                   thankfully
                   devoted
                   ,
                   in
                   all
                   faithfull
                   observance
                   ,
                   I.
                   N.
                   
                
              
               
            
          
        
      
       
         
           
             
             
             
               THE
               REMEDY
               OF
               DISCONTENTMENT
               .
            
             
               OR
               ,
               A
               TREATISE
               OF
               CONTENTATION
               in
               whatsoever
               condition
               :
               Fit
               for
               these
               sad
               and
               troubled
               Times
               .
            
             
               By
               Jos.
               HALL
               
                 D.
                 D.
              
               and
               B.
               of
               N.
               
            
             
               Phil.
               4.
               1●
               
                 〈…〉
                 have
                 learned
                 in
                 whatsoever
                 estate
                 I
                 am
                 ,
                 therewith
                 to
                 be
                 content
                 .
              
            
             
               12.
               
               
                 I
                 know
                 both
                 how
                 to
                 be
                 abased
                 ,
                 and
                 I
                 know
                 how
                 to
                 abound
                 ;
                 Every
                 where
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 all
                 things
                 I
                 am
                 instructed
                 both
                 to
                 be
                 full
                 and
                 to
                 be
                 hungry
                 ,
                 both
                 to
                 abound
                 and
                 to
                 want
                 .
              
            
             
               LONDON
               ,
               Printed
               by
               
                 M.
                 F.
              
               for
               
                 Nat.
                 Butter
              
               .
               1646.
               
            
          
           
             
             
               I
               
                 Have
                 perused
                 this
                 Treatise
                 entituled
              
               [
               The
               Remedy
               of
               Discontentment
               ,
               ]
               
                 and
                 judging
                 it
                 to
                 be
                 very
                 pious
                 ,
                 profitable
                 ,
                 and
                 necessary
                 for
                 these
                 sad
                 and
                 distracted
                 times
                 ,
                 I
                 license
                 it
                 to
                 be
                 printed
                 and
                 published
                 ,
                 and
                 should
                 much
                 commend
                 it
                 to
                 the
                 Christian
                 Reader
                 ,
                 if
                 the
                 very
                 name
                 of
                 the
                 Authour
                 were
                 not
                 in
                 it self
                 sufficient
                 without
                 any
                 further
                 testimony
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 JOHN
                 DOVV●AM●
                 .
              
            
          
           
             
             
               TO
               THE
               CHRISTIAN
               READER
               ,
               
                 Grace
                 and
                 Peace
              
               .
            
             
               WHat
               can
               be
               more
               seasonable
               ,
               then
               when
               all
               the
               world
               is
               sick
               of
               Discontentment
               ,
               to
               give
               counsels
               and
               Receits
               of
               Contentation
               ?
               Perhaps
               the
               Patient
               will
               think
               it
               a
               time
               is
               chosen
               for
               physick
               ,
               in
               the
               midst
               of
               a
               Fit
               :
               But
               in
               this
               case
               we
               must
               doe
               as
               we
               may
               .
               I
               confesse
               ,
               I
               had
               rather
               have
               stayed
               till
               the
               Paroxys
               me
               were
               happily
               over
               ,
               that
               so
               the
               humors
               being
               somewhat
               setled
               ,
               I
               
               might
               hope
               for
               the
               more
               kindly
               operation
               of
               this
               wholsome
               medicine
               .
               But
               ,
               partly
               my
               age
               and
               weaknesse
               ,
               despairing
               to
               out-live
               the
               publique
               distemper
               ;
               and
               partly
               my
               judgement
               (
               crossing
               the
               vulgar
               opinion
               for
               the
               season
               of
               some
               kinde
               of
               Receits
               )
               have
               ●●w
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               upon
               this
               safe
               ,
               and
               〈…〉
               ●nscription
               :
               God
               is
               〈…〉
               that
               I
               wrote
               this
               〈…〉
               of
               mine
               own
               afflictions
               ,
               (
               the
               particulars
               whereof
               ,
               it
               were
               unseasonable
               to
               trouble
               the
               world
               withall
               )
               as
               one
               that
               meant
               to
               make
               my selfe
               my
               own
               Patient
               ,
               by
               enjoyning
               my self
               that
               course
               of
               remedies
               ,
               that
               I
               prescribe
               to
               others
               ;
               and
               ,
               as
               one
               ,
               who
               by
               the
               powerfull
               working
               of
               Gods
               Spirit
               within
               me
               ,
               labour
               to
               
               finde
               my
               heart
               framed
               to
               those
               holy
               dispositions
               which
               I
               wish
               and
               recommend
               to
               every
               Christian
               soul
               :
               If
               there
               be
               no
               remedy
               but
               the
               worst
               of
               outward
               troubles
               must
               afflict
               us
               ;
               it
               shall
               be
               happy
               yet
               ,
               if
               we
               may
               find
               inward
               peace
               in
               our
               bosomes
               :
               which
               shall
               be
               ,
               if
               we
               can
               reconcile
               our selves
               to
               our
               offended
               God
               ;
               and
               calme
               our
               spirits
               to
               a
               meek
               undergoing
               of
               those
               sufferings
               ,
               which
               the
               divine
               Providence
               hath
               thought
               fit
               to
               measure
               forth
               unto
               us
               :
               This
               is
               the
               main
               drift
               of
               this
               ensuing
               labour
               .
               Now
               the
               same
               God
               ,
               who
               hath
               ,
               in
               these
               blustring
               times
               ,
               put
               into
               my
               heart
               these
               quiet
               thoughts
               of
               holy
               Contentation
               ,
               blesse
               them
               in
               every
               hand
               that
               shall
               receive
               them
               ;
               and
               
               make
               them
               effectuall
               to
               the
               good
               of
               every
               soul
               ,
               that
               shall
               now
               ,
               and
               hereafter
               entertain
               them
               ;
               that
               so
               their
               gracious
               proficiency
               may
               ,
               in
               the
               day
               of
               the
               appearance
               of
               our
               Lord
               Jesus
               ,
               adde
               to
               the
               joy
               of
               my
               account
               ;
               Who
               am
               the
               unworthiest
               of
               the
               servants
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               his
               Church
               ,
            
             
               
                 J.
                 N.
                 
              
            
          
           
             
             
               THE
               CONTENTS
               OF
               the
               severall
               Sections
               following
               .
            
             
               
                 Sect.
                 I.
                 THe
                 excellency
                 of
                 Contentation
                 ;
                 and
                 how
                 it
                 is
                 to
                 be
                 had
                 .
                 pag.
                 171
              
               
                 §
                 II.
                 The
                 contrariety
                 of
                 estates
                 wherein
                 it
                 is
                 to
                 be
                 exercised
                 .
                 172
              
               
                 §
                 III.
                 Who
                 they
                 are
                 that
                 know
                 not
                 how
                 to
                 want
                 ,
                 and
                 be
                 abused
                 .
                 176
              
               
                 §
                 IV.
                 Who
                 they
                 are
                 that
                 know
                 how
                 to
                 want
                 .
                 182
              
               
                 §
                 V.
                 Considerations
                 leading
                 to
                 Contentation
                 ;
                 and
                 first
                 the
                 consideration
                 of
                 the
                 ficklenesse
                 
                 of
                 life
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 all
                 earthly
                 commodities
                 ;
                 Honour
                 ,
                 Beautie
                 ,
                 Strength
                 ,
                 &c.
                 183
              
               
                 §
                 VI.
                 Consideration
                 of
                 the
                 unsatisfying
                 condition
                 of
                 these
                 worldly
                 things
                 .
                 192
              
               
                 §
                 VII
                 .
                 The
                 danger
                 of
                 the
                 too
                 much
                 estimation
                 of
                 these
                 earthly
                 comforts
                 .
                 196
              
               
                 §
                 VIII
                 .
                 The
                 consideration
                 of
                 the
                 divine
                 Providence
                 ,
                 ordering
                 ,
                 and
                 over-ruling
                 all
                 events
                 .
                 198
              
               
                 §
                 IX
                 .
                 The
                 consideration
                 of
                 the
                 worse
                 condition
                 of
                 others
                 .
                 200
              
               
                 §
                 X.
                 The
                 consideration
                 of
                 the
                 inconveniences
                 of
                 great
                 estates
                 ;
                 &
                 therein
                 first
                 their
                 cares
                 .
                 206
              
               
                 §
                 XI
                 .
                 The
                 danger
                 of
                 the
                 distempers
                 ,
                 both
                 bodily
                 ,
                 and
                 spirituall
                 ,
                 that
                 follow
                 great
                 means
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 torment
                 in
                 parting
                 with
                 them
                 .
                 211
              
               
                 §
                 XII
                 .
                 Consideration
                 of
                 the
                 benefits
                 of
                 Poverty
                 .
                 216
              
               
                 §
                 XIII
                 .
                 Consideration
                 of
                 how
                 little
                 will
                 suffice
                 Nature
                 .
                 221
              
               
                 §
                 XIV
                 .
                 Consideration
                 of
                 the
                 
                 inconveniences
                 and
                 miseries
                 of
                 discontentment
                 .
                 225
              
               
                 §
                 XV.
                 The
                 gracious
                 vicissitudes
                 of
                 Gods
                 favours
                 and
                 afflictions
                 .
                 230
              
               
                 §
                 XVI
                 .
                 Consid
                 .
                 of
                 the
                 great
                 examples
                 of
                 Contentation
                 ,
                 both
                 without
                 ,
                 and
                 within
                 the
                 Church
                 of
                 God.
                 236
              
               
                 §
                 XVII
                 .
                 Contentment
                 in
                 death
                 it self
                 .
                 244
              
               
                 §
                 XVIII
                 .
                 The
                 miseries
                 and
                 inconveniences
                 of
                 the
                 continued
                 conjunction
                 of
                 the
                 soul
                 and
                 body
                 .
                 250
              
               
                 §
                 XIX
                 .
                 Holy
                 dispositions
                 for
                 contentment
                 ;
                 the
                 first
                 whereof
                 ,
                 Humility
                 .
                 256
              
               
                 §
                 XX.
                 2.
                 
                 Selfe-resignation
                 .
                 262
              
               
                 §
                 XXI
                 .
                 3.
                 
                 The
                 true
                 inward
                 riches
                 .
                 268
              
               
                 §
                 XXII
                 .
                 Holy
                 resolutions
                 :
                 and
                 1.
                 
                 That
                 the
                 present
                 estate
                 is
                 best
                 for
                 us
                 .
                 272
              
               
                 §
                 XXIII
                 .
                 2.
                 
                 Resolution
                 to
                 abate
                 of
                 our
                 desires
                 .
                 279
              
               
                 
                 §
                 XXIV
                 .
                 3.
                 
                 Resolution
                 ,
                 to
                 inure
                 our selves
                 to
                 digest
                 smaller
                 discontentments
                 .
                 284
              
               
                 §
                 XXV
                 .
                 4.
                 
                 Resolution
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 frequent
                 and
                 fervent
                 in
                 prayer
                 .
                 291
              
               
                 §
                 XXVI
                 .
                 The
                 difficulty
                 of
                 knowing
                 how
                 to
                 abound
                 ;
                 and
                 the
                 ill
                 consequences
                 of
                 the
                 not
                 knowing
                 it
                 .
                 294
              
            
          
           
             
             
               
                 CONTENTATION
                 ,
                 in
                 knowing
                 
                   
                     How
                     to
                     want
                     :
                     where
                     is
                     set
                     forth
                     
                       
                         What
                         it
                         is
                         to
                         know
                         how
                         to
                         want
                         ,
                         and
                         to
                         be
                         abased
                         .
                      
                       
                         How
                         to
                         be
                         attained
                         in
                         respect
                         
                           
                             Of
                             the
                             adversities
                             of
                             life
                             ,
                             where
                             must
                             be
                             certain
                             
                               
                                 1
                                 Considerations
                                 ,
                                 
                                   
                                     1
                                     Of
                                     the
                                     valuation
                                     of
                                     earthly
                                     things
                                     ;
                                     the
                                     
                                       
                                         Transitoriness
                                         of
                                         Life
                                         ,
                                         Honour
                                         ,
                                         Beautie
                                         ,
                                         Strength
                                         ,
                                         Pleasure
                                         .
                                      
                                       
                                         Unsatisfying
                                         condition
                                         of
                                         them
                                         .
                                      
                                       
                                         Danger
                                         of
                                         over-esteeming
                                         them
                                         .
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                   
                                     2
                                     Of
                                     divine
                                     providence
                                     over-ruling
                                     all
                                     events
                                     .
                                  
                                   
                                     3
                                     Of
                                     the
                                     worse
                                     condition
                                     of
                                     others
                                     .
                                  
                                   
                                     4
                                     Of
                                     the
                                     inconvenience
                                     of
                                     great
                                     estates
                                     .
                                     
                                       
                                         Cares
                                         .
                                      
                                       
                                         Danger
                                         of
                                         distemper
                                         
                                           
                                             bodily
                                             .
                                          
                                           
                                             spirituall
                                             .
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                       
                                         Torment
                                         in
                                         parting
                                         .
                                      
                                       
                                         Account
                                         .
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                   
                                     5
                                     Of
                                     the
                                     benefits
                                     of
                                     poverty
                                     .
                                     freedom
                                     from
                                     
                                       
                                         Cares
                                         .
                                      
                                       
                                         Fears
                                         of
                                         
                                           
                                             keeping
                                             .
                                          
                                           
                                             losing
                                             .
                                          
                                        
                                      
                                    
                                  
                                   
                                     6
                                     Of
                                     how
                                     little
                                     will
                                     suffice
                                     Nature
                                     .
                                  
                                   
                                     7
                                     Of
                                     the
                                     miseries
                                     of
                                     Discōtentment
                                     .
                                  
                                   
                                     8
                                     Of
                                     the
                                     Vicissitude
                                     of
                                     Favors
                                     and
                                     Crosses
                                     .
                                  
                                   
                                     9
                                     Examples
                                     of
                                     Cōtentation
                                     
                                       
                                         without
                                      
                                       
                                         within
                                      
                                    
                                     the
                                     Church
                                     of
                                     God.
                                     
                                  
                                
                              
                               
                               
                                 2
                                 Dispositions
                                 .
                                 
                                   
                                     1
                                     Humility
                                     .
                                  
                                   
                                     2
                                     Self-resignation
                                     .
                                  
                                   
                                     3
                                     True
                                     inward
                                     riches
                                     .
                                  
                                
                              
                               
                                 3
                                 Resolutions
                                 .
                                 
                                   
                                     1
                                     That
                                     our
                                     present
                                     condition
                                     is
                                     best
                                     for
                                     us
                                     .
                                  
                                   
                                     2
                                     Resol
                                     .
                                     to
                                     abate
                                     of
                                     our
                                     desires
                                     .
                                  
                                   
                                     3
                                     Resol
                                     .
                                     to
                                     digest
                                     smaller
                                     inconveniences
                                     .
                                  
                                   
                                     4
                                     Resol
                                     .
                                     to
                                     be
                                     frequent
                                     &
                                     fervent
                                     in
                                     prayer
                                     .
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                           
                             Of
                             death
                             itself
                             .
                             
                               
                                 Remedies
                                 against
                                 the
                                 terror
                                 of
                                 death
                                 .
                                 
                                   
                                     Necessity
                                     &
                                     benefit
                                     of
                                     death
                                     .
                                  
                                   
                                     Conscience
                                     of
                                     a
                                     well-led
                                     life
                                     .
                                  
                                   
                                     Finall
                                     peace
                                     with
                                     God.
                                     
                                  
                                   
                                     Efficacy
                                     of
                                     Christs
                                     death
                                     applyed
                                     .
                                  
                                   
                                     Comfortable
                                     expectation
                                     of
                                     certaine
                                     Resurrection
                                     ;
                                     and
                                     an
                                     immediate
                                     vision
                                     of
                                     God.
                                     
                                  
                                
                              
                               
                                 Miseries
                                 &
                                 incōveniences
                                 of
                                 the
                                 cōtinued
                                 cōjunction
                                 of
                                 soul
                                 and
                                 body
                                 .
                                 
                                   
                                     Defilement
                                     of
                                     sin
                                     Originall
                                     .
                                  
                                   
                                     Pronenesse
                                     to
                                     sin
                                     .
                                  
                                   
                                     Difficulty
                                     of
                                     doing
                                     well
                                     .
                                  
                                   
                                     Dulnesse
                                     of
                                     understāding
                                     .
                                  
                                   
                                     Perpetuall
                                     conflicts
                                     .
                                  
                                   
                                     Solicitude
                                     of
                                     cares
                                     .
                                  
                                   
                                     Multiplicity
                                     of
                                     passiōs
                                     :
                                  
                                   
                                     Retardation
                                     of
                                     glory
                                     .
                                  
                                
                              
                            
                          
                        
                      
                    
                  
                   
                     How
                     to
                     abound
                     .
                  
                
              
            
          
        
         
           
             
             
               THE
               REMEDY
               OF
               Discontentment
               .
            
             
               
                 SECT
                 .
                 I.
                 
              
               
                 
                   The
                   excellency
                   of
                   Contentation
                   ;
                   and
                   how
                   it
                   is
                   to
                   be
                   had
                   .
                
              
               
                 IF
                 there
                 be
                 any
                 happinesse
                 to
                 be
                 found
                 upon
                 earth
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 in
                 that
                 which
                 we
                 call
                 Contentation
                 :
                 This
                 is
                 a
                 flower
                 that
                 growes
                 not
                 in
                 every
                 Garden
                 :
                 The
                 great
                 Doctor
                 of
                 the
                 
                 Gentiles
                 tels
                 us
                 that
                 he
                 had
                 it
                 ;
                 I
                 have
                 learned
                 (
                 saith
                 hee
                 )
                 in
                 what
                 estate
                 soever
                 I
                 am
                 ,
                 therewith
                 
                 to
                 be
                 content
                 ;
                 I
                 know
                 how
                 to
                 be
                 abased
                 ,
                 and
                 I
                 know
                 how
                 to
                 abound
                 :
                 Lo
                 ,
                 he
                 could
                 not
                 have
                 taken
                 out
                 this
                 lesson
                 
                 if
                 he
                 had
                 not
                 learn'd
                 it
                 ;
                 and
                 he
                 could
                 not
                 have
                 learnt
                 it
                 of
                 any
                 other
                 then
                 his
                 Master
                 in
                 Heaven
                 :
                 What
                 face
                 soever
                 Philosophy
                 may
                 set
                 upon
                 it
                 ,
                 all
                 Morality
                 cannot
                 reach
                 it
                 ;
                 neither
                 could
                 his
                 learned
                 Gamaliel
                 ,
                 at
                 whose
                 feet
                 he
                 sate
                 ,
                 have
                 put
                 this
                 skill
                 into
                 him
                 ;
                 no
                 ,
                 he
                 learn'd
                 it
                 since
                 he
                 was
                 a
                 Christian
                 ;
                 and
                 now
                 professeth
                 it
                 ;
                 So
                 as
                 it
                 appears
                 ,
                 there
                 is
                 a
                 divine
                 art
                 of
                 Contentation
                 to
                 be
                 attained
                 in
                 the
                 schoole
                 of
                 Christ
                 ;
                 which
                 whosoeeer
                 hath
                 learnt
                 ,
                 hath
                 taken
                 a
                 degree
                 in
                 heaven
                 ,
                 and
                 now
                 knowes
                 how
                 to
                 be
                 happy
                 both
                 in
                 want
                 ,
                 and
                 abundance
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 SECT
                 .
                 II.
                 
              
               
                 
                   The
                   contrariety
                   of
                   estates
                   wherein
                   Contentation
                   is
                   to
                   be
                   exercised
                   .
                
              
               
                 THe
                 nature
                 of
                 man
                 is
                 extreamly
                 querulous
                 ;
                 wee
                 
                 know
                 not
                 what
                 we
                 would
                 have
                 ,
                 and
                 when
                 we
                 have
                 it
                 ,
                 we
                 know
                 not
                 how
                 to
                 like
                 it
                 :
                 we
                 would
                 be
                 happy
                 ,
                 yet
                 we
                 would
                 not
                 dye
                 ;
                 we
                 would
                 live
                 long
                 ,
                 yet
                 wee
                 would
                 not
                 bee
                 old
                 ;
                 wee
                 would
                 be
                 kept
                 in
                 order
                 ,
                 yet
                 we
                 would
                 not
                 be
                 chastised
                 with
                 affliction
                 ;
                 we
                 are
                 loath
                 to
                 work
                 ,
                 yet
                 are
                 weary
                 of
                 doing
                 nothing
                 ;
                 we
                 have
                 no
                 list
                 to
                 stir
                 ,
                 yet
                 finde
                 long
                 sitting
                 painfull
                 ;
                 we
                 have
                 
                 no
                 minde
                 to
                 leave
                 our
                 bed
                 ,
                 yet
                 finde
                 it
                 a
                 kinde
                 of
                 sicknesse
                 to
                 lie
                 long
                 ;
                 we
                 would
                 marry
                 ,
                 but
                 would
                 not
                 bee
                 troubled
                 with
                 houshold
                 cares
                 ;
                 when
                 once
                 we
                 are
                 maried
                 ,
                 we
                 wish
                 we
                 had
                 kept
                 single
                 ;
                 If
                 therefore
                 grace
                 have
                 so
                 mastered
                 nature
                 in
                 us
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 render
                 us
                 content
                 with
                 what
                 ever
                 condition
                 ,
                 we
                 have
                 attain'd
                 to
                 no
                 smal
                 measure
                 of
                 perfection
                 Which
                 way
                 soever
                 the
                 winde
                 blowes
                 ,
                 the
                 skilfull
                 Mariner
                 knows
                 how
                 to
                 turn
                 his
                 sailes
                 to
                 meet
                 it
                 ;
                 the
                 contrariety
                 of
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 estates
                 to
                 which
                 wee
                 lie
                 open
                 here
                 ,
                 gives
                 us
                 different
                 occasions
                 for
                 the
                 exercise
                 of
                 Contentation
                 :
                 I
                 cannot
                 blame
                 their
                 choice
                 who
                 desire
                 a
                 middle
                 estate
                 betwixt
                 want
                 and
                 abundance
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 be
                 free
                 from
                 those
                 inconveniences
                 which
                 attend
                 both
                 extreames
                 :
                 Wise
                 Solomon
                 was
                 
                 of
                 this
                 diet
                 ;
                 Give
                 me
                 neither
                 poverty
                 nor
                 riches
                 ;
                 feed
                 mee
                 with
                 the
                 food
                 of
                 my
                 meet
                 allowance
                 ;
                 Lo
                 ,
                 he
                 that
                 had
                 all
                 ,
                 desired
                 rather
                 to
                 have
                 but
                 enough
                 :
                 and
                 if
                 any
                 estate
                 can
                 afford
                 contentment
                 in
                 this
                 life
                 ,
                 surely
                 this
                 is
                 it
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 judgement
                 and
                 experience
                 of
                 the
                 wisest
                 Heathen
                 .
                 But
                 forasmuch
                 as
                 
                 this
                 equall
                 poise
                 is
                 hardly
                 attainable
                 by
                 any
                 man
                 ,
                 &
                 is
                 more
                 proper
                 for
                 our
                 wishes
                 ,
                 and
                 speculation
                 ,
                 then
                 for
                 our
                 hopes
                 ,
                 true
                 wisdom
                 must
                 teach
                 us
                 so
                 to
                 compose
                 our selves
                 that
                 we
                 may
                 be
                 fit
                 to
                 entertain
                 the
                 discontentments
                 ,
                 &
                 dangers
                 of
                 those
                 excesses
                 ,
                 
                 and
                 effects
                 ,
                 which
                 we
                 cannot
                 but
                 meet
                 with
                 in
                 the
                 course
                 of
                 our
                 mortall
                 life
                 :
                 And
                 surely
                 we
                 shall
                 finde
                 that
                 both
                 extreams
                 are
                 enemies
                 to
                 this
                 good
                 temper
                 of
                 the
                 soul
                 :
                 prosperity
                 may
                 discompose
                 us
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 an
                 adverse
                 condition
                 ;
                 The
                 Sunshine
                 may
                 be
                 as
                 troublesome
                 to
                 the
                 Traveller
                 as
                 the
                 winde
                 or
                 rain
                 ;
                 neither
                 know
                 I
                 whether
                 is
                 more
                 hard
                 to
                 manage
                 of
                 the
                 two
                 ;
                 a
                 dejected
                 estate
                 ,
                 or
                 a
                 prosperous
                 ;
                 whether
                 we
                 may
                 be
                 more
                 incommodated
                 with
                 a
                 resty
                 horse
                 ,
                 or
                 with
                 a
                 tired
                 one
                 :
                 Let
                 us
                 begin
                 with
                 that
                 which
                 nature
                 is
                 wont
                 to
                 think
                 most
                 difficult
                 ;
                 that
                 contrary
                 to
                 the
                 practice
                 of
                 learners
                 ,
                 we
                 may
                 try
                 to
                 take
                 out
                 the
                 hardest
                 lesson
                 first
                 .
                 Let
                 us
                 therefore
                 learne
                 in
                 the
                 first
                 place
                 how
                 to
                 want
                 .
              
            
             
               
               
                 SECT
                 .
                 III.
                 
              
               
                 
                   How
                   many
                   doe
                   not
                   know
                   how
                   to
                   want
                   .
                
              
               
                 COld
                 we
                 teach
                 men
                 how
                 not
                 to
                 want
                 ,
                 we
                 should
                 have
                 Disciples
                 enow
                 ;
                 every
                 man
                 seeks
                 to
                 have
                 ,
                 &
                 hates
                 to
                 lack
                 :
                 could
                 we
                 give
                 an
                 Antidote
                 against
                 poverty
                 ,
                 it
                 would
                 be
                 too
                 precious
                 :
                 And
                 why
                 can
                 we
                 not
                 teach
                 men
                 even
                 this
                 lesson
                 too
                 ?
                 The
                 Lord
                 
                 is
                 my
                 shepherd
                 ,
                 saith
                 David
                 ,
                 therefore
                 can
                 I
                 lack
                 nothing
                 ;
                 and
                 most
                 sweetly
                 elsewhere
                 ,
                 O
                 fear
                 
                 the
                 Lord
                 ye
                 that
                 be
                 his
                 Saints
                 ;
                 for
                 they
                 that
                 fear
                 him
                 ,
                 lack
                 nothing
                 ;
                 The
                 Lions
                 do
                 lack
                 and
                 suffer
                 hunger
                 ;
                 but
                 they
                 which
                 seek
                 the
                 Lord
                 shall
                 want
                 no
                 manner
                 of
                 thing
                 that
                 is
                 good
                 :
                 Let
                 God
                 be
                 true
                 ,
                 and
                 every
                 man
                 a
                 lyer
                 ;
                 Certainly
                 ,
                 if
                 we
                 were
                 not
                 wanting
                 to
                 God
                 in
                 our
                 fear
                 of
                 him
                 ,
                 in
                 our
                 faithfull
                 reliance
                 upon
                 
                 him
                 ;
                 in
                 our
                 conscionable
                 seeking
                 of
                 him
                 ,
                 he
                 whose
                 the
                 earth
                 is
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 fulnesse
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 would
                 not
                 suffer
                 our
                 carefull
                 endeavours
                 to
                 go
                 weeping
                 away
                 :
                 But
                 if
                 it
                 so
                 fall
                 out
                 that
                 his
                 most
                 wise
                 providence
                 findes
                 it
                 better
                 for
                 us
                 to
                 be
                 held
                 short
                 in
                 our
                 worldly
                 estate
                 ,
                 (
                 as
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 the
                 great
                 Physitian
                 sees
                 it
                 most
                 for
                 our
                 health
                 to
                 be
                 kept
                 fasting
                 )
                 it
                 is
                 no
                 lesse
                 worth
                 our
                 learning
                 to
                 know
                 how
                 to
                 want
                 ;
                 For
                 there
                 is
                 many
                 an
                 one
                 that
                 wants
                 ,
                 but
                 knows
                 not
                 how
                 to
                 want
                 ,
                 and
                 therefore
                 his
                 need
                 makes
                 him
                 both
                 offensive
                 and
                 miserable
                 .
              
               
                 There
                 are
                 those
                 that
                 are
                 poor
                 
                 and
                 proud
                 ;
                 one
                 of
                 the
                 wise
                 mans
                 three
                 abominations
                 ;
                 foolish
                 Laodiceans
                 that
                 bear
                 themselves
                 
                 for
                 rich
                 ,
                 encreased
                 with
                 goods
                 ,
                 and
                 lacking
                 nothing
                 ;
                 when
                 they
                 are
                 no
                 other
                 then
                 wretched
                 ,
                 and
                 miserable
                 ,
                 and
                 poor
                 ,
                 and
                 blinde
                 ,
                 and
                 naked
                 ;
                 These
                 men
                 know
                 not
                 how
                 to
                 want
                 ,
                 
                 their
                 heart
                 is
                 too
                 big
                 for
                 their
                 purse
                 ;
                 and
                 surely
                 pride
                 ,
                 though
                 every
                 where
                 odious
                 ,
                 yet
                 doth
                 no
                 where
                 so
                 ill
                 as
                 in
                 rags
                 .
              
               
                 There
                 are
                 those
                 that
                 are
                 poor
                 and
                 envious
                 ;
                 looking
                 with
                 an
                 evill
                 eye
                 upon
                 the
                 better
                 fare
                 of
                 others
                 ;
                 as
                 surely
                 this
                 vice
                 dwels
                 more
                 cōmonly
                 in
                 Cottages
                 then
                 in
                 Palaces
                 .
                 How
                 displeasedly
                 doth
                 the
                 begger
                 look
                 upon
                 the
                 larger
                 almes
                 of
                 his
                 neighbour
                 ?
                 grudging
                 to
                 another
                 what
                 ever
                 fals
                 besides
                 himself
                 ,
                 and
                 misliking
                 his
                 own
                 dole
                 ,
                 because
                 the
                 next
                 hath
                 more
                 ;
                 whose
                 eye
                 with
                 the
                 discontented
                 Labourers
                 is
                 
                 evill
                 ,
                 because
                 his
                 Master
                 is
                 good
                 ;
                 Neither
                 doe
                 these
                 men
                 know
                 how
                 to
                 want
                 .
              
               
                 There
                 are
                 those
                 that
                 want
                 distrustfully
                 ;
                 measuring
                 the
                 mercifull
                 provision
                 of
                 the
                 Almighty
                 by
                 the
                 line
                 of
                 their
                 own
                 sense
                 ;
                 as
                 the
                 Samaritan
                 Peer
                 ,
                 when
                 in
                 the
                 extremity
                 of
                 a
                 present
                 famine
                 he
                 heard
                 the
                 Prophet
                 foretell
                 a
                 
                 sudden
                 plenty
                 ;
                 Behold
                 ,
                 if
                 
                 the
                 Lord
                 would
                 make
                 windows
                 in
                 heaven
                 ,
                 might
                 this
                 thing
                 be
                 ?
              
               
                 There
                 are
                 those
                 that
                 want
                 impatiently
                 ;
                 repining
                 at
                 Gods
                 dealing
                 with
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 making
                 their
                 own
                 impotent
                 anger
                 guilty
                 of
                 a
                 further
                 addition
                 to
                 their
                 misery
                 ;
                 as
                 the
                 distressed
                 King
                 of
                 Israel
                 ,
                 in
                 a
                 desperate
                 sense
                 
                 of
                 that
                 grievous
                 dearth
                 ;
                 Behold
                 ,
                 this
                 evill
                 is
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 what
                 should
                 I
                 wait
                 on
                 the
                 Lord
                 any
                 longer
                 ?
                 And
                 those
                 wretched
                 ones
                 ,
                 who
                 when
                 the
                 fourth
                 Angell
                 had
                 poured
                 out
                 his
                 phiall
                 upon
                 the
                 Sunne
                 ,
                 being
                 
                 scorched
                 with
                 the
                 extremity
                 of
                 the
                 heat
                 ,
                 blasphemed
                 the
                 God
                 of
                 heaven
                 :
                 In
                 this
                 kinde
                 was
                 that
                 sinfull
                 techinesse
                 of
                 Jonah
                 :
                 when
                 I
                 see
                 a
                 poor
                 worme
                 that
                 hath
                 put
                 it selfe
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 coole
                 cell
                 of
                 the
                 earth
                 wherein
                 it
                 was
                 lodged
                 ,
                 and
                 now
                 being
                 beaten
                 upon
                 by
                 the
                 Sun-beames
                 ,
                 lies
                 
                 wrigling
                 upon
                 the
                 bare
                 path
                 ,
                 turning
                 it self
                 every
                 way
                 in
                 vain
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 finding
                 so
                 much
                 as
                 the
                 shade
                 of
                 a
                 leafe
                 to
                 cover
                 it
                 ;
                 I
                 cannot
                 but
                 think
                 of
                 that
                 fretting
                 Prophet
                 ;
                 when
                 wanting
                 the
                 protection
                 of
                 his
                 gourd
                 he
                 found
                 himself
                 scalded
                 with
                 that
                 strong
                 reflection
                 ;
                 and
                 looking
                 up
                 wrathfully
                 towards
                 that
                 Sun
                 from
                 whom
                 he
                 smarted
                 ,
                 could
                 say
                 to
                 the
                 God
                 that
                 made
                 it
                 ,
                 I
                 do
                 well
                 to
                 be
                 angry
                 ,
                 even
                 to
                 the
                 
                 death
                 .
              
               
                 Lastly
                 ,
                 there
                 are
                 those
                 that
                 are
                 poor
                 and
                 dishonest
                 even
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 very
                 suggestion
                 of
                 their
                 want
                 ;
                 It
                 was
                 the
                 danger
                 hereof
                 that
                 made
                 Agur
                 the
                 sonne
                 of
                 Jakeh
                 pray
                 against
                 penury
                 ;
                 Lest
                 I
                 be
                 poor
                 ,
                 and
                 steal
                 ;
                 and
                 (
                 by
                 forswearing
                 it
                 )
                 take
                 the
                 Name
                 
                 of
                 God
                 in
                 vain
                 .
              
            
             
               
               
                 SECT
                 .
                 IV.
                 
              
               
                 
                   Who
                   they
                   are
                   that
                   know
                   how
                   to
                   want
                   .
                
              
               
                 THese
                 and
                 perhaps
                 others
                 do
                 and
                 must
                 want
                 ,
                 but
                 in
                 the
                 mean
                 time
                 they
                 do
                 that
                 which
                 they
                 know
                 not
                 how
                 to
                 do
                 ;
                 there
                 is
                 a
                 skill
                 in
                 wanting
                 which
                 they
                 have
                 not
                 ;
                 Those
                 onely
                 know
                 how
                 to
                 want
                 ,
                 that
                 have
                 learnt
                 to
                 frame
                 their
                 minde
                 to
                 their
                 estate
                 ;
                 like
                 to
                 a
                 skilfull
                 Musitian
                 ,
                 that
                 can
                 let
                 down
                 his
                 strings
                 a
                 peg
                 lower
                 when
                 the
                 tune
                 requires
                 it
                 ;
                 Or
                 like
                 to
                 some
                 cunning
                 Spagirick
                 ,
                 that
                 can
                 intend
                 or
                 remit
                 the
                 heat
                 of
                 his
                 furnace
                 according
                 to
                 occasion
                 .
                 Those
                 ,
                 who
                 when
                 they
                 must
                 be
                 abased
                 ,
                 can
                 stoop
                 submissely
                 ,
                 like
                 to
                 a
                 gentle
                 reed
                 ,
                 which
                 when
                 the
                 winde
                 blowes
                 stiffe
                 ,
                 yeilds
                 every
                 way
                 ;
                 those
                 that
                 in
                 an
                 humble
                 obeysance
                 can
                 lay
                 themselves
                 
                 low
                 at
                 the
                 foot
                 of
                 the
                 Almighty
                 ,
                 and
                 put
                 their
                 mouth
                 in
                 the
                 dust
                 ;
                 that
                 can
                 patiently
                 put
                 their
                 necks
                 under
                 the
                 yoak
                 of
                 the
                 Highest
                 ;
                 and
                 can
                 say
                 with
                 the
                 Prophet
                 ,
                 Truly
                 this
                 is
                 my
                 sorrow
                 ,
                 and
                 I
                 must
                 beare
                 it
                 ;
                 Those
                 that
                 can
                 smile
                 upon
                 their
                 afflictions
                 ,
                 rejoycing
                 in
                 tribulation
                 ,
                 singing
                 in
                 the
                 Gaole
                 with
                 Paul
                 and
                 Silas
                 at
                 midnight
                 ;
                 Lastly
                 ,
                 those
                 that
                 can
                 improve
                 misery
                 to
                 an
                 advantage
                 ,
                 being
                 the
                 richer
                 for
                 their
                 want
                 ,
                 bettered
                 with
                 evils
                 ,
                 strengthened
                 with
                 infirmities
                 ;
                 and
                 can
                 truly
                 say
                 to
                 the
                 Almighty
                 ,
                 I
                 know
                 that
                 of
                 very
                 faithfulnesse
                 thou
                 hast
                 afflicted
                 me
                 ;
                 Never
                 could
                 they
                 have
                 come
                 out
                 so
                 pure
                 metall
                 ,
                 if
                 they
                 had
                 not
                 passed
                 under
                 the
                 hand
                 of
                 the
                 Refiner
                 ;
                 never
                 had
                 they
                 proved
                 so
                 toward
                 children
                 ,
                 if
                 they
                 had
                 not
                 been
                 beholden
                 to
                 the
                 rod
                 :
                 These
                 are
                 they
                 that
                 know
                 how
                 to
                 want
                 ,
                 &
                 to
                 be
                 abased
                 ;
                 and
                 have
                 effectually
                 
                 learned
                 to
                 be
                 content
                 with
                 the
                 meanest
                 condition
                 :
                 to
                 which
                 happy
                 temper
                 that
                 vvee
                 may
                 attain
                 ,
                 there
                 will
                 be
                 use
                 of
                 ,
                 1.
                 
                 Certaine
                 Considerations
                 ;
                 2.
                 
                 Certain
                 Dispositions
                 ;
                 and
                 3.
                 
                 Certain
                 Resolutions
                 ;
                 These
                 three
                 shall
                 be
                 as
                 the
                 grounds
                 ,
                 and
                 rules
                 of
                 this
                 our
                 Divine
                 Art
                 of
                 Contentation
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 SECT
                 .
                 V.
                 
              
               
                 
                   The
                   Consideration
                   of
                   the
                   ficklenesse
                   of
                   life
                   ,
                   and
                   all
                   earthly
                   commodities
                   .
                
              
               
                 THE
                 first
                 Consideration
                 shall
                 be
                 of
                 the
                 just
                 valuation
                 of
                 all
                 these
                 earthly
                 things
                 ;
                 which
                 doubtlesse
                 is
                 such
                 ,
                 as
                 that
                 the
                 wise
                 Christian
                 cannot
                 but
                 set
                 a
                 low
                 price
                 upon
                 them
                 ,
                 in
                 respect
                 ,
                 first
                 ,
                 of
                 their
                 transitorinesse
                 ;
                 secondly
                 ,
                 of
                 their
                 insufficiency
                 of
                 satisfaction
                 ;
                 thirdly
                 ,
                 the
                 danger
                 of
                 their
                 fruition
                 .
              
               
               
                 At
                 the
                 best
                 ,
                 they
                 are
                 but
                 glassie
                 stuffe
                 ,
                 which
                 the
                 finer
                 it
                 is
                 ,
                 is
                 so
                 much
                 more
                 brittle
                 ;
                 yea
                 ,
                 what
                 other
                 then
                 those
                 gay
                 bubbles
                 ,
                 which
                 children
                 are
                 wont
                 to
                 raise
                 from
                 the
                 mixed
                 sope
                 and
                 spittle
                 of
                 their
                 Walnut-shell
                 ;
                 vvhich
                 seem
                 to
                 represent
                 pleasing
                 colors
                 ,
                 but
                 in
                 their
                 flying
                 up
                 instantly
                 vanish
                 ?
                 There
                 is
                 no
                 remedy
                 ;
                 either
                 they
                 must
                 leave
                 us
                 ,
                 or
                 we
                 must
                 leave
                 them
                 .
                 Well
                 may
                 we
                 say
                 that
                 of
                 the
                 Psalmist
                 ,
                 which
                 Campian
                 vvas
                 reported
                 to
                 have
                 often
                 in
                 his
                 mouth
                 ;
                 My
                 soul
                 is
                 continually
                 in
                 my
                 hands
                 ;
                 and
                 who
                 knows
                 vvhether
                 it
                 will
                 not
                 expire
                 in
                 our
                 next
                 breathing
                 ?
                 How
                 many
                 have
                 shut
                 their
                 eyes
                 in
                 an
                 healthfull
                 sleep
                 ,
                 who
                 have
                 waked
                 in
                 another
                 vvorld
                 ?
                 We
                 give
                 too
                 large
                 scope
                 to
                 our
                 account
                 ,
                 vvhiles
                 we
                 reckon
                 seven
                 years
                 for
                 a
                 Life
                 ;
                 a
                 shorter
                 time
                 will
                 serve
                 ;
                 vvhiles
                 vve
                 finde
                 the
                 revolution
                 of
                 lesse
                 then
                 halfe
                 those
                 years
                 to
                 have
                 dispatched
                 
                 *
                 five
                 Caesars
                 ,
                 and
                 five
                 Popes
                 ;
                 nay
                 ,
                 who
                 can
                 assure
                 himself
                 of
                 the
                 next
                 moment
                 ?
                 It
                 is
                 our
                 great
                 weakness
                 ,
                 if
                 we
                 doe
                 not
                 look
                 upon
                 every
                 day
                 ,
                 as
                 our
                 last
                 ;
                 why
                 should
                 we
                 think
                 our selves
                 in
                 a
                 better
                 condition
                 ,
                 then
                 the
                 chosen
                 vessel
                 ,
                 *
                 who
                 deeply
                 protested
                 to
                 dye
                 daily
                 ?
                 What
                 a
                 poor
                 complaint
                 was
                 that
                 of
                 the
                 great
                 Conquerour
                 of
                 the
                 Jews
                 ,
                 
                   Titus
                   Vespasian
                
                 ,
                 who
                 putting
                 his
                 head
                 out
                 of
                 his
                 sick
                 litter
                 ,
                 querulously
                 accused
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 must
                 dye
                 ,
                 and
                 had
                 not
                 deserved
                 it
                 ;
                 when
                 he
                 might
                 have
                 found
                 it
                 guilt
                 enough
                 that
                 he
                 was
                 a
                 man
                 ;
                 and
                 therefore
                 by
                 the
                 very
                 sentence
                 of
                 nature
                 condemned
                 ,
                 I
                 know
                 not
                 whether
                 to
                 live
                 ,
                 or
                 dye
                 .
              
               
                 Indeed
                 ,
                 what
                 can
                 we
                 cast
                 our
                 eyes
                 upon
                 ,
                 that
                 doth
                 not
                 put
                 us
                 in
                 minde
                 of
                 our
                 frailty
                 ?
                 All
                 our
                 fellow-creatures
                 dye
                 for
                 us
                 ,
                 and
                 by
                 us
                 :
                 The
                 day
                 dyes
                 into
                 night
                 ;
                 the
                 trees
                 and
                 all
                 other
                 plants
                 of
                 
                 the
                 earth
                 suffer
                 a
                 kinde
                 of
                 Autumnall
                 mortality
                 ;
                 the
                 face
                 of
                 that
                 common
                 Mother
                 of
                 us
                 all
                 ,
                 doth
                 at
                 the
                 least
                 in
                 Winter
                 ,
                 resemble
                 Death
                 ;
                 But
                 if
                 the
                 Angel
                 of
                 Death
                 (
                 as
                 the
                 Jews
                 term
                 him
                 )
                 shall
                 respite
                 ,
                 and
                 reprieve
                 us
                 for
                 the
                 time
                 ;
                 alas
                 !
                 how
                 easily
                 may
                 we
                 have
                 over-lived
                 our
                 comforts
                 ?
                 If
                 Death
                 doe
                 not
                 snatch
                 us
                 away
                 from
                 them
                 ,
                 how
                 many
                 thousand
                 means
                 of
                 casualties
                 ,
                 of
                 enemies
                 ,
                 may
                 snatch
                 them
                 away
                 from
                 us
                 ?
                 He
                 that
                 was
                 the
                 greatest
                 man
                 of
                 all
                 the
                 Sonnes
                 of
                 the
                 East
                 ,
                 within
                 a
                 few
                 dayes
                 became
                 a
                 spectacle
                 and
                 proverb
                 of
                 penury
                 ,
                 which
                 still
                 sticks
                 by
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 shall
                 doe
                 to
                 the
                 worlds
                 end
                 ,
                 
                   As
                   poor
                   as
                   Job
                
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 rich
                 Plaine
                 of
                 Jordan
                 ,
                 
                 which
                 over-night
                 was
                 as
                 the
                 Garden
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 is
                 in
                 the
                 morning
                 covered
                 over
                 with
                 
                 brimstone
                 ,
                 and
                 salt
                 ,
                 and
                 burning
                 ;
                 Wilt
                 thou
                 cause
                 thine
                 eyes
                 
                 to
                 flye
                 upon
                 that
                 which
                 is
                 not
                 ?
                 saith
                 wise
                 Solomon
                 :
                 For
                 riches
                 
                 certainly
                 make
                 thēselves
                 wings
                 ,
                 they
                 fly
                 away
                 as
                 an
                 Eagle
                 towards
                 Heaven
                 :
                 if
                 wee
                 have
                 wings
                 of
                 desire
                 to
                 fly
                 after
                 them
                 ,
                 they
                 are
                 nimbler
                 of
                 flight
                 to
                 outstrip
                 us
                 ,
                 and
                 leave
                 us
                 no
                 less
                 miserable
                 in
                 their
                 losse
                 ,
                 then
                 wee
                 were
                 eager
                 in
                 their
                 pursuit
                 .
              
               
                 As
                 for
                 Honour
                 ,
                 what
                 a
                 meer
                 shadow
                 it
                 is
                 ?
                 upon
                 the
                 least
                 cloud
                 interposed
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 gone
                 ,
                 and
                 leaves
                 no
                 mention
                 where
                 it
                 was
                 :
                 The
                 same
                 Sun
                 sees
                 Haman
                 adored
                 in
                 the
                 Persian
                 Court
                 ,
                 like
                 some
                 earthly
                 Deity
                 ;
                 and
                 like
                 some
                 base
                 vermine
                 waving
                 upon
                 his
                 Gibbet
                 :
                 Doe
                 we
                 see
                 the
                 great
                 ,
                 and
                 glorious
                 Cleopatra
                 ,
                 shining
                 in
                 the
                 pompous
                 Majesty
                 of
                 Egypt
                 ?
                 stay
                 but
                 a
                 while
                 ,
                 and
                 ye
                 shall
                 see
                 her
                 in
                 the
                 dust
                 ,
                 and
                 her
                 two
                 children
                 ,
                 whom
                 shee
                 proudly
                 styled
                 the
                 Sun
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Moon
                 ,
                 driven
                 like
                 miserable
                 Captives
                 before
                 the
                 Chariot
                 
                 of
                 their
                 Conquerour
                 :
                 Man
                 being
                 in
                 honour
                 abideth
                 not
                 ,
                 saith
                 
                 the
                 Psalmist
                 ,
                 he
                 perisheth
                 ,
                 but
                 his
                 greatnesse
                 (
                 as
                 more
                 fraile
                 then
                 he
                 )
                 is
                 oftentimes
                 dead
                 and
                 buried
                 before
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 leaves
                 him
                 the
                 surviving
                 executor
                 of
                 his
                 own
                 shame
                 .
              
               
                 It
                 was
                 easie
                 for
                 the
                 captive
                 Prince
                 ,
                 to
                 observe
                 in
                 the
                 Charet-wheel
                 of
                 his
                 Victor
                 ,
                 that
                 when
                 one
                 spoak
                 rose
                 up
                 ,
                 another
                 went
                 down
                 ,
                 and
                 both
                 these
                 in
                 so
                 quick
                 a
                 motion
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 was
                 scarce
                 distinguished
                 by
                 the
                 eye
                 .
              
               
                 Well
                 therefore
                 may
                 we
                 say
                 of
                 Honour
                 ,
                 as
                 
                   Ludovicus
                   Vives
                
                 
                 said
                 of
                 Scholasticall
                 Divinity
                 :
                 
                   Cui
                   fumus
                   est
                   pro
                   fundamento
                
                 :
                 It
                 is
                 built
                 upon
                 smoak
                 ,
                 how
                 can
                 it
                 be
                 kept
                 from
                 vanishing
                 ?
              
               
                 As
                 for
                 Beauty
                 ,
                 what
                 is
                 it
                 ,
                 but
                 a
                 dash
                 of
                 Natures
                 tincture
                 laid
                 upon
                 the
                 skinne
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 soon
                 washt
                 off
                 with
                 a
                 little
                 sickness
                 ?
                 what
                 but
                 a
                 fair
                 blossome
                 ,
                 that
                 drops
                 off
                 ,
                 so
                 soon
                 as
                 the
                 fruit
                 
                 offers
                 to
                 succeed
                 it
                 ?
                 what
                 but
                 a
                 flower
                 ,
                 vvhich
                 vvith
                 one
                 hot
                 Sun
                 gleam
                 weltreth
                 and
                 fals
                 ?
                 Hee
                 that
                 had
                 the
                 choice
                 of
                 a
                 thousand
                 Faces
                 ,
                 could
                 say
                 ,
                 Favour
                 
                 is
                 deceitfull
                 ,
                 and
                 Beauty
                 is
                 Vanity
                 .
              
               
                 Lastly
                 ,
                 for
                 Strength
                 ,
                 and
                 vigour
                 of
                 Body
                 ,
                 if
                 it
                 could
                 bee
                 maintained
                 till
                 our
                 old
                 age
                 ,
                 alas
                 ,
                 how
                 soon
                 is
                 that
                 upon
                 us
                 ,
                 ere
                 we
                 be
                 aware
                 !
                 how
                 doth
                 it
                 then
                 shrivell
                 our
                 flesh
                 and
                 loosen
                 our
                 sinews
                 ,
                 and
                 cripple
                 our
                 joynts
                 !
                 Milo
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 lookt
                 upon
                 his
                 late
                 brawny
                 arms
                 ,
                 and
                 saw
                 them
                 now
                 grow
                 lanck
                 and
                 writhled
                 ,
                 le
                 ts
                 fall
                 teares
                 ,
                 and
                 bewraies
                 more
                 weaknesse
                 of
                 mind
                 ,
                 then
                 he
                 had
                 before
                 bodily
                 strength
                 :
                 but
                 how
                 often
                 doth
                 sicknesse
                 prevent
                 the
                 debilitations
                 of
                 age
                 ;
                 pulling
                 the
                 strongest
                 man
                 upon
                 his
                 knees
                 ,
                 and
                 making
                 him
                 confesse
                 ,
                 that
                 youth
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 childe-hood
                 ,
                 is
                 Vanitie
                 ?
              
               
               
                 As
                 for
                 Pleasure
                 ,
                 it
                 dies
                 in
                 
                 the
                 birth
                 ,
                 and
                 is
                 not
                 therefore
                 worthy
                 to
                 come
                 into
                 this
                 bill
                 of
                 Mortality
                 .
              
               
                 Doe
                 we
                 then
                 upon
                 sad
                 consideration
                 see
                 and
                 feel
                 the
                 manifest
                 transitorinesse
                 of
                 Life
                 ,
                 Riches
                 ,
                 Honour
                 ,
                 Beautie
                 ,
                 Strength
                 ,
                 Pleasure
                 ,
                 and
                 whatever
                 else
                 can
                 bee
                 deare
                 and
                 precious
                 to
                 us
                 in
                 this
                 vvorld
                 ,
                 and
                 can
                 vvee
                 dote
                 upon
                 them
                 so
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 be
                 too
                 much
                 dejected
                 vvith
                 our
                 parting
                 from
                 them
                 ?
                 Our
                 Saviour
                 bids
                 us
                 consider
                 the
                 Lillies
                 of
                 the
                 field
                 ;
                 And
                 he
                 that
                 made
                 both
                 ,
                 tels
                 
                 us
                 ,
                 that
                 Solomon
                 in
                 all
                 his
                 glory
                 was
                 not
                 arrayed
                 like
                 one
                 of
                 these
                 :
                 Surely
                 ,
                 full
                 well
                 are
                 they
                 worth
                 our
                 considering
                 .
                 But
                 if
                 those
                 Beauties
                 could
                 bee
                 as
                 permanent
                 ,
                 as
                 they
                 are
                 glorious
                 ,
                 how
                 vvould
                 they
                 carry
                 away
                 our
                 hearts
                 with
                 them
                 ?
                 Now
                 ,
                 their
                 fading
                 condition
                 justly
                 abates
                 of
                 
                 their
                 value
                 ;
                 Would
                 wee
                 not
                 smile
                 at
                 the
                 weaknesse
                 of
                 that
                 man
                 ,
                 that
                 should
                 weep
                 and
                 howle
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 falling
                 of
                 this
                 Tulip
                 ,
                 or
                 that
                 Rose
                 ,
                 abandoning
                 all
                 comfort
                 for
                 the
                 losse
                 of
                 that
                 ,
                 vvhich
                 he
                 knows
                 must
                 flourish
                 but
                 his
                 moneth
                 ?
                 It
                 is
                 for
                 children
                 to
                 cry
                 for
                 the
                 falling
                 of
                 their
                 house
                 of
                 Cards
                 ,
                 or
                 the
                 miscarriage
                 of
                 that
                 painted
                 gew-gaw
                 ,
                 vvhich
                 the
                 next
                 showre
                 vvould
                 have
                 defaced
                 .
                 Wise
                 Christians
                 know
                 hovv
                 to
                 apprize
                 good
                 things
                 according
                 to
                 their
                 continuance
                 ,
                 and
                 can
                 therefore
                 set
                 their
                 hearts
                 onely
                 upon
                 the
                 invisible
                 Comforts
                 of
                 a
                 better
                 Life
                 ,
                 as
                 knowing
                 that
                 the
                 things
                 which
                 are
                 not
                 seen
                 ,
                 are
                 Eternall
                 .
              
            
             
               
               
                 SECT
                 .
                 VI.
                 
              
               
                 
                   Consideration
                   of
                   the
                   unsatisfying
                   condition
                   of
                   all
                   worldly
                   things
                   .
                
              
               
                 BUt
                 vvere
                 these
                 earthly
                 things
                 exempted
                 from
                 that
                 ficklenesse
                 ,
                 vvhich
                 the
                 God
                 of
                 Nature
                 hath
                 condemned
                 them
                 unto
                 ,
                 vvere
                 they
                 (
                 the
                 very
                 memory
                 vvhereof
                 perisheth
                 with
                 their
                 satiety
                 )
                 as
                 lasting
                 ,
                 as
                 they
                 are
                 brittle
                 ,
                 yet
                 vvhat
                 comfort
                 could
                 they
                 yeeld
                 for
                 the
                 soul
                 to
                 rest
                 in
                 ?
                 Alas
                 !
                 their
                 efficacy
                 is
                 too
                 short
                 to
                 reach
                 unto
                 a
                 true
                 Contentation
                 ;
                 yea
                 ,
                 if
                 the
                 best
                 of
                 them
                 vvere
                 perpetuated
                 unto
                 us
                 ,
                 upon
                 the
                 fairest
                 conditions
                 ,
                 that
                 this
                 Earth
                 can
                 allow
                 ,
                 hovv
                 intolerable
                 tedious
                 would
                 it
                 prove
                 in
                 the
                 fruition
                 ?
                 Say
                 that
                 God
                 were
                 pleased
                 to
                 protract
                 my
                 life
                 to
                 the
                 length
                 of
                 the
                 age
                 of
                 the
                 first
                 founders
                 of
                 
                 Mankinde
                 ,
                 and
                 should
                 (
                 in
                 this
                 state
                 of
                 body
                 )
                 adde
                 hundreds
                 of
                 years
                 to
                 the
                 days
                 of
                 my
                 pilgrimage
                 :
                 Woe
                 is
                 me
                 ,
                 how
                 vveary
                 should
                 I
                 be
                 of
                 my self
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 the
                 World
                 ?
                 I
                 ,
                 that
                 now
                 complain
                 of
                 the
                 load
                 of
                 seventy
                 one
                 yeers
                 ,
                 how
                 should
                 I
                 be
                 tyred
                 out
                 ,
                 ere
                 I
                 could
                 arrive
                 at
                 the
                 age
                 of
                 Parre
                 ?
                 but
                 before
                 I
                 could
                 climb
                 up
                 to
                 the
                 third
                 Century
                 of
                 
                   Johannes
                   de
                   Temporibus
                
                 ,
                 hovv
                 often
                 should
                 I
                 call
                 for
                 death
                 ,
                 not
                 to
                 take
                 up
                 ,
                 but
                 to
                 take
                 off
                 my
                 burthen
                 ,
                 and
                 with
                 it
                 my self
                 ?
                 But
                 if
                 any
                 ,
                 or
                 all
                 these
                 earthly
                 blessings
                 could
                 be
                 freed
                 from
                 those
                 grievances
                 ,
                 wherewith
                 they
                 are
                 commonly
                 tempered
                 ,
                 yet
                 how
                 little
                 satisfaction
                 could
                 the
                 soul
                 finde
                 in
                 them
                 ?
                 What
                 are
                 these
                 outward
                 things
                 ,
                 but
                 very
                 luggage
                 ,
                 which
                 may
                 load
                 our
                 backs
                 ,
                 but
                 cannot
                 lighten
                 our
                 hearts
                 ?
                 Great
                 ,
                 and
                 vvise
                 Solomon
                 ,
                 that
                 had
                 the
                 full
                 command
                 of
                 them
                 all
                 ,
                 cries
                 out
                 ,
                 Vanity
                 
                 of
                 Vanities
                 ;
                 and
                 a
                 greater
                 Monarch
                 then
                 hee
                 ,
                 shuts
                 up
                 the
                 Scene
                 with
                 ,
                 I
                 have
                 been
                 all
                 things
                 ,
                 and
                 am
                 never
                 the
                 better
                 :
                 All
                 these
                 are
                 of
                 too
                 narrow
                 an
                 extent
                 ,
                 to
                 fill
                 the
                 capacious
                 soul
                 of
                 Man
                 ;
                 the
                 desires
                 vvhereof
                 are
                 enlarged
                 with
                 enjoying
                 ,
                 so
                 as
                 the
                 more
                 it
                 hath
                 ,
                 the
                 lesse
                 it
                 is
                 satisfyed
                 ,
                 neither
                 indeed
                 can
                 it
                 bee
                 otherwise
                 ;
                 The
                 Eye
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Eare
                 ,
                 are
                 but
                 the
                 Purveyours
                 for
                 the
                 Heart
                 ,
                 if
                 therefore
                 the
                 eye
                 be
                 not
                 satisfied
                 with
                 seeing
                 ,
                 nor
                 the
                 ear
                 with
                 hearing
                 ,
                 
                 how
                 shall
                 the
                 heart
                 say
                 ,
                 It
                 is
                 enough
                 ?
                 Now
                 ,
                 vvho
                 vvould
                 suffer
                 himself
                 to
                 be
                 too
                 much
                 disquieted
                 vvith
                 the
                 losse
                 of
                 that
                 ,
                 vvhich
                 may
                 vex
                 him
                 ,
                 but
                 cannot
                 content
                 him
                 ?
                 We
                 doe
                 justly
                 smile
                 at
                 the
                 folly
                 of
                 that
                 vain
                 Lord
                 ,
                 of
                 vvhom
                 Petrarch
                 speakes
                 ,
                 who
                 vvhen
                 an
                 Horse
                 vvhich
                 hee
                 dearely
                 loved
                 ,
                 was
                 sick
                 ,
                 laid
                 
                 that
                 Steed
                 of
                 his
                 ,
                 on
                 a
                 silken
                 bed
                 ,
                 vvith
                 a
                 vvrought
                 pillovv
                 under
                 his
                 head
                 ,
                 and
                 caused
                 himselfe
                 (
                 then
                 afflicted
                 vvith
                 the
                 Gout
                 )
                 to
                 be
                 carried
                 on
                 his
                 servants
                 shoulders
                 to
                 visit
                 that
                 dear
                 patient
                 ;
                 and
                 upon
                 his
                 decease
                 ,
                 mourned
                 solemnly
                 for
                 him
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 it
                 had
                 been
                 his
                 Son.
                 We
                 have
                 laught
                 at
                 the
                 fashion
                 of
                 the
                 Girles
                 of
                 Holland
                 ,
                 vvho
                 having
                 made
                 to
                 themselves
                 gay
                 and
                 large
                 Babies
                 ,
                 and
                 laid
                 them
                 in
                 a
                 curious
                 cradle
                 ,
                 fain
                 them
                 to
                 sicken
                 and
                 dye
                 ,
                 and
                 celebrate
                 their
                 funerall
                 vvith
                 much
                 passion
                 :
                 So
                 fond
                 are
                 we
                 ,
                 if
                 having
                 framed
                 to
                 our selves
                 imaginary
                 contentments
                 here
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 vve
                 give
                 vvay
                 to
                 immoderate
                 grief
                 in
                 their
                 miscarriage
                 .
              
            
             
               
               
                 SECT
                 .
                 VII
                 .
              
               
                 
                   The
                   danger
                   of
                   the
                   love
                   of
                   these
                   earthly
                   comforts
                   .
                
              
               
                 NEither
                 are
                 these
                 earthlie
                 comforts
                 more
                 defective
                 in
                 yeelding
                 full
                 satisfaction
                 to
                 the
                 soul
                 ,
                 then
                 dangerous
                 in
                 their
                 over-dear
                 fruition
                 :
                 For
                 too
                 much
                 delight
                 in
                 them
                 ,
                 robs
                 us
                 of
                 more
                 solid
                 contentments
                 :
                 The
                 World
                 is
                 a
                 cheating
                 gamester
                 ,
                 suffering
                 us
                 to
                 win
                 at
                 the
                 first
                 ,
                 that
                 at
                 last
                 he
                 may
                 goe
                 away
                 with
                 all
                 .
                 Our
                 very
                 Table
                 
                 may
                 be
                 made
                 our
                 snare
                 ;
                 and
                 those
                 things
                 vvhich
                 should
                 have
                 been
                 for
                 our
                 vvealth
                 ,
                 may
                 bee
                 unto
                 us
                 an
                 occasion
                 of
                 falling
                 :
                 Leo
                 the
                 fourth
                 Emperour
                 of
                 Constantinople
                 ,
                 delighted
                 extreamly
                 in
                 precious
                 stones
                 ,
                 with
                 these
                 he
                 embellishes
                 his
                 Crown
                 ,
                 which
                 being
                 worn
                 close
                 to
                 his
                 Temples
                 ,
                 strikes
                 such
                 a
                 cold
                 into
                 
                 his
                 head
                 ,
                 that
                 causeth
                 his
                 bane
                 :
                 yea
                 ,
                 how
                 many
                 vvith
                 the
                 too
                 much
                 love
                 of
                 these
                 outward
                 things
                 ,
                 have
                 lost
                 ,
                 not
                 their
                 lives
                 onely
                 ,
                 but
                 their
                 souls
                 ?
                 No
                 man
                 can
                 be
                 at
                 once
                 the
                 Favourite
                 of
                 God
                 and
                 the
                 World
                 ;
                 as
                 that
                 Father
                 said
                 truly
                 :
                 or
                 as
                 our
                 Saviour
                 in
                 fuller
                 tearms
                 ,
                 No
                 man
                 can
                 serve
                 two
                 Masters
                 ,
                 GOD
                 and
                 Mammon
                 :
                 Shortly
                 ,
                 the
                 World
                 may
                 be
                 a
                 dangerous
                 enemy
                 ,
                 a
                 sure
                 friend
                 it
                 cannot
                 bee
                 .
              
               
                 If
                 therefore
                 we
                 shall
                 like
                 wise
                 men
                 ,
                 value
                 things
                 at
                 their
                 due
                 prices
                 ,
                 since
                 we
                 are
                 convinced
                 in
                 our selves
                 ,
                 that
                 all
                 these
                 earthly
                 comforts
                 are
                 so
                 transitory
                 in
                 their
                 nature
                 ,
                 so
                 unsatisfying
                 in
                 their
                 use
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 dangerous
                 in
                 their
                 enjoying
                 ,
                 hovv
                 little
                 reason
                 have
                 we
                 to
                 be
                 too
                 much
                 affected
                 with
                 forgoing
                 them
                 ?
                 Our
                 bloud
                 is
                 dear
                 to
                 us
                 ,
                 as
                 that
                 wherein
                 our
                 life
                 is
                 ,
                 yet
                 if
                 we
                 finde
                 that
                 it
                 is
                 either
                 infected
                 ,
                 
                 or
                 distempered
                 ,
                 vve
                 doe
                 willingly
                 part
                 vvith
                 it
                 in
                 hope
                 of
                 better
                 health
                 :
                 How
                 much
                 more
                 ,
                 vvith
                 those
                 things
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 farther
                 from
                 us
                 ,
                 and
                 lesse
                 concerning
                 us
                 ?
              
            
             
               
                 SECT
                 .
                 VIII
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Consideration
                   of
                   the
                   Divine
                   Providence
                   ordering
                   all
                   events
                   .
                
              
               
                 THe
                 second
                 Consideration
                 is
                 of
                 that
                 All-wise
                 Providence
                 which
                 ordereth
                 all
                 events
                 both
                 in
                 Heaven
                 and
                 Earth
                 ,
                 allotting
                 to
                 every
                 Creature
                 his
                 due
                 proportion
                 ,
                 so
                 over-ruling
                 all
                 things
                 to
                 the
                 best
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 could
                 not
                 want
                 ,
                 if
                 he
                 knew
                 it
                 better
                 for
                 us
                 to
                 abound
                 :
                 This
                 Station
                 he
                 hath
                 set
                 us
                 in
                 ,
                 this
                 measure
                 he
                 hath
                 shared
                 out
                 to
                 us
                 ,
                 whose
                 will
                 is
                 the
                 rule
                 of
                 good
                 ;
                 what
                 we
                 have
                 therefore
                 ,
                 cannot
                 but
                 be
                 best
                 for
                 us
                 .
                 The
                 World
                 is
                 a
                 large
                 Chesse-board
                 ,
                 every
                 man
                 hath
                 his
                 place
                 
                 assigned
                 him
                 :
                 one
                 is
                 a
                 King
                 ,
                 another
                 a
                 Knight
                 ,
                 another
                 a
                 Pawn
                 ,
                 and
                 each
                 hath
                 his
                 severall
                 motion
                 ;
                 vvithout
                 this
                 variety
                 ,
                 there
                 could
                 be
                 no
                 game
                 played
                 ;
                 A
                 skilfull
                 Player
                 will
                 not
                 stirre
                 one
                 of
                 these
                 Chips
                 ,
                 but
                 vvith
                 intention
                 of
                 an
                 advantage
                 ;
                 neither
                 should
                 any
                 of
                 his
                 men
                 either
                 stand
                 ,
                 or
                 move
                 ,
                 if
                 in
                 any
                 other
                 part
                 of
                 that
                 Checker
                 ,
                 it
                 might
                 bee
                 in
                 more
                 hope
                 to
                 win
                 .
              
               
                 There
                 is
                 no
                 estate
                 in
                 this
                 World
                 vvhich
                 can
                 be
                 universally
                 good
                 for
                 all
                 ,
                 one
                 mans
                 meat
                 may
                 be
                 another
                 mans
                 medicine
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 third
                 mans
                 poyson
                 ;
                 A
                 Turk
                 findes
                 health
                 and
                 temper
                 in
                 that
                 Opium
                 ,
                 vvhich
                 would
                 put
                 one
                 of
                 us
                 into
                 our
                 last
                 sleep
                 .
                 Should
                 the
                 Plow-man
                 be
                 set
                 to
                 the
                 Gentlemans
                 fare
                 ,
                 this
                 Chicken
                 ,
                 that
                 Partridge
                 ,
                 or
                 Phesant
                 ,
                 would
                 (
                 as
                 over-slight
                 food
                 )
                 bee
                 too
                 soon
                 turned
                 over
                 ,
                 and
                 leave
                 his
                 empty
                 stomach
                 to
                 quarrell
                 for
                 stronger
                 provision
                 :
                 Beef
                 
                 is
                 for
                 his
                 diet
                 ;
                 and
                 if
                 any
                 sawce
                 needs
                 besides
                 his
                 hunger
                 ,
                 Garlick
                 :
                 Every
                 man
                 hath
                 ,
                 as
                 a
                 body
                 ,
                 so
                 a
                 minde
                 of
                 his
                 own
                 ;
                 vvhat
                 one
                 loves
                 is
                 abhorred
                 of
                 another
                 ;
                 the
                 great
                 House-keeper
                 of
                 the
                 world
                 knows
                 how
                 to
                 fit
                 every
                 palate
                 with
                 that
                 which
                 either
                 is
                 ,
                 or
                 should
                 be
                 agreeable
                 to
                 it
                 ,
                 for
                 salubrity
                 ,
                 if
                 not
                 for
                 pleasure
                 :
                 Lay
                 before
                 a
                 Childe
                 a
                 Knife
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 Rod
                 ,
                 and
                 bid
                 him
                 take
                 his
                 choice
                 ,
                 his
                 hand
                 will
                 be
                 straight
                 upon
                 that
                 edge
                 tool
                 ,
                 especially
                 ,
                 if
                 it
                 be
                 a
                 little
                 guilded
                 ,
                 and
                 glittering
                 ;
                 but
                 the
                 Parent
                 knows
                 the
                 Rod
                 to
                 be
                 more
                 safe
                 for
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 more
                 beneficiall
                 :
                 We
                 are
                 ill
                 carvers
                 for
                 our selves
                 ,
                 he
                 that
                 made
                 us
                 ,
                 knows
                 what
                 is
                 fit
                 for
                 us
                 ,
                 either
                 for
                 time
                 ,
                 or
                 measure
                 ;
                 without
                 his
                 Providence
                 not
                 an
                 hair
                 can
                 fall
                 from
                 our
                 heads
                 ;
                 We
                 would
                 have
                 bodily
                 health
                 ,
                 I
                 cannot
                 blame
                 us
                 ;
                 what
                 is
                 the
                 vvorld
                 to
                 us
                 without
                 it
                 ?
                 He
                 whose
                 wee
                 
                 are
                 ,
                 knows
                 sicknesse
                 to
                 bee
                 for
                 the
                 health
                 of
                 the
                 soul
                 ;
                 whether
                 should
                 we
                 in
                 true
                 judgement
                 desire
                 ?
                 We
                 vvish
                 to
                 live
                 ,
                 who
                 can
                 blame
                 us
                 ?
                 life
                 is
                 sweet
                 ,
                 but
                 if
                 our
                 Maker
                 have
                 ordained
                 ,
                 that
                 nothing
                 but
                 Death
                 can
                 render
                 us
                 glorious
                 ,
                 what
                 madnesse
                 is
                 it
                 to
                 stick
                 at
                 the
                 condition
                 ?
                 Oh
                 our
                 grosse
                 infidelity
                 ,
                 if
                 we
                 doe
                 not
                 beleeve
                 that
                 great
                 Arbiter
                 of
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 infinitely
                 wise
                 to
                 know
                 what
                 is
                 best
                 for
                 us
                 ,
                 infinitely
                 mercifull
                 to
                 vvill
                 what
                 hee
                 knows
                 best
                 ,
                 infinitely
                 powerfull
                 to
                 doe
                 what
                 he
                 will
                 !
                 And
                 if
                 we
                 be
                 thus
                 perswaded
                 ,
                 hovv
                 can
                 we
                 ,
                 but
                 in
                 matter
                 of
                 good
                 ,
                 say
                 with
                 blessed
                 Mary
                 :
                 Behold
                 thy
                 Servant
                 ,
                 be
                 it
                 unto
                 me
                 according
                 to
                 thy
                 Word
                 ;
                 And
                 in
                 matter
                 of
                 evill
                 ,
                 with
                 good
                 Eli
                 :
                 It
                 is
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 let
                 him
                 doe
                 what
                 hee
                 will
                 ?
              
            
             
               
               
                 SECT
                 .
                 IX
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Consideration
                   of
                   the
                   worse
                   condition
                   of
                   others
                   .
                
              
               
                 IN
                 the
                 third
                 place
                 ,
                 it
                 will
                 be
                 requisite
                 for
                 us
                 to
                 cast
                 our
                 eyes
                 upon
                 the
                 vvorse
                 condition
                 of
                 others
                 ,
                 perhaps
                 better
                 deserving
                 then
                 our selves
                 ;
                 for
                 if
                 we
                 shall
                 vvhine
                 and
                 complain
                 of
                 that
                 weight
                 ,
                 which
                 others
                 do
                 run
                 away
                 chearfully
                 withall
                 ,
                 the
                 fault
                 vvill
                 appear
                 to
                 be
                 not
                 in
                 the
                 heavinesse
                 of
                 the
                 load
                 ,
                 but
                 in
                 the
                 weaknesse
                 of
                 the
                 bearer
                 :
                 If
                 I
                 bee
                 discontented
                 vvith
                 a
                 mean
                 dwelling
                 ,
                 another
                 man
                 lives
                 merrily
                 in
                 a
                 low
                 thatched
                 Cottage
                 ;
                 If
                 I
                 dislike
                 my
                 plain
                 fare
                 ,
                 the
                 four
                 captive
                 children
                 
                 feed
                 fair
                 and
                 fat
                 vvith
                 pulse
                 and
                 water
                 :
                 If
                 I
                 be
                 plundred
                 of
                 my
                 rich
                 suits
                 ,
                 I
                 see
                 a
                 more
                 chearfull
                 heart
                 under
                 a
                 russet
                 Coat
                 ,
                 then
                 great
                 Princes
                 have
                 under
                 purple
                 
                 Robes
                 :
                 If
                 I
                 doe
                 gently
                 languish
                 upon
                 my
                 sick
                 bed
                 ,
                 I
                 see
                 others
                 patient
                 under
                 the
                 torments
                 of
                 the
                 Colick
                 ,
                 or
                 Stone
                 ,
                 or
                 Strangury
                 :
                 If
                 I
                 be
                 clapt
                 up
                 within
                 four
                 wals
                 ,
                 I
                 hear
                 Petronius
                 professe
                 ,
                 he
                 had
                 rather
                 be
                 in
                 prison
                 with
                 Cato
                 ,
                 then
                 at
                 liberty
                 with
                 Caesar
                 :
                 I
                 hear
                 Paul
                 and
                 Silas
                 sing
                 like
                 Nightingales
                 in
                 their
                 cages
                 :
                 Am
                 I
                 sad
                 ,
                 because
                 I
                 am
                 childlesse
                 ?
                 I
                 hear
                 many
                 a
                 parent
                 wish
                 himself
                 so
                 :
                 Am
                 I
                 banished
                 from
                 my
                 home
                 ?
                 I
                 meet
                 with
                 many
                 of
                 vvhom
                 the
                 vvorld
                 
                 vvas
                 not
                 vvorthy
                 ,
                 vvandring
                 about
                 in
                 Sheeps-skins
                 ,
                 in
                 Goat-skins
                 ,
                 in
                 deserts
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 mountains
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 dens
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 caves
                 of
                 the
                 earth
                 :
                 What
                 am
                 I
                 that
                 I
                 should
                 speed
                 better
                 then
                 the
                 miserablest
                 of
                 these
                 patients
                 ?
                 What
                 had
                 they
                 done
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 should
                 fare
                 worse
                 then
                 I
                 ?
                 If
                 I
                 have
                 little
                 ,
                 others
                 have
                 lesse
                 ;
                 If
                 I
                 feel
                 pain
                 ,
                 some
                 others
                 ,
                 torture
                 ;
                 If
                 their
                 sufferings
                 be
                 just
                 ,
                 my
                 forbearances
                 
                 are
                 mercifull
                 ;
                 my
                 provisions
                 ,
                 to
                 theirs
                 ,
                 liberall
                 :
                 It
                 is
                 no
                 ill
                 counsell
                 therefore
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 a
                 little
                 conducing
                 to
                 a
                 contented
                 want
                 ,
                 that
                 great
                 persons
                 should
                 sometimes
                 step
                 aside
                 into
                 the
                 homely
                 Cottages
                 of
                 the
                 poor
                 ,
                 and
                 see
                 their
                 mean
                 stuffe
                 ,
                 course
                 fare
                 ,
                 hard
                 lodgings
                 ,
                 worthlesse
                 utensils
                 ,
                 miserable
                 shifts
                 ;
                 and
                 to
                 compare
                 it
                 with
                 their
                 own
                 delicate
                 and
                 nauseating
                 superfluities
                 :
                 Our
                 great
                 and
                 learned
                 King
                 Alfred
                 was
                 the
                 better
                 all
                 his
                 life
                 after
                 ,
                 for
                 his
                 hidden
                 retirednesse
                 in
                 a
                 poor
                 Neat-heards
                 Cabbin
                 ,
                 where
                 he
                 was
                 sheltred
                 ,
                 and
                 sometimes
                 also
                 chidden
                 by
                 that
                 homely
                 Dame
                 :
                 Neither
                 vvas
                 it
                 an
                 ill
                 vvish
                 of
                 that
                 vvise
                 man
                 ,
                 that
                 all
                 great
                 Princes
                 might
                 first
                 have
                 had
                 some
                 little
                 taste
                 ,
                 what
                 it
                 is
                 to
                 want
                 ,
                 that
                 so
                 their
                 own
                 experience
                 might
                 render
                 them
                 more
                 sensible
                 of
                 the
                 complaints
                 of
                 others
                 .
              
               
               
                 Man
                 ,
                 though
                 he
                 be
                 absolute
                 in
                 himself
                 ,
                 and
                 stand
                 upon
                 his
                 own
                 bottom
                 ,
                 yet
                 is
                 he
                 not
                 a
                 little
                 wrought
                 upon
                 by
                 examples
                 ,
                 and
                 comparisons
                 with
                 others
                 ;
                 for
                 in
                 them
                 he
                 sees
                 what
                 he
                 is
                 ,
                 or
                 may
                 be
                 ,
                 since
                 no
                 events
                 are
                 so
                 confined
                 to
                 some
                 speciall
                 subjects
                 ,
                 as
                 that
                 they
                 may
                 not
                 bee
                 incident
                 to
                 other
                 men
                 .
              
               
                 Merits
                 are
                 a
                 poor
                 plea
                 for
                 any
                 mans
                 exemption
                 ,
                 whiles
                 our
                 sinfull
                 infirmities
                 lay
                 us
                 all
                 open
                 to
                 the
                 rod
                 of
                 divine
                 Justice
                 :
                 and
                 if
                 these
                 dispensations
                 be
                 meerly
                 out
                 of
                 favour
                 ,
                 why
                 doe
                 I
                 rather
                 grudge
                 at
                 a
                 lesser
                 misery
                 ,
                 then
                 blesse
                 God
                 for
                 my
                 freedome
                 from
                 a
                 greater
                 judgement
                 ?
                 Those
                 therefore
                 that
                 suffer
                 more
                 then
                 I
                 ,
                 have
                 cause
                 of
                 more
                 humbling
                 ,
                 and
                 I
                 that
                 suffer
                 lesse
                 then
                 they
                 ,
                 have
                 cause
                 of
                 more
                 thankfulnesse
                 ;
                 even
                 mitigations
                 of
                 punishment
                 are
                 new
                 mercies
                 ,
                 so
                 as
                 others
                 torments
                 doe
                 no
                 other
                 then
                 
                 heighten
                 my
                 obligations
                 ;
                 Let
                 me
                 not
                 therefore
                 repine
                 to
                 be
                 favourably
                 miserable
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 SECT
                 .
                 X.
                 
              
               
                 
                   Consideration
                   of
                   the
                   inconveniences
                   of
                   great
                   estates
                   :
                   and
                   first
                   of
                   their
                   cares
                   ,
                   that
                   they
                   expose
                   us
                   to
                   envy
                   ,
                   and
                   then
                   macerate
                   us
                   with
                   cares
                   .
                
              
               
                 THe
                 fourth
                 Consideration
                 shall
                 be
                 of
                 the
                 inconveniences
                 which
                 doe
                 oftentimes
                 attend
                 a
                 fulnesse
                 of
                 estate
                 ;
                 such
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 many
                 as
                 may
                 vvell
                 make
                 us
                 sit
                 down
                 content
                 with
                 a
                 little
                 ;
                 whereof
                 ,
                 let
                 the
                 first
                 be
                 envy
                 :
                 a
                 mischief
                 not
                 to
                 be
                 avoided
                 of
                 the
                 great
                 ;
                 This
                 shadow
                 follows
                 that
                 body
                 inseparably
                 ;
                 All
                 the
                 curs
                 in
                 the
                 street
                 are
                 ready
                 to
                 fall
                 upon
                 that
                 dogge
                 that
                 goes
                 away
                 with
                 the
                 bone
                 ;
                 and
                 every
                 man
                 hath
                 a
                 Cudgell
                 to
                 fling
                 at
                 a
                 well-loaded
                 Tree
                 ;
                 
                 whereas
                 a
                 mean
                 condition
                 is
                 no
                 eye-sore
                 to
                 any
                 beholder
                 ;
                 Low
                 shrubs
                 are
                 not
                 wont
                 to
                 bee
                 stricken
                 with
                 Lightning
                 ,
                 but
                 tall
                 Oaks
                 and
                 Cedars
                 feel
                 their
                 flames
                 ;
                 Whiles
                 David
                 kept
                 his
                 fathers
                 sheep
                 at
                 home
                 ,
                 he
                 might
                 sing
                 sweetly
                 to
                 his
                 Harp
                 in
                 the
                 fields
                 ,
                 without
                 any
                 disturbance
                 :
                 But
                 when
                 he
                 once
                 comes
                 to
                 the
                 Court
                 ,
                 and
                 findes
                 applause
                 ,
                 and
                 greatnesse
                 creep
                 upon
                 him
                 ,
                 now
                 emulation
                 ,
                 despight
                 and
                 malice
                 ,
                 dog
                 him
                 close
                 at
                 the
                 heels
                 wheresoever
                 he
                 goes
                 :
                 Let
                 him
                 leave
                 the
                 Court
                 ,
                 and
                 flee
                 into
                 the
                 Wildernesse
                 ,
                 there
                 these
                 bloud-hounds
                 follow
                 him
                 in
                 hot
                 suit
                 ;
                 Let
                 him
                 run
                 into
                 the
                 Land
                 of
                 the
                 Philistims
                 ,
                 there
                 they
                 finde
                 him
                 out
                 ,
                 and
                 chase
                 him
                 to
                 Ziklag
                 ;
                 and
                 if
                 at
                 the
                 last
                 ,
                 he
                 hath
                 climbed
                 up
                 to
                 his
                 just
                 Throne
                 ,
                 and
                 there
                 hopes
                 to
                 breath
                 him
                 after
                 his
                 tedious
                 pursuit
                 ,
                 even
                 there
                 he
                 meets
                 vvith
                 more
                 unquietnesse
                 then
                 in
                 his
                 desert
                 ,
                 and
                 
                 notwithstanding
                 all
                 his
                 Royalty
                 ,
                 at
                 last
                 cries
                 out
                 ,
                 Lord
                 remember
                 
                 David
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 his
                 troubles
                 :
                 How
                 many
                 have
                 wee
                 known
                 ,
                 whom
                 their
                 wealth
                 hath
                 betraid
                 ,
                 and
                 made
                 innocent
                 malefactors
                 ?
                 who
                 might
                 have
                 slept
                 securely
                 upon
                 a
                 hard
                 bolster
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 a
                 poor
                 estate
                 out-lived
                 both
                 their
                 Judges
                 ,
                 and
                 accusers
                 .
                 Besides
                 ,
                 on
                 even
                 ground
                 a
                 fall
                 may
                 be
                 harmlesse
                 ;
                 but
                 he
                 that
                 fals
                 from
                 on
                 high
                 ,
                 cannot
                 escape
                 bruising
                 :
                 He
                 therefore
                 that
                 can
                 think
                 the
                 benefits
                 of
                 Eminence
                 can
                 countervail
                 the
                 dangers
                 which
                 haunt
                 greatness
                 ,
                 let
                 him
                 affect
                 to
                 over-top
                 others
                 ;
                 for
                 me
                 ,
                 let
                 me
                 rather
                 be
                 safely
                 low
                 ,
                 then
                 high
                 with
                 perill
                 .
                 After
                 others
                 envy
                 ,
                 the
                 next
                 attendant
                 upon
                 greatnesse
                 is
                 our
                 own
                 cares
                 ;
                 how
                 doe
                 these
                 disquiet
                 the
                 Beds
                 ,
                 and
                 sawce
                 the
                 Tables
                 of
                 the
                 wealthy
                 ?
                 breaking
                 their
                 sleeps
                 ,
                 galling
                 their
                 sides
                 ,
                 embittering
                 their
                 pleasures
                 ,
                 
                 shortning
                 their
                 days
                 :
                 How
                 bitterly
                 doe
                 vve
                 finde
                 the
                 holiest
                 men
                 complaining
                 of
                 those
                 distractions
                 ,
                 vvhich
                 have
                 attended
                 their
                 earthly
                 promotions
                 ?
                 Nazianzen
                 cries
                 out
                 of
                 them
                 as
                 no
                 
                 other
                 then
                 the
                 bane
                 of
                 the
                 soul
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 other
                 Gregory
                 ,
                 whom
                 we
                 are
                 wont
                 to
                 call
                 the
                 last
                 of
                 the
                 best
                 Bishops
                 of
                 Rome
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 first
                 of
                 the
                 bad
                 ,
                 passionately
                 bewails
                 this
                 clogge
                 of
                 his
                 high
                 preferment
                 :
                 I
                 confesse
                 ,
                 saith
                 he
                 ,
                 that
                 whiles
                 I
                 am
                 outwardly
                 advanced
                 ,
                 
                 I
                 am
                 inwardly
                 fallen
                 lower
                 ;
                 this
                 burdensome
                 honour
                 depresses
                 me
                 ,
                 and
                 innumerable
                 cares
                 disquiet
                 me
                 on
                 all
                 sides
                 ;
                 my
                 minde
                 (
                 grown
                 almost
                 stupid
                 with
                 those
                 temporall
                 cares
                 which
                 are
                 ever
                 barking
                 in
                 mine
                 ears
                 )
                 is
                 forced
                 upon
                 earthly
                 things
                 ;
                 thus
                 he
                 :
                 There
                 are
                 indeed
                 cares
                 which
                 as
                 they
                 may
                 be
                 used
                 ,
                 may
                 help
                 us
                 on
                 towards
                 Heaven
                 ;
                 such
                 as
                 Melancthon
                 
                 owns
                 to
                 his
                 Camerarius
                 ;
                 My
                 
                 cares
                 ,
                 saith
                 he
                 ,
                 send
                 me
                 to
                 my
                 prayers
                 ,
                 and
                 my
                 prayers
                 dispell
                 my
                 cares
                 ;
                 but
                 those
                 anxieties
                 vvhich
                 commonly
                 wait
                 upon
                 greatnesse
                 ,
                 distract
                 the
                 minde
                 ,
                 and
                 impair
                 the
                 body
                 .
              
               
                 It
                 is
                 an
                 observation
                 of
                 the
                 Jewish
                 Doctors
                 ,
                 that
                 Joseph
                 the
                 Patriarch
                 vvas
                 of
                 a
                 shorter
                 life
                 then
                 the
                 rest
                 of
                 his
                 brethren
                 ;
                 and
                 they
                 render
                 this
                 reason
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 for
                 that
                 his
                 cares
                 were
                 as
                 much
                 greater
                 ,
                 as
                 his
                 place
                 was
                 higher
                 :
                 It
                 vvas
                 not
                 an
                 unfit
                 comparison
                 of
                 him
                 ,
                 vvho
                 resembled
                 a
                 Coronet
                 upon
                 the
                 
                 Temples
                 ,
                 to
                 a
                 pail
                 upon
                 the
                 head
                 ;
                 We
                 have
                 seen
                 those
                 ,
                 who
                 have
                 carried
                 full
                 and
                 heavy
                 vessels
                 on
                 the
                 top
                 of
                 their
                 heads
                 ,
                 but
                 then
                 they
                 have
                 walked
                 evenly
                 ,
                 and
                 erect
                 under
                 that
                 load
                 ;
                 we
                 never
                 saw
                 any
                 that
                 could
                 dance
                 under
                 such
                 a
                 weight
                 ,
                 if
                 either
                 they
                 bend
                 ,
                 or
                 move
                 vehemently
                 ,
                 all
                 their
                 carriage
                 is
                 spilled
                 :
                 Earthly
                 greatness
                 is
                 a
                 nice
                 thing
                 ,
                 
                 &
                 requires
                 so
                 much
                 charinesse
                 in
                 the
                 managing
                 ;
                 as
                 the
                 contentment
                 of
                 it
                 cannot
                 requite
                 ;
                 He
                 is
                 vvorthy
                 of
                 honey
                 ,
                 that
                 desires
                 to
                 lick
                 it
                 off
                 from
                 thorns
                 ;
                 for
                 my
                 part
                 ,
                 I
                 am
                 of
                 the
                 minde
                 of
                 him
                 who
                 professed
                 ,
                 not
                 to
                 care
                 for
                 those
                 favours
                 ,
                 that
                 compelled
                 him
                 to
                 lie
                 waking
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   Danger
                   of
                   distemper
                   ,
                   both
                   bodily
                   and
                   spirituall
                   ,
                   that
                   commonly
                   follows
                   great
                   means
                   :
                   and
                   torment
                   in
                   parting
                   with
                   them
                   .
                
              
               
                 IN
                 the
                 next
                 place
                 ,
                 I
                 see
                 greatnesse
                 not
                 more
                 pale
                 ,
                 and
                 worn
                 vvith
                 cares
                 ,
                 then
                 swoln
                 up
                 ,
                 and
                 sickly
                 with
                 excesse
                 ;
                 Too
                 much
                 oyle
                 poured
                 in
                 ,
                 puts
                 out
                 the
                 Lamp
                 ,
                 Superfluity
                 is
                 guilty
                 of
                 a
                 world
                 of
                 diseases
                 ,
                 which
                 the
                 spare
                 diet
                 of
                 poverty
                 is
                 free
                 from
                 ;
                 How
                 have
                 vve
                 seen
                 great
                 mens
                 eies
                 surfeited
                 at
                 that
                 full
                 
                 Table
                 ,
                 whereof
                 their
                 palate
                 could
                 not
                 taste
                 ,
                 and
                 they
                 have
                 risen
                 discontentedly
                 glutted
                 with
                 the
                 sight
                 of
                 that
                 ,
                 vvhich
                 their
                 stomach
                 vvas
                 uncapable
                 to
                 receive
                 ;
                 and
                 vvhen
                 ,
                 not
                 giving
                 so
                 much
                 law
                 to
                 nature
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 put
                 over
                 their
                 gluttonous
                 meal
                 ,
                 (
                 their
                 vvanton
                 appetite
                 charging
                 them
                 with
                 a
                 nevv
                 variety
                 of
                 curious
                 morsels
                 ,
                 and
                 lavish
                 cups
                 )
                 they
                 finde
                 themselves
                 overtaken
                 with
                 feverous
                 distempers
                 ,
                 the
                 Physitian
                 must
                 succeed
                 the
                 Cook
                 ;
                 and
                 a
                 second
                 sicknesse
                 must
                 cure
                 the
                 first
                 :
                 But
                 alas
                 ,
                 these
                 bodily
                 indispositions
                 are
                 nothing
                 to
                 those
                 spirituall
                 evils
                 ,
                 vvhich
                 are
                 incident
                 into
                 secular
                 greatness
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 a
                 true
                 word
                 of
                 S.
                 Ambrose
                 ,
                 seconded
                 by
                 common
                 experience
                 ,
                 
                 that
                 an
                 high
                 pitch
                 of
                 honour
                 is
                 seldome
                 held
                 up
                 without
                 sinne
                 ;
                 And
                 S.
                 Jerome
                 tels
                 us
                 ,
                 it
                 vvas
                 a
                 
                 common
                 Proverb
                 in
                 his
                 time
                 ,
                 That
                 a
                 rich
                 man
                 either
                 is
                 vvicked
                 ,
                 
                 or
                 a
                 vvicked
                 mans
                 heir
                 :
                 Not
                 ,
                 but
                 that
                 rich
                 Abraham
                 may
                 have
                 a
                 bosome
                 for
                 poor
                 Lazarus
                 to
                 rest
                 in
                 ,
                 and
                 many
                 great
                 Kings
                 have
                 been
                 great
                 Saints
                 in
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 and
                 there
                 is
                 still
                 room
                 for
                 many
                 more
                 ;
                 but
                 that
                 commonly
                 great
                 temptations
                 follow
                 great
                 estates
                 ,
                 and
                 oftentimes
                 overtake
                 them
                 ;
                 neither
                 is
                 it
                 for
                 nothing
                 ,
                 that
                 riches
                 are
                 by
                 our
                 blessed
                 Saviour
                 styled
                 the
                 Mammon
                 of
                 iniquity
                 ,
                 &
                 wealth
                 is
                 by
                 the
                 holy
                 Apostle
                 branded
                 
                 with
                 deceitfulnesse
                 ;
                 such
                 as
                 cheat
                 many
                 millions
                 of
                 their
                 souls
                 .
              
               
                 Add
                 unto
                 these
                 (
                 if
                 you
                 please
                 )
                 the
                 torment
                 of
                 parting
                 with
                 that
                 pelf
                 ,
                 and
                 honour
                 ,
                 vvhich
                 hath
                 so
                 grosly
                 bewitched
                 us
                 ;
                 such
                 as
                 may
                 well
                 verifie
                 that
                 vvhich
                 Lucius
                 
                 long
                 since
                 wrote
                 to
                 the
                 Bishops
                 of
                 France
                 ,
                 and
                 Spain
                 ,
                 that
                 one
                 houres
                 mischief
                 makes
                 us
                 forget
                 the
                 pleasure
                 of
                 the
                 greatest
                 excesse
                 .
                 I
                 marvell
                 not
                 at
                 
                 our
                 English
                 Jew
                 ,
                 of
                 whom
                 our
                 story
                 speaks
                 ,
                 that
                 would
                 rather
                 part
                 with
                 his
                 teeth
                 ,
                 then
                 his
                 bags
                 :
                 how
                 many
                 have
                 wee
                 knowne
                 that
                 have
                 poured
                 out
                 their
                 life
                 together
                 with
                 their
                 gold
                 ,
                 as
                 men
                 that
                 would
                 not
                 out-live
                 their
                 earthen
                 god
                 ;
                 yea
                 (
                 woe
                 is
                 mee
                 )
                 how
                 many
                 soules
                 have
                 beene
                 lost
                 in
                 the
                 sinne
                 of
                 getting
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 the
                 quarrell
                 of
                 leesing
                 this
                 thicke
                 clay
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Prophet
                 tearmes
                 it
                 ?
                 But
                 lastly
                 ,
                 that
                 which
                 is
                 yet
                 the
                 sorest
                 of
                 all
                 the
                 inconveniences
                 ,
                 is
                 the
                 sadnesse
                 of
                 the
                 reckoning
                 ,
                 which
                 must
                 come
                 in
                 after
                 these
                 plentifull
                 entertainments
                 ;
                 for
                 there
                 is
                 none
                 of
                 all
                 our
                 cates
                 here
                 ,
                 but
                 must
                 be
                 billed
                 up
                 ;
                 and
                 great
                 Accompts
                 must
                 have
                 long
                 Audits
                 :
                 how
                 hard
                 a
                 thing
                 it
                 is
                 in
                 this
                 case
                 ,
                 to
                 have
                 an
                 
                   Omnia
                   aequè
                
                 ?
                 In
                 the
                 failing
                 whereof
                 ,
                 how
                 is
                 the
                 Conscience
                 affected
                 ?
                 I
                 know
                 
                 not
                 whether
                 more
                 tormented
                 ,
                 or
                 tormenting
                 the
                 miserable
                 soul
                 ;
                 so
                 as
                 the
                 great
                 Owner
                 is
                 but
                 (
                 as
                 witty
                 Bromiard
                 compares
                 him
                 )
                 like
                 a
                 weary
                 Jade
                 ,
                 which
                 all
                 the
                 day
                 long
                 hath
                 been
                 labouring
                 under
                 the
                 load
                 of
                 a
                 great
                 treasure
                 ;
                 and
                 at
                 night
                 lies
                 down
                 with
                 a
                 galled
                 back
                 .
              
               
                 By
                 that
                 time
                 therefore
                 wee
                 have
                 summed
                 up
                 all
                 ,
                 and
                 finde
                 here
                 envy
                 ,
                 cares
                 ,
                 sicknesses
                 both
                 of
                 body
                 and
                 soul
                 ,
                 torment
                 in
                 parting
                 with
                 ,
                 and
                 more
                 torment
                 in
                 reckoning
                 for
                 ,
                 these
                 earthly
                 greatnesses
                 ;
                 wee
                 shall
                 be
                 convinced
                 of
                 sufficient
                 reason
                 to
                 be
                 well
                 apaid
                 with
                 their
                 want
                 .
              
            
             
               
               
                 SECT
                 .
                 XII
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Consideration
                   of
                   the
                   benefits
                   of
                   Poverty
                   .
                
              
               
                 LEt
                 the
                 fifth
                 Consideration
                 be
                 ,
                 the
                 benefit
                 of
                 Poverty
                 ;
                 such
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 great
                 ,
                 as
                 are
                 enough
                 to
                 make
                 us
                 in
                 love
                 with
                 having
                 nothing
                 .
              
               
                 For
                 first
                 ,
                 vvhat
                 an
                 advantage
                 is
                 it
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 free
                 from
                 those
                 gnawing
                 cares
                 ,
                 which
                 (
                 like
                 Tityus
                 his
                 Vulture
                 )
                 feed
                 upon
                 the
                 Heart
                 of
                 the
                 Great
                 ?
                 Here
                 is
                 a
                 man
                 that
                 sleeps
                 (
                 Aethiopian-like
                 )
                 with
                 his
                 doores
                 open
                 ;
                 no
                 dangers
                 threaten
                 him
                 ,
                 no
                 feares
                 break
                 his
                 rest
                 ;
                 hee
                 starts
                 not
                 out
                 of
                 his
                 bed
                 at
                 midnight
                 ,
                 and
                 cries
                 Theeves
                 ,
                 he
                 feels
                 no
                 rack
                 of
                 ambitious
                 thoughts
                 ,
                 he
                 frets
                 not
                 at
                 the
                 disappointment
                 of
                 his
                 false
                 hopes
                 ,
                 hee
                 cracks
                 not
                 his
                 brain
                 with
                 hazardous
                 
                 plots
                 ,
                 he
                 mis-doubts
                 no
                 undermining
                 of
                 emulous
                 rivals
                 ,
                 no
                 traps
                 of
                 hollow
                 friendship
                 ,
                 but
                 lives
                 securely
                 in
                 his
                 homely
                 Cottage
                 ,
                 quietly
                 enjoying
                 such
                 provision
                 ,
                 as
                 nature
                 ,
                 and
                 honest
                 industry
                 furnish
                 him
                 withall
                 ;
                 for
                 his
                 drinke
                 ,
                 the
                 neighbour
                 Spring
                 saves
                 him
                 the
                 charge
                 of
                 his
                 Excise
                 ;
                 and
                 when
                 his
                 better
                 earnings
                 have
                 fraught
                 his
                 trencher
                 with
                 a
                 warm
                 ,
                 and
                 pleasing
                 morsell
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 cup
                 with
                 a
                 stronger
                 liquor
                 ,
                 hovv
                 chearfully
                 is
                 he
                 affected
                 with
                 that
                 happy
                 variety
                 ;
                 and
                 in
                 the
                 strength
                 of
                 it
                 digests
                 many
                 of
                 his
                 thinner
                 meals
                 ?
              
               
                 Meals
                 usually
                 sawced
                 with
                 an
                 healthfull
                 hunger
                 ,
                 wherein
                 no
                 uncocted
                 Crudities
                 oppresse
                 Nature
                 ,
                 and
                 cherish
                 disease
                 :
                 Here
                 are
                 no
                 Gouts
                 ,
                 no
                 Dropsies
                 ,
                 no
                 Hypochondriack
                 passions
                 ,
                 no
                 Convulsive
                 fits
                 ,
                 no
                 distempers
                 of
                 surfeits
                 ,
                 but
                 a
                 clear
                 ,
                 and
                 wholesome
                 vigor
                 of
                 body
                 ,
                 and
                 
                 an
                 easie
                 putting
                 over
                 the
                 light
                 tasks
                 of
                 digestion
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 constant
                 advantage
                 of
                 health
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 as
                 for
                 outward
                 dangers
                 ,
                 what
                 an
                 happy
                 immunity
                 doth
                 commonly
                 blesse
                 the
                 poore
                 man
                 ?
                 how
                 can
                 he
                 fear
                 to
                 fall
                 ,
                 that
                 lies
                 flat
                 upon
                 the
                 ground
                 ?
                 The
                 great
                 Pope
                 ,
                 Boniface
                 the
                 seventh
                 ,
                 vvhen
                 hee
                 saw
                 many
                 stately
                 Buildings
                 ruined
                 vvith
                 Earthquakes
                 ,
                 is
                 glad
                 to
                 raise
                 him
                 a
                 little
                 Cabin
                 of
                 boards
                 in
                 the
                 midst
                 of
                 a
                 Meadovv
                 ,
                 and
                 there
                 findes
                 it
                 safest
                 to
                 shelter
                 his
                 triple
                 Crown
                 .
                 When
                 great
                 men
                 hoist
                 their
                 Top-sail
                 ,
                 and
                 launch
                 forth
                 into
                 the
                 deep
                 ,
                 having
                 that
                 large
                 clew
                 which
                 they
                 spread
                 ,
                 expos'd
                 to
                 all
                 windes
                 ,
                 and
                 weathers
                 ,
                 the
                 poor
                 man
                 sails
                 close
                 by
                 the
                 shore
                 ;
                 and
                 when
                 hee
                 foresees
                 a
                 storme
                 to
                 threaten
                 him
                 ,
                 puts
                 in
                 to
                 the
                 next
                 Creek
                 ;
                 and
                 wears
                 out
                 in
                 a
                 quiet
                 security
                 that
                 Tempest
                 ,
                 wherein
                 he
                 sees
                 prouder
                 Vessels
                 
                 miserably
                 tost
                 ,
                 and
                 at
                 last
                 ,
                 fatally
                 wracked
                 .
              
               
                 This
                 man
                 is
                 free
                 from
                 the
                 perill
                 of
                 spightfull
                 machinations
                 ;
                 No
                 man
                 whets
                 his
                 Axe
                 to
                 cut
                 down
                 a
                 shrub
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 the
                 large
                 Timber
                 of
                 the
                 world
                 that
                 hath
                 cause
                 to
                 fear
                 hewing
                 :
                 Neither
                 is
                 he
                 lesse
                 free
                 inwardly
                 from
                 the
                 galling
                 stroaks
                 of
                 a
                 self-accusing
                 Conscience
                 ;
                 here
                 is
                 no
                 remurmuring
                 of
                 the
                 heart
                 for
                 guilty
                 subornations
                 ,
                 no
                 checks
                 for
                 the
                 secret
                 contrivances
                 of
                 publique
                 villanies
                 ;
                 no
                 heart-breaking
                 for
                 the
                 failings
                 of
                 bloudy
                 designes
                 ;
                 or
                 late
                 remorse
                 for
                 their
                 successe
                 ;
                 but
                 quiet
                 ,
                 &
                 harmlesse
                 thoughts
                 of
                 seasonable
                 frugality
                 ,
                 of
                 honest
                 recreation
                 ,
                 with
                 an
                 un-interrupted
                 freedome
                 of
                 recourse
                 to
                 Heaven
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 if
                 at
                 any
                 time
                 ,
                 by
                 either
                 hostile
                 ,
                 or
                 casuall
                 means
                 ,
                 he
                 be
                 berest
                 of
                 his
                 little
                 ,
                 he
                 smiles
                 in
                 the
                 face
                 of
                 a
                 theef
                 ;
                 and
                 is
                 no
                 whit
                 astonished
                 to
                 see
                 his
                 thatch
                 
                 on
                 a
                 flame
                 ,
                 as
                 knowing
                 how
                 easie
                 a
                 supply
                 will
                 repair
                 his
                 losse
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 when
                 he
                 shall
                 come
                 to
                 his
                 last
                 close
                 ,
                 his
                 heart
                 is
                 not
                 so
                 glewed
                 to
                 the
                 world
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 should
                 be
                 loth
                 to
                 part
                 ;
                 his
                 soul
                 is
                 not
                 tyed
                 up
                 in
                 bags
                 ,
                 but
                 flies
                 out
                 freely
                 to
                 her
                 everlasting
                 Rest
                 .
                 Oh
                 the
                 secret
                 vertue
                 and
                 happinesse
                 of
                 Poverty
                 ;
                 which
                 none
                 but
                 the
                 right
                 disposed
                 minde
                 knows
                 how
                 to
                 value
                 ▪
                 It
                 was
                 not
                 for
                 nothing
                 that
                 so
                 many
                 great
                 Saints
                 have
                 embraced
                 it
                 ,
                 rather
                 then
                 the
                 rich
                 proffers
                 of
                 the
                 vvorld
                 ;
                 That
                 so
                 many
                 great
                 Princes
                 have
                 exchanged
                 their
                 Thrones
                 for
                 quiet
                 Cels
                 ;
                 Who
                 so
                 cannot
                 be
                 thankful
                 for
                 a
                 little
                 ,
                 upon
                 these
                 conditions
                 ,
                 I
                 wish
                 he
                 may
                 be
                 punished
                 with
                 abundance
                 .
              
            
             
               
               
                 SECT
                 .
                 XIII
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Considering
                   how
                   little
                   will
                   suffice
                   Nature
                   .
                
              
               
                 NEither
                 will
                 it
                 a
                 little
                 avail
                 to
                 the
                 furtherance
                 of
                 our
                 Contentation
                 ,
                 to
                 consider
                 how
                 little
                 will
                 suffice
                 Nature
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 all
                 the
                 rest
                 is
                 but
                 matter
                 of
                 Opinion
                 :
                 It
                 is
                 the
                 Apostles
                 charge
                 ,
                 Having
                 food
                 and
                 raiment
                 ,
                 
                 let
                 us
                 be
                 therewith
                 content
                 :
                 Indeed
                 what
                 use
                 is
                 there
                 of
                 more
                 ,
                 then
                 what
                 may
                 nourish
                 us
                 within
                 ,
                 and
                 cover
                 us
                 without
                 ?
                 If
                 that
                 be
                 wholsome
                 ,
                 and
                 agreeable
                 to
                 our
                 bodily
                 disposition
                 ,
                 whether
                 it
                 be
                 fine
                 ,
                 or
                 course
                 ,
                 Nature
                 passes
                 not
                 ;
                 it
                 is
                 meerly
                 Will
                 that
                 is
                 guilty
                 of
                 this
                 wanton
                 and
                 fastidious
                 choice
                 ;
                 It
                 is
                 fit
                 that
                 Civilitie
                 should
                 make
                 difference
                 of
                 clothings
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 vveaknesse
                 of
                 
                 body
                 ,
                 or
                 eminence
                 of
                 Estate
                 should
                 make
                 differences
                 of
                 diets
                 ;
                 Else
                 ,
                 why
                 not
                 Russet
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 Scarlet
                 ?
                 Beef
                 ,
                 as
                 Phesant
                 ?
                 the
                 Grashopper
                 feeds
                 on
                 dew
                 ,
                 the
                 Chameleon
                 on
                 air
                 ,
                 what
                 care
                 they
                 for
                 other
                 Viands
                 ?
                 Our
                 Books
                 tell
                 us
                 ,
                 that
                 
                 those
                 Anachorets
                 of
                 old
                 ,
                 that
                 went
                 aside
                 into
                 Wildernesses
                 ,
                 and
                 sustained
                 themselves
                 with
                 the
                 most
                 spare
                 diet
                 ,
                 such
                 as
                 those
                 deserts
                 could
                 afford
                 ,
                 out-lived
                 the
                 date
                 of
                 other
                 mens
                 lives
                 ,
                 in
                 whom
                 Nature
                 is
                 commonly
                 stifled
                 with
                 a
                 gluttonous
                 variety
                 :
                 How
                 strong
                 ,
                 and
                 vigorous
                 above
                 their
                 neighbour
                 Grecians
                 ,
                 were
                 the
                 Lacedemonians
                 held
                 of
                 old
                 ?
                 who
                 by
                 the
                 Ordinance
                 of
                 their
                 Law-giver
                 ,
                 held
                 themselves
                 to
                 their
                 black
                 broth
                 ,
                 which
                 ,
                 when
                 Dionysius
                 would
                 needs
                 taste
                 of
                 ,
                 his
                 Cook
                 truly
                 told
                 him
                 ,
                 that
                 if
                 he
                 would
                 relish
                 that
                 fare
                 ,
                 he
                 must
                 exercise
                 strongly
                 ,
                 as
                 they
                 did
                 ,
                 and
                 wash
                 
                 in
                 Eurotas
                 :
                 Who
                 knows
                 not
                 that
                 our
                 Island
                 doth
                 not
                 afford
                 more
                 able
                 Bodies
                 ,
                 then
                 they
                 that
                 eat
                 ,
                 and
                 drink
                 Oats
                 ?
                 And
                 whom
                 have
                 wee
                 seene
                 more
                 healthfull
                 and
                 active
                 ,
                 then
                 the
                 children
                 of
                 poor
                 men
                 ,
                 trayned
                 up
                 hardly
                 in
                 their
                 Cottages
                 with
                 fare
                 as
                 little
                 ,
                 as
                 course
                 ?
              
               
                 Doe
                 I
                 see
                 a
                 poor
                 Indian
                 husbanding
                 one
                 tree
                 to
                 all
                 his
                 houshold
                 uses
                 ;
                 finding
                 in
                 that
                 one
                 Plant
                 ,
                 Timber
                 ,
                 Thatch
                 ,
                 Meat
                 ,
                 Medicine
                 ,
                 Wine
                 ,
                 Honey
                 ,
                 Oyle
                 ,
                 Sawce
                 ,
                 Drink
                 ,
                 Utensils
                 ,
                 Ships
                 ,
                 Cables
                 ,
                 Sayles
                 ?
                 and
                 doe
                 I
                 rove
                 over
                 all
                 the
                 latitude
                 of
                 Nature
                 for
                 contentment
                 ?
                 Our
                 appetite
                 is
                 truly
                 unreasonable
                 ,
                 neither
                 will
                 know
                 any
                 bounds
                 :
                 We
                 begin
                 with
                 necessaries
                 ,
                 as
                 Pliny
                 justly
                 observes
                 ,
                 and
                 from
                 
                 thence
                 we
                 rise
                 to
                 excesse
                 ,
                 punishing
                 our selves
                 with
                 our
                 owne
                 wilde
                 desires
                 ;
                 whereas
                 ,
                 if
                 wee
                 were
                 wise
                 ,
                 we
                 might
                 finde
                 mediocrity
                 an
                 ease
                 .
              
               
               
                 Either
                 extream
                 is
                 a
                 like
                 deadly
                 ;
                 he
                 that
                 over-afflicts
                 his
                 body
                 ,
                 kils
                 a
                 Subject
                 ;
                 he
                 that
                 pampers
                 
                 it
                 ,
                 nourishes
                 an
                 Enemy
                 .
                 Too
                 much
                 abstinence
                 turns
                 vice
                 ,
                 and
                 too
                 much
                 ingurgitation
                 is
                 one
                 of
                 the
                 seven
                 ,
                 and
                 at
                 once
                 destroys
                 both
                 Nature
                 and
                 Grace
                 .
                 The
                 best
                 measure
                 of
                 having
                 or
                 
                 desiring
                 ,
                 is
                 not
                 what
                 we
                 would
                 ,
                 but
                 what
                 we
                 ought
                 :
                 Neither
                 is
                 he
                 rich
                 that
                 hath
                 much
                 ;
                 but
                 he
                 that
                 desires
                 not
                 much
                 :
                 A
                 discreet
                 frugality
                 is
                 fittest
                 to
                 moderate
                 both
                 our
                 wishes
                 ,
                 and
                 expences
                 ;
                 which
                 if
                 we
                 want
                 ,
                 wee
                 prove
                 dangerously
                 prodigall
                 in
                 both
                 ;
                 if
                 we
                 have
                 ,
                 we
                 doe
                 happily
                 improve
                 our
                 stock
                 to
                 the
                 advantage
                 of
                 our selves
                 ,
                 and
                 others
                 .
              
            
             
               
               
                 SECT
                 .
                 XIV
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Considering
                   the
                   inconveniences
                   ,
                   and
                   miseries
                   of
                   discontentment
                   .
                
              
               
                 THe
                 next
                 inducement
                 to
                 Contentation
                 ,
                 shall
                 be
                 the
                 serious
                 consideration
                 of
                 the
                 miserable
                 inconveniences
                 of
                 the
                 contrary
                 disposition
                 ;
                 Discontentment
                 is
                 a
                 mixture
                 of
                 anger
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 grief
                 ;
                 both
                 which
                 are
                 wont
                 to
                 raise
                 up
                 fearfull
                 tempests
                 in
                 the
                 soul
                 ;
                 Hee
                 teareth
                 himself
                 in
                 his
                 anger
                 ,
                 saith
                 Bildad
                 ,
                 concerning
                 that
                 mirrour
                 of
                 patience
                 ;
                 
                 And
                 the
                 sorrow
                 of
                 the
                 world
                 worketh
                 death
                 ,
                 saith
                 the
                 chosen
                 Vessell
                 :
                 so
                 as
                 the
                 Malecontent
                 ,
                 whether
                 he
                 be
                 angry
                 or
                 sad
                 ,
                 mischieves
                 himself
                 both
                 ways
                 ;
                 There
                 cannot
                 be
                 a
                 truer
                 word
                 then
                 that
                 of
                 wise
                 Solomon
                 ,
                 
                 Anger
                 resteth
                 in
                 the
                 bosome
                 of
                 fools
                 ;
                 What
                 can
                 be
                 more
                 foolish
                 
                 then
                 for
                 a
                 man
                 ,
                 because
                 he
                 thinks
                 God
                 hath
                 made
                 him
                 miserable
                 by
                 crosses
                 ,
                 to
                 make
                 himself
                 more
                 miserable
                 by
                 his
                 own
                 distempers
                 ?
                 If
                 the
                 clay
                 had
                 sense
                 ,
                 what
                 a
                 mad
                 thing
                 were
                 it
                 for
                 it
                 to
                 struggle
                 with
                 the
                 Potter
                 ?
                 and
                 if
                 a
                 man
                 wil
                 spurn
                 against
                 strong
                 Iron-pikes
                 ,
                 what
                 can
                 he
                 hope
                 to
                 carry
                 away
                 but
                 wounds
                 ?
                 How
                 witless
                 a
                 thing
                 it
                 is
                 for
                 a
                 man
                 to
                 torment
                 himself
                 with
                 the
                 thoughts
                 of
                 those
                 evils
                 ,
                 that
                 are
                 past
                 all
                 remedy
                 ?
                 What
                 wise
                 beholder
                 would
                 not
                 have
                 smiled
                 with
                 pity
                 and
                 scorn
                 ,
                 to
                 have
                 seen
                 great
                 Augustus
                 ;
                 after
                 the
                 defeat
                 of
                 some
                 choice
                 Troops
                 ,
                 to
                 knock
                 his
                 head
                 against
                 the
                 wall
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 hear
                 him
                 passionately
                 cry
                 out
                 ;
                 
                   O
                   Varus
                
                 ,
                 restore
                 me
                 my
                 lost
                 Legions
                 ?
                 Who
                 would
                 not
                 have
                 been
                 angry
                 with
                 that
                 cholerick
                 Prophet
                 to
                 hear
                 him
                 so
                 furiously
                 contest
                 with
                 his
                 Maker
                 for
                 a
                 withered
                 Gourd
                 ?
                 What
                 an
                 affliction
                 was
                 
                 it
                 to
                 good
                 Jacob
                 (
                 more
                 then
                 the
                 sterility
                 of
                 a
                 beloved
                 wife
                 )
                 to
                 hear
                 Rachel
                 say
                 ;
                 Give
                 mee
                 
                 children
                 ,
                 or
                 else
                 I
                 die
                 ?
                 yea
                 ,
                 how
                 ill
                 did
                 it
                 sound
                 in
                 the
                 mouth
                 of
                 the
                 Father
                 of
                 the
                 faithfull
                 ;
                 Lord
                 God
                 ,
                 what
                 wilt
                 thou
                 give
                 mee
                 ,
                 
                 seeing
                 I
                 goe
                 childelesse
                 ?
                 Yet
                 thus
                 froward
                 and
                 techy
                 is
                 nature
                 in
                 the
                 best
                 ;
                 if
                 we
                 may
                 not
                 have
                 all
                 we
                 would
                 have
                 ,
                 all
                 that
                 we
                 have
                 is
                 nothing
                 ;
                 if
                 wee
                 bee
                 not
                 perfectly
                 humoured
                 ,
                 we
                 are
                 wilfully
                 unthankfull
                 ;
                 All
                 Israel
                 is
                 nothing
                 worth
                 to
                 Ahab
                 ,
                 if
                 he
                 may
                 not
                 have
                 one
                 poor
                 Vineyard
                 :
                 How
                 must
                 this
                 needs
                 irritate
                 a
                 munificent
                 God
                 ,
                 to
                 see
                 his
                 bounty
                 contemned
                 out
                 of
                 a
                 childish
                 pettishnesse
                 ?
                 How
                 can
                 he
                 forbeare
                 to
                 take
                 away
                 from
                 us
                 his
                 sleighted
                 mercies
                 ?
                 How
                 can
                 he
                 hold
                 his
                 hand
                 from
                 plaguing
                 so
                 ingratefull
                 disrespects
                 of
                 his
                 favours
                 ?
              
               
                 As
                 for
                 that
                 other
                 passion
                 of
                 grief
                 ,
                 what
                 wofull
                 work
                 doth
                 it
                 
                 make
                 in
                 ungoverned
                 mindes
                 ?
                 How
                 many
                 have
                 we
                 knowne
                 ,
                 that
                 out
                 of
                 thought
                 for
                 unrecoverable
                 losses
                 ,
                 have
                 lost
                 themselves
                 ?
                 how
                 many
                 have
                 runne
                 from
                 their
                 wits
                 ?
                 how
                 many
                 from
                 their
                 lives
                 ?
                 Yea
                 ,
                 how
                 many
                 ,
                 that
                 out
                 of
                 an
                 impatience
                 to
                 stay
                 the
                 leisure
                 of
                 vengeance
                 ,
                 have
                 made
                 their
                 own
                 hands
                 ,
                 their
                 hasty
                 executioners
                 ?
                 And
                 even
                 where
                 this
                 extremity
                 prevails
                 not
                 ;
                 look
                 about
                 ,
                 and
                 yee
                 shall
                 see
                 men
                 that
                 are
                 not
                 able
                 matches
                 to
                 their
                 passions
                 ,
                 wofully
                 macerating
                 thēselves
                 with
                 their
                 own
                 thoughts
                 ,
                 wearing
                 out
                 their
                 tedious
                 dayes
                 upon
                 the
                 rack
                 of
                 their
                 own
                 hearts
                 ;
                 and
                 making
                 good
                 that
                 observation
                 of
                 the
                 wise
                 man
                 ;
                 By
                 the
                 sorrow
                 of
                 the
                 heart
                 ,
                 the
                 spirit
                 is
                 
                 broken
                 .
              
               
                 Now
                 all
                 these
                 mischiefs
                 might
                 have
                 been
                 happily
                 prevented
                 by
                 a
                 meek
                 yeeldance
                 of
                 our selves
                 to
                 the
                 hands
                 of
                 an
                 all-wise
                 ,
                 and
                 
                 an
                 all-mercifull
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 by
                 an
                 humble
                 composure
                 of
                 our
                 affections
                 to
                 a
                 quiet
                 suffering
                 ;
                 It
                 is
                 the
                 power
                 of
                 patience
                 to
                 calm
                 
                 the
                 heart
                 in
                 the
                 most
                 blustering
                 trials
                 ;
                 and
                 when
                 the
                 vessell
                 is
                 most
                 tossed
                 ,
                 yet
                 to
                 secure
                 the
                 fraight
                 :
                 This
                 ,
                 if
                 it
                 doe
                 not
                 abate
                 of
                 our
                 burden
                 ,
                 yet
                 it
                 addes
                 to
                 our
                 strength
                 ,
                 and
                 wins
                 the
                 Father
                 of
                 Mercies
                 both
                 to
                 pity
                 ,
                 and
                 retribution
                 .
              
               
                 Whereas
                 murmuring
                 Israelites
                 can
                 never
                 be
                 free
                 from
                 judgements
                 ;
                 and
                 it
                 is
                 a
                 dreadfull
                 word
                 that
                 God
                 speaketh
                 of
                 that
                 chosen
                 Nation
                 ;
                 Mine
                 heritage
                 is
                 
                 unto
                 me
                 as
                 a
                 Lion
                 in
                 the
                 forest
                 ;
                 it
                 ,
                 still
                 ,
                 yelleth
                 against
                 me
                 ,
                 therefore
                 have
                 I
                 hated
                 it
                 ;
                 A
                 Childe
                 that
                 struggles
                 under
                 the
                 rod
                 ,
                 justly
                 doubles
                 his
                 stripes
                 ,
                 and
                 an
                 unruly
                 Malefactor
                 drawes
                 on
                 ,
                 besides
                 death
                 ,
                 tortures
                 .
              
            
             
             
             
             
             
               
               
                 SECT
                 .
                 XV.
                 
              
               
                 
                   Consid
                   .
                   the
                   vicissitudes
                   of
                   favours
                   and
                   afflictions
                   .
                
              
               
                 FUrthermore
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 a
                 main
                 help
                 towards
                 Contentation
                 ,
                 to
                 consider
                 the
                 gracious
                 vicissitudes
                 of
                 Gods
                 dealing
                 with
                 us
                 :
                 how
                 he
                 intermixes
                 favours
                 with
                 his
                 crosses
                 ;
                 tempering
                 our
                 much
                 honey
                 ,
                 with
                 some
                 little
                 gall
                 ;
                 the
                 best
                 of
                 us
                 are
                 but
                 shrewd
                 children
                 ,
                 yet
                 he
                 chides
                 us
                 not
                 always
                 ,
                 saith
                 the
                 Psalmist
                 :
                 hee
                 smiles
                 often
                 ,
                 for
                 one
                 frown
                 ;
                 and
                 
                 why
                 should
                 wee
                 not
                 take
                 one
                 with
                 another
                 ?
                 It
                 was
                 the
                 answer
                 wherewith
                 that
                 admirable
                 pattern
                 of
                 patience
                 stopped
                 the
                 querulous
                 mouth
                 of
                 his
                 tempting
                 wife
                 ;
                 What
                 ?
                 shall
                 we
                 receive
                 good
                 at
                 the
                 hand
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 
                 and
                 shall
                 we
                 not
                 receive
                 evill
                 ?
              
               
                 It
                 was
                 a
                 memorable
                 example
                 which
                 came
                 lately
                 to
                 my
                 knowledge
                 
                 of
                 a
                 worthy
                 Christian
                 ,
                 who
                 had
                 lived
                 to
                 his
                 middle
                 age
                 in
                 much
                 health
                 ,
                 and
                 prosperity
                 ,
                 and
                 was
                 now
                 for
                 his
                 two
                 last
                 years
                 miserably
                 afflicted
                 with
                 the
                 Strangury
                 ;
                 who
                 in
                 the
                 midst
                 of
                 his
                 torments
                 could
                 say
                 ,
                 Oh
                 my
                 Lord
                 God
                 ,
                 how
                 gracious
                 hast
                 thou
                 been
                 unto
                 me
                 !
                 thou
                 hast
                 given
                 me
                 eight
                 and
                 forty
                 years
                 of
                 health
                 ,
                 and
                 now
                 but
                 two
                 years
                 of
                 pain
                 ;
                 thou
                 mighte●t
                 have
                 caused
                 me
                 to
                 lie
                 in
                 this
                 torture
                 all
                 the
                 days
                 of
                 my
                 life
                 ;
                 and
                 now
                 thou
                 hast
                 caried
                 mee
                 comfortably
                 through
                 the
                 rest
                 ,
                 and
                 hast
                 mercifully
                 taken
                 up
                 with
                 this
                 last
                 parcell
                 of
                 my
                 torment
                 ;
                 blessed
                 be
                 thy
                 Name
                 for
                 thy
                 mercy
                 in
                 forbearing
                 me
                 ,
                 and
                 for
                 thy
                 justice
                 in
                 afflicting
                 mee
                 .
                 To
                 be
                 thankfull
                 for
                 present
                 blessings
                 is
                 but
                 ordinary
                 ,
                 but
                 to
                 be
                 so
                 thankfull
                 for
                 mercies
                 past
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 memory
                 of
                 them
                 should
                 be
                 able
                 to
                 put
                 over
                 the
                 sense
                 of
                 present
                 miseries
                 ,
                 is
                 an
                 high
                 improvement
                 of
                 grace
                 .
              
               
               
                 The
                 very
                 Heathens
                 by
                 the
                 light
                 of
                 Nature
                 and
                 their
                 own
                 experience
                 ,
                 could
                 observe
                 this
                 interchange
                 of
                 Gods
                 proceedings
                 ;
                 and
                 made
                 some
                 kinde
                 of
                 use
                 of
                 them
                 accordingly
                 :
                 Camillus
                 ,
                 after
                 he
                 had
                 upon
                 tenne
                 
                 years
                 siege
                 ,
                 taken
                 the
                 rich
                 City
                 Veios
                 ,
                 prayd
                 that
                 some
                 mis-hap
                 might
                 befall
                 himself
                 and
                 Rome
                 to
                 temper
                 so
                 great
                 an
                 happines
                 ;
                 when
                 one
                 would
                 have
                 thought
                 the
                 prize
                 would
                 not
                 countervail
                 the
                 labour
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 losse
                 of
                 time
                 and
                 bloud
                 ;
                 And
                 Alexander
                 the
                 great
                 ,
                 when
                 report
                 was
                 made
                 to
                 him
                 of
                 many
                 notable
                 Victories
                 ,
                 atchieved
                 by
                 his
                 Armies
                 ,
                 could
                 say
                 ;
                 O
                 Jupiter
                 ,
                 mixe
                 some
                 mis-fortune
                 with
                 these
                 happy
                 news
                 :
                 Lo
                 ,
                 these
                 men
                 could
                 tell
                 that
                 it
                 is
                 neither
                 fit
                 ,
                 nor
                 safe
                 for
                 great
                 blessings
                 to
                 walk
                 alone
                 ,
                 but
                 that
                 they
                 must
                 be
                 attended
                 with
                 their
                 pages
                 ,
                 afflictions
                 ;
                 why
                 should
                 not
                 we
                 Christians
                 expect
                 
                 them
                 with
                 patience
                 ,
                 and
                 thanks
                 ?
              
               
                 They
                 say
                 ,
                 Thunder
                 and
                 Lightning
                 hurts
                 not
                 ,
                 if
                 it
                 be
                 mixed
                 with
                 Rain
                 .
                 In
                 those
                 hot
                 Countries
                 ,
                 which
                 lie
                 under
                 the
                 sealding
                 Zone
                 ,
                 when
                 the
                 first
                 showres
                 fall
                 after
                 a
                 long
                 drought
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 held
                 dangerous
                 to
                 walk
                 suddenly
                 abroad
                 ;
                 for
                 that
                 the
                 earth
                 so
                 moistned
                 sends
                 up
                 unwholsome
                 steams
                 ;
                 but
                 in
                 those
                 parts
                 where
                 the
                 Rain
                 and
                 Sun-shine
                 are
                 usually
                 interchanged
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 most
                 pleasant
                 to
                 take
                 the
                 air
                 of
                 the
                 earth
                 newly
                 refreshed
                 with
                 kindly
                 showres
                 ;
                 Neither
                 is
                 it
                 otherwise
                 in
                 the
                 course
                 of
                 our
                 lives
                 ;
                 this
                 medley
                 of
                 good
                 and
                 evill
                 conduces
                 not
                 a
                 little
                 to
                 the
                 health
                 of
                 our
                 soules
                 :
                 One
                 of
                 them
                 must
                 serve
                 to
                 temper
                 the
                 other
                 ;
                 and
                 both
                 of
                 them
                 to
                 keep
                 the
                 heart
                 in
                 order
                 .
              
               
                 Were
                 our
                 afflictions
                 long
                 ,
                 and
                 our
                 comforts
                 rare
                 and
                 short
                 ,
                 we
                 had
                 yet
                 reason
                 to
                 be
                 thankfull
                 ;
                 
                 the
                 least
                 is
                 more
                 then
                 God
                 ows
                 us
                 :
                 but
                 now
                 ,
                 when
                 if
                 heavinesse
                 endure
                 for
                 a
                 night
                 ,
                 joy
                 commeth
                 in
                 the
                 morning
                 ,
                 and
                 dwels
                 with
                 us
                 ,
                 so
                 ,
                 that
                 some
                 fits
                 of
                 sorrow
                 are
                 recompensed
                 with
                 many
                 moneths
                 of
                 joy
                 ;
                 how
                 should
                 our
                 hearts
                 overflow
                 with
                 thankfulnesse
                 ,
                 and
                 easily
                 digest
                 small
                 grievances
                 ,
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 comfortable
                 sense
                 of
                 larger
                 blessings
                 ?
              
               
                 But
                 if
                 we
                 shall
                 cast
                 up
                 our
                 eies
                 to
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 and
                 there
                 behold
                 the
                 glorious
                 remuneration
                 of
                 our
                 sufferings
                 ,
                 how
                 shall
                 we
                 contemn
                 the
                 worst
                 that
                 earth
                 can
                 doe
                 unto
                 us
                 ?
                 There
                 ,
                 there
                 is
                 glory
                 enough
                 to
                 make
                 us
                 a
                 thousand
                 times
                 more
                 then
                 amends
                 for
                 all
                 that
                 we
                 are
                 capable
                 to
                 endure
                 ;
                 Yea
                 ,
                 if
                 this
                 Earth
                 were
                 Hell
                 ,
                 and
                 Men
                 Devils
                 ,
                 they
                 could
                 not
                 inflict
                 upon
                 us
                 those
                 torments
                 ,
                 which
                 might
                 hold
                 any
                 equality
                 with
                 the
                 glory
                 which
                 shall
                 be
                 revealed
                 ;
                 and
                 even
                 of
                 the
                 worst
                 of
                 them
                 we
                 
                 must
                 say
                 with
                 the
                 blessed
                 Apostle
                 ;
                 Our
                 light
                 affliction
                 which
                 is
                 but
                 for
                 a
                 moment
                 ,
                 worketh
                 
                 for
                 us
                 a
                 far
                 more
                 exceeding
                 ,
                 eternall
                 weight
                 of
                 glory
                 :
                 When
                 the
                 blessed
                 Proto-Martyr
                 Stephen
                 had
                 sted
                 fastly
                 fixed
                 his
                 eies
                 on
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 and
                 (
                 that
                 Curtain
                 being
                 drawn
                 )
                 had
                 seen
                 the
                 Heavens
                 opened
                 ,
                 and
                 therein
                 the
                 glory
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 Jesus
                 standing
                 
                 on
                 the
                 right
                 hand
                 of
                 God
                 ;
                 doe
                 we
                 think
                 he
                 cared
                 ought
                 for
                 the
                 sparkling
                 eies
                 ,
                 and
                 gnashed
                 teeth
                 ,
                 and
                 killing
                 stones
                 of
                 the
                 enraged
                 multitude
                 ?
                 Oh
                 poor
                 impotent
                 Jews
                 ,
                 how
                 far
                 was
                 that
                 divine
                 soul
                 above
                 the
                 reach
                 of
                 your
                 malice
                 ?
                 how
                 did
                 he
                 triumph
                 over
                 your
                 cruelty
                 ?
                 how
                 did
                 he
                 by
                 his
                 happy
                 evolation
                 make
                 all
                 those
                 stones
                 precious
                 ?
              
            
             
               
               
                 SECT
                 .
                 XVI
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Consid
                   .
                   the
                   examples
                   of
                   Contentation
                   ,
                   both
                   without
                   ,
                   and
                   within
                   the
                   Church
                   of
                   God.
                   
                
              
               
                 LAstly
                 ,
                 it
                 cannot
                 but
                 be
                 a
                 powerfull
                 motive
                 unto
                 Contentation
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 lay
                 before
                 us
                 the
                 notable
                 examples
                 of
                 men
                 ,
                 whether
                 worse
                 ,
                 or
                 better
                 then
                 our selves
                 ,
                 that
                 have
                 been
                 eminent
                 in
                 the
                 practice
                 of
                 this
                 vertue
                 ;
                 men
                 ,
                 that
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 meer
                 strength
                 of
                 morality
                 ,
                 have
                 run
                 away
                 with
                 loss●s
                 ,
                 and
                 poverty
                 as
                 a
                 light
                 burden
                 ;
                 that
                 out
                 of
                 their
                 free
                 choice
                 have
                 fallen
                 upon
                 those
                 condition
                 ,
                 which
                 we
                 are
                 ready
                 to
                 f●ar
                 ,
                 and
                 shrinke
                 from
                 :
                 What
                 a
                 shame
                 is
                 it
                 for
                 Christians
                 to
                 bee
                 out-stripped
                 herein
                 by
                 very
                 Pagans
                 ?
                 If
                 we
                 look
                 upon
                 the
                 ancient
                 Philosophers
                 ;
                 their
                 low
                 valuation
                 of
                 
                 these
                 outward
                 things
                 ,
                 and
                 their
                 willing
                 abdication
                 of
                 those
                 comforts
                 ,
                 wherewith
                 others
                 vvere
                 too
                 much
                 affected
                 ,
                 made
                 them
                 admired
                 of
                 the
                 multitude
                 ;
                 Here
                 doe
                 Dsee
                 a
                 Cynick
                 housed
                 in
                 his
                 Tub
                 ,
                 scorning
                 all
                 wealth
                 and
                 state
                 ;
                 and
                 making
                 still
                 even
                 with
                 his
                 virtuals
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 
                 day
                 ;
                 who
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 was
                 invited
                 to
                 supper
                 to
                 one
                 of
                 Alexanders
                 great
                 Lords
                 ,
                 could
                 say
                 ;
                 I
                 had
                 rather
                 lick
                 salt
                 at
                 Athens
                 ,
                 then
                 feast
                 with
                 Craterus
                 :
                 Here
                 I
                 meet
                 with
                 him
                 ,
                 whom
                 their
                 Oracle
                 styled
                 the
                 wisest
                 of
                 men
                 ,
                 walking
                 bare-foot
                 in
                 a
                 patcht
                 thred-bare
                 cloak
                 ,
                 contemning
                 honors
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 earthly
                 things
                 ;
                 and
                 when
                 that
                 garment
                 would
                 hang
                 no
                 longer
                 on
                 his
                 back
                 ,
                 I
                 can
                 hear
                 him
                 say
                 ,
                 I
                 would
                 have
                 bought
                 a
                 Cloak
                 ,
                 if
                 I
                 had
                 had
                 mony
                 ;
                 after
                 which
                 vvord
                 ,
                 saith
                 Soneca
                 ,
                 whosoever
                 offered
                 to
                 give
                 ,
                 came
                 too
                 late
                 ;
                 Apollododonus
                 ,
                 amongst
                 the
                 rest
                 ,
                 sends
                 
                 him
                 a
                 rich
                 mantle
                 towards
                 his
                 end
                 ,
                 and
                 is
                 resused
                 ;
                 With
                 what
                 patience
                 doth
                 this
                 man
                 bear
                 the
                 loud
                 scoldings
                 of
                 his
                 Xantippe
                 ?
                 making
                 no
                 other
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 then
                 the
                 creaking
                 of
                 a
                 Cart-wheel
                 :
                 with
                 what
                 brave
                 resolution
                 doth
                 he
                 repell
                 the
                 proffers
                 of
                 Archelaus
                 ,
                 telling
                 him
                 how
                 cheap
                 the
                 Market
                 afforded
                 meal
                 at
                 Athens
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 fountains
                 water
                 ?
                 Here
                 I
                 meet
                 with
                 a
                 Zeno
                 ,
                 formerly
                 rich
                 in
                 his
                 traffique
                 for
                 purple
                 ,
                 now
                 impoverisht
                 by
                 an
                 ill
                 Sea-voyage
                 ,
                 and
                 can
                 hear
                 him
                 say
                 ,
                 I
                 sailed
                 best
                 when
                 I
                 Ship-wrackt
                 :
                 Here
                 I
                 see
                 an
                 Aristippus
                 drowning
                 his
                 gold
                 in
                 the
                 sea
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 might
                 not
                 drown
                 him
                 :
                 Here
                 I
                 can
                 hear
                 a
                 Democritus
                 ,
                 or
                 Cleanthes
                 ,
                 when
                 hee
                 was
                 asked
                 how
                 a
                 man
                 should
                 be
                 rich
                 ,
                 answer
                 ;
                 If
                 he
                 be
                 poor
                 in
                 desires
                 .
              
               
                 What
                 should
                 I
                 speak
                 of
                 those
                 Indian
                 Sophists
                 ,
                 that
                 took
                 their
                 name
                 from
                 their
                 nakednesse
                 ;
                 
                 whom
                 we
                 hear
                 to
                 say
                 ;
                 The
                 sky
                 is
                 our
                 house
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Earth
                 our
                 
                 bed
                 ;
                 we
                 care
                 not
                 for
                 gold
                 ,
                 we
                 contemn
                 death
                 :
                 One
                 of
                 them
                 can
                 tell
                 Onesicritus
                 ;
                 As
                 the
                 Mother
                 is
                 to
                 the
                 Childe
                 ,
                 so
                 is
                 the
                 Earth
                 to
                 mee
                 ;
                 The
                 Mother
                 gives
                 Milk
                 to
                 her
                 Infant
                 ;
                 so
                 doth
                 the
                 Earth
                 yeeld
                 all
                 necessaries
                 to
                 mee
                 ;
                 And
                 when
                 gold
                 was
                 offered
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 by
                 that
                 great
                 Conquerour
                 ;
                 Perswade
                 (
                 said
                 he
                 )
                 if
                 thou
                 canst
                 ,
                 these
                 birds
                 to
                 take
                 thy
                 silver
                 and
                 gold
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 may
                 sing
                 the
                 sweeter
                 ;
                 and
                 if
                 thou
                 canst
                 not
                 doe
                 that
                 ,
                 wouldst
                 thou
                 have
                 me
                 worse
                 then
                 them
                 ?
                 Adding
                 moreover
                 in
                 a
                 strong
                 discourse
                 ;
                 Naturall
                 hunger
                 ,
                 when
                 we
                 have
                 taken
                 food
                 ,
                 ceaseth
                 ;
                 and
                 if
                 the
                 minde
                 of
                 man
                 did
                 also
                 naturally
                 desire
                 gold
                 ,
                 so
                 soon
                 as
                 he
                 hath
                 received
                 that
                 which
                 he
                 wished
                 ,
                 the
                 desire
                 and
                 appetite
                 of
                 it
                 would
                 presently
                 cease
                 ;
                 but
                 so
                 far
                 is
                 it
                 from
                 this
                 society
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 more
                 it
                 hath
                 ,
                 
                 the
                 more
                 it
                 doth
                 ,
                 without
                 any
                 intermission
                 ,
                 long
                 for
                 more
                 ;
                 because
                 this
                 desire
                 proceeds
                 not
                 from
                 any
                 motion
                 of
                 nature
                 ,
                 but
                 onely
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 wantonnesse
                 of
                 mans
                 own
                 will
                 ,
                 to
                 which
                 no
                 bounds
                 can
                 bee
                 set
                 .
                 Blush
                 ,
                 O
                 Christian
                 Soul
                 ,
                 (
                 whosoever
                 thou
                 art
                 ,
                 that
                 readest
                 these
                 lines
                 )
                 to
                 hear
                 such
                 words
                 falling
                 from
                 Heathen
                 lips
                 ,
                 when
                 thou
                 seest
                 those
                 that
                 professe
                 godlinesse
                 ,
                 dote
                 upon
                 these
                 worthlesse
                 metals
                 ,
                 and
                 transported
                 with
                 the
                 affectation
                 and
                 cares
                 of
                 those
                 earthly
                 provisions
                 .
              
               
                 If
                 from
                 these
                 patterns
                 of
                 men
                 that
                 should
                 be
                 below
                 our selves
                 ,
                 we
                 look
                 up
                 to
                 the
                 more
                 noble
                 precedents
                 of
                 Prophets
                 and
                 Apostles
                 ;
                 Lo
                 ,
                 there
                 we
                 finde
                 Elijah
                 fed
                 by
                 Ravens
                 ;
                 Elisha
                 boarding
                 with
                 his
                 poor
                 Sareptan
                 Hostesse
                 ;
                 An
                 hundred
                 Prophets
                 fed
                 by
                 fifty
                 in
                 a
                 Cave
                 ,
                 with
                 
                 bread
                 and
                 water
                 ;
                 The
                 sons
                 of
                 the
                 Prophets
                 for
                 the
                 enlarging
                 
                 of
                 their
                 over-strait
                 lodgings
                 ,
                 hard
                 at
                 work
                 ;
                 they
                 are
                 their
                 owne
                 Carpenters
                 ,
                 but
                 their
                 tools
                 are
                 borrowed
                 ;
                 There
                 we
                 shall
                 find
                 a
                 few
                 barley
                 loaves
                 ,
                 and
                 little
                 fishes
                 ,
                 the
                 houshold
                 provision
                 of
                 our
                 Saviours
                 train
                 :
                 Yea
                 ,
                 there
                 we
                 finde
                 the
                 most
                 glorious
                 Apostle
                 ,
                 the
                 great
                 Doctor
                 of
                 the
                 Gentiles
                 ,
                 employing
                 his
                 hands
                 to
                 feed
                 his
                 belly
                 ;
                 busily
                 stiching
                 of
                 skins
                 for
                 his
                 Tent-work
                 ;
                 Yea
                 ,
                 what
                 doe
                 we
                 look
                 at
                 any
                 or
                 all
                 of
                 these
                 ,
                 when
                 we
                 see
                 the
                 Son
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 the
                 God
                 of
                 all
                 the
                 world
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 form
                 of
                 a
                 servant
                 ?
                 Not
                 a
                 Cratch
                 to
                 cradle
                 him
                 in
                 ,
                 not
                 a
                 Grave
                 to
                 bury
                 him
                 in
                 ,
                 was
                 his
                 own
                 ;
                 and
                 he
                 that
                 could
                 command
                 Heaven
                 and
                 Earth
                 ,
                 can
                 say
                 ,
                 The
                 Foxes
                 have
                 holes
                 ,
                 the
                 
                 Birds
                 have
                 nests
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 Son
                 of
                 man
                 hath
                 not
                 where
                 to
                 lay
                 his
                 head
                 .
              
               
                 Who
                 now
                 can
                 complain
                 of
                 want
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 hears
                 his
                 Lord
                 ,
                 and
                 Saviour
                 but
                 thus
                 provided
                 
                 for
                 ?
                 He
                 could
                 have
                 brought
                 down
                 with
                 him
                 a
                 celestiall
                 house
                 ,
                 and
                 have
                 pitcht
                 it
                 here
                 below
                 ,
                 too
                 glorious
                 for
                 earthen
                 eies
                 to
                 have
                 lookt
                 upon
                 :
                 Hee
                 could
                 have
                 commanded
                 all
                 the
                 precious
                 things
                 that
                 lie
                 shrowded
                 in
                 the
                 bowels
                 of
                 the
                 Earth
                 ,
                 to
                 have
                 made
                 up
                 a
                 Majesticall
                 Palace
                 for
                 him
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 dazling
                 of
                 the
                 eies
                 of
                 all
                 beholders
                 ;
                 He
                 could
                 have
                 taken
                 up
                 the
                 stateliest
                 Court
                 that
                 any
                 earthly
                 Monarch
                 possessed
                 ,
                 for
                 his
                 peculiar
                 habitation
                 :
                 But
                 his
                 greatnesse
                 was
                 Spirituall
                 and
                 Heavenly
                 ;
                 and
                 he
                 that
                 owned
                 all
                 would
                 have
                 nothing
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 might
                 sanctifie
                 want
                 unto
                 us
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 he
                 might
                 teach
                 us
                 by
                 his
                 blessed
                 example
                 ,
                 to
                 sit
                 down
                 contented
                 with
                 any
                 thing
                 ,
                 with
                 nothing
                 .
              
               
                 By
                 that
                 time
                 therefore
                 wee
                 have
                 laid
                 all
                 these
                 things
                 together
                 ,
                 and
                 have
                 seriously
                 considered
                 of
                 the
                 mean
                 valuation
                 of
                 all
                 
                 these
                 earthly
                 things
                 ,
                 for
                 their
                 transitorinesse
                 ,
                 unsatisfaction
                 ,
                 danger
                 ;
                 of
                 the
                 over-ruling
                 Providence
                 of
                 the
                 Almighty
                 ,
                 who
                 most
                 wisely
                 ,
                 justly
                 ,
                 mercifully
                 disposeth
                 of
                 us
                 and
                 all
                 events
                 that
                 befall
                 us
                 ;
                 of
                 the
                 worse
                 condition
                 of
                 many
                 thousand
                 others
                 ;
                 of
                 the
                 great
                 inconveniences
                 that
                 attend
                 great
                 and
                 full
                 estates
                 ;
                 of
                 the
                 secret
                 benefits
                 of
                 poverty
                 ;
                 of
                 the
                 smalnesse
                 of
                 that
                 pittance
                 that
                 may
                 suffice
                 Nature
                 ;
                 of
                 the
                 miseries
                 that
                 wait
                 upon
                 discontentment
                 ;
                 of
                 the
                 mercifull
                 vicissitudes
                 of
                 favours
                 ,
                 wherewith
                 God
                 pleaseth
                 to
                 interchange
                 our
                 sufferings
                 ;
                 and
                 lastly
                 ,
                 the
                 great
                 examples
                 of
                 those
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 without
                 ,
                 as
                 vvithin
                 the
                 bosome
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 that
                 have
                 gone
                 before
                 us
                 ,
                 and
                 led
                 us
                 the
                 way
                 to
                 Contentation
                 :
                 our
                 judgement
                 cannot
                 chuse
                 but
                 be
                 sufficiently
                 convinced
                 ,
                 that
                 there
                 is
                 abundant
                 reason
                 to
                 vvin
                 our
                 hearts
                 to
                 a
                 
                 quiet
                 and
                 contented
                 entertainment
                 of
                 want
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 other
                 outward
                 afflictions
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 SECT
                 .
                 XVII
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Of
                   Contentment
                   in
                   death
                   it selfe
                   .
                
              
               
                 BUt
                 all
                 these
                 intervenient
                 miseries
                 are
                 sleight
                 in
                 comparison
                 of
                 the
                 last
                 ,
                 and
                 utmost
                 of
                 evils
                 ,
                 Death
                 ;
                 Many
                 a
                 one
                 graples
                 chearfully
                 with
                 these
                 triviall
                 afflictions
                 ,
                 who
                 yet
                 looks
                 pale
                 ,
                 and
                 trembles
                 at
                 the
                 King
                 of
                 fear
                 :
                 His
                 very
                 Name
                 hath
                 terrour
                 in
                 it
                 ,
                 but
                 his
                 lookes
                 more
                 :
                 The
                 courageous
                 Champion
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 the
                 blessed
                 Apostle
                 ;
                 and
                 with
                 him
                 ,
                 every
                 faithfull
                 soul
                 ,
                 makes
                 his
                 challenge
                 universall
                 ,
                 to
                 whatsoever
                 estate
                 he
                 is
                 in
                 ;
                 to
                 the
                 estate
                 of
                 Death
                 ,
                 therefore
                 ,
                 no
                 lesse
                 then
                 the
                 afflictive
                 incidence
                 of
                 life
                 :
                 When
                 therefore
                 this
                 gastly
                 Giant
                 shall
                 
                 stalk
                 forth
                 ,
                 and
                 bid
                 defiance
                 to
                 the
                 whole
                 Host
                 of
                 Israel
                 ;
                 and
                 when
                 the
                 timorous
                 unbeleevers
                 shall
                 run
                 away
                 at
                 the
                 sight
                 of
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 endeavour
                 to
                 hide
                 their
                 heads
                 from
                 his
                 presence
                 ;
                 the
                 good
                 soul
                 armed
                 ,
                 not
                 with
                 the
                 unmeet
                 and
                 cumbersome
                 harmnesse
                 of
                 flesh
                 and
                 bloud
                 ,
                 but
                 with
                 the
                 sure
                 (
                 though
                 invisible
                 )
                 armour
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 dares
                 come
                 forth
                 to
                 meet
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 the
                 name
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 of
                 Hosts
                 ,
                 both
                 bids
                 him
                 battle
                 and
                 foils
                 him
                 in
                 the
                 Combat
                 ;
                 and
                 now
                 having
                 laid
                 him
                 on
                 the
                 ground
                 ,
                 can
                 triumphingly
                 say
                 ,
                 O
                 Death
                 ,
                 where
                 is
                 thy
                 sting
                 ?
                 O
                 Grave
                 ,
                 where
                 is
                 thy
                 Victory
                 ?
                 Five
                 smooth
                 pebles
                 there
                 are
                 ,
                 which
                 if
                 we
                 carry
                 in
                 our
                 scrip
                 ,
                 we
                 shall
                 be
                 able
                 to
                 quell
                 ,
                 not
                 onely
                 the
                 power
                 of
                 death
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 terror
                 too
                 .
              
               
                 Whereof
                 the
                 first
                 is
                 a
                 sure
                 apprehension
                 of
                 both
                 the
                 unavoidable
                 necessary
                 ,
                 and
                 certain
                 benefit
                 of
                 death
                 :
                 A
                 necessity
                 ,
                 
                 grounded
                 upon
                 the
                 just
                 and
                 eternall
                 Decree
                 of
                 Heaven
                 :
                 It
                 is
                 appointed
                 to
                 all
                 men
                 once
                 to
                 
                 die
                 ;
                 and
                 what
                 a
                 madnesse
                 were
                 it
                 for
                 a
                 man
                 to
                 think
                 of
                 an
                 exemption
                 from
                 the
                 common
                 condition
                 of
                 mankind
                 ?
                 Mortality
                 is
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 were
                 ,
                 essential
                 to
                 our
                 Nature
                 ;
                 neither
                 could
                 wee
                 have
                 had
                 our
                 souls
                 but
                 upon
                 the
                 tearms
                 of
                 a
                 re-delivery
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 shall
                 be
                 called
                 for
                 ;
                 If
                 the
                 holiest
                 Saints
                 ,
                 or
                 the
                 greatest
                 Monarchs
                 sped
                 otherwise
                 ,
                 wee
                 might
                 have
                 some
                 colour
                 of
                 repining
                 :
                 Now
                 ,
                 grieve
                 if
                 thou
                 wilt
                 ,
                 that
                 thou
                 art
                 a
                 man
                 ;
                 grieve
                 not
                 ,
                 that
                 being
                 man
                 thou
                 must
                 die
                 .
              
               
                 Neither
                 is
                 the
                 benefit
                 inferiour
                 to
                 the
                 necessity
                 ;
                 Lo
                 here
                 the
                 remedy
                 of
                 all
                 our
                 cares
                 ,
                 the
                 physick
                 for
                 all
                 our
                 maladies
                 ,
                 the
                 rescue
                 from
                 all
                 our
                 feares
                 and
                 dangers
                 ,
                 earnestly
                 sued
                 for
                 by
                 the
                 painfull
                 ,
                 dearly
                 welcome
                 to
                 the
                 distressed
                 :
                 Yea
                 ,
                 lo
                 here
                 the
                 
                 Cherub
                 that
                 keeps
                 the
                 gate
                 of
                 Paradise
                 ;
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 entrance
                 but
                 under
                 his
                 hand
                 ;
                 In
                 vain
                 do
                 we
                 hope
                 to
                 passe
                 to
                 the
                 glory
                 of
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 any
                 other
                 way
                 then
                 through
                 the
                 gates
                 of
                 Death
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 second
                 is
                 the
                 Conscience
                 of
                 a
                 well-led
                 life
                 ;
                 Guiltinesse
                 vvill
                 make
                 any
                 man
                 fowardly
                 ,
                 unable
                 to
                 looke
                 danger
                 in
                 the
                 face
                 ,
                 much
                 more
                 Death
                 ;
                 whereas
                 the
                 innocent
                 is
                 bold
                 as
                 a
                 Lion
                 :
                 What
                 a
                 difference
                 therefore
                 there
                 is
                 betwixt
                 a
                 Martyr
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 Malefactor
                 ?
                 this
                 latter
                 knows
                 he
                 hath
                 done
                 ill
                 ,
                 and
                 therefore
                 if
                 he
                 can
                 take
                 his
                 death
                 but
                 patiently
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 well
                 ;
                 the
                 former
                 knows
                 he
                 hath
                 done
                 well
                 ,
                 and
                 therefore
                 takes
                 his
                 death
                 not
                 patiently
                 onely
                 ,
                 but
                 chearfully
                 .
              
               
                 But
                 because
                 no
                 mortall
                 man
                 can
                 have
                 so
                 innocently
                 led
                 his
                 life
                 ,
                 but
                 that
                 he
                 shall
                 have
                 passed
                 many
                 offences
                 against
                 his
                 most
                 holy
                 ,
                 and
                 righteous
                 God
                 ;
                 here
                 must
                 be
                 ,
                 Thirdly
                 ,
                 a
                 finall
                 
                 peace
                 firmly
                 made
                 betwixt
                 God
                 and
                 the
                 soul
                 .
                 Two
                 powerfull
                 agents
                 must
                 mediate
                 in
                 it
                 ;
                 a
                 lively
                 Faith
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 serious
                 Repentance
                 ;
                 for
                 those
                 sins
                 can
                 never
                 appear
                 against
                 us
                 ,
                 that
                 are
                 washed
                 off
                 with
                 our
                 tears
                 ;
                 and
                 being
                 justified
                 by
                 faith
                 we
                 have
                 
                 peace
                 with
                 God
                 ,
                 through
                 our
                 Lord
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 .
                 Now
                 ,
                 if
                 we
                 have
                 made
                 the
                 Judge
                 our
                 friend
                 ,
                 what
                 can
                 the
                 Sergeant
                 doe
                 ?
              
               
                 The
                 fourth
                 is
                 the
                 power
                 ,
                 and
                 efficacy
                 of
                 Christs
                 death
                 applyed
                 to
                 the
                 soul
                 :
                 Wherefore
                 dyed
                 he
                 ,
                 but
                 that
                 we
                 might
                 live
                 ?
                 Wherefore
                 would
                 he
                 ,
                 who
                 is
                 the
                 Lord
                 of
                 life
                 ,
                 die
                 ,
                 but
                 to
                 sanctifie
                 ,
                 season
                 ,
                 and
                 sweeten
                 death
                 to
                 us
                 ?
                 Who
                 would
                 goe
                 any
                 other
                 way
                 then
                 his
                 Saviour
                 went
                 before
                 him
                 ?
                 who
                 can
                 fear
                 that
                 enemy
                 ,
                 whom
                 his
                 Redeemer
                 hath
                 conquered
                 for
                 him
                 ?
                 who
                 can
                 run
                 away
                 from
                 that
                 Serpent
                 ,
                 whose
                 sting
                 is
                 pulled
                 out
                 ?
                 Oh
                 Death
                 ,
                 my
                 Saviour
                 hath
                 been
                 thy
                 death
                 ,
                 
                 and
                 therefore
                 thou
                 canst
                 not
                 be
                 mine
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 fifth
                 is
                 ,
                 the
                 comfortable
                 expectation
                 ,
                 and
                 assurance
                 of
                 a
                 certain
                 resurrection
                 ,
                 and
                 an
                 immediate
                 glory
                 :
                 I
                 doe
                 but
                 lay
                 me
                 down
                 to
                 my
                 rest
                 ,
                 I
                 shall
                 sleep
                 quietly
                 ,
                 and
                 rise
                 gloriously
                 :
                 My
                 soul
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 mean
                 time
                 ,
                 no
                 sooner
                 leaves
                 my
                 body
                 ,
                 then
                 it
                 enjoys
                 God
                 ;
                 It
                 did
                 lately
                 through
                 my
                 bodily
                 eyes
                 see
                 my
                 sad
                 friends
                 ,
                 that
                 bade
                 me
                 farewell
                 with
                 their
                 tears
                 ;
                 now
                 it
                 hath
                 the
                 blisse-making
                 vision
                 of
                 God
                 :
                 I
                 am
                 no
                 sooner
                 lanched
                 forth
                 ,
                 then
                 I
                 am
                 at
                 the
                 haven
                 ,
                 where
                 I
                 would
                 be
                 ;
                 Here
                 is
                 that
                 which
                 were
                 able
                 to
                 make
                 amends
                 for
                 a
                 thousand
                 deaths
                 ;
                 a
                 glory
                 ,
                 infinite
                 ,
                 eternall
                 ,
                 incomprehensible
                 .
              
               
                 This
                 spirituall
                 Ammunition
                 shall
                 sufficiently
                 furnish
                 the
                 soul
                 for
                 her
                 encounter
                 with
                 her
                 last
                 enemy
                 ;
                 so
                 as
                 she
                 shall
                 not
                 only
                 endure
                 ,
                 but
                 long
                 for
                 this
                 Combat
                 ;
                 
                 and
                 say
                 with
                 the
                 chosen
                 Vessell
                 ,
                 I
                 desire
                 to
                 depart
                 ,
                 and
                 
                 to
                 be
                 with
                 Christ
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 SECT
                 .
                 XVIII
                 .
              
               
                 
                   The
                   miseries
                   and
                   inconveniences
                   of
                   the
                   continued
                   conjunction
                   of
                   the
                   soul
                   and
                   body
                   .
                
              
               
                 NOw
                 for
                 that
                 long
                 conversation
                 causeth
                 entirenesse
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 parting
                 of
                 old
                 friends
                 and
                 partners
                 (
                 such
                 the
                 soul
                 and
                 body
                 are
                 )
                 cannot
                 but
                 be
                 grievous
                 ,
                 although
                 there
                 were
                 no
                 actuall
                 pain
                 in
                 the
                 dissolution
                 :
                 It
                 will
                 be
                 requisite
                 for
                 us
                 ,
                 seriously
                 to
                 consider
                 the
                 state
                 of
                 this
                 conjunction
                 ;
                 and
                 to
                 enquire
                 what
                 good
                 offices
                 the
                 one
                 of
                 them
                 doth
                 to
                 the
                 other
                 ,
                 in
                 their
                 continued
                 union
                 ,
                 for
                 which
                 they
                 should
                 be
                 so
                 loth
                 to
                 part
                 :
                 And
                 here
                 wee
                 shall
                 finde
                 that
                 those
                 two
                 ,
                 however
                 united
                 to
                 
                 make
                 up
                 one
                 person
                 ,
                 yet
                 (
                 as
                 it
                 fals
                 out
                 in
                 crosse
                 matches
                 )
                 they
                 are
                 in
                 continuall
                 domestique
                 jars
                 one
                 with
                 the
                 other
                 ,
                 and
                 entertain
                 a
                 secret
                 familiar
                 kind
                 of
                 hostility
                 betwixt
                 themselves
                 ;
                 For
                 the
                 flesh
                 lusteth
                 against
                 the
                 
                 spirit
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 spirit
                 against
                 the
                 flesh
                 ,
                 and
                 these
                 are
                 contrary
                 the
                 one
                 to
                 the
                 other
                 .
                 One
                 says
                 well
                 ,
                 that
                 if
                 the
                 body
                 should
                 implead
                 the
                 soul
                 ,
                 it
                 might
                 bring
                 many
                 foul
                 impeachments
                 against
                 it
                 ;
                 and
                 sue
                 it
                 for
                 many
                 great
                 injuries
                 done
                 to
                 that
                 earthly
                 part
                 :
                 And
                 the
                 soul
                 again
                 hath
                 no
                 fewer
                 quarrels
                 against
                 the
                 body
                 :
                 betwixt
                 them
                 both
                 there
                 are
                 many
                 brawls
                 ,
                 no
                 agreement
                 .
                 Our
                 Schools
                 have
                 reckoned
                 up
                 therefore
                 eight
                 main
                 incommodities
                 ,
                 which
                 the
                 soul
                 hath
                 cause
                 to
                 complain
                 of
                 in
                 her
                 conjunction
                 with
                 the
                 body
                 :
                 whereof
                 the
                 first
                 is
                 the
                 defilement
                 of
                 Originall
                 sinne
                 ,
                 wherewith
                 the
                 soul
                 is
                 not
                 tainted
                 as
                 it
                 proceeds
                 ,
                 alone
                 ,
                 
                 from
                 the
                 pure
                 hands
                 of
                 its
                 Creator
                 ,
                 but
                 as
                 it
                 makes
                 up
                 a
                 part
                 of
                 a
                 son
                 of
                 Adam
                 ,
                 who
                 brought
                 this
                 guilt
                 upon
                 humano
                 nature
                 ;
                 so
                 as
                 now
                 this
                 composition
                 ,
                 which
                 we
                 call
                 man
                 ,
                 is
                 corrupt
                 :
                 Who
                 can
                 bring
                 a
                 clean
                 thing
                 out
                 of
                 that
                 which
                 is
                 unclean
                 ?
                 
                 saith
                 Job
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 second
                 is
                 a
                 pronenesse
                 to
                 sinne
                 ,
                 which
                 ,
                 but
                 by
                 the
                 meeting
                 of
                 these
                 partners
                 ,
                 had
                 never
                 been
                 ;
                 the
                 soul
                 ,
                 if
                 single
                 ,
                 would
                 have
                 been
                 innocent
                 ;
                 thus
                 matched
                 ,
                 what
                 evill
                 is
                 it
                 not
                 apt
                 to
                 entertain
                 ?
                 An
                 ill
                 consort
                 is
                 enough
                 to
                 poyson
                 the
                 best
                 disposition
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 difficulty
                 of
                 doing
                 well
                 is
                 the
                 third
                 ;
                 for
                 how
                 averse
                 are
                 we
                 by
                 this
                 conjunction
                 from
                 any
                 thing
                 that
                 is
                 good
                 ?
                 This
                 clog
                 hinders
                 us
                 from
                 walking
                 roundly
                 in
                 the
                 ways
                 of
                 God
                 :
                 The
                 good
                 that
                 I
                 would
                 doe
                 ,
                 I
                 doe
                 not
                 ,
                 saith
                 the
                 chosen
                 Vessell
                 .
                 
              
               
               
                 The
                 fourth
                 is
                 the
                 dulnesse
                 of
                 our
                 understanding
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 dimnesse
                 of
                 our
                 mentall
                 eies
                 ,
                 especially
                 in
                 the
                 things
                 pertaining
                 unto
                 God
                 ;
                 which
                 now
                 we
                 are
                 forced
                 to
                 behold
                 through
                 the
                 vail
                 of
                 flesh
                 :
                 if
                 therefore
                 we
                 mis-know
                 ,
                 the
                 fault
                 is
                 in
                 the
                 mean
                 ,
                 through
                 which
                 we
                 doe
                 imperfectly
                 discover
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 fift
                 is
                 a
                 perpetuall
                 impugnation
                 ,
                 and
                 self-conflict
                 ,
                 either
                 part
                 labouring
                 to
                 oppose
                 and
                 vanquish
                 the
                 other
                 .
                 This
                 field
                 is
                 fought
                 in
                 every
                 mans
                 bosome
                 ,
                 without
                 any
                 possibility
                 of
                 peace
                 ,
                 or
                 truce
                 ,
                 till
                 the
                 last
                 moment
                 of
                 dissolution
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 sixt
                 is
                 the
                 racking
                 solicitude
                 of
                 cares
                 ,
                 which
                 continually
                 distract
                 the
                 soul
                 ,
                 not
                 suffering
                 it
                 to
                 rest
                 at
                 ease
                 ,
                 whiles
                 it
                 carries
                 this
                 flesh
                 about
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 seventh
                 is
                 the
                 multiplicity
                 of
                 passions
                 which
                 daily
                 bluster
                 within
                 us
                 ,
                 and
                 raise
                 up
                 continuall
                 tempests
                 in
                 our
                 lives
                 ,
                 
                 disquieting
                 our
                 peace
                 ,
                 &
                 threatning
                 our
                 ruine
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 eight
                 is
                 the
                 retardation
                 of
                 our
                 glory
                 ;
                 for
                 flesh
                 and
                 bloud
                 cannot
                 inherit
                 the
                 kingdome
                 of
                 God
                 ;
                 wee
                 must
                 lay
                 down
                 our
                 load
                 if
                 we
                 would
                 enter
                 into
                 Heaven
                 :
                 The
                 seed
                 cannot
                 fructifie
                 unlesse
                 it
                 die
                 .
                 I
                 cannot
                 blame
                 nature
                 if
                 it
                 could
                 wish
                 not
                 to
                 be
                 unclothed
                 ,
                 but
                 to
                 be
                 clothed
                 upon
                 :
                 but
                 so
                 hath
                 the
                 eternall
                 wisdome
                 ordered
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 should
                 first
                 lay
                 down
                 ,
                 ere
                 we
                 can
                 take
                 up
                 ;
                 and
                 be
                 devested
                 of
                 earth
                 ,
                 ere
                 we
                 can
                 partake
                 of
                 Heaven
                 .
              
               
                 Now
                 then
                 ,
                 sith
                 so
                 many
                 and
                 great
                 discommodities
                 doe
                 so
                 unavoidably
                 accompany
                 this
                 match
                 of
                 soul
                 and
                 body
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 of
                 them
                 cease
                 instantly
                 in
                 the
                 act
                 of
                 their
                 dissolution
                 ;
                 what
                 reason
                 have
                 we
                 to
                 be
                 too
                 deeply
                 affected
                 with
                 their
                 parting
                 ?
                 Yea
                 ,
                 how
                 should
                 we
                 rather
                 rejoyce
                 that
                 the
                 houre
                 is
                 come
                 ,
                 
                 wherein
                 we
                 shall
                 be
                 quit
                 both
                 of
                 the
                 guilt
                 and
                 temptations
                 of
                 sinne
                 ;
                 wherein
                 the
                 clogge
                 shall
                 bee
                 taken
                 away
                 from
                 our
                 heels
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 vail
                 from
                 our
                 eies
                 ;
                 wherein
                 no
                 intestine
                 wars
                 shall
                 threaten
                 us
                 ,
                 no
                 cares
                 shall
                 disquiet
                 us
                 ,
                 no
                 passions
                 shall
                 torment
                 us
                 ;
                 and
                 lastly
                 ,
                 wherein
                 we
                 may
                 take
                 the
                 free
                 possession
                 of
                 that
                 glory
                 ,
                 which
                 we
                 have
                 hitherto
                 lookt
                 at
                 only
                 afar
                 off
                 from
                 the
                 top
                 of
                 our
                 Pisgah
                 ?
              
            
             
               
               
                 SECT
                 .
                 XIX
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Holy
                   dispositions
                   for
                   Contentment
                   :
                   and
                   first
                   ,
                   Humility
                   .
                
              
               
                 HItherto
                 ,
                 we
                 have
                 dwelt
                 in
                 those
                 powerfull
                 considerations
                 which
                 may
                 work
                 us
                 to
                 a
                 quiet
                 contentment
                 with
                 whatsoever
                 adverse
                 estate
                 ,
                 whether
                 of
                 life
                 or
                 death
                 ;
                 after
                 which
                 ,
                 we
                 addresse
                 our selves
                 to
                 those
                 meet
                 dispositions
                 ,
                 which
                 shall
                 render
                 us
                 fully
                 capable
                 of
                 this
                 blessed
                 Contentation
                 ;
                 and
                 shall
                 make
                 all
                 these
                 considerations
                 effectuall
                 to
                 that
                 happy
                 purpose
                 .
                 Whereof
                 the
                 first
                 is
                 true
                 Humility
                 ,
                 under-valuing
                 our selves
                 ,
                 &
                 setting
                 an
                 high
                 rate
                 upon
                 every
                 mercy
                 that
                 we
                 receive
                 ;
                 For
                 ,
                 if
                 a
                 man
                 have
                 attained
                 unto
                 this
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 thinks
                 every
                 thing
                 too
                 good
                 for
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 
                 self
                 lesse
                 then
                 the
                 least
                 blessing
                 ,
                 and
                 worthy
                 of
                 the
                 heaviest
                 judgement
                 ;
                 he
                 cannot
                 but
                 sit
                 down
                 thankfull
                 for
                 small
                 favours
                 ,
                 and
                 meekly
                 content
                 with
                 mean
                 afflictions
                 :
                 As
                 contrarily
                 ,
                 the
                 proud
                 man
                 stands
                 upon
                 points
                 with
                 his
                 Maker
                 ,
                 makes
                 God
                 his
                 debter
                 ;
                 looks
                 disdainfully
                 at
                 small
                 blessings
                 ;
                 as
                 if
                 he
                 said
                 ,
                 What
                 ,
                 no
                 more
                 ?
                 and
                 looks
                 angerly
                 at
                 the
                 least
                 crosses
                 ;
                 as
                 if
                 he
                 said
                 ,
                 Why
                 thus
                 much
                 ?
                 The
                 father
                 of
                 the
                 faithfull
                 hath
                 practically
                 taught
                 us
                 this
                 Lesson
                 of
                 humility
                 ,
                 who
                 comes
                 to
                 God
                 
                 with
                 dust
                 and
                 ashes
                 in
                 his
                 mouth
                 :
                 And
                 the
                 Jewish
                 Doctors
                 tell
                 us
                 truly
                 ,
                 that
                 in
                 every
                 Disciple
                 of
                 Abraham
                 ,
                 there
                 must
                 be
                 three
                 things
                 :
                 a
                 good
                 eye
                 ,
                 a
                 meek
                 spirit
                 ,
                 and
                 an
                 humble
                 soul
                 ;
                 His
                 Grandchilde
                 
                 Jacob
                 ,
                 the
                 Father
                 of
                 every
                 true
                 Israelite
                 ,
                 had
                 well
                 taken
                 it
                 out
                 ;
                 whiles
                 he
                 can
                 say
                 to
                 his
                 God
                 ,
                 
                 I
                 am
                 not
                 worthy
                 of
                 the
                 least
                 
                 of
                 all
                 the
                 mercies
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 all
                 the
                 truth
                 which
                 thou
                 hast
                 shewed
                 unto
                 thy
                 servant
                 :
                 And
                 indeed
                 ,
                 in
                 whomsoever
                 it
                 be
                 ,
                 the
                 best
                 measure
                 of
                 Grace
                 is
                 Humility
                 ;
                 for
                 the
                 more
                 Grace
                 still
                 ,
                 the
                 greater
                 Humility
                 ;
                 and
                 no
                 Humility
                 ,
                 no
                 Grace
                 :
                 Solomon
                 observed
                 of
                 old
                 ;
                 and
                 Saint
                 
                 James
                 took
                 it
                 from
                 him
                 ,
                 That
                 
                 God
                 resisteth
                 the
                 proud
                 ,
                 and
                 giveth
                 Grace
                 to
                 the
                 humble
                 ;
                 so
                 as
                 he
                 that
                 is
                 not
                 humble
                 ,
                 is
                 not
                 so
                 much
                 as
                 capable
                 of
                 Grace
                 ;
                 and
                 he
                 that
                 is
                 truly
                 humble
                 ,
                 is
                 a
                 fit
                 subject
                 for
                 all
                 Graces
                 ,
                 and
                 amongst
                 the
                 rest
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 Grace
                 of
                 Contentation
                 :
                 Give
                 me
                 a
                 man
                 therefore
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 vile
                 in
                 his
                 own
                 eies
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 sensible
                 of
                 his
                 own
                 wretchednesse
                 ,
                 that
                 knows
                 what
                 it
                 is
                 to
                 sin
                 ,
                 and
                 what
                 belongs
                 to
                 that
                 sin
                 whereof
                 he
                 is
                 guilty
                 ;
                 this
                 man
                 shall
                 think
                 it
                 a
                 mercy
                 that
                 he
                 is
                 any
                 where
                 out
                 of
                 
                 Hell
                 ;
                 shall
                 account
                 all
                 the
                 evils
                 that
                 he
                 is
                 free
                 from
                 ,
                 so
                 many
                 new
                 favors
                 ;
                 shall
                 reckon
                 easie
                 corrections
                 amongst
                 his
                 blessings
                 ;
                 and
                 shall
                 esteem
                 any
                 blessing
                 infinitely
                 obliging
                 .
                 Whereas
                 contrarily
                 ,
                 the
                 proud
                 begger
                 is
                 ready
                 to
                 throw
                 Gods
                 alms
                 at
                 his
                 head
                 ,
                 and
                 swels
                 at
                 every
                 lash
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 receives
                 from
                 the
                 divine
                 hand
                 .
                 Not
                 without
                 great
                 cause
                 ,
                 therefore
                 ,
                 doth
                 the
                 royall
                 Preacher
                 
                 oppose
                 the
                 patient
                 in
                 spirit
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 proud
                 in
                 spirit
                 ;
                 for
                 the
                 proud
                 man
                 can
                 no
                 more
                 bee
                 patient
                 ,
                 then
                 the
                 patient
                 can
                 be
                 discontent
                 with
                 whatsoever
                 hand
                 of
                 his
                 God.
                 Every
                 toy
                 puts
                 the
                 proud
                 man
                 beside
                 his
                 patience
                 ;
                 If
                 but
                 a
                 flie
                 be
                 found
                 in
                 Pharaohs
                 cup
                 ,
                 he
                 is
                 straight
                 in
                 rage
                 ,
                 (
                 as
                 the
                 Jewish
                 tradition
                 lays
                 the
                 quarrell
                 )
                 and
                 sends
                 his
                 Butler
                 into
                 durance
                 :
                 And
                 if
                 the
                 Emperour
                 doe
                 but
                 mistake
                 the
                 Stirrup
                 of
                 our
                 
                 Countreyman
                 Pope
                 Adrian
                 ,
                 he
                 shall
                 dance
                 attendance
                 for
                 his
                 Crown
                 :
                 If
                 a
                 Mardochee
                 doe
                 but
                 fail
                 of
                 a
                 courtesie
                 to
                 Haman
                 ,
                 all
                 Jewes
                 must
                 bleed
                 to
                 death
                 ;
                 And
                 how
                 unquiet
                 are
                 our
                 vain
                 Dames
                 ,
                 if
                 this
                 curle
                 be
                 not
                 set
                 right
                 ,
                 or
                 or
                 that
                 pinne
                 mis-placed
                 ?
                 But
                 the
                 meek
                 spirit
                 is
                 incurious
                 ;
                 and
                 so
                 throughly
                 subacted
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 takes
                 his
                 load
                 from
                 God
                 (
                 as
                 the
                 Camel
                 from
                 his
                 Master
                 )
                 upon
                 his
                 knees
                 :
                 And
                 for
                 men
                 ,
                 if
                 they
                 compell
                 him
                 to
                 goe
                 one
                 mile
                 ,
                 he
                 goes
                 twain
                 ;
                 if
                 they
                 
                 smite
                 him
                 on
                 the
                 right
                 cheek
                 ,
                 hee
                 turns
                 the
                 other
                 ;
                 if
                 they
                 sue
                 away
                 his
                 Coat
                 ,
                 he
                 parts
                 with
                 his
                 Cloak
                 also
                 .
              
               
                 Heraclius
                 the
                 Emperour
                 ,
                 when
                 hee
                 was
                 about
                 to
                 passe
                 through
                 the
                 golden
                 gate
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 ride
                 in
                 royall
                 state
                 through
                 the
                 streets
                 of
                 Jerusalem
                 ,
                 being
                 put
                 in
                 minde
                 by
                 Zacharias
                 the
                 Bishop
                 there
                 ,
                 of
                 the
                 humble
                 and
                 
                 dejected
                 fashion
                 wherein
                 his
                 Saviour
                 walked
                 through
                 those
                 streets
                 ,
                 towards
                 his
                 passion
                 ,
                 strips
                 off
                 his
                 rich
                 robes
                 ,
                 lays
                 aside
                 his
                 Crown
                 ,
                 &
                 with
                 bare
                 head
                 &
                 bare
                 feet
                 ,
                 submissely
                 paces
                 the
                 same
                 way
                 that
                 his
                 Redeemer
                 had
                 caried
                 his
                 Crosse
                 towards
                 his
                 Golgotha
                 :
                 Every
                 true
                 Christian
                 is
                 ready
                 to
                 tread
                 in
                 the
                 deep
                 steps
                 of
                 his
                 Saviour
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 knowing
                 that
                 if
                 hee
                 should
                 descend
                 to
                 the
                 Gates
                 of
                 Death
                 ,
                 of
                 the
                 Grave
                 ,
                 of
                 Hell
                 ,
                 he
                 cannot
                 bee
                 so
                 humbled
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Son
                 of
                 God
                 was
                 for
                 him
                 :
                 And
                 indeed
                 ,
                 this
                 ,
                 and
                 this
                 alone
                 ,
                 is
                 the
                 true
                 way
                 to
                 glory
                 ;
                 He
                 that
                 is
                 Truth
                 it self
                 ,
                 hath
                 told
                 us
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 who
                 humbles
                 himself
                 shall
                 be
                 exalted
                 ;
                 And
                 wise
                 Solomon
                 ,
                 Before
                 
                 honour
                 is
                 humility
                 .
                 The
                 Fuller
                 treads
                 upon
                 that
                 cloth
                 which
                 he
                 means
                 to
                 whiten
                 :
                 And
                 he
                 that
                 would
                 see
                 the
                 starres
                 by
                 day
                 ,
                 must
                 not
                 climbe
                 up
                 into
                 some
                 high
                 Mountain
                 ,
                 but
                 must
                 descend
                 
                 to
                 the
                 lower
                 Cels
                 of
                 the
                 earth
                 .
                 Shortly
                 ,
                 whosoever
                 would
                 raise
                 up
                 a
                 firm
                 building
                 of
                 Contentation
                 ,
                 must
                 bee
                 sure
                 to
                 lay
                 the
                 foundation
                 in
                 Humility
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 SECT
                 .
                 XX.
                 
              
               
                 
                   Of
                   a
                   faithfull
                   selfe-resignation
                   .
                
              
               
                 SEcondly
                 ,
                 to
                 make
                 up
                 a
                 true
                 contentment
                 with
                 the
                 most
                 adverse
                 estate
                 ,
                 there
                 is
                 required
                 a
                 faithfull
                 selfe-resignation
                 into
                 the
                 hands
                 of
                 that
                 God
                 ,
                 whose
                 wee
                 are
                 ;
                 who
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 hath
                 more
                 right
                 in
                 us
                 ,
                 then
                 our selves
                 ,
                 so
                 he
                 best
                 knows
                 what
                 to
                 doe
                 with
                 us
                 :
                 How
                 graciously
                 hath
                 his
                 mercy
                 invited
                 us
                 to
                 our
                 own
                 ease
                 ?
                 Bee
                 carefull
                 (
                 saith
                 he
                 )
                 for
                 nothing
                 ;
                 but
                 in
                 every
                 
                 thing
                 by
                 prayer
                 ,
                 and
                 supplication
                 ,
                 
                 with
                 thanksgiving
                 ,
                 let
                 your
                 requests
                 bee
                 made
                 known
                 unto
                 God
                 :
                 we
                 are
                 naturally
                 apt
                 in
                 our
                 necessities
                 to
                 have
                 recourse
                 to
                 greater
                 powers
                 then
                 our
                 own
                 ;
                 even
                 where
                 we
                 have
                 no
                 engagement
                 of
                 their
                 help
                 ;
                 how
                 much
                 more
                 should
                 we
                 cast
                 our selves
                 upon
                 the
                 Almighty
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 not
                 onely
                 allows
                 ,
                 but
                 solicits
                 our
                 reliance
                 upon
                 him
                 ?
                 It
                 was
                 a
                 question
                 that
                 might
                 have
                 befitted
                 the
                 mouth
                 of
                 the
                 best
                 Christian
                 ,
                 which
                 fell
                 from
                 Socrates
                 ,
                 Since
                 God
                 himselfe
                 is
                 carefull
                 for
                 thee
                 ,
                 why
                 art
                 thou
                 solicitous
                 for
                 thy selfe
                 ?
                 If
                 evils
                 were
                 let
                 loose
                 upon
                 us
                 ,
                 so
                 as
                 it
                 were
                 possible
                 for
                 us
                 to
                 suffer
                 any
                 thing
                 that
                 God
                 were
                 not
                 aware
                 of
                 ,
                 we
                 might
                 have
                 just
                 cause
                 to
                 sink
                 under
                 adversities
                 ;
                 but
                 now
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 know
                 every
                 dram
                 of
                 our
                 affliction
                 is
                 weighed
                 out
                 to
                 us
                 ,
                 by
                 that
                 all-wise
                 ,
                 and
                 all-mercifull
                 Providence
                 ;
                 
                 Oh
                 our
                 infidelity
                 ,
                 if
                 we
                 doe
                 make
                 scruple
                 of
                 taking
                 in
                 the
                 most
                 bitter
                 dose
                 !
                 Here
                 then
                 is
                 the
                 right
                 use
                 of
                 that
                 main
                 duty
                 of
                 Christianity
                 ,
                 to
                 live
                 by
                 faith
                 :
                 Brute
                 creatures
                 live
                 by
                 sense
                 ,
                 meer
                 men
                 by
                 reason
                 ,
                 Christians
                 by
                 faith
                 .
                 Now
                 ,
                 faith
                 is
                 the
                 substance
                 of
                 things
                 
                 hoped
                 for
                 ;
                 the
                 evidence
                 of
                 things
                 not
                 seen
                 ;
                 In
                 our
                 extremities
                 ,
                 we
                 hope
                 for
                 Gods
                 gracious
                 deliverance
                 ,
                 faith
                 gives
                 a
                 subsistence
                 to
                 that
                 deliverance
                 ,
                 before
                 it
                 be
                 :
                 The
                 mercies
                 that
                 God
                 hath
                 reserved
                 for
                 us
                 ,
                 doe
                 not
                 yet
                 show
                 themselves
                 ;
                 faith
                 is
                 the
                 evidence
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 though
                 yet
                 unseen
                 :
                 It
                 was
                 the
                 Motto
                 of
                 the
                 learned
                 and
                 godly
                 Divine
                 Master
                 
                   Perkins
                   ,
                   Fidei
                   vita
                   vera
                   vita
                
                 ;
                 The
                 true
                 life
                 ,
                 is
                 the
                 life
                 of
                 faith
                 ;
                 a
                 word
                 which
                 that
                 worthy
                 servant
                 of
                 God
                 did
                 both
                 write
                 and
                 live
                 ;
                 neither
                 indeed
                 is
                 any
                 other
                 life
                 truly
                 vitall
                 ,
                 but
                 this
                 ;
                 for
                 hereby
                 
                 we
                 enjoy
                 God
                 in
                 all
                 whatsoever
                 occurrences
                 :
                 Are
                 we
                 abridged
                 of
                 means
                 ?
                 we
                 feed
                 upon
                 the
                 cordiall
                 Promises
                 of
                 our
                 God
                 :
                 Doe
                 we
                 sigh
                 and
                 groan
                 under
                 varieties
                 of
                 grievous
                 persecutions
                 ?
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 worst
                 of
                 them
                 we
                 can
                 pick
                 out
                 comforts
                 ;
                 whiles
                 we
                 can
                 hear
                 our
                 Saviour
                 say
                 ,
                 Blessed
                 are
                 they
                 which
                 are
                 persecuted
                 
                 for
                 righteousnesse
                 sake
                 ;
                 for
                 theirs
                 is
                 the
                 kingdome
                 of
                 Heaven
                 :
                 Are
                 we
                 deserted
                 ,
                 and
                 abandoned
                 of
                 friends
                 ?
                 we
                 see
                 him
                 by
                 us
                 ,
                 who
                 hath
                 said
                 ,
                 I
                 will
                 
                 never
                 leave
                 thee
                 ,
                 nor
                 forsake
                 thee
                 :
                 Doe
                 we
                 droop
                 under
                 spirituall
                 desertions
                 ?
                 we
                 hear
                 the
                 God
                 of
                 truth
                 say
                 ;
                 For
                 a
                 
                 small
                 moment
                 have
                 I
                 forsaken
                 thee
                 ,
                 but
                 with
                 great
                 mercy
                 will
                 I
                 gather
                 thee
                 ;
                 In
                 a
                 little
                 wrath
                 I
                 hid
                 my
                 face
                 from
                 thee
                 ,
                 but
                 with
                 everlasting
                 kindness
                 will
                 I
                 have
                 mercy
                 on
                 thee
                 ,
                 saith
                 the
                 Lord
                 thy
                 Redeemer
                 :
                 Are
                 we
                 driven
                 from
                 home
                 ?
                 If
                 
                 wee
                 take
                 the
                 wings
                 of
                 the
                 
                 morning
                 ,
                 and
                 remain
                 in
                 the
                 uttermost
                 parts
                 of
                 the
                 Sea
                 ;
                 even
                 there
                 also
                 shall
                 thine
                 hand
                 lead
                 us
                 ,
                 and
                 thy
                 right
                 hand
                 shall
                 hold
                 us
                 :
                 Are
                 we
                 dungeon'd
                 up
                 from
                 the
                 sight
                 of
                 the
                 Sun
                 ?
                 Peradventure
                 the
                 darknesse
                 shall
                 cover
                 
                 us
                 ;
                 but
                 then
                 shall
                 our
                 night
                 be
                 turned
                 into
                 day
                 ;
                 yea
                 ,
                 the
                 darknesse
                 is
                 no
                 darknesse
                 with
                 thee
                 :
                 Are
                 we
                 cast
                 down
                 upon
                 the
                 bed
                 of
                 sicknesse
                 ?
                 He
                 that
                 is
                 our
                 God
                 ,
                 is
                 the
                 God
                 of
                 salvation
                 ;
                 and
                 unto
                 God
                 the
                 Lord
                 belong
                 the
                 issues
                 from
                 
                 death
                 .
              
               
                 It
                 cannot
                 bee
                 spoken
                 hovv
                 injurious
                 those
                 men
                 are
                 to
                 themselves
                 ,
                 that
                 will
                 be
                 managing
                 their
                 owne
                 cares
                 ,
                 and
                 plotting
                 the
                 prevention
                 of
                 their
                 fears
                 ;
                 and
                 projecting
                 their
                 own
                 ,
                 both
                 indemnity
                 ,
                 and
                 advantages
                 ;
                 for
                 ,
                 as
                 they
                 lay
                 an
                 unnecessary
                 load
                 upon
                 their
                 
                 own
                 shoulders
                 ,
                 so
                 they
                 draw
                 upon
                 themselves
                 the
                 miseries
                 of
                 an
                 unremediable
                 disappointment
                 ;
                 Alas
                 ,
                 how
                 can
                 their
                 weaknesse
                 make
                 good
                 those
                 events
                 which
                 they
                 vainly
                 promise
                 to
                 themselves
                 ,
                 or
                 avert
                 those
                 judgements
                 they
                 would
                 escape
                 ,
                 or
                 uphold
                 them
                 in
                 those
                 evils
                 they
                 must
                 undergoe
                 ?
                 Whereas
                 if
                 wee
                 put
                 all
                 this
                 upon
                 a
                 gracious
                 God
                 ,
                 hee
                 contrives
                 it
                 with
                 ease
                 ;
                 looking
                 for
                 nothing
                 from
                 us
                 ,
                 but
                 our
                 trust
                 ,
                 and
                 thankfulnesse
                 .
              
            
             
               
               
                 SECT
                 .
                 XXI
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Of
                   true
                   inward
                   riches
                   .
                
              
               
                 IN
                 the
                 third
                 place
                 ,
                 it
                 will
                 be
                 most
                 requisite
                 to
                 furnish
                 the
                 foul
                 with
                 true
                 inward
                 riches
                 ;
                 I
                 mean
                 not
                 of
                 meer
                 morall
                 vertues
                 ,
                 (
                 which
                 yet
                 are
                 truly
                 precious
                 when
                 they
                 are
                 found
                 in
                 a
                 good
                 heart
                 )
                 but
                 of
                 a
                 wealth
                 as
                 much
                 above
                 them
                 ,
                 as
                 gold
                 is
                 above
                 drosse
                 ;
                 Yea
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 thing
                 which
                 is
                 most
                 precious
                 ,
                 is
                 above
                 nothing
                 :
                 And
                 this
                 shall
                 be
                 done
                 ,
                 if
                 we
                 bring
                 Christ
                 home
                 to
                 the
                 soul
                 ;
                 if
                 we
                 can
                 possesse
                 our selves
                 of
                 him
                 ,
                 who
                 is
                 God
                 al-sufficient
                 ;
                 For
                 ,
                 such
                 infinite
                 contentment
                 there
                 is
                 in
                 the
                 Son
                 of
                 God
                 made
                 ours
                 ,
                 that
                 whosoever
                 hath
                 tasted
                 of
                 the
                 sweetnesse
                 of
                 this
                 comfort
                 ,
                 is
                 indifferent
                 to
                 all
                 earthly
                 things
                 ;
                 and
                 insensible
                 of
                 those
                 extream
                 differences
                 of
                 events
                 ,
                 
                 wherewith
                 others
                 are
                 perplexed
                 ;
                 How
                 can
                 he
                 be
                 dejected
                 with
                 the
                 want
                 of
                 any
                 thing
                 ,
                 who
                 is
                 possessed
                 of
                 him
                 that
                 possesseth
                 all
                 things
                 ?
                 How
                 can
                 he
                 be
                 over-affected
                 with
                 triviall
                 profits
                 ,
                 or
                 pleasures
                 ,
                 who
                 is
                 taken
                 up
                 with
                 the
                 God
                 of
                 all
                 comfort
                 ?
                 Is
                 Christ
                 mine
                 therefore
                 ?
                 How
                 can
                 I
                 fail
                 of
                 all
                 contentment
                 ?
                 How
                 can
                 he
                 complain
                 to
                 want
                 light
                 ,
                 that
                 dwels
                 in
                 the
                 midst
                 of
                 the
                 Sun
                 ?
                 How
                 can
                 he
                 complain
                 of
                 thirst
                 ,
                 out
                 of
                 whose
                 belly
                 flow
                 rivers
                 of
                 living
                 water
                 ?
                 
                 What
                 can
                 I
                 wish
                 ,
                 that
                 my
                 Christ
                 is
                 not
                 to
                 me
                 ?
                 Would
                 I
                 have
                 meat
                 and
                 drink
                 ?
                 My
                 flesh
                 
                 is
                 meat
                 indeed
                 ;
                 and
                 my
                 bloud
                 is
                 drink
                 indeed
                 :
                 Would
                 I
                 have
                 clothing
                 ?
                 But
                 ,
                 put
                 ye
                 on
                 the
                 
                 Lord
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 ,
                 saith
                 the
                 Apostle
                 :
                 Would
                 I
                 have
                 medicine
                 ?
                 He
                 is
                 the
                 Tree
                 of
                 life
                 ,
                 the
                 leaves
                 
                 whereof
                 are
                 for
                 the
                 healing
                 of
                 the
                 Nations
                 :
                 Would
                 I
                 have
                 safety
                 and
                 protection
                 ?
                 
                 He
                 truly
                 is
                 my
                 strength
                 ,
                 and
                 my
                 salvation
                 ;
                 he
                 is
                 my
                 defence
                 ,
                 so
                 as
                 I
                 shall
                 not
                 fall
                 ;
                 In
                 God
                 is
                 my
                 health
                 and
                 my
                 glory
                 ;
                 the
                 Rock
                 
                 of
                 my
                 might
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 God
                 is
                 my
                 trust
                 :
                 Would
                 I
                 have
                 direction
                 ?
                 I
                 am
                 the
                 way
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 truth
                 :
                 Would
                 I
                 have
                 life
                 ?
                 Christ
                 is
                 to
                 
                 me
                 to
                 live
                 ;
                 I
                 am
                 the
                 resurrection
                 
                 and
                 the
                 life
                 :
                 Would
                 I
                 have
                 all
                 spirituall
                 things
                 ?
                 We
                 are
                 in
                 Christ
                 Jesus
                 ,
                 who
                 of
                 God
                 is
                 
                 made
                 unto
                 us
                 Wisdome
                 ,
                 and
                 Righteousnesse
                 ,
                 and
                 Sanctification
                 ,
                 and
                 Redemption
                 .
              
               
                 Oh
                 the
                 happy
                 condition
                 of
                 the
                 man
                 that
                 is
                 in
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 hath
                 Christ
                 in
                 him
                 !
                 Shall
                 I
                 account
                 him
                 rich
                 that
                 hath
                 store
                 of
                 Oxen
                 ,
                 and
                 Sheep
                 ,
                 and
                 Horses
                 ,
                 and
                 Camels
                 ;
                 that
                 hath
                 heaps
                 of
                 metals
                 ,
                 and
                 some
                 spots
                 of
                 ground
                 ;
                 and
                 shall
                 I
                 not
                 account
                 him
                 infinitely
                 more
                 rich
                 ,
                 that
                 ownes
                 and
                 enjoyes
                 him
                 whose
                 the
                 earth
                 is
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 fulnesse
                 of
                 it
                 ;
                 whose
                 Heaven
                 is
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 
                 glory
                 of
                 it
                 ?
                 Shall
                 I
                 justly
                 account
                 that
                 man
                 great
                 ,
                 whom
                 the
                 King
                 will
                 honour
                 ,
                 and
                 place
                 near
                 to
                 himselfe
                 ;
                 and
                 shall
                 I
                 not
                 esteeme
                 that
                 man
                 more
                 honourable
                 ,
                 whom
                 the
                 King
                 of
                 Heaven
                 is
                 pleased
                 to
                 admit
                 unto
                 such
                 partnership
                 of
                 glory
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 professe
                 ;
                 To
                 him
                 that
                 overcommeth
                 
                 will
                 I
                 grant
                 to
                 sit
                 with
                 me
                 in
                 my
                 Throne
                 ;
                 even
                 as
                 I
                 also
                 overcame
                 ,
                 and
                 am
                 set
                 downe
                 with
                 my
                 Father
                 in
                 his
                 Throne
                 ?
              
               
                 It
                 is
                 a
                 true
                 word
                 of
                 Saint
                 Augustine
                 ,
                 that
                 every
                 soul
                 is
                 either
                 Christs
                 Spouse
                 ,
                 or
                 the
                 Devils
                 Harlot
                 :
                 Now
                 if
                 we
                 be
                 matched
                 to
                 Christ
                 ,
                 the
                 Lord
                 of
                 glory
                 ;
                 what
                 a
                 blessed
                 union
                 is
                 here
                 ?
                 What
                 can
                 he
                 withhold
                 from
                 us
                 ,
                 that
                 hath
                 given
                 us
                 himself
                 ?
                 I
                 could
                 envie
                 the
                 devotion
                 of
                 that
                 man
                 (
                 though
                 otherwise
                 mis-placed
                 )
                 whom
                 Saint
                 Bernard
                 heard
                 to
                 spend
                 the
                 night
                 in
                 no
                 other
                 words
                 ,
                 then
                 ,
                 
                   Deus
                   meus
                   &
                   omnia
                
                 ;
                 My
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 things
                 ;
                 Certainly
                 ,
                 
                 he
                 who
                 hath
                 that
                 God
                 ,
                 hath
                 more
                 then
                 all
                 things
                 ;
                 he
                 that
                 wants
                 him
                 (
                 what
                 ever
                 else
                 he
                 seemes
                 to
                 possesse
                 )
                 hath
                 lesse
                 then
                 nothing
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 SECT
                 .
                 XXII
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Holy
                   resolutions
                   :
                   1.
                   
                   That
                   our
                   present
                   estate
                   is
                   best
                   for
                   us
                   .
                
              
               
                 AFter
                 these
                 serious
                 considerations
                 ,
                 and
                 meet
                 dispositions
                 ,
                 shall
                 in
                 the
                 last
                 follow
                 certain
                 firme
                 resolutions
                 for
                 the
                 full
                 actuating
                 our
                 contentment
                 :
                 And
                 first
                 ,
                 we
                 must
                 resolve
                 (
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 unfailable
                 grounds
                 of
                 divine
                 Providence
                 ,
                 formerly
                 spoken
                 of
                 )
                 that
                 the
                 present
                 estate
                 wherein
                 we
                 are
                 ,
                 is
                 certainly
                 the
                 best
                 for
                 us
                 ;
                 and
                 therefore
                 wee
                 must
                 herein
                 absolutely
                 captivate
                 our
                 understanding
                 ,
                 and
                 will
                 ,
                 to
                 that
                 of
                 the
                 Highest
                 :
                 How
                 unmeet
                 Judges
                 are
                 flesh
                 and
                 blood
                 
                 of
                 the
                 best
                 fitnesse
                 of
                 a
                 condition
                 for
                 us
                 ?
                 As
                 some
                 palates
                 (
                 which
                 are
                 none
                 of
                 the
                 wholsomest
                 )
                 like
                 nothing
                 but
                 sweet
                 meats
                 ,
                 so
                 our
                 nature
                 would
                 be
                 fed
                 up
                 with
                 the
                 only
                 delicacies
                 of
                 pleasures
                 and
                 prosperity
                 ;
                 according
                 to
                 the
                 false
                 principle
                 of
                 Aristippus
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 onely
                 is
                 happy
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 delighted
                 ;
                 but
                 the
                 all-wise
                 God
                 knowes
                 another
                 diet
                 more
                 fit
                 for
                 our
                 health
                 ,
                 and
                 therefore
                 graciously
                 tempers
                 our
                 dishes
                 with
                 the
                 tart
                 sauces
                 of
                 afiliction
                 :
                 The
                 mother
                 of
                 the
                 two
                 sons
                 of
                 Zebedee
                 ,
                 and
                 her
                 ambitious
                 children
                 ,
                 are
                 all
                 for
                 the
                 chiefe
                 P●●rage
                 in
                 the
                 Temporall
                 kingdome
                 of
                 Christ
                 ;
                 but
                 he
                 cals
                 them
                 to
                 a
                 bitter
                 Cup
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 bloody
                 baptisme
                 rather
                 ;
                 and
                 this
                 was
                 a
                 far
                 greater
                 honour
                 then
                 that
                 they
                 sued
                 for
                 :
                 There
                 is
                 no
                 earthly
                 estate
                 absolutely
                 good
                 for
                 all
                 persons
                 ;
                 like
                 as
                 no
                 gale
                 can
                 serve
                 for
                 all
                 passengers
                 .
                 In
                 Africk
                 ,
                 they
                 say
                 ,
                 the
                 
                 North
                 winde
                 brings
                 Clouds
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 South
                 winde
                 clears
                 up
                 :
                 That
                 plant
                 which
                 was
                 starved
                 in
                 one
                 soile
                 ,
                 in
                 another
                 prospers
                 ;
                 Yea
                 ,
                 that
                 which
                 in
                 some
                 climate
                 is
                 poyson
                 ,
                 proves
                 wholsome
                 in
                 another
                 :
                 Some
                 one
                 man
                 ,
                 if
                 he
                 had
                 anothers
                 blessings
                 ,
                 would
                 run
                 wilde
                 ;
                 and
                 if
                 he
                 had
                 some
                 other
                 mans
                 crosses
                 ,
                 would
                 be
                 desperate
                 ;
                 The
                 infinite
                 wisdome
                 of
                 the
                 great
                 Governour
                 of
                 the
                 world
                 allots
                 every
                 one
                 his
                 due
                 proportion
                 ;
                 The
                 Fitches
                 are
                 not
                 threshed
                 
                 with
                 a
                 threshing
                 instrument
                 ;
                 neither
                 is
                 a
                 Cartwheele
                 turned
                 about
                 upon
                 the
                 Cummin
                 ;
                 but
                 the
                 Fitches
                 are
                 beaten
                 out
                 with
                 a
                 staffe
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Cummin
                 with
                 a
                 rod
                 ,
                 saith
                 Esay
                 :
                 And
                 no
                 otherwise
                 in
                 matter
                 of
                 prosperity
                 ;
                 Josephs
                 Coat
                 may
                 be
                 party-coloured
                 ,
                 and
                 Benjamins
                 messe
                 may
                 be
                 five
                 times
                 so
                 much
                 as
                 any
                 of
                 his
                 brethren
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 marvell
                 if
                 
                 they
                 who
                 did
                 so
                 much
                 envie
                 Joseph
                 
                 for
                 his
                 dream
                 of
                 superiority
                 ,
                 did
                 not
                 also
                 envie
                 Benjamin
                 for
                 so
                 large
                 a
                 service
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 rich
                 gifts
                 at
                 his
                 parting
                 ;
                 this
                 it
                 seems
                 gave
                 occasion
                 for
                 the
                 good
                 Patriarchs
                 fear
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 charged
                 them
                 ,
                 See
                 that
                 you
                 fall
                 not
                 out
                 
                 by
                 the
                 way
                 :
                 But
                 ,
                 there
                 had
                 been
                 no
                 reason
                 for
                 so
                 impotent
                 an
                 envie
                 ;
                 whiles
                 the
                 gift
                 is
                 free
                 ,
                 and
                 each
                 speeds
                 above
                 his
                 desert
                 ,
                 who
                 can
                 have
                 cause
                 to
                 repine
                 ?
                 It
                 is
                 enough
                 that
                 Joseph
                 knew
                 a
                 just
                 reason
                 of
                 so
                 unequall
                 a
                 distribution
                 ,
                 though
                 it
                 were
                 hidden
                 from
                 themselves
                 .
                 The
                 elder
                 brother
                 may
                 grudge
                 the
                 fat
                 Calfe
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 prime
                 Robe
                 to
                 the
                 returned
                 Unthrift
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 Father
                 knowes
                 reason
                 to
                 make
                 that
                 difference
                 .
                 God
                 is
                 infinitely
                 just
                 and
                 infinitely
                 mercifull
                 ,
                 in
                 dispensing
                 both
                 his
                 favours
                 and
                 punishment
                 .
                 In
                 both
                 kinds
                 every
                 man
                 hath
                 that
                 which
                 is
                 fittest
                 for
                 him
                 ,
                 because
                 it
                 is
                 that
                 which
                 Gods
                 will
                 hath
                 designed
                 
                 to
                 him
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 will
                 is
                 the
                 most
                 absolute
                 rule
                 of
                 justice
                 :
                 now
                 if
                 we
                 can
                 so
                 frame
                 our
                 will
                 to
                 his
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 think
                 so
                 too
                 ,
                 how
                 can
                 wee
                 bee
                 other
                 then
                 contented
                 ?
                 Do
                 we
                 suffer
                 ?
                 There
                 is
                 more
                 intended
                 to
                 us
                 then
                 our
                 smart
                 :
                 It
                 was
                 a
                 good
                 speech
                 of
                 Seneca
                 ,
                 though
                 an
                 Heathen
                 ,
                 (
                 what
                 pity
                 it
                 is
                 that
                 he
                 was
                 so
                 ?
                 )
                 I
                 give
                 thanks
                 to
                 my
                 infirmity
                 ,
                 which
                 forces
                 me
                 not
                 to
                 be
                 able
                 to
                 do
                 that
                 ,
                 which
                 I
                 ought
                 not
                 will
                 to
                 do
                 ;
                 If
                 we
                 lose
                 without
                 ,
                 
                 so
                 as
                 we
                 gain
                 within
                 ;
                 if
                 in
                 the
                 perishing
                 of
                 the
                 outward
                 man
                 the
                 inward
                 man
                 be
                 renued
                 ,
                 we
                 have
                 no
                 cause
                 to
                 complain
                 ,
                 much
                 to
                 rejoyce
                 :
                 Do
                 I
                 live
                 in
                 a
                 mean
                 estate
                 ?
                 If
                 it
                 were
                 better
                 ,
                 I
                 should
                 be
                 worse
                 ;
                 more
                 proud
                 ,
                 more
                 carelesse
                 ;
                 and
                 what
                 a
                 wofull
                 improvement
                 were
                 this
                 ?
                 What
                 a
                 strange
                 creature
                 would
                 man
                 be
                 ,
                 if
                 he
                 were
                 what
                 he
                 would
                 wish
                 himselfe
                 ?
                 Surely
                 ,
                 he
                 would
                 be
                 wickedly
                 pleasant
                 ,
                 
                 carelesly
                 prophane
                 ,
                 vainely
                 proud
                 ,
                 proudly
                 oppressive
                 ,
                 dissolutely
                 wanton
                 ,
                 impetuously
                 selfe-willed
                 ;
                 and
                 shortly
                 ,
                 his
                 own
                 Idoll
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 own
                 Idolater
                 :
                 His
                 Maker
                 knowes
                 how
                 to
                 frame
                 him
                 better
                 ;
                 it
                 is
                 our
                 ignorance
                 and
                 unthankfulnesse
                 ,
                 if
                 we
                 submit
                 not
                 to
                 his
                 good
                 pleasure
                 :
                 To
                 conclude
                 ,
                 we
                 pray
                 every
                 day
                 ,
                 
                   Thy
                   will
                   be
                   done
                
                 ;
                 What
                 hypocrites
                 are
                 we
                 ,
                 if
                 we
                 pray
                 one
                 thing
                 ,
                 and
                 act
                 another
                 ?
                 If
                 we
                 murmure
                 at
                 what
                 we
                 wish
                 ?
                 All
                 is
                 well
                 between
                 Heaven
                 and
                 us
                 ,
                 if
                 we
                 can
                 think
                 our
                 selvs
                 happy
                 to
                 be
                 what
                 God
                 will
                 have
                 us
                 .
              
            
             
               
               
                 SECT
                 .
                 XXIII
                 .
              
               
                 
                   2.
                   
                   Resolution
                   ,
                   to
                   abate
                   of
                   our
                   desires
                   .
                
              
               
                 SEcondly
                 ,
                 we
                 must
                 resolve
                 to
                 abate
                 of
                 our
                 desires
                 ;
                 for
                 it
                 is
                 the
                 illimitednesse
                 of
                 our
                 ambitious
                 ,
                 and
                 covetous
                 thoughts
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 guilty
                 of
                 our
                 unquietnesse
                 ;
                 Every
                 man
                 would
                 be
                 ,
                 and
                 have
                 more
                 then
                 he
                 is
                 ;
                 and
                 is
                 therefore
                 sick
                 of
                 what
                 he
                 is
                 not
                 .
                 It
                 was
                 a
                 true
                 word
                 of
                 Democritus
                 ,
                 If
                 we
                 desire
                 not
                 much
                 ,
                 we
                 shall
                 think
                 a
                 little
                 much
                 :
                 and
                 it
                 is
                 sutable
                 to
                 one
                 of
                 the
                 rules
                 of
                 S.
                 Augustine
                 ;
                 it
                 is
                 better
                 to
                 need
                 lesse
                 ,
                 then
                 to
                 have
                 more
                 :
                 Paul
                 ,
                 the
                 richest
                 poor
                 man
                 ,
                 (
                 as
                 Ambrose
                 well
                 )
                 could
                 say
                 ,
                 As
                 having
                 all
                 things
                 ,
                 yet
                 possessing
                 
                 nothing
                 :
                 It
                 is
                 not
                 for
                 a
                 Christian
                 to
                 be
                 of
                 the
                 Dragons
                 temper
                 ,
                 which
                 they
                 say
                 is
                 so
                 ever
                 thirsty
                 ,
                 
                 that
                 no
                 water
                 will
                 quench
                 his
                 drought
                 ;
                 and
                 therefore
                 never
                 hath
                 his
                 mouth
                 shut
                 ;
                 nor
                 with
                 the
                 daughters
                 of
                 the
                 Horseleach
                 to
                 cry
                 alwayes
                 ,
                 Give
                 ,
                 give
                 ;
                 He
                 
                 must
                 confine
                 his
                 desires
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 ,
                 to
                 no
                 overlarge
                 compasse
                 ;
                 and
                 must
                 say
                 to
                 them
                 ,
                 as
                 God
                 doth
                 to
                 the
                 Sea
                 ,
                 Hitherto
                 shalt
                 
                 thou
                 come
                 ,
                 and
                 no
                 further
                 ;
                 and
                 here
                 shall
                 thy
                 proud
                 waves
                 be
                 stayed
                 .
              
               
                 What
                 a
                 cumber
                 it
                 is
                 for
                 a
                 man
                 to
                 have
                 too
                 much
                 ?
                 to
                 be
                 in
                 the
                 case
                 of
                 Surena
                 the
                 Parthian
                 Lord
                 ,
                 that
                 could
                 never
                 remove
                 his
                 family
                 with
                 lesse
                 then
                 a
                 thousand
                 Camels
                 ?
                 What
                 is
                 this
                 ,
                 but
                 Tortoise-like
                 to
                 be
                 clogg'd
                 with
                 a
                 weighty
                 shell
                 ,
                 which
                 we
                 cannot
                 drag
                 after
                 us
                 ,
                 but
                 with
                 pain
                 ?
                 Or
                 like
                 the
                 Ostrich
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 so
                 held
                 down
                 with
                 an
                 heavie
                 body
                 that
                 we
                 can
                 have
                 no
                 use
                 of
                 our
                 wings
                 ?
                 Whereas
                 the
                 nimble
                 Lark
                 rises
                 and
                 mounts
                 with
                 ease
                 ,
                 and
                 sings
                 chearfully
                 in
                 her
                 flight
                 .
                 
                 How
                 many
                 have
                 we
                 known
                 ,
                 that
                 have
                 found
                 too
                 much
                 flesh
                 a
                 burden
                 ?
                 and
                 when
                 they
                 have
                 found
                 their
                 blood
                 too
                 rank
                 ,
                 have
                 been
                 glad
                 to
                 pay
                 for
                 the
                 letting
                 it
                 out
                 ?
                 It
                 was
                 the
                 word
                 of
                 that
                 old
                 and
                 famous
                 Lord
                 Keeper
                 Bacon
                 ,
                 the
                 eminent
                 Head
                 of
                 a
                 noble
                 and
                 witty
                 family
                 ,
                 
                   Mediocria
                   firma
                
                 :
                 There
                 is
                 neither
                 safety
                 ,
                 nor
                 true
                 pleasure
                 in
                 exces
                 :
                 it
                 was
                 a
                 wise
                 and
                 just
                 answer
                 of
                 Zeno
                 the
                 Philosopher
                 ,
                 who
                 reproving
                 the
                 superstuity
                 of
                 a
                 feast
                 ,
                 and
                 hearing
                 by
                 way
                 of
                 defence
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 Maker
                 of
                 it
                 was
                 a
                 rich
                 man
                 ,
                 and
                 might
                 well
                 spare
                 it
                 ,
                 said
                 ;
                 If
                 thy
                 Cook
                 shall
                 oversalt
                 thy
                 broth
                 ,
                 and
                 when
                 he
                 is
                 chid
                 for
                 it
                 ,
                 shall
                 say
                 ,
                 I
                 have
                 store
                 enough
                 of
                 salt
                 lying
                 by
                 mee
                 :
                 wouldst
                 thou
                 take
                 this
                 for
                 a
                 fair
                 answer
                 ?
              
               
                 My
                 Son
                 ,
                 eat
                 thou
                 honey
                 ,
                 saith
                 
                 Solomon
                 ;
                 because
                 it
                 is
                 good
                 :
                 but
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 sure
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 preveating
                 all
                 immoderation
                 ,
                 he
                 addes
                 
                 soon
                 after
                 ;
                 Hast
                 thou
                 found
                 
                 honey
                 ?
                 eat
                 so
                 much
                 as
                 is
                 sufficient
                 for
                 thee
                 ,
                 lest
                 thou
                 be
                 filled
                 therewith
                 :
                 if
                 our
                 appetite
                 carry
                 us
                 too
                 far
                 ,
                 we
                 may
                 easily
                 surfeit
                 ;
                 this
                 (
                 which
                 is
                 the
                 embleme
                 of
                 pleasure
                 )
                 must
                 be
                 tasted
                 (
                 as
                 Dionysius
                 the
                 Sophist
                 said
                 of
                 old
                 )
                 on
                 the
                 tip
                 of
                 the
                 finger
                 ;
                 not
                 be
                 supt
                 up
                 in
                 the
                 hollow
                 of
                 the
                 hand
                 :
                 It
                 is
                 with
                 our
                 desires
                 as
                 it
                 is
                 with
                 weak
                 stomachs
                 ,
                 the
                 quantity
                 offends
                 ,
                 even
                 where
                 the
                 food
                 is
                 not
                 unwholsome
                 ;
                 and
                 if
                 heed
                 be
                 not
                 taken
                 ,
                 one
                 bit
                 draws
                 on
                 another
                 ,
                 till
                 nature
                 be
                 overlaid
                 ;
                 Both
                 pleasures
                 and
                 profits
                 (
                 if
                 way
                 be
                 given
                 to
                 them
                 )
                 have
                 too
                 much
                 power
                 to
                 debauch
                 the
                 minde
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 work
                 it
                 to
                 a
                 kinde
                 of
                 insatiablenesse
                 ;
                 there
                 is
                 a
                 thirst
                 that
                 is
                 caused
                 with
                 drunkennes
                 ;
                 and
                 the
                 wanton
                 appetite
                 ,
                 like
                 as
                 they
                 said
                 of
                 Messalina
                 ,
                 may
                 be
                 wearied
                 ,
                 but
                 cannot
                 be
                 satisfied
                 ;
                 It
                 is
                 good
                 therefore
                 to
                 give
                 austere
                 
                 repulses
                 to
                 the
                 first
                 overtures
                 of
                 inordinate
                 desires
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 give
                 strong
                 denials
                 to
                 the
                 first
                 unruly
                 motions
                 of
                 our
                 hearts
                 ;
                 For
                 ,
                 S.
                 Chrysostome
                 well
                 ;
                 pleasure
                 is
                 like
                 a
                 Dog
                 ,
                 which
                 being
                 coyed
                 ,
                 and
                 stroked
                 ,
                 followes
                 us
                 at
                 the
                 heels
                 ,
                 but
                 if
                 rated
                 ,
                 and
                 beaten
                 off
                 ,
                 is
                 driven
                 away
                 from
                 us
                 with
                 ease
                 .
              
               
                 It
                 is
                 for
                 the
                 Christian
                 heart
                 to
                 be
                 taken
                 up
                 with
                 other
                 desires
                 ,
                 such
                 as
                 wherein
                 there
                 can
                 be
                 no
                 danger
                 of
                 immoderatenesse
                 :
                 These
                 are
                 the
                 holy
                 longings
                 after
                 grace
                 and
                 goodnesse
                 ;
                 This
                 only
                 covetousnesse
                 ,
                 this
                 ambition
                 is
                 pleasing
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 infinitely
                 beneficiall
                 to
                 the
                 soule
                 .
                 Blessed
                 are
                 they
                 which
                 hunger
                 
                 and
                 thirst
                 after
                 righteousnesse
                 ,
                 for
                 they
                 shall
                 be
                 filled
                 :
                 Spirituall
                 blessings
                 are
                 the
                 true
                 riches
                 whereof
                 we
                 can
                 never
                 have
                 enough
                 .
                 S.
                 Ambrose
                 said
                 truly
                 ,
                 No
                 man
                 is
                 indeed
                 wealthy
                 ,
                 that
                 cannot
                 carry
                 away
                 what
                 he
                 hath
                 
                 with
                 him
                 :
                 What
                 is
                 left
                 behinde
                 ,
                 
                 is
                 not
                 ours
                 ,
                 but
                 other
                 mens
                 :
                 Contemne
                 thou
                 whiles
                 thou
                 art
                 alive
                 ,
                 that
                 which
                 thou
                 canst
                 not
                 enjoy
                 when
                 thou
                 art
                 dead
                 .
              
               
                 As
                 for
                 this
                 earthly
                 trash
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 vaine
                 delights
                 of
                 the
                 flesh
                 ,
                 which
                 we
                 have
                 so
                 fondly
                 doted
                 on
                 ;
                 we
                 cannot
                 carry
                 them
                 indeed
                 away
                 with
                 us
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 sting
                 of
                 the
                 guilty
                 mis-enjoying
                 of
                 them
                 will
                 be
                 sure
                 to
                 stick
                 by
                 us
                 ;
                 and
                 ,
                 to
                 our
                 sorrow
                 ,
                 attend
                 us
                 both
                 in
                 Death
                 and
                 Judgement
                 :
                 In
                 summe
                 therefore
                 ,
                 if
                 we
                 would
                 be
                 truly
                 contented
                 ,
                 and
                 happy
                 ,
                 our
                 hearts
                 can
                 never
                 be
                 enough
                 enlarged
                 in
                 our
                 desires
                 of
                 spirituall
                 and
                 heavenly
                 things
                 ,
                 never
                 too
                 much
                 contracted
                 in
                 our
                 desires
                 of
                 earthly
                 .
              
            
             
               
               
                 SECT
                 .
                 XXIV
                 .
              
               
                 
                   3.
                   
                   Resolution
                   ,
                   to
                   inure
                   our selves
                   to
                   digest
                   smaller
                   discontentments
                   .
                
              
               
                 OUr
                 third
                 resolution
                 must
                 be
                 to
                 inure
                 our selves
                 to
                 digest
                 smaller
                 discontentments
                 ;
                 and
                 by
                 the
                 exercise
                 thereof
                 ,
                 to
                 enable
                 our selves
                 for
                 greater
                 :
                 as
                 those
                 that
                 drink
                 medicinall
                 waters
                 ,
                 begin
                 first
                 with
                 smaller
                 quantities
                 ,
                 and
                 by
                 degrees
                 arise
                 ,
                 at
                 last
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 highest
                 of
                 their
                 prescribed
                 measure
                 ;
                 or
                 as
                 the
                 wise
                 Lacedemonians
                 ,
                 by
                 early
                 scourgings
                 of
                 their
                 boyes
                 ,
                 inured
                 them
                 in
                 their
                 riper
                 yeares
                 to
                 more
                 painfull
                 sufferings
                 :
                 A
                 strong
                 Milo
                 takes
                 up
                 his
                 Calf
                 at
                 first
                 ,
                 and
                 by
                 continuall
                 practice
                 is
                 now
                 able
                 to
                 carry
                 it
                 when
                 it
                 is
                 grown
                 a
                 Bull.
                 
              
               
                 Such
                 is
                 our
                 self-love
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 
                 affect
                 ever
                 to
                 be
                 served
                 of
                 the
                 best
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 we
                 are
                 apt
                 to
                 take
                 great
                 exceptions
                 at
                 small
                 failings
                 :
                 We
                 would
                 walk
                 alwayes
                 in
                 smooth
                 ,
                 and
                 even
                 paths
                 ,
                 and
                 would
                 have
                 no
                 hinderances
                 in
                 our
                 passage
                 ;
                 but
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 remedie
                 ,
                 we
                 must
                 meet
                 with
                 rubs
                 ;
                 and
                 perhaps
                 crosse
                 shinnes
                 ,
                 and
                 take
                 fals
                 too
                 in
                 our
                 way
                 :
                 Every
                 one
                 is
                 willing
                 and
                 desirous
                 to
                 enjoy
                 (
                 as
                 they
                 say
                 the
                 city
                 of
                 Rhodes
                 doth
                 )
                 a
                 perpetuall
                 Sunshine
                 ;
                 but
                 we
                 cannot
                 (
                 if
                 we
                 be
                 wise
                 )
                 but
                 know
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 must
                 meet
                 with
                 change
                 of
                 weather
                 ;
                 with
                 rainy
                 dayes
                 ,
                 and
                 sometimes
                 stormes
                 and
                 tempests
                 ;
                 it
                 must
                 be
                 our
                 wisdome
                 to
                 make
                 provision
                 accordingly
                 :
                 and
                 some
                 whiles
                 to
                 abide
                 a
                 whetting
                 ;
                 that
                 ,
                 if
                 need
                 be
                 ,
                 we
                 may
                 endure
                 a
                 drenching
                 also
                 .
                 It
                 
                 was
                 the
                 policy
                 of
                 Jacob
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 was
                 to
                 meet
                 with
                 his
                 brother
                 Esau
                 (
                 whom
                 he
                 feared
                 an
                 enemy
                 ,
                 but
                 found
                 a
                 friend
                 )
                 to
                 send
                 
                 the
                 droves
                 first
                 ,
                 then
                 his
                 handmaids
                 ,
                 and
                 their
                 children
                 ;
                 then
                 Leah
                 ,
                 with
                 her
                 children
                 ,
                 and
                 at
                 last
                 came
                 Joseph
                 and
                 Rachel
                 ,
                 as
                 one
                 that
                 would
                 adventure
                 the
                 lesse
                 dear
                 in
                 the
                 first
                 place
                 ,
                 and
                 (
                 if
                 it
                 must
                 be
                 )
                 to
                 prepare
                 himself
                 for
                 his
                 dearest
                 losse
                 .
                 
                   S.
                   Pauls
                
                 
                 companions
                 in
                 his
                 perilous
                 Sea-voyage
                 ,
                 first
                 lighten
                 the
                 Ship
                 of
                 lesse
                 necessaries
                 ,
                 then
                 they
                 cast
                 out
                 the
                 tackling
                 ,
                 then
                 the
                 wheat
                 ,
                 &
                 in
                 the
                 last
                 place
                 themselves
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 the
                 use
                 that
                 wise
                 Socrates
                 made
                 of
                 the
                 sharp
                 tongues
                 of
                 his
                 crosse
                 and
                 unquiet
                 wives
                 ,
                 to
                 prepare
                 his
                 patience
                 for
                 publick
                 sufferings
                 .
                 Surely
                 ,
                 he
                 that
                 cannot
                 endure
                 a
                 frown
                 ,
                 will
                 hardly
                 take
                 a
                 blow
                 ;
                 and
                 he
                 that
                 doubles
                 under
                 a
                 light
                 crosse
                 ,
                 will
                 sink
                 under
                 a
                 heavier
                 ;
                 and
                 contrarily
                 that
                 good
                 Martyr
                 prepares
                 his
                 whol
                 body
                 for
                 the
                 Faggot
                 ,
                 with
                 burning
                 his
                 hand
                 in
                 the
                 Candle
                 .
                 I
                 remember
                 Seneca
                 in
                 one
                 of
                 his
                 Epistles
                 rejoyces
                 much
                 
                 to
                 tell
                 with
                 what
                 patient
                 temper
                 he
                 took
                 it
                 ,
                 that
                 comming
                 unexpectedly
                 to
                 his
                 Countrey
                 house
                 ,
                 he
                 found
                 all
                 things
                 so
                 discomposed
                 ,
                 that
                 no
                 provision
                 was
                 ready
                 for
                 him
                 ;
                 finding
                 more
                 contentment
                 in
                 his
                 own
                 quiet
                 apprehension
                 of
                 these
                 wants
                 ,
                 then
                 trouble
                 in
                 that
                 unreadines
                 :
                 And
                 thus
                 should
                 we
                 be
                 affected
                 upon
                 all
                 occasions
                 ;
                 Those
                 that
                 promised
                 me
                 help
                 ,
                 have
                 disappointed
                 me
                 :
                 that
                 friend
                 on
                 whom
                 I
                 relyed
                 ,
                 hath
                 failed
                 my
                 trust
                 :
                 the
                 sum
                 that
                 I
                 expected
                 ,
                 comes
                 not
                 in
                 at
                 the
                 day
                 :
                 my
                 servant
                 slackens
                 the
                 businesse
                 enjoyned
                 him
                 :
                 the
                 beast
                 that
                 I
                 esteemed
                 highly
                 ,
                 is
                 lost
                 :
                 the
                 Vessell
                 in
                 which
                 I
                 shipped
                 some
                 commodities
                 ,
                 is
                 wrackt
                 :
                 my
                 diet
                 &
                 attendance
                 must
                 be
                 abated
                 ;
                 I
                 must
                 be
                 dislodged
                 of
                 my
                 former
                 habitation
                 ;
                 how
                 do
                 I
                 put
                 over
                 these
                 occurrences
                 ?
                 If
                 I
                 can
                 make
                 light
                 work
                 of
                 these
                 lesser
                 crosses
                 ,
                 I
                 am
                 in
                 a
                 good
                 posture
                 to
                 entertaine
                 greater
                 .
              
               
               
                 To
                 this
                 purpose
                 ,
                 it
                 will
                 be
                 not
                 a
                 little
                 expedient
                 to
                 thwart
                 our
                 appetite
                 in
                 those
                 things
                 wherein
                 we
                 placed
                 much
                 delight
                 ;
                 and
                 to
                 torture
                 our
                 curiosity
                 in
                 the
                 delay
                 of
                 those
                 contentments
                 ,
                 which
                 we
                 too
                 eagerly
                 affected
                 :
                 It
                 was
                 a
                 noble
                 and
                 exemplary
                 government
                 of
                 these
                 passions
                 ,
                 which
                 we
                 finde
                 in
                 King
                 David
                 ,
                 who
                 being
                 extreamly
                 thirsty
                 ,
                 and
                 longing
                 for
                 a
                 speedy
                 refreshment
                 ,
                 could
                 say
                 ;
                 Oh
                 that
                 one
                 would
                 give
                 mee
                 drink
                 of
                 the
                 water
                 of
                 the
                 Well
                 
                 of
                 Bethlehem
                 !
                 but
                 when
                 he
                 saw
                 that
                 water
                 purchased
                 with
                 the
                 hazard
                 of
                 the
                 lives
                 of
                 three
                 of
                 his
                 Worthies
                 ,
                 when
                 it
                 was
                 brought
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 he
                 would
                 not
                 drink
                 it
                 ,
                 but
                 poured
                 it
                 out
                 unto
                 the
                 Lord.
                 
              
               
                 Have
                 I
                 a
                 minde
                 to
                 some
                 one
                 curious
                 dish
                 above
                 the
                 rest
                 ?
                 I
                 will
                 put
                 my
                 knife
                 to
                 my
                 throat
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 humour
                 my
                 palate
                 so
                 far
                 as
                 to
                 taste
                 of
                 it
                 :
                 Doe
                 I
                 receive
                 a
                 Letter
                 of
                 newes
                 from
                 a
                 
                 far
                 Countrey
                 ,
                 over
                 night
                 ?
                 It
                 shall
                 keep
                 my
                 pillow
                 warme
                 till
                 the
                 morning
                 :
                 Doe
                 my
                 importunate
                 recreations
                 cal
                 me
                 away
                 ?
                 they
                 shall
                 ,
                 against
                 the
                 hair
                 ,
                 be
                 forcibly
                 adjourned
                 till
                 a
                 further
                 leisure
                 :
                 Out
                 of
                 this
                 ground
                 it
                 was
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 ancient
                 Votaries
                 observed
                 such
                 austerity
                 ,
                 and
                 rigour
                 in
                 their
                 diet
                 ,
                 clothes
                 ,
                 lodging
                 ;
                 as
                 those
                 that
                 knew
                 how
                 requisite
                 it
                 is
                 that
                 nature
                 should
                 be
                 held
                 short
                 of
                 her
                 demands
                 ;
                 and
                 continually
                 exercised
                 with
                 denials
                 ,
                 lest
                 she
                 grow
                 too
                 wanton
                 ,
                 and
                 impetuous
                 in
                 her
                 desires
                 :
                 That
                 which
                 was
                 of
                 old
                 given
                 as
                 a
                 rule
                 to
                 Monastick
                 persons
                 ,
                 is
                 fit
                 to
                 be
                 extended
                 to
                 all
                 Christians
                 ;
                 They
                 may
                 not
                 have
                 a
                 will
                 of
                 their
                 own
                 ,
                 but
                 must
                 frame
                 themselves
                 to
                 such
                 a
                 condition
                 ,
                 and
                 cariage
                 ,
                 as
                 seemes
                 best
                 to
                 their
                 Superiour
                 ;
                 If
                 therefore
                 it
                 please
                 my
                 God
                 to
                 send
                 me
                 some
                 little
                 comfort
                 ,
                 I
                 shall
                 take
                 that
                 as
                 an
                 earnest
                 of
                 more
                 ;
                 
                 and
                 if
                 he
                 exercise
                 me
                 with
                 lesser
                 crosses
                 ,
                 I
                 shall
                 take
                 them
                 as
                 preparatives
                 to
                 greater
                 ;
                 and
                 endeavour
                 to
                 be
                 thankfull
                 for
                 the
                 one
                 ,
                 and
                 patient
                 in
                 the
                 other
                 ;
                 and
                 contented
                 with
                 Gods
                 hand
                 in
                 both
                 .
              
            
             
               
               
                 SECT
                 .
                 XXV
                 .
              
               
                 
                   4.
                   
                   Resol
                   .
                   to
                   be
                   frequent
                   and
                   fervent
                   in
                   prayer
                   .
                
              
               
                 OUr
                 last
                 resolution
                 must
                 be
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 frequent
                 and
                 fervent
                 in
                 our
                 prayers
                 to
                 the
                 Father
                 of
                 all
                 mercies
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 will
                 be
                 pleased
                 to
                 work
                 our
                 hearts
                 by
                 the
                 power
                 of
                 his
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 to
                 this
                 constant
                 state
                 of
                 Contentation
                 ;
                 without
                 which
                 we
                 can
                 neither
                 consider
                 the
                 things
                 that
                 belong
                 to
                 our
                 inward
                 peace
                 ,
                 nor
                 dispose
                 our selves
                 towards
                 it
                 ,
                 nor
                 resolve
                 ought
                 for
                 the
                 effecting
                 it
                 ;
                 without
                 which
                 ,
                 all
                 our
                 Considerations
                 ,
                 all
                 our
                 Dispositions
                 ,
                 all
                 our
                 Resolutions
                 ,
                 are
                 vain
                 and
                 fruitlesse
                 .
                 Justly
                 therefore
                 doth
                 
                 the
                 blessed
                 Apostle
                 ,
                 after
                 his
                 charge
                 of
                 avoiding
                 all
                 carefulnesse
                 for
                 these
                 earthly
                 things
                 ,
                 
                 enforce
                 the
                 necessity
                 of
                 our
                 Prayers
                 and
                 Supplications
                 ,
                 and
                 making
                 our
                 requests
                 knowne
                 unto
                 God
                 ;
                 who
                 both
                 knows
                 our
                 need
                 ,
                 and
                 puts
                 these
                 requests
                 into
                 our
                 mouths
                 :
                 When
                 we
                 have
                 all
                 done
                 ,
                 they
                 are
                 the
                 requests
                 of
                 our
                 hearts
                 ,
                 that
                 must
                 free
                 them
                 from
                 cares
                 ,
                 and
                 frame
                 them
                 to
                 a
                 perfect
                 contentment
                 :
                 There
                 may
                 be
                 a
                 kind
                 of
                 dull
                 and
                 stupid
                 neglect
                 ,
                 which
                 possessing
                 the
                 soul
                 may
                 make
                 it
                 insensible
                 of
                 evill
                 events
                 ,
                 in
                 some
                 naturall
                 dispositions
                 ;
                 but
                 a
                 true
                 temper
                 of
                 a
                 quiet
                 and
                 peaceable
                 estate
                 of
                 the
                 soul
                 upon
                 good
                 grounds
                 can
                 never
                 be
                 attained
                 without
                 the
                 inoperation
                 of
                 that
                 holy
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 from
                 whom
                 every
                 good
                 gift
                 ,
                 and
                 every
                 perfect
                 giving
                 
                 proceedeth
                 :
                 It
                 is
                 here
                 contrary
                 to
                 these
                 earthly
                 occasions
                 :
                 with
                 men
                 ,
                 he
                 that
                 is
                 ever
                 craving
                 ,
                 is
                 never
                 contented
                 ;
                 but
                 with
                 God
                 ,
                 he
                 cannot
                 want
                 contentment
                 that
                 prays
                 always
                 .
                 
                 If
                 we
                 be
                 not
                 unacquainted
                 with
                 our selves
                 ,
                 we
                 are
                 so
                 conscious
                 of
                 our
                 own
                 weaknesse
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 know
                 every
                 puffe
                 of
                 temptation
                 is
                 able
                 to
                 blow
                 us
                 over
                 ;
                 they
                 are
                 onely
                 our
                 prayers
                 that
                 must
                 stay
                 us
                 from
                 being
                 caried
                 away
                 with
                 the
                 violent
                 assaults
                 of
                 discontentment
                 ;
                 under
                 which
                 ,
                 a
                 praying
                 soul
                 can
                 no
                 more
                 miscary
                 ,
                 then
                 an
                 indevout
                 soul
                 can
                 enjoy
                 safety
                 .
              
            
             
               
               
                 SECT
                 .
                 XXVI
                 .
              
               
                 
                   The
                   difficulty
                   of
                   knowing
                   how
                   to
                   abound
                   ;
                   and
                   the
                   ill
                   consequences
                   of
                   not
                   knowing
                   it
                   .
                
              
               
                 LEt
                 this
                 be
                 enough
                 for
                 the
                 remedy
                 of
                 those
                 distempers
                 which
                 arise
                 from
                 an
                 adverse
                 condition
                 ;
                 As
                 for
                 prosperity
                 ,
                 every
                 man
                 thinks
                 himself
                 wise
                 and
                 able
                 enough
                 to
                 know
                 how
                 to
                 govern
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 himself
                 in
                 it
                 ;
                 an
                 happy
                 estate
                 (
                 we
                 imagine
                 )
                 will
                 easily
                 manage
                 it selfe
                 ,
                 without
                 too
                 much
                 care
                 ;
                 Give
                 me
                 but
                 Sea-room
                 ,
                 saith
                 the
                 confident
                 Mariner
                 ,
                 and
                 let
                 me
                 alone
                 ,
                 what
                 ever
                 tempest
                 arise
                 :
                 Surely
                 ,
                 the
                 great
                 Doctor
                 of
                 the
                 Gentiles
                 had
                 never
                 made
                 this
                 holy
                 boast
                 of
                 his
                 divine
                 skill
                 ,
                 [
                 I
                 know
                 how
                 to
                 abound
                 ]
                 if
                 it
                 had
                 been
                 so
                 easie
                 a
                 matter
                 as
                 the
                 world
                 conceives
                 it
                 :
                 Meer
                 ignorance
                 ,
                 
                 and
                 want
                 of
                 selfe-experience
                 ,
                 is
                 guilty
                 of
                 this
                 errour
                 .
              
               
                 Many
                 a
                 one
                 abounds
                 in
                 wealth
                 and
                 honour
                 ,
                 who
                 abounds
                 no
                 lesse
                 in
                 miseries
                 and
                 vexation
                 :
                 Many
                 a
                 one
                 is
                 caried
                 away
                 with
                 an
                 unruly
                 greatness
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 destruction
                 of
                 body
                 ,
                 soul
                 ,
                 estate
                 ;
                 The
                 world
                 abounds
                 every
                 where
                 with
                 men
                 that
                 doe
                 abound
                 ,
                 and
                 yet
                 do
                 not
                 know
                 how
                 to
                 abound
                 :
                 and
                 those
                 especially
                 in
                 three
                 ranks
                 .
                 The
                 proud
                 ,
                 the
                 covetous
                 ,
                 the
                 prodigall
                 ;
                 The
                 proud
                 is
                 thereby
                 transported
                 to
                 forget
                 God
                 ;
                 the
                 covetous
                 ,
                 his
                 neighbour
                 ;
                 the
                 prodigall
                 ,
                 himself
                 .
              
               
                 Both
                 wealth
                 and
                 honour
                 are
                 of
                 a
                 swelling
                 nature
                 ;
                 raising
                 a
                 man
                 up
                 not
                 above
                 others
                 ,
                 but
                 above
                 himself
                 ;
                 equalling
                 him
                 to
                 the
                 powers
                 immortall
                 ;
                 yea
                 ,
                 exalting
                 him
                 above
                 all
                 that
                 is
                 called
                 God
                 ;
                 Oh
                 that
                 vile
                 dust
                 and
                 ashes
                 should
                 be
                 raised
                 to
                 
                 that
                 height
                 of
                 insolence
                 as
                 to
                 hold
                 contestation
                 with
                 its
                 Maker
                 !
                 Who
                 is
                 the
                 Lord
                 ?
                 saith
                 
                 the
                 King
                 of
                 Egypt
                 :
                 I
                 shall
                 be
                 like
                 to
                 the
                 Highest
                 ;
                 I
                 am
                 ,
                 and
                 
                 there
                 is
                 none
                 besides
                 me
                 ,
                 saith
                 the
                 King
                 of
                 Babylon
                 ;
                 The
                 voice
                 
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 of
                 Man
                 ,
                 goes
                 down
                 with
                 Herod
                 ;
                 And
                 hovv
                 will
                 that
                 Spirit
                 trample
                 upon
                 men
                 ,
                 that
                 dare
                 vie
                 with
                 the
                 Almighty
                 ?
                 Hence
                 are
                 all
                 the
                 heavy
                 oppressions
                 ,
                 bloudy
                 tyrannies
                 ,
                 imperious
                 domineerings
                 ,
                 scornfull
                 insultations
                 ,
                 merciless
                 outrages
                 ,
                 that
                 are
                 so
                 rife
                 amongst
                 men
                 ,
                 even
                 from
                 hence
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 know
                 not
                 how
                 to
                 abound
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 covetous
                 man
                 abounds
                 with
                 bags
                 ,
                 and
                 no
                 lesse
                 with
                 sorrows
                 ;
                 verifying
                 the
                 experience
                 of
                 wise
                 Solomon
                 ;
                 There
                 is
                 
                 a
                 sore
                 evill
                 which
                 I
                 have
                 seen
                 under
                 the
                 Sun
                 ,
                 riches
                 kept
                 for
                 the
                 owners
                 thereof
                 ,
                 to
                 their
                 hurt
                 ;
                 what
                 he
                 hath
                 got
                 with
                 
                 unjustice
                 ,
                 he
                 keeps
                 with
                 care
                 ,
                 leaves
                 with
                 grief
                 ,
                 and
                 reckons
                 for
                 with
                 torment
                 ;
                 I
                 cannot
                 better
                 compare
                 these
                 Money-mongers
                 then
                 to
                 Bees
                 ;
                 they
                 are
                 busie
                 gatherers
                 ,
                 but
                 it
                 is
                 for
                 themselves
                 ;
                 their
                 Masters
                 can
                 have
                 no
                 part
                 of
                 their
                 honey
                 till
                 it
                 be
                 taken
                 from
                 them
                 ;
                 and
                 they
                 have
                 a
                 sting
                 ready
                 for
                 every
                 one
                 that
                 approaches
                 their
                 Hive
                 ;
                 and
                 their
                 lot
                 at
                 the
                 last
                 is
                 burning
                 .
                 What
                 maceration
                 is
                 there
                 here
                 with
                 fears
                 ,
                 and
                 jealousies
                 ;
                 what
                 cruell
                 extortion
                 ,
                 and
                 oppression
                 exercised
                 upon
                 others
                 ?
                 &
                 all
                 from
                 no
                 other
                 ground
                 then
                 this
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 know
                 not
                 how
                 to
                 abound
                 ?
              
               
                 The
                 prodigal
                 feasts
                 and
                 sports
                 like
                 an
                 Athenian
                 ,
                 spends
                 like
                 an
                 Emperour
                 ;
                 and
                 is
                 ready
                 to
                 say
                 as
                 Heliogabalus
                 did
                 of
                 old
                 ,
                 
                 Those
                 cates
                 are
                 best
                 ,
                 that
                 cost
                 dearest
                 ;
                 caring
                 more
                 for
                 an
                 empty
                 reputation
                 of
                 a
                 short
                 gallantry
                 ,
                 then
                 for
                 the
                 comforble
                 
                 subsistence
                 of
                 himself
                 ,
                 his
                 family
                 ,
                 his
                 family
                 ,
                 his
                 posterity
                 :
                 Like
                 Cleopes
                 ,
                 the
                 vain
                 Egyptian
                 King
                 ,
                 which
                 was
                 fain
                 to
                 prostitute
                 his
                 daughter
                 for
                 the
                 finishing
                 of
                 his
                 Pyramid
                 :
                 This
                 man
                 lavisheth
                 out
                 not
                 his
                 own
                 means
                 alone
                 ,
                 but
                 his
                 poor
                 neighbours
                 ;
                 running
                 upon
                 the
                 score
                 with
                 all
                 trades
                 that
                 concern
                 back
                 or
                 belly
                 ;
                 undoing
                 more
                 with
                 his
                 debts
                 ,
                 then
                 he
                 can
                 pleasure
                 with
                 his
                 entertainments
                 ;
                 none
                 of
                 all
                 which
                 should
                 be
                 done
                 ,
                 if
                 he
                 knew
                 how
                 to
                 abound
                 .
              
               
                 Great
                 skill
                 therefore
                 is
                 required
                 to
                 the
                 governing
                 of
                 a
                 plentifull
                 and
                 prosperous
                 estate
                 ,
                 so
                 as
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 safe
                 and
                 comfortable
                 to
                 the
                 owner
                 ,
                 and
                 beneficiall
                 unto
                 others
                 ;
                 Every
                 Corporall
                 may
                 know
                 how
                 to
                 order
                 some
                 few
                 files
                 ,
                 but
                 to
                 marshall
                 many
                 Troops
                 in
                 a
                 Regiment
                 ,
                 many
                 Regiments
                 in
                 a
                 whole
                 body
                 of
                 an
                 Army
                 ,
                 requires
                 the
                 skill
                 of
                 an
                 experienced
                 Generall
                 .
                 
                 But
                 the
                 rules
                 and
                 limits
                 of
                 Christian
                 moderation
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 use
                 of
                 our
                 honours
                 ,
                 pleasures
                 ,
                 profits
                 ,
                 I
                 have
                 at
                 large
                 laid
                 forth
                 in
                 a
                 former
                 Discourse
                 ;
                 thither
                 I
                 must
                 crave
                 leave
                 to
                 send
                 the
                 benevolent
                 Reader
                 ;
                 beseeching
                 God
                 to
                 bless
                 unto
                 him
                 these
                 and
                 all
                 other
                 labours
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 happy
                 furtherance
                 of
                 his
                 Grace
                 and
                 Salvation
                 .
              
               
                 Amen
                 .
              
            
             
               FINIS
               .
            
          
        
      
    
     
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A45324-e280
           
             Dr.
             Preston
             .
          
           
             Ps
             .
             19.
             1
             ,
             2.
             
          
           
             Ps
             .
             104.
             24.
             
          
           
             Cant.
             5.
             6.
             
          
           
             Ps
             .
             41.
             4.
             
          
           
             79.
             8.
             
          
           
             130.
             3.
             
          
           
             94.
             11.
             
          
           
             3.
             7.
             
          
           
             89.
             48.
             
          
           
             109.
             21.
             
          
           
             86.
             4.
             
          
           
             71.
             10.
             86.
             11.
             
          
           
             Ps
             .
             70.
             6.
             
          
           
             60.
             11.
             
          
           
             71.
             23.
             
          
           
             31.
             17.
             
          
           
             40.
             14.
             
          
           
             5.
             8.
             
          
           
             119.
             penul
             .
          
           
             68.
             35.
             
          
           
             92.
             5.
             
          
           
             71.
             17.
             
          
           
             18.
             47.
             63.
             4.
             
          
           
             145.
             10.
             
          
           
             104.
             25.
             
          
           
             18.
             31.
             
          
           
             Ps
             .
             20.
             5.
             
          
           
             107.
             8
             
             :
             31.
             21.
             
          
           
             9.
             10.
             
          
           
             16.
             12.
             
          
           
             8.
             4.
             
          
           
             115.
             1.
             
          
           
             Ps
             .
             19.
             1.
             
          
           
             74.
             17.
             
          
           
             97.
             11.
             
          
           
             36.
             9.
             
          
           
             39.
             5.
             
          
           
             93.
             5.
             
          
           
             139.
             11.
             
          
           
             Ps
             .
             139.
             2.
             
          
           
             51.
             7.
             
          
           
             17.
             5.
             
          
           
             90.
             12.
             
          
           
             39.
             5.
             
          
           
             Luc.
             11.
             25.
             
          
           
             Wisd
             .
             1.
             4.
             
          
           
             Psal
             .
             26.
             6.
             
          
           
             Eccles
             .
             10.
             
          
           
             Esa
             .
             66.
             2.
             
          
           
             Gen.
             18.
             27.
             
          
           
             Pro.
             30.
             2.
             
          
           
             Mat.
             3.
             11.
             
          
           
             Ephes
             .
             3.
             1.
             
          
           
             Job
             38.
             
          
           
             Phil.
             2.
             6
             ,
             7
             ,
             8
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           
             Rom.
             5.
             1.
             
          
           
             Ps
             .
             103.
             8.
             
          
           
             Ps
             .
             116.
             12
             ,
             13.
             
          
           
             Ps
             .
             119.
             18.
             21
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           
             Phil.
             1.
             21.
             
          
           
             Gal.
             2.
             20.
             
          
           
             Cant.
             2.
             16.
             
          
           
             Cant.
             4.
             9.
             6.
             4
             ,
             5.
             
          
           
             Can.
             5.
             10.
             
          
           
             8.
             6.
             
          
           
             2.
             5.
             
          
           
             Ps
             .
             116.
             
             Rom.
             3.
             4.
             
          
           
             Ps
             .
             119.
             8.
             
          
           
             Carolus
             Borromaeus
             
          
           
             Acts
             19.
             35
             
          
           
             Eccles
             .
             5.
             1.
             
          
           
             Jud.
             3.
             20.
             
          
           
             2
             Cor.
             5.
             20
             
          
           
             Act.
             10.
             33
             
          
           
             1
             Sam.
             25.
             24.
             
          
           
             Job
             13.
             17.
             
          
           
             Psal
             .
             40.
             6.
             
          
           
             Serm.
             ad
             Eccles
             .
             cautelam
             .
          
           
             1
             Pet.
             2.
             2
             
             Eph.
             3.
             9.
             
          
           
             Zachar.
             3.
             ●
             
          
           
             Mat.
             5.
             23.
             
          
        
         
           Notes for div A45324-e4210
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             Hos
             .
             2.
             14.
             
          
           
             *
             Non
             enim
             potest
             mens
             attrita
             &
             oneribus
             &
             importunitatibus
             gravata
             ,
             tanium
             boni
             peragere
             ,
             quantum
             delectata
             &
             oppressionibus
             soluta
             Cornel.
             ep
             .
             2.
             
             Rufo
             Coepiscopo
             .
          
           
             Acts
             ult
             .
          
           
             Gen.
             26.
             22.
             
          
           
             Magna
             domus
             homuli
             .
          
           
             Psal
             .
             8.
             3
             ,
             4.
             
          
        
         
           Notes for div A45324-e6920
           
             Phil.
             4.
             11.
             
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             v.
             12.
             
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             Si
             sedeas
             requies
             est
             magna
             laboris
             ;
             Si
             multum
             sedeas
             ,
             labor
             est
             .
             Tert.
             Car.
             
          
           
             Pro.
             30.
             8.
             
          
           
             Senec.
             de
             Tranquil
             .
          
           
             Psal
             .
             23.
             1.
             
          
           
             Psal
             .
             34.
             9
             ,
             10.
             
          
           
             Ecclus.
             25.
             22.
             
          
           
             Rev.
             3.
             17.
             
          
           
             Mat.
             20.
             15
             
          
           
             2
             King.
             7.
             2
             
          
           
             2
             King.
             6.
             33.
             
          
           
             Rev.
             16.
             9.
             11.
             
          
           
             Ionah
             4.
             9.
             
          
           
             Prov.
             30.
             9
             
          
           
             *
             Galba
             Otho
             Vitellius
             Ael
             .
             Pertinax
             Didius
             .
             Anno
             D.
             1275.
             1276.
             
             Gregor
             .
             10
             Innocent
             5
             Hadrian
             5
             Johan
             .
             20
             vel
             21
             Nicolaus
             3
             
          
           
             *
             1
             Cor.
             15.
             31.
             
          
           
             Gen.
             15.
             10
             
          
           
             Deut.
             29.
             23.
             
          
           
             Prov.
             23.
             5.
             
          
           
             Ps
             .
             49.
             12.
             
          
           
             Ludo.
             Vives
             in
             3.
             de
             Civilcensurā
             notatus
             Vellosillo
             .
          
           
             Prov.
             ult
             .
             penult
             .
          
           
             Eccles
             :
             11.
             10.
             
          
           
             Mat.
             6.
             28.
             
          
           
             Eccle.
             1.
             8.
             
          
           
             Ps
             .
             69.
             22.
             
          
           
             Dan.
             1.
             12
             ,
             13.
             
          
           
             Heb.
             11.
             13
             
          
           
             Ps
             .
             132.
             1.
             
          
           
             G.
             Naz.
             Carm.
             de
             calam
             .
             suis
             .
          
           
             Greg.
             l.
             7.
             
             Epi.
             12.
             7.
             
          
           
             In
             vita
             Melanct.
             
          
           
             Shicardus
             .
          
           
             Ambros
             .
             l.
             4
             Epist
             .
             29.
             
          
           
             Hieron
             .
             Ep.
             ad
             Hedibium
             .
          
           
             1
             Tim.
             6.
             
          
           
             Ep.
             Lucii
             ad
             Episc
             .
             Gall.
             &
             Hisp
             .
          
           
             1
             Tim.
             6.
             9
             
          
           
             Paulo
             primo
             Eremitae
             in
             spelunca
             viventi
             palma
             &
             cibum
             &
             vestimentum
             praebebat
             :
             quod
             cum
             imp●s●●b●le
             vidcatur
             .
             Jestemm
             testur
             &
             Angelos
             vidisse
             me
             Monacbos
             ,
             de
             quibus
             unus
             per
             30.
             annos
             clausus
             ,
             bo●deaceo
             pane
             &
             lu●ulenta
             aqua
             vixit
             .
             Hieron
             de
             vita
             Pauli
             .
             Revelatur
             Antonio
             nonagenario
             de
             Paulo
             agente
             jam
             113
             annum
             ,
             esse
             alium
             se
             sanctiorem
             Monachum
             ,
             ibid.
             
          
           
             Plin.
             l.
             26.
             c.
             6.
             
          
           
             Hugo
             .
             Instit
             .
             Mona
             .
             Reg.
             S.
             Columb
             .
          
           
             Senec.
             Epist
             .
             38.
             
          
           
             Job
             18.
             4.
             
          
           
             Eccles
             7.
             9.
             
          
           
             Gen.
             30.
             1.
             
          
           
             Gen.
             15.
             2.
             
          
           
             Pro.
             15.
             13
             
          
           
             Ps
             .
             37.
             7.
             
             Jam.
             5.
             7.
             
          
           
             Jer.
             12.
             8.
             
          
           
             Ps
             .
             103.
             9.
             
          
           
             Job
             2.
             10.
             
          
           
             Livius
             .
          
           
             2
             Cor.
             4.
             17.
             
          
           
             Acts
             7.
             
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             Inter
             opera
             Ambrosii
             De
             moribus
             Brachmannorum
             .
          
           
             1
             Kings
             18.
             13.
             2
             
             King.
             6.
             2
             ,
             3
             ,
             4
             ,
             5.
             
          
           
             Mat.
             8.
             20.
             
          
           
             Heb.
             9.
             27.
             
          
           
             Rom.
             5.
             1.
             
          
           
             Phil.
             1.
             23.
             
          
           
             Gal.
             5.
             17.
             
          
           
             Job
             14.
             4.
             
          
           
             Rom.
             7.
             19
             
          
           
             Gen.
             18.
             27
             
          
           
             P●●k
             .
             Avoth
             .
          
           
             Gen.
             32.
             10
             
          
           
             Pro.
             3.
             34.
             
          
           
             Jam.
             4.
             6.
             
          
           
             Eccles
             .
             7.
             8
             
          
           
             Mat.
             5.
             39
             ,
             40.
             
          
           
             Pro.
             15.
             33
             
          
           
             Phil.
             4.
             6.
             
          
           
             Heb.
             11.
             1.
             
          
           
             Mat.
             5.
             10.
             
          
           
             Heb.
             13.
             5.
             
          
           
             Esa
             .
             54.
             7
             ,
             8
             
          
           
             Psal
             .
             139.
             8
             ,
             9.
             
          
           
             Verse
             10
             ,
             11.
             
          
           
             Psal
             .
             68.
             20
             
          
           
             Joh.
             7.
             38.
             
          
           
             Joh.
             6.
             55.
             
          
           
             Rom.
             13.
             14.
             
          
           
             Rev.
             22.
             2.
             
          
           
             Ps
             .
             62.
             6
             ,
             7.
             
          
           
             Phil.
             1.
             21
             
          
           
             Joh.
             11.
             25
             
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             1.
             30
             
          
           
             Rev.
             3.
             23.
             
          
           
             Esa
             .
             28.
             27.
             
          
           
             Gen.
             43.
             34.
             
          
           
             Gen.
             45.
             24.
             
          
           
             2
             Cor.
             4.
             16.
             
          
           
             Ambros
             .
             de
             vitiorum
             &
             virtutum
             conflictus
             .
          
           
             Pro.
             30.
             15
             
          
           
             Job
             38.
             11
             
          
           
             Pro.
             24.
             13
             
          
           
             Pro.
             25.
             16
             
          
           
             Mat.
             5.
             6.
             
          
           
             Ambros
             .
             Epist
             .
             27.
             
          
           
             Gen.
             3.
             2.
             26.
             
             &
             33.
             5
             ,
             6.
             &c.
             
          
           
             Acts
             27.
             18
             ,
             19.
             
          
           
             2
             Sam.
             23.
             15
             ,
             16
             ,
             17.
             
          
           
             Phil.
             4.
             6.
             
          
           
             Jam.
             1.
             17.
             
          
           
             Exod.
             5.
             2.
             
          
           
             Esa
             .
             14.
             14.
             
          
           
             Act.
             12.
             12.
             
          
           
             Eccl.
             5.
             13.
             
          
           
             Aelius
             Lāprid
             .